Year: 2019

  • Bitcoin price, Trump or How Do You Understand All of This

    Bitcoin price, Trump or How Do You Understand All of This

    3 min read

    Bitcoin price

    Bitcoin has been growing of the new week after a drowsy weekend. The Chairman of the Federal Reserve revealed the chance of Bitcoin becoming the globally dominant currency. Hence, the current reserve assets could be worthless, admitted Fed.

    Let’s see first how Bitcoin performed in the past days. The Bitcoin price showed bullish signs this past week. But why now seems all of that real energy has vanished once again. What can we expect in the following days?

    Take the quiz at the end!!!

    Bitcoin made a drastic turnaround from where it was six months ago. At that time the prices pined around $3,500. But enthusiasm over broader mainstream approval has increased the hum about cryptocurrencies. The result was: the prices have the flight.

    John McAfee made a bet on July 17th, 2017: One single Bitcoin would be worth $ 500,000.00 in three years. Later he made some corrections and foretold $ 1 million by the end of 2020.

    Is that prediction really reasonable?

    Bitcoin price is about $11,300. To gain $1 million by the end of 2020, BTC should have a permanent-growth rate of almost $ 0,5 per day starting from the price level $2, 250 how much it was in 2017. on McAfee’s date of prediction.

    Yes, Bitcoin price so often changes the value so the 0,5% doesn’t sound too much. The charm of exponential increase.

    Bitcoin is limited. There is 21 Million BTC. Period. You see, we have more millionaires on this planet. There are not enough Bitcoins for each of them.

    The principle of how Bitcoin rise is simple.

    The more people are buying it, the price is higher.

    The market capitalization of bitcoin is still small. Of course, if we make a comparison to the stock market or gold for example.

    There is no need to buy one Bitcoin as a whole. You can buy a part of a bitcoin, so-called bits. And what will happen? The more people are buying, the price will grow more.

    There is no need to buy one Bitcoin as a whole.

    You can buy a part of a bitcoin, so-called bits. And what will happen? The more people are buying, the price will grow more. Moreover,Ā  the popular fiat banking system is too complicated and you will find that bitcoin is a lot more practical. The price will jump again.

    Bitcoin against the politicians

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he’s ā€œnot a fanā€ of cryptocurrencies. Moreover, he recommended that Facebook may need a banking license if the company wants to launch Libra. Sic!

    May any president have an influence on crypto?

    Well, Bitcoin doesn’t care about their opinions.

    Anyway, Mr. Trump tweeted:

    The bitcoin price rose after Trump said he is not a fan of it.

    Take the quiz at the end of the post!!!

    … and about Facebook’s Libra

    In the past 24 hours, the price of Bitcoin rose 7,9%.

    The other cryptocurrencies recorded even higher increases. Ethereum rose nearly 8% and Monero more than 13%.

    And BTC against the dollar marked changes that should cause the upsets. According to CoinDesk: it touched an unusual of $12,033.74 and a low of $11,142.79. Who won’t be worried?

    Bitcoin did not respect Trump’s anti-crypto comments.

    We saw the last trading! After Trump’s tweets, the BTC price was higher for 1% in one day, the price was $11,447.

    Even more, crypto doesn’t care about the Fed’s opinion.Ā 

    Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell talked largely about Facebook’s Libra.Ā 

    Powell accented that before proceeding, Facebook needs to address ā€œserious concernsā€ in regards to ā€œprivacy, money laundering, consumer protection, and financial stability.ā€

    Same old words!

    The bottom line

    What we can say about the future of Bitcoin price is that there are some chances to drop below $11,000. The crypto market is well-known as volatile. But it can rise to $16,000 also to the end of July.

    This old guy is smarter than we think and no one should underestimate a possibility to surprise us. Moreover, many traders expect exactly that. The price to go up.

     

     

  • Getting a Personal Loan

    Getting a Personal Loan

    Getting a Personal Loan
    How is possible to get a personal loan even with a bad credit score

    By Guy Avtalyon

    A personal loan is a good choice if you need funds for a particular purpose. But you have to consider many factors when deciding the variety of loan that suits you. You can use a personal loan to decrease debt, repay unpredictable payments, make home repairs, and more.

    How to get a personal loan?

    Personal loans allow low-interest rates for people with good credit. They are usually smaller loan products than other kinds of loans. We have to say, they aren’t undoubtedly the best choice for everyone.

    Before getting a personal loan, you have to consider several important things.

    The first thing you are asking yourself is: How much money can you get?

    Well, loan sum varies from lender to lender.Ā  Usually, you can expect between $1,500 and $100,000.Ā  That depends on your creditworthiness. This means that the lender will estimate your ability to pay them back before they decide to lend you money.

    How does a personal loan work?

    You will get a fixed sum and have to pay it back with interest in monthly parts until you pay back the whole amount.

    That can be after 12 to 84 months. After you pay back all, your account will be closed and you, if there is a need, can apply for the new one.

    Nevertheless, before you apply for any loan it’s crucial to consider why you require the money. Depending on that, you may choose the variety of loan that’s most suitable for your financial situation.

    What are the types of personal loans?

    You see, there are two types of personal loans: secured and unsecured.

    Unsecured loans are not backed by collateral which means that the bank determines are you qualified to get the loan. The lender will estimate your financial history. If you don’t pass for some unsecured loan maybe you’ll find the lenders who want to offer secured options.

    Secured loans are backed by collateral. Collateral is a savings account or CD. Why this is called a secured loan? Because if you are not able to pay on time, the lender can require your asset as payment for the loan. Your asset, a savings account or CD is the guarantee that the lender will get its payment.

    Where you can get a personal loan

    In the first place, it is a bank. But you must know they are not the only place where you can get a personal loan. There are other lenders too. For example, online lenders, consumer finance companies, or credit unions are places where you can acquire a loan.

    The one thing is important, you have to be qualified applicants.

    Also, you can take a risk and contact some online lenders. There are plenty of them. But you must be careful. It’s true you can get a personal loan very quickly from them. But some of them are not legit and often they are scammers. Check them first.Ā 

    As we said previously, personal loans can give the money you need, but they are not, at the same time, the best choice for everyone. Sometimes, a credit card could be a better alternative.

    But be careful with this too. If you take a balance transfer card and you are not able to pay off your balance, you may catch an enormous amount in interest charges.

    For homeowners, there is a home equity loan. This kind of loan will give the aid you need. Usually,Ā  it is a larger loan sum at low rates. You should be aware, you are giving your house as collateral for these kinds of loans. If you fail to pay, your lender has the right to use your house as payment for debt for the loan.

    How personal loan may impact the credit score?

    When you demand a loan, the lender will count your credit as an element of the application process. This is recognized as a hard inquiry. It will regularly reduce your credit scores by a few points.

    On the other hand, the lenders that you previously had an account with will just review your credit. This is identified as a soft inquiry and will not affect your credit score.

    It is obvious where to ask as first.

    Interest rates and fees

    Interest rates and fees can create a big distinction in how much you will pay to the end. Here are several circumstances to consider.

    Interest rates typically vary from around 5% to 36%. That depends on the lender and your credit. Meaning, if you have good credit, the interest rate will be lower. But, you will pay more interest if your loan is long-term

    Some lenders will charge you a fee to cover the expense of processing the loan. That is origination fees. It can be from 1% to 6% of the loan sum depending on lenders’ rules.

    Some lenders will charge you a fee if you pay off your loan early. What? Yes, if you pay off early the lenders will lose the full interest that they would have earned in established agreement.

    You have to know all of this or you must be informed by your lender about all the circumstances before signing anything.

    A personal loan may be a good solution when you need extra money for a particular intent. But there are many circumstances to consider. You have to decide what sort of credit is best for your condition.

    You must feel comfortable.Ā  Also, you must find the payments like the one you can afford and not feel captured. Measure twice, cut once.

     

  • What Do You Need to Know About Prepaid Cards?

    What Do You Need to Know About Prepaid Cards?

    What do you need to know about prepaid cards?
    A prepaid card works like a debit card, but without risks and the bank account

    By Guy Avtalyon

    Prepaid cards are similar to debit cards. This means, prepaid cards seem like credit cards and use as credit cards. But the main difference is there’s no credit behind. When using the prepaid cards you are spending your own money, banks will not grant you to spend their money. So, in essence, they are debit cards.

    However, there is one difference. It isn’t needed to have a bank account to have a prepaid card. All you have to do is to download a certain amount of money straight onto the card. And you can use your prepaid card for purchasing and payments.

    When the balance on the card drops low, you have to reload more money.

    You can use your prepaid card everywhere, just like any card. You can pay bills, buy in the shops.Ā 

    The fees retailers pay to receive prepaid cards are lower than for credit cards, you will often find, for example, the shops that are receiving the prepaid cards rather than credit cards.

    Prepaid cards are a good option instead of credit cards.

    Moreover, prepaid cards allow the comfort of shopping without the troubles of administering with a bank. You may deposit your paycheck direct onto your prepaid card.

    They were basically invented for people with bad or non-exciting credit history. This kind of card is a great choice for people with credit problems. The other advantage for all of you, who are not sure how should you spend your money, is that the prepaid card expires when the preloaded money runs out.

    It is a very helpful first card for youngsters or for someone who is recovering from debt.

    There is no credit check, hence, it will not help you develop credit. The outgo on prepaid cards is not traced by credit bureaus.

    Seek for characteristics that satisfy your needs.

    Amazing, prepaid cards allow you to pay bills online by setting up automated monthly payments. Some will allow you to withdraw money from an ATM.

    To manage your account online, you can use some app available for desktop or even mobile.Ā 

    ā€œSeventy percent of general prepaid card users use mobile to check balances and transaction history and receive text alerts,ā€ said Bill McCracken, CEO of Synergistics. ā€œSo mobile capability in a prepaid card is very important.ā€

    Opportunities to put more money on your card are growing.

    You can transfer money from your bank account if you have one.
    Your company can deposit your paycheck directly onto your prepaid card.
    Money transfer from a PayPal account, for example, is so easy.
    If the balance on your prepaid card is too low you can reload by using a reload card.

    Moreover, as we mentioned before, there is no need to pay interest on a prepaid card. On the other hand, with a credit card, you have to pay. Instead, you will pay fees.Ā 

    Prepaid cards require fees from setup to reloading. The good thing is that you can limit fees. How? Just keep a minimum balance or arrange a direct deposit.

    Prepaid cards can assist you to control your money if you employ it as a budgeting tool. For example, you can load the weekly budget for shopping onto your prepaid card. When you spend all amount, your spending will be stopped immediately. Well, unless you load more money. Anyway, it will help you manage your spending by limiting costs and risks.

    And, you’re protected. ā€œWhile prepaid cards were developed by entrepreneurs as an alternative to banking, the funds in these accounts are almost always held by a bank or credit union and enjoy federal deposit insurance,ā€ Richard Cordray, director of the CFPB.Ā 

    Moreover, if you notify the loss or stealing of your registered card, most of the issuer will restore your balance and give you a new card. Let’s say, a prepaid card operates like a debit card, but without risks and the bank account.

    Prepaid cards are good for people with bad credit. Especially when they are not accepted for a credit card. You can use a prepaid card as a method of building positive credit. If you make small payments frequently and pay them off every month, you’ll be able to show that you are financially stable. After some time this secured account can be changed to an unsecured one.

     

  • Christine Lagarde as an EBC head: Good or bad for cryptocurrencies future?

    Christine Lagarde as an EBC head: Good or bad for cryptocurrencies future?

    2 min read

    Christine Lagarde

    Christine Lagarde, a new ECB head is remarkably pro-crypto. 

    Investors and advocates of Bitcoin and the crypto markets have long held that the zenith of adoption the crypto would come when authorities and central banks started becoming friendly towards the new technologies.

    The new head of the European Central Bank (ECB)  Christine Lagarde is pro-crypto. Can it be good or bad for cryptocurrencies?

    Previously, she has shown a huge interest in crypto and how the new tech can help develop tomorrow’s overall economy.

    Will this help to promote acceptance of cryptocurrencies?

    Christine Lagarde has promoted for state-backed digital currencies.

    She said it could improve the capability of such state’s economy.

    ā€œI believe we should consider the possibility to issue digital currency. There may be a role for the state to supply money to the digital economy,ā€ she told at the Singapore Fintech Festival Nov. 14.

    If done correctly, central bank-issued digital currencies could ā€œcould satisfy public policy goals,ā€ she noticed, specifically ā€œfinancial inclusion,ā€ ā€œsecurity and consumer protection,ā€ and ā€œprivacy in payments.ā€

    During the speech in Singapore, Lagarde meantime persisted on the ā€œdownsidesā€ of CBDCs, too

    ā€œI would also like to highlight the risks of stifling innovation — the last thing you want. My main point will be that we should face these risks creatively.ā€

    We must be honest, the new ECB boss is more open to centralized crypto selections than to decentralized ones, like Bitcoin. She has supported already for state-backed cryptocurrencies and tokens like XRP and JPM coin. Maybe, she just needs more encouragement. We will see. It isn’t possible for any traditional bank to support the crypto, but to embrace its existence and allow using in transactions would be very useful, both for the bankers and crypto-owners.

    Lagarde supports

    Last year, in February, Lagarde in an interview for CNNMoney said that “the trend showed a ā€œherd mentalityā€ of those looking for high yield products as well as an element of speculation.”

    Lagarde continued that this trend was also fired by ā€œdark activity.ā€ That was explained by the potential for cryptocurrencies to be “used for money laundering and other illegal online activities due to their anonymous nature.”

    We can’t argue with this opinion because it is true. But, also, the regulation would be helpful. The difficult part, someone can think, is how to provide for crypto to remain anonymous and regulated. Well, it isn’t too hard. The hard part is how to avoid dark activity. Fiat showed less capability.

    Lagarde has said that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies could develop financial markets. She especially pointed to the speed and security of transactions. 

    We are sure that Lagarde’s main interest will not be the adoption of cryptocurrencies. She will have some bigger difficulties in the EU monetary system and economy. But, also, we have to notice that Lagarde is opened toward new technologies such as blockchain and it is very good. It can be promising for the crypto in the future. Christine Lagarde on the head of the ECB can have a very positive influence on the crypto industry and market in whole.Ā 

    For now, for those of us who truly believe that the future for cryptos is coming, it is good news that Christine Lagarde’s opinions about Bitcoin are positive.Ā 

  • How Long It Takes to Have Enough to Buy a Home

    How Long It Takes to Have Enough to Buy a Home

    4 min read

    How Long It Takes to Have Enough to Buy a Home

    To have enough to buy a home is everyone’s dream. This is a tricky time for millennials who want to buy a home. Some research, for example in Canada, shows that young people need between 13 to 29 years to purchase their first home. That’s too much.Ā 

    While millennials over the world are striving to get on the property, about 70% of Chinese millennials reached the milestone. 

    Mexico is the next with 46% of millennials homeowners, the following is France with 41%.

    For the majority of millennials, owning house persist too expensive and they can’t save enough for a deposit. Property prices have increased in the last several years and the rise in salary did not follow this

    Almost 2/3 of millennials declared they would need higher incomes to buy a home. 

    According to Forbes, China has seven of the world’s 10 most expensive cities for buying such a property.

    So how have so many millennials in China have enough to buy a home?

    There are no secrets. For most of them, a parent’s help was crucial. Also, they have some benefits for married couples. For sons in China, parents will do almost everything to help them get married.

    Thanks to the One-Child Policy, next year will be 30 million men more than women who are looking for marriage partners. Parents in China want to improve the chances for their sons and support them financially to have enough to buy a home. Speaking about, gender equality. But it isn’t the subject of this article.

    We want to show you how to ensure your deposit in order to buy a house, to have enough to buy a home.

    There are some other ways to get on the property on your own.

    Let us ask you something.

    1) Are you able to save each year?

    2) When you save, where you put your money?

    The message of the following story is: start saving early and try to save often. We want to show you the influence of compounding.

    Let’s estimate how long it will take you to become a millionaire. Yes, why not?

    We will start with the Rule of 1.5, likewise recognized as Felix’s Corollary. 

    This rule says that for a flow of investments where the number of years times the interest equals 72, the final value will equal approximately 1.5 times the amount invested. 

    Say, investing $10,000 per year for 8 years at 9% interest.

    8 x 9 = 72 

    The value of the investments at the end of year 8 will be about $120,000.

    Or make it simpler

    $10,000 x 8 x 1.5 = $120,000

    It’s so far from being a millionaire but…

    We will use Felix’s Corollary again. All we need to do is decide how long it will take you to save $720,000 at a contracted interest rate. 

    To explain why $720,000. Because $720,000 times 1.5 equals $1,080,000. This describes why we didn’t use $1,000,000. 

    This is easier than it looks, you will see.

    Say, with a saving of $90,000 per year you will need 8 years to acquire $720,000. 

    And at 9% annual interest, you would save $1,080,000 over 8 years. Of course, most of you don’t have $90,000 per year to put on savings. 

    That’s why most of us are not able to collect a million dollars in 8 years. 

    So let’s expand it to 16 years. 

    Now, what do we lack to be a millionaire? Again implementing a 9% rate of return? Yes! Here is where the rule 72 again in the scene. Using the Rule of 72, we know that whatever we have saved over the first 8 years will double over the next 8 years because 72 divided by our interest rate of 9% equals 8.

    So we can break the 16 year savings period into 3 equal portions: 

    1) the amount we save over the first 8 years; 

    2) the doubling of this amount over the next 8 years; 

    3) the amount we save the second 8 years. 

    And here it is: $720,000 divided by 3 equals $240,000. That is the amount we need to save each of the two 8 year periods. That is $30,000 per year if my math is good. And it is, so you just follow the rest of this. That means $2,500 per month, which is a reasonable saving for some people.

    But you want to determine what it will take to be a millionaire in 24 years. All you have to do is just divide $720,000 by 7 and then again by 8. 

    So, $720,000 divided by 8 equals 90,000 divided by 7 equals about $12,800. Right? Hence, investing just a bit over $1,000 per month at 9% interest during 24 years period will make you a millionaire.

    Invest in stocks with little money to have enough to buy a home

    But, how to know when to get in a position in investing?

    Investing takes time to grow. It requires a relatively moderate risk and moderate returns in the short run. But investing may produce bigger returns by placing both, interests and dividends to hold for a longer period of time. So, you are taking a long position while investing. 

    You would like to hold your stock for several years and have a decent return. In most circumstances, you should take the profit when a stock grows 20% to 25% of the buy price.

    When to get out in the investment

    The general rule of investing is never getting out of your investment just because the stock price is dropping. The rule “buy high/sell low” isn’t valuable while investing. Otherwise, you will never earn money in the stock market.

    A selling an investment too quickly can hurt your portfolio.

    Have Enough to Buy a Home

    Can you “ensure” some positions?

    All beginners, no matter how smart they are, have illusions, so they have losses. You have to keep your losses small, don’t let them scare you and survive.

    The rules for managing the risk that we’ll show you may feel disturbing for beginners because they have small accounts. Well, the proper risk control may limits trade size. I know that. But it is important for you to know that it is a protection in the first place.

    The crucial rule of risk control is the 2% rule: never risk more than 2% of your account investment on any opened trade.

    Start by writing down three numbers for every trade: your entry, target and stop. Without them, a trade may become a gamble.

    I want to share with you one of the best advice I got when I become an investor.

    If you see your stock rises by 40% you should sell 20% of your position. When the stock later increases 49% more, sell the other 20%. That will provide you to have 125% of your primary position.

    You have 100% of the initial position. And it grows 40%:

    100%*1.4=140%

    You sell 20% of it, which means that now in your hands you have 80% left:

    140%*0.8=112%

    Stocks rise for another 40% progressively:

    112%*1.4=156.8%

    Now you sell 20% of the stock you have in your hands:

    156.8%*0.8=125.44%

    You end up with 125.44% value of the initial position.


    The bottom line

    To know how to structure your portfolio just implement this rule:100 minus your age.

    This rule is used for asset allocation. Subtract your age from 100 to find how much of your portfolio should be allocated to equities

    If you are at your 30s you should have 70% in equities and 30% in debt. 

    Investing doesn’t have to be difficult if you start early, understand investment opportunities, and invest in different assets to minimize risk. And provides you to have enough to buy a home.

  • Pixel trackers: Invisible e-mail tool  tracks you

    Pixel trackers: Invisible e-mail tool tracks you

    3 min read

    Superhuman uses invisible pixel trackers

    Is it sure that an app named Superhuman allows me to spy on people using their email?

    Yes, it is true. If you have this app, meaning you pay that $30 per month, your new app automatically tracked every single recipient to whom you send an email. Moreover, you can see the recipient’s location. Superhuman uses invisible pixel trackers, revealed Mike Davidson, former VP of design at Twitter, on his blog. 

    You’ve been spied too if your sender uses the same app.

    What Superhuman was doing with email trackers is despite your intention. It did it thanks to tracking pixel.

    What are the Pixel trackers?

    Superhuman uses invisible pixel trackers

    Let’s explain! Every image across the internet is stored on the server. While you browse, your computer automatically downloads them. Well, some artist found that automatically downloads can let the same servers to track you and follow you all over the web. Whatever you do, your downloads, your browsings. And emails are not excluded. These trackers provide your sender to see when you open the received message by stealing in an image.Ā 

    It’s so simple when you open a received email you practically open the image and download it. At the same moment, the server knows what are you doing and provide that information to the sender. You cannot lie you didn’t have time to open their messages. They know you did. That is exactly what tracking pixels do to you.

    That is one problem. The other is how to spot them.

    Tracking pixels could be found under the names: a web-beacon, web bug, tracking bug, tag, web tag, page tag, tracking pixel, pixel tag, said Wikipedia.

    You will probably never see the tracking pixel with your eyes because they can really be an only 1 x 1-pixel image.

    Usually, it is hidden someplace in an email or webpage. Moreover, they are transparent, so we can say they are totally invisible. And where to look for them? They can be anywhere from the sender’s name to the font they use.

    Anything that delivers a request to a faraway server can be recognized as a tracking tool.

    Are there additional sorts of pixels tracking us?

    Maybe your phone via Google Pixel?

    This was years old, we said that. So why to be upset about this old technology now?

    Somewhat because a lot of people don’t understand that tracking pixels breathe. It’s okay, there is nothing wrong with that.

    But when Twitter VP wrote a blog post he spotted that Superhuman was giving users information about people’s locations. And this tool did it just by transferring them an email by default.

    So, what’s wrong to know if people have viewed your emails? You send them with such purpose, right?

    All messaging apps have read receipts and they are helpful.

    Messenger has something similar to tracking pixels. This means you and the recipient can certainly see whether your messages are being read or ignored. That’s okay, too.

    But using Superhuman, we are allowing a complete stranger to have the ability to send us an email and force us to reveal our location every time we open that email. Moreover, without our permission and knowing. This sounds reasonably bad.

    How do pixel trackers operate? How they can recognize our location?

    Via IP addresses, probably. That tracking pixel from a server registers your IP address, that is how the internet knows where your computer is situated materially and digitally. And it isn’t so complicated for someone to find your home address by using your IP. Creepy, indeed.Ā 

    There is a potential danger.

    For example, if it is so easy to reveal are you at home or not, you might become a victim of thefts.  

    Spamming and phishing can utilize the system to know which email subjects force you to click. Do you really want to let some random character on the internet tracking your moves by sending some emails?

    There is no need for triangulation the data. Your browser cookies can apparently pass along your online profile. Sounds scary, really.

    Superhuman isn’t the only company practicing pixel trackers.

    Gmail users are pretty safe because Google reroutes everything through its own proxy servers.

    Tracking pixels will still know when you’ve read an email, but they will not be able to see your location or your profile because they can’t see your IP or cookies. All they can see is Google’s IP. 

    TP found some good instruction on how to protect your privacy. Yes, you can always use browser extensions like Ugly Email and PixelBlock. They will find pixel trackers before you open your email. Moreover, they will eliminate them completely.

    But, also, you can use this instruction How to Stop Email Tracking.

    Meanwhile, Superhuman has issued an excuse, states it will no more track location, and will turn read receipts off by default, active immediately.

    Keep your eyes on them, anyway.


  • How well are you doing?

    How well are you doing?

    5 min read

    How well are you doing?
    Hans Stam

    by Hans Stam – Trader, Mentor, Author 

    Impressive

    In my journey as a Forex Trader, I come across many different ways of thinking.Ā 

    Some really think they are the only ones that are right, and everyone else is wrong. 

    Some contact me and tell me my claims are false or I do them on hindsight trading. 

    When I show my live accounts where they can see live trading and history, I’m usually getting a response like… Impressive.

    Others I never hear from again.

    It’s really our loss if we let ego dominate our thoughts.

    Always keep an open mind as there might just be something to learn.

    Spreadsheets

    When you are trading, we like to succeed at a given goal.

    One thing that happens a lot is that traders see a certain return, and start calculating. 

    Some make a spreadsheet and calculate their returns as being static.

    Then on their spreadsheet, you can see they are 5-10 years ahead and often millionaires.

    Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that in real life. 

    Long term goals are good once you have reached short term goals.

    What is realistic and doable for you?!

    Algorithms

    Now that you are all set up, you probably have developed your style of trading.

    It’s normal to want an outside opinion on your trading so some sign up for a company that has algorithms running. 

    But be aware, you might do perfectly in one group and totally fail in another.

    How is that possible?!

    Algorithms are being programmed by the opinion of the Programmer/Company.

    There’s a lot of difference on where their focus is and their results on your trading might be way off.

    I have had discussions with some of them, and in many cases, they had to agree they did not think of other things after seeing my live trading. 

    So, in the end, your results are just based on their opinion and how well you agree with them.

    Performances

    My suggestion would be to trade for a year and keep an eye on your results Quarterly, Six Months and annual returns. 

    Keep an eye on the DrawDown and Risks you took by exposure to the market. 

    Goalsetting is a tricky thing to do when Trading. 

    It might be best to focus on the number of deposits you are willing to make and set it as being a goal regardless of performances.

    You are the one that decides what you do and why. 

    It’s your money on the line so if you keep on losing ask yourself who you are following. 

    Is this really your plan or someone else’s plan?

    Nothing wrong with that, but it has to be your decision as well.

    Don’t just pick a trade because someone tells you if you don’t agree!

    So… How well are you doing?

    No matter what others say, you are the only one that can determine if you are doing well or not.Ā 

    You have your own algorithm to perform to.

    What are your intentions?

    Is it you want to deposit $100 every month for a  year? 

    Is it you are focussed on not having a bigger drawdown than 25%? 

    So my guess is that you are the one that determines how well you are doing. 

    Did you reach your goals? 

    What works and what doesn’t? 

    Probably the profit-taking results will not work as the market is depending on movement, so maybe it’s better to focus on what you can control.

    Opinion

    When it comes to trading, you are your own boss.Ā 

    Only your opinion counts as you are the one making the trades. 

    Now, that does not mean you never listen to anyone.

    Weigh the information, see if it makes sense, apply what is useful!

    Sometimes I get good ideas presented, and it doesn’t take long before seeing the goal which supports that idea.

    The idea itself may be good, but it doesn’t always apply to my goals.

    When I would try different outcomes for different goals, it might become mixed up which makes both goals fail. 

    Some people lose money fast, and they get very frustrated because their opinions were not their own.

    When you find yourself losing money because of someone else’s ideas, review and see why you are losing. And see how well are you doing.

    I’m lost?!

    When you are doing your thing and just came across a new idea, you might want to throw everything overboard and go for this new idea.

    You might feel you are lost once that is not working out. 

    What you could do is demo test this new idea first, but most don’t have the patience because of their excitement. 

    What you might do when you find yourself in that place is to open a subaccount and usually it is easy to transfer from one account to the other. 

    Use your idea on the new account if you don’t choose demo first and let your initial strategy run as usual. When this new idea is producing what you want to do, it will grow on its own, but you will always have a backup from where you already are having experiences.

    Easy

    It’s easy to do well as long as you have a clear target in front of you which you can control. 

    When you can’t reach your targets, don’t try to catch up, reduce the targets to a smaller target. 

    If your first targets failed, then catching up is even more difficult. 

    Adjust to what is doable for you, and keep the goals closeby and short. 

    If you commit to depositing $500 a month for the next 5 years, you might want to adjust to depositing $400 for the rest of the year and review in December. 

    Did your circumstances change? Was it easy to do? Do you want to dedicate more?

    You might have lost your job, or got a raise? Lot’s of things can happen in between the plans you make. 

    Keeping your goals close makes you reach them faster, if you fail the goal, reduce the goal to what fits you at that time. 

    You can do this!

    All the best,

    Hans Stam
    [email protected]

  • How to Become the Billionaire

    How to Become the Billionaire

    How to Become the Billionaire

    There is nothing wrong with being poor. Many circumstances may cause that. Lack of opportunities because of the place where you are living, the poor economy in your country, but anyone should try to change that. Even if you feel you are not capable to run that long way, just make that one – the most important first step. Find the strength to reach what you want. The life you are seeking is the life you deserve. 

    TP is giving you a few stories about poor people who became billionaires. We want you to know something, they came from nothing.  Some of them have a really impressive life story. 

    So, who they are?

    Jan Koum WhatsApp founder

    Jan Koum

    Jan Koum was born in Kyiv, Ukraine in 1976. He lived in the house outside the Kyiv, without running water.

    Koum has memories: “It was so run-down that our school didn’t even have an inside bathroom. Imagine the Ukrainian winter, -20°C, where little kids have to stroll across the parking lot to use the bathroom. Society was extremely closed off: you can read 1984, but living there was experiencing it.”

    When he was 16, he moved with his mother to Mountain View, California. They lived in an apartment secured by government assistance. In order to survive, he cleaned floors at a local store.

    Koum developed computer skills on his own. In 2009, he co-founded mobile messaging service WhatsApp and sold it Facebook for $22 billion in 2014.

    Net worth:$9.1 billion

    Ken Langone, Investor

    Ken Langone

    His father worked as a plumber and mother was a school cafeteria worker. They lived between two paychecks. 

    But Langone wanted a better life and that desire was supported by his family. 

    In order to contribute to paying scholarship at Bucknell University Langone worked different jobs. His parents also mortgaged their family house. 

    In 1968, Langone in associate with Ross Perot took Electronic Data Systems public. Later it was acquired by Hewlett Packard. Two years later, with Bernard Marcus, he started Home Depot. This company also went public in 1981.

    Despite his huge business success, Langone still is cautious with his money. He still calls the cable company when he considers his bill is too big.

    Net worth: $3.6 billion

    Howard Schultz, Starbucks founder

    How to Become the Billionaire

    Howard Schultz was born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 19, 1953.

    Schultz grew up in a housing complex for the poor.

    When he was 3 years old he moved with his family to the Bayview Housing in Canarsie, a neighborhood in southeastern Brooklyn.

    A football scholarship helped him to move from Canarsie to Northern Michigan University in 1970.

    Schultz found work as a salesman for Hammarplast, a company that sold European coffee makers in the United States. Schultz remarked that he was selling more coffee makers to a small enterprise in Seattle. It was the Starbucks Coffee Tea and Spice Company. 

    “Every month, every quarter, these numbers were going up, even though Starbucks just had a few stores,” Schultz later remembered. “And I said, ‘I gotta go up to Seattle.’”

    At that time, 1981, Starbucks didn’t exist outside Seattle. The company’s original owners, old college buddies Jerry Baldwin and Gordon Bowker and their neighbor, Zev Siegl, had founded Starbucks in 1971. The three friends also came up with the coffee company’s universal mermaid logo. 

    Howard Schultz joined them. The rest is history.

    Net worth:$2.9 billion

    Kenny Troutt, the founder of Excel Communications

    Kenny Troutt

    Troutt grew up in a poor family. His father was a bartender. So, Kenny Troutt had to pay for his own education at Southern Illinois University. He did it by selling life insurance. He made most of his money from phone company Excel Communications, which he founded in 1988 and took public in 1996. Two years later, Troutt became a billionaire when Excel was sold to Teleglobe for $3.5 billion. 

    This a self-made billionaire owns WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. He’s now retired and invests massively in racehorses.

    Despite his allergy to horse hair. 

    Net worth: $1.4 billion

    The bottom line

    So, how to become a billionaire? It looks there is no universal formula for that. But there is something common for all of them who raised in poor families. All of them wanted changes, worked hard, had a desire to make success. And they were not afraid to take advantage when it came to it. To become a billionaire you must have passion, you must be curious and have opened eyes. In order to recognize the right opportunity. Never hesitate to start this journey. These guys made a success, so why wouldn’t you?

  • Money Management

    Money Management

    Money Management
    Hans Stam

    by Hans Stam

    A little off topic but well received within my group how I manage money.

    So I decided to put this in writing to your benefit. 

    Many don’t know where all the money went at the end of their month. 

    Usually, they have a bit of month left at the end of their money. 

    Others make a lot of money but always seem to have a shortage anyway. 

    Some are doing just fine but don’t seem to get ahead in their finances. 

    The process of Money Management

    Here is the process I went through personally.

    I had one account at my bank as most people have. 

    All my money came in on that account and all payments were made from that account. 

    I started to write down all my expenses.

    Then I noticed I was overpaying for some services like my phone, so I contacted the phone company for a better deal and instantly got more than 50% discount. That was my first step in money management.Ā 

    Same with other bills, I noticed some things I spent but didn’t really need or that could be done differently. 

    When I had a complete picture of all my expenses per month, I divided it into daily portions. 

    2nd Account in the process of Money Management?

    I opened a second bank account at another bank, and whatever income I had I placed at that central account. 

    Not only the usual income but also whatever money I got like tax returns or bonuses, etc.

    Then I set up automated daily payments from that central bank account to the initial bank account where most bills were deducted automatically. 

    The way it was set up plus perhaps a few bucks a day was taking care of the bills and it grew a bit every day. 

    Why another bank? 

    Anything can happen, and when it hits the fan, you better keep control yourself instead of letting the bank decide for you!

    3rd Account?! 

    Then I set up a third Bank account. I decided on a number I needed to do groceries on a daily bases.

    So from my central account, I got daily payments to use for shopping.

    Now I knew what was there every day to use and not overspend.

    4rth Account!!

    I also got Gas money from jobs I do.

    So I opened a Fourth Bank account.

    Every time I’m getting gas money, I deposit it in that account. 

    Most times I’m getting more than needed so all other car bills like taxes and maintenance are being paid from that account. 

    Central Account for Better Money Management

    When I did set it up that way, all I needed to focus on was the central bank account and I knew exactly what I needed a day, week, month. 

    I noticed at first it wasn’t easy but I was determined to get it right.

    So then I realized I needed a buffer of 3-6 months based on my daily payments. 

    I knew what I needed to survive 3-6 months without any income in case something happens. 

    This has saved me several times as I do not have a steady income. 

    Interest

    I noticed I was paying interest on open balances.

    So how did that happen? 

    I was in need of a car, and that’s a huge sum for most people. 

    So that had to be paid from the Gas account, but there wasn’t enough. 

    So I had to loan from a bank, but I paid more due to interest. 

    I decided to calculate the interest and paid the same interest amount into my central account as well. 

    Basically, I was paying back the bank, and now also myself. 

    Over time I needed more money on bigger spendings.

    So I loaned from the central account and paid it back from the account I needed it for with interest!

    How does that work?

    When I saw something in the shops I really wanted to have, I just paid it from the central account to my Groceries account. 

    Same goes for Gas-account when in need of more cash instantly like buying another car.

    Then by the daily income, I was getting on those accounts, I paid it back to the central account with interest.  

    It also made me aware that at times I did not really have to buy whatever it was I wanted, so it kept me from buying the item. 

    All I need to watch for is the buffer on the Central bank account to keep my internal economy going. 

    But before there was a buffer, I took care of small bills that were past due and made them disappear quickly. 

    Doing that gave me more and more control to work towards my buffer.

    Investments as the best way for Money Management

    When I wanted to start investing, I didn’t really have much money to do it with.Ā 

    So I loaned money from my central account, and whatever money went out, I paid back with interest from my income. 

    So even if that investment was not working out, it was covered by future manageable income, bit by bit. 

    Whatever the investment did produce was placed back into the central account which also helped to pay off the initial loan. 

    If the investment made more, I was free to either let it grow or to fund the central account after the internal loan was settled. 

    When I invested more I considered it to be a separate loan which re-entered the process. 

    No logic

    It doesn’t seem logical to work with your money like that, it seems too complicated.

    But what it did do for me was that it gave me control over my bills which all happens automatically and it made me think twice before spending outside the balance on the cards. 

    So in a way, it made me focus and I know what I have to do next. 

    If my investments are not providing enough for my buffer, I know I need to get another job and quickly maintain my Central Account.

    Anything can happen in life, and I never really valued stability really going day by day without much thought until the day came I got stuck financially.

    So through desperation and a whole lot of debt, I decided to set it up to the way I have it now. 

    And although it did not help me overnight, the action alone to contact another bank and set up the accounts gave me a feeling of control.

    It also made me go look for other ways to make an income like another job to maintain the central account. 

    This got me moving with a plan in action and it has given me many benefits in my financial life.

    Back on control

    I took back control, and I crawled back from a deep hole which made me an investor and Trader.Ā 

    Hopefully, you are not facing that mountain of debt in your life and you might not give this a second thought as long as you always have enough, but even millionaires can go bankrupt if they don’t pay attention.Ā 

    Be wise, don’t let money become a problem where it doesn’t have to be. 

    I surely hope this off-topic article will benefit you, as money is not everything and it should not control your life. 

    Yes, we need it, so let’s deal with it and go on with other important things in life. 

    If you can support my work as a Mentor, please click here for a donation

    I really appreciate your encouragement. 

    Also, any support you like to show through PayPal is very much appreciated!

    to your success,

    Hans Stam