personal finance
The ABCs of personal finance and investing; how to invest wisely and grow your wealth.
"The Fed's Potential Decision: A Positive Outlook for Americans"
Introduction: The Federal Open Market Committee stands at a pivotal crossroads, facing the daunting task of steering the nation's economic ship through the turbulent waters of inflation and a rapidly changing global landscape. On Wednesday, the Committee will announce its decision on whether to raise interest rates once more or hit the pause button. This decision comes on the heels of a worrisome uptick in inflation, with the Consumer Price Index surging by 3.7% year-over-year in August. Despite the challenges, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon, and many economists are feeling cautiously optimistic about the Fed's potential move and its implications for the American economy.
How to Build an Emergency Fund:
Let's dive into a topic that's as comforting as a warm cup of cocoa on a chilly day: building an emergency fund. I get it; the financial seas can be stormy, but fret not, because I've navigated these waters, and I'm here to help you chart your course to financial security.
Where To Sell Your (Animal/Worm) Poop
Supplemental income is something that is on everyone's mind these days. It's almost impossible to live on income alone in today's world. So when I was 20-something I started exploring all these crazy ways to make money on the side - with a mission of not having to work a 'job' one day.
Hope MartinPublished 8 months ago in TraderInfura's Decentralized Revolution: Building a Resilient Web3 Infrastructure
Infura, the gateway for most decentralized applications (DApps) to access real-time data on the Ethereum blockchain, is on the verge of a major transformation. Simon Morris, Chief Strategist at ConsenSys, announced at Korean Blockchain Week that a decentralized version of Infura is set to launch by the end of this year. This development aims to tackle the single point of failure issue, which became evident in November 2020 when MetaMask and other projects were disrupted due to Infura's downtime. The new approach involves creating a decentralized marketplace comprising up to five data providers distributed globally. Infura will be just one of these providers. This initiative promises a more reliable and censorship-resistant Ethereum ecosystem. Morris envisions a future where this infrastructure operates like TCP/IP, immune to regulatory pressure. While Web2 and Web3 providers show keen interest, negotiations with industry giants like Google Cloud and AWS remain speculative. The roadmap includes a federated phase to resolve issues before transitioning to a permissionless marketplace, potentially governed by a DAO or foundation, in 2024. The move towards decentralization in blockchain infrastructure is vital to safeguard against potential monopolies and ensure the resilience of Web3 services.
Harry JohnsonPublished 8 months ago in TraderSaving Money
In these times it's important to save money. What do I mean by save money? For example, say you get enough groceries for a week at Aldi's, you make a list the money you end up spending is 60.59. Minus 100.00 the money you have left keep it in an evelope. Here is an exercise I just learned that I found most affective trying to save money.
Louise Blake-Michael (Risen Phoenix)Published 8 months ago in TraderRussia Launches Islamic Banking: A Step Towards Financial Inclusion
In a groundbreaking move, Russia has announced the official launch of Islamic banking, effective from September 1, a decision that has brought immense joy to the country's Muslim community. With a population of approximately 25 million Muslims, this development is seen as a significant stride towards financial inclusion and economic empowerment for this demographic. President Vladimir Putin's approval of the Islamic Banking Law on August 4 marks a pivotal moment in Russia's financial landscape.
Small Business Success
Rising from the Oven: The Unbelievable Success Story of a Tiny Bakery Through Smart Bookkeeping In the heart of a bustling neighborhood, where the aroma of freshly baked breads wafts through the air, lies a small bakery that has defied all odds to become a local sensation. This is not just a tale of confections and croissants; it's a story of how astute bookkeeping and unwavering determination transformed a tiny bakery into a booming success. Join us as we unravel the inspiring journey of "Flourish Delights," a bakery that turned its numbers into a symphony of sweet success.
CPA NM DuncanPublished 8 months ago in TraderDe-risking ahead of Fed Chair’s Jackson Hole speech
Initial gains in Wall Street reversed sharply overnight, with Nvidia’s stellar results hit with a sell-the-news market reaction, as market participants de-risk ahead of Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech later tonight. The VIX was up 7.6% as a reflection of increased hedging activities, while market sentiments (from the CNN Fear and Greed Index) have fallen back into ‘fear’ territory for the first time since March this year.
Retreat in US yields and Nvidia’s Earnings Provide Some Calm
Market Recap Market participants piled back into tech stocks overnight, as a retreat in the US 10-year Treasury yields from its 16-year high eases some market anxiety for a high-for-longer rate outlook. Downside surprises in US flash purchasing managers index (PMI) numbers have reflected a sharper moderation in demand for both the manufacturing (47 vs 49.3 forecast) and services (51 vs 52.2 forecast) sectors, which may challenge hawkish bets. This follows after bond yields turned lower in Europe on weaker-than-expected PMI readings as well. The S&P 500 now seems to be eyeing a reclaim of its 50-day moving average (MA), which has given way just last week.
Gold (XAU/USD) Holds High Ground Despite the DXY Advance, Where to Next?
Gold prices may have fallen back slightly from a 2-week high but remains up around 1.31% at the time of writing and on course to snap a 4-week losing streak. Gold has been a surprise this week given the early rise in US yields as well as strength in the Dollar Index (DXY) for the majority of the week.
Jerome Powell's speech
Jerome Powell's speech at the opening of the annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole did not go over well with financial markets. The indices on the New York stock exchanges went into the red after the president of the Federal Reserve (Fed) fueled even more uncertainty about the course of US monetary policy until the end of the year. However, they returned to green, showing strong hesitation.
The Gig Economy's Influence on Work-Life Balance:
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern employment, the gig economy has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping the contours of work-life balance. As traditional nine-to-five structures give way to flexible, on-demand opportunities, the delicate equilibrium between professional commitments and personal fulfillment is being redefined. This paradigm shift carries both promises and perils, painting a canvas where the boundaries between work and life are both blurred and expanded.