Today, financial markets are at your fingertips. Around the world, millions of traders work remotely, buying and selling assets online. Their profits depend on their skills and market forces like supply and demand. Anyone can try to master this art. All you need is suitable software, a brokerage account, and, of course, knowledge. Discover the fundamentals of Internet-based trading.

Online trading is unimaginable without sophisticated platforms and apps. Today, you can work from any device, at any time of day and night. For example, the global currency market is almost always awake. It is open 24 hours a day every weekday. Traders may even use robots that make decisions while they sleep. Generally, tradable instruments have similar logic.

Buying and Selling Online

You may be familiar with the stock exchange cliché ‘buy low and sell high.’ It is applicable to other markets too, i.e., derivatives, precious metals, etc. Consider what happens in the most colossal of them – the global currency exchange.

Currencies are always valued against one another, forming pairs. Exchange rates are always changing, as they are swayed by multiple factors, both economic and political. For instance, think of problems faced by oil exporters like Nigeria. When the price for the benchmark crude plunges, their national currencies depreciate, and vice versa.

Such factors are known as fundamentals, and they form the basis of Forex analysis. Other examples include GDP, interest rates set by central banks, trade deficits, wars, etc. Traders keep track of these events to see where their instruments are headed. They may also use technical indicators like volume and price to detect patterns.

Every trade is an attempt to buy low and sell high. This means that currencies are sold when they are expected to fall, and bought when a rise is anticipated. An important advantage is that both uptrends and downtrends can be profitable. There are plenty of resources that teach Forex trading for beginners including these four main steps:

1. Open a demo account;
2. Learn and practice as much as possible;
3. Switch to live trading;
4. Make Profits.

Reading Currency Prices

Every currency pair follows the formula ‘base currency/quote currency’ (aka ‘counter currency’). If the price for USD/ZAR is 16.57030, you know that one American dollar costs roughly 16.6 South Africa rand. Two prices are streamed simultaneously. These are Bid (for all sellers) and Ask (for all buyers). The former is always slightly lower, which corresponds to the general logic of sales.

The ForexTime broker recommends you choose pairs whose dynamics are most familiar. For example, a resident of the European Union may prefer EUR/USD. Here, knowledge of the European economy helps to predict the dynamics. At the same time, a resident of South Africa may be advised to opt for USD/ZAR, as the quote currency represents their national monetary system.

Basically, traders of currencies, stocks, and other instruments bet on the direction of the market. They open positions in accordance with their forecasts. You go long when you intend to buy, and go short to sell. This is the underlying logic of Forex trading in general. What changes are the factors you need to monitor. For example, someone trading shares should keep a close eye on the performance of the issuing company.

Automatic Trading Tools

Stop Loss and Take Profit are invaluable features of popular trading systems. These are parameters determined for every trade (at least, they should be). The trading system is programmed to execute a position automatically when the desired price level is reached. This way, traders can collect profit and establish an acceptable level of risk. They know exactly how much they can lose if the market turns against them.

Wide Choice of Instruments

As a trader, you should not be focused on a single instrument. Many pros begin with Forex and add more instruments as they gain more experience. The more assets in your collection – the lower your overall risk. If any instrument is unprofitable, you may see returns elsewhere.

Diversification is a basic recommendation. Do not rely on one instrument, as it exposes you to high risk. Your ultimate goal should be the creation of a diverse portfolio where risks are balanced across a set of different markets. Of course, this also requires expertise.

Where to Begin

If you have never traded online, begin by opening a demo account with a regulated brokerage. In South Africa, the services are offered by local and international brands. Make sure the provider is officially registered and authorized by a credible entity, such as the FCSA, the FCA, the CySEC, etc.

Reliable brokers provide clients with education, training opportunities, and support. They also process all financial flows to and from your account. It is crucial to select the right provider in order to trade safely.

When someone decides to enter the mortgage industry, they may not think that social media is relevant to their work. This could be said for people in many career fields, from accounting to medicine.

But being able to leverage social media can actually be a huge boost for your personal brand and your business, and help potential customers decide to put their trust in you. Jacques Poujade has been in the lending industry for three decades, well before the rise of social media. But this seasoned professional had adapted and shown how social media can be a powerful tool for mortgage experts.

Now, as a managing partner at LendPlus, Poujade is able to use his social media platform to maximize his visibility and amplify his work. While it can be challenging to start out as a mortgage expert, Poujade has actually developed a formulaic method, and is now sharing his technique.

Find a platform to share your knowledge

As a mortgage professional, you are obviously well-versed in your craft. But there’s a difference between being knowledgeable and knowing how to disseminate that knowledge.

In order to stand out as a mortgage expert on social media, Poujade recommends starting either a blog or a website, to start sharing your expertise. These articles and content can also be used for your social media, but as a standalone, this platform will be a more in-depth resource for your audience.

When someone finds you on social media, and searches your name, you won’t appear to be an expert if nothing comes up. Having a website with your own content will help you appear to be an expert in your field. You can check out one of Jacques Poujade’s real estate blog for inspiration.

Post consistently

The next step to stand out as a mortgage expert on social media is to make sure you’re posting consistently. According to Poujade, in order to build an audience, you need to make sure you’re sharing often and regularly.

Your audience will come to expect this content from you and will find value in your social media site if they see you’re delivering on your promises. A big misstep is for people to fall off the bandwagon when it comes to posting.

Post things that are of value to others

This point is huge, according to Poujade. Posting personal things, such as photos of your day, work, or food, can be important for creating a connection with your audience. But in order to stand out as a mortgage expert on social media and truly develop a following, you need to post content that is of value to others.

For example, someone visiting your social media page might find value in insider knowledge, tips, or little-known facts. You want to make sure you’re sharing things that can genuinely help others who want to learn about mortgages, to stand out as a mortgage industry expert.

Make sure you look like an expert

Social media is very much about optics, and a few small investments can go a long way when it comes to looking like an expert on social media. For example, having professional headshots can make your profile look much more legitimate than using low quality photos or selfies.

Also, investing a small amount of time in learning how to make basic graphics using a free website can help your page look sharp and professional. You can also decide to bring in a marketing professional, to help you with things like branding and aesthetics.

What you’re sharing on your social media is important, but if it is not presentable, it’s not going to go very far.

 

The best way to become a successful investor, is to learn from the advice of seasoned pros. Who knows how to properly assess the market. To discover a few investment tips from professional investors, simply continue reading.

Instead of being tempted to purchase shares which have skyrocketed in price and seem to be growing from strength to strength, investment pros search for shares which have steadily increased in price. Over a long period such as 5-10 years. As such shares are far more likely to remain strong prospects. While shares which skyrocket in price, out of nowhere, are usually highly volatile and may end up dropping in price, just as quickly as they skyrocketed in price.

The more regularly you invest and add new investment opportunities to your investment portfolio, the quicker investing will become a habit. It’s highly worth following the lead of professional investors and to make sure that you invest in shares on a weekly basis. As no matter whether the share market is thriving or struggling, there are always opportunities to be found. If you take the time to assess the market and the likely futures of different businesses and industries. By investing every week, you’ll also be able to take advantage of cost price averaging.

Invest in precious metals as well as in the stock market in order to increase your wealth in a recession:

Experienced investors make sure to invest 10-25% of their investment portfolio in precious metals such as gold and silver. As a hedge against inflation and insurance against a stock market crash. If the stock market crashes once again, just as it did in 2007-2009, it’s highly likely that gold and silver prices will increase.

In this scenario, each ounce of silver or gold which you own may be worth 15 times what it was worth before the stock market crash. If this happens, sell 50-70% of your precious metals and use the proceeds to purchase cheap shares and cheap property. In order to quickly increase your passive income. Depending on how much gold and silver you accumulate, you may have enough capital to purchase a new rental property out right. Which will be a great investment as you’ll be able to earn rent from tenants and your rental property should appreciate in value, over time.

Learn how to use copy trading to your benefit:

If you’re interested in Forex trading in South Africa, you may want to learn how to use copy trading techniques to your advantage. Copy trading involves copying some of the trades of experienced, successful investors and is a great idea, if you’re still learning how to read the stock market. Just be sure to check the long term success of an investor, before you elect to spend several thousand dollars copying their trades. As you should aim to copy the trades of investors who make a profit at least 9 months out of the year.

So if you want to become a successful investor and to be able to quit your day job in the near future, it’s well worth taking advice from the pros. Who have a wealth of knowledge which can help you build a thriving investment portfolio.

 

Financial responsibility is something you need to learn as early as possible. If you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck, then maybe it’s time to take a deep breath and ask yourself what have you been doing wrong for the past few years. By learning how to manage your finances, you can get what you want without compromising your needs. Here are five ways you can be more financially responsible.

Start planning early

You can never be too early when trying to achieve financial stability. Instead of just saving up for something and then starting over again after buying it, create a financial plan. You can set achievable financial objectives you need to fulfil in a year or even in a decade. From making significant purchases to reaching a particular amount of savings, you can hold yourself accountable to your financial goals with such plans.

Take advantage of discounts

Let’s say, you want to buy a new gaming console. You think you deserved it; self-care is vital, after all. You know you won’t spend all your money if you buy one. Still, it doesn’t hurt to find one at a discounted price. Get yourself one of those Black Friday or Boxing Day deals. You can even find one bundled with a game or some accessories. If you have to spend money, make sure you’re going to get the most at the lowest price possible.

Consider getting a good insurance plan

Insurance might be the last thing on your mind, but it might be a good idea to at least have one. The National Health Services can only do so much with the healthcare they provide, after all. Having a good insurance plan lets you be financially safe in case an emergency happens—especially if they’re not covered by the NHS. The same goes with gadget or auto or home insurance. In case of damage or theft, at least you get something to start over.

Work off your debt

Not everyone enters the workforce and ends up debt-free all the time. That’s why prioritising your debt is important. As much as possible, pay your debts timely without having to take out a personal loan. You should also limit accumulating as much bad debt as possible as such items related to bad debt—such as cars—often charge ridiculous interest rates. When it comes to your student loans, though, you shouldn’t worry about them too much and just pay how much the government wants you to. They get written off your records after 30 years of payments.

Invest in yourself

The human capital is a business’s greatest asset. So, why not invest in yourself? Hone your skills and learn new things. If you have to pay to learn how to cook better, then do it. Want to learn how to speak Japanese? Go to a language school. Feel like you earned a good rest? Wind down and have fun. Just because you’re being responsible with your money doesn’t mean you need to forget self-care. Improve yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally so you’re ready to face the world again. Otherwise, bad habits will get to you.

Not everyone can make it big, achieve financial independence, and enter retirement by the age of 35. However, anyone can have a sizable savings account and have the things they want before they reach their 30s if they know how to use their money. Being financially responsible isn’t just about restraint; it’s also about being smart with your cash.

Money is what makes the world go around, and if you are struggling to save it can fee suffocating and hopeless. But this isn’t the case, you can budget better and save more by using the tools you have at your disposal. Whether you have no money or a lot of money, we all need help budgeting and saving for the future. The good thing is that there are many free applications that can motivate you and create a suitable atmosphere for saving and cutting down on spending. Read ahead to see what some of your options are.

Emma

Emma is a free app available on iOS and Android described as a financial advocate for your money. According to the experts at the site MoneyPug, which is used to find deals and compare payday loans online, this service aims to help you avoid over drafting, track your debt, and cancel subscriptions you don’t need.

With Emma you can track spending and set hard budgets. You will be able receive notifications to let you know when you’ve received a refund. When your direct debits are going to leave your account, your salary has been paid. Another great feature that seems to be unique among these apps is that Emma allows you to include your cryptocurrency investments. You can also track them over time.

Money Dashboard

Money Dashboard just may be the most accessible of these apps. It allows you to see all of your accounts in a single place, which includes current accounts, savings, and credit cards. Available for free on Android, iOS, and the Web while using over 70 UK banks, you can automatically categorise spending so it is easy to see where your money is being spent. Targets can also be set for each individual category. This is handy for when you need to cut down on specific expenses to save.

Money Dashboard also allows you to see into the future, at least with predictions. The app will project your income, expenditures, and account balances. This is very helpful, especially when you are looking towards a big event that you will need extra money for.

Oval

Oval, on the other hand, only works with 28 banks and credit cards. It is also free, but it is not available on the Web. But the most unique characteristic is that you can set up rules, goals, steps, and parameters for yourself. For example, you can make a rule that a certain amount of money is deposited whenever you buy coffee, or when you long into Facebook. Your savings are held in a segregated account at Barclays so you will not have to worry about your funds. Oval coach also helps you stick to your missions and improve habits.

Cleo

Cleo is the free budgeting app available from Facebook. It is quite interactive, meaning you can ask it questions and receive answers about your financial standing. Cleo will also send notifications, insights, and challenges to keep you engaged. Choose which accounts you want to link. The app is only able to read your transactions and make calculations based on your income and spending, but you cannot move money within the app itself. Cleo’s wallet feature has AI that calculates how much you can afford each week.

Bean

Bean allows you to connect your bank and credit accounts on a single dashboard, but the free service available on iOS and Android is really great for taking control of regular payments. The app allows you see recurring expenditures and decide if you need them and if you can find a better deal elsewhere. You can also cancel subscriptions or switch services. Bean notifies you when your bills are going up and if renewal dates and insurance contracts will be altered.

As you can see, there are a lot of options for budgeting apps. Choosing the right one for you and your situation will change everything. You will be able to see your current financial situation in front of you, and use it to make decisions. With so many viable options available to you, you should get started saving today and you will likely see big improvements in your financial life.

 

Credit scoring is a basic concept in the developed world. Although it’s still not that popular in the Philippines, the average Filipino is becoming more aware of it and its value.

A high credit score can open a world of financial opportunities for you, such as a more affordable residential house and lot in Cavite. However, not all Filipinos have credit scores. If you do have one, building it up takes time, effort, and discipline.

To make sure you’re as creditworthy as possible when taking out any loan, do the following.

Pay Your Bills on Time

Punctual and complete payment of bills is the bedrock on which good credit scores are built. Don’t play favorites, for picking which bills to pay on time and in full can taint your overall payment history.

Living in a country where financial credit data sets remain fragmented, it’s imperative to be responsible for handling every bill under your name. You never know when a late or missed payment can pull your credit score down, so make sure you repay whatever you owe.

Use a Credit Card

Credit card issuers are data furnishers. In other words, they submit consumer data to credit bureaus, the companies that generate credit reports and calculate scores.

If you’re allergic to plastic, you probably don’t fully understand how it works. The notion that a credit card can ruin your finances is a myth. In most cases, you may not even have to shoulder any interest when you use plastic to buy goods and pay for services. As long as you pay the full balance on or before the due date, you will not be charged extra.

Credit card usage comes with many other practical benefits. Apart from building your credit, it allows you to earn rewards, track your expenses, and push the deadlines of your financial obligations.

Don’t Rely on ‘5/6’ or ‘ATM Sangla’

When it comes to lending, avoid informal sources of funds. More often than not, they don’t report your payment history to credit bureaus, rendering your good pieces of credit information practically useless.

Instead, seek financing from the mainstream banking system. Thanks to the fintech boom, you can borrow money from non-traditional lenders through mobile apps.

Buy Insurance

Like bankers, insurers are active members of the financial community. They constantly collaborate with credit bureaus to assess the risk of doing business with different customers. Building credit is another reason to buy insurance and pay your premiums on time.

Reach Out to a Credit Bureau

Most importantly, request a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau. This document should give you the full picture of your creditworthiness. It explains where you stand financially, informs you about your credit score, and reveal incorrect information attached to your name that needs fixing.

Whether you’re planning to seek financing soon or not, you should take your credit score more seriously. The sooner you pay attention to increase it, the more you can benefit from it over the long term.

 

Financials increasing year on year for the online casino and gambling sector with slot representing the biggest increase. Read more here

UK casino and gambling business booming

If there is one industry that is booming at the moment, it is definitely the casino sector, especially online casino. Gambling industry statistics are public twice each year – in May and again in November.

This means that the most recent statistics were provided at the end of November 2018, and they certainly make interesting reading.

The statistics for the casino industry in the UK

Here are some of the key findings from the statistics that have been published by the UK Gambling Commission:

• There are 181,309 gaming machines in Great Britain. This represents a 0.5 per cent decrease when compared with April 2016 – 2017.
• There are 152 casinos in Great Britain. This means that one more casino has opened since March 2018.
• There are 644 bingo premises in the country. This means that there has been a 1.7 percent decrease from March 2018.
• There are 8,406 betting shops in Great Britain. This represents another small decrease of 1.8 percent since March 2018.
• 37.3% is the market share of the remote casino, bingo, and betting sector. This is a three percent increase from the year prior.
• There are 107,940 total employees in the Great Britain gambling industry at the moment. This is an 0.6 per cent increase from March 2017.
• Total Gross Gambling Yield
• The Gambling Commission also posted some statistics regarding the complete gross

gambling yield of Great Britain. This included the following:

• £2 billion GGY for the remote casino category – slots. This represents a 19.3 percent increase from the year prior.
• £5.4 billion GGY for the remote sector overall. This represents a 13.7 percent increase from the year prior.
• £14.4 billion GGY of the Great Britain gambling industry. This represents a 4.5 percent increase from the year prior.

Why are online casinos booming?

The editor of leading UK casino slots site – Spin Bonus says the main reason why online casinos are booming is because people can gamble from the comfort of their own home. This means that they do not need to go to a casino, which is something that they may not feel comfortable doing. Plus, they can gamble online at any time or day that suits them. However, it is also worth pointing out the advancements in technology over the past few years.

This means that we are now able to play games that we could never even have dreamt of playing before, with exciting features and stories. It has really enhanced the gaming experience, and this is something that is causing more and more people to gamble from home.

In summary, there is no denying that the casino sector is one that is booming at the moment. This is especially the case when it comes to the online gambling sector. The increases in total gross yield is significant when you look at the percentage difference from the year prior to now.

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The second half of the year is packed with sport, with a plethora of top class action taking place across the world.

Soccer, tennis, rugby and American Football are amongst a packed schedule that promises to provide fans with plenty of thrilling moments.

Read on as we point you in the direction of some of the best sport being staged over the next few months.

The Premier League

England’s top soccer league gets underway during August with a host of teams harbouring hopes of winning the prestigious title.

Plenty of fans will be keen to use their winnings from nj-casino.net to back Manchester City to retain their crown, but the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United will have other ideas.

Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will also expect to be in the mix over the course of the tough 38-game season.

US Open Tennis

The fourth and final tennis Grand Slam begins at the end of August and is expected to produce plenty of drama once again.

The two-week extravaganza attracts around 700,000 fans to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

Novak Djokovic will be out to defend his title in the men’s singles event, while Naomi Osaka will try and follow up her shock 2018 victory in the women’s tournament.

The NFL

American Football takes centre stage at the start of September as the 100th NFL season kicks-off when the Chicago Bears meet the Green Bay Packers.

The entire campaign will be a celebration of the sport, with events, initiatives and programming centred on fans, players and communities.

The season will culminate with Super Bowl LIV at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, in February 2020.

Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup is the game’s showpiece event, bringing together the world’s best rugby players and teams.

It is the third largest sports event in the world after the Summer Olympics and the Soccer World Cup, highlighting its importance in the sporting calendar.

Japan will host the 2019 edition, which will feature 20 teams playing 48 matches over a seven-week period from September to November.

Formula 1

The F1 season concludes in December as the best drivers in the world do battle at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the end of November.

This twilight race often provides plenty of drama, with the day/night timing of the event providing unique conditions for the competitors.

British star and current world champion Lewis Hamilton has an excellent record in the race, winning it four times in the last 10 years.

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Social media is one of the most important marketing tools around, with many people using the medium as their first port of call when they are searching for information.

With that in mind, it is hugely important for businesses to establish a strong presence across the different platforms.

Many firms make the mistake of not investing sufficient resources into social media management and this is an extremely risky strategy.

The task is often passed to members of staff who have a personal presence on social, but no wider understanding of the different strategies needed to make it work for businesses.

Effective social media marketing helps businesses engage with their existing customers and gives them endless opportunities to attract new ones.

However, deciding which social media platforms to use can be tricky, so read on as we look at three of the most popular ones for business use.

Facebook

Facebook is the leading social media platform in the world, with Statista reporting that it had 2.38 billion monthly active users in the first quarter of 2019.

That level of use makes Facebook an invaluable tool for businesses and adopting a successful marketing strategy on there can generate massive revenues.

Gambling operators often excel on Facebook, with offers such as nj-bonus.com helping to attract a steady stream of customers to their websites.

With a comprehensive analytics service allowing you to identify the type of content that works, Facebook should be part of every company’s social media strategy.

LinkedIn

Often dubbed ‘Facebook for professionals’, LinkedIn is a great way to build networks and connections in your chosen industry.

The platform allows you to grow your brand through your existing contacts, effectively giving you easy access to their own connections.

For businesses, the creation of a dedicated company page that contains regularly updated content is the ideal way to increase your turnover.

This type of page allows you to post business updates, promote your brand, advertise job opportunities and position your firm as a leader in its field.

Twitter

With around 320 million monthly active users, Twitter gives businesses the power to connect with a massive audience.

Twitter also allows marketers to access insightful data that will help to produce targeted content with a view to increasing visits to your website and improve sales.

The beauty of the platform is that is allows you to build up relationships with people who you would not normally have access to.

Establishing a strong presence on Twitter helps businesses grow brand awareness and makes them stand out from their competitors.

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First-time home buyers in the Philippines should follow the 36% rule as a good benchmark for debt-to-gross income ratio.

Some experts even suggest a 28% ratio as an alternative way to manage your finances. The rule applies to your disposable income. In other words, you shouldn’t spend more than P14,000 of your disposable income on debt payments if you earn P50,000 every month. The actual amount will vary based on how much you need to borrow as well as the location. For instance, a loan for a new house ‘n’ lot in Cavite may cost less than a similar property in Manila.

Calculating the Expenses

Let’s say you found a house worth P1.5 million. You intend to pay 20% as down payment, which reduces the price to P1.2 million. If you applied for a loan with a 6.88% annual interest with a five-year fixed rate over a 20-year term, you should expect to pay around P9,217 per month.

If you decide to follow the 38% rule, your monthly repayments shouldn’t cost more than P18,000 from a gross income of P50,000. Most financial experts recommend this ratio because it prevents you from overspending on housing payments, causing you to sacrifice other important expenses such as healthcare and emergency funds.

Fixed or Variable Rate: Which Is Better?

Disposable income refers to the leftover money after paying tax, spending on food and utilities among other mandatory expenses. You need to shop around for housing loan rates among different banks to determine the exact monthly payments. Choose loans with variable rates only when you understand the risks. Your monthly repayments will depend on interest rate movement. If interest rates increase, so does your loan installments.

Banks aren’t the only option for home loans. You can apply for in-house financing from the developer of your chosen house. An in-house loan requires less paperwork and faster processing, but you need to pay a bigger monthly installment because of the shorter terms. In-house loans also entail higher interest rates than banks.

Why Location Matters

You will have a hard time to look for properties worth P1.5 million in Metro Manila especially in cities like Makati and Taguig. In fact, the cost of living in Manila has increased this year based on a survey. The capital city now ranks as the 109th most expensive place in the world. While the new ranking seems low, Manila registered the fourth-biggest jump after landing on the 138th spot in the previous year.

Hong Kong remains the most expensive city worldwide particularly because of eye-watering home prices. Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul and Zurich completed the top five, while Beijing and two other cities landed on the top 10. Zurich and New York City are the only cities outside of Asia to join the list.

Conclusion

You can save money by saving as much as you can for a down payment. A higher upfront cash payment lets you reduce accumulated interest payments over the housing loan’s term. How much do you plan to borrow for your first home purchase?