9 things to know when investing in precious metals

9 things to know when investing in precious metals

Investing in precious metals is a smart addition to diversifying an investment portfolio. Precious metals are a popular commodity and a less volatile market when compared to stocks. With multiple regulatory authorities and trading platforms, investing in precious metals hassle-free has also become easy today. But there are many points one must consider and be well-informed before investing. Here are some key things to know before investing in precious metals.

Understand the types of precious metals
Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are popular precious metals with unique characteristics, market demand, and investing dynamics. Invest only after a thorough comparison.

Diversification
Precious metals can be an effective way to diversify any investment portfolio. They often have a low association with other assets like bonds and stocks, which can help reduce overall portfolio risk.

Storage and security
Physical ownership of precious metals necessitates the need to invest in home security. Options include home safes, bank safety deposit boxes, or third-party storage facilities. Be sure to consider the associated costs and security measures before buying assets.

Physical vs. paper investments
There are two ways to invest in precious metals: purchase physical bullion (coins or bars) or invest through paper investments like exchange-traded funds (ETFs), online futures contracts, or online mining stocks.

Market volatility
Market risk is inherent, and external considerations impact the sale and purchase of precious metals. Prices can significantly fluctuate in response to economic and geopolitical events. Be prepared for this volatility and have a clear investment strategy in place.

Long-term vs. short-term investment
Determine investment goals before investing. Is it simply a short-term hedge against inflation and market instability, or is the investment long-term for growth in the portfolio? Investment goals will directly influence precious metals choices.

Market research
Stay informed about the factors that affect precious metal prices, such as inflation rates, central bank policies, geopolitical tensions, and currency movements. Research and market analysis are crucial.

Liquidity
Liquidity can vary among different precious metals. Gold and silver are generally more liquid than less commonly traded metals like platinum and palladium. Liquidity matters as more liquid assets can be bought and sold off quickly.

Transaction costs
Finally, consider transaction costs before buying or selling precious metals. These include dealer premiums, storage fees, and all applicable taxes. These costs directly impact overall returns.

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Top automated investing services that make investment easy for all

Automated investing services or Robo advisors are becoming popular by the day, and financial experts around the world only expect to see a surge in their usage. This is because these intelligent services offer one crucial advantage that many investors benefit from: low-cost financial advice. With many top financial services companies jumping in the race to provide customers with the best automated investing services, there are plenty of great options available for every kind of investor.What is a Robo advisor and how much does it cost?A Robo advisor is a digital platform that provides algorithmic-driven money management services that require virtually no human supervision. It does this by collecting client data like financial situation, future goals, and other details through an online survey. This data is then used to automatically manage clients' assets and provide them with the most suitable financial advice. Robo advisors are immensely cheaper than human financial advisors. Most services only charge an annual management fee that is anywhere between 0.25% and 0.5% of the account balance. Depending on your need, you can even find good Robo advisors that offer services free of charge and low minimum balance value. Top Robo advisors in the marketThere are several low-cost Robo advisors that you can choose based on your needs and preferences. Here are some of the best automated investing services or Robo advisors available in the market today.BettermentBetterment is one of the oldest and the most popular players in the industry. It allows clients to invest in a range of funds chosen for you to improve returns. It offers automatic rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, a personalized retirement plan, and can even sync your outside holdings like bank accounts and any other investments. At extra cost, you can up your investing game by talking to a certified financial advisor on the phone.Management fee: 0.25%Account minimum: $0https://www.betterment.com/investing/SoFI InvestA go-to choice for student loan refinancing, SoFi has now expanded its services into automated investing with its user-friendly investment management system. The company provides goal-based planning, automatic rebalancing, and diversifies your money to help reach your financial goals. Plus, you’ll receive member benefits like career services, discounts on SoFi products, and the opportunity to speak to a human advisor—everything at zero cost. Management fee: noneAccount minimum: $1https://www.sofi.com/invest/automated/WealthfrontWealthfront is one of the largest automated investing companies that offer both short and long-term financial goal planning. Its software builds a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds to improve your returns and offers time-tested investment strategies that automatically look for profitable opportunities. Management fee: 0.25 percentAccount minimum: $500https://www.wealthfront.com/Charles Schwab Intelligent PortfoliosCharles Schwab is one of the most trusted financial services companies that launched its own Robo advisor that helps build, monitors, rebalances a diversified portfolio based on your goals, and provides 24/7 customer support from US-based service professionals. With Schwab, you are not charged any advisory fee or commission and can invest in a portfolio of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs).Management fee: noneAccount minimum: $5,000https://intelligent.schwab.com/

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5 credit card mistakes to avoid

Today, digital transactions have become the norm. This has made safeguarding one’s financial information all the more important. Sadly, credit card fraud remains a prevalent concern, and numerous victims are falling victim to the evolvingly cunning tactics employed by cybercriminals. One way individuals can safeguard themselves from fraudulent activities is by avoiding some credit card mistakes that leave them susceptible. Avoiding these mistakes can significantly bolster their defenses against potential threats. Neglecting strong password Most individuals prefer using easy-to-use and easy-to-remember passwords to offer them easy access. However, easily guessable passwords such as birthdays and phrases can make things easier for cybercriminals. It is advisable to opt for complex passwords comprising a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numerals, and special characters to avoid granting them unauthorized access. Regularly changing passwords and employing a password manager can further fortify online security. Disregarding secure websites for transactions Another grave mistake credit card users make that makes them susceptible to fraud is entering their details on unsecured websites. This is one place where cybercriminals exploit vulnerable sites to harvest sensitive data. To mitigate this risk, individuals should only transact on secure websites. Checking for "https://" in the URL and looking for a padlock icon in the address bar are some telltale signs of a secure connection. Sharing card information on unsecured networks People find public Wi-Fi networks convenient to use. However, it is paramount that one stay alert to the information that is being shared or accessed on public networks. Transmitting credit card information over unsecured networks can expose it to potential interception by hackers. In order to avoid making this error, individuals should refrain from making sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi. It is also advisable to utilize virtual private networks (VPNs) and opt for cellular data connections to provide an extra layer of security. Falling for phishing scams Phishing scams are a prevalent practice among those employed by cybercriminals. They use deceptive emails or messages that visually mimic legitimate institutions. These are employed to entice individuals and encourage them to divulge their credit card details. Legitimate institutions rarely request such information through email or messages. Storing card information on multiple platforms Saving credit card information on various websites for convenience may seem harmless, but it poses a significant risk. In the event of a data breach on any of these platforms, all stored card details become vulnerable. Avoiding this mistake involves refraining from saving credit card information on multiple sites. Instead, individuals should opt for secure, one-time transactions or employ trusted digital wallets.

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Top 10 cat food deals to check out ahead of Black Friday 2022

Top 10 cat food deals to check out ahead of Black Friday 2022

Black Friday will be here soon, presenting pet parents an opportunity to stock up on food for their feline friends without spending a lot. There will be plenty of discounts from the top pet food brands, including Royal Canin and Purina. But if you cannot wait until then, check out these ten fantastic deals that are available right now. Take your time researching well and pick the healthiest options for your cat! Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Cat food This grain-free recipe ensures your pet gets the proper nourishment and maintains a healthy weight. Besides promoting weight control, it supports the muscles and improves digestive health. The product is already available at a discount of 7% on Chewy, but you can expect a better deal during the year-end sale. Wellness Healthy Indulgence Gravies Grain-free Variety Pack This variety pack makes mealtimes quick and easy. Created by nutritionists and veterinarians, the recipes are enriched with the finest ingredients to promote your cat’s well-being. Petco is offering a discount of 5%, but you can get it at an even lower price by opting for repeat delivery. Tiki Cat Queen Emma Luau Variety-pack Grain-free Canned Cat Food You can save 10% on this variety pack from Tiki Cat at Chewy.
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20 Black Friday 2022 unmissable furniture deals

20 Black Friday 2022 unmissable furniture deals

If you’ve been waiting for Black Friday to make a big-ticket furniture purchase, now’s the time, especially if you’re searching for something, like a sofa or mattress. We’ve seen savings of up to 50% in recent years, so browsing the bargains may really help keep prices down, which is crucial, considering the cost of living. Also, remember to bookmark websites that offer information on the current Black Friday furniture bargains. Metal and wood platform bed frame On Amazon, the ZINUS Suzanne 37-inch Metal and Wood Platform Bed Frame could drop to $189 (was $220), a $31 savings. Bathroom vanity Last year, the Lark Manor Burchard 36′′ Single Bathroom Vanity Set was available for $549.99 (down from $724.99). Add this to your shopping list to save $175 at Wayfair. Floor lamp The AllModern Finton 60.25-Inch Tripod Floor Lamp might be available for $149, a 44% reduction. That’s a deal you don’t want to lose on. Queen-sized bed frame Last Black Friday, the Plank Beam PB312-002 Solid Wood Queen-Size Bed in White was on sale for $270.74 (down from $319). On Amazon, that is a 37% discount. Coffee table Cumka Coffee Table Teak Resin 23.6′′ is anticipated to retail at Walmart for $205.60, a 30% discount.
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Fitness trackers – 10 best Black Friday deals

Fitness trackers – 10 best Black Friday deals

A fitness tracker will be on many Black Friday shopping lists this year. While it is on November 25, multiple deals are expected to pop up from early September to late October. Whatever your fitness mantra, high-tech fitness trackers can help you achieve your goals. And getting them at a discounted price is the cherry on the cake! Let’s check out some amazing Black Friday fitness tracker deals for the year 2022. Fitbit Versa 3 Continuous heart-rate monitoring, SpO2, support for NFC payments, a microphone for taking phone calls, and Google/Alexa assistance are some of the many incredible features offered by this tracker. Plus, unlike its previous variants, Versa 3 provides a built-in GPS for navigation. During the sale season, you might also find it priced under $200. Fitbit Charge 5 Fitbit Charge 5 delivers many upgrades to cater to your needs. Many online platforms offer it for under $150 for a limited period. Its features, like the bright OLED screen, electrodermal activity sensors, contactless payments, notifications, sleep tracking, heart monitoring, and timers, make it one of the most highly dependable fitness trackers. Garmin FENIX 7 Series A week’s worth of battery, topographical maps, touch screen, military-grade standard, up to 10 ATM water resistance, insightful training guides and programs, solar charging, and astonishing real-time stamina feature are the traits that make the 7 series an absolute hit.
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Foods to avoid for managing Crohn’s disease

Foods to avoid for managing Crohn’s disease

When you have been diagnosed with a condition such as Crohn’s, it is vital to watch what you consume to avoid triggering or worsening symptoms. Although there is no specific meal plan for patients with this condition, it has been noticed that avoiding a few foods can help to manage the condition more effectively. However, these trigger items can vary from one person to another. Read on to learn about the foods to avoid during Crohn’s flare-up: Dairy products If you have Crohn’s disease, you might be lactose intolerant too. Lactose is a protein found in milk and dairy items such as cheese, and some people find it difficult to digest or process. Hence, consuming these items could trigger the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and lead to bloating, diarrhea, cramping, etc. However, dairy products are a rich source of vitamin D and calcium; if you are avoiding them, you would need to get these nutrients from other food sources. This can include green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals or juices. You might also need to talk to your doctor about taking supplements. Greasy and fried foods People with this condition should avoid items such as French fries and fried chicken.
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10 Black Friday 2022 dog foods deals to check out

10 Black Friday 2022 dog foods deals to check out

With Black Friday comes amazing deals on a variety of goods, right from appliances to furniture and home décor to dog foods. Even popular brands, such as Royal Canin, Hill’s Science, Iams, and Blue Buffalo, offer hefty discounts during this time. Whether your dog loves dry food or wet food, you will find plenty of nutritious and delicious options at hard-to-miss prices. Check out the best Black Friday dog food deals given below. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food This dog food, originally priced at $67.99, is offered by Chewy at a discount of 10%. Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula is specially designed for adult dogs. Your pet dog will love to eat this healthy meal made with protein-rich deboned chicken and other natural ingredients. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food Hill’s Science offers a variety of dog foods to nourish your furry friend who is prone to having an upset tummy. This dry dog food contains nourishing prebiotic fiber and real chicken and is gentle on the stomach. At Chewy, you can get this dog food for $77.99 and save 4%. Iams Proactive Health Smart Puppy Original Dry Dog Food Get a 14% discount on Iams Proactive Health Smart Puppy Original Dry Dog Food when you buy from Chewy.
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Foods to avoid for managing bronchitis

Foods to avoid for managing bronchitis

Bronchitis is a lung condition in which the lining of the bronchial tubes, which are responsible for transporting air to and from the lungs, gets inflamed. The condition can be chronic or acute and can develop as a result of an underlying respiratory condition or a cold. Certain foods can also trigger the condition and cause the symptoms to worsen. Here are some foods to avoid when diagnosed with bronchitis. Dairy products People suffering from chronic bronchitis need to limit their intake of dairy products. When digested, these items release a compound known as casomorphin, which is known to elevate the amount of phlegm and mucus released by the body. This can lead to severe coughing, which could worsen wheezing and pain in patients suffering from the disease. Instead of dairy products, you can opt for alternatives such as almond or soy milk. Excess salt Excess salt can be extremely harmful to patients suffering from the disease because too much sodium can cause water retention in the body leading to difficulty breathing. To season your food, it is essential to opt for low-sodium salt alternatives, as suggested by a nutritionist, to counteract any harmful effects on the body. It is also essential to keep an eye on labels about the amount of salt present in snacks and processed foods.
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