“Buy and hold” is one of the most heralded investment strategies promoted today. “Buy and hold” is also one of the few investment methods where you are guaranteed to lose money 2 out of every 5 years…so why do it?
Before expanding on the questionable value of “buy and hold”, it’s probably best to take a deeper look into who’s spending their millions of dollars of marketing money convincing you that “buy and hold” is the best idea and why.
“Buy and Hold” Promoters
“Buy and hold” promoters vary but I’m going to single out the mutual fund( http://www.stockrhythms.com/investing-in-mutual-funds.htm ) companies at this point since they seem to have the deepest advertising pockets and are highly visible in their promotion of “buy and hold”.
Mutual funds have a strong vested interest in having you buy into the “buy and hold” mentality since their entire business model depends upon the average investor keeping their money parked…through good times and bad.
Remember, the mutual fund companies are earning a profit from your investment even while you are accepting losses!
So “buy and hold” is really the greatest investment strategy available, it’s just a matter of perspective. If you like that your mutual fund company profits while the Bear Market ravages your account value, then “buy and hold” is for you!
So let’s look at some data to see how this really works.
“Buy and Hold” Facts
Between 1929 and 2002, there have been 14 Bear Markets with an average of 39% slashed off the value of stocks. During this 74 year period, it took an average of 3.5 years to return to breakeven!
Every time a “buy and hold” investor loses money in a down market, they lose invaluable time to reaching their financial goal. After eliminating overlapping Bear Markets, 41 years were spent suffering through a Bear Market or returning to break even.
In other words, “buy and hold” investors spend 2/3 of their time just to break even!
“Buy and Hold” Myths
My favorite myth or scare tactic used by investment gurus is; “buy and hold” investing is critical since you cannot afford to miss the bull run when it hits. And they go on to cite what happens to those that miss the “big days”.
Ah…good point, what does happen? If you would have invested $100 in 1926 and just left it there until 1993, your investment would have climbed to $80,000. Conversely, if you had tried to time the market and missed the 30 best months, your investment would have only been worth $1,200.
“Buy and Hold” Does Work Better?
So I’ve just convinced you that “buy and hold” does work better right? But what would have happened if you used market timing and missed the 30 best months and missed the 30 worst months? Your investment would now be worth $120,000 or 50% more than simple “buy and hold”.
Not to get too carried away but if you had avoided the 30 worst months and still managed to hit the 30 best months, your investment would have increased to an astronomical $8,600,000. Now I’m not going to try to convince you that market timing is going to hit every winner and miss every loser but I also don’t think it’s fair for the “buy and hold” advocates to represent only one side of the equation to their benefit either.
“Buy and hold” is a guaranteed method of losing money during every Bear Market. Give yourself a fighting chance by looking at a better way to invest.
“Buy and Hold” Replacement
So how do you avoid losing money every Bear Market with “buy and hold”? The simple answer is “get out of the stock market when it’s the Bears turn”. Of course, that’s usually harder to do than to say.
This is where we can help you to become a better stock market investor. Not only are we going to show you how to avoid the Bear Market losses, we’re going to show you how to profit from the Bull Market and then turn around and profit from the Bear Market.
And I’m not talking about extreme market timing, I’m talking about a conservative, time tested investment process.
A Better Investment Plan
There is a better way to position yourself for a higher probability of investment profits than extreme market timing( http://www.stockrhythms.com/market-timing.htm )or passive “buy and hold”. One that has been tested and proven with over 74 Years of Stock Market Research! Our proprietary Olympic Ring( http://www.stockrhythms.com/how_it_works.htm ) investment system has been issuing profitable trading signals, trade after trade, year after year, and we can start doing it for you too!
Maximize your returns while lowering your overall risk through the use of a highly scientific and emotion free system. And unlike the “buy and hold” investment plan, you’ll be positioned to profit from the Bear Market and the Bull Market. Now won’t that be a change!
Let us show you a better way to invest!
Call us(toll free: 877-554-4800) today to learn how we can help you earn a profit in both directions. Or download a FREE COPY of our stock market investment book( http://www.stockrhythms.com/mutual-fund-book.htm ) so you can learn from the past to earn in the future - Invest With History
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This article was originally published at: http://www.stockrhythms.com/buy-and-hold.htm
Copyright: www.StockRhythms.com
You can reproduce this article as long as you leave this copy right statement unchanged.
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Gary J
Sr. Managing Director
VerticalMarketing,LLC
sudha@stockrhythms.com
http://www.stockrhythms.com
The home espresso maker was invented at the beginning of this century. Home espresso makers are much simpler to use and cheaper than commercial and semi-commercial espresso makers. There are two kinds of machines which are used as home espresso makers: the pump driven types and the steam driven types.
The earliest machine used hot water driven by steam to force through the coffee grounds. The machines later used mechanical advantages like a spring and lever.
Over time, the lever and spring were let go and replaced with electronic mechanical pumps. Its action produces a vacuum and draws water from a reservoir. A head of pressure develops as the water is forced from the other end of the vacuum. This pressure later dumps the water either through a boiler or a thermo-block.
The final product is then forced through a mound of tightly packed grounds. Espresso is the oil, flavor and aromas of the beans.
The stove top espresso machine is perfect for home use. Relatively cheap and easier to use than the other automatic and semi-automatic espresso machines, it forms the perfect option for the ones who have just stepped into the aromatic world of espresso.
Another machine used widely for making espresso is the steam-driven-espresso machine. In the steam driven espresso machine, a boiling chamber is used to heat the water. The steam created forces the water into the bed of the coffee beans.
The stove top espresso machine consists of a basket, a base, a basket screen and a collection chamber. Though it takes a comparatively longer time than automatic espresso makers to prepare espresso in the stove top espresso, the quality and consistency is one of the best.
Other than the stove top espresso machine, the automatic espresso machine is becoming more and more common in households. The espresso they produce is more consistent and the machines do not require as much fine tuning as the other versions of espresso making machines. The automatic espresso machines have a flow meter installed, which cuts the ’shot’ automatically when the pre-programmed level of water is reached.
There are various kinds of automatic espresso machines available in the market.
Espresso Machines provides detailed information on Automatic Espresso Machines, Best Espresso Machines, Commercial Espresso Machines, Espresso Cappuccino Machines and more. Espresso Machines is affiliated with Espresso Equipment.
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While many players spend hour perfecting their bluffing skills and learning to look for tells in other players, the art of folding is often overlooked. Believe it or not, it is possible to fold every hand and end up in the top 50% in any given online poker tournament! Human nature makes many of us believe that the other players at the table are bluffing and that your Ace/King draw is enough to win you the big pot but the art of folding is based on smart, conservative play. Folding with cards you don’t have full confidence in will help minimize your losses, which funny enough, increase your profits made on your strong hands.
Developing a consistent strategy is crucial in winning at online poker. Whether it be Texas Holdem, Seven Card Stud or any other form of poker it is always best to condition yourself to play only the hands you have a strong chance of winning and decreasing your chance of losses with weaker hands.
If you have established a solid bluffing skill and are able to quickly spot the tells of other players, the art of folding is the third tool in making you a better player. Establishing yourself as a player who will fold on first site of a weak hand can be beneficial in later play when you decide it is time to use your well rehearsed bluffing skills. Players will think twice before continuing to raise the pot when they know of your high fold rate. The longer the game goes the less likely they are to challenge you when you are aggressively raising, which translates into more wins coming your way by simly mastering the art of folding!
Another benefit to the art of folding is it gives you more opportunity to study the behavior of the other players at the table. You can make notes on who is a “maniac”, who uses the bluff too often and who is playing the same strategy as yours. Knowing the behavior patterns of the others at your table will help you determine how far you can take your strong plays and when it is best to execute your bluff.
This is the art of folding and how it improves your overall chances at a successful round of online poker. As with any part of your strategy, use the fold smartly and play smart to win big!
For a poker software review, Poker.com bonus codes, and Poker Room bonus codes, visit http://www.poker-reviews-online.com/ today.
Drug stores, supermarkets and internet sites sell chelated calcium and iron pills that are advertised to be absorbed better than cheaper non-chelated minerals. Are they worth the price?
You can get all the minerals that you need from the food that you eat. But if you want to take extra minerals, chelated minerals offers no advantage over non-chelated ones. In your intestines, minerals are bound to components of almost everything that you eat, such as organic acids like citric acid in fruits, sugars like those found in milk, and amino acids like these found in any protein source that you eat.
Mineral absorption depends on what is in your stomach and intestines when you eat the mineral. For example, fat increases and fiber decreases mineral absorption. Vitamin C will significantly increase the absorption of iron from plant foods. One mineral can affect the absorption of another. Taking large amounts of zinc markedly inhibits copper absorption. Taking calcium with iron together reduces absorption of both minerals. If you’re not confident that you are getting enough calcium in your diet, you can use fortified foods like calcium-added orange juice, soy milk or breakfast cereals, or you can take generic calcium carbonate pills. Expensive “coral calcium” supplements are nothing but ordinary limestone which offers no advantage over generic calcium carbonate. Chelation or lack of chelation is insignificant compared to the variable conditions in your digestive system.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com
Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition.
How To Choose A Anti Wrinkle Solution?
Finding an anti wrinkle solution that works for you is a long
and tiring process. You’re faced with offerings from hundreds of
companies using a variety of unproven components that promise to
leave your face as smooth as it was in your youth. Most men and
women want to erase the ravages of time, remove facial wrinkles,
and restore their skin to its younger days. As a result a great
deal of creams and various other skin treatments have been
created to solve this ever-present problem but few of these
treatments are effective and safe. Which combines the most
effective anti aging skin care ingredients with a new
revolutionary component in a blend that will really leave your
skin feeling young and smooth.
There is no need to undergo expensive and painful surgery or
shots which offers risky and far from permanent results. More
importantly the continual use of wrinkle solutions that can
gradually rejuvenate the tone and texture of your skin to leave
you long lasting effects.
Why Choose the An Anti Wrinkle Solution?
Wrinkle Solution offers fast results targeting wrinkles, crows
feet around the eyes, and other signs of aging and can help to
remove 10 years or more from your complexion. The isolates in
wrinkle solution can dramatically decrease the appearance of
wrinkles and revitalize your skin in addition to increasing
collagen and elastin for men and women.
Many customers report that it is more effective than Retinol and
Vitamin C creams and Emu Oil in reducing the signs of aging and
removing the appearance of wrinkles. When comparing your options
for anti-wrinkle creams there are a number of creams on the
market which can cost upwards of hundreds of dollars but few
offer the effectiveness and value for money.
CopyRight : http://www.deception-wrinkle-cream.com By Jasmine
Yap
Longing to have a touch of the country life in your home? Consider using a rooster, one of the main centerpieces of what is known as French Country décor, as a theme in your kitchen. This is a style that many designers and homeowners use in their decorating plans, especially for kitchens.
If you want to start small, think about creating a few subtle focal points that will draw attention. Perhaps a wall clock, some magnets for your refrigerator, and a few decorative plates to hang on the wall is a great place to start. Then locate some dishtowels and oven mitts to round out your other finds and now you’ve got a small collection to showcase in your kitchen.
If you’re ready for a bigger change, choose one of the many wallpaper or wall border patterns that feature roosters. Patterns run from small and simple to large and lively. Roosters can be found on place mats, dishes, mugs, glasses, and even some serving utensils. The only limits are those in your imagination.
As with any decorating style, it is essential to know how much is “too much.” This is different for everyone, but a good rule of thumb to use is that if you are going to cover your wall with a certain print, the accessory choices should accentuate the wall, but not overpower it. While purchasing rooster wallpaper, oven mitts, dishes, and accent pieces might be excessive, a few carefully chosen decorative pieces along with a strong color choice can create an outstanding and beautiful kitchen.
Roosters provide a majestic presence that brings a bit of the farm into your home without a loud announcement of the coming day at the break of dawn!
About The Author
Christi Vega is the owner of www.allthingsrooster.com where you’ll find rooster themed items to decorate your home and garden. Subscribe to her newsletter and receive special product updates and discounts.
Copyright All Things Rooster.
cs@allthingsrooster.com
The darkness devoured everything
The windows of soul were in vanity
The surroundings were infinite space
Little flame have emerged from nowhere
A piece of wax and wick
Brought back the lost sight
There is no eternal darkness
For there is always light
Faith - The light that gives hope.
About the Author: Visit my webpage, it will be updated soon.
www.romeoratilla.tk
Source: www.isnare.com
I’ve got a confession to make… there are many ways
leaders can be more creative, innovative and ingenious than
are presented in this article.
It does not matter if you desire to be a marketing,
entrepreneurial or organizational leader, you do have to use
your creativity to be successful.
Most leaders have trouble discovering new opportunities,
generating good ideas and promoting innovative solutions. In
the game of creativity, you need both quality and quantity
to win the prize.
I’ll show you how to use 3 simple ways to boost the number,
power and value of your ideas. All you need to do is learn
them, practice them and make them the most used tools in
your personal leadership-toolkit.
Create It This Way! Map It Out, Map It All!
Want a way out of that mental block or trap? Don’t look for
some guidebook, create yourself a map and follow it out of
your troubles instead.
How do you draw a map to find new ideas, opportunities or
create inventions? It’s easy, all you need is a place to
start! And like Dorothy learned in the Land of Oz, you
always begin at the beginning.
Do you have a problem you’re trying to solve? Do you have an
unmet need? Do you want to search for something? Do you
suspect something is missing or something is out of place or
something is more than what is needed?
Use those questions to define your map’s point of origin.
Place that starting point in the center of the paper and
then draw lines to any related problems or missing items.
Once you identify your problems, needs, missing pieces or
suspicions and connect them in some logical order [by
putting your worse problems at the bottom of the page and
easier ones on the top] - then you can do the following:
=> List possible ways to find solutions
=> Draw lines to groups or people who can help you solve
the problem
=> Use different shapes to show problems, solutions and key
people or tools
=> Color your problems and their related solutions with the
same colors [use red for the main problem and its solution,
but use green for another problem and its solution]
=> Include push pins, sticky notes, stars or artwork when
possible to add vitality, depth and substance to your map
Create It That Way! Ask and Answer It Quickly!
1) What is the situation, what is happening or going on
here?
2) What are the problems, difficulties or challenges?
3) How do those problems impact, affect or influence the
situation?
4) What good will the solutions to those problems need to
do, provide or fix?
Ask those 4 questions and always ask ‘why’ at least 5 times
for each answer and you will find tons of beneficial
solutions.
Create It Anyway! Bend It, Shape It, Anyway You Want It!
So you tried mapping, drawing, picturing and asking or
answering it and you still aren’t getting any great ideas,
are you?
Well here are some last chances for you - just re-arrange
it, combine it with its own or different parts,
mix-it-all-around, shuffle it, remove parts of it, throw it
at the walls, step into the middle of it, step away from it,
turn it upside down or inside out or round and round, talk
about it with others or even yourself, meditate on and pray
about it.
Whatever you do, do not let it just sit there without making
some effort to move it or yourself.
————————————————————
Even though these seem a bit lightweight, they are the most
powerful ways known to mankind for solving problems, finding
ideas and opportunities and for creating useful inventions.
When you use these techniques, you will be employing the
secrets of history’s greatest inventive minds like Edison,
Newton, Copernicus, Jesus Christ, Marie Curie, Franklin and
Einstein.
You can do this, it takes only a few moments a day to master
them and then you will find yourself lighting-up the world
with your bright and valuable ideas.
Necessity is and always will be the Mother of invention.
Make your Momma proud by using these methods whenever you
have the need to bring meaningful contributions to our
lives!
Copyright © 2004, Mustard Seed Investments Inc.,
All rights reserved.
————————————————————
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bill Thomas publishes “Your Leadership UltraNet!” - a
Hands-On, Affordable, Performance Improvement Program,
featuring web-based ULTRA-Powerful Training courses,
coaching & mentoring support plus follow-ups GUARANTEED to
energize, empower, enhance your leadership results.
All-the-Tools-You-Need-to-Lead-&-Succeed!
http://www.leadership-toolkit.com/skills.html
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The other day I was working on my web site and having a
conversation with my eldest son about free offers. My son who I
love dearly started on a conversation about a product that he
wanted and it was free to get. Dad all you have to do is go
here, do that, and it’s yours for free. Now I have three kids
and one of my favorite sayings to them when I get the look
after the free offer is announced “Free does not mean free”.
Then my oldest son said, “But Dad doesn’t your web site say that
it is free to sign up.” Well yes it does but let me explain the
difference between signing up for Free and Free as I see it. As
adults we all know that there is something else to come. So
after explaining it to my kids (his brother tried to make it to
the doorway). I thought I would post my thoughts on the
subject. So here is the lesson that I tried to explain to my
sons and would like to pass on. I will give you the short
version:
Yes there are a lot of free sign up programs and promotions out
there. But you have to be realistic about any offer you are
thinking about. If it is a business then you should expect to
have some kind of business cost. I have learned that if you put
nothing in you get nothing out. Remember that all of the costs
are not just monetary they include your time, sweat, and effort.
Just think of the amount time you spent looking for a business
opportunity that was of interest to you. Time spent researching
and wondering on the business that you finally decided to do. I
have seen the amount of money it takes to run a business with as
little as 5 employees up to 200 plus. It takes a lot of time,
work, money and effort to start and keep most businesses going.
Some may take a minimal amount of money but still a lot of time,
effort and patience. My main point to anyone is that for any
Business whether on-line or off-line to succeed it will take a
real effort on your part.
You should always remember the reasons why you started your own
business and stay focused. Success usually comes after continued
effort but be smart in your efforts. Planning is a very big part
of anyone’s success so think out what it is you want to
accomplish on a regular basis (Time Management). Do a calendar
to plan you time out so that you see what has to be done daily,
weekly, and so on. You need to make a plan and stick to it even
through the times that when you ask yourself “Why did I Start
This?” Now that I got that of my chest I guess I need to do an
article on time management. That will come out later in the
year.
When setting goals keep this in mind they should be ones that
are realistic, attainable and measurable. one of the best way
to do this is to always write down your goals. Yes write them
down then map a plan of action using these guidelines in setting
goals. Trust me I used it for many years in business and with
others to help them understand how to accomplish a certain goal.
The better you get to know the hows and whys in reaching your
goals the easier it is to reach them. Remember the goals you set
are what you want to accomplish whether they are business
related or personal. I have said this to many people and will
say it again here Always Keep You Goals Real.
Hopefully this shorten version of my lesson will help you
either in getting started or just in setting goals.
_________________________________________________________________
__
Anthony Russell is the editor of Self Employment Internet
Style. Anthony has over twenty-five years of experience in the
management field. For more on Home Business related articles
and information. Visited his web site at: Self Employment
Internet Style at: http:// www.2interbiz.com
Note: Anthony Russell
The Marketing Plan section of the business plan demonstrates how a company will penetrate the market with its products and services. The Marketing Plan should include “the four P’s” - Product, Promotions, Price, and Place.
Products and/or Services
The first “P” stands for Product, but includes all products and services that the company offers. This section of the business plan should detail all the features of the products and services, how they work, their unique/proprietary attributes, etc. For products that are patented and/or technical in nature, drawings and backup materials should be presented in the Appendix.
Most growing companies offer certain products and services today but expect to offer more in the future. It is important to mention both current and future products/services here, but to focus primarily on the short-to-intermediate term horizon.
Promotions
Promotions include each of the activities that induce a customer to buy the company’s products and services. Promotional activities could include advertising, public relations (PR), free samples, discounts, direct mail, telemarketing, partnerships, etc.
This section of the business plan discusses which promotions will be used and how they will be used. For instance, if partnerships will be used to secure new customers, the plan must explain which companies are partners, how they will be able to provide new customers, how the partnership will work (from operational/ financial standpoints), etc.
This section must be as specific as possible, particularly as it relates to discussing future promotions. To say that a company is going to generate PR in trade magazines is simply too vague. Rather, the plan must explain the type of article/feature that may be written about the firm and why, which specific trade journals that will be targeted and/or the projected publication dates.
In discussing how the company will promote itself, it is important to discuss how the company will position itself. This positioning statement details the attributes that customers will assign to the company, its products and services. The choice of promotional activities must support this positioning. For example, discounts might not be consistent with a desire to be considered an upscale brand.
Price
This section of the plan should detail the price point(s) at which the company’s products and services will be sold. If the products/ services are sold as bundles, these should be detailed in this section. Rationale for the pricing should be given when applicable (e.g., why the company has chosen an initiation fee plus monthly membership fees versus a one-time lifetime membership fee).
Place
The final “P” refers to “Place” or “Distribution” and explains how a company’s products and/or services will be delivered to customers. This section is crucial because if customers cannot access products and services, they cannot purchase them.
This section is especially critical for high-growth, capital-constrained companies. Attaining profit-effective distribution channels is often the most vexing challenge for these businesses. Examples of distribution methods include retail locations, website, distributors, wholesalers, direct mail catalogs, etc.
Many companies have multiple distribution methods to deliver their products and services to customers and each should be detailed here.
Detailing the “the four P’s” in the marketing plan is critical in proving to investors that your company will be able to efficiently and effectively penetrate its market.
Since its inception, Growthink Business Plans has developed over 200 business plans. Growthink clients have collectively raised over $750 million in financing, launched numerous new product and service lines and gained competitive advantage and market share. Growthink has become the firm of choice for venture capital firms, angel investors, corporations and entrepreneurs in the know. For more information please visit http://www.growthink.com or download our free Business Plan Guide.
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