Achieve Financial Freedom using The Power of Compound Interest

Copyright 2005 William Tan

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest" - Albert Einstein

Ask almost anyone about compound interest and you will hear them say "yeah, I know about it." If everyone truly understands what compound interest is, then we probably will not have so many people having credit card debts that is piled up to the ceiling. The sad truth is the financial sector is using this to their advantage against general public. They are making millions and millions from the people.

So what is compound interest? To explain in the simplest way - basically interest paid on interest and principal over a period of time. If you have $10,000 today, and you make 3% per year from you bank, you would have $10,300 by the end of the year. If you continue to leave your money there for the 2nd year, you will now have accumulated $10,609. 3rd year - $10,927. So on and so forth. By compound interest, you are actually making your money work harder for you. $10,000 compounded yearly at a 10% per year will double your money in 7 years. In 28 years, you would have about $160,000. $160,000 from a small amount of $10,000!

While all that sounds really nice and cool to be financially free when you retire - seriously, who would want to wait around to be that old to be finally financially rich? I certainly wouldn't be in that crowd. So how do we get this working for us?

Start by learning what the different designations mean. You may have noticed that there are three popular financial designations that most financial planners hold.

Notice, how credit card charges can work against you? Or how your bank is telling you that they calculate interest daily that is supposedly to your advantage? Start to have an idea. The large corporations are the one that are using this powerful tool to their advantage. And what do we get? Well, mutual funds and stocks, typically, only provide yearly dividends. Likewise, the banks on their fixed deposits - yearly - with pathetic interest rates that is normally lower than inflation rates. You get a raise only once or at the most twice a year. Almost anything, which is to our advantage, is compounded on a yearly basis. So how can we make use of this incredible force to help us in our goal to achieve financial freedom?

For compound interest to work for us, we have to see frequent compounding. The more frequent the better it is. Half yearly compound is definitely better than yearly. Quarter is better than half-yearly. Compounding by the seconds would be most ideal and compounding interest over a long period would really magnify its power. So, when you want to see the real power of compound interest and to start getting your hard earned money working for you, you need to choose an investment vehicle that can provide:

* Excellent returns (minumum 5%) * Frequent Compounding (at least monthly) * Low Risk with High Winning Percentage (90% or more) * Allows you to withdraw whenever you want (stop anytime - liquidity)

Start having your dollar work harder with compound interest and financial freedom is really not far away.

CASHFLOW AVENUE is established to provide Low-Risk Options Trading Recommendations to the common traders in their pursuit of financial freedom and a better lifestyle. http://www.cashflowavenue.com

Financial Planning: What's your Designation?

If you're shopping for financial planning services, it may seem like a jungle out there. There are advertisements everywhere, and everybody seems "nice," but nice won't cut it when it comes to your money. How can you cut to the chase and find a financial planning expert that you can trust.

Start by learning what the different designations mean. You may have noticed that there are three popular financial designations that most financial planners hold. You'll want to choose one with one of the following designations.

Like many CPA's, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) must attend about two years of training and pass a rigorous test. This designation is given by the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards, a national organization. After two years of preparatory courses, a Certified Financial Planner must earn a passing grade on a ten-hour test given over the course of two days. The Financial Planning Association can provide you with a listing of Certified Financial Planners.

You may have also encountered some Chartered Financial Consultants. These graduates of American College in Pennsylvania have completed a series of exams and obtained real life experience before earning their designation. However, the program is geared more toward the insurance profession than broad based financial planning. The Society of Financial Professionals can provide you with a listing of these consultants.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants offers its own designation, a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS). Certified Public Accountants can earn this additional designation by completing a series of comprehensive tests and demonstrate experience in financial planning. Most of these designates are members of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, and they can refer you to a PFS in your area.

All of the above certifying agencies require at least three years of experience prior to certification. Other designations do exist, but these three are the most reliable. Since many unscrupulous individuals decide to call themselves "financial planners," you'd be wise to look for one with a certification from a nationally recognized organization.

Since the Securities and Exchange Commission doesn't regulate smaller financial advisors (those with under $25 Million under advisement), it is up to you to screen your financial planner carefully.

You can begin by checking on the website of the National Association of Securities Dealers website. They list financial planners who have been disciplined on their website. Information is also available by telephone from this association's toll free number (800-289-9999). Also check with your state's securities division for disciplinary actions and complaints.

Ask your planner for a copy of Form ADV, Part II. If you aren't familiar with the form, they will be. This form is required by the Securities and Exchange Commission from every financial planner and should spell out how and what the planner will be paid and any incentives they may earn. Sometimes they will provide this information in brochure or pamphlet form, but you'll know up front what your fees will be.

Finally, check references. A reputable planner won't mind giving you a few references to call. Find out if they handle portfolios similar to yours and if the client is satisfied with their services. Ask about fees.

It's your future, so doing a little homework up front and making sure that you're getting what you pay for is well worth it in the long run. Make sure that your financial planner holds a nationally recognized designation and check him out before you hand over your hard earned money. Your time and effort is a wise investment when shopping for a financial planner.

Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.prime-financial.net a website specialized on Finance, resources and articles. This site provides updated information on Finance. For more info visit his site: Finance

Instant loans - When facing unexpected financial rip-off

Loan borrowing process is a consumer driven phenomenon. The progression of technology has resulted in every process becoming immediate, instant and that is what the consumers expect. For such an anxious world there are instant loans.

If you have emergency financial issues bothering you there is no better way to complement them except by Instant loans. Usually a person is broke toward the end of the month. If at that time some unexpected expenditure turns up, it becomes highly difficult to maintain financial balance. Otherwise also you can't put a hold on life. Something or the other might come up and it might cost more than you have in your pocket. A lending institution will forward you instant loans to take care of money requirement during such crisis.

On the net finding instant loans has become very easy and applying for it instantaneous. Instant loans are not only 'instant' in name they are actually very promptly approved. Instant loans are defined by their ability to be approved and cash being transferred within 24hrs. Instant loans are also approved without any credit check. That sounds promising. So, a person with bad credit will find a loan option for himself without being categorized as someone with bad credit.

There are certain requirements with instant loans that you need to fulfill. A regular income is mandatory. Without that it will be considerably difficult to find instant loans. Some income requirement will also have to be proved. You would have to provide confirmation that you are in the current job for specific length of time. A current valid bank account is requisite with instant loans. When you apply for instant loans, loan amount is directly credited into your bank account.

Instant loans are risky for the loan lender; therefore, they are associated with high interest rates. The interest rates with instant loans are lower than credit cards. Consequently, they can be used to make repayments on high interest rates credit cards. Instead of making late payments on credit cards and increasing APR, you use instant loans to pay credit card payments.

The repayment of instant loans is easy. The instant loan lender will directly withdraw money from your bank account. The due date is decided according to your convenience. Remember to direct the money in your bank account when you approach the repayment date. Instant loans are proffered with the added provision of roll over payment. You can extend your due date by talking to your instant loan lender. However, this will bear a price which is higher interest rates. An instant loan borrower should be careful before confirming due date.

Instant loans are short term loans. They are simply not cut out for long term purposes. Instant loans are meant for amounts ranging from £250-£1000. The loan amount can extend up to £1500 if your income can afford the repayment of that amount.

The catch with payday loans is that inability to repay in time can lead to repayments amounting to thousands of pounds. Fast cash, no credit checks, can at times lead you into something that is more of a financial anomaly than a financial respite. Select the instant loans lender after research and careful comparing of APRs. Find out the terms before you decide and know about late charge et al. Make a realistic budget including payments for instant loans. And for future always make room for saving. Instant loans are not a solution to continuous cash shortage. Take as much you can afford within your next paycheck along with monthly expenditure. In fact they can be highly dangerous and lead to a vicious instant loan cycle difficult to break.

To access loans in an instant is a tempting proposition. It is a good way to fill up financial gap. Use instant loans wisely to fund financial discrepancies and only if you have sufficient cash in your account on the due date. Pay back instant loans as instantaneously as you got them and you will see the monetary crisis melting away in an instant.

After having herself gone through the ordeal of loan borrowing, Natasha Anderson understands the need for good quality loan advice. Her articles endeavor to provide you the wise counsel in the most elementary way for the benefit of the readers. She hopes that this will help them to locate the loan that beseems their expectations. She works for the UK secured loan web site uk finance world.To find a Secured or unsecured loan that best suits your needs visit http://www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk

Natasha articles endeavor to provide you the wise counsel in the most elementary way for the benefit of the readers. She hopes that this will help them to locate the loan that beseems their expectations. She works for the UK secured loan web site uk finance world.To find a Secured or unsecured loan that best suits your needs visit http://www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk

The Latest Investment Stocks Online Articles

Low Risk Investing

Check the facts and you will see that land can offer you better growth in the right location with lower risk than almost any other investment. There are plenty of companies that will help you and the investment maybe small but the change to your finances could be big.

Forex Trading

Forex traders rely on several parameters to conduct their trade. The more successful or experienced traders follow their instincts based on years of experience of trading in the forex market.

Financial Aid - Recently with a surge in enticement for online education some universities imparting it have devised several ways to financially assist the aspirants.

More articles coming soon!

Investing Stock Online Resources

Yahoo Finance

Feedburner Investing News

Invest to Travel during Retirement

Invest in Books