Monday, 8 February 2016

The Most Hidden Financial Transactions From Partners

Bloomberg Business created a study and poll that surveyed the young and elderly about the personal finance product they have hidden from their partner.



About 13 million Americans were found to have hidden a bank or credit card account from their spouse or live-in partner. Younger people are likely to hide their personal finance secrets from their partners.

According to CreditCards.com's Senior Industry Analyst Matt Schulz, millenials are more comfortable talking about their finances given the proper environment and platform.

According to Schulz, the findings were shocking. With over millions of Americans hiding their personal finance accounts from spouses, it could do some "real damage in a relationship" in terms of trust and teamwork.

The survey ran from January 7-10, 2016.

Schulz added that budgets can only function between two people if both respect and follow the budget. If both parties do not know exactly what's coming in and going out, it can cause future troubles, according to Schulz.

To keep your finances and relationship in check, the following is advised:
  • Have a sit down with your partner and talk about your finances
  • Never be afraid not to share technical troubles you find with your finances.
  • Communicate often about your financial plans
  • Avoid complaining, provide a solution.

Tuesday, 8 December 2015

The Huge Role Of International Finance To The Climate Change Talks

The COP21 in Paris looks at finance as its leading obstacle that blocks all possible efforts for climate change. But finance experts such as University of Bath Chair in Environmental Economics Michael Finus beg to differ.



Finus said it is the world's dependence on fossil fuels must end and politicians must deliver their promise. Meanwhile, the financial solutions he proposed can be effective.

Trade Sanctions

Finus pointed out the Montreal Protocol saved the world's Ozone Layer by reducing and ultimately phasing out the use of CFC gases that caused huge holes in the ozone layer. The result had helped the ozone layer recover despite the replacement HFC still adds to the greenhouse effect.

Finus explained that Montreal worked because of the trade sanctions it imposed to countries that did not join the environmental treaty. But it also worked because America, one of the world's biggest economies, had initiated the treaty.

Correlating Border Tax/Foreign Aid With Emissions

The Paris climate agreement will have tariffs posted on all imports produced in countries with high greenhouse gas emissions. The tax adjustment based on emissions will help reduce the eco-dumping that negatively affects members of the agreement.

Technology sharing or direct payments would be the best choice to help development and reduce eco-dumping and ultimately emissions.

International Deposit System


Industrialised nations may find the fines for emissions minimal. Finus proposed that developed nations who violate agreements formed in Paris should have the interest rates of their deposit to a agreement members-made fund frozen until they have complied with the requirements.

Tuesday, 10 November 2015

Three Reasons I Tend To Keep My Money Next To Myself

Hey, I use ATMs. I deposit money in banks. I use traditional checking accounts. I also use Paypal and other online couriers to send and receive money. I'm not a person likely to have digital paranoia when it comes to digital finance, let alone digital currencies, right?

Truth be told. I am.



Hacking

The digital world is filled with hackers and anybody could be a hacker if they needed to be. People are looking over your money when you invest, deposit, send money or buy from online shops. Some exploit some errors to gain access to the system mainframe where they can easily exploit our credentials, just like what happened to JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Digital Errors

Those costly digital errors will make our lives worse with hackers. A simple error, such as the web page timed out when you just clicked 'buy' in online shops and used a courier to pay could cost you money that couldn't be returned because well, that's an error.

Peace of Mind


I keep my money just next to me. I buy some items that I think would increase in value over time. I don’t keep them next to me because you know, inflation. But it gives me peace of mind when I know my money is safe with me and not in some ATM or system where my money can lose value.

Sunday, 11 October 2015

The Third Fiscal Apocalypse Might Be Upon Us

Investors are spooked by China's extreme downturn in the market. The International Monetary Fund had announced a great series of prophecies regarding another possible downturn for the global economy that could drag us down back into the Third Great Recession.

According to Bank of England Chief Economist Andy Haldane, market troubles and Chinese economic concerns are just the next chapters in an on-going story regarding the Third Fiscal Apocalypse.

The Slowest Growth Since 2008


The IMF said global growth is at its slowest in 2015 with a possibility of 3 per cent growth reduction, which would be painful for many emerging markets with corporate outfits.



The US' increased interest rates, one of the many catalysts of the possible depression according to analysts, has "sucked out emerging economies" that returned money into the higher-ups of society. This has devalued the emerging market currencies.

However, because of huge foreign reserves initiated by the increased interest rates, the downturn's impact was diverted, said other analysts with a more positive approach.

The New Reality


Itau Chief Economist Ilan Goldfein from Brazil said to raise Brazil's financial status, which was pushed down the junk by Moody's, would mean to work with the budget deficit and "new realities".


He said Brazil would need to adapt to the new terms of trade that offers different commodities. The economic head is pertaining to the falling oil prices.

South America is hit by widespread devaluation after every nation's primary resource had a value downturn earlier this year.


Experts advise that emerging markets needed adaptability and government market stimulation to uphold and cushion the impact of impending trouble.

Sunday, 13 September 2015

Three Gift Ideas For Yom Kippur!

Almost every Briton has a Jewish friend. In a multi-cultural country, it can be easy to offend people of different beliefs without any intention. Let's avoid that. But let's also avoid giving something too expensive. Being mis-informed, even the brightest Briton may just get something expensive but useless or meaningless this upcoming Yom Kippur. These three gift ideas guarantee you give something meaningful even on a budget!


1. Shabbat Candle Holders


Jerusalem fitted Candlesticks or aluminium flower candle holders are beautiful to look at in any Jewish home. Jewish families value their candle holders as it is an integral part of any ceremony, including Yom Kippur. Giving these as gifts save you hundreds of pounds because £1 is the mall price per Shabbat candle holder. You could get a premium one for about £5 each.

2. Kosher Gift Basket


You could never go wrong giving food items to Jewish families during Yom Kippur and the Kosher Gift Basket is the best way to give a batch of crackers, teas, chocolates, cookies or anything else edible. If you're celebrating with a Jewish family pot-luck style, then the Kosher Gift Basket is all you will need!

3. Food and Wine



If all else fails, bring some food and wine. Personally-cooked food Jewish families appreciate completely. As it is made from love and passion, you give a part of yourself at a lower cost too!

Monday, 10 August 2015

Universities On The Prowl For London Teenagers Looking For Cheaper Living And Good Education

London's educational institutions have been quite expensive, to be honest, and it's just proper to see some alternatives from the far-offs to offer their own brand of education to youngsters in London. It is indeed cheap to live in the North and Midlands and universities from Leicester and Hull understand the value of this competition.



Leicester, according to this Independent article, had formed a "partnership agreement" with seven London schools that would allow one student per school a £1000 scholarship to take up their place in the university. Leicester had also targeted a range of secondary schools, academies and high-performing sixth-form colleges in the capital to provide some "taste test" education.

To further lubricate things for them, they're also teaching educational staff how to instruct students in filling up their university forms.

To be honest, Leicester is still in the neighbourhood of London. It's not that far off. And I've seen the school; it's just like London's universities, complete with an improved curriculum. What's more, the area is completely urbanised.


Well, Leicester, Hull and other schools outside of London gain their fair share of students from the capital on a yearly basis. It's just that most would want to stay in the capital for some reason and they do not realise they are missing out to live on somewhere that can help pay off their student loans in a shorter time. 

Wednesday, 8 July 2015

China Is The Root Of A Possible Great Depression

Despite the worries in the Eurozone and the Greek Debt Crisis, analysts said investors should be pointing their direction somewhere else, namely in Southeast Asia. China, one of the world's economic powerhouses, is facing a slowdown and a possible slump that could only parallel the 1929 Great Depression.



"China's Market Meltdown", as the media had coined it, is stretching on its third week. Shanghai share prices had lost a third of its value since mid-June. Chinese regulators warned that investors may panic and pointed out that the economic crash could spell doom for the world economy.

Stocks Have Been Failing Why?

Chinese stocks have been failing because of its consecutive propping up of bubbles. This is similar to the symptoms that brought down the US era of "the roaring 20s". With so much inflation coming from normal "small investors" or "chao gu" investors, the inflation cannot be helped.

But analysts said gravity has caught up with the overvalued stocks.

China Cannot Manage Its Assets Effectively

The Chinese stock market is supported by government support for share prices. The People's Bank of China has cut interest rates to a record low. With brokerages going about the thousands suspending their loans from being traded, the world continues to watch Chinese stocks continue to fall.

Chief Economist For Asia for Credit Suisse Dong Tao said Beijing fears the stock rout may undermine consumption and prevent losing consumer spending.

But investors are not confident in China's efforts to secure as the stocks continue to "flicker and fade."