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Planning for retirement, college education of a child or buying a bigger house requires proper management of funds. Many people feel that it is something they can manage themselves - just put the money in a bank and let it earn interest. However, to invest that same amount of money in such a way so that it earns the maximum profit in the minimum amount of time requires the help of a financial planner. Financial planners help one maintain discipline and work out strategies so the goals one wants to achieve are actually met.

The financial world is full of sharks who claim to be “experts”, but, in reality, their only incentives are the bonuses and commissions offered by various insurance and mutual fund selling entities. Finding a financial expert who truly knows what he is talking about and is impartial, with the sole interest of the client at heart is another matter entirely.

An investment broker is a company or an individual who is responsible for buying or selling investments such as stocks and bonds. Individuals who work in this field often have a degree in business or finance and are required to pass a series of test to obtain a license to sell financial securities. Therefore when it comes to investing, many people prefer to hire an investment broker to act to their behalf. Here are some steps you should take when choosing the right investment broker for you and your family.

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It is so difficult to predict the fluctuating financial market; therefore, it is a challenge to know how to invest your money. You can be a passive investor, or you can be an active investor.

Active investing consists of researching and strategizing your approach to the investment. You will pick and choose which funds to invest. This takes time and patience and lots of work on your part. You will need to analyze the market to find the best opportunities for investments.

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McDonalds Corp (MCD) Climbs to a 52 Week High

Based out of Oak Brook, Illinois, McDonalds Corp and its stock again perform well even as the overall market softens during the summer months. The worldwide food service retailer has a current market cap over $85 Billion with a dividend of 2.44 a share or 3.00%, a decent return considering the current interest rates offered on bank accounts in America.

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Personal finance means to optimize the use of your money so it gives you profit. It includes saving and utilizing your finances in an appropriate manner. Carrying out personal finance is not a difficult task. It involves planning and strategic approach. Personal finance does not require any age, gender or qualification. You can do it even when you are very old or you can either save your money when you are a college going student. There are a number of ways through which you can effectively carry out a plan for your personal finance. Retirement planning is just one example of personal finance.

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There are a lot of people who would point out that 401(k) funds should never be used for anything other than for your old age and your retirement, but there will always be potential business owners and entrepreneurs out there who cannot think of anything they want more in life than to get their business up and running or fund their one truly great business idea. In short, if you want to embark on a seat of your pants business venture and don’t care about your retirement then it is possible, if ill-advised,  to use 401(k) funds to start your business.

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Have you noticed that some people seem to be incredibly successful at saving and others seem to struggle to save at all? There are ways everyone can be a more successful saver.

There are no hard and fast rules, as everyone has different financial circumstances and different requirements from their savings, however there are some basic principles that can be applied to everybody.

Knowledge is key. Where do you currently hold savings accounts and are they paying the best return? How much do you owe? What interest rates are you currently paying? What is your financial goal?

These are all basic questions to ask yourself and from there, you can make changes that will put you on the path to your savings dream.

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Exxon Mobile Corp (XOM) has maintained its value as the overall markets have turned bearish over the past couple of weeks. The oil/natural gas exploration and development company remains near its 52-week as analyst continue to anticipate strong earnings in the coming quarters. Currently the company is valued at $395 billion and offers a dividend of 1.88 or a 2.3% yield.

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What makes one person more capable of making wise informed financial decisions, more than another person? Maturity? Experience? Intelligence? Education? Most likely, it's a combination of experience and common sense. There's no lesson quite as meaningful as the one we learn from a bad first-hand experience so, very often, the best advice will come from someone who's been burnt financially in the past!

It might seem that it's wise to never ever borrow and just live within our means throughout our whole lives. While there's certainly something to be said for that, debt is not always a bad thing. It's not necessarily wise to suggest to a young person or a potential mortgage-holder that they simply resist the urge to borrow. Effective debt-management often makes a great deal more sense than a total lack of debts in the first place. After all, one of the main criteria that banks use when assessing an applicant's suitability for a loan is credit rating i.e. the applicant's history of borrowing and, more importantly, history of repaying.

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The formula for growing your bank account is actually very simple. Either you bring in more money, or you spend less money. So what is the most successful approach? As in many other parts of life, moderation is the key. You will have greater success with your financial goals if you do a little bit of both decreased spending and increased earning. Focusing on one or the other instead of both can create too much stress for too little outcome.