When to Choose Credit over Debit
May 10, 2012 by Hudson Watts · Leave a Comment
Before you pull out your debit card to make your next purchase, be aware that there are circumstances when its better to use your credit card. How do you know which one to use? Take a look at our quick list of times when it can be beneficial to use your credit card over debit.
To avoid a fee.
If youre with a bank that will begin charging debit card fees in 2012, consider switching accounts. Although $5 per month doesnt sound like much, that adds up to $60 a year. Plus, it could mean the dawn of even more fees for banking customers. If making the switch is too much of a hassle right now, consider using your credit card instead when you dont have cash.
Tip: Make sure not to over-use your credit card, which can damage your credit score. A good rule of thumb is to keep your credit balances at 30% or less than your total credit limits.
For online purchases.
Did you know that your credit card likely offers better protection against fraudulent charges than your debit card?
A Guide Through the Investing Maze
April 9, 2012 by Hudson Watts · Leave a Comment
There are many ways to skin the stock market, and Quantpedia explores about 170 of them for the not-yet-committed or just plain curious trader.
Most sites narrow their focus to just a slice of fundamental or technical analysis.
For example, Zacks Research (www.zacks.com) is a wide-ranging information resource, but built on the keystone of earnings-estimate revisions. Likewise, the forte of Schaeffer’s Research (www.schaeffersresearch.com) is contrarian option plays. Most of us wander through a number of such strategies before finding one or more that work for us under ever-changing market conditions.
Quantpedia (www.quantpedia.com) offers a shortcut for what could otherwise be …
12 Personal Finance To-Do’s for 2011
April 8, 2012 by Hudson Watts · Leave a Comment
Believe it or not, 2010 has come and gone. As we begin to adjust to 2011, its almost tradition to reflect on last year and think about how we can improve ourselves in the next 365 days.
Aside from vowing to eat less carbs or visit your in-laws more often, have you considered personal finance resolutions? We suggest you try out our 12 To-Dos to help your finances flourish in 2011. Let the countown begin!
12. Have a rainy day fund. Start putting away $50 a month into a bank account that you don’t touch. Have it auto-withdrawal if that helps. When you really run into hard times, that’s when you have something set aside to pull from. Plus, you’ll barely miss $50 a month if it’s automatic. Another strategy is to round up on all credit card transactions and put away what you round up. The average person would put away $30 a month this way, and you’ll never miss the pennies.
11. Consider changing to a more fee-friendly bank or credit union. Youll save hundreds of dollars a year by ditching the fees.
Offshore law firm reports high demand for BVI structures
March 25, 2012 by Hudson Watts · Leave a Comment
The British Virgin Islands office of international offshore firm Ogier reported on large number of transactions involving BVI structures. It was also stated by the company that the involvement of its BVI office in global transactions reflects the strong demand for BVI-based corporate structures.
Some of recent high-profile transactions with BVI structures include, for example, Canadian-based financial institution Scotiabank’s USD acquisition of 51% in Colombia’s Banco Colpatria Red Multibanca Colpatria S.A., which became Scotiabank’s largest ever-international takeover. Other