5 Tips for Blogging Around the World

1) A laptop is non-negoitable. I’ve talked to many people who, out of fear of theft, weight or price, were unwilling to travel with a laptop. If you want to do any work from the road however, you really have no choice. I have a 15″ MacBook Pro. It is powerful enough to do video editing and Photoshop. If I had to buy a laptop again I’d consider getting a MacBook Air. The laptop is one of the heaviest items I carry. After lugging it around for a year, I think I would take something with a bit less power for something lighter weight.

A laptop also allows you to write when you are offline. When you can’t access a wireless network you can simply save any text, images or video to a USB drive and take that to an internet cafe to upload. I also use my laptop as an MP3 player, DVD player, alarm clock, and in a pinch, as a flash light. Walking around with an open laptop to light your path is as awkward as it sounds!

2) Move everything you can to the cloud. Web apps are your friend when traveling. Even if you have a laptop, there is no guarantee that you will be able to use it every time you access the internet. I have several email accounts which all now go through Gmail. I have an account on Meebo.com for most of my IM accounts. Likewise, I have purchased an online storage service for archiving files and a Flickr Pro account. If I should lose my laptop, most of my data and applications would still be accessible from any computer.

The major applications I cannot use on the web are Photoshop, Google Earth, and Skype (but most every internet cafe has Skype).

3) The internet is everywhere if you look hard enough. Even though I haven’t accessed the internet in every place I’ve been, I could have if I wanted to. On Easter Island I found five different places that would qualify as an internet cafe. On Rennell Island, one of the more remote islands in a remote country (Solomon Islands) they had a radio link in the school in a village which allowed for net access. In the Marshall Islands I walked to the national telcom building to get online via their satellite uplink. I’m sure you can find some rural areas without any communications, but most urban areas should have something, somewhere as of 2008.

Sometimes the quality of the connection was painful, but it worked. I would do little more than check email and submit short posts to my website. If you REALLY need to get online, there are satellite packages which can provide data access from almost any point on Earth. It will cost an arm and a leg, but it is possible. Live webcams have been streamed from the top of Mount Everest.

4) Don’t forget the little stuff. In addition to the laptop, I have a Nikon D200 DSLR with two lenses, a 10base-T cable, a power strip, a set of international power adaptors, a USB drive, a Sanyo Exati 1000i video camera, extra batteries for the SLR and laptop, a Gorillapod, and a tripod which works with both the SLR and video camera. It sounds like a lot, but I can cram most of the electronics, minus the laptop, into a shoulder camera bag. Having a power strip lets you plug all your devices in without requiring an adaptor for each device.

Check the voltage for each device. Most electronics you purchase today can work with 120-220V so you don’t need a heavy transformer. Something like a hair dryer will usually only work with one voltage. The power strip will let you work with different outlets but will not change the voltage or the current. Take the time and figure out what the voltages and outlet types are in the places you’ll be visiting. You might not need to carry around all the adaptors. I have back up batteries for anything which requires batteries. I always have the spare charged and ready to go just in case. I don’t want to be out in the field with my camera only to have to stop taking photos because of a dead battery. Same goes with memory cards.

5) Have a disaster plan. I purchased a policy covering all my gear from Safeware. It was worth it for nothing more than the peace of mind it gives. I also scanned the receipts for all my major purchases and emailed them to myself. That way if I ever need to file a claim, I have the documentation. I have a cable lock for my laptop which I use all the time. I will often lock it to things which may be movable, but would deter anyone from stealing it. I also have a small padlock I carry to lock items when I’m at a hostel. I carry my laptop and my cameras in nylon Sea-to-Summit bags which are water resistant. (They are fine for protecting your gear from rain, but not submerging)

Back up all your data, multiple times if necessary. This might be more valuable than your equipment. I burn to DVD, upload and have a small external HD. I even had an old iPod which I filled with photos and sent back home.

Working from anywhere isn’t just an idea anymore, it is a reality. If you have the desire, the tools exist to make it happen.

A Beginners Guide To Forex Self-Trading

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I begin? Please give it to me SIMPLY.

1. The best advice on how to learn to trade profitably is to learn from experts with proven track records. Many learning styles are available to beginners at all levels: books, CDs, online courses, group seminars, even one-on-one mentors who will come right your home for a few days. We outline our Forex-Trader picks in Learning Forex Trading. Learning to trade from experts is worth every penny and has saved us untold thousands in mistakes. We would not recommend starting forex trading without any training. It is not hard to learn, nor difficult to trade successfully, but you must first provide yourself with a basic functioning knowledge of 'the game you're in'.

2. While you are learning you will need charting software to practice reading the Market. Charting is an indispensable tool that shows you in real-time data what the market is doing moment by moment and also what the market has done in the past. As you learn to analyze these charts you can determine what trades to enter and exit, where to set your stop losses, limits etc. There are several good charting software services that you can subscribe to online monthly. See our Forex-Trader tested Charting Software picks in Tools of The Trade.

3. Then, to perform your actual trades online you need a real-time 'trading platform' to execute your 'buys' and 'sells' directly in the Foreign Currency Market. You obtain a trading platform from a Forex Clearinghouse that is connected real-time to the interbank market. There are many good Clearinghouses (also confusingly called Brokerage Firms, Market Makers, etc.) that provide you with the trading platform to trade the funds in the account you have opened with them. Before you begin trading your 'real' money, while you are learning, you will practice on your own 'demo account' with play-money in it, which will be provided to you by the clearinghouse you plan to trade through. The contractual relationship you enter into with your Clearinghouse is a very important one because the Clearinghouse you choose determines many trading features and financial advantages to you both as a trader and as an investor. Forex-Trader tested Clearinghouses are reviewed in Tools of The Trade.

We have outlined a Getting Started path with uncomplicated steps. This is the path that we would take if we were beginning trading over again today with 'what we know now'. The products and services we mention in these steps are all ones that we have personally used for some time with consistent success. As always you are free to forge your own path, and if you do, happy hiking. There is a mountain of products and services try out, and if you find ones you like better we would love to compare notes with you.

Explain More About Charting Services

To trade successfully you also must have good charting software and instantaneous data feeds critical to helping you analysis and interpret the movement of currencies moment to moment so you know when/why to buy or sell -- this you subscribe to monthly. You can get a 2 week or more demo to familiarize yourself with one that has the features you like. The costs also vary, and some companies require a year commitment. There are some free charting services offered through the clearinghouses, but they tend to lack the tools to be truly useful. There are also some costly proprietary Specialty Software charting 'hybrids' which are market forecasters tools that look more like video games than charts.

Explain More About How Clearinghouses Work

A good clearinghouse (i.e.. your computer access/link to the live Forex Exchange Market) is the partner with which you trade the money you have deposited with them in your trading account. After trying and demo-ing many we have found a small handful that are truly excellent for the beginner (and continue to be excellent as you grow) -- meaning user friendly, legally accountable to regulatory bodies, and offering fair costs (spreads) for their services/trading software platforms. There still are many worrisome ones practicing in this closing era of unregulated forex trading (new Commodities laws are imminent).

The topic of matching the right clearinghouse for your needs is discussed more in Tools of the Trade, because it depends on a number of factors -- how much you can open an account with, how much the clearinghouse profit spread, what your liquidity needs are, your minimum/maximum stop loss and margin requirements, even where you live and how much time you have to give to trading in a 24 hr. day.

How Much Does it Cost to Begin to Trade?
Learning to trade will entail the cost of books and whatever training method you choose. It will also include a reliable computer with a minimum 128 Mb of memory to run the charting software and trading platform. Ongoing 'costs of operation' include the monthly costs of high-speed internet, charting software, the email forecasting subscriptions -- plan on spending $150./mo. up for ongoing costs.

What about Pooled Clearinghouse Accounts to Trade with More Leverage?

We strongly do not recommend pooled accounts in any circumstance. Perhaps you are considering self-trading a pooled- together family account because it would give you a perceived advantage of more leveraged funds to trade (50:1 up to 100:1 leverage) -- any risks of loss represent a potential risk to family relationships, and for this reason alone we do not recommend aggregating with family or friends.

However much worse are the too-numerous negative experiences of people allowing their investment funds to leave their control to become part of a 'managed' pooled account. Not only is it a very risky investment idea, it is illegal for anyone to 'pool' accounts without compliance with SEC (a USA Securities Exchange Commission) or international equivalent license. Never relinquish direct control over your money/trading account to anyone (i.e.. the ability to make withdrawals, deposits etc. directly by your own authority into your own account).

A good fund manager, if you do choose to go the (legitimate) Managed Account route rather than the Self-Trader route, will make certain you have your own 'segregated account' in your own name in a bank or brokerage firm. These individual segregated accounts can still be traded together as though they were in a single account by a designated trader as long as the clearing house uses a trading platform that allows it. You, as the investor/account holder, have direct access online to your account activity at all times, and direct control over your own account in your own name (just like a bank account). The importance of this, for the safety of your funds, cannot be over emphasized.

Questions From Our Email Inbox

Thank you for inviting people to learn from your experience. I found that to be very generous. I was hoping you may be able to shed little light on just how to go about finding the right currency pairs to buy.

This is where charting software will make it self-evident for you to know what pairs are 'trending'. Technical analysis using charting software: Elliott Wave, Retracements, Fibonacci patterns, short term trending, etc. Good charting software is invaluable! Look at it as one of your 'costs of doing business'.

I have just begun learning how the FOREX works. There are so few opportunities for the lower economic class to achieve financial independence.

It took us a full year to learn to trade forex to achieve consistent profits, but well worth the time and effort. Forex trading can be the great leveler of the self-investor playing field. I and we believe that with dedication to sound, risk-management trading methods you can succeed.

I'm trying to build a financial base, but I just can't find a door in. Is it possible for me to participate directly in the FOREX with smaller amounts - like $1000?

Beginning with $1K. is more of a challenge and more of a risk (but not impossible). $1K represents 1 lot in Forex Trading, and that is the minimum (leveraged) trade that can be made. Perhaps that $1K would be better spent on trading education?

I have participated in Forex 'Games' and other types of online investments that claim to be investing in Foreign Currency (among other things), with returns of 50% a month and more. I actually did get paid. Opinions please?

We strongly urge you to resist any further temptation to send your money away to an investment-type pool (by this we mean do not send your money away to be under someone else's control and in someone else's account). It is unjustified risk, there are much better ways to begin to experience profits from forex trading. Many such online investments have totally disappeared into the Internet ethers from which they came. Typically these investments give no contact information, claiming to be 'offshore', 'for privacy reasons'. They last a few months, their bulletin boards or email newsletters extoll their climbing numbers of 'members' and pay-outs, then without warning their site goes off-line forever. And you never knew who they were that disappeared with your trust and your money or e-gold.

How do you forecast which currency is next in line to increase?

It is not so much that you want to know when any one currency is going up. You can make profits whether a currency is going up (buy), or down (sell). All Currencies are continually rising and falling relative to other currencies, and forex trading is in fact trading one currency relative to another. Good trading opportunities are always present when you know how to recognize them. Technical analysis using charting software, market sentiment, experience will show you which currencies to pair to trade. Forex Trading is a skill of identifying (and acting on) the probabilities.

How do you choose when to rollover or close positions?

Technical analysis using charting software that (when you learn how to identify what you are seeing) depicts resistance levels (how high it will likely rise to) or support levels (how low it will likely stop dropping at). This is helpful for determining whether to rollover the trade for a bigger forecasted profit the next day. However, a rollover does have additional clearinghouse fees attached. Quick in-and-out trades are closed intentionally with the goal of a smaller profit gain (such as a 4 pip profit).

For example, Beginners, who are learning to read their charts, can do very well closing positions at whatever point they have gained +4 pips profit. This represents a $40. profit (in this example we are trading 1 lot Euro/USD, so 1 pip equals $10.). A $40./4 pip gain is a relatively small move on the chart and may not seem impressive until you consider that If you do this successfully 4 times a day you have made $160. profit. With 4 such daily trades in a four day trading week you will have made $640. (consider also that this is even without the magic of compounding). We leave the monthly and yearly calculations to you.

What indicators do you utilize?
We have tried everything we could ever get our hands on. Over time we have selected the ones that are most consistent and well suited to our trading style. See our review of different indicator tools in Tools of the Trade. You will develop your own trading style (best times of day, favorite currency pairs, best instinctual moving-average chart pattern etc.). But experience with basic technical analysis using charting software is always the starting point. Then you add forex forecasting email subscriptions, Allan Greenspan's body language (no kidding) etc.

Are there any real time & reliable direct (commission free) market maker entry sites online?

Yes. It is not necessary to pay a clearinghouse (also known as a market maker, or forex brokerage house) an additional 'commission' for self-trading using their platform/services. They are usually compensated in the 'spread' between the buy price and sell price.

Tools of The Trade - Preparing to Trade

This is a collection of Forex "Tools of the Trade" -- products and services that we have found to be the best of all we have tried over many years, and additionally selected because the companies behind them have demonstrated reliable service, integrity and value. They are beginner-friendly, yet offering a growing trader lots of support. Look for the Forex-Trader discounts.

To trade Forex successfully you will need the basics:

1. A reliable, reasonably fast computer, preferably with high speed access to the internet (DSL or Cable Modem for example). An Internet dial-up account or the telephone becomes your back-up should your primary access fail.

2. Good foreign currencies "charting software" with a reliable, accurate data feed so that you can track currency movements in real time and perform the technical analysis necessary to trade effectively.

3. An on-line Forex trading account with a brokerage firm which provides a reliable Trading Platform, fair "spreads", quick execution of trades, good on-line reporting, and excellent customer service.

4. A subscription to at least one Forex Trading "Advisory Service" which provides market overviews at least daily. This gives you the context and overall directions of the market and will greatly assist in your own analysis and decision making.

Most importantly, you will need effective training and/or mentoring to master the techniques and discipline which 90 percent of beginning traders lack. This can be home study via cd's or on-line lessons, classes you travel to, or trainer/mentors who come to you.

MicronPC

There are many good choices for computer hardware. Over the last 6 years we have come to rely on consumer-poll-leader MicronPC to provide reliable hardware and great customer support. Their technical support is available 7 days a week and 24 hours per day and it is actually quick and friendly. We have made a special arrangement with MicronPC to provide substantial discounts to Forex-Trader referrals. Click the link below to see four configurations with detailed information and directions on how to order and receive a discount averaging hundreds of dollars off the price you would pay if you went directly to the Micron website and configured the same machine.

Telekinetics

Computer Trading Hardware For the Consummate Trader.


This is the Quintessence of Trading Computers.
TriKinetic is the only computer manufacturer dedicated exclusively to building trading computer solutions backed by lifetime technical support for the serious trader for whom downtime is not an option. With over 5 years experience and key relationships with the trading industry players, TriKinetic is a leader in complete 'Plug-n-Trade' (turnkey) trade stations.

E-Signal

This charting software by Townshend Analytics professional charting software, works with a variety of data sources such as Comstock by Standard and Poors, Infotek etc. We use Comstock data for its Realtick is available by the month, a nice startup cost feature for beginners.

FXCM - Forex Capital Markets LLC A few the many reasons that we have been with FXCM the longest (and happiest) of the many Trading Clearinghouses we've tried -- they are commission-free and offer individual client accounts which are viewable online, their trading platform has the most efficient execution, with trader-friendly spreads and policies for both beginners and advanced traders with either large or small accounts. With an eye to coming regulations they voluntarily registered with U.S. regulatory agencies to demonstrate client assurance of safety through compliance with Securities rules.

A Word of Experience:
FXCM Charting software is free with a demo or live account, although useful it is not as complete as professional charting software. Also, their 'Mini-Account' might seem like a good start for a cautious beginner, however we have experienced much safer and more profitable trading results by learning to trade on their free demo account then, when ready, going 'live' with a 'full-size' trading account.

Trading Advisors are the esteemed 'Forecasters' of the Forex Trading Industry, experts who predict upcoming market moves based on experience, technical analysis and a host of other indicators.

Forex Advisor - Live Trading Advisory

This advisory service is one we are enjoying more everyday, naturally first because of its value and consistently profitable returns month after month with truly excellent risk management protocols. But also because this system is the ultimate in 'live coached trading'. This advisory teaches you risk-safe, consistently successful, profitable trading strategies -- one live session at a time.

A professional trader does all the analysis and posts charts and how-tos online on a leading edge proprietary Live Trading Platform while calling real-time trades with specific entry, exits and stop loss points.

Max's Forex Trader Advisory

This twice-daily Trading Research email advisory service heralds the opening the European Trading Market and later in the day the opening of the Asian Trading Market with market analysis, related insights, movements to watch for, and trading suggestions. Written by Max, the esteemed forex trader from New Zealand, whose passion for, and intimate knowledge of the foreign currency exchange is a good marriage.

Nostradamus
An intriguing 'Wheel of Fortune' compass design displays and forecasts the trends, reversals, etc. of the forex market via sophisticated algorithms. It gives clear buy and sell signals, and continuously displays its trading profit history related to its predications. Subscribe to it monthly per currency pair, or subscribe to all currencies.

Forex Trading Software

By: Amber Lowery

If you are looking to get started trading the Forex, you will find that there are numerous software programs available (both web based and desktop based) for you to use in your trading. In fact, most brokers offer clients a software package for free or as part of their trading account. Usually the software that comes with your trading account is a very basic "bare bones" model. Sometimes, more features are available for a price. The software packages your broker provides can be an important consideration in choosing a broker. You may want to download and try some different packages using a demo account. This will give you a better idea of which software package you find most suitable to your unique style of trading.

Forex trading software comes in two basic flavors - desktop software, and web based software. Which one you choose to work with depends on your preference and other more technical factors. Obviously, the Forex market is very dynamic and you need to have the most reliable up to date connection to the data as possible. Your internet connection speed is a factor here, and if you can afford it, you really should be connecting via broadband.

Your internet connection speed is just one of the factors you should consider when selecting forex trading software. The biggest consideration should be one of security.

Generally speaking, web based forex software is more secure than a desktop based software package. Why is that? Well, with a desktop software, your information and data is stored on your hard drive thus making it vulnerable to numerous security issues. If your computer became infected by a virus, your personal data and the integrity of your trading system can become compromised. Likewise, in the event of hard drive failure, your important data can be lost. Then there is the threat of prying eyes accessing your trading systems.

Luckily, if you choose to go with a desktop based software for your forex trading, you can do some things to limit the risks. For starters, a dedicated computer just for trading the forex would be a wise investment. Due to the popularity of forex trading, there are computers made specifically with a forex traders needs in mind. Even if you cant afford a dedicated machine, you should still apply the following tips to your trading computer:

* Password protect your trading software and personal data
* Make regular backups of your trading data
* Use a anti virus program and keep it up to date
* Update your trading software regularly

If you choose to go with a web based trading software, allot of the security and maintenance issues are handled by the provider. Online based forex systems are hosted on secure servers, the same type of servers credit card processing is handled on. This gives you a great deal of protection, as your data is encrypted. Also, backups and mirrors of your account data are made by your software provider to protect you from data loss.

Aside from the security considerations, you may find that an online based trading software is simply more convenient. There is no software to download as the software runs in your regular web browser. This means that you always will have access to the latest versions and features. Also, if you travel you will certainly appreciate the ability to log in and trade from any computer with an internet connection.

As you can see, there are many options in forex trading software. You ultimately should choose to work with the so

Reality of Online Forex Trading

By: David Jones

Foreign exchange trading is the trading of currencies. Most currencies can be traded. Huge amounts of currencies are traded 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. On average $1.9 trillion is traded a day. The most traded are United States Dollar, Japanese Yen, Euro, Canadian Dollar, British Pound Sterling, Australian Dollar and Swiss Franc.

Many brokers will let you open an account with a starting balance of just $250. Though that may seem small, remember you will be trading on margin. Your $250 investment may let you control $25,000. As with all investments there are risks so make sure you take the time to study the markets and your exposure before making your first trades. I highly recommend that you do some paper trades first to make sure you have understood how the markets work. No risk training, just write down the trades you would have done for real and chart the prices. Buy and sell and see if you have the right strategy before making real trades.

A fast internet connection will allow you to do forex trading online. Your broker will give you many online tools to allow you to study the markets: Real time quotes, news feeds

Visit different broker's websites and compare the services they offer. Some brokers give you the possibility to open demo accounts. Do so, to test their software and find the one you like best.

Before you start trading make sure that you have learnt the terminology: Market Order, Limit Order, Stop Order. You may find the definitions of these terms and more information at http://www.forex.value-guides.com/calc-forex.html Calculating Forex Profits And Losses.

All currencies have standard identifying code used worldwide, some examples are: EUR (European euros), GBP (United Kingdom pounds), AUD (Australian dollars). Of course you don't have to know them all but it may be good to be able to recognize all the major currencies codes so that you will be able to make quick decisions.

To make sound evaluations, you need information. Follow carefully the world's current events, economic and political news. You will be surprised to see how, what may seem to you as insignificant will cause the currencies markets to fluctuate wildly.

Basic Investment Strategies

Are you ready to open your pathway to financial independence?
Well you should be, and the sooner the better, but, how do you get started investing?

There is so much to know about investing and the truth is it will take a lot of training and guidance in order to get the hang of it.

With our fast paced and ever changing economy, it can be hard to fit into the market with no experience. So the sooner you get started the sooner you will know what you are doing.

You can start anywhere, read books, websites, financial publications, magazines, attend courses, seminars etc. but no matter what you do, make sure you start as soon as possible.

This website have been designed to aid you in your quest for financial independence. Throughout these pages you will find hundreds of articles, tutorials & strategies that will help you learn about investing, and help you get things started down the right track.

Learn How To Invest & Create a Passive Income For Your Future!
If you’ve ever wondered how the rich get so obscenely rich, it’s not because it’s in their blood or because they attend the best schools. The reason is much simpler than that. You see, while you work hard for your money, rich people make their money work hard for them.

No one ever got rich from working for money. And yet, some people who seemingly do nothing more than work a regular nine-to-five job and earn a weekly paycheck, join the ranks of the super wealthy every single day. How do they do it? They’ve learned what the rich teach their kids ...

They have learned how to make money work for them, instead of them working for money. If no one has ever taught you how to do this, you can start right here. This site contains hundreds of articles related to every aspect of stock market and real estate investing.

Here’s a small sample of what you can learn ...

--How anyone can learn to invest in the stock market

--Understand the risks and possible rewards from investing in penny stocks

--How to plan your investments to support your retirement plans.

--Create multiple streams of income without working a second or a third job.

--How to become an apprentice to a real estate investor (triple your income while you learn).

--Discover the big winners of tomorrow before everyone else does.

--How to trade stocks online and avoid paying a high-priced broker.

--Why the right mutual fund can skyrocket your net worth and how to avoid the risks.

--Why municipal bonds are one of the safest investments on the planet and how to find the highest yields.

--How to develop a millionaire attitude that is critical to your financial success

--Are those stock investing newsletters and membership sites really worth anything

--Learn the truth about e-gold investing

--And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Start by exploring some of the great resources on this website. Each category runs several pages deep, so to get a feel what we offer, we suggest you browse the first page in each category before digging deeper.

And if you haven’t done so already, take advantage of our Beginner’s Guide to Investing E-Course. It’s absolutely free. Just type your name and email address in the box at the left, click “SUBMIT” and you’ll receive your first lesson in a flash. Don’t miss out on learning all the investment secrets of the rich.

Investment Techniques For Creating Passive Income
There are many wealth creation strategies and investment techniques available to those who are looking to create a passive income. These fall into three main categories. Running a business, investing in property and investing in the share market. Although there are many options in each of these areas, finding the right wealth creation strategy for you is not that hard.

The formula for Wealth Creation is relatively simple. In order to increase your wealth, you need to increase your wealth generating activities. Most of us start out trading our time, for money. We get paid an hourly rate for doing a certain job. The problem with this is that in order to increase your income, you usually need to increase the amount of hours you sell to your employer or clients. Which in turn reduces the amount of time you have to spend on yourself, your family and doing the things you enjoy.

In order to increase your quality of life, the only realistic strategy is to increase your income, and reduce the amount of hours you work. How do you do this you might ask? By using time tested wealth creation strategies and investment techniques to create and then increase your passive income.

Creating a Passive Income for Wealth Creation
Passive income is generated when you are making an income without having to work for it. For example if you own a business, that you have setup to run completely on its own, or if you own shares in a company that pays you annual dividends, or perhaps a piece of real estate that generates capital or rental returns.

All these investment techniques earn you passive income. because you are not limited by the amount of hours you can spend per day working on them. Instead of working for money, you now have money working for you. This is the true essence of any effective wealth creation strategy. Maximum return for minimum effort.

Before you go investing and time or money in any wealth creation strategy, it is best to fully research and understand each strategy before making a decision.

How to become a successful stock investor

by: Daniel Reed

The key to becoming a successful stock investor is to know the difference between a great investment and a bad investment. Many investors assume that great companies are great investments, but this is not always an accurate assessment. Sometimes, a wonderful business can make a lousy investment.

Most stock investors can be classified into two investment styles: value and growth. Value investors utilize an investment style that favors good companies at great prices over great companies at good prices. These investors use such valuation measures as price-to-book ratio, price-to-earnings ratio, and dividend yield to determine the attractiveness of an investment. Growth investors invest in companies that are growing their earnings and/or revenue faster than the industry or the overall stock market. These companies usually pay little or no dividends, instead preferring to use profits to finance future expansion and growth. Value investors prefer to own companies at good prices, and growth investors prefer to own great companies and price is a secondary issue.

Which style is better? It depends on the investor. Stock investors with a lower tolerance for risk should consider investing a larger portion of their portfolio in value stocks. Investors with a higher tolerance for risk should consider investing a larger portion of their portfolio in growth stocks. However, investors who want to avoid under performing the stock market as whole should always invest at least a small portion of their portfolio in both investment styles.

Over the long term, value has outperformed growth, but from time to time growth has outperformed during the short term.

Stock investors should be aware of the following:

1. The stock market rewards different styles at different times.

2. Value investors tend to be buy-and-hold investors, and growth investors tend to be more short-term oriented.

3. It is very difficult to determine which style will outperform in the short-term.

4. The variance between performance of value and growth styles can be very large during short time frames.

5. For some growth stocks, growth never does come. Eventually the share price falls.

6. Some value stocks are cheap for a reason - they are bad stocks and they deserve to be cheap.

Overall, the best investments are those companies that able to grow profits and add shareholder value. These companies have traditionally been value companies. Investors who prefer to select their own stocks should consider a value approach and complement these investments with a growth mutual fund. Remember that selecting the wrong growth company is not as forgiving as selecting a value company erroneously, as the market correction in growth stocks in early 2000 showed us.

Investing Tips For Beginners

by: Stephen Kreutzer

Investing can be confusing, especially for the beginner. Getting some basic tips can help a beginning investor to make informed choices that fit their needs. Each person has a different goal when investing and that plays a big impact on how you invest. The following list explains some things beginners should know before investing.

1. Understand that there are no set rules for investing. There are no guarantees and no perfect way to invest.

2. Make informed choices. Before investing in any way you should completely understand how your investment will work and all of the details of the transaction.

3. Make a simple plan to determine your goals and needs. This will help you to determine what investments to make and how much money to invest.

These three tips are great for general investing, but many people are looking to invest in the fast paced world of the stock market. The above tips are a good beginning, but the following tips will further help those interested in investing in stocks.

1. Look at the value of the stock instead of the price. Low cost stocks may be low for a reason. Look at the whole picture. See why the price is low and if there is a possibility it may rise.

2. Check the companies return on net worth. This is the profit after taxes divided by the net worth. It is important to see a trend of growing return on net worth.

3. Spread out your risk. You should not put all your money in high risk stocks. Try some lower risks and some higher risks. This is the best way to protect your money.

4. Understand the basics of stock prices. Prices move up or down depending on future projections.

These four tips can help a beginning investor start investing in the stock market.

No matter what type of investment you are looking into, knowledge will be the key to success. These short tip lists are just the beginning to understanding investing and how to maximize your return. Keep learning and trying.

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A Few Money Making Tips

Here's a short checklist of things you can do to increase readership, traffic, and overall visibilty on the internet. These things are all must haves if you expect to make money!

• Write well and write often
• Write what you know and what you like writing about
• Stay with your general topic, and be informative
• Answer comments kindly and promptly
• Never make lame excuses for not updating
• Keep your site neat and orderly
• Your site should be easy on the eyes and easy to read
• Toss out the trash regularly by deleting and blocking spam comments
• Use social bookmarking icon links for Reddit, deli.cio.us and Furl and many others
• Use Technorati tags on keywords in your posts
• Make sure your readers can reach you by email or web form
• Don't have more than 2 or 3 posts showing on the front (index) page
• Make sure your site loads quickly with no major errors
• Frequently check your site in all major browsers for appearance and readability
• Leave relevant comments with your return link at other sites
• Good content is most important
• Don't distract from content with excessive buttons and blinkie ads in sidebar
• Use relevant images in posts, don't over do it

Those are the most important ones I can think of at the moment but I'll probably add more in the future.

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Residual Millionaire

Five Simple Reasons Most People Will Never Get Rich… and How To Make Sure You Do!

Sample Article from inside the Mentors Club site

written By Mike Litman and Jason Oman

What did I learn about getting rich by interviewing over 43 self-made millionaires? After interviewing one after another, I realized many of the secrets that make them rich while others continue to struggle. When you understand and do what self-made millionaires do, you get to become one of them. If you don’t understand and do what they do, you don’t get to become one. It’s really that simple.

Here are five simple reasons most people will never get rich and how to make sure you do:

Reason 1: Waiting to Start

Most people don’t want to wait for success. But, at the same time, they are willing to wait before getting started on the road to success. Do you see the problem here? The longer you wait to get started, the longer it will be before you get the money, success, and lifestyle you want. Many people are waiting for everything to be perfect before they get going. Therefore, they never get going and never get the rewards. No race has ever been won (or even finished) by someone who never left the starting line. Don’t wait to get going. Start today on the road to success.

Reason 2: Being Financially Illiterate

The cornerstone of all wealth is understanding the difference between assets and liabilities. The difference is this: Assets put money IN your pocket. Liabilities take money out of your pocket. Most people think their home, car, and other possessions are assets. But, the truth is that in most cases those things take money out of your pocket. They cost you money. They don’t make you money. Therefore, by the true definition above, those things are liabilities. They take money out of your pocket each month. When you have more money coming in from real assets than you have going out to pay for liabilities, you will be financially free.
There is only one way to do this. Which brings us to…

Reason 3: Focusing on Linear Income Instead of Passive Income

One of the millionaires I interviewed said it simply. He said, “If you’re not making money while you sleep, you’ll never be rich.” Linear income is what you get from a job. You work for an hour and get paid only one time for that one hour’s work That’s it. Passive income is when you work once but continue to get paid over and over again from work you’re no longer doing. Investing in or creating true assets that provide passive income for you is your ticket to wealth.

Reason 4: Not Understanding or Using Systems for Making Money

A system for making money is anything that allows you to make money without your own effort. In other words, it’s an automated way to make money. All true assets are simply “systems” of one sort or another. Once you create or invest in a proven system for making money, there is no limit to the money you can make. Becoming a master of money systems can bring you riches beyond your dreams.

Reason 5: Not Being Persistent or Patient Enough

To finish any race, you have to leave the starting line and follow through to the finish line. Most people create their own failure by either not getting started or not following through, or both. To get rich, successful, and happy you must have the patience and persistence to cross the finish line. You must not only get started, but also follow through. This may sound obvious, but it’s still the cause of most failure.

Only by joining the small percentage of people who are willing to do the five things mentioned above will you have the greatest chances for wealth and success. It’s really quite simple… Decide to do these things and you can get rich too. If you don’t do them, then - like most people - you may never get rich. Decide now to master the ideas mentioned above and begin your road to success now. Then follow through and watch the difference it makes.

© Copyright 2003 Conversations with Millionaires LLC
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All rights reserved. Mike Litman is the host of The World’s #1 Personal Development Radio Show and co-author of the #1 Bestseller Conversations with Millionaires. You can visit him at www.mikelitman.com.

See the details of Mentors Club and why luminaries such as Mike Litman choose to be involved with this system for making money.

Mentors Club is New

Have you ever wanted to access a huge library of success. How about access to Mentors live on the phone? Mentors club is about success, making money, giving money to charities and raising money for great causes, churches etc.