Six Factors To Consider Before Investing In Your First Mutual Fund

You just graduated from high school or college. You landed a real full-time job. Your first couple paychecks have been cashed. You bought those "I Gotta Have It" items. You started a small emergency savings account. Now its time to start investing some money for other goals.

If I just described you, or you are just ready to get started, it is time to research and invest in your first mutual fund. Once you start, you then need to set up a systematic investment program to make additional contributions on a regular basis. If you do these two things, you will start building a nice investment portfolio.

Why A Mutual Fund?

1. Low Initial Investment: Many funds have a minimum initial investment as low as $100 to $250. This allows nearly anyone to get started and gain exposure to the stock, bond and international markets. There are two ways to begin investing in funds. You can open a Roth or regular IRA account for retirement, a non-qualified brokerage or mutual fund account and if you are really serious... open both.

2. Diversification: One of the greatest benefits of using mutual funds is investment diversification. When you invest in funds, you get a small piece of every stock, bond or international equity that your fund invests in. If you had to do this on your own, it would cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to participate. You get this diversification in every dollar you invest.

3. Professional Management: Lets face it, investing in the markets can be risky, especially when you are just starting out and your experience is limited. Every mutual fund has a profession management team that has been buying and selling stocks and bonds for many years. When you invest in a mutual fund, you get their services as part of your investment. If you select a great fund with great management, you are sure to have great long-term results.

4. Low Cost: There are many funds out there to choose from, so it is very important to find the best quality at the lowest cost possible. This usually means that you will invest in a "No-Load" mutual fund. No-load means you pay no commissions to purchase the fund and 100% of your money goes immediately into your investment account. You will also want to keep an eye on your mutual funds annual expense ratio which is what the management team charges for their services. These can range anywhere from 0.5% to 1.5% depending on the type of fund that you invest in.

5. Liquidity: Having the ability to get your money quickly if you need it is another great benefit of mutual funds. If you place a trade order to sell (or buy) before 4:00 PM when the markets are open, your trade is guaranteed to be executed at the close of the market that same day. If you place it after 4:01 PM, your trade will be executed at the close of the next trading day. Having this guaranteed liquidity within a maximum of 24 hours is exclusive to mutual funds and adds a great deal of safety to your investment.

6. Return Potential: Probably the greatest benefit to investing in mutual funds is your potential to earn above average investment returns. With bank savings accounts and CD's earning 1% to 3%, getting 6% to 10% annually over time from your fund will have a huge impact on the growth of your investment and the expansion of your wealth. Some mutual funds from the top management companies have even earned higher returns over a 10 and 15 year period. When you find these, hang on to them and enjoy the ride.

Summary: Making your first investments can be tricky, expensive and risky. But if you choose a quality no-load mutual fund with a great management team, you should have a great start to your investment program. If you are unsure of what funds are best, make an appointment with a local "Fee-Only" financial adviser and let them help you get started. Either way, get started now. Your future and financial independence depend on it.

To discover additional investment, financial and income tax strategies, check out my blog or download your FREE Wealth Expansion Kit by clicking here. The first step to creating wealth is knowing where you are and then charting a path that will enhance your financial strengths and correct your weaknesses.

About the Author:

Keith Maderer is a financial expert and has been a investment and tax adviser in the Western New York area for over 30 years. He is the owner of SENIOR Financial and Tax Associates and the founder of the Maderer Foundation, a private scholarship program. Keith is also the author of "How To Get Your College Education For Less". Available on Amazon.com - ISBN No: 978-1-4538-2053-7.

You can get your FREE Wealth Expansion Kit, or check out his blog by visiting http://www.sftaweb.com/

View the original article here

Your Wealth Secret - An Automatic, Systematic Accumulation And Investment Program

Everyone can become wealthy, it just depends on your own personal definition of wealth. If you want to build wealth, you need to learn the fundamentals of saving and investment. Most wealthy individuals either inherited their wealth or worked hard to accumulate it. If you are one of those that did or will inherit your wealth, this article isn't for you. But if you are like the majority of us, read on and learn how to build your own private wealth and enjoy financial independence.

Follow the outline below and you will begin the process of wealth creation. For most people it doesn't happen overnight, but it can easily happen over time. Surprisingly, the more wealth you create, the easier it is to create more wealth. Using a company 401K plan is a great way to build wealth, plus a tax break and you may even get a company matching contribution. Always start with these programs first and then move on to your personal investment program.

Wealth Defined: For some the definition is to have more money than they know what to do with. For most, it can be defined as - "Doing what you want, when you want to with friends and family.... and life is affordable, while work is optional." If you can envision this lifestyle, you probably would agree, this would make you a wealthy individual. What it takes to reach this goal is different for everyone that pictures it. It depends on your location, your desired spending habits, your genetic longevity and multiple other factors. But to achieve it, you need a plan and each of the following components can help.

Investment Program: Nearly all wealthy individuals will agree that you need to have a sound investment program if you plan to have sustainable wealth. If you can generate enough investment income to maintain your desired lifestyle, work becomes optional. Building a well-balanced, diversified portfolio with a proper asset allocation strategy makes it all work smoothly. But how do you get there?

Accumulation Program: Your first step is to develop a strategic accumulation plan. It is always best to start early in life and start small. There is a learning curve that you can only master with experience. No-load mutual funds are a great way to get started. They have a low initial investment, are broadly diversified, offer liquidity, equity exposure and professional management. You can start with as little as $100 and add whenever you want.

Systematic Program: Your next step should be to figure out what amount you can afford to invest each year. Then break that number down to a weekly, monthly or even a daily figure that you can begin putting to work. When you break down the numbers to a daily figure, you may even find ways to save more. Foregoing the $3.00 Starbucks coffee can save you as much as $1,000 each year. That $8.00 pack of cigarettes each day could save almost $3,000 annually. Little changes can have a big impact on your wealth expansion efforts.

Once you figure out your desired annual accumulation goal, it is time to get those dollars systematically placed into your chosen investments and let them start building your wealth.

Automatic Program: The biggest problem most individuals have once they figure out how much to accumulate is finding the discipline to set aside those dollars each and every week or month to make it happen. There are several great ways to do this. Ask your employer if they will allow you to set up a payroll deduction directly to your brokerage or mutual fund account. Most big corporations will and many small companies will too.

If not, set up an automatic monthly electronic transfer from your checking or savings account directly into your brokerage or mutual fund account. This can be done directly with your fund company or broker and any bank that participates in the EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) network, which nearly all banks do. Once you start saving, you will be able to see regular and substantial improvement in your net worth and wealth creation.

Summary: Any successful wealth building program requires discipline, planning and in many cases, decisions to make small sacrifices to attain the bigger goal. One of the most important factors that is common to all wealthy individuals is that they have found ways to live comfortably below their means and then they invested the rest. Please read this statement again. If you can find a way do this, you will become wealthy and enjoy a financially and emotionally rewarding life.

To discover additional investment, financial and income tax strategies, check out my blog or download your FREE Wealth Expansion Kit by clicking here. The first step to creating wealth is knowing where you are and then charting a path that will enhance your financial strengths and correct your weaknesses.

About the Author:

Keith Maderer is a financial expert and has been a investment and tax adviser in the Western New York area for over 30 years. He is the owner of SENIOR Financial and Tax Associates and the founder of the Maderer Foundation, a private scholarship program.

Keith is also the author of "How To Get Your College Education For Less". Available on Amazon.com - ISBN No: 978-1-4538-2053-7.

You can get your FREE Wealth Expansion Kit, or check out his blog by visiting http://www.sftaweb.com/

View the original article here

Why Physical Activities Are So Important For The Patients Of Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes is on the rise. Nearly all the new cases are Type 2 Diabetes, or adult-onset, the kind that moves in around middle age. Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that over 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are clinically overweight. In fact, in our times, the widening waistband which is hugely due to the trending lifestyle towards more desk bound and inactivity of majority of the population in America and other developed countries has been the contributing factor to this rising figures. Actually, by statistics, it was revealed that in the 1990s alone, while obesity increased by 61% but those people diagnosed with diabetes were up by 49%!

Although the causes of type 2 diabetes are complex and not completely understood yet, extensive researches and clinical diagnosis have discovered new clues at a rapid pace about this disease which is well known to bring in other illnesses through its complications. One key factor which leads to diabetes is largely because of the prolonged unhealthy lifestyle in the daily living patterns of these patients. Thus, when this organ, the pancreas has malfunctioned to supply sufficient insulin or our body has become incapable in the using of insulin properly although being adequately produced, in both cases, a higher than acceptable level of sugar remains in our blood system which gives rise to a medical condition called type 2 diabetes.

Based on many studies and experiments carried out by medical scientists, medical doctors and researchers, it has been discovered that inactivity -the lack of minimal physical activities and obesity have brought about insulin resistance in our body. This congruent agreement has pointed out the importance of exercising and weight control in providing the benefits in the controlling of type 2 diabetes. In fact, it has been truly stated that one of the most undemanding and the most workable ways to reduce blood sugar amount, eliminate the dangers of "cardiovascular disease," and perk up health and welfare in general is by exercising. Health experts have always regarded exercising as being one of the easiest ways to start controlling diabetes. There have been proven records showing improved insulin sensitivity and regulated weight loss as well as regulated blood sugar level. Hence, for these reasons, health experts always encourage those who already have type 2 diabetes to start employing the wonders that exercise can do for them. Without exercise, people have the tendency to become obese. Once they are obese, they have bigger chances of accumulating type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is high time that people, whether inflicted with type 2 diabetes or not, should start doing those jumping and stretching activities.

While exercising has been widely recommended and encouraged, there are a few precautions to go through before any patient can really savor the benefits of exercise to his condition. The following checklist of precautions has to be consulted with health care providers so that a safe level of exercise program can be devised and implemented for maximal effectiveness of controlling the blood sugar level in the body system.

1)Before following any exercising program, consultation with your health care provider is necessary especially if you have cardiac risk factors because a stress test may be needed in order to establish a safe level of exercise for you.

2)Certain diabetic complications will also dictate what type of exercise program you can take on. Activities like weightlifting, jogging, or high-impact aerobics can possibly pose a risk for people with diabetic retinopathy due to the risk for further blood vessel damage and possible retinal detachment.

3)Even if you are already active in sports or work out regularly, it will still benefit you to discuss your regular exercise routine with your family doctor. Take for instance, if you are taking insulin, you may need to take special precautions to prevent hypoglycemia-low sugar condition during your workout.

Then, after one or two sessions of consultations with your family doctors or health care providers, all you need to do is the willingness and the determination to start exercising for a healthier, type 2 diabetes-free life. Indeed, you do not have to waste too many expenses on costly "health club memberships," or the most up-to-date health device to start pumping those fats out. Very often, all you need is a good pair of well-fitting, supportive shoes but it is important to take precautionary measures for exercise involving the feet for many patients with diabetes. For example, the use of silica gel or air mid- soles as well as polyester or blend (cotton-polyester) socks to prevent blisters and keep the feet dry is important for minimizing trauma to the feet.

Start Slow

Physical activities are well known and often recommended by health care personnel for better management of diabetes if a person already has diabetes. The benefits of appropriate physical activities or exercise are basically improving the sensitivity of insulin, thereby decreasing the resistance of insulin. Hence, a register of acceptable blood sugar level. In fact, a few studies have also indicated that these physical activities increase the insulin receptors in the red blood cells. In other words, through the more effective use of insulin in its proper manner, the blood sugar can be better controlled which then effectively reduces such risk of developing diabetic complications.

There are different forms of physical activities which are commonly and easily taken up by diabetes patients. Walking is perhaps one of the most popular and widely recommended forms of physical activity for people with diabetes. Your walking exercise routine can be as simple as a brisk nightly neighborhood walk. Similarly, you may prefer to walk the dog or get out in the yard. Another form of walking may be to take the stairs instead of the elevator. In addition, you may do walking during your lunch break and do jumping jacks during commercials. Walking on a treadmill may be considered as a daily workout routine which can be easily and conveniently done at home.

Another alternative exercise to take up is aerobic exercise which may be too rigorous for some people. Aerobic exercise is proving to have significant and particular benefits for people with type 2 diabetes. This form of physical exercise not only helps to improve insulin resistance but also greatly reduce the chances of other complications such as stress & moodiness(because during exercise, it is normally fun and feeling good), high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other cardiovascular diseases as well as obesity.

Of course, beside the above mentioned exercises, other forms of physical activities such as running, jogging, mountain biking, swimming and playing games are merely different kinds of choices dependent on individual preference and doctors' recommendation. Undoubtedly, these physical activities in whatever form shall bring about improved quality of lives for the type 2 diabetes patients. For more related information on diabetes and other health issues, it is recommended to visit Health-Wellness Blogs so that you may be guided to more health-wellness tips for healthy living.

Revolutionary List Building, Innovative Email Solution - Stop Spam For Good With ONE Click!

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