A Financial Advisor Can Help You Make Smart Financial Decisions

Selecting a financial adviser is no small decision, it can benefit or harm your chances for a comfortable retirement for many years.

The benefits of working with a financial adviser vary by individual as well as advisors are legitimately prohibited from promising returns. Yet, the study suggests average extra investment returns can range from 1.6% to 4.1% even more yearly.

SmartAsset's new tool makes it easy to locate the right financial adviser near you in just a few minutes. The no-cost device matches you with up to three regional fiduciary economic experts that have actually passed a strenuous screening procedure. They make sure each is registered with the U.S. Stocks and Exchange Compensation (SEC) or the appropriate state regulatory authority, have the proper licenses, and also have no pending or legitimate regulatory disclosures within the past decade.

Check out these 7 tips when picking a financial adviser. It can help you to find peace of mind and prevent years of anxiety.

1. A Fiduciary is the Best Kind of Financial Advisor

A fiduciary is a person who is bound to act in the individual's best interest. This obligation gets rid of the conflict of interest worries as well as makes an advisor's advice extra trustworthy.

Every one of the financial advisers on SmartAsset's matching platform is signed up fiduciaries. If your consultant is not a fiduciary and also continuously pushes investment items on you, use this no-cost tool to find a consultant who has your benefit in mind.

2. Don't Employ the First Expert You Meet

While it's tempting to hire the financial adviser closest to the house or the very first consultant in the yellow pages, this decision requires more time. Make an effort to meeting a minimum of a few advisors before choosing the very best match for you.

3. Do Not Select a Financial Adviser with the Wrong Background

Some financial advisers focus on retired life planning, while others are best for a local business owner or those with a high net worth. Some could be best for young professionals starting a family. Make sure to recognize an expert's strengths and also weaknesses - before signing the dotted line.

4. Do not Select an Advisor with an Inappropriate Strategy

Each advisor has a one-of-a-kind strategy. Some advisors may recommend hostile financial investments, while others are a lot more traditional. If you want only stocks, an expert that favors bonds, as well as index funds, is not an excellent match for your style.

5. Always Ask About Credentials

To offer investment recommendations, financial experts must pass an examination. Ask your advisor concerning their licenses, examinations, and credentials. Financial advisor examinations consist of the Series 7, as well as Series 66 or Series 65. Some advisors go an action better as well as come to be a Certified Financial Planner or CFP.

6. Understand Exactly How Advisors are Paid

Some financial advisers are "fee-only" and bill you a flat rate. Others bill a percentage of your assets under management. Some advisors are paid commissions by mutual funds, a significant conflict of interest. If the expert earns more by overlooking your best interests, do not hire them.

7. Do Not Hire an Expert by Yourself

Opportunities are, there are several very certified financial advisers in your town. Nevertheless, it can seem discouraging to pick one.

A no-cost tool makes it simple to locate the appropriate economic expert for you. Now you can be matched with up to 3 local fiduciary financial advisors that have actually been rigorously screened for regulatory disclosures and also to verify their licenses. The whole matching process takes just a few minutes.

How To Pick a Financial Adviser

Picking out a financial adviser should be a careful, thoughtful process. This is the professional you trust to help you navigate your wealth building efforts, after all. That means you need to be sure they are properly credentialed and their performance is within the norms of their role. 

Finding that information in the right regulatory database is not difficult, and with that info will come any complaints or disciplinary action summaries that might be of use to you. 

There are a lot of advisers with no problems on their record who just wind up being incompatible with certain investors, though. So how can you tell which of your potential advisers will be the best fit for you? You need to do some research and dig deeper.

Check Out the Adviser's Firm

Whether you're looking at someone who works alone or an adviser at a large firm, there should be some electronic records or even a company landing page online. This will give you a chance to see what professionals say about themselves, their goals, and their approach to investing. 

Some firms even make a point of including a mission statement and other information about their underlying philosophies in their online company information. These resources also typically outline the kinds of investors they work with on a regular basis and the kinds of investments they are most informed about.

Reviews By Investors

Other resources about the firm might be available through other online resources like reviews as well. Also, consider whether you want to work with advisers within brokerage firms or RIAs who work totally independently. There are important considerations to make as you read each one. 

Check for reviews of the firms overall, but also read any reviews you can find about the adviser you specifically want to work with. Every organization has its stars and its specialty players, after all, and you will want to know how your adviser fits into the bigger picture in an organization.

Other Resources To Consult

Beyond review sites and the online resources placed by the firm for customer education, you can also check out resources like the Securities and Exchange Commission's information page about financial advisers and how they are regulated. These background resources fill in the information you need to make sound judgments about the firms and advisers you consider. By looking for more neutral information sources, you gain perspective on:

• Industry norms
• Recourse for dispute resolution
• Common issues investors encounter
• General strategic advice for new investors

The best thing to do is to fold this stage of research into the beginning, middle, and end of your process, so you are researching these factors ahead of your first look into potential advisers and throughout the process. This will allow you to keep checking out fresh viewpoints and considering new angles on your decision-making process.

Brokerage Firm Advisers or RIAs?

Whether you are working with a planner or adviser based in a brokerage firm or an RIA, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider, and you need to understand them before making that final choice. 

Many new investors work with advisers based in their brokerage firms, but those with large accounts or a fair amount of experience often opt for an RIA when looking for advice. If you're not sure which to go for, researching the differences in their approaches and the advantages of each kind of adviser will help you get started.

Don't rush this decision, because while you can always change advisers if you need to, you will have to go through a similarly thoughtful process to make a good decision if you do. That means rushing into a relationship with an adviser that doesn't quite work out could cost you more time than just being thorough and deliberate the first time.

Getting Back on Track: 4 Benefits of Working with a Financial Adviser to Pay off Debt

When you are handling a debt, you can procure the services of a financial adviser. They have the necessary expertise to help you get your finances back on track. Since they are conversant with income tax preparation, investment management, and estate planning, their services might come in handy. Some of the benefits that will you get when working with a financial adviser to pay off your debt are as follows:

Planning for a Budget

When handling a debt, a financial adviser will help you to have a healthy financial future. They will help you to manage your debt by ensuring that you have a well-planned budget. A trustworthy financial adviser will analyze the cash flow of their client and identify the areas that are bound to bring about some challenges. 

A client should also present all the necessary documents that the financial adviser asks for since it will enable them to get a clear picture of the situation at hand. The essential documents include credit card bills, bank statements, installment loan statements, and tax returns. 

All these documents should be current since they will help the financial adviser to gain a better understanding of your financial situation. Although the financial adviser may criticize the spending habits of a client, it is good to own up to some truths. 

A client will also gain a lot after being issued a new balanced budget that will help them while paying off their debt. The client will also be able to avoid the piling up of debts. Although you will have to cut off unnecessary expenses, your existing debt will fade off progressively.

Restructuring and Analyzing Debts

Debts come about in many types. A mortgage is an example of a debt. The financial adviser can analyze the debts of their clients to formulate a suitable payback strategy. In this case, the financial adviser will ensure that the client will prioritize the debt that will bring about more additional costs. The debts with lower interests will be sorted progressively. Such options will be highly beneficial since you will not strain financially.

A Financial Adviser Helps To Formulate a Long-Term Plan

The main reason behind meeting a financial adviser is that you need assistance with clearing your debt on time. Although your main point of focus may be reducing your debt, other factors should be considered. A financial adviser is in a better position to formulate a long-term plan depending on the needs of their clients.

A financial Adviser Will Help You to Track Your Spending

When procuring the services of a financial adviser, you will have to be open about your earnings. You may produce relevant documents such as your paychecks. By looking at your earnings, the financial adviser will be able to compare what you earn against the debts that you have accrued. That way, they will be in a better position to offer some advice on how you can finalize the payment of each debt without straining financially.

Overall, a financial advisor can offer a lot of help while you are paying off debt. Many of them may use special platforms for financial advisers to help you keep better track of your finances. They will hold you accountable and come up with effective plans for helping you move forward.

10 Tips to Get Mentally Ready to Retire

When Marty Stroud retired at 65, his retirement savings were not his biggest issue. In fact, he had enough to live comfortably. Marty’s problem was finding a new routine after having spent decades in an all-consuming 9-to-5 job. "I lost purpose. Gardening may have saved my life”, he recalls of his first months of retirement.

Stroud is not alone. According to an Ameriprise Financial survey of retired baby boomers, some common concerns among retirees include:

• Missing out on daily social interaction with colleagues (37%)
• Getting used to new routines (32%)
• Finding ways to give meaning and purpose to their days (22%)

Many retirees know that the change from a full-time job to a life with less structure and purpose can be challenging, especially emotionally.

10 TIPS TO GET MENTALLY READY TO RETIRE

1. CELEBRATE WITH A PARTY

You’ve celebrated every other milestone in your life – new home, new baby, birthdays, weddings and so on. Why not celebrate the milestone called "retirement"? It’s an achievement, especially if you’ve saved enough to live comfortably. You’ve earned it! Get great retirement party ideas on Pinterest.

2. REALIZE YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE ANYWHERE

Gone are the days of waking up early, sitting in traffic and drinking bad cafeteria coffee. You’re now free to lounge in your pajamas and take your time with errands. You can finally focus on doing what you love, when you want to. 

Just remember that at some point, you may start to miss the structure, purpose and community a job provides. Our advice? Create a schedule sooner than later and try to get out of the house as much as possible.

3. ENJOY AGING GRACEFULLY

Do you want to be 18 again? Probably not. With age comes wisdom, self-realization and satisfaction. Enjoy your age at every age. Check out the Advanced Style blog for inspiration and proof "from the wise and silver-haired set that personal style advances with age".

4. EXERCISE AND STAY ACTIVE

Look forward to exercising – now you have the time! You have the flexibility to join classes and activities in the middle of the day when most people are at work. If you prefer walking, hiking or biking, get a friend to join you. A workout partner will help you stick to a schedule and make exercise a lot more enjoyable.

5. KEEP LEARNING

Learn something new, it will keep your mind sharp and add some structure to your day. Check out the City College in your town or Google "adult education" for free or affordable classes near you. There are also lots of online puzzles and games to keep your brain working.

6. SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Retired or not, this is the #1 wish for most people. Who doesn’t want to spend more time with the people they love? You don’t have to be anywhere between 9am and 5pm on the weekdays, so make a trip to see your children and grandchildren. If you want to be even more involved, you can move closer to family and volunteer your time for babysitting duties.

7. ADOPT A DOG

Share your life with a dog in exchange for unconditional, tail-wagging love. Besides the emotional benefits, your canine friend will need regular walks that will keep you in good shape. Research shows that dog-owners also need fewer doctor visits, have lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and a lower risk of heart attack compared to those who don’t.

8. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

Just because you’ve stopped working, it doesn’t mean you have to stop planning. With recent advancements in medicine, people are living well into their 90s. Set both personal and professional goals for yourself. Always wanted to run a marathon? Never visited the Grand Canyon? It’s never too late to get started. It’s also important to continue planning and adjusting your finances as you go.

9. LEAVE A LEGACY

What do you want to leave for your family, friends and the world? Research shows the happiest people are those who help others. This may be the time to think about giving back to your community. Leave a positive legacy by giving the gift of your time, knowledge, wisdom or money to local schools, community centers or charitable organizations that are close to your heart.

10. STOP OBSESSING ABOUT RETIREMENT

You’ve probably been anxious about retirement your entire adult life. Now that you’re there, stop worrying. Live for the moment and enjoy being the master of your own schedule.

In Stroud’s case, learning new things helped his transition into a new life. His daily ritual now includes making breakfast for the family and practicing yoga. "My time is filled with activities that inspire me and keep me healthy. I volunteer, paint, exercise and cook regularly," he gushes. “I love my new life!”

Even if retirement seems a long way off, you can start on some of these ideas to prepare for an easier transition. When it’s time to retire, embrace your newfound freedom and make the most of it. For more ideas and tips on how to make the most out of your retirement, emotionally and financially, visit aboutLife.com

1 Ameriprise Study: First Wave of Baby Boomers Say Health and Emotional Preparation are Keys to a Successful Retirement: http://newsroom.ameriprise.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1963

Author: Lidia Shong from aboutLife

Divorces Don't Have To Be Expensive: Six Tips To Save Money

One of the main reasons why many people stay in unhappy marriages is because of how cost-prohibitive divorce can be. Remaining in a marriage that makes you miserable can be emotionally crippling. If you want a divorce, don't be afraid of the costs involved. You can reduce your expenses if you follow these tips to save money throughout your divorce proceedings.

Take Your Time Finding An Attorney

Many people end up spending too much money on legal costs because they hire the first attorney they find online or in the phone book. When it comes to choosing a divorce attorney, be sure to take your time and compare costs. You don't want to spend too little money and find yourself with a sub-par attorney, but you also don't want to spend too much on a simply average lawyer. While some couples may avoid getting an attorney to try to save on costs, this a bad a idea. An attorney can help you speed up the process and get a fair outcome for you and any children involved. 

Try To Settle In Mediation

The longer your divorce proceedings, the more you'll spend. If your divorce actually goes to trial, court costs can really start to pile up. If you can settle in mediation and keep the proceedings out of a courtroom, you can save a lot of money.

Close All Joint Accounts As Soon As Possible

If you and your soon-to-be ex share credit or debit accounts, close them immediately. As long as both of your names are on these accounts, you can be held accountable for anything that he or she spends. Telling these creditors that you were in the process of getting a divorce won't get you off the hook. Not taking this critical step can quickly leave in you in unintended debt. Open up a different bank account to continue paying your bills without worrying about your partner spending all of the money. 

Create a Budget and Stick To It

Even if you're behaving smartly, cash will be tight during your divorce process. Create a budget based on your income and expenses and stick to it. Remember that a time will come again that you will be back on your feet and able to live comfortably. During your divorce, however, you can't be a spendthrift. Take a look at your budget and figure out how it will need to change until the divorce is finalized. Many people jump to what things will be like after the divorce, and don't take financial steps during the process to avoid financial problems. 

Don't Take Out Any New Loans or Lines of Credit

Many divorcing individuals will take out loans or open new lines of credit to take the place of the support they used to receive from their spouse's income. However, this is a one-way ticket to bankruptcy down the road. This is a time to monitor your finances carefully, not to assume new debts.

Don't Be Afraid To Sell Assets

Many people develop sentimental attachments to luxuries procured during their marriage. Items like boats and jewelry may have been a breeze to finance when you were in a two-income partnership, but they're extraneous and unnecessary when you're trying to save money during a divorce. There's no shame in selling off luxury items and creature comforts to get a little extra cash.

By following these tips, you can get through your divorce financially. It's important to understand all of the costs to not overspend or go into debt. With the right planning and effort, divorces don't have to be expensive. Informational credit to Kitchen Simeson Belliveau Llp.

Your Essential Guide to the G60 and Pensions

If you’re trying to find an Independent Financial Adviser to help you with your pension, but you’re not sure who to choose, this quick article is the most important thing you’ll read today. Why? Because it’s going to talk about the most important word in pension: G60.

What Is The G60?

The G60 is a qualification issued by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), the organization that regulates the elite group of 300 Chartered Financial Firms in the UK. And the description of the G60 on the official CII syllabus is that it is a qualification designed to:

Develop in the candidate, who has already reached the standard of the FPC, a knowledge of pensions and pension transfers and an ability to advise individual clients on all aspects of pension provision. This paper is available on a stand-alone basis for candidates wishing to demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills in pensions and pensions transfers.

The G60 is a level 5 qualification which helps Financial Advisers to meet the requirements of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) for higher competence standards for pension planning. The FSA takes the handling of your pension so seriously that all pension transfer specialists have to have passed this exam before being allowed to practice in this role.

How Does The G60 Help With Managing Your Pension?

Here are just a few of the numerous G60 modules that are used to train financial advisers in the highly specialised area of pensions:

· Pensions planning and compliance

· How to estimate a client’s financial needs in retirement

· The relationship between Retail Prices Index, investment yields and trends, in particular gift vs equity returns

· The legislation covering pension arrangements including the duties and responsibilities of trustees, the Pensions Act 1995, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and European Union Law

· Interaction of State benefits with occupational pension scheme benefits

· The role and scope of OPRA

· The principles of ‘earmarking’, ‘offsetting’ and ‘pension sharing’ on divorce

· How early retirement pensions are calculated and how the benefits are paid in the event of ill health

· How and when property can be purchased by a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension)

· How phased retirement works

The G60 has many other areas of rigorous study that members of our own team have successfully battled through in order to provide excellent advice to our clients regarding their pensions.

Thankfully, you don’t have to go through the same process just to get excellent advice. But what you must do is make sure that when it comes to choosing a financial adviser to handle your pension, the most important word you remember is: G60.

Author: When planning for the future, the assistance of independent financial advisers in pension planning can play a crucial part in achieving your goals. Bartholomew Hawkins has an intricate understanding of a wide variety of investment methods which can be tailored to suit the specifics of an individual’s situation. For more information call 01291 40 80 80 today.

How to Protect Your Assets When Approaching Retirement

People who are 50 years or older, such as the venerable baby boomers, have begun to approach the age of retirement. As a result, they are naturally concerned about whether their retirement accounts will drop in value or not and how to keep them from doing so. Fortunately, there are a range of actions that the 50 and older crowd can take to make sure their assets and interests are protected. Here are some of the most key pieces of advice from financial advisers who frequently deal with people in this stage of life.

Use the law

One of the best strategies most baby boomers can take to secure their retirement savings and assets is to use the law. Commercial lawyers are good resources to use when navigating the uncharted waters of estate battles, divorces, loans, foreclosures, bankruptcies, wills, and other issues that can cripple a person's retirement savings in a heartbeat. A personal lawyer is a valuable asset to have on one's side, and commercial lawyers are experienced in dealing with all kinds of financial challenges frequently faced by baby boomers on the road to retirement.

Diversify

Besides hiring a personal lawyer, another important step to take on the road to a secure and rich retirement is to diversify. More than 8 out of every 10 financial planners managing portfolios of the 50 and over crowd state that planning for retirement as a baby boomer should really focus on protecting one's portfolio from potential losses in the market instead of looking out for potential market gains. Furthermore, another 3 out of every 4 financial advisers suggest a diverse portfolio may be the best way to keep from suffering any significant losses when one is about to retire.

Start up that cash cushion

However, just as it's important to diversify one's portfolio in order to minimize risk, it is also essential to keep from falling into the trap of putting all of one's savings in one's retirement accounts. Seven out of every 10 financial advisers states that an emergency fund in cash is an essential part of any boomer retirement strategy. This cash fund should be used to take care of any expenses that are financially significant and out of the ordinary, such as needing a new transmission or engine in a car, needing a new furnace or water heater in one's home, or suffering an accident that requires an extended hospital stay.

It is essential to do everything one can do to avoid having to start tapping into the retirement fund earlier than necessary. Doing so means one will face penalties and taxes, and this would all be preventable through the use of an emergency fund.

Stop non important purchases

Another good way to get one's nest egg in good shape when one is getting close to retirement is to try to trim one's costs of living as much as one possibly can before retirement. This is a strategy that 3 of every 5 financial planners for this demographic agree with.

If baby boomers can cut their costs before they retire, then it will become that much easier to keep their standards of living going when they retire. In fact, according to more than 5 out of every 10 financial advisers state that at least a few clients of theirs have had to cut down their current standards of living in response to losses they experienced in the market.

Look for guaranteed income sources

Finally, keeping guaranteed income sources in mind is essential, according to more than half of financial advisers. For example, most retirees will receive social security. Other kinds of annuity products that come with monthly payments that are guaranteed should also be looked into, as one can never have too many income streams.

7 Steps to Wealth

The bills are piling up. You keep trying to save money, but every time you get a little nest egg going, something happens (a car repair, a broken appliance, etc.) to wipe it out. And to top it off, your employer has hinted at layoffs.

When times are tough financially, it can be difficult to even think about amassing wealth. You’re so busy trying to keep your head above water and pay off your debts that a life with a seven-figure bank balance may seem like nothing more than a pipe dream.

While almost no one becomes a millionaire overnight — and no, playing the lottery is not a legitimate wealth strategy — it is possible to rise above your circumstances and attain considerable wealth. All you need is a strong commitment to achieving your goals and some knowledge of the proper steps involved. 

1. Develop a Written Financial Plan

The first step to achieving any goal is to develop a plan. You wouldn’t try to drive to a destination in an unfamiliar city without a map or GPS, so why would you try to make it to a major “life destination” like considerable wealth without similar navigational tools? Regardless of whether you’re at the beginning of your career and earning an entry-level salary or already have some experience and the paychecks to prove it, you can change course and get on track to wealth. Meet with an experienced financial adviser and get professional advice and feedback on how you can meet your goals — and then act on those plans.

2. Eliminate Debt

As long as you are paying a significant portion of your income to someone else, you will struggle on the path to wealth. Live below your means, and never charge anything you can’t pay off in a month or two; some advisers suggest never charging anything you consume, including clothing, as you’ll be paying interest on it long after it’s outlived its usefulness. If you must finance a home or car (which most people do), don’t max out your budget. Choose the loan terms that allow you to eliminate the debt as soon as possible.

3. Make Your Money Work for You

One reason the wealthiest people are so well-off is they make their money work for them. Even if you invest a modest amount of money in the stock market, you can expect to earn a rate of return of around eight percent annually. As your investments grow, so will the amount of money you make. 

4. Start a Business

According to one study, almost three-quarters of all American millionaires are entrepreneurs. While it is possible to build wealth working for someone else, you are far likelier to have success when you are your boss.

5. Change Your Mindset

Many Americans, even those with steady incomes, operate under a “poverty mindset” in which they fear they could lose everything at any moment, so they must hold on to every penny they get. Or, they feel they will never attain the highest levels of financial wealth, so why even bother? They become complacent, and while they may be comfortable, they are never going to be wealthy. If you want to be wealthy, you have to think wealthy, and emulate the thoughts and actions of those people who have reached the upper echelons of wealth. 

6. Create Multiple Income Streams

Few millionaires have made all of their money from one income source. Most have income from multiple streams. When you’re earning money from multiple sources, you don’t have to panic when one dries up and you can better leverage your resources to keep the money coming. 

7. Save Money

The best way to amass wealth is to save money. An emergency fund is a must, should things go awry, but you should also find ways to save money wherever you can. The wealthiest people are not generally spendthrifts; while it’s easy to imagine them dropping thousands of dollars on shopping sprees and parties, most are far more careful with their money. As money comes in, make saving a priority. As your income increases, so should the amount that you are saving.

Becoming a millionaire takes hard work, perseverance and a focus on the goal at hand: a healthy bank balance. By changing your approach to money and taking cues from those who have already achieved that level of wealth, you can write your ticket into the “millionaires’ club.”

About the Author: Isabelle Fontaine holds a marketing degree and has started several successful businesses in the course of her career.

Getting Hired: 5 Positions New Businesses Are Always Looking to Hire

Although the sluggish economy has definitely taken a toll on many individuals, people would be surprised that some employers are always looking to hire certain positions. Moreover, many employers have a hard time filling these positions. For some positions, certain skills are needed, and employers can often only find a few people who have these unique set of skills. If you are having a hard time finding a job, then you should consider gaining the skills to acquire one of these five positions listed below. 

Accountant

Many employers are often in need of qualified accountants. Since the economic recession, the government has placed tight regulations on the ways that people have previously done business. As a result, employers are finding themselves having to keep all of their financial records current. If you are interested in this career, it is important to obtain a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and for the best chances of getting hired, you should also obtain a master’s degree in an accounting related field.

Dental Hygienist

Recently, more people have begun to take steps to stay healthy, and one of the ways that they are doing this is by practicing good oral hygiene. Dental hygienists are needed to clean teeth, take x-rays, and look for signs of decay in a person’s teeth. The field is growing rapidly because many dentists do not desire to have private practices anymore, but instead, they are looking to work in larger offices with lots of dentists. As a result, many hygienists are needed in these offices as well.

Management Information Systems

One of the fastest growing fields is management information systems. Many employers are looking for individuals to help collect and organize their business operations. People who work in the field of management information systems should have a clear understanding of businesses and computers. Since this field is growing so quickly, many colleges are offering online MIS degrees. The UAB Masters MIS program is designed to prepare individuals to pursue careers in the area of management information systems.

Personal Financial Advisor

Since the economic downturn, many people are weary about investing in certain stocks; therefore, they rely on personal financial advisors to educate them about the risks associated with investing. However, their advice is not limited to stocks, but they also educate people on the best ways to save for college and retirement. In order to pursue this field, an individual can get a degree in finance, economics, law, or business.

Medical Manager

A final position that employers are looking to hire is medical manager. A medical manager directs the daily activities of a hospital or other healthcare clinic. With the retirement of many baby boomers, the healthcare field is growing quickly. In order to pursue this career, it is important for individuals to get a degree in healthcare administration.

Even though the economy has caused many degrees to be useless, there are certain fields that can land you a job quickly. By pursuing one of the jobs listed above, you will have a great chance of beginning a career.

April Labarron is a native to Southern California. She has her BA in English/Literature from MSJC in Menifee, Ca. She views her freelance writing, not only as a career, but as her passion. Other areas of interest include; movies, food, singing, soccer, traveling, shopping and a continuous desire for learning. She lives on her own and is accompanied by her Pomeranian named, Elvis. She currently resides in Temecula, CA.

Small Business Loans From Rapid Advance

Some of the best names we have as clients include names like McDonalds, Subway, Domino’s Pizza, La Bella Vita, Inc., Dunkin Donuts, Saxby’s Coffee, New Horizons Computing Learning Centre, Country Hearth Inn, Tan Republic and so on. Some of the recent names include Lawn & Garden, Gas Station, Sporting Goods, Automotive, and Clothing& Apparel….. Well, yes we have no. of clients who can actually be converted into a list. It’s simply because people show faith in us and we do everything we can to keep their trust. 

We at Rapid Advance believe that normally a business needs money in two situations – one when it is beginning and secondly when it is going through a bad phase. We offer advances in both conditions.

Starter Advance or Small Business Loan Program

Starter Advance is something which we offer while you are at the phase of just beginning your business; that is when you are starting it. Small Business Loan Program is for those kinds of start-ups who have been in any kind of business for at least one year. We offer large amount of sums to those who have been running successfully for the past one year. (Yes we do, read any of the Rapid Advance Reviews…)

Computation of the loan amount is done on the basis of gross sales. We believe it is a showcase of how much cash you will require and also this is the meter as to how much you will repay within the stipulated time.

The manner in which you can apply for this kind of loan is simple

1. Fill in the application form
2. Enter your details like company name and details of your work
3. Get a free Quote from us.
4. Discuss details with our Financial Advisor and get the best plan for your business
5. Do the formalities and get approval with 48 hours of submitting all the documents. 
6. Once the loan amount is approved, chalk out a plan as to how you will repay the loan amount in a fixed manner.
7. Get free advice about how best you can run your business. 

This kind of program best fits for start-ups who generate sales through VISA or Merchant Card Processing. Rapid Advance provides you with a lump –sum loan amount with which you can run your business smoothly. For this you have to agree upon a set amount of future credit card transactions. 

This program has a lot of benefits like funding when you require it. 80% of the people doing business, who apply for this kind, get approval within 10 days of application. Repayment is easy as when credit card payments are low; our repayment amount automatically goes down. 

On the other hand, as and when your business transactions grow, your repayment amount too grows. This program does not require any kind of collateral, personal guarantee or security needs. 

Last but the least – the amount funded can be used for any kind of business and in any phase of the business – as long as it is legal. We do not interfere.(Ask any of Rapid Advance Reviews…)

That comes to the end of the story. However, practical part comes when you actually contact us and we began working. So, call us today….

Keeping Fit Through-out Your Retirement

Is it time to retire? Good for you, you deserve some hard-earned time off! Retirement is the part of life that most people who have their feet firmly planted in the working world look forward to. Perhaps not too soon because retirement comes with age, but those getting on in their years who are starting to feel like they need a nice, long rest will welcome retirement with open arms. 

There is one major setback that comes as part of the retirement package and that’s laziness. When you’ve stopped getting up and going to work every day, you may find that you start losing your energy. It is a well-known fact that energy breeds more energy and doing nothing all day with leave you feeling tired. Retired people can begin to feel weary and their health could possibly diminish without a project to keep them busy. If you’re retiring, do yourself a favour and KEEP FIT.

When you keep fit, your body will thank you. You’ll have enough energy to do daily chores around the home, play with the grandkids and see your friends!

But the number one reason to keep fit is in case you have an enhanced annuity fund. Think of it this way, when you have an enhanced annuity you are essentially making a bet with your insurers. If you outlive your life expectancy, you have won the bet and if you die earlier then insurers make a profit. It’s that simple, so if you want to win the bet and not lose out on money then you should do regular exercise and eat as healthily as possible.

Try to cut out eating red meat more than once or twice a week. Stick to lean meats, oily fish (no more than twice a week) and vegetarian alternatives like tofu or Quorn products. You will benefit from the protein levels without taking in the high fat content in red/fatty meats.

Try to get your recommended half an hour – an hour of rigorous exercise a day. Whether you love to run or just want to enjoy a brisk powerwalk, or maybe you’d prefer swimming, football, tennis/squash, or cycling, your health will benefit massively from regular cardio exercise.

Smokers are likely to get a higher enhanced annuity on retirement, so change your habits, kick the cigarettes and beat the odds! You’ll feel healthier, live longer and get a much better pension that anywhere else.

Try not to eat big, heavy meals too often in your retirement. It’s not healthy for anyone to eat large meals because our bodies can’t cope with so much food in one sitting. We put all of our energy into digesting what we’ve eaten (hence the sluggish/lethargic feeling after a lot of food) and the older we get, the harder it is that our bodies have to work. Eat small amounts often and you’ll feel energised, healthy and fit all day long. Make sure you eat complex carbohydrates (whole wheat/wholegrain foods) often and pack in important vitamins to help ward off common illnesses such as osteoporosis.

Six Things a Great Financial Planner Should Do For You

A good financial planner is an important part of your hopes for a financially stable future. How do you judge if the service you receive from your planner is of a high enough standard? One way would be to examine how he prepares to study your case before he makes any actual recommendations. Every competent financial planner needs to go through the following steps when offering financial advice.

You should first see your planner define what exactly you can expect out of the deal

Many people aren’t clear about the exact level of service to expect when they hire a financial planner. They may believe that they are entitled to complete handholding, for instance, when some planners only offer broad guidance. People are often not clear on how exactly they will be charged for services, either.

A good financial planner will always start off with sending you a clearly-worded letter of engagement, with the following pieces of information. 

• You get an exact list of the services provided and some clarification on what is not provided. You should also see a list of fees and charges. 
• If you are signing on to a financial planner as a couple, the letter will make it clear what is owed to both and what will happen if you get divorced. If the planner sees himself as serving one spouse and not the other, this letter should make it clear. 
• The letter will make it clear what level of cooperation is expected from you. You’ll see information about what data you need to provide on your current financial position and the documents you need to provide on an ongoing basis (such as your tax returns). 

Your planner needs to find out what your goals are

The specific financial moves that your financial planner thinks of depend on the specific goals you have – both short-term and long-term. If building a retirement nest egg is all you need to plan for, your advisor will come up with a plan for investments that have an element of risk attached, but that promise high returns. If you need to plan for your child’s time in college five years down the line, a less risky strategy may be called for. Your planner should also offer advice on his own for what kind of possibilities you should plan for that aren’t on your radar, already.

Assess your current financial position

A close look by your planner at your income, savings, debts, investments and spending habits is an important part of putting you on the road to your goals. Whatever weaknesses the planner notices in your current position – perhaps you don’t have an emergency fund or your investments are noticeably out of line with your goals – he will need to correct them before going ahead with making recommendations for the future.

Prepare a financial plan for your goals

When the groundwork is laid, it’s time for your financial planner to actually make recommendations. He should advice you on how much you should be saving, what steps you should take to protect your income and savings from unpredictable market occurrences and draw up a plan with specific investment ideas.

Put the plan into action

Once your planner has a fully formed plan in hand that you approve of, he will either begin making investments on your behalf himself or guide you on how to go about making them. While it’s easier to let a financial planner make all the investments needed on your behalf, it can be expensive to use a planner’s services this way.

Finally, your planner needs to monitor progress

Financial planning is not an exact science. The investment world is a constantly changing one. Once your planner’s recommendations are implemented, it’s important to constantly monitor them for results. Constant monitoring and readjusting is important also because your own goals can change over time. A change in your job, a new addition to the family and other changes can require constant replanning.

William Dawson has used the services of a financial planner for many years now. An avid blogger, he enjoys posting on a variety of websites.

Investing Your Money Wisely Before Retirement: 5 Things You Need to Know

Retirement might seem far away, but it is never too early to start saving to give yourself financial security when you leave the workforce. It pays to learn about investing before you blindly take a leap of faith that could crumble your financial stability. Take the following steps to ensure that you know where your money is going and how it will change over time. 

Understand the Investment Market

You aren’t going to have a good return on your investments if you don’t understand them. It is best to have a diversified portfolio, which in simple terms designates how much money you should be putting in stocks or bonds. This process involves looking at the returns and risk of investing in a specific plan. Keep in mind that your retirement portfolio extends over your life, and you will experience some years with better returns than others. 

Make Trade Offs

Making safe investments guarantees that you will get a return but at a lower rate than high-risk investments. A decent retirement portfolio consists of some safe investments, some that are riskier and make income and others that are designed for long-term gains 10 or 15 years down the road. 

Seek Expert Advice

A professional can help you decide where you should and shouldn’t invest your money. Professionals know how the investment market works and can tailor a portfolio that meets your needs without being too conservative or risky for your tastes. It also helps to read books, interview financial advisors or take a class on investing. 

Avoid Making Mistakes

Don’t get greedy or careless with your investments. An investment opportunity with above-average returns should set off red flags that something might not be right, since above-average returns are not possible for long, extended periods of time. Don’t allow yourself to get involved with a fraud or Ponzi scheme that could potentially eliminate your retirement investments and make it difficult to pay on the mortgage you might get from LowVARates.com.

Plan Ahead

Avoid jumping into the first investment opportunity that you see. Investing takes careful time and planning to get the most benefit from it. Focus on how much you will be able to earn on a monthly basis instead of putting all your energy into trying to get the highest return as quick as possible so you can make payments on your bills, such as a mortgage from www.lowvarates.com. The money needs to last for your lifetime, and the importance of retirement income should not be taken lightly.

Financial Advice vs. Financial Coaching: Which is Best for You?

There is a distinct difference between a financial coach and a financial advisor. Sure, there titles are similar and they both purportedly help to sort out financial matters, but they are most definitely not the same. Without knowing the difference between one and the other, how can anyone be expected to make an informed decision on which service to seek? Well, they can’t. 

Financial Advisor

A financial advisor is a person who, in exchange for compensation, provides knowledgeable input into how a customer should handle their personal finances. Financial advisors must maintain a Series 65 license in order to offer their services to the public. They have a myriad of different uses, including the provision of income tax advice, investment management, insurance planning and even estate planning.

Really, the relationship between a financial advisor and his clients is that of a parent and child. The advisor is the parent, and the client is the child who follows his parent’s perceived higher knowledge. 

Financial Coach

A financial coach, at his core, is very similar to the financial advisor. They serve many of the same purposes by helping those who hire them with all kinds of money matters. However, those who seek out the aid of a financial coach often need assistance in debt relief, learning to save, budgeting and in how to spend their money well.

The coach/client relationship is really what sets the financial advisor and financial coach apart. The financial advisor is hired to manage a client’s money. The financial coach is hired to teach the client how to handle their own money effectively. As a result, the relationship between a coach and his client is one of a parent and child initially, but as in reality, the child eventually grows up to be a responsible adult.

Which is the Right Choice?

Whether a person should seek the aid of a financial advisor a financial coach is very personal. It all depends on what that person wants to eventually gain from the services rendered to them.

A person who really doesn’t want to be bothered with the mundane aspects of their money, such as budgeting, taxes and investing, from day to day might really prefer an advisor over a coach. There’s nothing wrong with that in the least. It is imperative, however, to choose a financial advisor wisely. Their goal and the client’s goal should be the same; to appropriately manage and grow the client’s money.

On the other hand, if a client really wants to learn how to handle their own money and eventually take the reins, a financial coach is the way to go. There should be a process where the coach learns all about the client's wants, needs and finances. Then a three-part program should be introduced. First, it must be decided precisely what should be done with the client’s money. Then, of course, there must be a game plan on how to make that happen. Finally, there needs to be a specified order put to the defined tasks.

A client needs to be very careful in choosing a financial coach who is out to truly help them. Avoid those who would simply put customers into a debt management system, and look for coaches who really want to teach the ways of money.

Choosing between a financial coach and advisor is highly personal. Both options should be thoroughly considered, and then potential coaches or advisors should come at the highest of recommendations before proceeding.

This article is brought to you by Cambist.

How To Hire The Right Financial Advisor

While both financial planners and broker-dealer agents are technically considered financial advisors, their expertise and services vary significantly. Before selecting an advisor it is important to understand that this decision should not be one that is rushed. When selecting a financial advisor it is important to consider all option and not just settle for the advisor that is the most convenient. Many consumer banks offer the option to use their financial advisors and there are some positives to this alternative. It is also common for those with higher funds to seek advisory from a financial institution. Whether choosing to hire an advisor from your local bank or seeking out advisory from financial institutions, it is important to consider all options and conduct detailed research to narrow down the options.

Financial Advisors

What To Consider: 

1. Credentials 

Before selecting a financial advisor, it is important to look into the registration and certifications of all the agents being considered. Failing to select an advisor with the right professional credentials and licenses can hurt you in the long-run. For financial advisors, you should be looking for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) tag. Similarly, if you are interested in working with a broker, you should be looking for the Broker Dealer Agents (BDA) title. To get a better feel for certifications and areas of expertise one must always consider and reference the professional designations of an advisor. 

2. Consultation 

First impressions are half the ball game. If your first meeting with a prospective advisor leaves you feeling uncomfortable and unsure, it is likely that this relationship should not continue in terms of your financial goes. Before making a final selection, it is important to find an advisor who aligns with your goals and can ultimately meet your needs. Depending on how the initial meetings goes, it will be easy to tell whether your prospect is on the same page. 

3. Financial Strategy 

If you live a conservative lifestyle and refrain from taking risks often, it would be wise to align yourself with an advisor who has a similar asset allocation model. If you are aggressive, however, your best fit would be an advisor who will seek high risk and high reward. These two models are on opposite sides of the advisory spectrum and the models in between could seek to benefit those who like a little bit of both. If you are not conservative or aggressive, you should seek to work with an advisor who is moderate, moderately conservative, or moderately aggressive. The type of asset allocation model selected is an important aspect of selecting an advisor, however it is more important that your styles are aligned. 

4. The Alternatives 

         a. Banks

Banks

Banks can be a great alternative for those seeking a financial advisor. When choosing a bank advisor, they may offer incentives such as lower fee transactions or free checking if you have an investment account at the bank. People may choose to work with an advisor from a bank because it simplifies the process of searching for a qualified advisor. An advisor working for a bank will also likely be able to offer a wide variety of investments as well as life insurance options. 

          b. Online Broker

Online Brokers

An online broker may also be an alternative to consider as they provide trading services over the internet, unlike traditional physical brokerage firms. Similar to financial institutions, the services offered will differ by each broker, ranging from trading and research strategies. When considering an online broker, keep your trading and investment habits in mind. If you trade frequently using your own research, concentrate on a firm with a low trade fee. Likewise, if you like to rely on broker assisted trades, confirm the service is offered at a reasonable price before depositing your funds. 

Things To Keep In Mind: 

Selecting a financial advisor is a big decision. It is important that when your retirement day hits you are prepared for a life of leisure. A financial advisor will help you stabilize your finance and help grow your assets. There is no secret sauce to selecting an advisor, but these tips outlined will help you find an advisor that is the best fit for you. Whether over the internet, through a bank, or through a financial institution, always consider your options and understand that an advisor is someone you will have relations with for years. Make sure that your advisor is working in your best interest and that your goals and personalities align. With this in mind, finding the best financial advisor is a feasible task.