What is the Simple Definition of Investing?
Posted on October 5, 2022 in Finance
Investing is a way to make your money grow. Simply put, you’re putting your money into something with the hope that it will generate more money for you in the long run. One might invest in a company for dividends or so that their product can be used by other people and bring in revenue.
Investing is about the future and hoping to generate profit by investing for the long term. Developing a plan on what to invest in, how much, when and so forth is called “Investment Strategy.” If a person takes this strategy seriously, they will see significant long-term benefits.
Process of Investing
1. Setting a goal- When determining whether or not the investment will work for you, set a goal. What level of income and lifestyle do you want to achieve? Do you want to retire early? Where do you see yourself in five years?
2. Researching- Determine which investment will get you where you want—Research the market, products, and competitors. Calculate how much capital you can afford to lose on each venture based on your risk-reward profile. Figure out how much time it would take for each one of your ventures to be profitable. You can also consider alternative investments as well for safety measures.
3. Calculate the risk- There are always risks involved in investing, but it is possible to mitigate them by researching and keeping up on this. For example, being aware of how volatile the stock market is during times of economic uncertainty will help you decide when to do your research and whether or not to invest. Another risk to consider will be what happens if the company goes bankrupt. However, other benefits might come from investing in stocks, such as dividends or ownership shares in various companies that produce products for others.
4. Execute the investment- Once you have researched and determined that you are comfortable with your decision, it is time to execute the acquisition. This means buying the stock, putting in your money, and promoting the company’s products or services, thereby earning a profit.
5. Evaluate and reevaluate- It is a good idea to stay on top of this process for a while to see how your investment does. At times, stocks might not do well, so it is essential to evaluate and see if you can figure out a way to fix things before losing all of your money.
6. Implement the investment- Due to the market’s nature and competition, people will often lose money on their investments. It is a good idea to implement a plan for what you can do when this happens to keep money flowing in. As time goes on, you will learn more about investing and more about yourself as well.
Benefits of Investing
1. Guaranteed Income- Investing can be a great way to have guaranteed income coming into your life every month so that you know precisely what you will get at the end of each month. If you have a plan that rewards you with a certain amount each month, you will know exactly how much money is coming into your life each year.
2. Security- The stock market can be very volatile at times, but this means it can also benefit most people if they invest their money wisely. This means that if you invest your money correctly and take advantage of market fluctuations, you can earn more in the long term and sleep better at night, knowing that your financial situation is secure while also having the energy to pursue other interests in life.
3. Funding Retirement- This can be a great way to fund a retirement plan; you will have financial freedom in the future. Some people use this as a second income for when they retire since it can be challenging to get by on just a social security check.
4. Changing Lives – Investing is not something many people think about when thinking about changing lives. Still, it is possible to do so by investing in a company that makes products and has goals that will help other people out of poverty or live better lives.
5. Fund Education– Investing in education can help people out of poverty or allow them to achieve better jobs and higher salaries. This means that people will be able to fund their instructions and get the degrees they need to help them out.
6. Start a Business– If you want to start a business, then investing might be a great way to get your company off the ground so you can live your dreams. By investing money in starting a business, you can make it easier to market your product or service and get noticed by more people within the industry.
The Risks of Investing
1. Market Risk- The market is constantly changing, which means that sometimes investments might not go as planned or desired. This also means that it is essential to evaluate the risk that you are taking on.
2. Company Risk- This means that there is not always a guarantee of how well a company will do, but there are ways to minimize this risk by picking the right companies to invest in. For example, if you choose a particular company and it goes bankrupt, it can happen, and investments are not always guaranteed anyway, so this is important to remember.
3. Management Risk- If the management team does not stick to the plan or due diligence is not done on all of the products, there can be significant problems with the company and its customers. If you are unsure about investing, it is a good idea to stick with companies that you have researched extensively and not invest in companies that are determined to be “too good to be true.”
What is Dividend Policy and Its Importance?
Posted on October 5, 2022 in Finance
Dividend policy is a strategy used by stock market investors, typically in large and sustainable publicly-traded companies. This strategy is all about which company earnings are distributed to the investor, either in the form of cash or stock. It is essential because a dividend policy can change with each company and can determine whether people are making a profit or not.
1. Benefits For Investors
There are several benefits for investors who receive dividends. It is one of the most common ways for cash to be distributed to investors, and it is a symbol that the company has made enough money to distribute some of it back to the shareholders. These stocks are typically considered investments, and investors can expect their wealth to continue growing as long as these companies keep paying out dividends.
2. Benefits For Companies
Companies also benefit when they pay out dividends. Doing so creates a lot of goodwill in the market and increases the value of the stock itself. By doing this, stocks may be worth more than they would be otherwise. Additionally, companies can raise their prices to the public because if the company does well, people are more likely to spend money and buy their products.
3. Structure Of Dividend Policy
The dividend policy is simple, and how it is structured varies from company to company. It concerns the company’s management and how much money they think they can afford to pay out in dividends. Some companies would prefer to pay out as little as possible, while others may want to pay out very high dividends, which allows them to fund future projects or use the extra money for other investments. Ultimately, it is one of the most important factors when choosing a stock and helping determine reliability and growth potential.
4. Dividend Policy Encourages Management Discipline
Dividend policy encourages management discipline because they must retain maximum cash to continue paying dividends. Management can get involved in various ways, including selling stock when their stocks are in high demand or looking to buy back stock for lower prices. It is crucial for companies to do well and not just focus on dividends, but this policy is meant to help encourage the company to do better overall.
5. Dividend Policy is Bought and Sold
The dividend policy is bought and sold like any other stock and affects its price. People are more likely to purchase shares when the store gets high prices. It increases their stocks’ value and incentivizes them to pay out as much money as possible. Some companies will even use this method to get rid of low-priced stocks that can raise their price, making it difficult for newer competitors to get into the market.
6. Dividend Policy and Growth
When a company has a firm dividend policy, it is essential to know that it will grow as long as the stock is valuable on the market. When the trades are strong in column A, they will likely perform well and continue paying dividends. In turn, investors want to buy more stocks because they believe they can profit from them. It only adds value to the store, which causes competitors to notice that these stocks are doing exceptionally well. It can lead them to try their dividend policies, which may or may not work for them. It ultimately ends up being beneficial for everyone involved who does well with this strategy.
7. Dividend Policy Influences Stock Price And Value
A dividend policy can affect a stock’s value. The higher the stock’s worth, the more dividends it will be able to pay out to investors, increasing its prices on the market. As a result, investors will be incentivized to buy that stock because they need to take advantage of this opportunity. It, in turn, can lead to other stores becoming less attractive because their prices are too high, and they cannot pay dividends like their competitor, which is still undervalued on the market. It can make it difficult for new competition or merger candidates to enter the market because they are likely competing with strong dividend policies by other companies on the market.
8. Dividend Policy and Offshore Stock Markets
Offshore stock markets are an excellent way to buy dividend-paying stocks. These markets typically add value to the stocks they are trading in, which can cause them to increase in value even more than they would if they were still listed on a public exchange. They also tend to have a history of good dividend policies, which makes it easy for people outside of the United States to buy these companies and make money from them.
9. Dividend Policy and Stock Indexes
A company’s dividend policy can be used to determine how it is reflected in its stock index. A stock index is essentially a type of measurement that shows how much money is being made by companies in a particular industry. It typically measures the performance or value of an entire industry, which can help people see where the strengths and weaknesses are within the industry at large. Companies with comprehensive dividend policies will typically have high stocks in their stock indexes, meaning that these stocks are doing well within the market overall compared to other companies.
Why is Investing So Important?
Posted on October 5, 2022 in Finance
For most people investing is a secret process, but one that they hear about all the time. In reality, it is not that hard to figure out, and there are a number of different ways that one can take advantage of it, be they business owners, capitalists looking to become angel investors, or even private individuals just looking to make a little extra money. Investing is the lifeblood of any company looking to expand; once you understand that, it is simple to understand how investing works and how to take the best possible advantage of it.
Basics of Investing
For those interested in investing, or at least curious about the process, you need to realize that the process is not that mysterious; it is just a way to raise funds for a business. At its most basic, investing represents someone taking an interest in a business, or group of businesses, and putting their wallet where their mouth is. This is more than opportunity, the more that they invest in the business, the more of a voice that they have in the business. For business owners, it represents additional capital to catch up on bills and possibly expand their businesses.
When a business owner first decides that they will be allowing investing in their company, they need to decide how much of the company ownership that investors will have access to as well as who will have the company’s share of the stock; once that is decided the company can then seek investors. It is not uncommon for the company to create a rotating authority in who controls the company’s stock, such as the chief executive owner or the actual owner of the business; this allows whoever is in control of the company to control its stock.
If the amount of stock controlled by the investors exceeds the amount controlled by the company then the investors can make the important decisions of the company; while the CEO and original owner may have a voice, they must answer to the investors. This can make for some interesting fights, especially if one of the investors has enough stock, either directly or through access to votes from others, to effectively run the company. While most companies try to avoid the investors having control, economic downturns or forced expansion can dictate otherwise.
What Does The Company Get
With that in mind, investing represents more than just control over the company. What makes investing so important is that it gives a company several opportunities. While there are other considerations, those are the most usual reasons to seek investors. By taking advantage of its investors, a business is better able to do business.
The company has money to catch up on any unpaid bills
Most businesses are run hand to mouth; they run with pretty small profit margins. This means that they often fall behind on their bills, be it utilities, rent, or paying their vendors. With a little capital from investors, they can pay off outstanding bills.
The company can expand, either offering new products or building new production centers
A lot of businesses would like to expand, but lack the capital to do so. In some cases, expanding is a matter of life or death for the business; they are locked in a death battle with another business and need to expand to at least keep up with their competition.
The company can research new products
A company needs to come up with new products to survive; few companies can provide the same products and remain viable. An investor that provides money, as well as technical knowledge, can help the company remain on the cutting edge.
The company can pay for marketing campaigns and other issues not directly tied to producing its products
Some companies can only pay for their bills and so are unable to pay for any real marketing campaign that would get the company ahead. With a little extra capital, they can create and administer a proper marketing campaign that helps them expand and advance.
Investors Make Business Run
In short, investing is important because it allows a business to do things that its normal profit would not allow it to do. It is best to look at investing as a way to provide a loan to the business; this is why they are given a dividend based on the value of their investment. While some companies pay off their investors over time, most decide to keep their investors and actually seek more investors.
Investing helps to keep capitalism going. We all need some help from time to time, and companies are no different in that regard. By using the money from investors to catch up and get ahead, investing allows businesses to do quite a bit that they would otherwise be unable to, making investors indispensable.
What Debt Cannot Be Removed by Declaring Bankruptcy?
Posted on October 5, 2022 in Finance
If you own a home, are in the military, or have children under eighteen who depend on your income, declaring bankruptcy may not be an option for you. In these cases, you must review your debt relief options and determine which may be best. Numerous different types of debt relief are available, and choosing one can help reduce the financial consequences of not being able to pay bills and other debts. Non-dischargeable debts will not be eligible for bankruptcy protection. Here are debts that can’t be removed through bankruptcy.
1. Alimony
Alimony is a type of court-ordered spousal support. It is usually ordered to be paid by one ex-spouse to another during or after a divorce. Alimony is not dischargeable under Chapter 13. No matter how long the marriage lasted or what arguments led to divorce, the spouse receiving the payment must continue to pay it into retirement accounts until death. Alimony may be either periodic or lump sum, but it must be used for the benefit of the same person who was being supported before filing bankruptcy. Alimony payments are enforceable through wage garnishment, property liens, or seizure of assets.
2. Student Loans
The government or private institutions issue student loans to help pay tuition, books, and living costs while attending school. The federal government will not discharge student loans under Chapter 7 liquidation or Chapter 13 reorganization. However, if you can prove that payment of your student loan will impose an undue hardship on your dependents, you may be eligible for a discharge in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The determination of whether the debt will be eligible for a release is made after all other obligations have been paid under a repayment plan to keep property from being liquidated and sold to repay creditors.
3. Domestic Support Obligations
If you have made a court-ordered payment to another person for basic living expenses, such as food, housing, and medical care, it cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. If you do not make the payments regularly, the other party may petition the court to have arrears added to your debt. Child support and alimony payments are considered domestic support obligations by bankruptcy laws. They cannot be discharged even if you use these payments as part of a repayment plan in bankruptcy court.
4. Child Support
Child support obligations are enforced through wage garnishment, liens on property, or seizure of income tax refunds. Unpaid child support may be pursued through the state you lived in when the order was issued. If you do not live there anymore, the state will seek any funds crossing its borders. Child support orders are issued by a court and can’t be discharged in bankruptcy. Child Support Enforcement Agencies and Family Courts have sole jurisdiction to modify a child support order. However, this seems unlikely because of the high cost of raising children until they turn eighteen years old and graduate from high school.
5. Federal Debts
Most federal debts cannot be discharged in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Some exceptions are student loans, unpaid taxes, fines, and other debts owed to the federal government that qualifies as priority obligations under federal law. You may be able to discharge any portion of a defaulted student loan balance if you can prove there is an undue hardship for you or your dependents. If taxes are your only non-priority unsecured debt, you can discharge up to $2,386 in tax liability through bankruptcy. Other taxes will not be eligible for this limitation on liability.
6. State Tax Liabilities
Any tax liability owed to the state of your residence is not dischargeable to any other debts in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you owe state taxes, you can use a Chapter 13 bankruptcy to pay off non-priority unsecured debts over time. In most cases, it is better to negotiate a repayment plan with the taxing authority than file for bankruptcy because state taxes are frequently non-dischargeable in Chapter 7 liquidation. Non-dischargeable taxes are uncommon if they were assessed within three years of filing for bankruptcy protection.
7. Income Tax Debt
If your income tax debt is past the IRS statute of limitations, it can be discharged through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you have a balance remaining, you can use a repayment plan to pay back a portion each month to the petitioning creditor. The repayment period must extend beyond the time for which the creditors would have been able to collect if you had filed for bankruptcy. You may also be able to discharge unpaid taxes if you cannot pay them because of undue hardship on your dependents or yourself.
8. Criminal Fines and Penalties
Criminal Fines can’t be discharged in bankruptcy due to a conviction. These fines differ from restitution, which could be ordered by a court when you are convicted of a crime. Reimbursement is paid to the party or parties harmed by your actions or their survivors. Bankruptcy might allow you to discharge restitution if it was imposed on Chapter 7, 11, or 12 debtors during the last 240 days of your Chapter 13 bankruptcy. It does not affect the amount available for repayment of your unsecured debts.
The types of debts that can’t be discharged in bankruptcy are situations where a debt collector could not go after the debtor or when a court-ordered payment to a party. Both cases involve legal obligations that supersede customary bankruptcy laws.
Posted on September 9, 2022 in Investments
Hi! In this welcome post by the team at AFLNET, we want to tell you that in this incarnation of our blog, we have YOUR interests at heart. I’m not talking only about “interest” as in “interest rates” (since that seems to be in financial news media at the time of this writing), but also your human interests.
Primarily, we are interested in your well-being. Now, if that turns out to be a post addressing budgets or investments, so be it. But what about saving money or helping you figure out something else that may be going on in your life or home? No problem. Just either read the post, or skip over it, according to your interest.
That pretty much sums up the direction we’re going to be taking at this point! I know it seems a little vague, but when you’re looking at a blank slate, it’s not always to peer into the future to tell exactly what is going to show up here! We just hope you enjoy it.