Should You Own a Vacation Home - Or Just Rent One When You Need To?

February 6, 2013 By 1 Comment

vacation homeThere’s probably a time in nearly everyone’s life when they contemplate owning a vacation home. It could be a lot of fun, and owning another piece of real estate can be a real boost to your retirement plans. But owning a vacation home can also be more complicated than owning a primary residence.

There are a number of factors that should be considered before buying a vacation home to determine if it’s the right decision for you.

When owning a vacation home makes sense

There can be strong reasons for owning a vacation home.

When you like one particular place. If you develop a strong attachment to a place you want to go to again and again, owning a vacation home in that location makes a lot of sense. Let’s say for example that you love to ski and you have one specific ski resort that you particularly like to go to. In that case, buying and owning a vacation property in or near that resort can work very well for you. Not only will the house be a familiar place to take vacations, but it’s also an excellent place to store your ski equipment in between.

It doesn’t have to be a ski chalet in the mountains either. It could be house at a favorite beach or even one located close to a major attraction, such as Disney World.

When there’s strong potential for rental income. Though it isn’t universally true for vacation properties, there are some in such premium locations that there is strong potential for rental income. You may not be able to earn enough rental income to cover all of the expenses of the property, but you may be able to earn enough to offset at least the majority of them.

In that way, your seasonal tenants at least partially subsidize the cost of you owning your vacation home. If you are earning a sizable amount of rental income and the property is also increasing in value, that will be a double win.

When you plan to retire to an area. This can be one of the most compelling reasons to own a vacation property. You will own with the idea that you will eventually retire to the home. If you own the house long enough, you may also be able to payoff the mortgage on it prior retirement. If you can, you will not only have a very desirable place to live, but you will also be mortgage-free just in time for retirement. Another double win.

When you should probably rent a vacation home as needed

But there might be even more reasons why you wouldn’t want to own a vacation home.

When you don’t have that one place you always want to go to. One of the most compelling reasons for buying a vacation home is because it is located in an area that you like to return to again and again. But if you don’t have such a place, there’s no point in owning. If you do, that’s simply a matter of adding another possession - and the attached set of expenses - to your collection.

When you don’t want to manage remote property. One of the qualities that makes a vacation home a vacation home, is that is located in an area that’s very different from where you normally live, and probably a substantial distance too. If you don’t like the idea of owning and managing a property so far from home with all the expenses that travel will bring you probably shouldn’t own a vacation home.

When variety beckons. If you are the type of person who likes to take different vacations in a variety of locations, you probably don’t want to be tied down to a single vacation home. One of the great things about vacation homes is that if you don’t own one yourself, you can always rent somebody else’s. And if you’re the kind of person who prefers to vacation in hotels, a vacation home will serve no purpose anyway.

Rental income potential is weak. As much as you may like a certain vacation home or location, if the a local rental market is weak, you won’t be able get any help from potential tenants in paying for the cost of the property.

As a rule, vacation properties make poor investments anyway, at least from an income standpoint. Even in strong vacation rental markets, the fundamental problem is that everyone wants to be there in season which is also when you want to be there. And when it’s out of season and you don’t want to be there “ no one else does either. Translation: there’s a lot of competition for the property in season.

If this isn’t something you feel like dealing with, but you’d need the rent income to help maintain the property, you probably don’t want to own one.

A vacation home is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. Though it can provide incredible benefits, think long and hard about the many mechanics that go into it, and whether or not you feel ready and willing to take on all that’s involved.

Do you own a vacation home? What are the pros and cons of owning one? What would you recommend to someone who’s thinking about buying one?

photo by discountvacationrentalsonline

Filed Under: real estate

Protect Yourself from Economic Crime

February 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Economic crime is on the rise. Identity theft, Ponzi schemes, and insurance fraud have become all too commonplace. In both the United States and abroad, economic and specialist crime units are now as plentiful as homicide units, and frequently as busy with their caseloads.

Corporations and individuals now employ their own private teams of economic crime managers. For the worst reasons imaginable, a whole new career path is opening up, and its potential is seemingly as unlimited as that of economic crime itself.

A masters degree in Economic Crime represents a doorway to a compelling and still expanding career. As the field of economic crime investigation and prevention continues to grow, so too will the demand for individuals with proper, related credentials. Not only can a Masters degree in Economic Crime serve to protect oneself and one’s family and friends, but the degree translates easily into a law enforcement career, or a career as a private contractor to whom economic crime investigation and prevention may be outsourced. Or one can establish oneself as an independent consultant, aiding both businesses and individuals with the task of effectively guarding against future economic crime.

A Masters degree in Economic Crime prepares you for a career in a wide array of investigative and crime prevention roles. Considering all the various kinds of economic crime that abound, it’s no wonder this degree is already quite priceless. At the FBI’s website, for example, the following are listed as economic crimes that in recent years have become more prevalent: Securities and commodities fraud (insider trading, Forex fraud, precious metals fraud), subprime fraud, investment fraud (ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes, promissory note frauds), broker embezzlement, and market manipulation.

Person to person economic crime, namely identity theft, is typically handled at the local level, unless a particular criminal is a serial offender whose activity straddles state lines. In both cases, specialists in economic crime units assist investigators, drawing upon management, technology, and analytical skills enhanced by a global perspective.

As these crimes (and economic criminals) become more abundant, and with the proliferation of technology and the world’s newly mobile residency among the “clouds”, specialists trained to tackle and combat these scenarios will soon be in high demand. At the moment, all but a handful of the 50 states boast an official economic crime unit. Smaller units exist at the county level, typically linked with sheriffs’ offices.

Corporations are beginning to see the value of having in-house teams of economic crime specialists so they do not have to bring in the police; it’s often bad publicity until they can answer questions with some details.

A masters degree in Economic Crime is easily completed in two years, and entails a wide variety of curriculum designed to produce the most skill-heavy, knowledgeable, capable economic crime specialist possible. The program, whichrriculum designed to produce the most skill-heavy, knowledgeable, capable economic crime specialist possible. The program, whic culminates in a thesis, consists of courses as legality and fraud, information/communication security, and management of fraud, to name but a few.

Now is the time to get in on this exciting, diverse, and still growing field. Protect yourself, and others, while performing a vital, exhilarating job.

Filed Under: Frugal Living

Short Term Solutions for a Cash Flow Shortage

February 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The first couple of months of the year are the worst for many of us when it comes to our finances. All of that Christmas spending can add up and if you’ve been paid earlier than usual it may well seem as if payday is never coming around. There are some short-term solutions you can put into place if your situation feels desperate.

Short Term Loans

Generally these are only advisable for very short term borrowing and they are designed as such. You obtain the cash extremely quickly and lenders will assess you based on factors such as whether or not you have a regular income. Consider this option if you are sure you can pay back the loan as soon as your next pay check comes through. It might be tempting to apply for payday loans on a regular basis, but it wouldn’t be a sensible method. Click here to find out more.

Overdrafts

Make an appointment with your bank to see if you can arrange an overdraft for your account. Usually there is an agreed limit on overdrafts so that there is a cap on the sum you can spend, and these will also accrue interest over a period of time. Many US banks were scrutinized in 2012 to ensure that overdraft legislation brought into play in 2010 had actually been implemented, meaning consumers should have more power over their banking in 2013.

Getting a Second Job

If you really are struggling to make ends meet, looking around for a part-time job to supplement your main source of income could be the answer. Whether you currently work evenings and have free time during the day or vice versa, there are often jobs out there that could be suitable. Make sure that you actually have time to put in extra hours without taking away too much leisure time. You could for example consider freelance work or try the hospitality industry where the tips will tide you over.

Whatever option you choose, ensure that it is sensible and fits in with your lifestyle. There are of course other methods that you could consider, and you should never be too proud to ask for help.

Filed Under: World Finance

Green Energy Versus Brown Energy: Cost and Investment

February 5, 2013 By 1 Comment

In today’s economy, the costs of almost everything are rising at an alarming rate. In the last few years, energy rates have shot up substantially compared to how slowly they grew over the last century. Thanks to new regulations, local electricity rates are projected to increase substantially in the coming years. When dealing with electricity, you can choose between brown energy and green energy, depending on your situation. What’s the difference between the two and how can they impact you?

Brown Energy

Brown energy is the traditional type of electricity that is produced through the normal means. Typically, this refers to electric plants that produce power with coal or some other fossil fuels. It is referred to as brown energy because of the pollution that is caused by this form of energy. Local electricity rates are based on the use of brown energy for the most part, although that is slowly starting to change.

Green Energy

Green energy is a form of power that is renewable and does not pollute the earth in any way. With green energy, homeowners and businesses can take advantage of the abundant power that is all around them without having to rely on fossil fuels or create pollution. Some examples of green energy are solar power, hydroelectric power, wind power, geothermal power, and biodiesel. All of these forms of power have been available for many years, but they are starting to become more popular and widely available to the average person.

Costs

Initially, green energy typically requires a large upfront investment for the customer. This is because they must pay for all of the equipment that is needed and the labor to install it. For example, if you want to go solar, you have to pay for all of the panels, the inverter, the wire, monitoring equipment and other items that are required to make it work. Unless you know how to do it yourself, you also have to pay someone to hook it up for you.

By comparison, when you want to hook up to the grid, you just tell the power company where you want to connect and they’ll bring it to you. When you use brown energy, you’ll have an electric bill for the rest of your life. With green energy, you will eventually be producing free electricity. Once the system has paid for itself, you’ll be able to enjoy free power for several years. You can find out more about green energy here at this page.

Considerations

Although renewable energy systems can cost a lot initially, there are numerous programs and incentives that are available to help. For instance, the United States offers a 30 percent federal tax credit. Many utility companies also have rebates that you can take advantage of to help pay for your system. If you’re thinking about going green, find out what incentives and rebates may be available in your area. It may be more affordable than you previously thought was possible just a few years ago.

Filed Under: Frugal Living

Why Gardening and Investing are More Similar Than You Think

February 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

gardeningI’m the first person to admit that I completely lack a green thumb. In fact, I’ve managed to kill just about every house plant I’ve ever owned. However, if there’s one thing I’m determined to do, it’s save money. Recently, I visited my in-laws over the holidays, and I watched my father-in-law work in his garden. Now, I’ve known my father-in-law for 7.5 years, and I’ve enjoyed the fruits (literally) of his labor for a very long time. However, it wasn’t until I sat there watching him that I really started think about how much money he has saved over the years just from using his own soil and his own two hands. In fact, I realized that gardening really serves as a metaphor for investing as a whole.

1. Buy The Seeds

Buying the seeds for a garden is very similar to saving money in my opinion. All it really takes is a small investment in the beginning. You might choose a few different kids of seeds like strawberries, green peppers, or pumpkins. Similarly, you might choose a few different types of investments like mutual funds, CDs, or a simple high yield savings account. Either way, it’s the combination of the different types of seeds/investments that make up the best portfolios.

2. Water The Seeds

The seeds can grow on their own with a nice rain shower, just like a mutual fund will eventually increase in value over a certain period of time even if you never add to it. However, by taking care of the seeds just a little, you can make a big impact. By ensuring they are located in the right soil, receiving the right amount of sun, and the right amount of water, you have a better chance of actually getting a seed to grow. Similarly, by researching various mutual funds, checking the history of the market, placing your accounts with a respected manager, and checking on your money regularly, you can easily add thousands to your overall net worth.

3. Be Patient With Your Seeds

It takes time for vegetables and fruit to grow. It’s not something that happens overnight, and it requires a certain amount of knowledge, thought, and patience. Similarly, your investments won’t pay big returns overnight. It’s the slow, patient investor who typically does the best in the end. Many people have been ruined because they withdraw their funds too quickly and in many cases end up paying heavy penalties.

4. Protect Your Plot

I’ll never forget the time my husband planted me a blackberry bush. Just as those little red berries began turning black and visions of pie were dancing in my head, birds came overnight and ate them completely. My husband was so frustrated. He waited so long for those berries to blossom and he paid around $20 for the actual bush. Yet, because those greedy birds got to it first, we were left with nothing. What we should have done is put a certain type of spray on the bush or at least had a fake snake in eyesight of the birds to scare them off, but we didn’t. The same goes for your investments. You have to protect them and take care of them. You have to understand all of the “birds” that could affect your growing funds. Whether it’s government taxes or other new regulations, it’s up to you to stay on top of financial news and developments and protect what you have.

5. Reap What You Sow

In gardening, just as with investing, you reap what you sow. By following the above steps and taking the time and care to grow your garden, you will be rewarded in the end.

photo by aigle_dore

Filed Under: Investing Tagged With: ,

Finally Buying A New Car

February 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

When the time comes to buy a new car, you may feel overwhelmed. There are a lot of cars on the market, and you may not know where to start. What must you keep in mind? You do not have to feel scared or worried as you buy a new vehicle for your household. The information below may help.

1. Discover the Model That You Wish To Buy

Before you drive to your local dealership, it is an excellent idea to determine what car may work for your household. Will you use this car to go to work? There are many websites on the Internet that may assist you in your search. You may look at online auction websites or dealership websites and discover what is currently available on the market. It is also necessary to know your limits; you should create a budget before you grow fond of an expensive car.

2. Research the History of the Car

What is the history of the car model that you wish to purchase? You should be aware of anything that may go wrong after you purchase the car. The car may have a history of poor brakes. If this is not the case, an owner of the car may complain about the seats or other interior features. Online forums may provide reviews and feedback, and you should keep this in mind. You do not have to fall victim to the hype provided by car manufacturers and dealerships.

3. Negotiate the Price

When you find a car that you wish to purchase and take to your home, negotiate the price. Some dealerships may not be sincere when they give you a price for the car. If you wish to avoid paying too much money, think about what you are comfortable with in the long run. Do not fall victim to the sticker price on the car; do not give in to pressure. Bring a friend along if you believe that you require support. He or she may also provide feedback and talk to the dealer before you sign anything.

4. Do Not Be Afraid To Look Elsewhere

If the dealership does not cater to your needs, you should not feel trapped. You should look elsewhere if you still want to find your dream car. A dealer may imply that you cannot find a car at a particular price if you choose to go to another dealership; this is not necessarily true. There may be another dealership in your community that carries a higher rate of customer satisfaction. Friends or family members may be able to recommend another place for you to inspect. Do not feel that you must adhere to certain plans; go with what makes you happy.

When you finally locate your dream car and drive it off the lot, remember that it is crucial to have a good car insurance company on your side. Look around to find 21st quotes or talk to somebody that you trust. Basic premise: you can take care of your car if you know what to do.

Filed Under: Family Finances

15 Easy Ways To Exercise For Free

February 1, 2013 By 11 Comments

exercise for freeLike most people, one of my New Yea’s resolutions was to get into better shape. While I am not overweight, I’d have a lot of trouble running a mile (unless a bear was chasing me.) So, I vowed to at least be healthier.

The only problem is that I’m as frugal as they get! So, I was very hesitant to join an expensive gym just so that I could add a few muscles here and there.

To fix this problem of needing to work out but not having a clear plan to do so cheaply, I began to brainstorm ways that I could get in shape on the cheap. Below is the result of that brainstorming session. I hope it helps you too!

1. Run down the street.

You definitely don’t need a gym to get a great workout. Try taking a run down the street instead. It’s definitely not fun during the winter months, but you will warm up as soon as you start jogging.

2. Walk your dog.

Walking the dog is a great workout because it works several different muscles, especially if your dog is prone to pulling like mine is!

3. Take the stairs at work.

Why take the elevator when you can run up the stairs? If you do that enough every day at work, you will definitely notice a positive change in how your clothes fit.

4. Help someone move.

No one actually wants to help others move, but we do it anyway because they are our friends. Plus, it’s a great workout.

5. Take a swim.

If you have a pool or a lake nearby, jump in for a swim. You will be surprised at how hard it is if it’s been a while!

6. Play ball with your kids.

It’s important to spend time with your children, so why not head outside? Throw them a ball, chase them, and have fun while burning calories at the same time.

7. Take your bike to work.

Many employers are actually paying their employees to bike to work, so you can actually get paid for this form of exercise. Win/Win!

8. Go camping.

Camping requires a bit of hiking, setting up the tent, and cooking, all great ways to exercise your arms and legs.

9. Take out the trash.

It’s not glamorous, but if you have a big family and your trash bag is heavy, it can actually make you break a sweat when you take it to the curb.

10. Stretch

Instead of sitting in front of the TV, stretch in front if it. Sit on the floor, put your legs in front of you, and reach!

11. Watch a yoga DVD.

Sure, you could go to a nice resort and take a yoga class, but you can also pop in a DVD for a bit of free exercise.

12. Learn ballroom dancing from YouTube.

There are many YouTube experts who teach ballroom dancing online. Set up your computer in your living room, grab a partner, and have a good time.

13. Do a handstand.

When you do a handstand against a wall, you don’t have to pay anything, and you get a great workout (just don’t stay there too long!)

14. Plant a garden.

When you do yard work, you can absolutely work up a sweat. Moving mulch and planting flowers takes hard work!

15. Start a kickball league.

Kickball is a great sport that anyone can do regardless of skill level. (Trust me, my skill level is zero, and I still play.) You can get great exercise this way and socialize with friends too.

I’m sure there are many other ways to work out and burn calories without spending your hard earned money on a gym membership! If you have any other ideas, please let me know in the comment section below!

photo by cmcbrown

Filed Under: Frugal Living Tagged With:

At What Age Should You Consider Life Insurance?

February 1, 2013 By 1 Comment

life insuranceIf you have been considering getting life insurance, then you may be wondering if it is actually worth it. You may think you are too young, or you may even think you are too old. You may wonder if anyone would benefit from you having life insurance.

There are obviously many things to consider. And while many people ask at what age they should consider life insurance, there is no concrete answer. Getting life insurance will depend entirely on your situation.

In your twenties

If you’re in your twenties, it’s unlikely life insurance is your top priority. You may worry about getting a good degree, getting and keeping a job, or paying the bills month to month, or you might just worry about how to get rid of a hangover and that awful curry stain on the carpet in your rental apartment.

However, there are many reasons why you could need life insurance in your twenties. If you buy a house or start a family, then having life insurance should definitely be on the agenda. If you have huge student loans or credit card debts, then life insurance could also be a good idea.

When you start a family

As previously mentioned, having a family means it’s usually a good idea to protect yourself with life insurance. Choosing a policy from an insurer like Suncorp Life Insurance means you can protect your family, should something bad happen to you.

This could mean a payout to help cover bills such as funeral expenses, and it could keep your family afloat during tough times when you’re no longer there to provide an income.

When you buy a house

Again, when you make a big purchase like a house, you need to protect those you may leave behind from the financial burden of your mortgage. A life insurance payout could help to pay off your mortgage, leaving your family with less financial stress.

When you start accruing certain debts

Debt can often be a part of life, but unfortunately, it can be left to your family to pay off your debt should you reach an untimely demise. This could mean student loans, credit card debts, car loans, personal loans, and so on, all left unpaid. Life insurance could help cover these costs and pay off debts.

When you have people that depend on you

While we have already talked about children depending on you financially, there can be other people who depend on you as well. This could be a non-working partner, an elderly relative, or someone who needs specialist care or medical treatment. The loss of your income could cause problems to these people who rely on you, and getting life insurance could mean their financial protection is assured.

Whatever your age or situation, it could be worth finding out more about life insurance. Life insurance policies can be adjusted and tailored to suit your budget, and to suit your needs. Find out more about life insurance Australia with Suncorp, by visiting their website, or calling up one of their friendly customer service agents.

photo by StockMonkey

Filed Under: Insurance

The Simplicity of Living Beneath Your Means

January 31, 2013 By 7 Comments

simple lifeComplicated strategies and theories fill the personal finance blogosphere, but you can put them all together and none of them have the effectiveness of one very simple concept: living beneath your means.

An oversimplification? Read on.

More money for savings

If you’re always living beneath your means, even if it’s only by a little, you will always have money for savings. Even if you only bank 5% or 10% of your net paycheck every month, your savings are perpetually on the rise. The longer you’re able to do that, the closer you will come to true financial independence.

Because you condition your self to live beneath your means, you’re in a savings pattern that will stack the financial deck in your favor no matter what else is happening.

Less debt

One financial issue that plagues millions and millions of households is debt. But if you’re living beneath your means debt has a way of either going away on its own or never happening in the first place.

Debt is usually a symptom of the exact opposite of living beneath your means. If you live above your means, even if it’s only a little above, you will end up in debt. And your debt will grow for as long as you’re living above your means. It’s simple, if you’re spending more than you earn you will have to make it up somehow. That is usually with debt.

If you are living beneath your means, that isn’t a problem you will ever have for very long.

Survive at nearly any income level

When you’re into the discipline of living beneath your means, you can generally survive at nearly any income level. Losing a job and being forced to take another that pays 10 to 20% less than what you’re making isn’t a major problem. You simply lower your living expenses by 10 to 20% and you’re back in business. You’re survival is never in doubt.

Ability to quit a job

There’s an unmistakable freedom that comes with that lifestyle. If you are living beneath your means, you can afford to lose a job or to quit one without fear that you’ll be plunged into poverty. You always have extra in your budget and you know that you can survive because of it.

When you live beneath your means, you develop employment independence. You’re never completely dependent on any given job, or pay level. Since your dominant financial philosophy is living beneath your means, you can adjust to live on any income level and not only survive but also thrive.

That situation heightens the chance that you will be able to pursue nearly any job, career, or business that you choose. Since income paralysis will not be a problem in your life, you can do the kind of work you want, that you love. Of course, another big advantage here is that if you are doing work that you want to do and like to do, chances are excellent that you will earn more money doing it.

It’s another one of side benefits of living beneath your means.

Living with less worry

Everyone has worries in life, but when you are living at or above your means you can have a lot more worries. Every month is a struggle to make your budget, or else to go deeper into debt. Either scenario comes with its own set of problems. This can cause you to lose sleep, to under-perform at work, to be inattentive to family and friends, and even to degrade your health.

When you live beneath your means, most of those worries will go away. This will give you more stress-free time to be more productive in your work, to build better relationships, to take care of yourself and have more fun in life all around.

All of these advantages come about because of one simple philosophy: living beneath your means.

Have you ever thought about how this single, simple strategy can change everything about your finances?

photo by pagedooley

Filed Under: Budgeting

Easy Ways To Protect Your Money

January 25, 2013 By 3 Comments

moneyAre you doing everything you can to protect your money?

We spend most of our days working very hard to support our families and pay our bills, but a surprising few take the steps to ensure that their money and their credit is safe from those who want to abuse it. We currently live in a world where identity theft is rampant. Technology has advanced at a surprisingly rapid pace, and those who want to utilize it for harm can easily do so. So, what are we to do to ensure that our hard earned dollars are safe? Below are a few ideas.

1. Check your credit report every year.

It only takes a few minutes to get your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. This website allows you to view your reports from all three major reporting companies. You’re allowed to check it once a year free of charge, and you should. Just last year, I found out that I had a huge fee on mine for not returning an audio book to the public library. It’s a bit of a long story, but essentially, I moved and never got the notices. I was able to pay the fee and get it resolved on my credit report. That was a small blip on my credit, but there could be larger problems on yours caused by identity theft that you might want to rectify. That’s why you have to be vigilant about checking it every year.

2. Use cash.

We’re so used to swiping credit cards and debit cards everywhere we go, and that’s a great way to track your spending. However, this is the easiest way for someone to get your credit card information. Once, my husband paid for dinner at an airport, and the waiter wrote down his credit card information and tried to use it to spend $400 at Wal-Mart. Luckily, our bank blocked the payment, but the downside was that they froze my husband’s card. This meant that he had to wait for a new card to be shipped internationally, since we live outside of the U.S. This annoyance could have been avoided if we would have just used cash.

3. Use PayPal for Internet purchases.

PayPal certainly has pros and cons, but the biggest pro is that they provide a secure way for your to purchase items from people you don’t know. I’ve noticed over the past year or so that more and more companies are allowing PayPal as a payment option. While they do have plenty of fees, they also allow you a voice to contest payments and get your money back if you never received an item.

4. Keep your receipts.

There have been many times where I was able to get a few dollars back by noticing discrepancies between my online bank account and my receipts. All you need to do is carry a small envelope with you marked “receipts” and simply check them against your bank account once a week.

5. Store your documents in a safe place.

If you keep important records at home like your tax information, make sure that you keep them in a locked file cabinet or in a safe. If your documents are out in the open, your social security number might be visible to others and thus more susceptible to fraud. If you like keeping online records better, just ensure that your documents are kept secure with an excellent password that preferably has a mix of upper and lower case letters and symbols.

By doing the tasks above, you will be well on your way to protecting your hard earned money against simple mistakes and indentity theft.

Another way to protect your money and your investments is to choose gold as an avenue for investing. Consider US Money Reserve if you are thinking about breaking into the gold market.

Are they are any other methods that you can use to protect your money? Please share in the comment section below.

photo by MollyDG

Filed Under: General Finance Tagged With: , , ,