Financial Advice For a 401k Loan

If you are in the situation whereby you are in need of money fast, your 401K may be looking pretty good right about now. After all, it is possible to take out a loan against your 401K. There are some rules and tips you need to remember, however. Here is some financial advice for a 401K loan.

The first point to make is: if at all possible, avoid taking out a loan against your retirement savings. Reason: this is your financial future, and there will come a day when you want every penny you can get. Remember the effects of compound interest: the larger the amount in your retirement account and the longer you keep it in there, the more money you will have when it comes time to retire.

Of course, you can choose to skip a loan and just withdraw money from your plan. However, the tax penalty you have to pay in this case will make this a very unattractive option.

Fortunately, taking out a loan against your retirement savings requires that you pay no tax penalty. However, there are limitations and restrictions for taking out this type of loan. The restrictions vary by plan, so check with your plan administrator. For most plans, the following are acceptable reasons to take out a loan against your 401K:

1. Pay for college


2. Pay your mortgage when facing possible eviction or other hardship


3. Pay medical expenses


4. You are purchasing a home for the first time

Here are some of the regulations and constraints you will most likely face when considering this type of loan:

1. There will be a minimum loan amount: usually around a thousand dollars


2. Your loan will have a prescribed length at the outset, such as 5 years or less


3. There is a maximum you can borrow, which is usually around half of your account's value at the time of the loan


4. Depending upon your plan, you may incur loan fees for taking out a 401K loan.

If you are considering taking out this type of loan, make sure you have exhausted all of your other options first. If you have poor credit but need money fast, you may want to consider a short term personal loan instead.

The Evolution of the Dive Computer

Scuba - The Dive Computer

The computer revolution of the 1980s that led to ever smaller PCs was not a boon only to business. Scubadivers, too, have benefited enthusiastically from the electronics and miniaturization advances.

Scuba Computer

A dive computer is a wristwatch (or in this case, even a mask) -like device that measures time and ambient pressure, temperature and sometimes other variables. Its primary purpose is to make measurements and calculations that provide the diver with recommendations for safe ascent. With a dive computer strapped on, the chances of suffering decompression sickness - the bends - is drastically reduced.

A dive computer will display the safe rate of ascent based on estimates of the amount of nitrogen absorbed during the dive. It does this by a combination of direct measurement of ambient pressure and time, along with a calculated depth and in-built algorithms about nitrogen absorption.

Turning the computer on during travel to the dive is helpful so that it can measure the conditions the diver experiences before entering the water.

Dive computers are available in a wide price range, and in general the more expensive have more functions. Some measure just the basics, others can actually measure tank pressure and even gas mixture.

Several models will take and store measurements and calculations, then allow for downloading to a PC so the dive can be analyzed at home. That allows knowledgeable divers to tailor future dives for more efficient use of dive time, while still retaining a wide safety margin.

Some dive computers will even provide divers with post-dive recommendations about when it's safe to fly again. Airplane cabins contain pressurized air. That affects the rate at which nitrogen - absorbed into the lungs and bloodstream - will be safely released back out of solution and exhaled. Decompression sickness can occur anywhere from immediately to several hours after completing a dive.

Most dive computers calculate and recommend based on 'open circuit' systems in which the diver breaths from a 2-stage regulator attached to a tank and standard face mask, exhaling into the regulator and inhalation tube.

Some air systems are closed-circuit, sometimes called 'rebreathers'. These air supply systems allow divers to rebreath 'scrubbed' air. The exhalation is filtered to remove CO2. Since inhaling air with 21% oxygen produces 18% oxygen and 3% CO2, such systems can be very efficient. There are dive computers available for use with closed-circuit systems. Make sure you know which you're getting.

The majority of dive computers have menus and the owner should become familiar with the device topside. It's particularly helpful to practice under simulated conditions. So, after gaining basic familiarity with how to operate it, try doing the same in a tub of water, with the bathroom lights dimmed.

Good diving practice mandates that you 'plan your dive and dive your plan'. In this case, that means using your computer to help plan your dive, then following its recommendations during the dive, unless an emergency requires you to abandon it.

However, remember that dive computers have in-built programming that is based on assumptions about how gases are absorbed and released. But no two divers are exactly alike. The dive computers display gives recommendations. Never abandon common sense and err on the side of your safety.

Computer Data Recovery

Having trouble with your computer data recovery efforts? Many issues can come from computers and their data. Old hardware is one such problem. As your computer gets older the chances are exponentially greater that you will have a computer problem and possible losing your important data. Have not backed up your data? This is one of the great problems with computers as the data is worth more than the computers. Creating a back up procedure is an easy, but time and disaster saving plan. Having a back up of all your data will save you in the event of a disaster of your computer. In the event have not saved your data you need to determine where to go next.

Forums are a great place to start as you find forums on the topic of data recovery you will find many people willing to share their experiences and recommendations to overcome you computer data recovery needs.

search engines like Google, Bing and yahoo. As of right now Google is big search engines and have the most people using is, but that does not mean you should avoid the others. Do searches on your topic which is computer data recovery to begin with and then modify your search to your specific needs. Depending on your needs and budget you will want to find different services. A big corporation will need a different services than a personal user with a limited budget.

People in business will have come across this in the past whether personally or from other business associates so search them out to find out some good ideas to get the job done.

Reviews sites are everywhere and a good way to find out the best and worst of computer data recovery services, software and or hardware. Read the reviews carefully to make sure it's not just a promotional site sawing what you want to hear. Fake review sites are a real possibility as a way to get sales and some people do not care if the product is really as good as they say but this can usually be determined by the quality of the writing.

Computer stores have computer data recovery services in most cases and some are even reputable and affordable. This does not mean it will not be a reasonable expense, but depending on your data may be worth it. If you are computer savvy you can get the software and do it yourself to save some money.

What Business to Buy

There's a twofold answer to the question 'What Business to Buy' simply because in its' core it involves two aspects: You and The Business.

At first it is all about Your Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Interests. When looking for Opportunities in Business You are a fundamental part of the Process. Make list to narrow down personal interests, traits and characteristics and look for a Business that suits these exercises. Most of the time when entrepreneurs buy businesses that do not match their Temperament, they end up unsuccessful, unhappy and selling the Business.

Ask yourself the following questions to get Your Ideas for Businesses:

• What are my 5 Strongest Personality Traits? You can also opt to ask your friends and family to send you lists with their observations (can be very revealing).
• What are my 5 Strongest Skills when it comes to doing my current or previous jobs?
• What Role do I want to Play in the Business?
• What Destination and Location do I want my Business to have or can it be a Business without a fixed Location (such as internet based).
• Do I prefer a large-scale business with many contacts and customers or do I prefer to focus on a niche market, dealing with a smaller number of contacts and clients?
• Do I want a Product Supply Type of Business or a Service oriented business?
• What is my Business Investment Budget?

When going over all the answers to these questions, you will have a Clear Picture What Type of Business you want to Buy.

Find a Business to Buy

After having identified What Type of Business you want to Buy it is time to Find a Business to Buy. You will want to opt for a Business that offers Value for Money. Its Valuations have to be backed up by Reliable and Detailed Financial Data.

Some Investors are Buying Businesses because they are Cheap compared to their core Value. They believe that as long as the market undervalues ​​the business relative to the core value, they are making a Solid Investment. This way of Investing fully depends on the reasoning that the market will eventually realize it has undervalued the Business and will correct its Course.

Below some questions you can ask yourself when determining What Business to Buy:

• Does the Business Match my Personal Characteristics and Expectations?
• Is there a Solid Business Plan available?
• What are the Top-5 Competitors of the Business?
• Do I have access to all Detailed Financial Data?
• What is the Trend in Profits over the last 5 years?
• Does the business show healthy and consistent cost margins?
• What is the expected Return on Investment?

How much you will always profit from your Business depends on the level of Original Investment and Your Management and Marketing Skills.

Keynesian Theory On Demand Pull And Cost Push Inflation

According to Keynesian, inflation can be caused by increase in demand and/or increase in cost.

Demand-pull inflation is a situation where aggregate demand persistently exceeds aggregate supply when the economy is near or at full employment. Aggregate demand could rise because of several reasons. A cut in personal income tax would increase disposable income and contribute to a rise in consumer expenditure. A reduction in the interest rate might encourage an increase in investment as well as lead to greater consumer spending on consumer durables. A rise in foreigners' income may lead to an increase in exports of a country. An expansion of government spending financed by borrowing from the banking system under conditions of full employment is another cause of inflation.

An increase in demand can be met initially by utilising unemployed resources if these are available. Supply rises and the increase in demand will have little or no effect on the general price level at this point. If the total demand for goods and services continue to escalate, a full employment situation will eventually be reached and no further increases in output are possible. This leads to inflationary pressures in the economy.

Demand-pull inflation is caused by excess demand, which can originate from high exports, strong investment, rise in money supply or government financing its spending by borrowing. If firms are doing well, theey will increase their demand for factors of production. If the factor market is already facing full employment, input prices will rise. Firms may have to bid up wages to tempt workers away from their existing jobs.

It is most likely that during full employment conditions, the rise in wages will exceed any increase in productivity leading to higher costs. Firms will pass the higher costs to consumers in the form of higher prices. Workers will demand for higher wages and this will add fuel to aggregate demand, which increases once again. The process continues as prices in the product market and factor market are being pulled upwards.

Keynesian theory of cost-push inflation attributes the basic cause of inflation to supply side factors. This means that according to Keynesian, rising production costs will lead to inflation.

Cost-push inflation is usually regarded as being primarily a wage inflation process because wages usually constitute the greaer part of total costs. Powerful and militant trade unions who negotiate wage increases in excess of productivity are more likey to succeed in their wage claims the closer the economy is to full employment and the greater the problem of skill shortages.

An increase in the price of coal, oil and many other basic inputs or even semi-manufactured goods used as component parts in the production process will manifest itself as higher consumer prices. The oil crisis in 1973-1974 and 1970-80 resulted in many countries experiencing severe cost-push inflation.

Inflation may occur when there is a depreciation of the home currency. A depreciation of a country's currency results in increases in the price of imported foodstuff, raw materials and capital equiment which then results in a rise in production costs.

A significant increase in the level of indirect taxes(taxes on goods and services) will raise domestic prices independently of the state of demand and could be a causal factor in creating wage-push pressure on the economy.

When firms are faced with higher wage costs, they push up the prices of their products to maintain their profits. Sometimes, they may even seize the opportunity to increase their profit margins. The more price inelastic the demand for their goods, the less likely such behaviour will lead to a fall in demand for their products.

Cost push inflation in inevitable when there is a struggle between workers and firms. Both try to maintain their real incomes by bidding up their wages and profits. Workers force firms to give inflationary pay increases while firms increase prices so as to raise their profit margins. Price rises are inevitable. This process is known as a wage-price spiral.

In practice, it may not be easy to identify the primary cause of inflation. Demand pull and cost push inflation can occur together. An initial demand pull inflation may strengthen the power of trade unions which then use this power to drive up costs. Alternatively, an initial cost push inflation may encourage the government to expand aggregate demand to offset rises in unemployment. Once inflation is under way, it is not always easy to identify the underlying cause.

Keynes' demand and cost push theories pointed out that the closer the economy is to full employment, the greater the inflationary pressure. The greater the rate of unemployment, the less the inflationary pressure.

Commodities Research Reports - An Opportunity to Enhance Your Financial Front

The economy of a country depends on the strength of the market that it has within it. India is steadily and rising to become one of the leading economies of the world with a number of different markets which have exponential growth such as the agricultural, industrial, stock exchange real estate and commodity market. These different markets contribute to the significant progress of the economy of the nation.

Commodity trading , in particular is very prominent in the country; where two-thirds of the country depend on agricultural products. An important component of the financial market, the commodity market comprises of a number of products such as precious metals, base metals, energy, crude oil, soft commodities.

Besides the national commodity exchanges in India - similar to the NSE and the BSE there are a number of commodity exchanges such as the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) at Mumbai, the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Ltd. (NCDEX) at Mumbai, the National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE) at Ahmedabad and the National Board of Trade (NBOT) at Indore. This commodity market functions through two different forms; Over the Counter (OTC) market and the Exchange based market.

In order to make a trading decision in this market it is important to research commodities and require a deep knowledge so as to find out and understand the latest news.

Research is one of the main and essential activities of trading commodities. Usually the main techniques used are fundamental analysis and technical analysis to research commodities or futures market.

There are many commodity research firms which publish commodity research reports either daily or weekly. By going through such reports you can gain a deeper understanding and a clear vision as to know which commodities to trade in. They may also give you market opinions from a commodity analyst / trader who writes such reports. They provide information regarding the constant fluctuations of the prices; which is very often guided by demand and supply issues.

The Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) publishes MCX commodity reports (Commodity Specific Reports) which are specifically prepared by the research team to create market awareness and facilitate any further business development. It provides a broad overview of the status of the commodities which are traded at the MCX; what is affecting their supply and demand dynamics or any other market moving factor.

These research reports for the different commodities can be downloaded online.

Commodity reports can be used by traders to maximize their profits and to gain an edge. They however do not insure you of profits but they provide important data to improve risk-adjusted returns.

November Is Financial Literacy Month

Most of us only think of literacy in relation to reading. This month is meant to bring awareness to the term Financial Literacy and what it means to everyone. It doesn't mean understanding how to look at your bank statement, but rather looking at your entire financial plan and understanding how it fits your stage of life.

For example, when was the last time you reviewed your life insurance policies? Or perhaps you or your partner don't have an active policy. Or do you know if you have one?

Life Insurance is not the one trick pony of the past, there are now many choices in how you structure it. From Term Life which allows you to choose the coverage period, to Whole Life which provides a lifetime of protection to Critical Illness. Unfortunately, our health is sometimes seriously affected and Critical Illness provides coverage to protect our families from the financial burden of our illness.

If you are at a point where you don't want to think about end of life, think about beginnings. It's time to start your own chapter in the form of home ownership. You've done your research, found your new haven and negotiated your mortgage. Before you sign the papers, understand how to protect your investment.

Should you decide to add children to your equation, you hope they will move onto postsecondary education. Planning early can provide the financial education they need before they incur the debt which could come with it.

Each stage of life brings an opportunity to review your current financial standing and adjust for the future. It can be hard to know all your options and sometimes even harder to see the forest for the trees when reviewing your own assets. If you'd like some help, we're here.