Posts in category Finance

Some Tips to Help You Save on Your Internet Bill

Apr 07, 2012 Leave a Comment ~ Written by Jeff Taka

Slow internet in this day and age can be insufferable, but unfortunately, the price of higher-speed internet can be a big roadblock in some people’s lives. It’s understandable that monthly expenses can be difficult to deal with, especially in these trying economic times. There are, however, some solutions that could allow you to get high-speed digital cable or satellite internet without sacrificing more money than you have to.

Although nearly everyone uses the internet in the modern age, not everyone uses it in the same way. Some people simply check their e-mail and browse the news; others enjoy high-quality online gaming, video streaming, and other services. It’s important to diagnose your needs based on what you use the internet for and incorporate that information into your decision-making about internet service deals. If you’re someone who just uses e-mail and Facebook, you probably don’t need the fastest service available, for example.

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Posted in Small Business, Technology, Tips And Tricks

Getting a Loan for an Eco-Friendly Vehicle

Mar 12, 2012 ~ Written by Jeff Taka

The government has recently constructed partnerships and incentives with the world’s elading car companies in an effort to increase the popularity of eco-friendly vehicles. As a result, customers who purchase eco-friendly cars may now receive up to $2,000 in tax rebates for their environmentally conscious purchases. This is a good tip to consider for your life not only in its cost efficiency, but in the way in which you can have a positive impact on the environment.

The government finds it absolutely necessary to popularize fuel efficient vehicles due to the negative impact that “gas guzzlers” have on the environment. It’s also a good product to market because as gas prices rise, customers will want to consider the effectiveness of purchasing a more fuel efficient vehicle from the get-go to save on driving expenses over time.

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Posted in Tips And Tricks

What Are Liquidated Damages

Feb 13, 2012 ~ Written by Jeff Taka

You might hear the term “liquidated damages” a lot when referring to things like delays in construction, but it can be hard to understand exactly what that means. In essence, liquidated damages are the expenses paid by a party—in the case of construction delays, a construction company or individual worker—responsible for the failure to commit to terms laid out in a contract. This assumes that the contract was made within legal standards and in good faith.

A penalty is the contractual agreement made at signing that stipulates what will be paid if a party fails to hold up their end of the contract. The word “penalty”, then, does not refer to the actual losses, but rather to the agreed upon measures for handling any failure that may come up. This is similar to a “fine” for traffic violations, for example.

However, the United States court system has exhibited some confusion in regards to the use of the Liquidated Damages clause. The concern in the case of construction scenarios is that sometimes, the actual losses experienced by a failure or delay are lesser or greater than the penalty stipulated in the contract.

In England and Australia, on the other hand, courts tend to stick rigidly to the terms agreed upon in the contract, instead of considering the possible disparity between the two figures.

Posted in Small Business

The Representation of Women in the Financial Industry

Feb 07, 2012 ~ Written by Jeff Taka

Although the job market has been tough for a couple of years now, it’s still important to look at the numbers that give us information about the successes and struggles of different groups in the workplace. Catalyst recently published information about the prevalence and the experience of women in financial job positions. Of note, the study reports that although only 23% of partners in accounting and finance firms are made up of women, they make up 49% of the overall employee pool. Beyond that, up to 60% of workers in auditing functions are women, and 55% of new hires to CPA firms are reported as being women as well.

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Posted in Banking

The Benefits of a Business Coach

Feb 03, 2012 ~ Written by Jeff Taka

daaaa bearsThere’s no shame in needing a little bit of help every now and then. In fact, many of the world’s most respected and competitive environments include coaching systems in place to help individuals maximize their potential, Whether it’s in the world of sports or business, an adviser that can help you realize your capabilities can go a long way in leading you to a better, more satisfying life.

The idea of the business coach is that an outside person with experience and objectivity can help you identify your skills, assess your work environment, and help you get the most out of your job. It’s good for both the employee and the employer, because it produces more confidence and happiness in the employee and better work for the employer.

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Posted in Entrepreneurship, Small Business

Banking in 2012: Cautiously Positive

Jan 07, 2012 ~ Written by Jeff Taka

According to the independent company CreditSights, the new year looks positive, on the whole, for banks in the United States.  The report also suggests that the new year will mean positive news for the job market in general.

In this new age of banking, banks will need to accommodate the new age in general:  think less bank-influence, and smaller margins.  Due to this, the bank returns will fall, and the focus will turn to lessening risk.

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Posted in Banking

The Effects of Stock Market Fluctuations on Your Retirement Plan

Dec 01, 2011 ~ Written by Jeff Taka

The recent instability of the stock market has led many people to feel an understandable amount of scepticism and fear. It can be scary to consider keeping your money or placing any new money into the market during such tumultuous times. This holds especially true for people nearing the age of retirement, because those individuals want to be sure that they are prepared to have a relaxing and smooth transition at the end of their careers.

However, it’s important not to lose your head or do anything drastic. As concerning as it may be, fluctuations in the stock market are inevitable, and making changes based on instinctive fear rather than calculated planning can result in losses that will hinder you in the future. Instead, consider a sensible plan to reassess your finances and ensure that you are prepared for retirement without making big moves in the stock market.

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Posted in Banking, Retirement

Achieving Your Goals as an Entrepreneur and a Person

Nov 03, 2011 ~ Written by Jeff Taka

achieving goals as a teamDefining your objectives is the first step to achieving them. While this may sound like an obvious statement, the idea can easily be lost in the business world. Some businesses begin with a general idea of a plan but fail to set realistic and well-defined goals to work toward. As a result, they end up failing to stay above water. When you’re setting out to run a business of your own, you need to be conscious of your goals and actively strive to achieve them.

The first thing to consider is what you want. It’s obvious that you want to make money, but how do you want to do it? You need to set goals that are both challenging and realistic. Your objectives should include an awareness of the target market and the individuals with whom you will be interacting to accomplish these goals. Whether you are providing a product or a service, working alone or with a group, you need to be aware of your own skills and intentions and make sure that they are in line with the goals you have in mind.

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Posted in Entrepreneurship, Small Business

Three Big Mistakes People Make Managing Their Wealth

Oct 27, 2011 ~ Written by Jeff Taka

Anyone who watches the news or reads the paper will come across stories about individuals who acquired a large amount of wealth in a short time and ended up losing it all due to poor money management. It’s no secret that there are a lot of ways you can go wrong when dealing with your wealth, so it’s important to recognize these potential errors and cut them down before they have an effect on you. Here, we will outline a couple of tips that separate the successful and the wealthy from the average spender.

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Former Bank of America Executive Sophie Schmitt Moves to Aite Group

Sep 16, 2011 ~ Written by Jeff Taka

Aite Group, the financial research and consulting group with headquarters in Boston, announced that Sophie Schmitt will join its family.  Schmitt will be a senior analyst for the team, and will financial and wealth management for individuals and businesses, including exclusive, or “premier” banking and bank consulting.  Aite Group, according to its recent statements, hopes that the addition of Schmitt will expand their already-growing wealth management team.

Prior to this move, Sophie Schmitt was the sales process manager for Premier Banking & Investments Group, among other groups, under Bank of America’s Global Wealth and Investment Management heading.  And in Bank of America’s Business Information Management group, Schmitt held the position of senior consultant.

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Posted in Banking
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