Watching Out For Your Own Welfare

This is an incredible world full of remarkable people who have achieved great things. It is also a world which contains a lot of dishonest people and criminals who would do anything to make life miserable for their fellowmen.

Although the hope would be to engage with people who have integrity who want to do honest work and provide for themselves, there are many who would cheat, lie, and steal to get what they want. In that category of people fall those who resort to stealing another person's identity and money.

Needing money is not unusual, and most people will try to earn money honestly such as with regular employment or possibly a home based business (online work or network marketing also known as MLM or multi-level marketing) or find an extra part time job. There are many ways to earn extra money. Some people, however, are regularly committing dishonest acts against others. They are willing to try to improve their own station in life by doing criminal acts instead of working honestly to earn money.

Yet there are those who have mastered the techniques used by the perpetrators of these crimes. They do not seem to often be caught so they keep going. If they would be pursued more aggressively by the companies which may be losing money due to the fraud and law enforcement personnel who become aware of the crimes, these dishonest individuals might be deterred or caught and incarcerated.

So many people are suffering from the crimes of these criminals who are not being caught. It becomes extremely important to watch out for your own welfare. Some ways of doing it are:

• Check your credit report at least once a year
• Have fraud alerts available which alert you to unusual charges
• Check your charges online regularly
• Be careful with your credit card receipts and personal information
• Possibly sign up for a service to protect you in case someone steals your identity

Things can be going along just fine, and we may never imagine that identity theft would happen to us. We are not immune.

Restaurants and gas stations are easy targets for use of someone else's credit card if a person finds or steals a credit card. While checking her credit card charges online, Mary noticed two charges in a far away state. They were for gas and for a restaurant. She had not lost her card so she wondered how those charges could have been approved. She alerted the company that those were not her charges, and she was not held liable for them. She was told that an employee at some establishment might give the credit card number to a friend who uses it. How they can get away with such a thing in this day and age of machine approvals is still unknown. Criminal minds work in devious ways.

Being honest and working hard is admirable, and protecting oneself from those who do otherwise is smart. Being aware and watching out for yourself is important as you are on the quest to earn money and protect the money you have.

Workers Compensation Insurance - Learning The Basics

When it comes to the risks employees go through in these modern times, a great number of things could happen causing claims to occur. That's not to say that they will, but it's important to understand that there are situations that could arise where you are injured while performing everyday duties. This may seem like something that is unlikely and that won't happen to you, but it has been known to occur. This is especially true for those that are dealing with physical positions where lifting, awkward movements, and other tasks are part of everyday occurrences. For those that are dealing with the pressure of working and trying to remain on duty, it's important to understand workers compensation basics.

This type of insurance is meant to help people of all backgrounds deal with anything that could go wrong while at a job. Anything from back injuries to slips and falls, this insurance can bail you out when you need it most. While some people might be skeptical about paying for this option, it most certainly can help with a variety of things when you're injured. For instance, if you fall and you cannot return to your job at a full capacity, you can file a claim and get paid a salary while you are recuperating. This is one of the most important things to remember because if you are not able to perform duties, you may not be able to earn a paycheck to help with your bills, and more.

There is no reason why you should be healing and unable to help your family, which is why the whole concept of this insurance is crucial. Workers compensation basics should be understood by anyone that is at work in a place that could potentially be dangerous. Even if you are in a relatively safe position, paying for this option can really help when the times get tough. This is especially true if you're dealing with a chronic ailment or you need a leave of absence due to injury. You'll have to understand that the bills and other payments that you have to make will not cease because you're injured, and for that reason this can definitely save the day.

The price of this type of insurance is definitely one of varying costs. You'll have to discuss this option at length with a representative to ensure that you're getting the coverage that you need to protect yourself rom what may occur in the future. This is not something that you can pick up after the fact. Even if you feel that you're never in harms way, it's not a bad idea to at least look into this option, as it can definitely save you from unwarranted heartaches and beyond. Don't wait for an emergency or calamity to strike, look into this today and understand the basics before you spend any money. A small fee could end up saving your family's life in the future, and that's definitely worth investing in. Don't let the opportunity slip by, you'll most definitely regret it.

Direct Debit Payments a Top 5 Myths and the Truth Behind Them

Direct Debit payments are a quick, easy and popular- for over 50% of the UK bill paying population, a Direct Debit solution is their preferred payment method.

Despite their popularity, there still seem to be a few myths and misconceptions around Direct Debits, so we thought it would be interesting to highlight - and disprove - the 5 most common myths...

Myth #1 - Direct Debits are the same as Standing Orders

This product differ from Standing Orders in a number of ways. A Standing Order is for a fixed amount on a fixed date whereas this product are completely flexible, and can be for variable dates and amounts.

A Standing Order is originated (pushed) from the payer's bank, whereas a product is originated (pulled) from the organization collecting the money. Perhaps the most important fact for customers is that the payments are fully protected by the product Guarantee. A Standing Order offers no such protection.

Myth #2 - Direct Debit software is expensive

Many businesses are under the mistaken impression that the software needed to collect this payments is expensive.

The truth is quite the opposite, particularly if your solution is Cloud-based. You don't have to purchase any expensive in-house software, and you won't have to pay for installation or upgrades.

Myth #3 - Direct Debit software is difficult to install

With Cloud-based Management software, you don't need to waste any time installing or configuring hardware. The Cloud is simply remote access computing, with all the hardware and software needed sitting in a secure, external location - so you don't actually have to install anything. Your provider should take care of all that for you.

Myth #4 - Direct Debit software means lots of costly upgrades

A good Cloud-based solution will operate on a modular basis, so you only pay for what you use and can control your resources, with the ability to scale up or down on demand. For example, you shouldn't have to pay more if you want to add more payers - your annual subscription fee should cover additional payers, and allow your business to grow without any additional costs.

Myth #5 - Setting up Direct Debit Payments is time consuming

A popular misconception is that all customers have to sign a paper this Instruction, meaning that businesses have to arrange a face-to-face meeting or wait for the instruction to arrive in the post.

The Truth? Paperless the product instructions are a common sign-up method - and are much quicker than a paper approach. Instructions can be completed via the telephone, online or face-to-face.

Analysis of Tiffany and Co.

The purpose of this article is to discuss the risks of exchange rate exposures that Tiffany is facing.

Tiffany & Co was an internationally renowned retailer, designer, manufacturer and distributor of luxury goods. Tiffany was acquired by Avon Products in 1979 but was then bought back by its own management in 1984. After the company became profitable again, management offered Tiffany stock to the public in 1987 and in 1989, Mitsukoshi was the largest single institutional investor in Tiffany stock. In 1993, Tiffany concluded an agreement with its Japanese distributor, Mitsukoshi to assume management responsibilities in its wholly owned subsidiary, Tiffany & Co. Japan Inc.

I. Exchange Rate Fluctuations in 1993

Tiffany restructured its Japanese operations by selling directly to the Japanese market instead of selling to Mitsukoshi and Mitsukoshi selling it to Japan. Tiffany wanted greater control over its operations in Japan even though demand for Tiffany's products in Japan declined from 23% to 15% in 1992. However, Tiffany will still be required to pay fees of 27% of net retail sales in compensation to Mitsukoshi after this restructuring.

This change in operations exposed Tiffany directly to the exchange rate fluctuations which Mitsukoshi previously bore. Previously, Mitsukoshi ensured that Tiffany never had to worry about exchange-rate fluctuations and guaranteed a certain amount of cash flows to Tiffany in their wholesale transactions. Mitsukoshi bore the risk of any exchange-rate fluctuations that took place between the time it purchased the inventory from Tiffany and when it finally made the cash settlement.

Tiffany should be worried about the exchange rate fluctuations because the yen/dollar exchange rate is very volatile. Tiffany faced an additional risk by restructuring its Japanese operations as Mitsukoshi now no longer controls Tiffany's sales in Japan.

I believe that it is very important for Tiffany to consider the exchange rate fluctuations that it will expose itself to before it decides to assume complete control of its subsidiary store in Japan.

II. Extent of Tiffany's Exposure to Foreign Exchange Risk

• Economic Exposure

Tiffany is now exposed to foreign exchange rate risk. Tiffany has to bear the risk of any exchange-rate fluctuations that will take place when it assumes the responsibility for establishing yen retail price, holding inventory in Japan for sale, managing and funding local advertising and publicity programs and controlling local Japanese management.This may or may not decrease Tiffany's sales and income from their foreign operations. Table 1 below shows Tiffany's foreign operations performance from 1992 to 1993.

Table 1: Tiffany Co Foreign Operations ($000)

1993 Net Sales= $71,838
1994 Net Sales= $52,851

1993 Income/(loss) from operations= $2,381
1994 Income/(loss) from operations = $3,888

Table 1 clearly indicates that income from Tiffany's foreign operations decreased even though net sales increased in 1993. The additional economic exposure that Tiffany is now exposed to may decrease their income even further which will impact their net sales in the long run.

• Transaction Exposure

The restructuring of Tiffany's Japanese operations requires Tiffany to repurchase its inventory which will significantly decrease its net income. As it can be seen in Table 2 below, Tiffany is said to repurchase its inventory for $115 million in 1993.

Table 2: Tiffany Co Second Quarter Income Statements ($000)

1993 Product return for Japan realignment= ($115,000)
1992 Product return for Japan realignment= 0

1993 Net Income/Loss= ($31,513)
1992 Net Income/Loss= $6,992

However, Tiffany only managed to repurchase $52.5 million of inventory in July 1993 and Mitsukoshi agreed to accept a deferred payment on $25 million of this repurchased inventory, which was to be repaid in yen on a quarterly bases with interest of 6% per annum over the next 4.5 years. The remaining $62.5 million inventory will be repurchased throughout the period ending February 28, 1998 and payment for this warehouse will be made in yen.

The exchange rate fluctuation will definitely affect Tiffany's ability to repurchase their inventory. Besides that, this transaction exposure can also lead to major losses for Tiffany. The reduction in net income in Table 2 assumes that Tiffany actually repurchased all of their inventory by July 31, 1993. However, this assumption was not accurate and Tiffany is now only able to repurchase all of their inventory by 1998 which I believe will lead to a bigger decrease in net income as they are then required to make payment in yen from 1993 to 1998.

III. Conclusion and Recommendation

I believe that Tiffany is making the right choice by restructuring its Japanese operations. Tiffany will be able to experience huge profits by gaining more control in Japan if they plan their strategy wisely. It is important for Tiffany to hedge against the volatile exchange rates between the yen and the dollar and they can always buy options and future contracts to reduce this risk. I believe that the profits that Tiffany can earn by gaining control in Japan outweighs the exchange rate risk as this risk can be offset by hedging.

Iraqi Currency Purchase Is Definitely a Smart Move

Becoming a millionaire is a dream shared by many people. In the United States, regular folk are very keen on investing their savings and staking their retirement on good prospects. Iraqi dinar investments have been repeatedly criticized for the needless risks involved. For some, it is not worth the investment. But for believers, the risks are worth it. After all, a very huge yield awaits those who are willing and courageous enough to explore the possibilities.

It is common that people who invest aspire to the possibility that one day they will come into serious money. People who decide to Buy Iraqi Currency Online by the thousands of dollars are convinced that one day soon this now controversial currency will come into its own. Its current value is not very encouraging at all, but investors are looking far toward the future when the dinar's worth will skyrocket.

There are a number of theories currently revolving around the expected hike in the value of the currency of Iraq. But the general idea is that once the Iraqi economy is stable enough it will then be able to maximize its oil export industry. This is not baseless especially since Iraq's oil deposits are real and not mere speculation. Investors are counting on this black gold resource that is Iraq's key to a full economic recovery.

For Americans who have not put their money in commodities such as bonds and stocks or perhaps gold, they can choose to invest in foreign currency instead. The campaign to buy Iraqi currency has reached many prospectors in the United States. People who have worked their whole lives are now ready to invest their life savings for a rather prosperous future. Despite the doubts on the wisdom of this investment strategy, financial advisers are pretty confident that they are giving smart advice to dinar buyers.

A few years from now the doubters will be proven wrong. There are of course scams here and there, and the worries are justifiable. For one, investors need to be sure that they get genuine currency that can be bought legitimately. Many companies might take advantage of people's lack of knowledge on the dinar. When the economy of the Iraqi government gets the boost that the government is currently working for, the dinar's value is expected to rise. The growth of the Iraqi economy is definitely slow because it is a fact that there are elements in the country today that discourage more foreign investors to come in.

The dinar may not be the safest investment but Dinar Currency can provide the confidence that Americans who invest in foreign currencies need, especially those who are just starting out. This company is the firm to choose when someone is finally ready to invest huge amounts with high risks involved. There is needless worry with a partner such as Dinar Currency.

How to Pay Your Mortgage Off Faster

Many of us want to be untied to our mortgage. It is likely the most expensive bill you pay every month. Although the interest you pay on your mortgage is tax deductible, all that interest would be better off put away in an investment account. Even at a low interest rate, you could still end up paying hundreds of thousands of dollars over the term of your loan.

So how can one go about paying off a mortgage faster? It's all about the term, which is how long the mortgage contract lasts. The term you choose - 1, 3, 5 or 7 years or some other period - dictates the amount of interest you'll pay. Whether you choose a fixed rate or a variable rate will also affect your interest payments.

The most common term is the five-year fixed, chosen by more than 50 percent of borrowers. Even though this term is the most popular, it's not necessarily the right choice for every home buyer. The right term for you may not be the one with the lowest rate. Some terms may lock you in at a higher rate for many years, while others may subject you to fluctuating rates. Discover the other options available, as well as their benefits and disadvantages.

Four-Year Fixed Term
The difference between the rate of a five-year fixed term and a four-year fixed term will save you one-third of a percent. This may not seem like a significant amount, but when multiplied over a four-year period, you could potentially save a few hundred thousand dollars in interest - not a small amount of cash.

One-Year Fixed Term
This term results in very little financial incentive for a lender, so it's not pushed as much as over terms. However, it can be the right term for a well-qualified borrower. With rates as low as 2.39 percent, it's ideal for a homeowner with less than 15 years left on their mortgage.

Terms to Avoid
A three-year fixed term versus a four-year term save you 0.10 percent, but when you renew, the savings could be decreased by higher rates. Avoid a seven-year fixed term as well. Although it offers a few extra years of security, the higher rates don't justify it. Another term to avoid is the five-year variable term. Although there is a savings of 0.40 percent, but with no rate protection, these savings can be offset by rising rates.

Pick the Ideal Mortgage for Your Situation
The ideal mortgage for one person may not be so perfect for another home buyer. That's why there are many options available to you. Safebridge Financial Group offers a variety of mortgage options to help virtually any home buyer - even first-time buyers - purchase their dream home. Learn more about what options we offer.