Are you struggling to work out how you should be dealing with debts? Rest assured you are not alone, as more and more people are struggling to deal with their unsecured debts due to rising living costs and a lack of willingness to lend by most high-street banks.

You don’t have to worry about dealing with debts alone, there are companies our there that are willing to help you leave your debt worries behind and look forward to a debt free future. No matter how much debt you have or how many unsecured creditors you owe money to, it is never too late to seek out ways of dealing with debts.

There are a number of debt solutions on the market which are all designed to help you deal with debts and reduce your monthly payments to your creditors. These include:

Debt Management Programme – The debt management programme is offered by many financial solutions companies across the country. They are designed to offer you a reduced payment to your creditors. Making your unsecured debts more affordable means that you can keep to a good standard of living without having to worry about missing payments to your unsecured debt, but it is likely that the length of time you will be paying back this debt will increase.

Debt management programmes are only really suitable for those with debt which is less than £12,000, if your debt is higher than this level and you are struggling then you may be more suitable for an IVA.

IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangements) – IVA’s were introduced as a more realistic alternative to bankruptcy for those who are struggling with high levels of debt. Once accepted onto an IVA, the average term is 60 months. During this IVA term you must commit to making a set reduced payment to your IVA. This will be distributed amongst your creditors who will write off any unpaid debt upon completion of an IVA.

An IVA is a legally binding contract between you and your unsecured creditors so it is essential that you continue to make the payments to your creditors so you do not have to risk bankruptcy.

These are just two of the ways which you could be dealing with you debt. The best way to go about dealing with your debts and to become debt free is to get in contact with a company which can offer you the full range of debt solutions.

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Debt Free -
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Drowning in Debt? Need Expert Help to Become Debt Free? It is possible to become Debt Free in 60 months, find out how and if you are eligible by taking the Debt Free Test.

The stock market should present you with a wide variety of NEW hot stocks in 2009. Many of them are going to be new technology stocks that come from the nanotech, biotech, financial, energy, healthcare & communications sectors.

Most of them might seem promising, but the truth is that a good number of these trading & investing opportunities could be extremely risky, while others are simply not as good as they look. That’s why it’s very important to know how to choose among the best especially if you want to day trade them.

When you know how to pick and approach the best hot stock trading opportunities, you are able to generate a consistent and respectable amount of money in a very short period of time.

Experienced day traders recognize that trading hot stocks on momentum can be the fastest way to make money in the stock market, especially on uncertain times like these.

You don’t necessarily have to trade momentum hot stocks all the time. But you can learn how to take advantage of them when you encounter the best opportunities for going long or for shorting them to make money when they are poised to fall down.

If You decide to day trade stocks just keep always in mind that for a trader to survive and be consistently profitable, its necessary to keep things as simple as possible. To much confusion and technical indicators will most of the time make you slow in your decisions and froze you up when a good opportunity is right in front of your screen.

In the end, stock market day trading is all about picking the best daily stock opportunities and following your buy and sell signals with ease and simplicity. Once you learn to master your trading decisions, you can aspire to produce consistent profitable results.

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Stock Investing -
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Momentum Stock Trading helps stock traders and investors take advantage of practical stock trading opportunities every day at http://www.MomentumStockTrading.com

We present you a step by step guide to lease a car. The procedure may differ to some extent depending on individual and situations. Remember these are just basic steps

Step 1- Understanding Car leasing:

Car Leasing is like renting but for a longer time period. The car is never owned by you, it has to be returned at end of the lease. Popularity of leasing rose in the 1990s as cars became expensive for may to buy. Leasing allows to drive a brand-new car at low monthly payments, thus allowing more people the “new-car experience”. Moreover, leasing may offer tax exemptions for certain occupations.

Advantages of Leasing

1. Leasing requires little or no money upfront and low monthly payments. You can drive a better car for less money
2. You can drive a new car every few years
3. No trade-in hassles at the end of the leas

Step 2- Deciding your lease payments.

Decide how much you can afford to spend on your lease payment. Having a figure in mind before you go shopping makes your shopping focused and saves time.

Step 3- Checking special deals and incentive offers.

A good way to shop for a leased car is to go for car manufacturers lease specials offers as it can save you more money. However, be sure to check on following things, before you decide:

1. Hidden costs, the specials might have hidden costs that are not mentioned in the lease ad.
2. Check if the promised monthly payment includes sales tax and other fees.
3. Does the advertised lease require a large down payment (sometimes called a “cap reduction payment” or “cap cost reduction”), bank fees and a security deposit? What about the annual mileage limit? These are questions you want answered long before you’re closing a lease deal.

Step 4: How to decide on duration of lease?

A car can be leased for two, three, four or five years. However, most people opt for three-year lease. Majority of car manufacturers offer bumper-to-bumper warranties for three-year. Hence, a three years lease keeps you under warranty without paying any extra. Moreover, a car really begins to show its age at about three years. One of the reasons for leasing is to drive a new, or nearly new, vehicle on a constant basis, why to lease for more than three-years and be forced to deal with extended warranty fees and high maintenance costs?

Of course, it’s better to have a low lease payment, and long duration of the lease will drop the monthly cost. However, extending the lease also means you’re investing more and more money into a vehicle that will not be yours. It’s better to find a competitive lease deal and keep the length of the contract to three years.

Step 5: Deciding on which car car to lease.

Find out which car you want or which car suits best as per your needs. This means you know the make, model, trim level, options and color. Flexibility on these parameters (make, model, trim level, options and color) allows you to make a better the lease deal.

For example, a shopper might be very firm about the make, model and trim level, but could accept a variety of options and colors. If another shopper definitely wants hard-to-find options and a specific color, it will be more difficult to negotiate. Why? You have no leverage as a negotiator. You have to pay the dealer’s lease rate or try to locate another identical vehicle.

Step 6: Test driving the vehicle.

When you arrive on the lot for the final test drive take a careful look at the car you are planning to lease. If you specified options – such as side airbags or ABS – check the window sticker to make sure they are on the care.

Step 7: Negotiating a lease payment.

Negotiations can be done in several ways. One way is, contact local dealerships which have the car you need and solicit bids. Take the the lowest bidder, call the others, see if they can beat that price. If not, you’ve lowest price.

The best way to get a good lease payment is to negotiate the lowest selling price for the car (using True Market Value pricing as a guide). Once that is set, you can get the salesperson to draw up a lease payment based on that figure. The thinking was that if the salesperson knew you were leasing, he would focus on the monthly payment while ignoring the negotiated price. He might even try to confuse you with leasing jargon.

However the most important factor is, if you’re happy with the down payment, monthly payment and mileage allowance, the purchase price of the vehicle is probably right. Keep in mind, that you may want to buy the vehicle at the end of the lease, you should also check the “residual value” to make sure it is a realistic figure.

One important point to remember is, most lease cars are based on the owner driving 12,000 miles a year. If you drive farther than this, you are charged from 10 to 15 cents for each mile over the limit. If you think you are going to drive more than the allowed mileage, you may buy extra miles up front. Usually, you can buy extra miles at five cents per mile and have this rolled into your lease payment.

Whichever method you negotiate, get the salesperson to send you a worksheet, detailing all the costs before you go to the dealership. This will allow you to review the figures in a relaxed environment.

Step 9: Paperwork.

Paperwork should be done carefully. At the dealership, you will be presented with a dizzying array of forms to sign, including the lease contract. The dealership might also try to sell you additional items like extended service contracts, fabric protection, alarms. Say, yes if you really need them, however, we recommend turning down these extras.

We recommend you to get a worksheet for the lease deal before hand and read it carefully prior to reaching the dealership to sign the deal. When you have already seen a worksheet for the lease deal you’ve made, the contract should be a formality. Just make sure the numbers are same as worksheet and no additional charges or fees have been inserted. You will also be asked to sign forms to register the new car for you. Ensure that you understand what you are signing and what it means. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you don’t understand. Car Leasing is a serious commitment and it’s the Dealership’s job to ensure you understand each and every document involved. Take your time, don’t hurry, remember, once you have signed there is no going back.

One last check, ensure your contract includes “gap insurance,” it’s a must have when leasing. In case, your leased car is stolen or totaled in an accident, there can be a gap between what your insurance company will pay you for the loss and the amount you now must pay to the leasing company. If you’ve the gap insurance it will cover you for this loss.

Step 10: Managing your leased vehicle.

Now, as you drive your leased vehicle you must remember that the car should be returned in good condition. Get all the scheduled maintenance done only with authorized service stations. It’s always better not to exceed the mileage limit, hence keep your eye on the odometer.

There are several alternatives when the car approaches to end of lease. You can return the car and lease a new vehicle. You may buy the car for the residual amount as per your contract. In some cases, you may even extend your lease term on a month-to-month basis until you decide what suits you the best.

Take the time to consider each available option carefully and then only take the final decision.

These are just general steps on how to go about a leasing deal. Remember, if you’ve any queries at any point contact our team.

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leggat leasing -
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I have been writing articles since last 3 years.
Car Lease

Question: “What’s the biggest financial investment most Canadians will ever make?”

Okay, that may have been an easy one if you read the headline of this column. For most Canadians, their home is their biggest investment – and their most powerful financial tool.

It’s odd – given the importance of the mortgage decision – that many homebuyers will spend much more time deciding on which mutual funds they should invest in… or even which sofa to buy… than on which mortgage will best meet their needs.

Times are changing though. Mortgage options are exploding, and Canadians have begun to demand – and receive – better rates, more flexible products and more personal service than ever before. And to get a better look at their growing range of options, more homebuyers than ever are going to a mortgage “store” – and to the professional mortgage brokers who run them.

The Ontario mortgage store is a symbol of just how much the mortgage industry has changed since those days when you simply walked into your local bank to apply for a mortgage. Today, one in three first-time Canadian homebuyers choose to work with a mortgage broker, and those numbers are climbing. It’s estimated that in the not-so-distant future, up to 50% of all Canadian mortgages may go through a mortgage broker for their financing needs. Our American neighbours are far ahead of us; almost 70% of all U.S. residential mortgages are now arranged through a mortgage broker.

Here in Canada, homebuyers are demanding choice – and they’ve been beating a path to the door of independent mortgage brokers to get it. Happily, that path is becoming shorter and more traveled; with attractive and inviting storefront offices, many independent mortgage brokers are now setting up “Main Street” offices… just like the banks.

It’s hard not to get excited about the options available through a mortgage store. To begin, consider that many different institutions lend money for mortgages: banks, trust companies, credit unions, pension funds, insurance companies, finance companies, etc. At a mortgage store – like those run by many independent consultants at Mortgage Intelligence, Canada’s premier player in the mortgage broker industry, homebuyers (through their mortgage broker) can access mortgage rates and information from a huge, varied group of lenders, including traditional banks, of course. The mortgage broker doesn’t represent any specific lending institution, but works to find a tailored mortgage solution. And they have information on the growing list of specialized mortgages that now cater to niche markets like the self-employed, or homeowners looking for a recreational or investment properties, for example.

For many Canadians, the family home has been their best-performing investment in the last several years. It’s a reminder that a Ontairo mortgage is an important financial tool – and access to a broad range of lending institutions is a critical advantage. After all, a quarter-point difference on your mortgage rate can add up to many thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage.

Ontairo mortgage storefront offices are popping up in towns and cities all across Canada. For your own financial well being, they’re definitely worth a browse!

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The House Team Of Mortgage Intellingence -
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The House Team is commited to providing quality information to help people make informed decisions about their mortgage financing needs.

Compare Ontario Mortgage Rates with the traditional banks.

Need a mortgage calculator? Click Here Mortgage Calculator Ontario

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Integrating the Ways of Knowing Through the Realms of Meaning to Improve National Fundraising Objectives

ABSTRACT

Improving academic achievement is at the heart of college and university fund development.  It has become increasingly important for fundraisers in educational settings to find innovative means to improve educational opportunities by increasing the institution’s financial resources.  The purpose of this article is to discuss the benefits of integrating the six realms of meaning as defined by Dr. William Allan Kritsonis in the Ways of Knowing Through the Realms of Meaning (2007) to increase private financial support at higher education institutions.

Introduction

Using the six realms of meaning in the fundraising profession can increase private resources for institutions of higher education.  Being a successful fundraiser in higher education means employing a wide range of strategies in order to increase the donor pool and continue the giving cycle for current donors.  “Fundraisers know that average gift value increases with donor longevity, so the most productive use of professional and volunteer time in fundraising is spent giving donors what they need to stay loyal to the cause” (Burk, 2003, p. 6).   Cultivating loyal donors increases the likelihood of building a solid and sustainable donor base that is willing to contribute meaningful dollars over an indefinite time.

Purpose of the Article

The purpose of this article is to help fundraising professionals increase charitable giving through use of the six realms of meaning as defined by Dr. William Allan Kritsonis (2007) in the Ways of Knowing Through the Realms of Meaning.  University advancement professionals and development officers can increase and stabilize institutional resources by using symbolics to improve donor communication; by using empirics to become more knowledgeable about their individual donor preferences; by using esthetics to gain an appreciation for the value of donors’ personal interests; by using synnoetics to cultivate relationships with new donors; by employing ethics to foster a sense of trust between fundraisers and donors; and by using synoptics to increase giving among historical donors.

Using Symbolics in Fundraising

One of many ways to build donor relations and secure the next gift is through the use of symbolics. The use of ordinary language between fundraisers and donors demonstrates existence of a true, personal relationship and creates a forum for open communication.  People give money to people, not causes.  Donors need to believe that they can communicate on a personal level with development professionals.  Oftentimes, donors communicate their wishes through gestures, signs, or symbols, and fundraisers are required to read those signals. “Being conscious of how donors feel when they give makes it easy to respond in kind.  A gift given eagerly in the anticipation of achieving something worthwhile should be matched by an equally enthusiastic response from the solicitor or the charity” (Burk, 2003, p. 15).

            Donors need to feel connected to the cause.  This connection becomes more likely when fundraisers increase communication and recognition practices.  Increasing communication means presenting timely information through regular university publications and on-line tools.  It means reaching out to donors and having them anticipate a development officer’s next contact.  “Everything you do that is read, heard, seen, or attended by even one of your donors is a part of your donor communication inventory, whether you intend it to be or not” (Burk, 2003, p. 113). 

A significant component of donor communication is donor recognition or acknowledgement.  Thanking donors through written correspondence or with meaningful tokens represents appreciation for gifting.  “On a gift-by-gift basis, budgeting communication and recognition relative to gift size seems to make sense, but it is actually the opposite of what we need to do if we want to retain more donors and increase the average value of contributions.  We make the mistake of designing and budgeting communication as a post-gift activity instead of what it really is—the investment cost of securing the next gift” (Burk, 2003 p. 111).

Empirics in Fundraising

            The ability to secure the next gift from a donor presupposes that fundraisers are empirically savvy.  Fundraisers should be factually well-informed about their donors.  They must know donor history and have the wherewithal to match donor preferences with unfunded priorities and critical agency needs.  Ideally, fundraisers solicit the first gift, acknowledge that gift, prepare to re-solicit in a short but respectable timeframe, solicit the donor again, and continue the cycle accordingly.  Knowing what the donor wants and expects will provide a smooth transition into giving and repeat giving.

            Donors appreciate feeling as if they have a partnership with the organizations to which they contribute.   Universities have “…altered their fundraising methodology to give donors what they really need, and in so doing they have reaped the rewards” (Burk, 2003, p. 33).  By adding structure and strategy to higher education fundraising through professional consulting firms, universities have made their claim to a fortune that has long awaited them. Much of what continues to await fundraisers is how to become more creative in cultivation strategies in order to gain more resources in areas that have been intentionally avoided by educational institutions.

Appreciation for Esthetics

            Charitable organizations and individual donors have a variety of funding priorities.  Accordingly, it is important that fundraisers embrace an appreciation for matching donor preferences with institutional needs.  This requires flexibility in fundraising practices.  It could be stated that donors largely give in two primary, broad categories—arts and sciences.  To this end, being knowledgeable of all institutional programs is critical in fund development.  Fundraisers must be appreciative of contributions in esthetics.  They must be knowledgeable of the arts, understand the value of art collections, etc.  They must know how to handle family members when the institution is the beneficiary of bequests.

Relationship Building Using Synnoetics

            Shared beliefs and values often shape an organization’s culture.  Organizations conduct business under the presumption that they will be able to sell and deliver a product that is mutually appreciated by the customer.  Therefore, customer satisfaction can shape an organization’s culture.  In higher education, the concept of synnoetics exists among fundraisers during the processes of donor cultivation and gift stewardship.   Convincing donors that an agency operates at their best interest is largely influenced by common philosophies and values.

According to Lance Loren Johnsen in a theoretical study involving conflicts that confront academic fundraisers, “fostering ethical relationships with donors is essential for preserving the integrity of the philanthropic gift economy” (Johnsen, p. 2).  Being conscious of how donors feel when they give makes it easy to respond in kind (Burke, 2003, p. 14).  A gift given eagerly in the anticipation of achieving something worthwhile should be matched by an equally enthusiastic response from the solicitor or charity.  Ultimately, the shared belief or common goal between fundraisers and donors is what creates a continuum of giving. 

If a donor does not feel connected to an organization, the likelihood of acquiring a major gift is minimized.  Philanthropists rely on their relationships with organizations to influence their giving.  The lack of shared beliefs between prospective donors and organizations results in unsatisfied philanthropists.  It is incumbent upon the fundraiser to resolve any differences in philosophical underpinnings prior to donor cultivation.  Academic fundraisers resolve deliberative conflicts through choices grounded in their responsibilities to persons (Johnsen, p. 115).

Senior fundraising professional and author, Penelope Burke, addresses donor philosophy best by saying, “When a donor sits down to write a check, her heart may be racing, she may be imagining how you will react when you open the envelope, and she is certainly wondering whether her gift will have a positive impact on the work you both cherish” (Burke, p. 15).  This statement is the foundation of the fundraising profession.  People give money to people, not causes.  In translation, philanthropists give careful consideration to making substantial donations, and when cultivated by the right person at the right time, the organization reaps the best harvest. 

In the fund development community, stewards often overlook the importance of building relationships.  Fundraisers must embrace the philosophy that requires them to appreciate the customer.  Donor appreciation embodies the culture of any reputable fundraising organization.  It is, therefore, imperative that fundraisers understand, respect, and trust donors.

Ethics in Fundraising

            Direct correlation between ethical behavior and fundraising is clear.  In fact, the basis for successful fundraising is ethics.  Without application of ethical principles, fundraisers would not garner the support necessary to achieve effective results.

Assessing ethics among fundraisers is a fascinating topic.  It is almost understood that educational advancement professionals are responsible for the welfare of others (i.e. employees, students, parents, community, and the society at large).  Having a responsibility of this magnitude insists that fundraisers have basic core values that represent the highest level of ethical principles.

These development leaders are called upon to make moral decisions at many levels of complexity.  The degree to which they make the best decision is how they are publicly evaluated by the donor community.  While the values of fundraisers influence the make up their ethical framework, it is incumbent upon them to make decisions that satisfy the vast majority of its constituents.   This is probably the single most challenging attribute fundraisers have to adopt.  Being flexible enough to please a diverse community requires minimization of personal opinions.  A collaboration of values that embodies input from a committed donor community will foster the opportunity for buy-in from all who have a vested interest in increasing resources for institutional advancement.

Donor Attrition through Use of Synoptics

Fundraisers must understand individual societal contributions by employing synoptics.  “If a nonprofit organization is going to thrive in the twenty-first century, it must not only recognize and serve diverse cultures but also raise substantial portions of its monies from them” (Newman, 2002, p. 3).   Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have recently embraced the concept of matching donor preferences with institutional funding needs.  Approaching donors from this angle has yielded a wealth of resources for HBCUs.  Many of these schools have discovered that using students to call alumni produces results.  When alumni receive a call from a student pursuing a similar academic discipline, alumni perceive that they are in touch with a beneficiary who has similar beliefs and/or philosophies.  For example, an engineering student contacting an alumnus who majored in engineering prompts a thoughtful and proportionate gift and presents the opportunity for the alumnus to reconnect with the institution.  Reestablishing the relationship will nearly guarantee support.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, having a universal vision about the importance of philanthropy will help fundraisers achieve the epitome of excellence (Kritsonis, 2007, p. 564).  The six realms of meaning as introduced by Dr. William A. Kritsonis present an effective model for fundraising achievement in higher education.  The model embraces using symbolics to communicate more effectively; empirics to define and meet donor preferences; esthetics to gain an appreciation for the value of donors’ personal interests; synnoetics to improve personal knowledge and experience through donor contact; ethics to foster a sense of trust between fundraisers and donors; and synoptics to unite donors with a worth cause.  Understanding how each realm can work intermittently to establish a donor community will nearly guarantee a continuum of philanthropic generosity.

References

Burk, P.  (2003). Donor-centered fundraising.  Chicago:  Cygnus Applied Research, Incorporated.

Johnsen, L. L.   (May, 2005).  Understanding deliberative conflicts that confront

            academic fund raisers:  A grounded theory study.   Retrieved June 6, 2006, from

ProQuest Information and Learning Company website: http://www.lib.umi.com/dissertations/search.

Kritsonis, W.A.  (2007). Ways of knowing through the realms of meaning.  Houston, Texas: National Forum Press.

Newman, D.S.  (2002). Opening doors: Pathways to diverse donors.  San Francisco, CA:    Jossey-Bass.

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William Allan Kritsonis, PhD -
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Dr. Kritsonis Recognized as Distinguished Alumnus

Monica G. Williams is at Rice University, Houston, Texas

In 2004, Dr. William Allan Kritsonis was recognized as the Central Washington University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus for the College of Education and Professional Studies. Dr. Kritsonis was nominated by alumni, former students, friends, faculty, and staff. Final selection was made by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Recipients are CWU graduates of 20 years or more and are recognized for achievement in their professional field and have made a positive contribution to society. For the second consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report placed Central Washington University among the top elite public institutions in the west. CWU was 12th on the list in the 2006 On-Line Education of “America’s Best Colleges.”

One of the most interesting facts about the Irish Construction industry is that there is no legal requirement for a construction company to hold any from of construction insurance! In fact, the only insurance an Irish contractor is legally obliged to have is basic motor insurance on his/her motor vehicles!

Although there is no legal requirement under Irish law for a contractor to hold adequate Construction Insurance it is extremely important that adequate cover is in place.

One of the most important reasons is the high injury & mortality rate on Irish Construction sites. One major positive of the recent construction boom is the fatality per thousand ratio has fallen in recent years although it is still at an unacceptable level.

For example, in 2001 28% of workplace fatalities were Construction related and the Irish Construction industry is consistently second only to the Irish Agriculture& Forestry Industry.

As many primary contractors require their subcontractors to hold Construction Insurance the reality is that although Construction Insurance is not a legal requirement it is usually a prerequisite to obtaining work on the majority of the countries construction sites so the need for construction insurance is a necessity in everything but law!

Although Construction Insurance is quite a complex field the four main areas of cover are as follows:

• Public Liability Insurance

• Employers Liability Insurance

• Contractors All Risks

• Personal Accident

Public Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance [PL] provides cover in the event that the policyholder is sued by a third party who feels that they have suffered injury or loss as a result of the policyholders negligence (lack of care).

Consider the following examples where Public Liability Insurance will provide cover:

• You run a plumbing company. One day you are called to an office to sort out a problem in their kitchen. Accidentally, you burst a pipe, and flood the office. Your client then makes a claim against you for the damage to their carpet and computer systems which have been damaged by the water.

• You are a building contractor. While walking along scaffolding one of your men drops a piece of equipment which falls to the street, injuring a passing pedestrian. The pedestrian makes a claim against your firm.

Obviously these are very simplified examples and we haven’t discussed the complexities of Products Liability/Liability Law/Duty of Care etc however it should provide a basic understanding of Public Liability Insurance.

Employers Liability Insurance

Employers Liability Insurance [EL] provides cover if any of your employees suffer physical injury or death, and it is proven that as an employer you acted negligently and subsequently could have prevented their loss. If they then decide to pursue you for compensation the insurer will pay the cost of the claim.

Consider the following examples where Employers Liability Insurance will provide cover:

• You run a carpentry company. One of your employees loses a finger while using a chop saw and decides to claim against you for his injury

• You are a scaffolding contractor and are erecting scaffolding around an apartment block. While erecting the scaffolding one of your employees falls and suffers severe bodily injury. He decides to claim against your firm.

Please note that Public & Employers Liability is offered ‘hand in hand’, that is when arranging construction insurance you will need to arrange both Public Liability & Employers Liability Insurance together [Also known as Combined Liability Insurance] as Employers Liability Insurance is not available on a ‘Stand Alone’ basis..

Contractors All Risks Insurance

Contractors All Risks insurance (also known as Contract Works insurance) is an insurance policy specially designed for builders and a number of other trades working at a contract site. Contractors All Risks insurance can include cover for contract works, own plant, hired-in plant and employee’s tools. The main part of the contractors all risks insurance is the contract works section which provides cover for the property being worked on (e.g. new house, etc.). However, cover for the existing property is excluded (e.g. the existing structure when building an extension) and must continue to be insured under its own insurance cover.

Consider the following examples where Contractors All Risks Insurance will provide cover:

• You are a building contractor and are building a house for resale. So far you have spent €200,000 on materials and labour. The property catches fire and is destroyed before it has been completed. • You are groundwork’s contractor and are presently digging foundations for a new housing development. Naturally you leave your excavator on site until the contract is completed however one night your excavator is stolen.

Personal Accident Insurance

Personal Accident Insurance [Also known as Income Protection Insurance] is highly recommended for a sole traders, business partners and company directors as a combined liability policy does not cover any injury caused to a sole trader/business partner while it is extremely difficult for a company director to sue his/her own company. A policy can be tailored to your exact needs and policies include a tax free monthly benefit, a lump sum [capital benefit] and hospital cash.

Consider the following examples where Personal Accident Insurance will provide cover:

• You’re a self employed carpenter with no employees. You cut your hand and are unable to work for eight months. As you have Personal Accident cover you receive a tax free benefit of €1,500 after one month and continue to receive this amount until you return to work.

• Although Personal Accident/Income Protection insurance is no substitute for full time earnings it will provide you with an income if you are unable to earn and it will reduce your financial worries at a time when your recovery should be your number one priority.

Machinery & Plant Insurance

Machinery & Plant Insurance is normally arranged on a case by case basis and provides Accidental Damage Fire & Theft Cover on Machinery. This policy is normally taken by contractors who wish to cover a specific number of items.

Health & Safety Executive

In Ireland the HSE [Health & Safety Executive] have the ultimate authority over Construction Sites and have the ability to close a site if they feel it is a safety hazard. Their primary initiative is the ‘Safe Pass’ – a one day site safety training programme.

Who needs to do Safe Pass awareness training?

Safe Pass is a one-day safety awareness programme aimed at general construction workers, craft workers and “on site” security personnel in the construction industry. The aims of the programme are to:

• raise the standard of safety awareness in the construction industry

• ensure that site personnel after completing the one day awareness programme can make a positive contribution to the prevention of accidents and ill health while working on the site

• maintain a register of personnel who have received training

• provide participants with a FAS Safe Pass registration card, indicating that the holder has attended a formal course in health and safety awareness

Under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006 Safe Pass / Safety Awareness Programmes applies to -

(a) craft and general construction workers,

(b) persons undertaking on-site security work, and

(c) persons or classes of persons as may be prescribed by the Minister.

For more information on Irish Site Safety please visit the website of the Health & Safety Authority www.hsa.ie while for more information relating to Irish Construction Insurance please visit the website of Keystone Insurance www.keystone.ie, Ireland’s premier supplier of Construction Insurance

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Keystone Insurance -
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Do you really want to learn your stock market trading strategies from someone who has never traded?

One of the problems of the Internet is that there are hundreds of people and countless websites that say they know how to use the stock market when they are simply regurgitating the information available everywhere. If you’re trying to build your personal wealth, reading the same information found on virtually every trading website simply won’t help. Fortunately, there’s a better way.

BetterTrades is a truly unique educational company in the world of trading. We rely on live events that you attend in person to ensure that you are learning trading information unavailable anywhere else. Interactive seminars, live mentoring, online courses and specialized trading information are also used to help you get a maximum return. Our interactive multi-training makes BetterTrades an exceptional resource for any trader either new or experienced.

One of the best things about Better Trades is that all of the instructors are experienced traders who have worked extensively with the stock market in the past. With over 200 years of combined experience, you’ll find a team that has written a multitude of books and designed thousands of seminars. You’ll also find the only team who can help you meet your personal wealth goals.

Many of the instructors began their stock market experience with virtually no training. For some, trading was a hobby. As they realized that they were able to fulfill their own financial goals, trading became much more. Because our instructors began their trading career as novices, you’ll get realistic advice that teaches you the necessary skills to get started. Free of the technical jargon that can confuse many beginners, you’ll learn how to make a fortune no matter what the market conditions.

With thousands of satisfied students to date, BetterTrades is an educational company that provides personalized advice. With highly educational classes that will teach you to apply smart trading tactics, you could turn a few hundred dollars into thousands in just a few months. If you’re not trading as successfully as you like, it’s time to contact BetterTrades.

Better Trades is for those who truly want to learn how to trade in the stock market. After all, why would you use another company whose instructors have never traded when you can work with a faculty that has made its own personal fortune from the techniques offered in each class? Contact BetterTrades today, and start your trading education.

This article is originally published here: Better Trades

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Better Trades is an education company devoted to teaching people the skills and experience they need to make money in the stock market.

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Better Trades – training to trade effectively. You can reach him at BetterTrades.

Are you an NRI and looking to invest in mutual funds in India? Read on, this article will guide with some of the options available to you in India to help you in choosing the right one. Mutual fund investment has gained momentum in India over past few years and it is a wise decision to invest in mutual funds for getting good returns.

Of late, India has emerged as one of the most productive place for investment across the globe. The reason why more and more people want to invest their money in India is because of the fast growth which India is witnessing in the recent time.

The economical grow quite evident with the kind of confidence the investors are showing towards India as a major investment hub.

With so many investors wanting to invest their money in mutual fund India, it surely has become the spotlight of investing map in the world. The investors feel that their money is in the safe hands as mutual funds carry minimal risks when compared to equities and therefore it is a good bet for long term gains.

People of Indian origin / NRIs are eligible to invest in mutual funds in India after taking general permission from Reserve Bank of India. 

Huge capital returns are encouraging more and more NRIs to invest in mutual funds of late and the results are also overwhelming. 

So how do you go about your investing your money in mutual funds in India? Just read rest of the article.

As per the provisions of schedule 5 of the foreign exchange management an NRI can invest in most of the mutual funds India offers. 

How can NRI invest in mutual funds?

An NRI can invest in mutual fund schemes in India through the money lying in the credit of NRE/NRO account or may be through banking channels which are approved by the authority. 

All you’ll need to do to invest in mutual fund is by submitting a duly completed application form along with cheques or DD to investor service center. 

To invest on mutual funds, it is compulsory to have an NRE bank account. General permission has been granted by the Reserve Bank of India to offer mutual fund, subject to few conditions.

These conditions are:

The investment amount has to be received by inward remittance through normal banking channels or through debit to an NRE Bank account of the investor.
The net amount of the interest or dividend and proceeds of units should be remitted through normal banking channels or be credited to NRE bank account of the investor as mentioned by him / her with a condition of payment of applicable tax.
 

Tax liability for income received from NRI mutual fund:

Section 10 (35) of Income tax Act, 1961 defines that income received from mutual fund investment under section 10 (23D) is exempt from income tax. Therefore all dividends are tax free on NRI mutual fund held by the investor. However any tax that is applicable will be deducted at source.

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Reliance Mutual Fund is one of India’s leading mutual funds offering wide range of open ended and close ended mutual fund schemes catering to individual investor requirements.

WOODSIDE, Calif., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Fisher Investments announces the release of its latest Stock Market Outlook, a quarterly research report published by the Fisher Investments research team under the direction of CEO Ken Fisher and the firm’s portfolio management team. The Stock Market Outlook research report includes Fisher Investments’ latest market outlook, capital markets research and portfolio insights. The Stock Market Outlook provides individual investors an opportunity to gain valuable research and information on the current state of the global stock market.

To access the Stock Market Outlook, simply go to www.google.com and search for “Fisher Investments Stock Market Outlook” and then click on the link for the “Fisher Investments Research Report.”

The Fisher Investments Stock Market Outlook provides insight into the firm’s market and portfolio research with views on:

> Why the new bull market has additional upside potential ahead

> Which sectors and countries may rebound the most

> Why stocks are still undervalued by historical standards

> Signs that global economic recovery is already underway

> And much more investors can put to use in their own portfolios

Fisher Investments conducts internal research to support the portfolio management process for large institutional clients and thousands of private clients. This involves developing capital markets technologies to interpret market events in unique ways and studying the impact of economic, political and sentiment drivers on global stock markets. Some of these research findings can be found in Fisher Investments’ latest Stock Market Outlook.

To get your copy of the latest Stock Market Outlook with insights into Fisher Investments’ market and portfolio research, go to www.google.com and search for “Fisher Investments Stock Market Outlook” and then click on the link for the “Fisher Investments Research Report.” 

About Fisher Investments

Fisher Asset Management, LLC, doing business as Fisher Investments, is a portfolio management company founded in 1979 serving the needs of institutional and individual investors globally. Fisher Investments’ clients include large corporate and public pension plans, foundations and endowments, as well as thousands of high net worth individuals. Fisher Investments is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Its portfolio management team is headquartered in Woodside, CA. Ken Fisher, founder, CEO and Chief Investment Officer, is the author of six books including three bestsellers, many academic studies, and has written Forbes magazine’s “Portfolio Strategy” column since 1984. Visit Fisher Investments corporate website at http://www.fisherinvestments.com

About Fisher Investments Research

Fisher Investments has a 50+ person research department, including more than 25 research analysts. The research department’s structure optimally supports the Investment Policy Committee (IPC) as they make strategic portfolio management and implementation decisions. Research teams focus on generating economic, capital markets, and securities research and communicating their findings to the IPC on a daily basis and as changes arise. Fisher Investments Stock Market Outlook can be found at: http://www.fisherinvestments.com/more-about-fisher-investments/fisher-investments-stock-market-outlook

Fisher Investments Stock Market Outlook is copyrighted research material. Past forecasts and performance are not a guide to future forecasts or performance. The value of investments and the income from them will fluctuate with world stock markets and international currency exchange rates and involves the risk of loss.

SOURCE Fisher Investments

Disclaimer: This article reflects personal viewpoints of the author and is not a description of advisory services by its author’s employer or performance of its clients. Such viewpoints may change at any time without notice. Nothing herein constitutes investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or that any security, portfolio, transaction or strategy is suitable for any specific person. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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MarketMinder is operated by Fisher Investments’ 50+ person Research Department, including 45+ Research Analysts and Associates.

Mutual funds are basically instruments for investing money. People want to invest their money in top mutual funds and allow their money to grow. It is because the bank rates have fallen down considerably in last few years. If you want to increase the value of your money over a period of time, then investing on mutual funds is a wise decision.

However, it is crucial to understand where and how we are investing our own hard earned money. Someone has truly said “Spend like a child, Offer like young and save like elderly people”. When you try saving your money, you will need to have wisdom and lot of patience. You will also need to be very careful.

Stock market investments are one the best ways to save money. However, not every investor is well informed about the volatile market situation and may land up in heavy losses. Mutual funds are therefore considered to be the best option where the fund manager does it all for you.

There are lots of mutual funds in India offering various options to invest your money. Mutual funds are cost effective and very efficient. Investors can purchase or sell stocks at a much cheaper rate through mutual funds. You may not be able to get lower trading costs if you tried selling or buying stocks on your own.

The biggest advantage of mutual funds is that it provides diversification. Mutual funds in India are divided into the following types:

•    Open-end Funds – Money which is raised from the shareholders and invested in a group of assets is known as open-end funds.
•    Closed-End Funds – The number of shares issued is fixed through an initial public offering in closed-end funds.
•    Large-Cap Funds – In this type of funds money is invested in large blue chip companies.
•    Mid-cap Funds – Money is invested in medium sized or small sized companies in this kind of mutual fund.
•    Balanced Funds – Mutual funds that buys a combination of short-term bonds, preferred stocks and common stocks is known as balanced or hybrid funds.
•    Equity Funds – In this type of fund the pooled amount of money from the public companies is invested. It is also known as stock mutual funds.
•    Growth Funds – In this type of mutual funds capital appreciation by investing in growth stocks is the main aim.
•    No load Funds – Load funds and No Load funds are two types of mutual funds.
•    Exchange Traded Funds – Unlike conventional mutual funds, ETF’s are traded on an exchange.

There are few other classifications also like the International mutual funds, index funds, sector funds, regional mutual funds or money market funds. You can find the list of top mutual funds and then invest money in those. These days information is readily available on any of the newspapers, financial magazines, news and finance websites etc.

Mutual fund investments get affected by the volatility of the market activity. Inflation, interest rate changes and the economic scenario largely affects the mutual funds.

Some of the top mutual funds companies in India are:
•    Reliance Mutual Funds
•    ICICI Prudential
•    HDFC
•    DSP Merrill Lynch
•    SBI Mutual Funds
•    Franklin Templeton
•    Sundaram BNP Paribas

You will need to keep a track of latest market value of mutual funds in India if you want to invest money in mutual funds. Saving is the best way to prepare you for the future.

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Best mutual fund schemes – fixed maturity plan, growth mutual fund, debt mutual fund, exchange traded funds and tax mutual funds.

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