5 Main Differences between Forex and Stock Trading

The foreign exchange market might seem to some people very similar to other financial markets. On the surface, the forex exchange has many similarities to the stock exchange. However, there are a number of differences. Below is a breakdown of some of the major differences that might not be obvious to everyone.

Some sees foreign exchange (forex) market a very similar to other financial markets. It is true that forex trading shares many characteristics with the stock exchange, but upon examination, you will learn that they also have a number of differences that distinguish forex and the stock markets from each other. We listed a few of these differences according to (1) trading hours, (2) trading market, (3) financial friction, (4) speed and (5) complexity.

1. Trading Hours

Both the stock market and the forex market operates in a strict schedule. Most stock market operates for 8 hours, and then closes until the next morning when it open for trading again,. For example, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) trading hours is between 10 am until 9:30 pm Sydney Time. You can check a more elaborated schedule in the ASX web site here. In contrast, there is no downtime in forex trading. The forex market operates 24hours a day in 3 shifts, throughout the entire year. You can choose between the US, Asian or Europeans forex trading hours, although they do overlap and thus, allows for currency trading day or night.

2. Trading Marketplace

Forex, unlike the stock markets, are not geographically tied down. It is in fact considered an over-the-counter (OTC) exchange. It can be conducted on a location best suited to the demand and convenience of the trader. Some forex outfits such as Go Markets, even allows for mobile trading using an iPhone or an iPad. On the other hand, stock markets are centralized. This means that it is located mainly in one place like New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), in where all trades are entered or exited.

Read the Golden Rules of Trading laid down on the free forex e-book from GoMarkets by signing up here.

3. Financial Friction

The stock market always require a middleman, which thus results to more financial friction, or simply put: fees. Everytime a stock is sold, a middleman, may it be a broker or some other entity, is always standing between buyer and seller. They make money just to facilitate the trade. The same is the case every time a stock is bought. You have to go through a middleman. That is not the case with forex trading. In forex market, a trader can buy or sell directly by spot trading because the forex market is not centralized. But there are of course, forex brokers. But the edge is, in forex market, the spread are transparent. Besides, most brokers don't require additional transaction fee or even charge a commission.

4. Trading Speed

In forex markets, a trader can use programs to automatically execute a forex trade on a forex trading signal. This makes forex trading almost instantaneous. A forex trader is more less likely to miss a trade because of the time it takes to execute a single tade. In stock markets on the other hand, a trader has to get this order to the trading floor, and from there, it could still take several minutes to be executed.

5. Complexity

When you think about it, forex trading boils down to tracking just 4 major currency pairs. Of course, one could argue that in forex trading, you got to do a lot of formulation and study for a sound forex market analysis. On the plus side, many web sites offers forex education resources and forex tips for free. Compare this to keeping tabs on thousands of stocks in the stock market. In forex markets, currency traders has the advantage of using forex systems. These systems help a currency trader in determining the best time to sell, or buy a currency and the best thing that a stock market trader for that is a broker.

10 Best Laptops Under 1000 Dollars

Are you in search for a high performance laptop that you can carry around wherever you go? You don’t have to worry about searching anymore because here you can have an idea about the best laptops you can buy for under $ 1000. Finding yourself a top notch laptop is something not that is not very easy. There are many of us who dream about having a perfect laptop that happens to be durable, fast and powerful. The battery should last all day or at least around 5 to 6 hours or more. This is just one of the many things that you should think about when buying a laptop.

You will find countless number of options available but still finding the best laptop in the market demands some effort. Whether it business or gaming laptops, they do share a lot in common. Learning the difference between all of the machines available is important. You have laptops, gaming laptops, computer machines and tablets to pick from. The lines seem to blur more than ever between tablets and computing machines. There was a time when these machines were separated on the basis of their operating systems, but now most of them seem to be moving towards the windows platform.

The main idea you need to keep in mind is to pick out a laptop that will provide the necessities and components sufficient to fulfill your business or gaming or just for your own personal needs.

Here are the 10 best laptops you can buy for under the $ 1000 price tag.

10. Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E431

This model is a true business machine that has what it takes to fulfill your needs. This laptop is ideal for small business owners. It will surely pay off in terms of the comfort, performance and battery life it offers. It is packed with a sturdy and reliable keyboard coupled with a number of other great components. It contains a core i5 processor coupled with an Intel HD Graphics 5000. That’s not all, as its benchmark results are also better than many other laptops in the same price range. You can buy it for $ 599.

 

Image Source: shop.lenovo.com

9. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 15

You can get your hands on this amazing touchscreen laptop for $ 949. This machine happens to be really light in weight and still comes equipped with some of the latest components inside. With a 15.6 inches display, 1TB storage, 8GB ram and more than 8 hours battery life, this laptop guarantees the best return on your investment. That’s not all, as it has the ability to flip 300 degrees through its dual mode. It has been optimized for guaranteeing a superior performance on Windows 8. The core i5 processor is what that makes processing on this laptop outclass.

Image Source: shop.lenovo.com

8. Acer Aspire S7-391-6818

This touchscreen Ultrabook is for those who love to enjoy premium features. The weight of this machine is under 3 pounds which is indeed something appealing for all the weight conscious consumers out there. Loaded with an i5 processor, 4GB ram, 128GB storage and all other state of the art components, you can buy this laptop for about $ 850. Not to forget its awesome touchscreen feature. It should be noted here that this laptop has been rated really well. My verdict for this laptop is that it is best suited for moderate gaming and business usage.

Image Source: www.cnet.com

7. Toshiba Satellite P75-A7200

For those who are in search for an extension of their regular desktop computers, the Toshiba Satellite P75-A7200 is a great option. With a 17 inches display, 8GB ram, core i7 processor, 750 GB storage capacity and a long lasting battery, this laptop offers a peek into the Toshiba world. More to your surprise, the machine packs a quad processor which is best suited for all forms of gaming. The display is also luscious in comparison to many others laptops. So all you need to do is spend $ 759 to own it.

Image Source: www.pcworld.com

6. HP Envy Touch Smart 15

The price of this laptop is $ 699. It is a kind of laptop that has been designed to be used on multiple fronts. By buying this machine, you can be sure of some high levels of customer satisfaction primarily because of what is being offered in such an affordable price range. With an Intel i5 processor, 15.6 inches screen, 8GB ram, 1TB hard drive and a highly responsive touchscreen and a number of other superior components, this touch smart laptop is going to change your digital existence.

Image Source: h22150.www2.hp.com

5. Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

If you feel that having a laptop as well as a tablet at the same time might bring in some redundancy, then the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro can be the answer to your problems. This hybrid device has been designed for the fulfillment of your business and gaming needs. The laptop has the ability to perform a backbend after which the whole machine starts working as a tablet. At this point, the keyboard is deactivated, thus giving you a whole new experience. With its 13.3 inches screen, 4GB ram, Intel i3 processor and a lot more, Yoga 2 Pro can be purchased for for $ 949. For all those who value colors, this laptop offers the best and highest resolution available i.e. 3200 by 1800. I am sure that some of you will have $ 949 to spend and will love it.

Image Source: shop.lenovo.com

4. Dell XPS 12.5 Inch Convertible Touchscreen Ultrabook

This device offers a 12.5 inches display, 8GB ram, a 256 GB mSATA hard drive and an i7 Intel processor. These features ensure that the programs keep functioning fast enough for you. The size is one factor that might force you to consider it for home usage. The price of this machine for about $ 700.

Image Source: www.bootic.com

3. Asus N550JK-DS71T

You will find that this laptop is loaded. It shines with a 15.6 inches laptop and the inside is packed with a 2.4 GHz core i7 processor, 8GB ram, 1TB storage, Windows 8.1 and a good screen resolution. It is indeed not the best machine out there, but it still guarantees a superior gaming and business needs. The tech lovers should now that this machine is a multi-touch notebook which offers a 4^th generation quad core computing. That’s not all, it contains a pair of really powerful built in speakers using SonicMaster Technology. You’ll find that it’s around $1000.

Image Source: www.amazon.com

2. Apple MacBook Air MD711LL/B

The display is 11.6 inches but trust me when I say that this laptop is all that you can think of it. It features a 1.4Ghz Intel Core i5 processor, razor think aluminum case, two powerful and independent processor cores, back lit keyboard, Intel HD Graphics 5000, 4GB ram and a long lasting battery life. It is the one consumer grade machine that has dropped off all traditional components and is all-ready to give you a never before Apple-Experience. The price of this device is $ 849.99.

Image Source: www.amazon.com

1. Apple MacBook Air MD760LL/B

Here is the machine that can rightfully be yours. All you need to do is be a little more open in spending your money. It has a great memory capacity, a 128 GB flash storage, 4GB ram, Intel core i5 and the X Mavericks operating system. By buying this laptop, you will not be able to cross the pricing threshold but still you will get a lot more. Most of all, you will be able to become a valued Apple-Consumer. Not to forget that this machine is really thin and light weight. The price for this machine is $ 989.

Image Source: www.ebay.com

10 Most Expensive Billionaire Homes of 2014

Forbes website that releases interesting lists about people’s wealth, statuses, and ranking have also released the top 10 most expensive billionaire homes in the world for this year, 2014. Despite of economic pitfalls, these billionaires are still enjoying their greatest haven, which are their new homes. Based on the data and figures that they have gathered, there are 6 homes from these billionaires that were bought less than $100 million, and the rest are carrying price tags over $100 million or double than that. There is a significant difference of amount owned by Forbes Billionaires that was recorded last year. It does not change the fact that are reaping and enjoying the perks of their wealth with these amazing homes:

10. Masayoshi Son’s Home – Mountain Home Road, Woodside, Calif.

Photo Source: lifestyle9.com

This was bought in 2012 at $117.5 million that has formal gardens, retreat building, tennis court, a detached library, a swimming pool, 1,117 sq ft colonnaded pool house and a 9, 000 sq ft neoclassical house. Currently, it’s estimated worth is $8.6 billion in just two years after it’s purchased.

9. Bill Gates’ Home – Xanadu 2.0, Seattle, Wash.

Photo Source: www.deccanchronicle.com

Based on the 2012 tax assessments, this was bought at $120.5 million and now valued at $67 billion after two years. No wonder, it is owned by the second richest man in the world that has a reading room library, a pool with underwater music system and a gym that measures 2500 square foot. Those are just the wonderful features that you could find in Bill Gate’s mansion. You would be in awe as you explore more other hidden treasures of his home.

8. Ken Griffin’s Home – Blossom Estate, Palm Beach, Fla.

Photo Source: www.forbes.com

He purchased it closely at $130 million at the end of 2012 which is now valued at $4.1 billion. He is the founder of Citadel who bought four properties in Palm Beach, Fla which are home of MoneyShow founders, Ranch, quietus, and Sarasota amounting to almost $130 million. These four properties are approximately measured from 1.64 acres to 2.21 acres in size. This is not the first time that he bought a very expensive property, he also bought the following year, 2013 the next expensive residential home in Palm Beach Florida for about $79.6 million.

7. Roman Abramovich’s Home – Kensington Palace Gardens, London, U.K.

Photo Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

The richest oligarch living in Russia who is the owner of the Chelsea Football Club purchased about 90 million pounds equivalent to $140 million this house in 2011, which is now valued at $10.2 billion. Aside from this luxurious home, he also bought several and huge expensive residential properties as part of his mansion collections. According to reports, it has over 15 bedrooms, and extensive gardens are still in progress. Part of the building of the property is subterranean playground located beneath it. It would also have museum intended for his 6 Ferraris, tennis court and a health centre.

6. Larry Ellison’s Home – Ellison Estate, Woodside, Calif.

Photo Source: www.businessinsider.com

This is the 69 year-old expensive home, who is the CEO and co-founder of Oracle Corporation. He is the richest man living in California who bought $200 million property which is now valued at $43 billion. This is actually built and designed in a 23-acre Japanese style estate back in 2004. You could find it here 10 buildings, expensive koi pond, a man-made lake, a tea house, and a bath house. According to reports, it has two waterfalls, three cottages, gymnasium, two bridges, and it’s surrounded with over 1,0000 oaks, pines, and redwoods trees.

5. Rinat Akhmetov’s Home – One Hyde Park, London, U.K.

Photo Source: millionaresblog.com

He bought this luxurious apartment in 2011 for about $221 million and it’s now estimated at $15.4 billion. This is located in post Knightsbridge that owns by the richest man in Ukraine. It has bullet proof glass in a 25,000 square feet home with full hotel concierge service.

4. Lakshmi Mittal’s Home – Kensington Palace Gardens, London, U.K.

Photo Source: kkpa.com

Kensington Palace Gardens is known as the most expensive place in London since this is the address of people who have grandest mansions. This defined the separation of rich and poor. He bought three homes on this place for about $222 million or equivalent 117 pounds in 2008 which is now valued at $16.5 billion. According to rumors, this was bought as a gift for Mittal’s son, but it’s yet to be confirmed.

3. Irra Rennert’s Home -  Fair Field, Sagaponack, N.Y.

Photo Source: www.thecelebworth.com

The industrial billionaire in America purchased the $248 million home in 2012 with 39-bath Hamptons’ compound and huge 29 bedrooms. Its estimated value now is around $6.5 billion. It has power plant and 3 swimming pools. This is considered as the most expensive residential home built in America. According to public records, this is measured as 43,031 square feet with 164-seat screening theater, 2 squash courts, 2 bowling alleys, a basketball court, 2 tennis courts, and 18 bathrooms.        

2. Lily Safra’s Home – Villa Leopolda, Villefranche-sur-mer, France

Photo Source: newyorksocialdiary.com

This is the $750 million home that Lily Safra bought in 2008 which is equivalent to 500 million euro, and now its estimated value is $1.2 billion. He is known for his mistresses. This is considered to be the largest villa in Villefranche-sur-Mer town in France. According to reports it is built in 20 acres land. The amount used to purchase this property can buy a basketball team.

1. Mukesh Ambani’s Home – Antilia, Mumbai, India

Photo Source: jakhongirshaturaev.wordpress.com

This 400,000 sq ft skyscraper home with 27 floors was bought over $1 billion making it as the most expensive home today that is currently valued at $21.5 billion. This is owned by the Chairman of Reliance Industry in Mumbai, Mukesh Ambani. The name of this residence is named after a mystical Island found in Atlantic. It has 6-storey underground parking, 600 staff to keep it running, and three helicopter pads. In fact, according to Forbes, this home is comparable to 7 World Trade Center which was built for $2 billion. According to rumors, this was purchased as a gift to Mukesh’s son.

10 Reasons Why You Should Pay Taxes On Time

Taxes are incurred to every citizen in almost all types of commercial activities.  If you are employed, you are not exempted to social security, income revenue, and health-related taxes.  You also pay taxes when you dine, shop, or participate in any publicly organized activities.  You pay surcharges for your mortgages and life insurances, even when you travel internationally or locally.  It is safe to say that a government or state is run by the people’s taxes so it is very important to settle your government-mandated dues rightfully and timely.  Sometimes, it pains to pay taxes especially that it covers a huge portion of your income for up to 30 percent.  This is especially true because of the fact that tax benefits are distributed statewide or nationwide, so the positive effects are not really drastic.  To keep you enthusiastic about paying taxes and realize that there is more to it than just remitting your hard-earned money, here are just some of the many benefits of paying taxes on time.

10.  National defense.

Photo Source: commons.wikimedia.org

At least 25 percent of a country’s overall tax collections are allocated to the national defense.  The military receives one of the biggest cut from the national budget together with healthcare and infrastructure.  Without citizen tax, it is very difficult to establish a solid force of national defense.  Security threats are everywhere and every country has to protect itself not only from internal conflicts but also from international crises.  Taxes are used to pay for personnel salaries, equipments, gears, hi-tech machines and transportation, and infrastructures.

9.  Government-subsidized healthcare.

Photo Source: vimeo.com

Hospital and medication costs are extremely expensive.  About 22.5 percent of the US government budgetary allocation goes to Medicare and Medicaid.  Without these programs, it would be difficult for an ordinary citizen to avail of surgeries, medical checkups, and even prescription drugs.  Government subsidies for medical programs are important to maintain a nation of healthy citizens.  With the help of your individual taxes coming from employment, products, or services, you are helping your fellow citizens, friends, and relatives to live a longer quality of life.

8.  Support for education.

Photo Source: www.aristeabg.com

In most Western countries, education is costly.  A family has to have a decent source of income to be able to send their children all the way to finish a college degree.  This is why it is just constitutional that a government gives every person the right to access free education.  Though this is not actually a reality for college students, many families have benefitted from free primary and secondary education support from the government.  Taxes are also used to accommodate college loans, which are in turn paid by the borrowers with a minimal to low interest rates.

7.  Social equality.

Photo Source: randykrafft4equality.wordpress.com

It is a factual reality that wealth is unevenly distributed among the rich and the poor; thus, imposing progressive taxes depending on a person’s income bracket provides a sense of social equality by distributing wealth.  It also provides opportunities for investments and employment for people.

6.  Income and retirement security.

Photo Source: www.360financialliteracy.org

The next best reason why you should pay your taxes appropriately and timely is that it gives you the benefit of retirement security guaranteed when you reach the age of 60 and above.  This is probably one of the biggest investments in your lifetime.  It is almost similar to bank savings.  When you reach your retirement age, you have all the benefits to withdraw all your earnings for all the years you have worked and remitted income taxes to the government.  Other benefits such as child support system, maternity allowances, and food and nutritional assistance are also derived from income taxes.

5.  Payment for global loan interests.

Photo Source: foxbusiness.com

Global organizations such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund provide loans for countries to be used for infrastructure, military defense developments, and other allocations that are deemed beneficial for the growth of the nation.  These loans do not come free and are usually incurred with a least an 8 percent interest every year.  Taxes paid are used to pay these interests to prevent ballooning debts and financial crises.

4.  Veteran assistance.

Photo Source: familyrenewed.com

About 4.5 percent of government spending goes to veteran assistance programs such as income and housing support, medical subsidies, education, and training not only the veterans themselves but also their families.  When you pay your taxes dutifully, it is an expression of gratitude to these war heroes who paved the way for the country’s liberation against oppressive regimes in the past and present.

3.  Protection of natural resources, energy, and environment.

Photo Source: www.derszamani.net

Majority of industrial operations are dependent on natural resources such as oil to facilitate the use of machineries.  These materials are excavated from nature and so environment and energy protection should be a top priority of any government.  A portion of citizen’s taxes goes to the preservation of rainforests, mining sites, ocean and marine life, and even historical spots.  It is important that people strive to maintain an ecological balance between manmade structures and natural resources.  This is vital for the survival of humanity and all that dwell on Earth.

2.  Establishing strong international affairs.

Photo Source: kln.gov.my

About 1.7 percent of the national budget goes to international efforts in aid of monetary of in-kind assistance to other countries.  In times of crises such as the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 370, all nations are called to build alliances to resolve problems and disputes.  Rescue missions, charitable efforts, and relief operations are just a few of the examples of these international relationships.

1.  Development of science and technology.

Photo Source: vovworld.vn

In this modern world, there is a demand for continuous development of science and technology.  It seems that technology has become a survival necessity and most lives are dependent on it.  A fraction of people’s tax goes to research and development efforts in science such as those facilitated.  Other efforts include the continuous study to provide cure to deadly diseases such as cancer, AIDS, and other epidemics that casts fear worldwide.

Top 10 Youngest Billionaires 2014

A person’s net worth is the basis of wealth that is combination of profits, earnings, and other sources of income. Having a million dollar is already overwhelming, what more if you have gained a billion dollar. On this list you would find reputable, smart, and hardworking young men who have gained not just respect of older colleagues in the same field, rank, and business, but also wealth. Some individuals would die working so hard in a day, but can’t even reach a $1,000 earning or some less than $100 in a day. On this list you find bachelors and those who are under age 40 who have reached the peak of their careers, wherein they can live in a next two decades or more without even working a lot because they are self-made billionaires.

10. Fahd Hariri

Photo Source: askmen.com

He is the 32-year old  richest man in Lebanon who inherited the wealth and businesses of his father, the late Prime Minister Rafig Hariri who died because of assassination. He has a playboy image, but he protected the inheritance that he received from his father, he built and collected several businesses. He has made several investments including Future TV Network, Dubai 5-star hotel, and other businesses around the world. His current total net worth is $6.9 billion.

9. Yang Huiyan

Photo Source: luxurysafes.me

She is one of the richest women in China and in the world. She is married and despite that there’s a sudden drop of their family’s wealth, she’s still part of the top 10 youngest billionaires in the world. She is the major shareholder of Country’s Garden Holdings. She is also the Vice President of the said company. Her current net worth is $6.9 billion.

8. Eduardo Saverin

Photo Source: en.wikipedia.org

This 32-year old billionaire who resides in Singapore is a co-founder of the king of Social Media online, Facebook. He was born and raised in Brazil who has aided Mark Zuckerberg in launching Facebook while staying in the dormitory of Harvard University. It is indeed the largest social network in the world today. You could find more of the story of the case that he filed against Zuckerberg in the 2010 film entitled The Social Network. He has also renounced his US citizenship which was actually a smart move so he could avoid further taxes from the US. He still invests, and his current net worth is $4.1 billion.

7. Scott Duncan

Photo Source: www.indiatvnews.com

He is one of the heirs of their later father, Dan Duncan who founded the energy pipeline fortune. Because of his dividend plans his net worth has increased a year after he received his share in the company. His current net worth is $6.3 billion.

6. Albert von Thurn und Taxis

Photo Source: www.therichest.com

The bachelor from Germany whose fullname is Albert Maria Lamoral Miguel Johannes Gabriel Prinz von Thurn und Taxis or in short Albert von Thurn und Taxis. He is also the 3^rd prince of Thurn and Taxis. He has been listed in youngest billionaires for a couple of times since his father demise. In fact, he was one  the youngest wealthiest men listed then at the age of 8. He earned a degree in Economics and Theology at the University of Edinburgh where he also completed his masters degree. His total net worth right now is $3.8 billion.

5. Drew Houston

Photo Source: wikimedia.org

He is the CEO and founder of Dropbox who was born and raised in the United States on March 04, 1983. He completed Computer Science at Massachussetts Institute of Technology where he met his co-founder of Dropbox, Arash Ferdowsi. Before he finally found and dig his path to richness in the world of internet, he worked several startups like Accolade, Bit9, and Hubspot. His simple idea brought him the wealth and fame that he is enjoying right now. Simple things indeed can bring about great results which is an affirmation of what transpired in Drew Houston’s life. His net worth right now is estimated at $1.2 billion.

4. Anton Kathrein, Jr

Photo Source: money.ca.msn.com

This 29-year old billionaire of the third generation heir of Kathrein-Werke AG that is known manufacturer of largest antenna in the world has a total net worth of $1.35 billion. Their family’s company is the leading provider of automotive, TV broadcast, and radio antennas. It also includes antenna, reception, and multimedia transmission systems. His family owns around 18 production sites across the globe and currently employs over 6,800 employees.

3. Mark Zuckerberg

Photo Source: www.lifenews.com

He is the CEO and co-founder of Facebook who was a computer programmer himself at the age of 12. His fondness in computer became his stepping stone in reaching the perk of his career and as a online business tycoon. He had not imagine that his simple aim to develop a networking site for the campus would have a remarkable impact not just to the people of this generation, but in his life. It did not only bring about wealth to him, but he became one of the youngest billionaires of the world. He was born and raised on May 14, 1984 in New York. Although, he has lived a comfortable life while growing up, but he never realized that he would reach this stage. Facebook already celebrated its 10^th year despite that he sold 18 million shares in December. His net worth has doubled, and became $28.5 billion.

2. Dustin Moskovitz

Photo Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

He is the co-founder of Facebook too and is known as an internet entrepreneur. He has recently founded Asana that is growing fast as well with the assistance of his co-founder Justin Rosenstein in 2008. He is indeed a self-made billionaire because he did not receive any inheritance but his assets and net worth are all fruits of his ingenious mind and hardwork. He was born and raised in United States on May 22, 1984. His current net worth is $6.8 billion.

1. Perenna Kei & family

Photo Source: neueramediagroup.com

She inherited last year his father’s wealth and businesses, but it was hard to find information about her when the news came out that everything was transferred to her, making her the youngest and newest billionaire in the world. She owns 85% of Logan Property Holdings which is a known Chinese Real Estate Developer. She finished Economics and Finance at University of London. This number one spot was actually held by Dustin Moskovitz, but took over by the beautiful young lady as the youngest billionaire today because she became heir of her father, Ji Haipen. Her current net worth at the age of 24 is $1.3 billion.