Tag: Real Estate

How to Invest for Retirement

Investing for retirement is more complicated than opening an IRA or maxing out your 401(k). In fact, according to a 2010 survey by Charles Schwab of people 50 and older, nearly one in three say they find investing for retirement a bigger challenge than dealing with expenses or saving money. And no wonder: Pensions have mostly given way to so-called defined-contribution plans — think 401(k), 403 (b) and 457 plan — which have placed the burden of investing to provide for a steady income on your shoulders.

Park your money in the right accounts. The U.S. tax code offers several advantages for retirement investors. Many Investment companies offer free booklets on diversifying your retirement portfolio and making the right decision.

  • Go to the max. The government sets annual contribution limits on retirement accounts. Do your best to max them out: 401(k) accounts and other workplace retirement plans have a $16,500 annual contribution limit ($22,000 for those 50 or older). IRAs and Roth IRAs both have $5,000 limits ($6,000 for those 50 or older).
  • Save even more. Any extra savings for retirement should go into a taxable brokerage, certificate of deposit or bank account. A common goal is to save at least 20% of your income each year, more if you’re way behind.
  • Pay attention to “asset location.” For people who have both tax-favored retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, as well as brokerage accounts, it can be a challenge to figure out in which accounts to put which investments. Two recent studies conclude that you should put a higher percentage of stocks into your taxable accounts, while taxable bonds are better off in your tax-favored retirement accounts like your IRA.

 

Focus on asset allocation. One key study shows that 91% of a portfolio’s performance is determined by the allocation of assets, not individual investments or market timing.

  • Age rules. Some financial advisers recommend the stock market or equity exposure equal to about 120 minus your age. If you’re 55, at least 65% of your portfolio should be in stocks, regardless of which types of accounts you are using to invest for retirement.
  • Fixed income matters. The remainder of your portfolio should in so-called fixed-income investments like bonds, bond funds or CDs, which generate annual interest income.
  • Additional resources: Test whether your asset allocation is in line with your goals with this SmartMoney Asset Allocation System. Check out sample asset allocations here.

Pick the right investments. Misguided investment choices can cost you tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.

    • Fees add up. Investment fees come in many forms, including expense ratios on mutual funds, commissions for stock or ETF trades, and account fees from advisers. Fees should be no more than 1% of your total portfolio.

Diversify.
Diversification is Important
A basic diversified portfolio might include several investment categories such as stocks, bonds, Secured Cryptocurrency (Digital Money) and cash. ( Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.)
Find out more about transferring an existing IRA, SEP, 401(k), 403(b) or TSP plan into physical precious metals.

 

Why is gold so valuable? Is Your Money Safe in Bank Accounts?

Gold has the highest corrosion resistance of all the metals and it is corroded only by a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid. Gold does not oxidize.
Wall Street Journal lists gold as a commodity and considers gold as a currency, Gold continues to hold it’s value even in times of war or crisis. Investors turn to Gold as safe-haven in times of geopolitical crises. Historically, Gold outperformed cash sitting in banks.
Of all the precious metals, Gold is the most popular as an investment, Investors buy Gold as a way of diversifying risk, Gold has the most effective safe haven and hedging properties across many countries
Central banks are storing gold. China, Russia and numerous Asian and West Asian national banks have begun buying and storing gold.

For the stock portion of your portfolio, consider index funds and mutual funds and get exposure to domestic and international markets, as well as small, medium and large-cap stocks; for the fixed income portion of your portfolio consider bonds, bond funds, CDs or possibly real estate or commodities.

Ask for help. A financial adviser can help you pick low-cost investments to help you meet your retirement goals. Be mindful, however, of how that adviser gets paid.
Select a range of investments for optimal diversification. Find a financial advisor using NAPFA.org.

 

 

What not to do. Think rationally, not emotionally.

  • Don’t try to time the markets. A study by Morningstar found that people who try to time the markets end up with significantly lower returns than those who buy and hold.
    Don’t tinker too much. Don’t change your investments on a whim; instead, once a year, make review your portfolio, either on your own or with an adviser. Investors who rebalanced their $100,000 portfolios once a year ended up with roughly $31,000 more over a 20-year period than those who didn’t re-balance and nearly $20,000 more than those who rebalanced monthly.
  • Don’t assume you can make up for a lost time. Many people delay maxing out their retirement account contributions, assuming they can make up for lost time later on.

SmartMoney.com

 

 

New Zealand’s government to buy quake damaged houses

New Zealand’s government has offered to buy thousands of properties in areas in Christchurch, the country’s second largest city, because of the damage done by recent earthquakes. The government has set up a website, www.landcheck.org.nz, to help property owners work out which zone they are in.

Your Best Real Estate Investment is a Moat

Brazil’s new middle classes buy the same things we all buy when we have more money in our pockets. And that includes property…upgrading where we live to a better home in a nicer neighborhood, or buying a second home at the beach. Brazil’s middle classes are driving Brazil’s real estate market…

So invest in the right projects in the right markets in Brazil and you could be sitting pretty indeed. Here is one to consider:

In a sweet little beach town with miles of white-sand beaches – just 30 minutes from Brazil’s #1 domestic tourism destination – you can buy a beach lot in a residential community next to a new super-luxurious five-star resort. It’s expected that lot prices will double in the next three years. Listen in to the conference recordings and learn how you can get a big discount (and a low price not available anywhere else) and become an owner here. And the terms Ronan and Margaret have negotiated: No money down and interest-free payments for just two years…

There were other deals in Brazil. I sat through two workshops this afternoon given by Brazilian real estate experts. They both brought four extraordinary deals with top-dollar profit potential…

Invest in Abu Dhabi

Why you should Invest in the Industrial Sector?

Strategic geographic location.
Robust GDP growth.
State of the art infrastructure and a multi-modal transportation network.
Political stability.
Government commitment to large scale, structured investment programmes.
Double taxation agreements with several countries.
Preferential access to neighbouring and international markets through numerous trade agreements.
Safe and friendly environment.
Strong support by the Emirate for industrial projects.
GDP is projected to rise significantly over the coming few years driven by the oil and gas industry as well as the diversified manufacturing base.
Abundance of energy: Abu Dhabi owns vast hydrocarbon wealth accounting for 95% of the country’s oil reserves and 92% of its gas.
Focus on developing specialised economic zones in order to strengthen the national economy and to support it with additional income sources.

Dubai means Business

Dubai has a fair judicial system, a liberal economy, no income tax or corporate tax, no trade barriers, quotas or foreign exchange controls, 100% repatriation of capital and profits and strong investor incentives from the government of Dubai.

An emirate of more than 200 nationalities and cultures, living and learning from each other and creating natural vibrancy and globalization, Dubai is also strategically located between the great continents of Europe, Asia and Africa and attracts approximately 5 million investors and tourists on an annual basis.