Author Archives: schatzi

Dec
05
2022

You Either Read This or Lose Your Investment

Investment Objectives: Having an investment aim and objective determines how much you intend to succeed or profit into any kind of investment you venture into. This could be summed up as your reason for investing. You have to make extensive research into the areas of specific business.Having a detail feasibility study into the area of business investment keep you focus as to the capital to be employed in investment, net present values, payback period, anticipated risk factors, etc. without understanding why you are taking the decision to invest, you may not know for how long to hold such an invest mentor when you have achieved your aim. If it is a particular field of business you’ve chosen to invest. Do you have the needed knowledge or experience? It is important to have a basic knowledge in the field of business you want to make investment by reading books and articles concerning the investment. No matter how many books you have read or seminars you have attended on investment, you cannot say you have learnt the nitty-gritty; at best you only possess limited knowledge until you are involved in actual investing. For a beginner investor, it is necessary to read books and gain fundamental knowledge before engaging in any type of investment. The experienced investor still has room for improvement by utilizing the feedback from both profitable and not so profitable investments to refine his or her investment style and methods

Investment Principles: For you to succeed in any investment, be it stocks, real estate, Forex, mutual funds, commodities etc, there are needs to have investment principles or you could call it investment style. It also includes how long you hold any investment. Your style of investment is largely determined by your investment goals, knowledge and experience. Your style helps you make decisions on opening and closing deals, which instrument to invest in, when and how much. The most important factor in your style is your method of analysis, there are fundamental and technical analysis for investments, generally the best analysis involves a good blending of the two methods of analysis based on your investment goal. Instruments are your investment tools or vehicles. They are the things you invest in, such as stocks, indexes, funds, real estate, commodities etc. To be a successful investor you should have a broad knowledge of investment instruments because no instrument can be said to be the best on a general basis. The successful investor having this knowledge allocates funds to different instruments at any given time based on analysis, knowledge, and experience and market trend.

Disciple/Psychology: There is need for you as an investor to exercise good discipline in stating your investment goal, keeping your emotions under control, acquiring the required knowledge and experience, building an investment style and sticking to it, identifying the right instrument and allocating adequate funds at the appropriate time. The game of investment is not played with emotions. It is a known fact that every market in the world is ruled by the emotions of greed and fear. Most losses encountered in investments result from these two emotions. People have lost fortunes they made as a result of holding on to an appreciating investment, believing that it would keep going up (greed) only to watch it go down and sell off due to fear when the capital would have been almost wiped out. This also involves solid money management techniques without which any gains made could easily be wiped out. In fact, developing strong discipline in the art of investment is half way towards succeeding. To be a successful investor, you have to build your income streams and cut down your expenses. In other words you should have a high income/expenditure ratio. Before spending money on anything consider the following: Do you really need the item? Are there cheaper and even better alternatives? Can you wait a little longer before acquiring the item? Remember, one of the success secrets of self made millionaires is delayed gratification. Always look out for ways and means of creating multiple streams of income. Above all, cultivate the habit of saving at least 20% of your income, by so doing you will have funds for investment purposes. This also involves solid money management techniques without which any gains made could easily be wiped out. In fact, developing strong discipline in the art of investment is half way towards succeeding. Never allow your emotion to have an upper hand in any investment you undertake. Aim at having a detached view of any investment you make, that is the successful investor’s mindset.

Nov
03
2022

How to Find the Best Auto Insurance For a Classic Car – Tips For Finding Cheap Antique Car Insurance

How can one find the best auto insurance for a classic car? Is it even possible to find cheap antique car insurance? Classics cars can be well worth the sometimes pricey cost of upkeep and storage – there is no need to have to pay more for insurance coverage than necessary. Read on to learn some of the things that you should know before you purchase a classic car auto insurance policy.

Who hasn’t turned their head while driving down the road to get a better look at a classic or collectible car? We’re enamored with the lines of the car as well as its pristine condition. But the detailed attention in maintaining a classic car’s flawless appearance and operation is not only to draw admiring looks, it is also necessary in order to keep up the market value of the car. For this reason, along with others, specialized classic auto insurance policies were developed to meet the needs of classic and collectible car owners.

Another reason (a very important reason), for insuring your vehicle as a classic or collectible is the greatly reduced cost of classic car insurance relative to standard auto insurance. Standard auto insurance can cost as much as 200%-300% more than classic auto insurance. So, what is the biggest factor that causes such a great disparity in price between classic auto insurance and standard car insurance? Generally, collector vehicles are driven on a limited basis (the garage is where they are usually found). As a result, the risk of accident and loss to collector vehicles is considerably lower than the risk involved in vehicles that are regularly driven.

DOES YOUR VEHICLE QUALIFY?

The following is a list of classifications for collectible cars.

Antique cars – 25 years or older
Custom cars – 1949 to present
Classic cars – 20-24 years old
Collectible cars – 15-19 years old
Exotic cars – less than 15
Street rods – Pre-1949

This is the standard listing for those cars that are considered eligible for classic car auto insurance, but certain cars may be accepted at the discretion of the insurer. Sometimes, classic car insurers will customize an insurance policy for a particular vehicle.

WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH COLLECTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE?

To keep collector auto insurance rates low, certain usage limitations are placed on the insured vehicle.

Cannot be used for everyday use. This rules out using it to drive to work, run errands, or go out for that bite to eat. Under a classic car insurance policy, car usage should be limited to driving to and from car shows and the occasional parade.

Cannot be driven more than 2,500 miles per year. 2,500 is a fairly standard number among insurance companies that offer classic coverage, but there are some insurance companies that have mileage plans that allow up to 5,000 or 6,000 miles per year. This increased mileage limit was put in place to accommodate those drivers who like to take their cars to distant car shows. Of course the premiums are greater.

Must be kept in a locked garage. A locked enclosed trailer will also do, but a carport will not meet the grade even if you live in a gated community with a security guard. (The weather is also an enemy of the classic car). Some policies might stipulate that a car cannot be left unattended in a parking lot. This means leaving your car in a motel or hotel parking lot might present a problem.

WHAT CONSIDERATIONS SHOULD BE KEPT IN MIND WHEN CHOOSING CLASSIC AUTO INSURANCE?

Does the company offer Agreed Value Coverage or Stated Value Coverage?

Agreed value lets the classic car owner and the insurance agent set a value for the auto that does not necessarily reflect the market value for that car. Usually, the insurance agent will have to do a thorough inspection of the car both inside and out and will require photos of the vehicle.

What are the usage and mileage restrictions?

Find the policy that best suits your plans for using the car. Why pay for a plan that covers mileage for 5,000 when you know that you won’t even come close to using the 2,000 miles available in a cheaper policy.

Can you choose your own repair shop?

The Mom and Pop shop down the road might do a good job on your regular car and offer the lowest repair bid in town, but do you really want them working on your classic “baby”?

What company underwrites the policy and what is the rating for that company?

You want to be sure that the underwriter has a good track record and is going to be able to fulfill all of their obligations even if for some reason there is a larger than normal influx of insurance claims.

Are there any discount programs available?

A good insurance company should always inform you of any discounts that are available to you, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Does your insurance offer insurance for classic or modified cars that are under construction?

Some companies will monitor the progress that is being made on your vehicle while it is in the garage for repairs and modifications and allow you to adjust the value of the car as the project continues. Also, this type of insurance covers damages to your auto in case of a catastrophic occurrence such as a fire, or the hydraulic lift fails, or the tool cart falls on your car (with a little imagination the possibilities are endless.)

WHY CAN’T I JUST ADD MY COLLECTOR CAR TO THE FAMILY AUTO INSURANCE POLICY?

You can, but it could be a costly mistake. If repairs are needed you may be forced to accept the lowest repair bid, or if the car is badly damaged, the insurance company could opt to have it totaled. And although a discount is usually given for cars combined under one policy, that discount still may not provide the savings available if the car was insured under a classic auto insurance policy.

Finally, make sure your insurance company has a good understanding of classic cars. In the event that your car is totaled, you want to be able to work with a knowledgeable representative and receive the full value for your car.

COMPARE CHEAP CLASSIC CAR AUTO INSURANCE QUOTES ONLINE

Be sure that you shop around and compare car insurance rates from multiple companies before you decide to purchase. The more you shop the more you may save.

Oct
04
2022

What a “Business For Sale” Really Means

Having a business for sale can mean a lot of things – more than people might think. How does one business value compare to another, and how to arrive at that value? Because there are many types of businesses that exist for many different industries, it stands to reason there are numerous ways of approaching the process to find the value.

There are the three main approaches to value, which are the income approach, the market approach, and the asset approach. There are variations of these approaches, and combinations of them, and things which must be looked at because each and every business will have variations of what gives the business worth, and some of these differences are substantial.

First we must identify the type of sale: stock sale or asset sale. A stock sale is the sale of the company stock; the buyer is buying the company based upon the value of its stock, which represents everything in the business: earning power, equipment, goodwill, liabilities, etc. In an asset sale, the buyer is buying the company assets and capital which enable the company to make profits, but is not necessarily assuming any liabilities with the purchase. Most small businesses for sale are sold as an “asset sale”.

Our question, when selling a business or buying a business, is this: what are the assets considered to arrive at an accurate value? Here we will look at some of the most common.

1. FF and E: This abbreviation stands for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. These are the tangible assets used by the business to operate and make money. All businesses (with a few exceptions) will have some amount of FF&E. The value of these can vary greatly, but in most cases the value is included in the value as determined by the income.

2. Leaseholds: the leasehold is the lease agreement between the owner of the property and the business that rents the property. The agreed upon leased space typically goes with the sale of the business. This can be a significant value, especially if there is an under market rate currently charged and the lessor is obligated to continue with the current terms.

3. Contract rights: many businesses do business based on ongoing contracts, agreements with other entities to do certain things for certain periods of time. There can be immense value in these agreements, and when someone buys a business he or she is buying the rights to these agreements.

4. Licenses: in certain business sales, licenses do not apply; in others, there can be no business without them. Building contracting is one of them. So is accounting. For a buyer to buy a business, his purchase includes either buying the license to the company or the license to the individual. Often times, the buyer will require the access or availability of the license as a contingent element of the sale.

5. Goodwill: Goodwill is the earnings of a business above and beyond the fair market return of its net tangible assets. In other words, whatever the business makes in excess of its identifiable assets is considered “goodwill” income, where there exists a synergy of all of the assets together. This one can be tricky. Most business owners assume they have goodwill in their business, but goodwill is not always positive; there is such things as “negative” goodwill. If the business makes less than the sum total of its identifiable assets, there exists negative goodwill.

6. Trade secrets: some businesses are all about secrets. The reason the business is in operation may be because of a trade secret, some aspect of a product or service that sets it apart and gives it a market. In a business purchase, these secrets have value and go with the sale.

7. Trade names, telephone numbers, websites, and domain names: some businesses generate business simply because of its name and identifiable aspects. If those were to change, so would the profits. So in buying a business, the buyer will have need of those names and numbers to continue on in business. Of course, in some cases these things would not matter at all, and that is why each one must be approached individually.

8. Works in progress: a construction company may have a multi-million dollar job going on at the time of the sale, which can take months to complete. In case such as this, the buyer would have need of continuing on in the particular job the company was engaged in; for money and for reputation. This is considered a work in progress and has value and therefore is considered an asset and made part of the sale.

9. Business records: the history of a business detailed in documents and spreadsheets must necessarily become part of the business sale. The new owner can make use of records in identifying progress, tracking increased or decreased sales, adjusting expenditures and depreciation rates, etc. When someone purchases a business, they are buying the current operation and all the details that led to it.

10. Real estate: the seller-owned property on which the business does its business is inherent to the operation and therefore the value. There are times when the new buyer needs to move the business to purchase it, but more often the real estate is viewed as a major aspect of the business value, especially if there is equipment attached to the property and buildings suited specifically to the business.

When a business for sale is valued by a professional appraiser, a business broker, or a business owner, more than just the income is considered. Assets, economic values used by the business to produce revenue and profits, are weighed heavily to determine the worth of the business. And they must be considered to understand what a “business for sale” really means to a buyer.

Sep
04
2022

Bank Of Cyprus Has No Similarities To the Icelandic Banks Fiasco

The Cypriot-based banking group, Bank of Cyprus has been in the news throughout a number of countries, but not in the derogatory light that was connected to the troubled Icelandic Banks. During the Icelandic meltdown of last year, the British government was out 2.3 billion pounds, as it bailed out savers that had trusted foreign banks in Iceland. These were depositors left unprotected, when the Icelandic banking system failed.

Because foreign banks can offer the highest investment rates to depositors, there were some financial advisors that mentioned a concern over high-paying foreign banks like the Bank of Cyprus, because they offer some of the best investment rates on their one-year bonds. The thing that is mentioned is concern over the amount of compensation you would receive, if a foreign bank collapses, like in the case of the Icelandic system. Whether a banking group subscribes to the FSCS in Europe and whether they had a UK subsidiary determined whether they offer guaranteed deposits.

In the case of Bank of Cyprus UK, depositors are covered by the 100,000 pound deposit protection scheme offered. Just because you might have heard rumblings of financial difficulties in Greece, it helps to realize that Bank of Cyprus is rated Aa3 by Moody’s and AA- by Fitch, besides the fact that Britain is rated A A A. It’s important to realize that the Cypriot government has increased the compensation limits, so that means depositors have an additional 50,000 pounds of protection.

While it is only natural that many of the depositors in the UK have reason to be concerned about their deposits in foreign banks, these concerns apply to depositors all over the world. Just because many British invested their savings in the Icelandic system doesn’t mean that all foreign banks are lacking in protection. The Bank of Cyprus has 567 branches or subsidiaries, located on five continents. Depositors with multi-national banking and financial services groups have less risk involved and more rewards might be offered because foreign systems can be more competitive.

Bank of Cyprus Australia is in the conservative Australian banking sector, which has been dominated by the “big four” domestic banking conglomerates, for many years. There are a few other select international banking entities allowed to join the ranks, including HSBC, Citibank and ING, just to name the most well-known international names. Because of the 90% dominance in mortgage lending by the domestic banks, the Australian government is encouraging particular foreign banks to participate as part of the banking deregulation. It is believed it will encourage competitiveness, which is good for the consumers.

Obviously, the connection to Icelandic banking failure is not something that Australian authorities have connected to certain foreign banks, even though Australia has always had strict banking regulations. For savers that are looking for better returns, “buyer beware” might be the best approach, when it comes to dealing with foreign banking entities, but not all foreign banking entities are created equal. Bank of Cyprus is a large banking group that has established trust among customers on several continents and they have been established since 1899.