Jesse Lauriston Livermore Stock Trading Rules

Forex Trading Safety Tips

Investors are attracted to Forex trading as it is a means where you are able to make quite large sums of money. It is also possible to lose money if you go about things the wrong way, but as every country's foreign exchange rate changes daily, sometimes by the minute, it is not the place for the faint hearted. That is why every Forex investor can benefit from these tips:

1 – Remain Wary at all Times

You can take part in Forex, or FX, trading by investing your money through a financial organisation or broker who often deal in other stocks and bonds as well as foreign exchange rates. As with all money dealings, however, you must remain wary at all times, especially if you are going to invest through an online organisation.

2 – Know What Your Money is Doing

What you should know is that when you hand your money over to a broker for this type of investment you are allowing your money to be invested in different countries. It is used to prop up certain investments taking place in a variety of hedge funds. You could have your money invested in one particular market on one day and a completely different market the next day. Therefore, to make sure you can keep track of your money and protect the safety of your investment, remember:

• Investment management companies trading in the Forex market are the most trustworthy. Especially those who have been trading continuously since the 1970s.
• Never start out with a more recently established company. Let someone else help build their bone fides.
• Be extremely careful with companies appearing online no matter what they promise. Always check out their past history, where they are based and how long they have been in business.
• Read your agreement thoroughly and if doubtful on any issue don't let it pass without questioning it and having it explained to your complete satisfaction.

3 – Watch Out For Online Scams

When checking out the different companies involved in Forex trading you will find some need a minimum amount of $250 or $500 to open an account with them, whereas others require $1,000 or even $10,000. Scam operators online will only require amounts of $1 or $5 to open an account, be very careful with such offers because they really are too good to be true.
Before you invest with any broker or financial establishment dealing in Forex trading, make sure you check them out thoroughly before entering into any contract, remain cautious and keep your eyes open. That way you will minimise any risk.

Teresa writes about forex trading online and writes for Forex Trading Finder where you can compare foreign exchange brokers to get the best forex reviews.

Market Update

Take Charge Of Your Life

Imagine your life as a dog walker with multiple heavy dogs tugging on the leashes out in front of it. Would you say the dogs are running carefree down the street dragging your life behind dangerously? Or would you say that your life is in control and the dogs are walking politely, going only where they are directed by you?

It may take a moment to absorb that situation and decide how in control your life is at the moment. If you have to admit that the dogs are walking the master rather than the master walking them, you are in the perfect position to step back, refocus on your priorities, and start anew.

Stepping Back
This is the hardest thing to do when you feel there is chaos all around you. Yet, it is one of the most important things to do if you want to bring some control and order back into your world. You can choose to let those dogs drag you down the street so you don't have any control over what happens, or you can let go of the leashes and take a moment to refocus your life.

Stepping back simply means to stop doing what you are currently doing. It obviously isn't working very well for you, right? The first step is always to admit that something is not working and stop just long enough to figure out what the dysfunctional piece of your life is.

You don't have to step back for long. Take a full day or half a day and just focus on figuring out your priorities and making some small adjustments.

Refocusing Your Priorities
Take a piece of paper and write down the things you spend the most time doing and thinking about right now. Those are the things you have been making a priority in your life.

Now make another list of the things you know should be the priority of your life. If you are like most people, this list will be much shorter than the first list because the things you really need to be focusing on aren't as numerous as the things you choose to focus on. It's called over-extending yourself and can be a big part of why you feel things are so chaotic.

What small changes could you make in your life to shift the focus to those things on the second list? You don't need major, dramatic changes...or perhaps you do! If you decide to do something major to refocus on those priorities, make sure you are dedicated and ready to make a go of it long term.

Starting Anew
This is the final step to getting your life back under control. This is where you call the dogs back, pick up the leashes, and show them that you are now the one in control. This is where the plan comes off the paper and enters your daily life.

You really can do this in a single afternoon. If you do the work to honestly assess where your priorities need to be and what is not working for your life, you can decide to turn it around with small changes or perhaps one big change. You just have to make a commitment to putting the plan into action.

Without action, it does no good to identify the problems!

Please visit The Personal Development Company for more information about How To Take Charge Of Your Life and other Self-help products by Jim Rohn

Franchise Finance Guide

There are several ways in which to start your own business. If you have a unique talent or invention that is marketed well and is something that people have a need for, you could create a business that is quite lucrative. However, business ownership can be yours without having to dream up a concept. Own a franchise. Prior to starting the process, your due diligence is required by gaining as much information as possible about the type of franchise you want. Also, be sure that you have access to the proper financial resources that will get you started and provide you with the ability to maintain your franchise business.

According to the International Franchising Association, the costs for starting a franchise will depend on the kind of business and several other factors. These costs could range from less than $20,000 to more than $1 million. Once you understand the costs involved and your financing options, you can better determine if owning a franchise is a suitable choice for you.

Self-financing is usually the first consideration for funding the purchase of a franchise, if feasible. This method is utilized by accessing all of your liquid and semi-liquid assets. This would include your available cash, stock investment returns, your home equity and other resources you have that produce cash. When choosing this option please know that your available capital will be tied up in your franchise business. Only you can determine if this is the proper choice by weighing the "hard cost" of other types of financing.

If your funds do not add up to the required amount needed for your franchise purchase, a slower, but very effective method of self-financing is accomplished by opening a business ownership account. Start by depositing no less than $500 in this account per month for a period of 6 months to a year. By using direct deposit you can be assured that your deposits are placed in your business account every month. As you build your account, bankers and franchisors will see you as a serious contender and will extend other financing options to you. Even if you have to save for a few additional months, you are now well on your way to franchise ownership.

Another option to be considered is a bank loan. This method is rather convenient and can be attained easily if you are in possession of the required collateral in the form of home equity to cover your loan amount. It is also referred to as 'setting up a line of credit." By requiring collateral on your loan, the bank is more assured that you will live up to your end of the bargain to avoid seizure of your property, thereby protecting both you and the bank.

A debt financing loan is obtained from financial institutions, such as savings and loans, banks or commercial finance companies. A great asset to small business owners is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides crucial information on writing a loan proposal and other programs to assist small business start-ups. Visit their website at www.sba.gov for recent information.

Your retirement savings account is a viable asset for investing in your franchise purchase. There are financial professionals across Canada and the U.S.; qualified to structure your retirement plan as a corporation. This is done by using your retirement account as the investment vehicle in your franchise. It will ultimately provide your franchise purchasing capital by taking ownership in your franchise and purchasing stock like a functioning corporation. Along with the profitability of your franchise, your retirement account will also experience tax deferred gains.

Franchising is definitely a successful business model, but you've got to know what you're getting inti.  You should probably start by hiring an accountant, and ensuring your finances are in order.  Then the next step is to put your accountant to work for you investigating the finances of prospective frtanchises.  Mistakes are routinely made, but if you work with qualified people your chance of success certainly improves.

5 Most Valuable Safety Features in New Cars

Cars have come a long way from the first prototypes of the late 19th and early 20th century. Thanks to advancements in modern technology, road travel has become safer and more convenient than ever. Here are some of the most important features of modern cars that help to keep drivers and passengers safe.

1. Tire-Pressure Monitoring

Many drivers are now realizing the importance of maintaining tires and keeping them in the best shape. While it is common sense to replace tires when the tread is low, a lot of people don’t take the time to regularly check the tire pressure and keep them to the recommended number. Many new car models now have monitoring built into the car, with a censor by the wheel that alerts drivers when to fill their tires with air again. This takes out the guessing of when to fill them up and ensures that it is safe to drive at all times.

2. Rearview Camera

While at first, a rearview camera may sound like an added luxury, there are actually a number of occasions where this feature can be very useful. Not only do these cameras protect the car from backing into objects or other cars, it can also help a driver avoid children or animals. The technology places a small camera in the back of the car and a screen at the dash that allows drivers to see everything going on behind them.

3. Blind-Spot Detection

More cars are now incorporating new technology that allows drivers to know what is going on each side of them. Many accidents occur due to the driver being unaware of somebody to the side of the car and as a result, they get into an accident. Having this blind-spot/side assist detection feature added to a car will help alert the driver of objects of cars in their blind spots. This will prevent accidents from happening by using an alarm, vibrating the seat, or flashing a small light in the mirror.

4. Adaptive Cruise Control

Cars have had cruise control as a standard feature for years, but now technology has advanced where an adjustable one is available. This means that the driver can set the speed and still be able to stop and keep distances from cars in front of them. Before, a driver may be at risk when a car suddenly brakes in front of them. Now, an individual that has set cruise control will be safe since the car will sense the upcoming car and slow down or even brake hard to avoid a collision.

5. Dual-Stage Airbags

Until recently, cars have incorporated airbags that are considered ‘one size fits all’. While this may seem okay at first, the problem is that not every passenger is the same weight and height. Technology can now sense the size of the occupant and the seatbelt usage, allowing the appropriate airbag to pop out in an accident.

Britney Baker usually looks at car insurance companies over at CarinsuranceCompanies.Org.

Top 3 Mixed Portfolio Investment Strategies

If there is one thing to be learned by the average citizen from the toils and troubles of the recent economic crisis, it is not to put all your eggs in one basket. Much of the current economic woes come from overstuffing investment money into one hot source or project. The true key to building a sizable investment portfolio, however, is diversity. Concentration of your assets can bring a more rapid and higher return on investment, although the risk of a poor and less stable investment is much higher. Conversely, a diversified portfolio allows a well-balanced and secure investment strategy, which grows slowly overtime, without too much risk in any single investment. So, if it's time to go to the professionals for some real advice and help, companies such as Cavalry Portfolio Services can raise your return and keep your investments safe.
1. Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are a terrific way to begin to make safer, mixed portfolio investments. Representative of a pre-grouped selection of single stock options and securities, the diversification provided by mutual funds helps create a secure net for your investments. Professional portfolio management services and government oversight also aid in the slow, safe increase in your assets. Diversity within mutual funds allows for even more control over rebuilding a good investment strategy. One can choose money market funds, bonds or stock and equity funds.
2. IRAs
An Individual Retirement Account, or IRA, is the next pillar to wealth management success. Roth IRAs, for example, are special non-taxed retirement plans, which contain an account of investments in securities, common stocks and often mutual funds. Over time, Roth IRAs will represent a sizable portion of your assets and will be a safe source for your retirement years. Instead of playing risky business, this will be a strong and steady option in your wealth portfolio management.
3. Real Estate Investments
Some people say real estate investing is passé or risky, however be sure that well-informed investing and diversity within one's own real estate portfolio will bring profits. Now, more than ever, real estate funds stimulate the market and reel in a steady return. This form of third party real estate ownership, through a fund and its management, lets you control two variables that are important to real estate investment success.
The first is control over your investment sum. All too often real estate deals fall through or never take action because of lack of funding. Project's potential and the economy wither away with it. Funds accept investments upwards of a certain minimum, which allows you to invest to the dime. And secondly, each fund will represent a group of property investments—all of which you have a hand in. So, again, instead of gambling it all on one property, you are able to have the security of several properties managed by one central fund.

Jessica writes about a wide variety of topics.  She especially enjoys writing about finances. You can learn more about Cavalry Portfolio Services at http://www.cavalryportfolioservices.com/

When a Money-Saving Deal Probably Isn't

How many times have you reacted to “price guarantee” advertising? Most people hop in their cars and head to the big name store to get a fantastic deal—guaranteed. But do you know why most price guarantees are nothing but marketing gimmicks to lure you into a unique location?

It all boils down to the “same model” stipulation. You see, large chains, who most often pull this legal trick, pay manufacturers to create special SKU or stock-keeping unit for that store chain. The functionality and even the make and model type may be identical to inventory in another store, but the good old SKU is different: You can't find the same SKU or unique UPC that matches anywhere else. So what actual good does a price guarantee do the consumer? None. They aren't for the consumer.

Of course, they don't tell you that. That would completely derail the entire theme.

Beat the game and use Pricematch on the Internet to find the item—not the unique model—and compare honest prices found near you.

Clearance Sales

Clearance sales, especially on the Internet, run rampant with not-quite-deals. Seriously, most clearance items are not high quality items. They are often—not always, but often—failed merchandise. They are the “irregulars” of retail. Clothing often isn't cut or sewn well. Toys break easily, or they are cheap knock-offs that barely meet US import standards. Add costs of “shipping and handling” and sometimes add “freight,” then multiply times two, because you'll need at least two of the items to last well-made items' lifetime, then compare prices. Admittedly, not all clearance sales are running cheaply made, poor-quality items, but face facts: Over 80 percent of “clearance items” are marked down, because they just aren't worth much in the long run.

And by the way, “freight” and “shipping” are the same thing. Don't fall for duplicate charges. This attempted relabeling is common in drop shipping arrangements or through third parties. You buy from an agent, and your “shipping and handling” covers costs to you from the agent, and the “freight” covers the shipper's cost to the agent. Avoid this whenever possible. If necessary, “join” the sales force at the minimum level and buy for yourself.

Frequent Flier Miles

Credit card plans are notorious for this “incentive,” but larger department stores offer the same deal on their own store cards: Purchases made with such-and-such cards grant frequent flier miles (FFM) per $X spent. However, when do you travel most? Holidays, right? Guess what the biggest FFM black-out occasions are?

And your bonus in saving on airfare is compensated by every airline sponsoring the plan in normal ticket prices that everyone—including you—pay anyway. So what precisely is the deal for the consumer? Don't answer that. It's a rhetorical question.

Dissatisfaction

Consumer's dissatisfaction with these and other false marketing tricks is the only way merchants and businesses will treat you fairly. Educate yourself and tell the advertising world and their customers—those businesses—that you are smarter than they are.

Save money, absolutely, but don't just think you're saving when you actually aren't.

This post was contributed by John Walker, who writes finance news for a payday loans site. John lives and works in London, UK as a financial analyst.

Mortgage Refinancing: A Timely Sign or Potential Pitfall?

Mortgage interest rates have risen and fallen drastically during the last ten years. Current figures for 30-year, fixed-rate loans average 4.5 percent, down from roughly 4.95 percent in February of 2011. 15-year rates have fallen from 4.22 percent to 3.69 percent during the same period.

Variable or adjustable rates have dropped as well. June 2011 rates average 3.25 percent on 5/1 mortgages, down from 3.80 percent from February. Is it time to refinance your home mortgage?

Refinancing is paying off your mortgage and assuming another mortgage loan in its place, hopefully with lower interest rates. But interest rates are not the only figures to consider in this decision. You will also repeat many of the closing costs and other fees you experienced previously. Add those costs to your projection.

When you refinance, choose carefully between a 30-year mortgage and a 15-year loan. The minimum payment can be significantly higher in a 15-year mortgage. If you currently have a monthly payment of $1000, a 15-year loan may require a $1400 monthly installment. Is the difference in the fixed interest rate worth it? Is that higher installment amount affordable: Is it still within the approximately 25 percent of your income?

If you like the low adjustable mortgage rate, and that is your motivating factor, remember that rates go up. Consider the one-year, three-year and ten-year historical highs: The initial interest rate in February 2011 may have been higher than today's low rates, but ten years ago, the initial rate was roughly 7.5 percent. Extrapolating further back, in December of 1994, it rose to about 9.35 percent. Can you afford these worse-case-scenario increases?

Do you have enough in accessible savings accounts to easily cover any shortfall for an extended time period?

Fixed rate mortgages may charge a higher average interest rate, but when interest rates escalate, yours is guaranteed.

But refinancing isn't the only way to reduce your overall mortgage interest rates. Paying as little as $50 more than your minimum and applying that difference to the principal of your mortgage can reduce the amount of interest you owe on a loan. Depending on your interest rate, that $50 per month, principal payment can reduce the amount of interest you pay by roughly $1300 per year.  Over the life of a 30-year mortgage, you might save as much as $25,000 in interest you didn't need to pay.

Watch the prepayment conditions and the finance costs. You may have to pay a down payment again, just as you did when you first bought the house.

Your home's value may have changed, but did it keep pace with others in your neighborhood? Do you need refinancing for the full value of your home and not just a portion of it? Every dollar you borrow adds to your debt burden. Don't mortgage more than needed.

Don't be shy about asking for information—detailed information—regarding refinance mortgages. Be sure to accumulate information on refinancing and not either first or second mortgages. Discard any irrelevant data; keeping information on other loan types may simply confuse matters.

If refinancing your mortgage is still more desirable after considering all these facets, ensure you get the best rate you can and the best terms available.

This post was contributed by John Walker from Payday-loans.co.uk.  John lives and works in London, where he is in charge of monitoring financial trends for financial hedge funds.

GMP Consulting – A Vital Tool in Ensuring Safe Pharmaceuticals

There is a lot of trust amongst patients that the medical products that they take are safe and of a good quality. To ensure that this trust isn’t misplaced, GMP consulting firms will advise pharmaceutical manufacturers on the steps that they must follow to ensure their products are of a sufficiently high calibre to be used by the general public.
It is fair to say that medical products or devices that are of inferior quality are not only dangerous but are also a waste of money for healthcare providers. In order to ensure that money isn’t wasted, the pharmaceutical governing bodies set up a code of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) which must be followed by those involved in the production of medical devices and other forms of pharmaceutical products. GMP consulting firms are in heavy demand because they will offer consultants who can ensure that all the latest compliancy issues are relayed to their clients and help guarantee that all the products that are manufactured are safe for the intended users.
Why GMP Consulting Firms Are Advisable
It is a legal requirement for all medicines and medical devices manufactured within the EU to comply with the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance guidelines and, given the velocity with which they can often change or be modified, it is usually a good idea for pharmaceutical manufacturers to consider utilising the services of GMP consulting firms. By undertaking pharmaceutical training programmes, the manufacturers of supplements and medical devices will be fully prepared for what is invariably expected of them during GMP auditing inspections.
The reason why the principle of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is so important is because it goes beyond ensuring that the medicine or device is safe by testing the product alone and actually guarantees that good quality practices are built directly into the manufacturing process to ensure the consistent production of high quality goods. GMP consulting firms will be in the best position to advise pharmaceutical manufacturers on what it is they need to do and adhere to in order to be considered GMP compliant.
Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines are invariably set up with the intention of creating confidence in the pharmaceutical industry. If products have to adhere to set criteria when it comes to their manufacture then it will show healthcare providers and, indeed, patients themselves that the products that are being produced are being done so to high manufacturing standards. GMP consulting firms will often be used by manufacturers to help them get to grips with exactly what Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) entails and how best to build it into their day to day operations.

GMP consulting is a crucial component of ensuring compliance and here at NSF-DBA, they have a leading team of pharmaceutical consultants who will help you every step of the way.

Market Update

Periodic Short Term Market Update

The market bounced off yesterday as expected. we are very bullish on this market at least for the short term. We expect the market to continue its consilidation with break to the upside from the current range. It seem that the last and ealy week shakeout is the last for now, followed by a sustained swing up to higher level. Short term trend continues upward. Medium range goal goal is 1390 and higher.

Former WexTrust Capital COO Sentenced 262 Months in Prison for Real Estate Investment Fraud Scheme

   Two owners of WexTrust Capital LLC, a Chicago-based real-estate investment firm, were charged with using a Ponzi scheme to cheat investors. Now (Source: FBI) PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOSEPH SHERESHEVSKY, a former Chief Operating Officer of the private equity firm WexTrust Capital, LLC (“WexTrust Capital”), was sentenced today to 262 months in prison on charges stemming from a fraud that raised more than $9 million from investors in private placement real estate offerings. SHERESHEVSKY, 54, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by U.S. Court of Appeals Judge DENNY CHIN.

According to the indictment and other documents previously filed in Manhattan federal court: From 2003 to 2008, WexTrust Capital was a globally diversified private equity company specializing in real estate investments and specialty finance opportunities. It was affiliated with several companies that had similar names, including WexTrust Securities, LLC, a broker-dealer registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission

http://www.loansafe.org/former-wextrust-capital-coo-sentenced-262-months-in-prison-for-real-estate-investment-fraud-scheme

The Market Heading Higher

Seven reasons to believe the market is heading up. Way up.

One: International Paper and Georgia Pacific just raised prices on containerboard. Forget about all government data for a second. Why would the two companies involved in every shipment made around the world increase prices? Because demand is there.

Two: Consensus among analysts for S&P earnings for 2011 is $94. With the S&P near 1050 that puts us barely above a multiple of 11 times earnings with the historical average somewhere near 15.

Three: We are still in the middle of an inventory rebuild after the Great Liquidation that wiped out all inventories in 2009. And corporate profits are still near all-time highs, in part due to the enormously slack labor market created by 10% unemployment. In fact, corporate profits at their highest levels ever:



Four: Consumer spending won’t slow, even with 10% unemployment. We’ve added jobs to the work force for the past 5 months in a row. And even though last month’s job increase was only 41,000 (not including the almost 400,000 in census hiring), average pay was up enough so that it was the equivalent of an extra 315,000 jobs if pay had stayed flat. This is more than enough to keep personal consumption expenditure at an all-time high, where it currently is. Follow the link...
http://blogs.wsj.com/financial-adviser/2010/07/01/seven-reasons-the-sp-500-is-going-to-1500/

Market Update

Dividends Highlights for 07/21/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

COP $0.66 Pay Date 09/01/2011
FAST $0.13 Pay Date 08/22/2011
BCR $0.19 Pay Date 08/05/2011

Market Technical Analysis

The market continued its slide lower on Monday as worries about European banks and an impasse in Washington over the US debt limit. The Dow fell 94.57 points, 0.8 percent, to 12,385.16. The S&P 500 dropped 10.70 points, or 0.8 percent, to 1,305.44, and the Nasdaq fell 24.69 points, or 0.9 percent, to 2,765.11.

To The Sky

Market Update

Halliburton 2Q Profit Surges 54% On Strong North America Growth

Halliburton Co.'s second-quarter earnings soared 54% as the oil-field-services company benefited from higher prices and a continuing North American rebound.
An industry resurgence that began last year has continued in 2011 amid high oil prices, and as a surge in unconventional oil and natural-gas drilling.
Shares were up 0.9% at $53.53 in premarket trading as adjusted profit and revenue beat analysts' expectations. The stock through Friday's close has nearly doubled in the past year. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110718-704624.html

The Debt Turmoil Crisis

From Washington to Brussels, Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch have added to the intense pressure on governments trying to deal with crushing sovereign debt. Their warnings about the precarious finances of the world's top economies have also roiled investors more accustomed to seeing emerging market countries take the brunt of criticism. Tension hit new highs on both sides of the Atlantic last week as Moody's and Standard & Poor's threatened to downgrade the United States' prized "triple-A" rating. A few days earlier, Moody's slashed ratings in Treland and Portugal to "junk" status, triggering an outcry from European officials.

Now that the agencies are focusing their fire on the rich world, U.S. and European officials -- long proponents of seeing indebted nations "take their medicine" -- are crying foul.
Their complaints carry a strong sense of deja-vu.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/17/us-usa-debt-ratingsagencies-idUSTRE76G1H220110717

When A Turn Toward Austerity Turned To Disaster

Four years into Franklin Roosevelt's first presidential term, the worst of the Great Depression seemed behind him. Massive jolts of New Deal spending had stopped the economic slide, and the unemployment rate was cut from 22 percent to less than 10 percent.
"People felt that there was momentum," U.S. Senate historian Donald Ritchie tells Guy Raz, host of weekends on All Things Considered. "Finally, there was the light at the end of the tunnel."
So Roosevelt, on the advice of his conservative Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, decided to tackle the country's exploding deficits. Over two years, FDR slashed government spending 17 percent.
"All of a sudden," Ritchie says, "after unemployment had been going steadily down, unemployment shot up, the economy stagnated, the stock market crashed again. And now it seemed we'd come out of the Hoover Depression to go into the Roosevelt recession."
Similar decisions Roosevelt made about spending and austerity are being discussed at the White House right now. In the long term, both political parties say they agree that austerity is a good thing. But what about in the short term, while unemployment remains high?
Could austerity slow economic recovery?

http://www.npr.org/2011/07/16/138185648/when-a-turn-toward-austerity-turned-to-disaster

Weekly Econoday Market Moving Events

07/19/2011: Housing Starts at 8:30 am.
07/20/2011: Existing Home Sales at 10:00 am.
07/21/2011: Jobless Claims at 8:30 am.
07/21/2011: Philadelphia Fed Survey at 10:00 am.

Picture of the Week

Deep Space- This NASA photo was taken by the Expedition 28 crew shows the space shutle Atlantis as approaches the International Space Station for docking for the last time. Atlantis, is retiring after this flight, the last of NASA's 30-year shuttle program. http://framework.latimes.com/2011/07/15/the-week-in-pictures-44/

Dividends Highlights for 07/20/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

PG $0.53 Pay Date 08/15/2011
CVS $0.13 Pay Date 08/02/2011
APA $0.15 Pay Date 08/22/2011
TPZ $0.13 Pay Date 07/29/2011
JGCCY $0.74 Pay Dat 07/29/2011

Market Technical Analysis

Market Update

Dividends Highlights for 07/19/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

AMX $0.15 Pay Date 07/29/2011
CHT $1.91 Pay Date 08/24/2011
LTC $0.14 Pay Date 07/29/2011

How to Outsource Payroll

Outsourcing payroll may be a good solution if you are a small to medium sized business looking to cut costs.

Payroll on its own is a relatively dull job and does not necessarily make up a full time job, so it does not always make financial sense to hire someone to complete this job in-house unless you want to combine this task with other HR duties.

Outsourcing payroll therefore can mean you get your payroll completed effectively and on time, so all your employees are happy.

There are some points to consider before choosing a particular payroll company however, so take a look at the following if this is something you are considering.

• Think about the size of your company and if the payroll company you are considering is used to handling companies similar to your own.  They may only work with start-ups and may not have the resources to cope with a slightly larger business, or if they can, they may have difficulty when you start to grow.

• It is important you think about the future of your company, if you are planning on growing then remember to ask the payroll company if they would be able to take this on when it happens.  They may, for instance, charge extra when they start dealing with larger numbers, or may find it difficult to keep up with your changing circumstances.

• Work out the costs.  Each company has a different way of charging for the different parts of payroll required.  For example, you may find one company offers a better rate but you have to print off the pay cheques yourself, so you would need to work out whether the time it would take for you to do this, and the cost of the paper and ink would be worth taking the cheaper rate.

• Other services.  You may find you require an accountant, or perhaps you already have one, and are looking to combine the services.  First of all, contact your accountant and see if his company does payroll too and if you would be able to work out a deal.  If this is not possible then you may want to consider moving to a company who would do both so you all your company details will be on one system.

• Typically you will find if your company has fewer than 20 employees’ outsourcing to a payroll company it is the more cost effective method rather than hiring someone to do it in-house.  However, there are some companies who can cater for businesses with thousands of staff and can provide a good deal if HR is something you are not considering.

This article was written by a leading provider of Payroll & HR Software in the UK.

5 Financial Tips for the Self-Employed

When it comes to managing personal finances, those who are self-employed have a special set of considerations to take into account. Many self-employed people work from their homes, have incomes that vary from month to month, are responsible for compensating employees, and/or do their own bookkeeping. Therefore, they must plan for the differences these circumstances can make in their financial planning. If you are self-employed, then you can benefit from following these five financial tips:

Income tax planning. Make sure you set aside some money each month for your income tax bill at the end of the year. Keep it in a separate bank account that is specifically designated for this expense. Forty percent of your income is advisable. If that sounds like a lot, consider how much it will feel like when tax time comes and you haven’t saved anything.

Separate accounts. Don’t make the mistake of combining your business and personal funds into one bank account. Keeping separate bank accounts is a necessity if you want to avoid bookkeeping mistakes, and can save you from a lot of unnecessary time and effort spent on sorting out records for tax purposes.

Bookkeeping software. Invest in a reputable computer program like Quickbooks for all of your bookkeeping needs. This enables you to track everything from invoicing to tax accounting with just a few keystrokes, and you can even write company checks using such software.

Retirement planning. When you don’t have an employer to withhold and match retirement funds for your future, you must do it yourself. The best way to do this is to consult with a financial planner in order to find the best fit for you. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may have several options when it comes to planning for your retirement, and you owe it to yourself to seriously consider the different investment vehicles available to you.

Reserves. No matter what business you are in, it is a good idea to have three to six months of living expense reserves in the bank account. Self-employed are especially susceptible to monthly fluctuations in income, so it is important to set enough money aside each month to account for the likelihood of slow months.

Those who choose to be self-employed do so for a reason. After all, not everyone can say that they set their own schedules and that they don’t have bosses to answer to. However, there is a tradeoff for being self-employed. The responsibility of managing both personal and business finances can be daunting and, if not approached with seriousness, can also be potential downfall. Avoid the financial pitfalls of self-employment by following these tips.

About the Author:  Holly is a full-time freelancer with a passion for personal finance. She also enjoys writing about education and careers in health care and is a regular contributor at aboutmedicalbillingandcoding.org.

Market Update

Today's S&P 500 Range

07/13/2011: Today's S&P 500 range estimate is 1311-1345.
No significant changes on the short term outlook. The market continues to consolidate. I expect a break to the upside from the current range to new high shortly. Short term trend continues upward after this consolidation period. We will keep you updated if status changed.

Dividends Highlights for 07/14/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

PNC $0.35 Pay Date 08/05/2011
MVO $1.03 Pay Date 07/25/2011
WMK $0.29 Pay Date 08/01/2011

Today's S&P 500 Range

07/12/2011: Today's S&P 500 range estimate is 1312-1345.
The market continues to consolidate with short term pull back. I expect a break to the upside from the current range to new high. Short term trend continues upward after this consolidation period.

5 Things You Should Know about Short-Term Disability Insurance

Short term disability policies are the umbrella that will take care of the most immediately dire scenarios to enable you and your family to recoup and recover. According to a 2005 article in Smart Money, the American Council of Life Insurers reported that one third of Americans between the age of 35 and 65 would become disabled for more than ninety days. Because of the high risk involved, long term disability coverage is pricey. However, short term disability insurance may be a more practical option.

Figure Out What You Already Have

Your employer may already have you enrolled in a short term plan that covers injury, maternity/paternity leave and illness. It is usually presented as ‘sick leave’ and can sustain about sixty to eighty percent of your income for a few weeks or up to a year (depending on how long you have worked there). By finding out exactly what your employer covers will enable you to make a decision regarding whether to ‘piggy back’ that insurance or not get any at all if you feel you are sufficiently covered.

Get It Soon

The longer you wait to purchase short term disability insurance the more expensive it will be. Like most insurance your age, gender and health history will all be taken into account. If you are in good health and at a young age, you will present less of a risk and hopefully be able to invest in an affordable plan.

Eligibility

If you agree with and are eligible, a short term plan may work well. These are most of the requirements and expectations:

• You must be employed thirty or more hours per week.
• You must work a select amount of time before making a disability claim (usually a specified number of months or even years).
• Payment can be anywhere between fifty and seventy percent of your weekly salary (no plan covers 100% as they want you to go back to work).
• Short term usually covers three to six months but some may even offer more.

Check Your State

If you live in New York, New Jersey, Hawaii or Rhode Island, these states require employers to cover up to twenty-six weeks of your disability time. The laws are constantly changing so your state may also have a required mandate. Either way, this will enable you to purchase a less expensive plan to add to the sixty to eighty percent you may already be covered under but obviously unable to live with if disabled.

Self-Employed

If you are a freelance employee, short term disability insurance can save you from financial ruin. Although temporary, it will enable you to get back on your feet and quickly back to work more so than someone that is covered by a corporate plan that may have more of a cushion.
A short term disability policy is less expensive than long term and can be just the right amount of coverage you need until long term can be considered.

About the Author: Matt Tomasino is a full-time writer with a passion for personal finance and insurance. He writes credit repair, bankruptcy, insurance, and money saving techniques frequently at CreditLoan.com.

Dividends Highlights for 07/13/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

ABT $0.48 Pay Date 08/15/2011

    FCX $0.25 Pay Date 08/01/2011
    MTP $0.24 Pay Date 08/15/2011

Market Update

Today's S&P 500 Range

07/11/2011: Today's S&P 500 range estimate is 1327-1355.
The market continues to consolidate with short term pull back. I expect a break to the upside from the current range to new high. Short term trend continues upward after this consolidation period.

Dividends Highlights for 07/12/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

AET $0.15 Pay Date 07/29/2011
MFA $0.25 Pay Date 07/29/2011
OMAB $0.12 Pay Date 07/25/2011

Weekly Econoday Market Moving Events

07/12/2011: International Trade at 8:30 am.
07/12/2011: FMOC Minutes at 2:00 pm.
07/14/2011: Producer Price Index at 8:30 am.
07/14/2011: Retail Sales at 8:30 am.
07/14/2011: Jobless Claims at 8:30 am.
07/14/2011: Business Inventories at 10:00 am.
07/15/2011: Consumer Price Index at 8:30 am
07/15/2011: Industrial Production at 9:15 am.
07/15/2011: Consumer Sentiment at 9:55 am.

Jobs Data Dim Recovery Hopes.
Is it time to play the Contrarian Card?

All popular magazines, news articles and TV stations with dim recovery and hopes.

Today's S&P 500 Range

07/08/2011: Today's S&P 500 range estimate is 1335-1365.
The market continues to consolidate with possible short term pull back. I expect a break to the upside from the current range to new high in 1-2 weeks. Short term trend continues upward after this consolidation period. I will update you when market conditions change.

10 Things You Need To Know Before The Opening Bell

JPMorgan Chase has agreed to pay $228 million to settle charges that it rigged transactions involving municipal-bond auctions at the expense of the taxpayer. JPMorgan said the the settlement will not have a material impact on its earnings but is the larges settlement in the ongoing probe which also investigate which also invistigated Bank of America and UBS.

http://www.businessinsider.com/10-things-july-08-2011-7?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

Dividends Highlights for 07/11/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

ORCL $0.06 Pay Date 08/03/2011
AM $0.15 Pay Date 07/25/2011
KED $0.38 Pay Date 07/22/2011
KMF $0.41 Pay Date 07/22/2011

Market Manipulation!

Talking about Market manipulation! Playing with the numbers to control everything in the market. Regulators across the globe are increasing enforcement actions in an effort to cut down on abusive and manipulative practices within financial services firms.
http://blogs.sungard.com/ten/transparency/dealing-with-market-abuse-practices/

Today's S&P 500 Range

07/07/2011: Today's S&P 500 range estimate is 1323-1348.
The market continues to consolidate with possible short term pull back. I expect a break to the upside from the current range to new high in 1-2 weeks. Short term trend continues upward after this cosolidation period.

Market Outlook

Roubini: Here Comes A Massive Fiscal Drag In 2012, And A "Perfect Storm" In 2013

Dividends Highlights for 07/08/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

EC $0.54 Pay Date 08/02/2011
IBA $0.26 Pay Date 07/25/2011
DKQ $0.78 Pay Date 07/15/2011
MSM $0.22 Pay Date 07/26/2011

Today's S&P 500 Range

07/06/2011: Today's S&P 500 range estimate is 1335-1358.
The market continues to be strong. I expect slight more consolidation with steady push and more upside progress to new high. Short term trend continues to ratchet upward.

Dividends Highlights for 07/07/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

GIS $0.31 Pay Date 08/01/2011
MMC $0.22 Pay Date 08/15/2011
DRI $0.43 Pay Date 08/01/2011

Today's S&P 500 Range

07/05/2011: Today's S&P 500 range estimate is 1361-1341.
The market continue to be strong. It reached the short term target of 1338.
I expect slight pullback and consolidation before resuming further new high.

Dividends Highlights for 07/06/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

T $0.43 Pay Date 08/01/2011
VZ $0.49 Pay Date 07/06/2011
KYN $0.50 Pay Date 07/15/2011

Weekly Econoday Market Moving Events

07/07/2011: Jobless Claims at 8:30 am.
07/08/2011: Employment Situation at 8:30 am.

Today's S&P 500 Range

07/01/2011: Today's S&P 500 range estimate is 1325-1291 with short term resistance at 1338. This market is resilient and I expect it will continue to push higher.

Dividends Highlights for 07/05/2011 Ex-Dividend Date

CSCO $0.06 Pay Date 07/27/2011
BBVA $0.14 Pay Date 07/15/2011
DFS $0.06 Pay Date 07/21/2011
SSD $0.13 Pay Date 07/28/2011
LEN $0.04 Pay Date 07/21/2011