How To Save Money on Your Utility Bills Amidst Rising Energy Costs

Money

Utility bills can be expensive. The average gas and electric bill in the UK in 2021 was £111.6 per month (or £1,339 per year), according to the Office for National Statistics.

The energy price cap has risen, and it means a significant jump in household bills for millions around the UK.

The increase is expected to add an extra £700 to the average household’s annual gas and electricity bills.

First and foremost, you should be sure to check whether you’re eligible for grants to help pay such bills. There are certain criteria for these grants, which include;

  • If you have reached state pension age;
  • If you have a disability;
  • If you have no or low income;
  • Or, in some cases, if you have missed payments to your energy supplier.

Check if you could be using less electricity and gas around the house

There are some extremely easy ways to reduce how much electricity and gas you use which will, in turn, lower your utilities bill.

  1. Use your tumble dryer less, if you have one – try to dry your clothes outside or by an open window instead.
  2. Run your washing machine at 30 degrees instead of at 60 degrees, and make sure you wash a full load when you can rather than doing multiple smaller loads.
  3. Use LED or other energy-efficient light bulbs.
  4. Turn off any plug sockets at the wall if you’re not using them.
  5. Make sure your fridge is set between 3 and 5 degrees and regularly defrost your freezer.

Should you be shopping around for a different energy provider right now?

Due to extremely high energy costs of late, energy regulator Ofgem announced that the price cap on costs would be rising by a whopping 54%, as of April 1st.

Saving money is vital and many will be wondering if they should be switching energy suppliers to try and avoid the huge uplift in some way, even if the government has announced plans to help with the costs.

As a result, switching energy suppliers in the pursuit of cheaper rates is unfortunately not really an option for most people in the UK at the moment.

Why are energy prices going up in the UK?

The energy price cap is the maximum amount a utility company can charge an average customer in the UK per year for the amount of electricity and gas they use.

The price cap has risen from £1,277 to £1,971 per year, an increase of £693 or 54%. This represents a far sharper hike than the previous increase of 12%, announced by Ofcom in October 2021.

Why is the energy price cap rising?

A combination of global factors led to the rise of wholesale gas prices.

The decision to raise the price cap was largely attributed to the surge in natural gas prices, which climbed to around four times its previous cost ahead of the Ofcom announcement.

Increased demand for gas from China and Asia and a cold winter in Europe in 2020-2021 – which meant stored gas supplies were used – pushed prices up.

Supply-chain issues have also created problems, limiting the amount of gas available to Britons in the last year.

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Earnity’s Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa on Crypto’s Rising Popularity

Money

As a company led by fintech veterans Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa, Earnity believes that crypto and decentralized finance will play an enormous role in making access possible for all. While crypto has gone from super niche to mainstream fringe in a little more than a decade, there is still a lot of work to be done to make crypto simple, safe, and enjoyable to use.

Cryptocurrencies have been around for quite some time now, but they have only recently become popular. Bitcoin is the most popular among the cryptocurrency ranks, but many others are gaining traction. Below are some of the most popular cryptocurrencies.

The Rise of Crypto

Bitcoin is the original cryptocurrency and is still the most popular. This crypto was created in 2009 and is used for all sorts of online transactions.

Ethereum is a newer cryptocurrency created in 2015. It is like Bitcoin but still has marked differences. Ethereum is used to build decentralized applications, which run on a network of computers instead of one central server.

Litecoin is another popular cryptocurrency created in 2011. It has similarities with Bitcoin but differs in several ways. Litecoin, for example, is used for smaller transactions because it has  lower transaction costs than Bitcoin.

Bitcoin Cash is among the newer cryptocurrencies. Created in 2017, Bitcoin Cash is a fork of Bitcoin and is used for larger transactions.

Ripple is another cryptocurrency gaining popularity recently. Created in 2012, Ripple is used for small and large transactions. It is faster and cheaper than Bitcoin.

As Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa point out, there are many other cryptocurrencies whose popularity has risen impressively over the past few years. And with the crypto market expected to grow even further in the future, it is vital to stay up-to-date on all the latest developments, which platforms such as Earnity are designed for.

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How To Invest In Cryptocurrency – Kavan Choksi

Money

Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography to secure its transactions and control new units. Cryptocurrency is a decentralized currency, meaning that it is not subject to government or financial institution control Kavan Choksi.

What is Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography to secure its transactions and control new units. Cryptocurrency is a decentralized currency, meaning that it is not subject to government or financial institution control.

What is the history of Cryptocurrency?

The first Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was created in 2009 by a pseudonymous person or group of people known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Litecoin followed Bitcoin in 2011, Namecoin in 2011, Peercoin in 2012, and Primecoin in 2013. Cryptocurrencies are often traded on decentralized exchanges and can also be used to purchase goods and services. There are a few ways to invest in Cryptocurrency. You can buy cryptocurrencies on decentralized exchanges, you can purchase goods and services with cryptocurrencies, or you can mine cryptocurrencies.

How Does Cryptocurrency Work?

Cryptocurrency transactions are secured by cryptography. Cryptocurrency units are created by a process called mining. Miners are rewarded with cryptocurrency units for verifying and committing transactions to the blockchain.

What are the Advantages of Cryptocurrency?

The advantages of Cryptocurrency include:

– Decentralization: Cryptocurrency is not subject to government or financial institution control.

– Security: Cryptocurrency transactions are secured by cryptography.

– Anonymity: Cryptocurrency units are created by a process called mining. Miners are rewarded with cryptocurrency units for verifying and committing transactions to the blockchain. This process is anonymous, meaning that the names of the miners are not revealed.

– Fractional Reserve Banking: Cryptocurrency does not rely on fractional reserve banking.

– Low Fees: Cryptocurrency transactions are typically much cheaper than traditional currency transactions.

What are the risks of investing in Cryptocurrency?

The risks of investing in Cryptocurrency include:

– Volatility: The value of Cryptocurrency can be extremely volatile.

– Lack of Regulation: Cryptocurrency is not currently regulated by any government or financial institution. This could lead to fraud and scamming.

– Lack of Liquidity: The liquidity of Cryptocurrency is relatively low compared to traditional currency. This could lead to difficulty in exchanging Cryptocurrency for traditional currency.

– Fraud: There have been a number of cases of fraud involving cryptocurrencies.

How to Invest in Cryptocurrency?

There are a few different ways that you can invest in Cryptocurrency:

– Buy Cryptocurrency: You can buy Cryptocurrency directly from exchanges or through a broker.

Use a Cryptocurrency Wallet: A cryptocurrency wallet is a software program that stores your cryptocurrency units’ public and private keys.

– Mine Cryptocurrency: Miners are people who use a computer to generate Cryptocurrency

– Invest in a Cryptocurrency Fund: You can also invest in a cryptocurrency fund, which will pool your money with other investors and invest in various cryptocurrencies.

What are the most popular Cryptocurrencies?

The most popular cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash.

Conclusion

Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography to secure its transactions and control new units. Cryptocurrency is a decentralized currency, meaning that it is not subject to government or financial institution control. As a result, it is a new investment opportunity with some risks and can be a highly lucrative investment.

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Five Ways to Fund Your Business

Money

One of the main concerns of running a business is how to keep it funded for the initial period of growth. You have a vision for your business, but you also understand that it might take a while to make the kind of money necessary for optimal growth. Still, you need to get to the point where you are growing and making money. This is why it is so important to invest money in your business. When you don’t have any more money to invest, or simply don’t want to put any more of your own money into the venture, here are five ways to come up with some extra cash to fund your business and help it grow.

Lower Overhead

Before anything, you should do your best to lower your overhead. Your overhead is the amount of money you have to pay to keep the lights on, which includes rent, salaries, and other expenses. You should also begin by decreasing the amount of money you have to pay to stay in operation. Once you have taken a deep look into where this money is going, you will have a better idea of how you should move forward.

Understand the Difference between Turnover & Revenue

Another thing you should do is understand the difference between turnover and revenue. As your company grows, you will go through your assets at a particular pace. Turnover is how efficient your enterprise is at managing the resources and cycle of business. Revenue is how much money you are making selling products or services. When you put in the work to understand the impact understanding the difference has on your business, you will be able to more faithfully put your own money into the company.

Localized Loans

When you run a business and want to put more money into it, you should look into local lenders who understand the regional economy and standard of living. Whether you’re looking for Missouri installment loans or Texas installment loans, each place has its own local economy. A personal loan from a local lender may be just what you need to invest more in your business. Depending on the availability of local lenders, business loans are another option.

Business Loans

Beyond local personal loans, business loans are another option for finding the appropriate funding for your business. Lenders are more enthusiastic about allowing you to borrow money when they believe in your business. If you work with a lender who thinks your business will be a success, they will have peace of mind in letting you borrow money. Whether you’re opening a restaurant or are starting a tech start-up, the most important thing when it comes to business loans is that you work with a lender who believes in your mission.

Find Investors

Similarly to working with business lenders, another way to get the funding you need is to find investors who believe in what you are doing. The only way an investor will get on board is if they believe in you, the product, the service, or brand. You should also understand the different types of investors by company stage. Still, if you’re lucky enough to find someone who has money to offer and believes that your venture will be a success as long as you have enough money to grow the company, you will be in good shape.

Business is dynamic. A good idea is a good idea, but there’s not always the money behind good ideas. If it is too much of a risk, no one will want to gamble on it. It is, however, necessary to have funds to expand a business and help it thrive. While you could lower your overhead and understand the difference between turnover and revenue, you still may need funds from a loan or investors.

Whether you are taking out a personal loan for business or are doing your best to find passionate investors who believe in what you are doing, the struggle to fund your business is real. When you believe in your idea, it’s difficult to give up on it just because you don’t have enough to get started. Utilize these methods and think outside the box to make sure your business gets enough funding to thrive.

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How To Find a Legitimate Lender Online

Money

There are a number of lenders out there who claim to offer a safe and reliable lending service, but are these always accurate?

When looking to borrow any type of loan from a lender, it’s important to ensure that they are a trustworthy provider to borrow with and to entrust your personal details with.

Otherwise, handing such sensitive information over to an untrustworthy service can come with some significant, perhaps damaging consequences – or you can find that you are overcharged or there are upfront fees taken from your account.

Thankfully, there are a few tell-tale signs you can look out for to differentiate between the lenders to trust and the lenders to avoid. In this article, we explore some top tips on how to borrow money safely.

1) Check The Lender is FCA and SEC Authorised 

The Financial Conduct Authority (or FCA for short) is the UK’s financial watchdog and SEC is for the United States, which both sets and enforces the regulations for loans and rules that consumer credit firms must operate within.

If you’re unsure whether the lender you’re looking at has been authorised by the FCA, you can check this via the FCA’s Financial Services Register. Users can search this list by using the postcode of the firm, their name and reference number.

The Financial Services Register can help users find out if the lender they’re looking at is authorised to offer the services it’s currently offering, the exact types of activities they are authorised to carry out, as well as details of the firm including the main business, contact details and trading names.

2) Check the Website for Signs of Legitimacy

There are also a few features of a lender’s website that can help to suggest they are a legitimate business.

One sign to look out for is if they have their full contact details clearly displayed on the website, making it easy to reach them for any queries or concerns you may have. Be sure to check the terms and conditions too for details including company name, address and how they use your information.

Another sign is to check whether the website has HTTPS. Check to see whether there’s a padlock symbol by the URL. If it’s there, the website is secure. If there isn’t a padlock you shouldn’t use the website.

3) Check Reviews and Social Media

Another great way to check the trustworthiness of a lender is to explore their reviews – e.g., through Trustpilot and other reputable review sites. These reviews can give you a realistic insight into the experience customers have had with the business, which can help you to assess whether their services are safe for you to use.

But you must be critical when looking at the reviews, since having only good reviews might seem unnatural and perhaps they are not real, so you want to have a fair balance to get a good idea.

Similarly, you should check social media for activity and engagement, since a legitimate company will be posting on facebook and twitter regularly and also getting feedback from customers – and this is a telling sign of a real company.

4) Check the Language and Any USPs

The common language used by rogue companies includes ‘guaranteed’ or ‘100% approved’ – meanwhile we know that all customers should undergo checks to ensure that they can afford repayment without causing financial difficulty, especially if they have bad credit.

One should also be conscious of any USPs or terms that require you to make a payment before receiving a loan – since you should never have to put down money upfront. This is a common sign of an illegitimate lender.

Finally, good lenders are transparent, clearly stating their fees and how much a loan should cost – and this is always a good indication of someone good to work with.

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Should you borrow money from family and friends? 

Money

 

Borrowing money from family and friends is one of the oldest and most popular ways of getting access to finance. On a daily basis, it might start with borrowing $10 here and there for drinks or tickets to a show, but on a larger scale, it is one of the main sources for funding big purchases, especially from parents to children, who may be helping to buy a new car, a new property or for starting a business.

But it is also widely known that money amongst friends should not mix – and if not handled well, it can lead to conflicts, falling outs and even legal action.

With this in mind, we give you some of the key things to consider when borrowing money from family and friends.

When is borrowing money from people you know a good thing

Borrowing money from family and friends certainly has its place. In times of need such as funeral costs or household repairs, the trust and bond that you have between close family and friends can help you get through a difficult time.

For these kinds of expenses, the lender is also likely to be a lot more patient and considerate in terms of repayment – and they would not be lending out the money if they expected it back quickly or at all. It is purely because they want to help.

Similarly, when your parents give you money to buy your first car or get on the property ladder, there is no real expectation to repay and no doubt your parents receive joy from helping you during this important milestone in life.

Furthermore, if the person has been turned down for a loan due to various reasons, such as bad credit or no credit – this can be a better loan option than using a loan shark, payday loans or high cost loans, which are very prominent in areas such as Nevada, Texas and California.

When borrowing money turns sour

Borrowing money from people you know can turn ugly if the expectations are not met. Whether it is a small or large amount, it can get a bit hairy if the lender is expecting repayment and this does not materialise within the expected timeframe.

The purpose of how the money was spent is also key here. If it was used for a personal or emergency expense, this is likely to result in more patience and need for fast repayment.

If the reason for borrowing is not disclosed and the borrower is seen living a lavish lifestyle or making poor life decisions e.g alcohol, drugs – this is likely to cause resentment and lead to an unhappy friendship or relationship.

Should you have a contract?

If you are lending out money to a friend and expecting repayment, there is an argument to put a contract in place, even if it is just a one-pager or written up casually on a piece of paper.

This achieves to formalise the agreement and above all, it manages expectations including the amount borrowed, when repayment is expected and any interest (if this applies).

Even just a basic email that highlights the terms is something that can legitimise the transaction and there is nothing wrong with this amongst friends. Although, you should probably avoid a lengthy agreement sent by your lawyer!

Make sure you manage expectations

Overall, borrowing amongst family and friends is just about managing expectations. You want to avoid conflict and any bad feelings, and if it works out, maybe even borrow money again. But knowing exactly the purpose of the loan and when repayment is expected are the most vital things to ensure that the transaction goes smoothly and the relationship remains strong.

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Tips for Achieving a Debt-Free Life

Finance Money

Some 189 million Americans have credit cards with the average balance per household being $8,398. Keep in mind, that’s just credit card debt. We haven’t mentioned mortgages, car loans or student loans.

Sadly, debt is so prevalent in America, most people consider it a way of life.

However, it is possible to live without it.

Here are some tips for achieving a debt-free life.

Create an Emergency Fund

If you have yet to do so, make it a priority to put away at least three to six months of your monthly expenses as a hedge against income disruption or large unexpected expenses. Having this money put away will enable you to weather such instances without incurring more debt — or at least as much as you would have otherwise.

Prioritize Paying Off Debt

As common sense as this particular tip may seem, most people have no idea how to do it.

Let’s say you’re one of those people who have four credit cards, with the total balances adding up to $8,398. Let’s say the balance on one of the cards is $3,000, another one is $2,500, another one is $1,500 and the last one is $1,398. Now, let’s say the minimum payment on each of those cards is $50, and you’ve been paying $100 per month on each one.

That’s a mistake; it’ll take too long to pay them all off that way.

The Debt Snowball

Instead, make the minimum payment on all of them except the one with the $1,398 balance. This will afford you $250 monthly to pay toward that one, which will help you pay it off more than twice as fast as when you were only paying $100 monthly.

Once you’ve eliminated that balance, you’ll have $300 monthly to put toward the $1500 balance, which will also have been being paid down at the rate of $50 monthly while you were killing the first account. Repeating the process with each successive card will give you the entire $400 to put toward the highest balance when all of the others are cleared up.

You’ll pay off all four cards much sooner than you would at the rate of $100 monthly on each one.

By the way, this works with car loans and mortgages too.

You can eliminate all of your debts with this method.

Debt Consolidation

Another way to approach debt elimination is with a credit card consolidation loan. While it might seem a bit backwards to make debt to get rid of debt, there are situations in which credit card consolidation can make sense.

You have to make sure the consolidation loan you take will let you pay your debts off sooner than you would by paying them individually. You’ll also want to seek a lower overall interest rate and a lower overall monthly payment.

Focus on Saving and Investing Next

With your debt eliminated, you can turn your attention to preparing for the time when you’ll no longer go to work every day. In other words, it’s time to start building your retirement fund.

We recommend eliminating debt first because the interest you’ll pay vs. the interest you’ll earn tends to be higher. Eliminating debt effectively means your money earns more interest afterwards — thus it’s a good investment.

Create a Spending Plan and Stick to It

One of the most fundamental of the tips for achieving a debt-free life. Creating a spending plan helps you ensure your money is working for you in every way possible, as opposed to against you.

Your goal should be to live on 80 percent of your income or less, while saving/investing at least 20 percent or more for your long-term goals. This becomes easy to accomplish with your debt laid to rest. Plus you’ll be able to save more so you can make subsequent purchases in cash, rather than charging them.

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5 Potential Risks to Take Into Consideration Before Investing In Precious Metals

Finance Money

A wise and thoughtful financial decision can do wonders for your business and savings, whereas a poor financial decision can result in a serious downfall. Small or big, one must do detailed research work and take into consideration all the risk factors involved before investing in precious metals. These decisions once put into action, cannot be changed, and the metals become a liability instead of an asset.

Here are the 5 potential risks to take into consideration before investing in precious metals.

STORAGE

You’ll need to store your physical metal somewhere. With a stock or bond, you don’t have to worry about storage. There is always a risk of theft or loss if you store these metals at home. Also, it will be a risk to you and your family in case someone breaks in.

The other selective is to rent a space to store them. That space would provide a safe and trusted storage facility. This incurs additional cost but leaves you worry-free and safe from theft and injury. You can always choose to invest with the help of mutual funds and stocks for precious metals; however, they would not reap the same fruits as the physical metal would.

One must always buy precious metals from genuine and trusted suppliers who are industry leaders & have a proven track record to support their authenticity.

Indigo Precious Metals, for instance, is very transparent about their policies and pricing and takes great pride in the level of customer service they provide to their clients. Since these metals are so precious and involve a great amount of your hard-earned money, you must be very cautious while you plan to use them.

LIQUIDITY

If you hold non-physical precious metal, you cannot encash it immediately. In case of immediate cash requirement, you’ll have to seek other means of investments for help.

There’s one solution to this drawback, and that is online storage. With an online storage account, you could sell your precious metals at any time. This helps in instant liquidity.

NO INCOME OR INTEREST

Unline stocks, bonds, or real estate that provides interests, dividends, or rental income, there is no income or interest in owning any form of precious metals.

This is just an investment that can give no regular benefits unless sold when the prices are high. In case you require money on an urgent basis, then you might even have to incur a loss if the price is low compared to the price you purchased it in.

MARKET RISK

Precious metal investments are exposed to various types of market risks. There is no doubt that something you invest in will face price fluctuations from time to time. It might decline in value due to economic developments and various other events that influence the general economy.

POTENTIAL SCAMS

When it comes to precious metals, having the correct understanding is quintessential. You may end up losing hundreds or thousands of dollars even. Do thorough research and learn a few things about how to test the true value of the metal you have purchased.

Such a heavy investment can only be encouraged for someone who has all the details about genuine metals, including where to invest and whom to trust. Considering the lofty cost of precious metals, you just cannot afford to ignore these essential facts.

Trust only genuine suppliers and be 100% sure before investing. Read various articles, blogs, testimonials, crosscheck multiple times to make sure there is no scam involved. It’s your money, and only you’ll have to take the best care of it by making the right choice of genuine investment.

So, keep into consideration all the above factors and make decisions wisely for a happy and secure investment. Trust only genuine and industry leaders in such investments.

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The unlikely sport that has become a betting sensation in 2020

Money

It would be somewhat of an understatement to say that 2020 has been a strange year.

The coronavirus pandemic has left no stone unturned when it comes to business and the economy. The lockdown measures are undoubtedly positive, of course, as they are keeping people safe. It’s very good to see so many people working together to keep the community safe.

However, there have been some negative facts to consider from a purely business standpoint.

Almost every industry has been completely turned on its head, and industry giants are having to think fast to keep themselves afloat. One sector of the world that’s seen some particularly interesting changes throughout 2020 is the gambling industry. 

As most sports have been disrupted and most sporting events have been cancelled, sports bettors have been having a rough time finding things to place bets on. There have been a few surprising choices from bettors in recent months, and today, we’re going to be looking at one of these unlikely hero sports in more depth.

Why is the sports world in such a disarray right now?

As most of you reading this will have gathered, the sporting world has been impacted quite heavily by the coronavirus pandemic. Mass gatherings and public events have all but ground to a halt, which means that the sporting world is struggling to keep up with competitions and to keep their audience entertained.

One of the biggest issues that the gambling world is facing right now is finding something to bet on. Gambling companies are having to get incredibly creative, in order to keep producing bets and content to make their customers happy. 

Additionally, sports gambling companies who may have relied upon foot traffic and physical products are struggling to get ahead this year. Companies with more of a digital focus and social media presence are generally doing better right now. 

What have bettors been turned to in 2020? 

Interestingly, one of the main sports that people are turning to in 2020 is table tennis. This is not typically a sport that people might have flocked to bet on, when compared to things like soccer and football, or martial arts and basketball. 

However, in 2020, table tennis has become a hero of sorts in the sports betting world. 

As this great Bloomberg article points out, ping pong matches from Russia and Ukraine have absolutely been dominating the online betting world. Popular sites like DraftKings and FanDuel have seen some immense traffic heading towards this sport in recent months, and we’re sure to see more of this as the year progresses. 

It’s not just table tennis that sports bettors have turned to, though. Everything from the presidential debates to the weather has received some attention from the betting world. The idea of people betting on politics may seem absurd at first, but many people have found great fulfilment from doing that this year.

It has been wonderful to see how the industry has adapted to these trying circumstances. There are some incredibly creative minds working in gambling right now, crafting new ideas and bets all around the clock to keep customers happy.

How might this impact the sport of table tennis? 

This rise in table tennis bets will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the sport as a whole. More and more people are paying attention as the gambling world continues to focus heavily on this sport. While table tennis is popular in its own right, 2020 has shone a new light on it and we’re sure to see it become even more popular as time goes on.

What can we learn from 2020?

Finally, what can we learn from 2020 as an industry? One of the most important things to take away from this year is the need for a strong digital presence. As we noted earlier on, the businesses with strong digital and social skills – like FanDuel and DraftKings – have been mitigating the circumstances with skill.

Additionally, it’s important that the gambling community takes this new level of adaptability into other years. There will surely be other times in the future where the gambling community has to come up with new games and tournaments on the fly. 2020 has shown us how flexible and fast thinking certain members of the community are. 

One final take away to consider is that there will always be a need for gambling. This year has presented customers with a lot of change, but the desire to spend money is still there. Gambling companies should be comforted by the fact that customers clearly wish to bet, no matter what the current climate is in the world. 

To sum up 

Generally speaking, 2020 has been a rough year for almost every industry. While it is incredible to see so many people all around the world banding together to keep the community safe, there is something to be said for the mental toll that today’s circumstances can have. Not only this, it’s also important to acknowledge how the virus has impacted the businesses as well.

It’s refreshing to see so many people in the gambling world adapting to these new circumstances. We’re lucky enough to be part of an industry that is packed full of creative minds and entrepreneurial spirits. Even if this pandemic continues to disrupt the world throughout the rest of the year, we’re sure to see some interesting developments in the industry regardless. 

If you’re on the hunt for an innovative online sports betting company to bet with, we’d recommend DraftKings. They’re one of the leading companies in the industry right now, and we’re sure that you’ll love them. To find out more about them and what they offer, take a look at this great review from NJ Gambling Fun.

Want to read more blog posts like this? We’re constantly updating our website with new and interesting content about gambling and gaming. Take a look at our full website to read more, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

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7 Tips for Choosing an Online Stockbroker

Finance Money

If you are new to the world of investment, selecting a stockbroker that aligns with your own personal needs and investing style can define your success or failure. If you want to make money through investing, you need a brokerage service that is in line with your investment goals, level of experience and educational needs. Choosing a broker who has a diverse range of features and tools like those that are found on the FXTM web trader can make all the difference in your new venture.

While all investment should be based on research and skill, the first step on the way to profitability should always be finding the right online brokerage service for your particular needs. That is why we have decided to put together a short guide to help you assess what it is that you personally require from your ideal brokerage. Read on to find out more.

1. What Are the Broker’s Fees?

The first question that you will probably ask when choosing a broker will probably have to do with fees. There can be a significant difference between what online brokers currently licenced in to operate in South Africa charge in trading fees, commission, spread, financing rates and currency conversion fees. It is best to shop around in order to compare prices to see what type of fee structure best suits you.

2. Does the Broker Deal in the Assets Types That Interest You?

Finding a brokerage that allows the option to trade in the types of financial instruments that interest you is crucial. While most online brokerages deal in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETF, only a select few allow you to trade in futures, options and forex. Make sure you check that you a brokerage has the trading options you want before you go through a lengthy verification process.

3. Are There Available Advisory Services?

If you are new to trading, the jargon that you have to get to grips with can be bewildering. You are probably going to need a bit of guidance or at least a sounding board to which you can the field questions and queries that you have about how things work. Many of the better online brokerage services today will provide you with tutorials and account managers to help you on your way to becoming an expert.

4. Which Type of Account?

There are two main types of account that are generally offered by online brokerages. A cash account will allow you to deposit funds and then buy stocks to the amount of money that you have in your account. A margin account, on the other hand, allows you to borrow money from your broker to buy stocks with leverage.

5. Does the Platform Include Research Tools?

Make sure that your broker operates a system of research tools that you feel comfortable with. The charts and graphs showing stock price changes over time should be easy to use and give you all the information you need to feel confident that you have covered all the bases when you buy into a position.

6. How Good is Customer Service?

It does not matter how good an app or service is, there may still come a time when you need to contact customer service to clear something up. When this happens, there is nothing more annoying than not being able to get in touch with a human to straighten the issue out. Choose wisely as some of the cheaper online brokerage services run customer service with limited hours as a means of keeping trading costs competitive.

7. Do You Want Banking Services?

Many stockbrokers offer the opportunity to open a checking account. If you think this will be more convenient for your situation, do some research into what kind of deals these brokers are offering on banking services and how they compare to your current bank.

You may not realize it now, but your choice of online stock broker could have a large impact on how successful you are as a trader. If you answer all of the questions in the sections above before signing up to a brokerage service, you should ensure that you get the one which best suits your particular needs and trading style.

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