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Finance

SIP vs. One-Time Investment: A Comparative Analysis 

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) and one-time investments are two popular investment options in India. While SIP involves investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, a one-time investment involves investing a lump sum amount of money in one go. In this article, we will compare SIP and one-time investment and explore the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Advantages of SIP

Disciplined Investing

One of the main advantages of SIP is that it encourages disciplined investing. By investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, investors can avoid the temptation to time the market and make emotional investment decisions. SIPs also help investors to develop a long-term investment horizon and stay invested during market fluctuations.

Cost-Effective

SIPs are a cost-effective investment option because they allow investors to invest small amounts of money at regular intervals. This means that investors do not need to have a large amount of money to invest in mutual funds. Additionally, mutual fund companies offer lower expense ratios for SIP investments compared to lump sum investments.

Rupee Cost Averaging

SIPs also offer the benefit of rupee cost averaging. This is a strategy where investors invest a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of the market conditions. This means that investors buy more units when the market is low and fewer units when the market is high. Over time, this strategy can help investors to reduce the average cost of their investments.

Power of Compounding

SIPs also offer the benefit of the power of compounding. When investors invest in SIPs, their money is invested in mutual funds, which in turn invest in stocks, bonds, and other securities. Over time, the returns generated from these investments are reinvested, which leads to compounding.

Disadvantages of SIP

Market Fluctuations

One of the main disadvantages of SIP is that investors are exposed to market fluctuations. Since investors invest a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, the value of their investments can fluctuate based on the performance of the market. This means that investors may experience losses during market downturns.

Long-Term Commitment

SIPs are a long-term investment option, which means that investors need to stay invested for a longer period of time to benefit from the power of compounding. This may not be suitable for investors who need liquidity and flexibility in their investments.

Advantages of One-Time Investment

Higher Returns

One of the main advantages of one-time investment is that it can lead to higher returns compared to SIP. Since investors invest a lump sum amount of money, they can benefit from the market growth in a shorter period of time. Additionally, one-time investments can be ideal for investors who have a lump sum amount of money available for investment.

Flexibility

One-time investment is a flexible investment option because investors can invest the amount of money they want, when they want. This means that investors can adjust their investments based on their changing financial needs and goals.

Disadvantages of One-Time Investment

Market Timing

One of the main disadvantages of one-time investment is that it requires market timing. Since investors invest a lump sum amount of money, they need to time the market correctly to benefit from the market growth. This can be challenging for investors who do not have a lot of experience in the market.

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Finance

Solidify Your Financial Planning With Finance Advisory

In this fast-paced era, we all dream and strive to achieve financial independence and wellness. However, the absence of adequate knowledge and comprehension of finance impels one to face a financial crisis, despite having sufficient resources. The hectic schedules and the complexities revolving around finance never prompt an individual to seek the expertise of a certified professional who can act as their beacon light.

Consequently, shunning the traditional routes of finance planning, technology has overtaken the finance domain and offered unparalleled convenience and services. While individuals were prone to risks of being ripped off or receiving biassed financial advice through professionals, the story is quite the opposite with digital platforms. These platforms or financial advisory institutions craft a financial plan that covers the investment segment and crucial domains, such as Tax planning, emergency funds, etc.

Ultimately, individuals are backed from all angles and channel their focus toward implementing the expert advice these professionals advocate rather than brooding upon its legitimacy.

Prime Benefits

Asset management is one aspect that an individual may adequately manage; however, liability management requisites the proficiency of a certified financial planner. These certified professionals perceive an individual’s financial habits and personality and post meticulous consideration of an individual’s financial goals; they formulate an unbiased financial plan. A few benefits of financial advisory services through digital platforms are as follows.

  1. Customised Financial Planning

Several digital platforms and financial advisory institutions would offer you a widely accepted financial plan that sounds balanced. However, finance advisory institutions, such as 1 Finance, Fintoo, etc., go beyond the ordinary and offer customised financial plans. This financial plan is based on careful consideration of your financial goals, capacity toward risk, market trends, etc.

  1. Expert Consultation

You would find several channels and individuals who sell financial products, as there are an array of financial products in the market. Ultimately, there is no assurance that the individual you rely on for guidance is a certified and proven expert in the field. Through platforms or institutions, such as Dezerv, your concerns are placed in the hands of an individual who is a registered and certified financial planner or a chartered wealth manager. This factor instils a higher degree of trust among an individual and the seeds of hope toward achieving financial well-being in the long run.

  1. Quarterly Reviews & Guidance

Laying out an impeccable financial plan and following the signposts of the same are two different sides of a coin. At times, individuals may find themselves in a muddle with nowhere to turn. Consequently, they can avail quarterly reviews of their progress so far with their dedicated, certified expert who can help them keep track and suggest alternatives in the event of some anomaly. Additionally, the guidance preached is not limited to a short period; rather, through these platforms or institutions, an individual can request guidance occasionally.

Final note:

While there are several known finance advisory services platforms, institutions, such as 1 Finance, that adopt a professional pathway toward an individual’s personal financial planning. Their distinctive and patented assessment tool, MoneySign™, helps to analyse an individual’s financial personality, which plays a deciding role in providing hyper-personalised recommendations.

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Finance

Understanding Best Trading Accounts in India: An Overview

Trading is a popular investment option in India, with a growing number of individuals looking to maximize their returns by buying and selling stocks, commodities, currencies, and other financial instruments. With so many trading options available, choosing the best trading account can be a daunting task. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the best trading accounts in India, so you can make an informed decision about where to invest your money using the Best Trading account in India.

Before you choose a trading account, it is important to understand what type of trader you are. If you are a beginner, you may want to start with a basic account that offers easy-to-use trading tools, low fees, and a user-friendly interface. If you are an experienced trader, you may be looking for a more advanced account with a wide range of features, such as real-time market data, advanced charting tools, and a robust order management system with Tradingview.

One of the best trading accounts in India is Zerodha. Zerodha is a discount broker that offers a simple and user-friendly trading platform, low fees, and a wide range of investment options. Their trading platform, Kite, provides real-time market data, advanced charting tools, and a range of technical indicators to help you make informed trading decisions. Additionally, Zerodha offers a wide range of investment options, including stocks, commodities, currencies, and mutual funds while going with the Best Trading account in India.

Another great option for traders in India is Upstox. Upstox is an online stockbroker that offers a user-friendly trading platform, low fees, and a wide range of investment options. They offer a comprehensive trading platform, Upstox Pro, which provides real-time market data, advanced charting tools, and a range of technical indicators to help you make informed trading decisions. Upstox also offers a range of investment options, including stocks, commodities, currencies, and mutual funds using tradingview.

Angel Broking is also a great option for traders in India. Angel Broking is a full-service stockbroker that offers a user-friendly trading platform, low fees, and a wide range of investment options. They offer a comprehensive trading platform, Angel Speed Pro, which provides real-time market data, advanced charting tools, and a range of technical indicators to help you make informed trading decisions. Angel Broking also offers a range of investment options, including stocks, commodities, currencies, and mutual funds while using the Best Trading account in India.

If you are looking for a trading account that offers a wide range of features and tools, consider opening an account with 5Paisa. 5Paisa is a discount broker that offers a comprehensive trading platform, low fees, and a wide range of investment options. They offer a user-friendly trading platform, 5Paisa Trader Terminal, which provides real-time market data, advanced charting tools, and a range of technical indicators to help you make informed trading decisions. Additionally, 5Paisa offers a range of investment options, including stocks, commodities, currencies, and mutual funds with the help of Tradingview.

In conclusion, choosing the best trading account in India depends on your individual needs and preferences. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader, you will find a trading account that suits your needs. Zerodha, Upstox, Angel Broking, and 5Paisa are all great options to consider when choosing a trading account in India. It is important to do your research and carefully consider your investment goals and risk tolerance before making a decision while going with the idea of Best Trading account in India.

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Finance

Six factors that distinguish professional traders from novices

There are many differences between professional traders and novices, but five of the most important ones are here. Professionals have mastered their craft through years of practice and experience, while novices are still learning the ropes. Here are six factors that distinguish professional traders from novices.

1. Risk management

Many factors can distinguish professional traders from novices when it comes to trading in the financial markets. One of the most important is risk management. Professional traders understand that a successful strategy encompasses protection and risk mitigation. For example, they may use stop-loss or trailing stop orders to limit potential losses on losing trades, or they may take only low-risk positions to reduce adverse market conditions’ impact on their portfolio.

In contrast, novice traders often need to pay more attention to the importance of risk management and tend to take more aggressive or higher-leverage positions without fully considering the potential consequences. Ultimately, this lack of risk awareness often puts novices at a severe disadvantage compared to more experienced traders.

Whether you’re just starting in financial trading, or you’ve been at it for years, putting a strong focus on risk management should always be a top priority if you want to succeed in the long run.

2. Market knowledge

Many factors distinguish professional traders from novices. Perhaps most importantly, professional traders have in-depth knowledge of the markets they are trading, including current conditions and trends. They also tend to be very analytical when making investment decisions, carefully weighing the potential risks and rewards before proceeding.

Market knowledge is vital for any trader, but it’s especially critical for those who want to be successful over the long term. If you’re new to financial trading, do your homework and learn as much as possible about the market before putting any real money at risk.

3. Trading discipline

Another key difference between professional traders and novices is trading discipline. Professional traders are usually very disciplined in their approach, sticking to their pre-planned strategies even when emotions start to run high. They understand that a lack of discipline can lead to impulsive decisions that can quickly erase any gains that have been made.

Novice traders, on the other hand, often let their emotions get the best of them, leading to poor decision-making and, as a result, subpar performance. To be a successful trader, you must learn to control your emotions and stick to your game plan even when things go against you.

4. Proper capitalization

Another key difference between professional traders and novices is proper capitalization. Professional traders always ensure they have enough capital to weather any potential storms, whether a sharp market downturn or an extended period of bad luck. They understand that the markets can be unpredictable, so they never risk more than they can afford to lose.

On the other hand, novice traders often need more capital to withstand adverse market conditions. As a result, they may be forced to take more significant risks or even liquidate their positions at inopportune times, leading to significant losses. If you want to be a successful trader, it’s essential to make sure you have enough capital to weather any potential storms.

5. A willingness to learn

Professional traders are always looking to improve their skills and knowledge, whether by reading educational materials, attending seminars, or simply studying the markets on their own. They understand that the markets are constantly changing, so they must continuously adapt and evolve to stay ahead of the curve.

On the other hand, novice traders may get pigeonholed in one asset they are finding success with, such as sticking to stocks only because it is what they know. While it makes sense to stick with what you have always known, it is important to make sure you diversify your portfolio with other assets and keep learning.

6. A long-term perspective

Professional traders usually have a long-term perspective, which means they’re more focused on the overall performance of their portfolio rather than the day-to-day fluctuations of the markets. They understand that the markets can be volatile in the short term, but they tend to move in a predictable direction over time.

Conversely, novice traders may focus too much on the short-term movements of the markets and become discouraged when their investments perform better than they had hoped. To be a successful trader, it’s essential to take a long-term view and focus on your overall results rather than your day-to-day performance.

These are just a few key differences between professional traders and novices, generalized. If you want to be a successful trader, it’s essential to make sure you have the knowledge, discipline, capital, and perspective that are necessary for long-term success.

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Finance

Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa executives of Earnity and Traditional Banking vs. Mobile Banking

Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa, executives of world’s first community-based crypto platform and marketplace, Earnity, have pushed for the adoption of fintech staples cryptocurrency, decentralized finance, and mobile banking.

Mobile banking is slowly becoming more prevalent than traditional banking in the current day and age. This crossover is because mobile banking offers many advantages over traditional banking methods, making it more convenient and efficient for users.

Earnity’s Domenic Carosa and Dan Schatt see the potential of mobile so should we. Take a look at some of the advantages of mobile banking:

  1. Mobile Banking can be Done Almost Anywhere.

Traditional banking can be pretty inconvenient, especially if you are always on the go. With mobile banking, you can bank anywhere and anytime, as long as you have your smartphone with you. This accessibility means that you don’t have to make time to visit a physical bank branch to do simple transactions.

  1. Mobile Banking is More Efficient Than Traditional Banking.

Mobile banking is also more efficient than traditional banking for several reasons. First, mobile banking allows you to do various transactions, such as checking your account balance, transferring money, and paying bills, without going through several steps. Second, with traditional banking, you may have to visit different bank branches for additional services, but all of these services are available in one place with mobile banking.

  1. Mobile Banking is More Secure Than Traditional Banking.

Traditional banking can be insecure, as it often involves sharing personal information such as your account number and password with third-party service providers. Mobile banking is more secure as it uses end-to-end encryption technology, which means that your personal information is protected from hackers and other cybercriminals.

  1. Mobile Banking is More Affordable Than Traditional Banking.

Traditional banking can be pretty expensive, as you may have to pay for services such as account maintenance fees and transaction charges. Mobile banking is more affordable as it often doesn’t require you to pay any fees. Some mobile banking apps even offer cashback and rewards when you use them for transactions.

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Finance

Copy trading vs mirror trading

When it comes to online trading, there are a lot of different approaches that traders can take. Some people like to go it alone, researching the markets themselves to make their own trading decisions. Others prefer to follow the lead of more experienced traders, where copy trading and mirror trading come in.

Copy trading and mirror trading are both methods that allow traders to copy the trades of other successful traders automatically. They can be a great way to learn from more experienced traders or ensure that you are always following a winning strategy, but they are not entirely the same.

What is copy trading?

With copy trading, you are essentially copying the trades of another trader in real-time, without having to place the trades yourself manually. A copy trading platform allows you to select a trader or group of traders who meet specific profitability and risk management criteria. Once you have made your selection, their trades will be automatically copied into your account in real-time.

Many different platforms offer copy trading, including eToro and Tradeo. These platforms typically allow you to view information about each trader, including their past performance and level of risk management. Some platforms also feature social elements such as comments and ratings from other users, and this can help you decide which traders you want to copy.

What is mirror trading?

Mirror trading is very similar to copy trading as it involves copying the trades of other traders automatically, without having to place the trades manually. The main difference is in the level of control you have over your copy trading. With mirror trading, you can choose whether or not to place a trade based on its technical indicators and price chart patterns, which means that you are making independent decisions about which trades to place rather than blindly copying the actions of others.

Mirror trading platforms often feature sophisticated tools that allow users to backtest strategies, analyse performance, and predict future market trends. These tools help make mirror trading more appealing for experienced traders who want complete control over their investment portfolio.

Which approach is right for you?

If you’re new to online trading, copy trading may be an excellent option to help you learn the ropes. However, if you are an experienced trader or seasoned investor who knows what they are doing, mirror trading could be a better choice as it allows you more control over your trades and portfolio.

Ultimately, that depends on your goals and experience level in online trading. If you’re new to investing and want to learn from more experienced traders, copy trading may be a good option for you. Mirror trading may be a better choice if you are a seasoned investor who wants complete control over your investment portfolio. Either way, copy and mirror trading can be great methods for making consistent profits in online investing.

Drawbacks of using copy trading and mirror trading

While copy trading and mirror trading can be great ways to make consistent profits, there are also some potential drawbacks to using these methods that you should consider. For example, copy traders may not always have access to the full range of information about each trader’s strategy or risk management techniques, leaving you vulnerable to following a losing strategy without realising it or placing trades without fully understanding the risks.

Similarly, with mirror trading, you may find that it takes a lot of time and effort to analyse performance data and predict future market trends, especially if you are using complex strategies such as technical analysis. Additionally, your investment portfolio could be highly concentrated in specific markets or asset classes which could expose you to greater levels of risk.

Finally

Both copy and mirror trading are great ways to make consistent profits in online investing. The right trading approach will depend on several factors, including your experience level and investment goals. If you’re a UK trader looking to get started with copy or mirror trading, do your research first to decide which strategy best suits your needs, and use an online broker such as Saxo Bank.

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Finance

Earnity’s Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa on Becoming a Successful Crypto Investor

Today’s blog discusses tips on how investors can be successful when investing in cryptocurrency, a topic that Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa, Earnity’s co-founders, are very familiar with.

People can invest in cryptocurrency both for diversification purposes as well as to increase their wealth overall. As Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa point out, there are several advantages to investing in cryptocurrency, such as:

To diversify investment portfolio: Cryptocurrency has the potential to reduce the volatility of returns of an investor’s portfolio of assets since the value of cryptocurrency is not necessarily correlated with the values of other assets such as stocks or bonds. This means that investors could possibly reduce the overall amount of risk associated with a given portfolio’s expected return by adding uncorrelated assets such as cryptocurrency.

To earn money: Cryptocurrency is a good way for investors to earn more online if they manage their own account or use Account Management Services. They can also find trading signals on various social media platforms where other traders offer them free of charge.

To save money:  Investors can also invest in cryptocurrency and hold it for an extended period if they think the value will appreciate over time. For example, Bitcoin was worth less than $0.01 in March 2010 but was worth over $4,000 per coin in April 2017.

To protect wealth:  Cryptocurrency has since become a safe haven for many investors. Considering that cryptocurrencies are free from the authority of any single government, many people believe that investing in cryptocurrency is a way to protect one’s wealth. In addition, since the total amount of and future growth rate of most crypto is known in advance, there is no inflation risk associated with it, in contrast to a fiat currency that can be “printed” by the national governments.

Watch this space for more investment information and tips from Dan Schatt, Domenic Carosa, and the rest of the Earnity team.

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Finance

Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa’s New DeFi Firm Earnity is Paving the Way to Bring Crypto to More Users

In the past years, people have started seeing the potential of cryptocurrencies. As a result, many are becoming interested in creating their digital portfolios, especially in the wake of web3, NFTs, and decentralized finance (DeFi). However, they are hindered by the thought of going through complex steps upon signing up. Crypto platform Earnity, co-founded by Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa, is a company created by fintech veterans who believe that crypto and DeFi will have a vital role in making access and opportunity possible for all.

From a technological standpoint, the world of cryptocurrency has been evolving at an exponential rate. New assets, tokens, and projects need to be understood more by users to succeed in the open-access community. Compared to the early days of Bitcoin, experts see that there is a potential for more users to participate. Dan Schatt and Domenic Carosa’s new DeFi firm Earnity aims to take the complexity and exclusivity out of crypto so that more people can start creating digital assets in a social media community space where they can also learn as they start buying, collecting, and gifting tokens to other users.

For the Earnity team, crypto was created to enable the personal financial independence and sovereignty that everyone deserves. Dan Schatt, Domenic Carosa, and a team of fintech experts are developing a platform that allows users to take complete control of their funds through a secure system. Instead of gatekeeping the crypto space, the goal is to create a community where even beginners can succeed. In the DeFi space, the lack of central authority enables faster, more secure transactions than traditional finance.

Crypto going mainstream will happen sooner than most people think. The global economy, accessibility to technology, connectivity, public interest, and other factors set the stage for more users to finally see what the buzz is all about. To gain momentum, people need a curated and dynamic crypto marketplace like Earnity that allows them to explore financial technologies, DeFi, and web3 while building their portfolio.

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Finance

Health Insurance Is a Basic Need: Here’s Why

If there is anything the current pandemic has taught us, apart from the importance of emergency funds, it is the need for health coverage. The rising cost of medical expenses was a big blow, especially for those who did not have insurance cover.

Like food and shelter, health insurance plans should be considered more of a basic need. Here are 6 reasons why:

1.   Access to Better Healthcare Services

One of the most vital advantages of getting medical coverage is the ability to access better healthcare services.

When you fall sick or experience a medical emergency and do not have enough finances to seek premium healthcare services, you might be forced to settle for just any healthcare facility. However, when you have health insurance, you can find treatment in well-equipped hospitals – even when you have financial constraints. Hence, you focus your energy on recovery and not on how much your treatment will cost.

2.   Minimizes the Risk of Bankruptcy

According to CNBC, two-thirds of Americans who file for bankruptcy state those hefty medical expenses are the key contributors to their financial instability.

Hospital admission expenses can escalate fast. For some medical conditions, settling the amount out-of-pocket is financially draining. In case the bill is overwhelming and gets out of hand, some people may opt to file for bankruptcy.

In such a case, having medical insurance cushions you from the need to file for bankruptcy.

Many insurance covers require patients to settle their deductible amount. Others need patients to cover an extra amount after paying their deductible, which is usually a certain percentage of their medical expenses. However, as much as you may settle some of your medical expenses in cash, insurance places a cap on how much money you can pay out-of-pocket annually. If you reach this limit, your medical insurance will cover all other medical costs without limitation, saving you from financial strain.

3.   Encourages You to Take Care of Your Health

Some people are quick to dismiss health coverage as a medical safety net for the elderly and those that are chronically ill. This, though, couldn’t be further from the truth!

The young and healthy can access preventive medical services through health insurance plans. For instance, they can go for cholesterol, HIV, STD, type2 diabetes, and TB screening without paying out-of-pocket. In addition, women can access contraceptives and pap smears, while pregnant mothers can get supplements through health insurance.

Additionally, children and adults can access various types of vaccines, including but not limited to tetanus, chickenpox, and HPV.

Being able to enjoy such preventive services for free is not only great for your pocket but also encourages you to take a proactive approach towards maintaining proper health.

4.   To Manage Lifestyle Diseases

Previously, lifestyle diseases were prevalent among the older generations. However, over the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of young adults suffering from lifestyle diseases.

Obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and hypertension are some of the lifestyle diseases that you may need to deal with, unfortunately! However, in such an unprecedented situation, your health coverage can make it possible to seek medical assistance without over-stretching your pockets. Plus, it presents you with an opportunity to see various in-network specialists who can advise you on the best ways to manage or treat the condition.

Besides, if you are still enjoying good health, going in for free routine check-ups (thanks to insurance covers) can help catch some of these lifestyle diseases while they are still in their initial stages and when treatment is most effective.

5.   To Protect Your Family

 

Besides catering to your medical expenses, health insurance also takes care of our families.

As parents, purchasing individual health insurance for each member of your family can be expensive. Instead, you can take single insurance that offers full coverage. You can include your spouse and children. You may also consider including your parents who are prone to sickness, accidents, and lifestyle diseases – especially if they do not have a suitable health plan. That way, you can rest easy knowing that your loved ones are protected, and they will be in a position to access proper healthcare without much stress.

6.   Safeguard Your Savings

Medical emergencies are unprecedented and can set you back financially. Besides, medical expenses have significantly risen over the past few years, further putting a strain on people’s finances.

So, in the case of medical emergencies, people without health insurance might be forced to tap into their savings. Not only do they have to worry about their health condition, but they will also have concerns about slowing down their undergoing project or jeopardizing their future.

However, by taking out an insurance cover, unexpected illnesses and medical conditions will not cripple your savings or postpone your near-future aspirations to purchase your dream car or home.

Bottom Line 

From the factors listed above, it is evident that getting health insurance is a necessity. Moreover, it safeguards our finances from expensive treatments, most of which we do not have any control over.

Besides, it is crucial to note that many health insurance covers do not only cater to in-patient and out-patient but also additional services like ambulance charges, surgery, consultation fees, medicine, and many more.

For those who worry about the pricing of insurance policies, there are government medical policies like Medicare that are affordable and guarantee peace of mind as you seek treatment. However, you can always supplement it with private health insurance for a couple of reasons.

Private health insurance offers more coverage and allows you to seek treatment in private and public hospitals, with the luxury of requesting the doctor of your choice. You also gain access to medical services that are not covered by public insurance, which include dental, physiotherapy services, and many more. Yes, you may be required to part with more money every month, but that is nothing compared to the expense you are likely to suffer in case of an unexpected illness or medical emergency such as an accident.

Protect yourself and your family today by taking out health insurance.

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Finance

The Best Retirement Strategies to Start Right Now – カヴァン・ チョクシ

It’s never too early to plan for your retirement — and it’s not too late to change course if you’re already behind カヴァン・ チョクシ. Here are five steps that can help:

Start saving now

If you wait until your mid-30s to start your retirement savings, you’ll have to set aside about twice as much each month to reach your goal. The earlier you start stashing away money for later life, the less of a strain it will be on your budget in the early years.

Once you’ve started saving, make it automatic.

You could find yourself in a bind if you haven’t saved as much as you’d like and then lose your job. Automate your savings so that money is regularly deducted from your paycheck and invested now before the loss of your income makes it impossible to do so later.

Be smart about Social Security.

You should begin taking Social Security benefits as soon as you’re eligible at 62, if not sooner. The payments will replace a greater portion of your pre-retirement income at that age than they would if you waited until your full retirement age — 66 or 67. But know that the longer you wait to claim, the higher those monthly checks will be.

Your spouse’s plan is your plan, too.

If your job doesn’t offer a retirement savings plan, but your spouse does, consider enrolling in his or her plan rather than opening an IRA. With the right strategy, you both could save on taxes and boost your Social Security benefits. And with two-thirds of couples having two working spouses, this approach could help more people find the funds they need to fund retirement and caregiving for older family members.

Plan on long-term care expenses

Consider buying long-term insurance that will pay out enough money to cover the cost of a nursing home or senior living facility stay if you become too sick or frail to take care of yourself.

Almost everyone will need long-term care at some point in their lives, either for themselves or a loved one, but few people purchase coverage. This is because long-term care insurance premiums are based on the odds that you’ll become ill, with older policyholders paying more than younger ones so that it can be prohibitively costly for some.

But make no mistake: The costs of long-term care are huge. For example, a year of nursing home care averages about $80,000, while a home health aide costs about $46,000 per year. Moreover, they are just two of the many options available for long-term care options.

Medicare covers little in the way of long-term care, so individuals who need more than 100 days of help will have to bear most of these out-of-pocket expenses if they don’t have insurance coverage.

Typically, long-term care isn’t something we like to think about, and it rarely comes up in conversations with your family and friends. However, it is a real possibility that needs to be planned for as much as possible.

The good news is that you’re now thinking about the potential need for long-term care, and that’s the first step in making sure you’re prepared for this potentially crippling expense.

The average nursing home stay is 29 months. That would put a $10,000 investment to work $2,777/month over that period – or about $34,500. So if you were to invest $3,400/month over the next 29 months, you could have a total of $149,400.

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