Motorbike Insurance

Motorbike Insurance comes in different forms. Normally dependant on the type of motor cycle, and its use. When shopping around for motorbike insurance, start by the category in which your motor bike falls. There are different rates for motorbikes used for off-road, or for on road bikes, and even further rates for cruisers and Harleys.
Generally Road Bikes cost more to insure than cruisers due to the fact that most road bikes are build for speed, while cruisers are slowly and less dangerous. This affects the risk involved, and hence the premiums. It isn’t uncommon for insurers to request extra security to be fitted to motorcycles before they are prepared to accept the risk for motorbike insurance. This may come in the form of an early warning system, or steering locks.
Another factor which has an influence on the monthly premium you may pay for your motorbike insurance is the age of the rider, and how long the rider has had their motorcycle license for.

Motorbike Insurance

Motorbike Insurance comes in different forms. Normally dependant on the type of motor cycle, and its use. When shopping around for motorbike insurance, start by the category in which your motor bike falls. There are different rates for motorbikes used for off-road, or for on road bikes, and even further rates for cruisers and Harleys.
Generally Road Bikes cost more to insure than cruisers due to the fact that most road bikes are build for speed, while cruisers are slowly and less dangerous. This affects the risk involved, and hence the premiums. It isn’t uncommon for insurers to request extra security to be fitted to motorcycles before they are prepared to accept the risk for motorbike insurance. This may come in the form of an early warning system, or steering locks.
Another factor which has an influence on the monthly premium you may pay for your motorbike insurance is the age of the rider, and how long the rider has had their motorcycle license for.


source : insuracnce-guide.co.za

how to earn money from forex

Since it might be a bit too complicated for a beginner to figure out how to make money in Forex, we offer you this example:
You believe that the Euro to US Dollar (EURUSD) rate will increase. In your account you have 2000 USD (eGlobal-standard). At a price of 1.2750 you buy 150,000 Euro for 150,000*1.2750 = 191,250 USD.
This is possible because of credit, which allows you to make transactions worth 100 times more than funds you have in your account (in this specific case, the maximum sum available for transactions is 2000*100 = 200,000 USD).
After a period of time, the exchange rate increases. You sell 150,000 Euro at the rate of 1.2850 and get 150,000*1.2850 = 192,750 USD.
Thus, after buying at a low rate and selling at a high rate, the difference 192,750 - 191,250 = 1500 $ is your gain. You have earned 75% of initial funds in your account, while the rate increased by 0.8%.

Another way of making a profit on Forex is based on the decrease of the quotation rate of the EURUSD currency pair:
Having created a real account with 200 USD in it (eGlobal-mini), you determine the upper and lower limits on the Euro to Dollar chart and sell 15,000 Euro (0.15 lot) at the upper limit for a price of 1.2850 (bid price) USD for 1 Euro, which equals 19,275 USD (15,000 Euro multiplied by the rate of 1.2850).
You have funds in USD in your account, but you can sell Euro using the automatic borrowing system. Hence, the company lends you 15,000 Euro free of charge, which you can sell by sending a selling request. Due to the leverage, the actual deposit is 100 times less than the sum sold: 15,000/100 = 150 euro. At a rate of 1.2850 this equals 192,75 USD. This very sum is going to be a deposit for a credit (marginal) transaction for your account. The maximum possible deposit in this case equals 200 USD.
Then during the day the price drops to the lower limit and you decide to buy 15,000 Euro at a price of 1.2750 (ask price) USD for 1 Euro, which equals 19,125 USD. The 15,000 Euro that you have bought are written off your account towards the repayment of the company loan, while the difference is left in your account.
Thus, due to the fall in the exchange rate you earn the difference between sold and bought, which is 19,275 - 19,125 = 150 USD. You managed to earn 75% (150 dollars) of your initial sum of 200 USD due to a rate decrease by 0.8% (from 1.2850 to 1.2750) in only one day.
The company takes a commission in the form of the difference between the ask and bid prices or spread, which in this example is 3 USD (spread of EuroDollar pair equals 0.0002 or 2 pips). More detailed information on terminology is in the glossary
In these examples, the spread is not taken into consideration while calculating percentages of rate changes because of its non-essential influence on the results. In the case of mircoForex or eGlobal-standard the calculations are similar with a difference only in account currency US cents for micro, USD for mini & standard. The consecutive use of the transactions shown gives the income of 75%+75% = 150%. In actual practice a much greater return may be achieved by using corresponding money management methods. Risk management methods also play an important role in trade

source: http://www.eglobal-forex.com/forex/profit.html

4x4 insurance

Some people may wander why there is difference between 4x4 insurance and normal car insurance. Its not just that the vehicle types are different, since it is not all that uncommon for clients to insurer their 4x4’s through a traditional car insurance policy. However, for the true 4x4 user, it may well be better to purchase 4x4 insurance. This type of insurance offers a more comprehensive type of cover for the owner, in that it would normally cover the vehicle for on and off-road use, as well as use outside the borders of South Africa. Further to this it also offers insurance to cover the extra 4x4 accessories which are normally added to these type of vehicles. Traditional insurance does not normally cover these extra’s and if they do, they are normally quite expensive to insure.Normally 4x4 insurance is more cost effective for the owner, but is then strictly for private or semi-private use. The insurers normally will also only cover standard vehicles which haven’t been overly modified or rebuilt. Because it is strictly a 4x4 insurance most insurers will only cover vehicles with full 4x4 functionality or at least with a Diff Lock fitted.

what is forex

Forex (Foreign exchange) market is an international money market where free purchase and sale of national currencies are conducted. Forex market as we know it today was formed in the 1970s after the world's leading countries switched from fixed to floating rates.
The Daily average of the Forex market is $ 4 trillion, with constantly increasing volumes of funds for Forex conversion operations .
Forex's main currency is the US dollar (USD).
Market participants:
Central banks
Commercial banks
Investment banks
Brokers and dealers
Pension funds
Insurance companies
Transnational corporations
Private investors
Forex is not a stock exchange market and has no opening and closing times. It works 24 hours a day five days a week making purchase and sale operations possible for banks all over the world at any time of the day or night (some banks work on Saturday and Sunday). As at any stock exchange market, a trade on Forex occurs according to the demand and the proposal of a certain instrument. For example, their are buyers "Euro against the Dollar", and their are sellers. Exchange rates on the Forex market are constantly changing, these changes occur virtually every second, the market is extremely liquid.
Exchange rates are influenced by:
changing interest rates
policy of central banks
economic indicators of countries at the current moment
political events
overall mood of market participants, their expectations
In spite of all these influences, the Forex market is very stable in comparison to stock exchanges and funds markets. It is not liable to devastating disruptions because decrease of the exchange rate of one currency means growth of another.
The main advantage of Forex is its close interplay within the IT sphere. Players from both hemispheres can make deals via the Internet, which makes Forex available to a huge amount of people. Even major banks use e-trade, which occupies the larges share among all variants for conducting trading operations.
These days due to the growing impact of technological development, Forex is rapidly growing on an even greater scale.

Altrisk insurance

Altrisk specialises in long-term risk insurance. The company is a member of the giant Hollard Insurance group and is also backed by Hannover Life Re, so you`re certain of a solid financial backing when you deal with it. Its specific specialities are dread disease cover, disability cover and life assurance. It bases its products around its underwriting business, and is used by plenty of South African insurers as their underwriter of choice. In fact it is the chief underwriter for Hollard Insurance - a seal of approval if ever one was needed. It also uses Hannover as its primary reinsurer, along with the US based Reinsurance Group of America.
Altrisk provides a comprehensive risk insurance portfolio in its areas of operation. A quick list of its products includes: accidental death insurance, comprehensive disability cover (with optional add-on and premium waiver), dread disease cover, female protector, flexible risk protection, deferred life cover, general life cover, income replacement cover, trauma cover and impairment insurance. There`s a handy quotes package available for download from the company website, and all underwriting and administration forms are there for your convenience as well.
Its big advantage, both in terms of administration and internal company operations, is that it is focused on a limited aspect of the insurance industry - which translates into higher levels of service and better expertise for clients.
The company works through a network of brokers, with an online accreditation facility. Brokers apply and are then vetted before being added to the network, to ensure its integrity and the quality of service they provide..
There is also a community support aspect to the company`s endeavours, and Altrisk is a sponsor of Cotlands - so you can do a little bit of extra good when you take out cover with them.

Hippo Insurance

Hippo Insurance is a South African insurance quote aggregator, offering you the ability to compare insurance products, services and quotes from different insurance providers. To this end it has partnered with a number of top short-term and life insurance companies. This includes all the most notable names in the South African insurance markets, like Auto & General, DialDirect, 1st For Women and Budget Insurance. As for Hippo`s name, it`s anyone`s guess!


Hippo Insurance specialises in comparative insurance services in the car and home insurance sector, as well as life and business insurance. Its main offering is a handy online insurance shopping comparison tool. Users simply need to enter their details and requirements once via an online form, and then insurance quotes are presented for comparison.
Naturally the big advantage to this service is that it removes a lot of the time consuming hassle of getting insurance product information from all these different insurance providers separately and then collating them for comparison. The all-in-one interface is exceptionally useful for these purposes. Even if you use each different insurer`s website tools, you still end up having to repeatedly fill in the same information. This aggregating tool removes this tedious requirement. This sort of service has already become a very popular way of shopping for insurance overseas and the operators of the local version are confident that it will gain just as much traction in the South African market.
The website is easy to use and clearly set out, making getting insurance quotes and absolute breeze. It`s all centred on that quotation tool, so you don`t have to dig into the site to get it - it`s right there when you arrive. There is also a section of insurance tips to help you decide which insurance option is right for you, once you`ve received all your quotes. This is all done in a friendly and helpful tone that will appeal to all.

African Life Insurance

African Life Insurance has recently been acquired by Sanlam, the South African insurance and financial services giant. Also known by its abbreviated name of Aflife, the company is a fully black empowered entity. It operates in several spheres, including life assurance, health insurance and fund management. It has ownership of African Life Health and shares in numerous other insurance and financial companies in Southern Africa, including Botswana Insurance Holdings and Life Office of Namibia Holdings. It operates in 7 other African countries, besides South Africa, having a presence in the markets in Namibia, Lesotho, Tanzania, Ghana and Kenya. An example of its specific insurance offering in these countries is its AIDS insurance scheme in Zambia.
African Life Insurance further consolidates Sanlam`s entry level insurance offering, as the division caters primarily to the market of those who have not been previously insured. This is part of a broader drive to make life assurance more affordable and accessible to the majority of people in the country. It also further bolsters Sanlam`s BEE assets, in line with their commitment to broad based ownership in the insurance industry - and gives the holding company further expansion into Africa to boot.
As far as products go, African Life now essentially offers the Sanlam suite of long term insurance products, aimed at the entry level market. This includes the LifePower range, provided to people living with HIV AIDS. One of the big benefits of LifePower is that it can be used to help obtain home or business loans. The life cover extends to other death benefits, like estate planning and will preparation and administration.
You can do much of the legwork online at the Sanlam website, including researching the various products, and registering for various services. There is also a vast network of brokers who can guide you through all the company`s products, with full contact details on the website.

Glossary of life insurance terms

The Terms of Term Life: Life Insurance Definitions to Help You

Life insurance has its own vocabulary. Some insurance terms sound familiar, but have a different meaning when used in the life insurance world. The following insurance glossary provides insurance terms and life insurance definitions to help you speak the "language of life."

Attained Age (Age Last Birthday)
A method for determining the age of the proposed insured for premium calculations. This method uses the proposed insured's actual age in years. For example, a person who is 34 years and 5 months old would be classified as a 34-year old, as would a person who is 34 years and 7 months old. (See also: Nearest Age)

Beneficiary
The beneficiary of your insurance policy is the person designated by you to receive the policy benefits upon your death. You may designate that the benefits from your policy be allocated to multiple beneficiaries. And you may change your beneficiary designations at any time.

Coverage Amount / Face Amount
The initial value of the policy to be paid to the insured’s beneficiary(ies) in the event of the death of the insured while the policy is in force. This value does not include adjustments for outstanding policy loans, withdrawals, dividends, paid-up additions or late/outstanding premium payments.

Date of Birth
The premiums that insurance companies charge for life insurance are based in large part on the age of the proposed insured. Some companies use the attained age of the insured in this calculation, while other companies use the nearest age of the insured.

Health & Lifestyle Profile
The premiums that insurance companies charge for life insurance are also based in large part on the overall health and lifestyle profile of the proposed insured. Typically, individuals in good health who do not use any kind of tobacco products or engage in any hazardous activities will be able to obtain less expensive coverage than individuals who are in poor health or who use tobacco or who engage in hazardous activities. Different insurance companies use different criteria in determining the health status and lifestyle of the proposed insured.

Insured
An individual who is currently covered under an existing life insurance policy.

Length of Coverage
Different term life insurance policies have different durations.
10, 15, 20, and 30-year term life insurance policies are very common. A 10-year level term policy will have an initial 10-year period in which premiums are level.

Nearest Age
A method for determining the age of the proposed insured for premium calculations. This method takes into account whether the proposed insured is nearer to his/her last birthday or his/her next birthday. For example, a person who is 34 years and 5 months old would be classified as a 34-year old for the premium calculations. In contrast, a person who is 34 years and 7 months old would be classified as a 35-year-old for the premium calculations. (See also: Attained Age)

Premium
A payment to a life insurance company in exchange for a life insurance policy.

Premium Mode
The frequency in which premiums are paid. Typically, the total annual premium is slightly higher when payments are spread out over the course of the year as opposed to being paid all at once. For example, a policy with a $100 annual premium may also offer a $51 semiannual premium ($102 total annual cost), a $26 quarterly premium ($104 annual cost) and a $9 monthly bank draft premium ($108 annual cost).

Proposed Insured
An individual who is applying for coverage under a life insurance policy. (see also: Insured)

Underwriting Classification
(See: Health & Lifestyle Profile, above.)

Sex
The gender (male or female) of the insured or proposed insured.

State of Residence
The state in which the insured or proposed insured resides. It is not unusual for a given insurance company to be licensed to conduct business in some states and not in others. If an insurance company is not licensed to do business in a particular state, the company may not offer any of its products in that state. If an insurance company is licensed to do business in a particular state, each of the company's products must be individually approved for sale in that state. It is not unusual for a given insurance company to have products that are approved for sale in one state and not approved for sale in others.

Term Life Insurance Calculator

Assuming term life insurance makes the most sense for your family, how much do you need? Most people calculate their life insurance needs based on the income they would need to replace if they died unexpectedly.

In addition to your income, please consider your assets, debts, future childcare costs, and final expenses. You should secure enough term life insurance to help with these expenses as well.

Please use this calculator to get an idea of how much term life insurance coverage you might need.

How much Life Insurance do you need?
Step 1. Evaluate Your Income and Assets
What is your current income?	$
How many years will your spouse need your annual income?	1 Year 2 Years 3 Years 4 Years 5 Years 6 Years 7 Years 8 Years 9 Years 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years 25 Years 30 Years
Current investment income (Rental Properties, Dividends, Annuities, etc.)	$
Existing liquid assets - All assets that can be turned into cash within 3 months (We recommend you not liquidate retirement accounts due to tax penalties)	$
The amount of your existing life insurance coverage:	$
Step 2. Evaluate Your Debts and Expenses
Outstanding mortgage balance:	$
Outstanding loans:	$
Final expenses: (Medical, Funeral, Taxes)	$
Step 3. Evaluate Your Child Support and College Expenses *We suggest an average annual tuition cost of $15,000 - $20,000 per year
Child: Monthly child cost: Years child will require support: College expenses: 1 $ years 2 $ years 3 $ years 4 $ years 5 $ years
Additional Recommended Life Insurance: $

Your family’s needs are unique. This calculator is a guideline for basic expenses. Your family may have additional needs to consider, such as cars, health and medical care, home repairs, funeral expenses, taxes, and childcare costs.

Term life insurance is practical and affordable protection. It’s the number one insurance choice for families.

Talking to one of Matrix Direct’s licensed life insurance agents can answer any of your questions and help you get the information you need. Having the right information can help you decide what is best for your loved ones, based on your needs and budget


source:http://www.matrixdirect.com/free_information/term-life-insurance-calculator.html

term Life Insurance for Homeowners

Buying a house is an important and very big step in many people’s lives - whether you are a first-time homebuyer or have some experience in real estate. Most people take out a mortgage in order to accomplish this piece of their dream.

Buying a house is typically the biggest purchase that a person will make in his/her lifetime, and a mortgage can be the single largest debt we’ll ever owe. And if you’ve got a family or are thinking of starting one, you’ve got to think about what will happen if you or your spouse dies with no life insurance coverage. How would those mortgage payments get made? What would happen to your family home? A term life insurance policy can help relieve that stress and worry. Monthly premiums on a term life policy can be very reasonable for the amount of protection you can get, especially if you’re young and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Refinancing your home? It's also a good time to re-evaluate your life insurance needs and decide whether a new or additional policy makes sense for you and your family.

As a homeowner, you’ve got a lot about which to think. A term life insurance policy can offer peace of mind and one less thing to fret.

If you’d like more information to help you decide what kind of coverage you need, our knowledgeable, licensed life insurance agents can answer your questions. We can give you a no-hassle, no-obligation free quote from the country’s leading insurers.

Why term life insurance

The following text answers a few of the most common questions about term life insurance and provides some additional information to assist you.

What is the definition of term life insurance?

Term life insurance coverage is an affordable and practical solution to help protect your loved ones. If the policy is in force at the time of your death, then your benificieres will receive the coverage amount you select.

Term life insurance can be personalized to your needs. You select the term length you need as well as the coverage, or face, amount of the policy. For example, you can choose a 25 year term life policy, in order to maintain your family's standard of living until your children are out of school. Others might only seek a 10 year policy in order to protect their spouse until retirement.

The benefits of term life insurance

Term life insurance is often considered to be the appropriate coverage for instances where estate creation is needed because it is designed for a specific period of need (i.e. the number of years left on a home mortgage or business loan, or until your children are through college and no longer dependent upon your income or assets).

And, since term life insurance costs are so competitive, you can purchase the amount of protection required to help meet all of your specific goals.

Direct Line was the first major insurance company in the UK that recognises named drivers’ No Claims history

If you have named drivers on your Direct Line car insurance policy, you (and they) will be pleased to know that we have become the first major insurance company in the UK to offer Named Driver No Claims Discounts.

This means that when we provide your named drivers with a quote for Direct Line car insurance, we’ll recognise every year they haven’t made a claim on your policy.

The no claims discount earned by named drivers can be used against a Direct Line policy of their own in the future. However, it may not be recognised by other insurers.

The named-driver no claim discounts may be lower than the no claim discounts available to you as the policyholder. Once applied to a policy the discount operates in the same way as no claim discount. If a claim is made the discount will be reduced.

Taking advantage of this deal couldn’t be easier. Your named drivers’ no claims histories are automatically stored on our system, so when they come to apply for their own policy they simply need to give us your details online or on the phone and we can identify them immediately, at which point they will be able to receive up to 5 years' Named No Claims Discount on their own policy.

10+ Tips to Help You Save on Car Insurance

March 30, 2009

1. Drive less and earn a discount
If you drive less than 7,500 miles per year, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount on your auto insurance. And, some car insurance companies offer a commuter discount if you use public transportation during the week.

2. Don't use your car for business purposes
Some insurance companies will add a "business use surcharge" or increase your car insurance premium as your annual mileage increases. But, if you must use your car for business, be sure to tell your company or agent, so that your daily business travel is covered.

3. Increase your deductible
You might reduce your annual auto insurance premium by as much as 10 to 15% if you increase your deductible from $250 to $500. But, remember that you'll be required to pay the larger deductible upfront if you have an accident.

4. Keep an eye on your credit report
Your credit history is one of many "risk factors" that most auto insurance companies evaluate when setting rates (in states where it's permissible by law). Paying your bills on time and maintaining a solid credit history will help keep your auto and home insurance rates lower.

5. Drive safely
You may be eligible for a price break on your car insurance policy if you have no accident for a specified period (usually three years – but a few companies will look back five years). Even a single speeding ticket can increase your auto insurance rates 5 to 10% depending on your state.

6. Buy a low-profile car
cars are rated with risks for auto insurance purposes. In general, sports cars and other high-performance, flashy vehicles are classified as higher risks because they are common targets for thieves and vandals, and because statistically, the people who own them tend to drive more recklessly.

7. Move
If you live in a rural community with little crime and traffic congestion, your insurance premium will generally be lower than if you live in an urban area where your car is more likely to be stolen, vandalized, or involved in an accident. We love city life – but sadly it costs more for car insurance.

8. Keep your car in a garage
Cars parked in garages are less likely to be stolen, vandalized, or struck by other vehicles. Using a garage to store your car may get you to a slight auto insurance premium reduction.

9. Install safety or anti-theft devices
Car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts for anti-lock brakes, automatic seat belts, and airbags. Similarly, anti-theft devices such as car alarms and tracking systems (e.g., LoJack®) may also get you an insurance discount because they reduce the chances of your car being stolen or vandalized.

10. Look for discounts
You may receive a discount from your auto insurance company if you buy more than one type of insurance through that same company (e.g., auto and homeowner's). A discount may also apply to your auto insurance if you insure multiple cars under the same policy or with the same company. In addition, you can earn money-saving discounts for taking a defensive driving course, being a AAA member or staying with the same auto insurance company for a number of years. These discounts vary by company.

10+ Shop around
OK, it might go without saying, but your current car insurance company might not be the best one for you in the future! We recommend researching your options 30 to 45 days before your current policy is set to renew, especially if you have shopped recently. (Fact: Insurance.com customers reported annual auto insurance savings of $549 a year in February 2009. Your savings may vary.

source: insurance.com

Hypothetical Performance Disclaimer

Results are shown based on our real-time simulated and do not take into effect monthly subscription fees and transactions costs. Slippage is included in the results shown as market and limit orders execution is simulated using worst case scenario based on bid/ask prices, level 2 data and delays. Please note past performance does not guarantee future results and no such claims are being made or implied. All demo accounts used to display the performance results of these trade recommendations and all trading records presented on this website are hypothetical. Hypothetical or simulated performance results have certain inherent limitations. Unlike an actual performance record, simulated results do not represent actual trading. Also, since the trades have not actually been executed, the results may have under- or over-compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, such as lack of liquidity. Simulated trading programs in general are also subject to the fact that they are designed with the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. There is a risk of loss in futures, foreign exchange, internet and systems trading.Futures and Foreign Exchange Trading Risks: There is a risk of loss in futures, foreign exchange and options trading. Trading futures and foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Please trade with capital you can afford to lose. Nothing in this site is intended to be a recommendation to buy or sell any futures, foreign exchange or options market. All information has been obtained from sources, which are believed to be reliable, but accuracy and thoroughness cannot be guaranteed. Readers are solely responsible for how they use the information and for their results. You should be aware of all the risks associated with futures and foreign exchange trading and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts. The high degree of leverage that is often obtainable in futures and foreign exchange trading can work against you as well as for you. The use of leverage can lead to large losses as well as gains.Internet Trading Risks: There are risks associated with utilizing an Internet-based deal execution trading system including, but not limited to, the failure of hardware, software and Internet connection. Since Strategy Runner does not control signal power, its reception or routing via Internet, configuration of your equipment or reliability of its connection, we cannot be responsible for communication failures, distortions or delays when trading via the Internet. Strategy Runner employs back-up systems and contingency plans to minimize the possibility of system failure. Systems Trading Risks: Simulated trading programs in general are also subject to the fact that they are designed with the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses. There have been no promises, guarantees or warranties suggesting that any trading will result in a profit or will not result in a loss. Strategy Exchange does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information or any analysis based thereon.

Tracking Dollar Homes in San Bernardino

Tracking the properties

San Bernardino bought 62 homes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for $1 from 2000 to 2002, selling most to investors who then sold them to low-income buyers. But the homes have continued to change hands, defeating the program's intent. Here are five homes, with the number of owners since they were first resold by the city and the latest sale price. For data on all 62 homes, go to www.latimes.com/dollarhomes.

1512 N. Wall Ave.

Owners: Eight

Square feet: 1,530

Starting price: $27,000

Latest price: $355,000

History: Sold in July 2000 for $27,000 to Alvarez & Associates, which sold the property in May 2001 to two buyers for $102,000. Countrywide Home Loans foreclosed on them in September 2003. HUD took over the home and sold it in February 2004 for $121,000. That buyer sold the home in February 2006 for $355,000. In July 2008, Bank of America foreclosed.

1455 N. G St.

Owners: Six

Square feet: 1,814

Starting price: $13,500

Latest price: $405,000

History: Sold in August 2000 for $13,500 to Alvarez & Associates, which first transferred it to another business under its umbrella before selling it to two buyers in August 2002 for $145,500. The buyers sold it for $300,000 in October 2004, doubling their money. That buyer in March 2007 sold it for $405,000, a 2,900% increase over the price the city received.

1064 N. D St.

Owners: Three

Square feet: 2,256

Starting price: $6,000

Latest price: $97,000

History: This home had been in foreclosure at least once before HUD took it over in 1998. The city sold it in November 2000 for $6,000 to California Capital Properties, which sold it in May 2001 for $97,000. That buyer refinanced twice, ending up in May 2005 with a $280,500 loan -- nearly three times the purchase price -- at an adjustable rate of 6.5%.

1228 N. Lugo Ave.

Owners: Four

Square feet: 1,382

Starting price: $48,000

Latest price: $180,000

History: Sold in June 2000 for $48,000 to ANR Industries. In March 2001, ANR sold the home for $101,000 -- more than double the purchase price -- to two buyers. In August 2004, those buyers sold the home for $180,000.

214 E. 4th St.

Owners: Four

Square feet: 1,343

Starting price: $0

Latest price: $360,000

History: The city gave the property in February 2006 to Meadowbrook Park Homes, which built a building on the land. It sold the building to a buyer in October 2007 for $360,000. The buyer had defaulted on her payments on a previous property in 1986 and lost another property to foreclosure that Fannie Mae took over for $268,291.

Sources: San Bernardino County property records, MDA DataQuick, and state and federal court records. Photographs by Ringo H.W. Chiu For The Times

A Word From A Dollar Bear

Warren Buffett's vote of no confidence in U.S. fiscal policies is up to $20 billion.

The dollar has fallen savagely against the euro for the past three years, and the trade deficit is running $55 billion a month. Is the currency rout over? Can the trade deficit be fixed with a rise in interest rates or an upward revaluation of the Chinese currency? Warren Buffett, the world's most visible dollar bear, says the answer to both these questions is no. His bet against the dollar, reported at $12 billion in his last annual report (for Dec. 31, 2003), has gotten all the bigger. Now his Berkshire Hathaway has a $20 billion bet in favor of the euro, the pound and six other foreign currencies.

Buffett has for a long time been lecturing fellow Americans about their bad habit of borrowing from abroad to live well today. He made a big stink about his currency trades in his March 2004 letter to shareholders. FORBES phoned him recently for an update, hoping for the news that the Scold of Omaha had softened his views on the decline of the dollar. What we got was more doom and gloom, more than we have ever heard from the man. In other words, he is not about to cover his short position on the dollar.

Buffett said that he began buying foreign currency forward contracts when the euro was worth 86 U.S. cents, and kept buying until the price reached $1.20. It's now worth $1.33. Buffett said he is not adding new positions now but has been rolling over contracts as they mature. Berkshire lost $205 million on currency speculations in the first half of 2004, but more than made that back with a $412 million gain in the third quarter. It's likely that the December quarter report will show another huge gain.

Since January 2002 the dollar has fallen 33% against the euro. Buffett blames that on bad policy, coming from both the White House and Congress. It does appear that forex speculators are no big fans of George Bush or his Treasury secretary, John Snow. Since Nov. 2 the dollar has fallen 4.4% against the euro.

Says Buffett: "The rest of the world owns $10 trillion of us, or $3 trillion net." That is, U.S. claims on foreign assets run to only $7 trillion. "If lots of people try to leave the market, we'll have chaos because they won't get through the door." In a nutshell, the trade deficit is forcing foreign central banks to ingest U.S. currency at a rate approaching $2 billion a day. Buffett continues: "If we have the same policies, the dollar will go down."

The $20 billion bet has to be put in context. Berkshire has a huge portfolio of investments that includes $40 billion of Treasury securities. Budget and trade deficits are likely to make dollars worth less and bonds worth less. So the currency play is a partial hedge of a large position that can be read as bullish on the U.S.

Still, that Buffett is making a currency bet at all is striking given that this investor has, in his 74 years, rarely made macroeconomic bets. He built Berkshire to a $130 billion market value by acquiring parts or all of lots of businesses, primarily in the insurance sector and primarily in the U.S. Now some of those assets are antidollar assets. Example: In 2002 he bought bonds of Level 3, a telecom company, that were denominated in euros. In 2000 Berkshire picked up MidAmerican Energy, a gas pipeline company. By doing so, Berkshire indirectly acquired the assets of Northern Electric, a utility in England, at a time when the pound was worth $1.58. Now it's worth $1.94, so Berkshire has a paper gain irrespective of any appreciation in the electric company's pound-denominated earning power.

A continuing fall in the dollar "could cause major disruptions in financial markets. There could be unpredictable side effects. It could be precipitated by some exogenous event like a Long-Term Capital Management," Buffett says, referring to the 1998 collapse of a steeply leveraged hedge fund.

How about a soft landing for our deficit-addicted economy? Don't count on it. We're running $100 billion a year in the hole against China, but Buffett doesn't expect that an upward revaluation of the renminbi (stoutly resisted, in any event, by the Chinese government) would greatly reduce this number.

How about a rise in short-term interest rates? They used to say on Wall Street, "Six percent interest will draw money from the moon." Buffett is skeptical, though, that the recent tightening by Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan will do much more than "put off the day of reckoning."


source: http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2005/0110/036.html

Explosive Profits With Forex Trading - Warren Buffet And Bill Gates - Secrets Revealed!

Released on = September 12, 2006, 5:27 am

Press Release Author = Market Traders Institute

Industry = International Trade

Press Release Summary = Did you know that The Bank of America made $757 million in
the Forex market in 2004? Each year they and many other banks are making more than
the previous years in this relatively unknown market (even though it is the largest
financial market in the world). For the first time in history Warren Buffett and
Bill Gates are trading currencies. Banks love the Forex because it is the best
trending market in the world. It keeps the same up or down direction over 80% of the
time. This makes trending markets the easiest markets to trade. Many traders that
use to t rade stocks, bonds, commodities and futures now trade the Forex exclusively


Press Release Body =
For immediate release
Explosive Profits With Forex Trading- Bill Gates And Warren Buffet- Secrets
Revealed!
Did you know that The Bank of America made $757 million in the Forex market
in 2004? Each year they and many other banks are making more than the
previous years in this relatively unknown market (even though it is the
largest financial market in the world). For the first time in history Warren
Buffett and Bill Gates are trading currencies. Banks love the Forex because
it is the best trending market in the world. It keeps the same up or down
direction over 80% of the time. This makes trending markets the easiest
markets to trade.
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source: http://express-press-release.net/29/Explosive%20Profits%20With%20Forex%20Trading%20-%20Warren%20Buffet%20And%20%20Bill%20Gates%20-%20Secrets%20Revealed!.php

"The Quick, Easy, And Automatic WayTo Invest Just Like Warren Buffett"

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SKorean stock market shrugs off rocket launch

SEOUL (AFP) — South Korea's stock market shrugged off North Korea's rocket launch, rising 1.1 percent some 50 minutes after trading began.
At 9.49 am (0049 GMT) the KOSPI index had risen to 1,298.01 in light volume.
"The possibility of North Korea's launch was already factored into the market, and the launch itself seem to have removed an uncertainty," Bae Sung-Young of Hyundai Securities told Dow Jones Newswires.
He said the market was encouraged by Friday's Wall Street rise despite poor US jobs data.
North Korea on Sunday launched what it said was a communications satellite, earning condemnation from much of the world for what was seen as a provocative missile test.
The UN Security Council held three hours of closed-door talks Sunday which were adjourned with no immediate agreement on how to respond to the launch.

employment in insurance

The insurance industry had about 2.3 million wage and salary jobs in 2006. Insurance carriers accounted for 62 percent of jobs, while insurance agencies, brokerages, and providers of other insurance-related services accounted for 38 percent of jobs.

The majority of establishments in the insurance industry were small; however, a few large establishments accounted for many of the jobs in this industry. Insurance carriers tend to be large establishments, often employing 250 or more workers, whereas agencies and brokerages tend to be much smaller, frequently employing fewer than 20 workers (chart 1).

Many insurance carriers’ home and regional offices are situated near large urban centers. Insurance workers who deal directly with the public are located throughout the country. Almost all of those working in sales work out of local company offices or independent agencies. Many others in the industry work for independent firms in small cities and towns throughout the country.

working of insurance industries

Hours. Many workers in the insurance industry—especially those in administrative support positions—work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Those in executive and managerial occupations often put in more than 40 hours. There are several occupations in the insurance industry where workers may work irregular hours outside of office settings. Those working in sales jobs need to be available for their clients at all times. This accommodation may result in these individuals working 50 to 60 hours per week. Also, call centers operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so some of their employees must work evening and weekend shifts. The irregular business hours in the insurance industry provide some workers with the opportunity for part-time work. Part-time employees make up 8 percent of the workforce.

Work environment. Insurance employees working in sales jobs often visit prospective and existing customers’ homes and places of business to market new products and provide services. Others working in the industry may need to frequently leave the office to inspect damaged property, and at times can be away from home for days, traveling to the scene of a disaster—such as a tornado, flood, or hurricane—to work with affected policyholders and government officials.

A small, but increasing, number of insurance employees spend most of their time on the telephone working in call centers, answering questions and providing information to prospective clients or current policyholders. These jobs may include selling insurance, taking claims information, or answering medical questions.

As would be expected in an industry dominated by office and sales employees, the incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses among insurance workers is low. In 2006, only 1.3 cases per 100 full-time workers were reported among insurance carriers, while just 0.7 cases per 100 full-time workers were reported among agents and brokers. These figures compare with an average of 4.4 for all private industry.

recent developments on insurance industry

Recent developments. Congressional legislation now allows insurance carriers and other financial institutions, such as banks and securities firms, to sell one another’s products. More insurance carriers now sell financial products such as securities, mutual funds, and various retirement plans. This approach is most common in life insurance companies that already sold annuities, but property and casualty companies also are increasingly selling a wider range of financial products. In order to expand into one another’s markets, insurance carriers, banks, and securities firms have engaged in numerous mergers, allowing the merging companies access to each other's client base and geographical markets.

Insurance carriers have discovered that the Internet can be a powerful tool for reaching potential and existing customers. Most carriers use the Internet simply to post company information, such as sales brochures and product information, financial statements, and a list of local agents. However, an increasing number of carriers are starting to expand their Web sites to enable customers to access online account and billing information, and some carriers even allow claims to be submitted online. Many carriers also provide insurance quotes online based on the information submitted by customers on their Internet sites. In fact, some carriers will allow customers to purchase policies through the Internet without ever speaking to a live agent.

In addition to individual carrier-sponsored Internet sites, several “lead-generating” sites have emerged. These sites allow potential customers to input information about their insurance policy needs. For a fee, the sites forward customer information to a number of insurance companies, which review the information and, if they decide to take on the policy, contact the customer with an offer. This practice gives consumers the freedom to accept the best rate.

Nature of the insurance Industry

Goods and services. The insurance industry provides protection against financial losses resulting from a variety of perils. By purchasing insurance policies, individuals and businesses can receive reimbursement for losses due to car accidents, theft of property, and fire and storm damage; medical expenses; and loss of income due to disability or death.

Industry organization. The insurance industry consists mainly of insurance carriers (or insurers) and insurance agencies and brokerages. In general, insurance carriers are large companies that provide insurance and assume the risks covered by the policy. Insurance agencies and brokerages sell insurance policies for the carriers. While some of these establishments are directly affiliated with a particular insurer and sell only that carrier’s policies, many are independent and are thus free to market the policies of a variety of insurance carriers. In addition to supporting these two primary components, the insurance industry includes establishments that provide other insurance-related services, such as claims adjustment or third-party administration of insurance and pension funds.

These other insurance industry establishments also include a number of independent organizations that provide a wide array of insurance-related services to carriers and their clients. One such service is the processing of claims forms for medical practitioners. Other services include loss prevention and risk management. Also, insurance companies sometimes hire independent claims adjusters to investigate accidents and claims for property damage and to assign a dollar estimate to the claim.

Insurance carriers assume the risk associated with annuities and insurance policies and assign premiums to be paid for the policies. In the policy, the carrier states the length and conditions of the agreement, exactly which losses it will provide compensation for, and how much will be awarded. The premium charged for the policy is based primarily on the amount to be awarded in case of loss, as well as the likelihood that the insurance carrier will actually have to pay. In order to be able to compensate policyholders for their losses, insurance companies invest the money they receive in premiums, building up a portfolio of financial assets and income-producing real estate which can then be used to pay off any future claims that may be brought. There are two basic types of insurance carriers: primary and reinsurance. Primary carriers are responsible for the initial underwriting of insurance policies and annuities, while reinsurance carriers assume all or part of the risk associated with the existing insurance policies originally underwritten by other insurance carriers.

Primary insurance carriers offer a variety of insurance policies. Life insurance provides financial protection to beneficiaries—usually spouses and dependent children—upon the death of the insured. Disability insurance supplies a preset income to an insured person who is unable to work due to injury or illness, and health insurance pays the expenses resulting from accidents and illness. An annuity (a contract or a group of contracts that furnishes a periodic income at regular intervals for a specified period) provides a steady income during retirement for the remainder of one’s life. Property-casualty insurance protects against loss or damage to property resulting from hazards such as fire, theft, and natural disasters. Liability insurance shields policyholders from financial responsibility for injuries to others or for damage to other people’s property. Most policies, such as automobile and homeowner’s insurance, combine both property-casualty and liability coverage. Companies that underwrite this kind of insurance are called property-casualty carriers.

Some insurance policies cover groups of people, ranging from a few to thousands of individuals. These policies usually are issued to employers for the benefit of their employees or to unions, professional associations, or other membership organizations for the benefit of their members. Among the most common policies of this nature are group life and health plans. Insurance carriers also underwrite a variety of specialized types of insurance, such as real-estate title insurance, employee surety and fidelity bonding, and medical malpractice insurance.

Other organizations in the industry are formed by groups of insurance companies, to perform functions that would result in a duplication of effort if each company carried them out individually. For example, service organizations are supported by insurance companies to provide loss statistics, which the companies use to set their rates.