Commodities You Could Invest in This Year

Oil is actually leading the commodities streak this year, but aside from oil, you have other commodities you could purchase in to ensure maximized profit this year. Here are a few things to consider when investing in commodities today.

1.    Aluminium

Forecasters expect increased infrastructure and construction stimulating contracts and policies from many developing countries in Southeast Asia including the gigantic China. This could move the prices for aluminium on the rise. Aluminium had the value of $2,087/ metric ton last year and forecasters project that by 2014, $2,300/metric ton would be its value.

2.    Copper

Again, because of infrastructure and stimulus from China, demands for copper could increase. However, the mineral could become rare and expensive as supplies are forecasted to slow down by the next five years. Copper had $2.61/pound last year and by 2014 it is projected to increase up to 3.05% from 2012 with a price of $3.72/pound

3.    Gold

Gold still has a high value especially today when the European Central Bank allows unlimited bond-purchasing this year. However, lower public demand could limit its growth by 2014. Gold had a value of $1,665/ounce in 2012 and is expected to increase by $1,800/ounce 2014.

4.    Sugar

Any investor looking for stable prices should invest in sugar. A huge supply of sugar coming from Brazil and India lowered the prices of the commodity will prevent major changes for the next two years. Sugar had $0.19/pound on 2012 and in 2014, it could increase to $0.20/pound.

Preparing For Your Child’s College Education

Parents could only save so much for their child’s elementary, middle and high school education, but college, with its whopping £75,000 price tag (just for public colleges), is something that will be difficult to save without proper financial planning. Here are a few ways you could save up for your child’s college education.

1.     Public Vs. Private

Many differences in the quality of education, courses, specialities and teaching mechanisms exist between both public and private colleges and universities. Public colleges might cost around £75,000 to £90,000 in total for four years; private colleges can cost around £145,000 to £160,000 for the same span of time. Choose carefully while considering the other items as well.

2.     Estimate the Total Costs

While you know the numbers for public colleges are five digits and private ones six digits, you should not let it scare you; it is possible that your child could gain scholarships for excelling in certain fields that make them a college or university’s asset. You could also get financial aid and student loans. You’ll need a separate financial plan for student loans (like we did with my son).

3.     Don’t Save, Invest

One thing most households today do is save money and leave it in a bank. That is not a viable option. The best way to finance four years of your child’s college education is through investing in financial instruments. Invest aggressively. Stock funds historically have exceeded other investments over long periods of 10 to 15 years. With enough money, you could cash in and have everything, including your debts, settled at once.

Where to Invest Money in 2013?

If you failed to meet your investment expectations in the first half of 2013, you might just get lucky in the second half. The economy literally fluctuated worldwide and many investors found themselves having great losses. However, don’t fret; here are a few more things that could get you the investment returns you need from your diversified portfolios.

1.     Technology

The mobile device and technology developers today have not stopped developing new ways to entice their customers to place high value on their products and services and more and more start-up software developers continue to join the scene. Sticking with strong competitors in this arena that had proven for years to grow increasingly is a good way to invest your money in the 2^nd half of 2013, especially with the 3^rd Quarter technology expos already nearing.

2.     New Ground

Southeast Asian countries report well on their finance and economy for the 2^nd quarter of 2013. With most Asian countries now increasing their credit ratings, more entrepreneurs continue to lay their businesses into these new grounds. Look for these companies trying to tread on new ground and stick with them because according to experts, it is greatly possible these businesses can grow enormously the following year.

3.     Bank Woes

Coming out of terrible financial scandals, heavy losses and backlogs, investing in banks is not an option this year. With many financial companies involved in insurance and investment frauds, you could only expect lacking confidences from investors. Growth can be minimal with banks or at best, greatly fluctuating.