An Interview with ForeX Masters

ForeX Masters is a service offering courses and support for people learning to be traders. They provide trading knowledge and skills meant to translate into successful trading. After sharing their knowledge through courses, they monitor new traders' performance and how they are applying what they have learned. Learn more at http://www.fxmasters.co.uk/.

1. How did ForeX Masters get started?

ForeX Masters started as a complimentary service that we were offering to some of our alternative fund investors. Some of them had experience trading their own stock and commodities account and wanted to learn more about Forex market and how our fund strategy was delivering hedge alpha.

Before we knew it, we had more people being referred to us via our brokers and clients, and decide it would be a good and fun opportunity to deliver in-depth forex education. This also serves as a tool for our expansion plan while recruiting and growing talent.

2. What are the main differences between the three Forex courses that you offer?

We understood based on our own experience and the feedback of our clients that people have different needs. These needs can be based on their lifestyle, life stage, and financial goal. Some are doing trading for fun, while others do it as a mean to earn extra money. Still others simply do it as a means to build a long-term retail trader career. In some cases, I have seen people transiting from stock and indices for career purposes. Not many big institutions offer an in depth trading course but expect their traders to have acquired that knowledge. Therefore, we thought it necessary to design different courses with the aim of filling business needs in mind while always providing a solid base.

3. How have your courses helped people with their ability to trade either part-time or full-time; in other words, what are some of the key skills that you teach?

We have had a great success to date with every student that manages to complete their chosen program while respecting and following our methodology. Till today we have some our student testimony that can be seen below as successful examples, and for those that still struggle we do operate a open door policy, where the can get in touch with any of our coaches for a free refresher session.

I actually had a student contacting me in October last year almost 18 months after completing his program; he told me he needed help, and I spent two months coaching him after we met for a coffee. Sometimes people lose interest and drive, and as with mastering any skill in life, successful trading take requires time and having the right attitude is key.

Students usually come out with a deep understanding of technical and fundamental analysis but more importantly the importance and impact of countries' economies, and central bank policies on currencies exchange. And another important lesson is the correlation between currencies and commodities. Something I always assure my students is that by the end of one of our program, your view on the world will drastically change while at the same time your understanding of it will help you have a more fulfilling life.

4. Are there any misconceptions that you commonly see people having about trading?

Misconceptions associated with Forex trading are always the same with the financial trading industry and investing: people believing it's a scam or that huge amounts of money are required to invest or simply that the markets are rigged so that only the wealthy would profit.

Contrary to stock and indices, for example, there's no one entity that can control the outcome of a trading session. With the Forex market it's a fragmented and decentralised market where all parties need each other and the biggest players do need the smallest to a certain extent. Anyone can profit from this market if they put the time and effort into learning. Even the best traders and funds do lose money at times; the secret is to stick to risk management and build consistency.

Another misconception is that it's impossible to make an income from trading, which is totally untrue. People can indeed make a living from trading but once again this requires knowledge time and discipline

5. For people who have always wanted to get into trading, what makes Forex a good option compared to other ways of investing?

The Forex market offer a unique way for individuals to invest and trade 24 hours a day. The information needed to make informed trading decision is widely available on most brokers' platforms and specialist websites for free.

Thanks!

Basics of Binary Options: A Guest Post

The following is a guest post contributed by one of our readers.

Basics of Binary Option.

Binary options can described in different ways. On currency markets or on market interest rates, their name is digital options. On the American Stock Exchange, their name is Fixed Return Options (FROst) or "all-or-nothing" options. They called by binary, because they offer only two results: something (for example, profit of $100) or nothing. As usual, next assets can be used for day binary trade options:

Currency
Stock indices
Assets
Goods (limited)

There are many types of binary options, but there are only two main basic kinds, which are used by day traders:

Cash or Nothing: this binary option will pay beforehand a concrete amount of money, if the option is won upon expiry.

Asset or Nothing: here you are paid the price of the underlying security.

That's why these options are called binary options. There are only two available results of investments like this.

The idea of being able to trade binary options is very simple. You only need the desire of a trader to open a trading position, and afterward, close it during the same trading day.

Take notice of the fact that all contracts binary options have an expiration date and time. It means, that the basic contract for binary options has a fixed expiration date and time, if the trader's platform has the function of the option expiry.

For day traders, it's very important to choose a broker of binary options and expiration date of contract, with stop trade in limits in same the trading day. When a deal became active, from the preassigned date until the end of term, a trader can't manually close the position, which is possible with another type of trade options.

Feasible profit already has already been counted when you buy contract binary option, and traders already know this profit before the end of deal. Binary options can be realized like this almost with any financial product.

Besides the opportunity for high profit, which binary options offer to traders, they have some other advantages:

Traders can establish expiration time in compliance with different strategies (for example, more that 100 strategies).

Traders can make different operations with their accounts without brokers. There is not a middleman, which means there is more low spending.

Traders can trade by different options in the same time.

Traders can make little first investments,giving by this available form of trade day with risk limited. Traders can close all losses that are made before by one successful trade. Traders have non-stop opportunity to get their profit during the day. There is not downtime.

Some traders accept trade binary options like interesting game. The potential opportunity to win very high, and the turnaround can be very fast. Trader have always new opportunities to take advantage of these benefits with the help of non-stop development of the market of binary options.

There is high level of inherent safety, because of itself participation in trade of this market.

Now variability of market is not problem, because of clear risks and short terms in day trade binary options. Smart day traders follow tendencies and logic of markets. That's why they can make more profit without necessarily correcting all their strategies. Nevertheless, if tendency doesn't work because of a short time trade, there is always opportunity to exit and any losses can be minimum.

For trading binary options you can use Forex brokers. There are several popular ones like: Plus500, EXNESS, FxPro, and others.

Meet Terry Gangaram, Founder of Drexel Mortgage Corporation

With 30+ years of real estate experience, Terry Gangaram founded Drexel Mortgage in 1995 to help Americans nationwide make their American Dream a reality. Starting with residential mortgages, Terry has helped thousands of homeowners buy their first house, investment properties, and commercial real estate to grow their business. Terry's team at Drexel is committed to finding you the financing you want for the home you want.

Learn more by visiting the websites for Drexel Residential Lending and Drexel Commercial Lending.

1. What made you decide to focus your career on working in the home mortgage field?

I wanted to help people become homeowners. Just like the American dream, I wanted to own a home rather than renting, and that's when I wanted to help others do the same. With decades of experience pursuing my entrepreneurial passion providing loans to clients, I built the Drexel Mortgage brand to become one of New York City's top mortgage providers.

2. What are some of the differences for consumers when it comes to working with a local agency like Drexel Mortgage rather than a large national company?

Drexel Mortgage offers great advantages with a hands-on approach to real estate. We're not quick to say no right away with a lot of red tape. For example, when it comes to credit, Drexel Mortgage works with the individual to repair their credit so they become creditworthy to become homeowners. We dispute charges, challenge charge-offs, and help fix delinquincies by advising clients how to prepare their credit for homeownership. Traditional lenders tend to cherry-pick who they want to work with, ignoring many borrowers who are only a few simple steps away from their own homes. We advise clients on a personal level to tailor-fit every loan for each borrower's needs. For example, we advise borrowers to have a co-signer, or have a family member assist them with the loan process to make the loan process comfortable and easy-going.

3. In addition to helping people who want to purchase a new home, what services do you provide for refinancing and debt consolidation?

Once people become a homeowner, they call Drexel Mortgage to utilize the equity in their home to purchase investment properties, consolidate their high interest credit card payments into one low monthly mortgage payment, or pay off bills. Refinancing has many benefits, and Drexel makes it easy for customers to refinance to renovate their homes, fix their credit, and even to finance major purchases.

4. Are there any common questions you get or misconceptions you regularly see regarding home mortgages and personal finance?

Being in the mortgage industry for decades, I've seen a lot of recurring mysteries and common questions. For example, people assume the mortgage process is a mystery that takes a long time. At Drexel, I make it easy for homebuyers to understand that buying a home is an exciting and simple process. Drexel understands buying real estate; mortgages can look like a daunting endeavor--after all, it's probably one of the biggest purchases a person will ever make. But the reality is, at Drexel Mortgage we take the time to assure you're comfortable with achieving your goals.

Another real estate misconception is that you need a lot of income with a huge down payment to own a home. With Drexel Mortgage, we put these popular myths to rest very quickly. I'm often asked what kind of houses are clients qualified for. Clients commonly think they need a high 700 credit score with 20% down just to qualify for a mortgage. Those days are long over, and today's real estate market understands that there are clients from all over the credit/income spectrum who can qualify for a home. At Drexel Mortgage, with flexibility to tailor loans based on the individual's needs we can provide loans to clients with a 600 credit score, with 3.5% down payment.

5. For people considering buying or selling a home in the Richmond Hill neighborhood of New York where your office is located, do you have any locally-specific advice?

New York City, where Drexel Mortgage is located, is one of the most sought after real estate markets in the country. New Yorkers are fast-paced, high-speed people who want it all yesterday. If you're buying a home in NYC, save yourself some time by getting pre-qualified first. Providing a Pre-Qualification is a free service we offer. We look at the income, assets, and credit of the individual to let them know what purchase price their income can support. Sometimes we can offer a pre-approval letter, to save some time for the realtors as well. With a pre-approval letter, the realtors, homebuyers, and appraisers can make fast, intelligent decisions to buy a home and start the loan.

Feel free to call me directly with any questions at (718) 441-1515, terry@drexelmortgage.com, www.terrygangaram.com.

Thanks, Terry!

Meet Darren Pawski of Synergy Financial Solutions

Darren Pawski, a financial services industry professional with almost 30 years of experience, is the managing director of Synergy Financial Solutions, a boutique financial services firm known for its highly personalized and exceptionally comprehensive approach to financial planning and management. Mr. Pawski began his career in the late 1980s and has served in a number of executive leadership positions with some of the most respected providers of financial services operating in Perth.

An active member of his local community, Mr. Pawski devotes much of his free time to community service efforts and volunteering. While he is a frequent presence at all manner of community service events, Mr. Pawski is especially committed to his volunteer work within the aged-care sector. Outside of his professional work and community service, Mr. Pawski is an accomplished traveler and distance runner who has explored some of the most interesting and unique places the world has to offer.

Known for his firm belief in the value of ongoing education, Mr. Pawski has a long history of helping clients, colleagues, and members of the public better understand the most critical aspects associated with financial planning and financial management. Mr. Pawski, who is currently working toward a master's degree in finance, earned his Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University and secured his Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking from Kaplan.

1. In your own words what do you do?

My goal is to help all of our clients develop a personalized and all-encompassing financial strategy that leads to the realization of their specific goals for the future.

2. What led you to your current business?

I've always been very passionate about my role in the finance industry, and Synergy Financial Solutions has allowed me to really sharpen my focus on meeting the specific needs of each and every client that reaches out to our financial planning and management firm.

3. Could you walk us through your process of developing your business?

With my wealth of industry experience, I was keenly aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the industry as a whole. In developing this business, we simply created a structure that we believed would emphasize the strengths while eliminating the weaknesses.

4. Did you encounter any particular difficulty in the beginning, and how did you overcome it?

Of course we did, but we also created an overarching plan that accounted for every possible difficulty in order to ensure there was a contingency in place. Our ability to plan ahead and foresee potential obstacles allowed us to overcome the difficulties we encountered along the way.

5. What is your long-term plan?

We hope to continually grow in a manner that ensures we can continue to offer our highly personalized services to a broader base of clients.

6. Could you share with us some industry insights?

The key to a sound financial strategy begins with a commitment to advance planning and a thorough, comprehensive approach.

7. What are some important lessons you've learned about entrepreneurship/business?

At its core, entrepreneurial success requires an understanding of how to best meet the needs of the consumer.

8. Any tips for achieving success?

You can essentially guarantee long-term success by making a deep commitment to your clients and ensuring they always remain a priority in the decision-making process.

Thanks, Darren!

Meet Laurel Hardy, Investment Advisor

Laurel Hardy started her career as an international fashion model, but turned her focus to finance. She worked as a broker for four years at a major wire house brokerage firm, where she learned from senior mentors with decades of Wall Street experience.

In founding her own wealth management firm, BespokenWealth.com, Laurel wanted to share accessible financial strategy that would otherwise only be available to the wealthy. She believes you can build wealth in this country with solid planning and investment strategy, regardless of your family's background.

1. What inspired you to take up a career in finance?

I never liked finance in school. It just wasn't something that interested me. I liked sciences and earned my degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Towards the end of my education, though, I realized that every scientist needed to find funding for their experiments. That meant seeking grant money or money from individual investors. There happened to be a lot of politics involved in that process, and often times the best experiments were blocked from being conducted due to lack of funding, not lack of importance. I wanted to make a difference in science by funding experiments that were not funded elsewhere. To do so, I set out to see how money worked.

I looked for an internship at an investment firm, but ended up with an opportunity to work alongside my father as long as I passed my licensing tests. I passed my series 7 and series 66 on my first try, and was sent for further training in St. Louis. By the time I was done, I realized how important money and savings are to every single household out there. I saw that there was a massive need for trustworthy, knowledgeable, and sound individuals to provide advice on investments.

Unfortunately, most individuals don't realize that they aren't getting good financial advice, but are either being sold a product or are being short-changed. 401(k) providers at work usually do little or nothing to educate people on how to invest. They don't want the liability, so they tell people to pick for themselves. They just give them a bunch of choices and say, "You pick." People often chose randomly because they're so overwhelmed. Others go online and think they're getting good advice. They don't realize the biases involved and the products being sold to them through the advice they're reading. Even accountants fall victim to savvy investment salesmen who convince them that selling investments is something anyone can do to get them to sell their mutual funds. It's disgusting, and I could see that I could really make a difference for individuals by giving sound advice and knowing what was going on out there and who was pushing what. It's too much information for the hobby investor or average person to expect to understand since they have to spend their time working. My work is this, and that's why a good investment advisor is so important for individuals to have.

2. Why did you decide to start your own personal investment firm?

I was frustrated by how expensive the large firms were for my clients. There has been a push towards banking and away from investing as well. Banking is different from investing in that it involves loans, lines of credit, and checking accounts. Investments are a completely different specialty. I did not think it was in my clients' best interests to be sold mortgages and lines of credit when they were just trying to allocate their 401(K). I left the firm and worked briefly with another individual who ran her own firm from her house. I then started mine.

Unfortunately, most independent advisors do not have much education in investing. They usually have accounting knowledge, then sell investments on the side. To give people good investment advice without having to sell the products a large firm wanted me to push and without having to charge people an arm and a leg, I needed to start my own firm.

3. How do you customize your wealth-building strategies to meet the individual needs of your clients?

I listen to my clients. I mean really listen. People tell me what they're concerned about, what they're feeling, and what they want to do with their money. Then, I do my work to find the type of account, type of investment, and type of platform on which they can hold their investment before making a recommendation on all of these. Some people prefer to do their own investing and just want someone to bounce ideas off of for now. Others need a whole financial plan and want a trusted advisor to handle their accounts so that they don't have to. Either way, I choose each investment and product with my clients, based on their needs and wants. I do not choose one way to do things and then make all of my clients invest that way. That's why I'm different, but that's also what makes my way of doing things efficient. It takes skill, knowledge, experience, and an ability to understand what individuals are experiencing to be able to run my investment firm the way that I do. I know that I'm delivering the best quality advice a person can get because I'm not swayed by corporate interests or manipulated by mutual fund companies. My clients get my full attention, and that's why my firm is unique and personalized.

4. I think a lot of people feel that they can't afford to hire an investment adviser. What would you say to people who feel that way?

Can anybody afford NOT to hire one? The difference between 25 years of good investing and 25 years of guessing on your own is large. Either way, everybody will pay someone to manage their money. It's best that you make a judgement call about who you want to pay and how they'll manage it instead of just going with the flow and telling yourself you're saving money. Unless you are the one waving a ticket on the trading floor of a stock exchange, you are paying someone to invest. Even people using discount online trading that they do themselves are paying someone to invest for them. They just don't realize it, and that's part of the marketing that the trading platforms propagate. It's often hidden and complicated, but that's the truth. So if you think you can't afford to pay an investment advisor, you're wrong. You already are paying someone; you just might not be getting advice.

5. For people who are new to investing their money and working toward building wealth, what is your advice on getting started?

My advice is to save your money. Investing can be overwhelming, especially with so much bad information out there, but don't panic. Slow and steady wins the race. Friends and relatives may mean well, but they are often our worst enemies when it comes to the investment advice they give. If you're not comfortable investing your savings, you don't have to. When you're ready to invest, you'll know. Then, realize that slow and steady wins the race.

Finances are EXTREMELY personal to people. Every single person has a different speed at which they want to go. Unfortunately, everybody also thinks that they're a professional at finance and wants to tell you what to do with your money. It's difficult to stand your ground, but my advice is do your best to save as much as you can, then be true to your instincts about how to grow your money once you've saved it.

The worst thing a person can do is nothing. Time is the most important thing an investor has to work with, and the longer people wait before investing their savings, the less time they have. Doing nothing is actually hurting you, so get serious about saving some money for investing. It's the best way to take control of your future.

Thanks, Laurel!

Meet Casuel Pitts, CEO of Ultimate Discount Services INC

Casuel Pitts is the CEO of Ultimate Discount Services INC. The company offers a membership-based service that can help you pay for everyday incidents like traffic accidents and so on by helping you pay for your deductibles and co-payments. Learn more at www.udsinc.us.

1. What are some of the benefits that members receive through Ultimate Discount Services INC?

We provide eight services that are tied into a membership which are:

50% off your Auto Deducible
50% off any Traffic Related Violation
50% off our Cell Phone Deductible
50% off your Medical Co-Pay
50% off your Dental Co-Pay
50% off your Vision Co-Pay
A Credit Repair Program
An Investment Program

2. What are the key differences between Ultimate Discount Services INC and insurance companies?

The difference between UDS INC and insurance is we are a membership entity, and we have more leverage to benefit our customers vs insurance providing one service. Plus, we are more affordable.

3. How did your company first get started, and what inspired you to launch it?

June 1 2014 is when UDS INC, was created, and what inspired me was I wanted to create something that was fulfilling a need and not a want. We as the consumer can't predict what goes on in our lives, and that's why UDS INC, gives you reassurance that you are safe.

4. How has your company grown in the (almost) year since it first started?

We have networked with major companies like Sam's Club, Mountain Dew, World-Wide Marketing-Finance Consulting LLC, and many more. We also have opened up two offices in Minnesota and Illinois.

5. In covering deductibles, co-pays, etc, are there specific insurance companies that Ultimate Discount Services INC doesn't work with--and are there any other details that people should know before joining?

We work with any insurance, and there are no restrictions. We have a Travel Club Program and a Put It On A Bill Program. For more information about how these programs work, please call 321-283-5800. You can also watch the video below.

Thanks, Casuel!

Introducing FAQs about Money Lending in Singapore from CreditMaster

If you're in Singapore and looking to borrow money, you might want to read this list of FAQs about money lenders in Singapore. The list starts out with some ideas to consider before taking out a loan in the first place. For example, you might be able to find government assistance instead of a private loan. It also gives some guidelines in terms of how much money individuals may be able to borrow, based on their income level.

The FAQ page is part of the information available from the website of CreditMaster Pte Ltd, a company founded in 2010 to provide loans to citizens of Singapore as well as residents and foreign visitors who are looking for financial assistance. The company is a licensed moneylender regulated under Singapore's Registry of Moneylenders.

CreditMaster specializes in providing loans to people who may have had difficulty securing loans from banks. They offer a variety of personal loans, including payday loans. The company advocates for transparency in lending, and they work with individual customers to create personalized loan packages based on the customers' unique needs.

The CreditMaster website has a lot of information about the company and their lending practices and is worth a visit if you're in Singapore and looking for quick financial help.

Introducing AlgoRates.com

In the few years that I've been writing this blog, I've written about different sites and products related to financial topics, but I think this is my first post on algorithmic trading. AlgoRates.com is a site that offers an automated investment management system which is professionally controlled by human analysts.

The AlgoRates system is always being reviewed through the company's continual improvement process, and new research is brought to bear on how the system works. The idea of the system is to help small traders who have historically experienced losses in the market. Large banks and funds have uses algorithmic trading for years, and AlgoRates strives to help smaller investors build their portfolios in this way, too.

The website also contains informational material on what algorithmic trading is, its potential advantages, and what strategies the company utilizes. In a nutshell, this type of trading uses an online trading platform (or computer software program) that uses a set of operations (an algorithm) to automatically make trades based on specific factors that are programmed into the algorithm, such as price and timing.

Honestly, there's much more to learn on this topic than your humble blogger can explain to you, but AlgoRates is an interesting place to start if you want to learn more.

Introducing Koby Kamhaji, Diamond Investor

Koby Kamhaji is a diamond investor who shares suggestions with others on why he believes that diamonds are a worthwhile investment. He covers many topics, such as how to distinguish the diamonds you might to buy and hold from those which are less likely to be profitable. Other areas which require research, in Kamhaji's opinion, include finding a reliable source where you can buy diamonds, choosing how and where to insure your diamonds, and learning about differences in color, size, and so on because even a tiny difference can mean a big change in terms of value.

As Kamhaji points out, the nice thing about diamonds is that once you buy them, you don't have to do anything to maintain them; you just need to keep your investment safe. A diamond isn't going to grow, change, etc. So you can see why it's really important to do research before buying so that you know you've purchased something that will give you a good return on your money.

Kamhaji is one of many diamond experts and traders out there sharing information with investors. With just a few clicks online, you can find out a lot of information about diamonds and what types have traditionally been strong sellers. Personally I've been glad to see that more and more consumers emphasize the importance of buying conflict-free diamonds, and Kamhaji also advises that you be sure to get the complete paperwork on any diamond you buy.

Meet Christos Pittis, Educator and Entrepreneur

Born in Cyprus, Christos Pittis is an entrepreneur and teacher who offers a variety of courses through Udemy. He holds degrees in Economics and Management and has worked as a Business Services Consultant in Dubai, Cyprus, Lebanon and Egypt. His Udemy classes emphasize accounting and bookkeeping, global entrepreneurship and marketing, social media, and other topics. Learn more about Christos on his Udemy profile and by watching the YouTube video below.

1. How did you first hear about Udemy, and what made you decide to start teaching through the site?

I used to run my own educational organization, and also at that time, around 2013, we were operating a live online school. I did a search on the web to see what competitors were doing. I come across a marketing course on Udemy, not Udemy's landing page directly. I paid to enroll in that course, and I was impressed, not only by the quality of the course, but the platform as well. It was the best online platform I'd seen.

I am an accounting teacher as well, and I started teaching accounting back in 2006, so I had the material ready. So I purchased a camera and a mic, and I started filming my course to upload to Udemy.

2. You offer a variety of courses. How did you decide which courses to teach?

I have created six courses so far, and I am in the process of publishing one more course. The course name will be "Interviews with 10 Startup Owners," or something like this. It is not finalized yet. I have two accounting courses, one for beginners and one for intermediate users. I also have one course for YouTube channel owners, one for the largest social media network in Europe (VKontakte, the so-called "Russian Facebook"), one for website building with the help of freelancers, and one entrepreneurship course for young entrepreneurs. Here is the complete list:

• Accounting 101: A Beginner's Guide to Business Accounting
• Accounting 102: A Intermediate Guide to Business Accounting
• VKontakte: Beginner's Guide to European Social Media
• Website Secrets: Get a Gorgeous Website on the Cheap
• Become a Global Entrepreneur: A Young Professional's Guide
• YouTube: Transform your channel into a money making machine

Click here to see my Udemy profile: https://www.udemy.com/u/christospittis/.

Now allow me to answer how I decide on what courses to offer. It is a combination of three factors:

1. My personal knowledge and experience
2. Trending courses at Udemy
3. The most popular Google keyword searches

3. What would you say distinguishes your courses in terms of the quality of content as well as your professional experience?

I focus on the following aspects:

• Value-delivering on expectations and learning objectives
• Content quality: relevancy, structure, comprehensiveness, and accuracy
• Instructor quality: credibility, delivery, and responsiveness
• Practical applications: quizzes, resources, and exercises
• Technical quality: clear audio and video

I also try to make things as simple as possible. I do the hard work and deliver material to students with step by step instructions and guidelines. I like to talk with students and learn from them as well.

I have some experience in my professional life which I apply to my teaching. I am an entrepreneur as well, and I used to work as an ERP consultant for one of the best applications of Microsoft.

4. Could you tell us a little more about what students can expect from your courses? What kind of content will they receive, and do they get to interact with you personally to ask questions or get feedback?

Students will receive expert tips and guidance that are difficult to find elsewhere. They will also receive important information and learn how to do things properly. They can get support and often updates as I revisit and revise my course materials. My courses usually contain around 80% video and 20% quizzes, pdf documents, and presentations. Most of the time, I offer discounts to my students for upcoming courses of mine.

I am always open to answer any questions and assist students with performing specific tasks.

5. What makes Udemy a good resource for people who want to grow as entrepreneurs?

Udemy offers almost 20,000 courses in various topics like business, technology, entrepreneurship, marketing, and even yoga classes! More than 10,000 skilled and well-known instructors from all over the world are teaching through this platform. Additionally, Udemy offers a lifetime access guarantee, so once you buy the course, you'll always be able to access the course content. Large organizations can subscribe in a flexible and economic plan to educate their employees.

6. How can interested people sign up for your new course "Interviews with 10 Startup Owners"?

The new course will be released in January or early February 2015, and anyone interested can submit a valid email address by clicking the link below. The normal price will be $299, but I offer a very good discount for the readers this blog at $99. For more information, please click here http://eepurl.com/9SYzX.

Thanks, Christos!

Using TurboTax Online in 2015

If you're more organized than I am, you're already thinking about your 2015 income taxes. In fact, instead of reading this right now, you could be using software to enter your 2014 financial data so that you can get your taxes filed right away and get your refund as soon as possible in 2015.

To that end, check out TurboTax 2015 online for more information about e-filing with TurboTax. The site also covers what's new with TurboTax in 2015, as the popular tax filing program is always offering useful updates in line with the ever-changing federal tax codes.

TurboTax is well-known for its "personalized interview" feature which gives you an easy way to make sure you're getting all the deductions you should be getting. I've used it in the past and found it to be straightforward and simple. The program is intuitive and includes a good built-in help feature, too.

A Free Tax Calculator

Sometimes I think the only thing that makes me feel better about taxes is finding free tax tools online. Doesn't a freebie cheer you up, too? If you're planning ahead and looking for a tax refund calculator for 2015, it's nice to know that Turbo Tax has a calculator that they let you use for free, even if you aren't a paid user of their software.

Of course, many of us might wait until the last minute to figure out tax-related stuff, but the benefit of experimenting with a tax calculator right now is that you can make some adjustments ahead of time to avoid a hefty tax bill later. I know that I have adjusted my deductions in the past, and it's made a huge difference in terms of not owing taxes when April 15 rolls around.

For more information about the Turbo Tax free calculator and other tax tools and ideas, check out the Best IRS Tax Refund site.

IRS Tax Refund Schedule Dates

It's been a bit of a strange year for taxes with the government shutdown last year delaying tax forms and other relevant information from the federal government. On the other hand, some of us might say that every year is a bit of a strange year for taxes, as such is the nature of the beast, but I digress!

We get used to remembering April 15 as our filing date, but even that is subject to change, and when you file at different times, you can expect your refund at different times, as the following two articles indicate:

http://www.examiner.com/article/current-irs-tax-refund-schedule-dates-for-2014

http://www.examiner.com/article/irs-efile-2014-tax-refund-cycle-chart-for-2013-taxes

On the plus side, e-filing has made filing your taxes and getting your refunds a lot quicker. And really my favorite part of thinking about taxes is thinking about getting a refund and figuring out how I'll spend the money. But there are a lot of factors that can slow down your refund. For example, if you're needing to file amended returns, this can slow you down quite a bit.

This isn't a tax blog, of course, but sometimes readers send me links related to taxes, and I try to share information when I can!

Introducing OnlineCheckPrinting.com

Online Check Printing is a straightforward website which provides a central point where visitors can search bank checks from various well-known check providers like "Checks Unlimited" or "Carousel Checks."

Printing checks online has become more popular as a way to avoid your checks being stolen from your mailbox or when you're carrying extra checks around. When you order on the Online Check Printing website, all the data handling is done through legitimate check printers, and all use SSL for secure ordering. The cool thing about Online Check Printing is that you can search the inventory of various providers on one convenient website.

As you search, you'll find checks in various categories like "cartoon checks," "vehicle checks," "fan checks," and "religious checks." For example, check out these personal cartoon checks. Why just have plain old checks when it's so easy to search for something that fits your personal interests?

The website also provides tips and guides on how to order bank checks online. Really, I found the site to be simple and clear in its navigation and content. As you know, although you can pay a lot of bills online now, there are times when you do still need to write a check, and this website is a good starting point if you're looking for options for printing checks online.

Meet Brandi Jo Newman, Financial Advocate and Author

Based in San Antonio, Texas, Brandi Jo Newman helps people all over the country prepare for retirement through her retirement income course.

A quote from Brandi Jo: "Here's the truth about me and my business... I don't get paid unless you benefit. It's as simple as that! Many of my colleagues want to charge you excessive fees and separate you from your money. Not me, and I make that promise every day."

1. I saw on the front page of your website that over 300,000 baby boomers are retiring every month. Wow. Based on your experience, how many of these retirees are likely to be truly ready (financially) for retirement?

I would say only the many who have chosen to work with me on their retirement income choices. The unique approach that I follow does not depend on how much money they have saved or how many assets they have acquired throughout their lifetime. It is all dependent upon how efficiently their income choices are positioned.

Quite often a client of mine will enjoy more income over their lifetime, especially during retirement, just by simply being able to position their assets properly and following a more efficient strategy for a lifetime of guaranteed income.

We do this by allocating their assets into appropriate guaranteed vehicles but also leaving room for gains with the protection of a market volatility buffer of at least three to five years.

With all this being done well in advance of retirement time, we are able to increase my clients' retirement income by at least 30% and sometimes more than 50%. This means that someone who had roughly $125,000 of retirement income from pensions, 401k, IRA, and annuities can have at least an income of $187,500 a year guaranteed for life.

2. Do baby boomers still have time to improve their retirement prospects if they are retiring soon--or already retired?

Absolutely! There is always time, but you need to be realistic. The only thing I can't give anyone is their time back. And as we all know time is finite, so it is best to get started right now, today, with a pre-tax retirement summary to see where we are and where we need to focus.

I encourage anyone and everyone to contact me to get their retirement summary at no cost and then allow me to educate them about the many possibilities they may have. There is more to revealing more income choices than just another mutual fund or working longer or--worse--taking on more risk with their existing savings.

3. Would you tell us a little bit about your retirement income course? Does it include readings or videos or...?

The Retirement Income Planning Course is a series of five videos that I have produced to take someone through the entire understanding of how retirement income streams work. Many of my clients have accomplished the first half of their retirement goals which is compared to climbing a mountain: once you get to the top, you need to know how to get back down the mountain, and that's where maximum income options come into play.

The two white papers we discuss are important to the decision making process for which route to take during retirement. The Wharton Financial Institutions Center published a policy brief on the Importance of Investing A Lump Sum for Retirement Purposes. This is in direct relation to how retirement income streams work and how much changes in the investment environment when someone is taking an income from invested active assets. The policy brief shows just how much uncertainty there is with a retirement account that is being used for income purposes. The example case given in the policy brief shows that the income stream has less than a 50% chance of lasting the entire life of the retiree.

The other white paper we discuss is from Morningstar with one of the researchers being Dr. Wade Pfau who discussed the impact of such a low interest rate environment on retirees' assets and portfolios. The findings reveal how fragile retirees' portfolios can be given a lack of liquidity to sustain the bear market years during retirement.

4. What made you decide to focus your career on helping people with retirement financing?

I want to help all my clients through every phase of life. It just so happens that most of my clients are well into their accumulation years, and they want to make sure their assets, opportunities, and liquidity last for their entire lifetime.

We do this by making sure we capture most of their income outside of the markets' volatility first and then leveraging their liquidity for the purposes of lifestyle. Building the bridge between accumulation and distribution is where the permanent and guaranteed vehicles play a major for my clients.

5. Are there some lessons you learned as a professional golfer that have transferred into your current career as a financial advocate and author?

It's been said many times that one round of golf is like life. There are ups and downs throughout every round of golf we play. But the process and the strategy is what delivers us a good score. Golf as a metaphor for life is one that I talk about often with my clients.

We all know where and what the end goal is: we just need to make sure we have most efficient strategy possible for our course of life.

Thanks, Brandi Jo!

Introducing the Blog of Ann C Logue

Annie Logue is a longtime Chicago resident who writes about a variety of topics but with a particular emphasis on money. Not only is she a writer, but she is also a consulting analyst who lectures on finance at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She's written four books in the popular "Dummies" series of nonfiction/how-to books, most recently Emerging Markets for Dummies.

Annie's blog covers a lot of different subjects and is a well-written and thoughtful series of posts. She describes the blog as "[exploring] money and culture all over the world." There are posts on frugality and ways to save money, socially responsible investing and business practices, and the growth of financial markets on an international level.

The blog is timely and relevant--for example, a recent series of posts looks at the Hobby Lobby case, and another post addresses "the quasi-public nature" of pro sports (think about cities paying for stadiums, etc!). I'm definitely a layperson when it comes to financial topics, but I found the writing to be accessible and clear--no difficult jargon, etc. Really the blog is a nice starting point for readers who want to read an informed perspective on a wide range of issues relating to finance.

I think the best thing about Annie's blog is that it's a good example of how a blog really can catch the reader's interest and make you want to read more of the author's work. I know that after reading her blog, I feel inspired to check out Annie's books as a very readable and useful introduction to some financial topics I'd like to learn more about.

Introducing The Small Business Loan Store

The Small Business Loan Store is a company which functions in the role of a business consultant to help entrepreneurs who are looking for funding of up to $200,000 unsecured, with no asset, income, and job verification. Since 2007, they have been working to help not only existing businesses but also startups. In 2011, they raised $40 million in funding, and they have continued to see their clients find more and more funding opportunities.

Basically, if your company is in need of funding, you can submit your information to the Small Business Loan Store, and they will review the details of your situation and let you know about the different lending options which are available to you. In other words, they do a lot of research on your behalf so that you don't have to spend your time calling banks, credit providers, etc.

They also have experts who can consult with you on topics such as crowdfunding and angel investors. In short, they love partnering with small businesses, and they invite small business owners to receive the benefit of their years of experience working with thousands of clients to fund a wide variety of projects. They have a staff of lawyers and MBAs who are ready to put their heads together about your business.

To learn more about the Small Business Loan Store, check out their FAQ page. Just browsing their site is a great way to start thinking about different ways to fund your business idea.

The Latest Projects from Amerevision, a Legal Financing Company

Amerevision Legal Finance is located in the Finance District of New York City. They are a commercial litigation funding company, which means that they help individuals and businesses that need to pursue legal action but need financial help to pay for their legal costs. Amerevision can finance various legal fees in exchange for sharing a percentage of the ultimate settlement or judgement in a case.

In 2014, Amerevision is taking on some new ventures which may come as welcome news to people who are looking for resources/support through a commercial investment in their legal case. As the company is taking a risk when investing in a legal case, they do give each case a close and careful evaluation to make sure it meets their criteria in terms of risk and valuation. They hope to work with more indie businesses this year, and to that end, they have started to offer litigation funding for small business owners, start-ups, and entrepreneurs on the matters of intellectual property, patent protection and licensing, and insurance related disputes. To qualify for these services, clients must earn annual revenue of $300,000 or more, or their claim must be valued at $300,000 or higher.

Another new development at the company is that they now invest in commercial claims for private lenders involved in debt collection suits. Again to qualify, the claim must be valued at $300,000 or higher.

Amerevision offers funding services for attorneys and clients, both plaintiffs and defendants. All claims must be valued at over $300,000. There's a lot more information on their website, and you can even apply online to have them evaluate your case.

Introducing Sandy Springs CPA and Tax Service

Remember when choosing an accountant amounted to browsing the Yellow Pages and hoping for the best? Well, I know I'm dating myself, but I think we sometimes take websites for granted. For example, if you lived in Duluth, Georgia and wanted to find tax services, you could learn a lot about Sandy Springs CPA & Tax Service by checking out their detailed website. Not only does the site include a lot of information about the services they provide, but the site is also a useful resource and starting point if you are looking to learn about some frequent concerns that come up for individuals and small businesses, such as sales tax, payroll, and how to incorporate your business.

As you may or may not know, tax laws often change, and the accountants at Sandy Springs keep on top of the changes to help their clients save money. Homeowners, landlords, and small business owners may all be missing important elements when doing their taxes, so why not consult a professional for advice? If you're like me and tend to be a do-it-yourselfer, you might like the service the Sandy Springs provides for helping you get set up to use Quickbooks.

Nicholas A. Trishin, CPA, is the owner of Sandy Springs Tax & Accounting, and the company has been in the tax business since 2001. For more information, here's a video featuring Mr. Trishin discussing his business.

Trading Robots and AlgoRates.com

I learn a lot of different things about business and finance through topics that people suggest for this blog, and here's a new one: trading robots. Turns out that there's an investment management company called AlgoRates which uses complex software to predict market changes.

The trading robots from AlgoRates use algorithmic software to make predictions. Using trends in the marketplace and looking at past data, the system makes projections about future prices. The software can sift through thousands of pieces of data to find useful indicators. The robots have led to successful predictions regarding the value of currency and precious metals. AlgoRates couples technically sophisticated software with experienced brokers who interpret the data.

There are a lot of different investment funds out there. It's interesting indeed to look at the different ways that different firms are collecting and analyzing data with the help of software as well as experienced brokers. I know I have a lot more to learn on this topic!