Investing and Global Finance News

Monthly Archives: December 2012

New Year’s Resolutions for College Students

The new year is merely days away, and resolutions abound. Fox Business has compiled a list of recommendations for college students as they struggle with finances, studies and career goals.

  • Consider Student Loans

Student loan debt can be paralyzing. It’s important to know the specific policies of the loans and repayment terms.

Shelley Solheim of CapitalOne explained: “One thing most loans have in common is that you must be in school at least half-time to be eligible. If your class load falls under half of a full time load, you will have to start repaying the money immediately.”

Vincent Turner of PlanWise added: “Go over federal and private loan clauses with a parent- do all the research you can before making a big purchase, and understand to the best of your ability how it will impact your future.”

  • Saving is a top priority

Solheim states that although saving in college is hard, it is important to set realistic saving goals every year.

“If you find yourself reaching this goal in January and February, bump the amount up by 10%,” she suggests. “If you tend to spend money just because it’s in your pocket, don’t allow yourself to carry around more than is necessary- put saving at the top of your to-do list every month.”

Setting up an auto-deposit is a great way to boost your savings account without really ‘missing’ the money at the end of each month.

  • Build good credit

Strong credit scores will enable graduates to make big purchases, such as a house or a car. A great way to get started is by paying the bills on time.

“Setting up online billing payment for your monthly bills might help you keep track of paying your bills. If you don’t pay your bills on time, you’ll end up paying more than you owe because of the late fees and finance charges.”

Kimberly Foss of Empyrion Wealth Management adds, “Piggyback on your parents’ card to establish credit with them, convert your cell phone bill from your parents to your name to help build credit history, apply for a credit card on your own and use it to build credit, but always pay it off entirely- on time every time.”

  • Increase Your Financial Knowledge

Learn the basics of investment, budgeting and personal financing now, to avoid big mistakes later.

“The earlier you start contributing to an account, the more you’ll end up with when you retire, thanks to compounding interest,” explains Scott Gamm of HelpSaveMyDollars. “Even if you can only contribute $30 per month, that will still make a huge impact.”

Solheim adds, “The best way to build wealth is to make your money work for you. Stocks, bonds and mutual funds are all common investments that can build wealth over the long-term.”

 

 

Small Businesses in 2013

Small business are expecting to grapple with the same challenges as last year in 2013, as well as new ones resulting from uncertain negotiations regarding tax and budget issues. Small companies throughout the U.S. are likely to proceed with caution, while reducing their hiring rates. Scott Shane, a professor of entrepreneurship at Case Western Reserve… Continue Reading

U.S. House Market Expands as Economists Predict Bright Future

The U.S. housing market is on the rise, with house purchases reaching their peak of more than two years. Existing property value has also increased, pushing the real estate market higher and encouraging economists and investors to brighten their outlook on U.S. expansion. According to a median forecast of economists, new-home sales have risen to… Continue Reading

7 Guidelines for Business After a Tragedy

Entrepreneurs are known for their quick, flexible thinking and creative solutions. However, even the strongest businesses struggle during times of crisis, like global economic woes, devastating hurricanes and national tragedies. These events often mean slow business and time to recover. ClientAttraction.com, a small Connecticut-based business, recently discussed the best business approach to tragedy in an… Continue Reading

President Obama and John Boehner Open Fiscal Cliff Negotiations

President Obama and John Boehner are both heavily involved in negotiations regarding tax increases and the looming fiscal cliff. Boehner has made his first concession on the topic, proposing that taxes on millionaires can rise as long as the increase is accompanied by spending cuts, entitlement cuts and tax reform. Obama, on the other hand,… Continue Reading

2013’s Upcoming What’s Next Boomer Business Summit

The 10th annual What’s Next Boomer Business Summit will take place in Chicago on March 12th. Companies, brand managers and entrepreneurs will all participate in the event, where analysts, marketers and journalists will answer questions such as ‘How will Baby Boomers reimagine life after 50 in the decades ahead?’ and ‘What technologies are going to… Continue Reading

Holiday Spending Reaches New High

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday all boosted consumer spending, thrilling business owners and retails throughout the United States. Now comes the real challenge: keeping up the trend. Many experts predict even better sales over the next few weeks. Black Friday weekend saw 247 million shoppers, according to the National Retail Federation. Last… Continue Reading