text:
1. Maintain three to six months of savings in your account. "As a contractor or part-time worker, your income will tend to ebb and flow," Gugliuzza says. "Having an emergency fund with enough savings to cover three to six months' worth of your critical expenses can help ensure you can pay your bills, even during times of low employment." Figure out what this necessary dollar amount is and make sure your bank account is ready to go before you take the full leap into the gig economy.
2. Keep a handle on your debts. As part of the gig economy, you're still responsible for paying taxes on what you earn, and bad news: You don't have an in-house HR or accounting department to make that happen for you. "If you're doing contract work and don't want taxes withheld from your pay, you'll need to make quarterly estimated state and federal tax payments," Gugliuzza says. You'll save yourself a lot of stress comes tax time if you are careful to put away a portion of each payment you receive and flag it as a tax payment before you accidentally spend it. Consider reaching out to a professional now to walk you through the specifics of the tax code in the area where you live.
3. Understand how much you need to save. While you may be feeling somewhat removed from your pals who are working in more traditional jobs (go on with your bad self!), the truth is that many of your financial needs are still the same as theirs. Take some time to establish some goals for what you'll need to save for retirement or other long-term goals. There are plenty of tools and calculators available online to help you crunch these crucial numbers on your own.
4. Investigate investment opportunities. You can still take advantage of investment opportunities, even if you're not working in a traditional full-time job. A 529 college savings plan can help you stash away funds to further your own education (and is a good way to save for your children's future tuition as well). You should also do your homework on IRAs, which can help you grow your retirement nest egg so you'll be sittin' pretty when the time comes for you to quit that side hustle life. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about IRAs — for one thing, that you need to work a corporate nine-to-five to invest in one — so be sure to do your research!
5. Seek expert advice. There's no shame in asking for help, especially if you're new to working in the gig economy. A financial or business adviser will be able to help you figure out what your specific goals are, and they can help you put together a plan to make them happen. An action plan like this should make it a whole lot easier for you to follow through on the other four tips — and to do it effectively.
Easy financial tips to get on track
Money is something that individuals usually need more of but frequently find in short supply.
People worry about money.... a lot. According to the YouGov poll for the Institute of Financial Planning and National Savings and Investments in Great Britain, nearly two-thirds of respondents worried about their finances, with 43 percent saying they worried about money "more often than not." Things aren't much different in the United States, where a recent survey from Lincoln Financial Group showed that 53 percent of respondents worried about having enough money for retirement.
Taking charge of personal finances may seem like a difficult undertaking, but you don't have to make drastic lifestyle changes to grow your savings. Try these tips to save more and live a more financially-conscious life.
· Keep financial records. It's hard to determine your financial standing if you do not prioritize record-keeping. Find a method that you can stick with consistently. Some people prefer old-fashioned bookkeeping with pen and paper, while others may like the convenience of software and mobile apps. Having financial matters clearly visible in black and white can show a clear picture of how much money is coming in and how much is being spent.
· Explore auto-withdrawal and deposit. Many financial institutions offer several services to customers that can make banking and money management easier. You can set up a savings account and have money automatically deducted from your paycheck and deposited into this account. Even small deposits add up over time. You also can arrange for automatic bill pay so you don't have to worry about accruing late fees for missed payments. Check with your bank or credit union about these types of services.
· Put a change jar in your house. Change might not be popular, but it is money. Having a jar or bucket in a location of the house where you set your wallet or purse may encourage you to save that loose change for something larger. Place loose change in the jar and watch it add up. Some banks have coin-counting machines, which can make it even easier to cash in your change.
· Sign up for shop-and-earn programs. Everyone from credit card companies to major retailers offer incentives to repeat customers. These include cash-back or other perks for a percentage of the money spent on purchases. These programs equate to built-in discounts and can help you squirrel away even more money without making a conscious effort.
· Consider investing. Investing can put your money to work in exchange for a return. There are many different types of investments available. If you are an investing novice, work with a financial planner or broker who can help you find a level of risk you are comfortable with.
· Pay off debt. The earlier you can get rid of outstanding debt, the better. Put money toward high-interest loans and credit cards so you aren't paying so much in costly interest charges. Afterward, you can start saving in earnest.
Learning to take charge of personal finances early on can set you on a course for financial stability throughout your life.
The equity market is on a high these days. The Sensex hit 31,291 on June 22 2017, rising about 17 per cent from a year ago and about 19 per cent year to date (YTD). Given the phenomenal rise, should investors continue to park funds in stocks?
Different people have different investing styles. While some follow aggressive styles with shorter investment horizons, most believe in investing for the long term with a minimum of three- to five-year outlook.
During a discussion at work, a colleague made an interesting point - his equity mutual fund SIP opened in January 2008 (the high point of that market cycle) has yielded him an annual compounded return of 12 per cent till date; he continues to hold on to the same.
While one may argue that this is no great feat as the return in absolute terms is not much to write home about, the key takeaway here for readers is that despite investing at a time when valuations and markets were at a peak, this particular investment has yielded him 1.5 times returns of what he would have otherwise got had he invested in a debt instrument at the time. That too pre-tax!
What we are trying to infer is that long-term investing works. And taking such an approach, especially now, would be the right way to go about things.
One may raise a point, the fund my colleague invested in may be one of the few that have done well over the long term, thanks to the fund manager whose wisdom allowed the unit holders to garner such returns.
While that may be true, here are some interesting data points that seem encouraging enough for an investor to take up this approach on his own.
From the market peak on January 10, 2008, the Sensex has risen by around 4.5 per cent per annum. The comparable number for the BSE500 index is about 4.8 per cent per annum. But if we look at the returns of the constituents of the BSE500 index since then (considering only 80 per cent of the index companies were listed nine-and-a-half years ago), some interesting data points can be observed.
A little less than a fourth of the stocks continue to trade below their January 10, 2008 closing levels. About 11 per cent of the stocks have given positive returns, but underperformed the BSE500 index i.e. compounded returns have been positive but less than 4.8 per cent. About 9 per cent of stocks have outperformed the BSE500 index, but have generated returns less than what they would have otherwise got through debt instruments (assumed at 8 per cent). A little more than 8 per cent of the stocks have beaten the returns on debt instrument, but have been lower than the minimum return that one should expect from Indian stocks (1.5 times of 8 per cent).
What is particularly interesting is that 48 debt instrument of the index stocks have given compounded annual returns in excess of 12 per cent. The median of this basket of stocks was a high figure of 20.8 per cent.
What does all of this point towards? Three things I believe -
First, equities have the tendency to outperform other asset classes over long periods.
Second, one should have a long-term investment horizon.
And finally, stock selection is critical.
But how should a lay investor go about doing the same?
We believe the Indian economy is at an inflection point, with strong structural changes being observed within the economy. And thus, growth levels are only going to remain firm, if not rise, going forward.
All one needs to do is weed out the companies with poor fundamentals. A simple approach one can follow is to invest in companies that have a long runway of growth: companies that possess pricing power; companies whose strong historical performances are likely to remain intact in future; companies where disruption and competitive pressures are unlikely to hamper their quality of earnings; companies that are market leaders in their respective domains.
We recommend a systematic transfer plan-like structure wherein investors can park their lump sum fund in a short term debt fund, with the funds getting systematically transferred from such accounts to directly purchase shares of the shortlisted companies on a monthly or quarterly basis, thereby allowing the investors' idle money to work for them while making the most of the market movements.
This process also helps in keeping the market noise out in the decision making process, while allowing regular financial savings – those that would form the basis of long-term wealth creation.
We are currently investing in an extremely noisy political and economic environment. While markets have remained remarkably subdued during recent times, it is inevitable that greater volatility will emerge. The question is: how should we respond?
As investors, our natural impulse when faced with arresting news or growing uncertainty is to react. Our instincts tell us to take action to protect portfolios or to profit from a particular outcome. This adrenaline fuelled 'fight or flight' response is deeply ingrained within us and exists for good evolutionary reasons as early humans who did not have these instincts were less likely to have decedents.
However, this impulse towards action causes a real challenge for investors.
There is an abundance of great research on this topic; however one of the most relevant was a study by Barber & Odean which shows a clear link between portfolio turnover and the results generated by individual investors.
Those portfolios in the highest quintile of turnover delivered returns more than a third lower than those in the lowest quintile of turnover. To say this simply, the impulse towards action is not beneficial to returns.
The Impulse to Action
Alongside the evolutionary impulse and incentives, action is also being encouraged by an array of behavioral biases that revolve around overconfidence, the rejection of opposing views and a preference to recall the recent past.
Most vividly, the 'recency bias' makes our recent experience easier to imagine than those experiences that are more distant. This leads us to believe that current trends will continue indefinitely. In contrast, the 'law of small numbers' is another behavioral trap that creates an expectation of mean-reversion in small sample sizes, thus encouraging investors to risk too much capital on positions designed to capture small market deviations.
In view of this, it is hardly surprising that most portfolios managers and advisers are far too active in their investment operations. We typically see this via increased costs and poor performance.
Overcoming the Impulse towards Action?
To get practical, there are several strategies to help overcome this impulse to action. The key is to prepare rather than react, as it is likely too late to address the impulse for action when it arises. For the portfolio manager or adviser to overcome the urge to make unnecessary changes to the portfolio, it is important to initiate the strategies beforehand. A good example of how to do this is provided by the story of Odysseus facing the Island of the Sirens as he returned from the Trojan War.
Our hero knew the encounter with Sirens was both inevitable and dangerous and so he prepared himself beforehand.
In this sense, the best preparation was education. Most clients are unaware of both their behavioral biases and the impact that those biases have on a portfolio. A basic education in behavioral science is therefore the first step, as investors who are aware of their biases are less likely to fall foul of them and more likely to be understanding of the adviser's attempts to overcome them.
Second, one should ensure they have good navigation aids. Our biases create structure to our decision-making that results in predictable mistakes, much like a poorly drawn chart creates repeated navigation errors. In order to overcome this, we need to ensure that we use navigation tools that are fit for the job and enable us to overcome the inevitable obstacles in our path. One of the more popular ways is to create a core set of investment principles that are drawn from the observations of how great investors overcome their biases.
The third is to change the narrative of market movements. Much of the impulse to action comes from the type of investment data we consume and how we consume it. For example, many investors are drawn to recent past performance with an upward moving graph and green numbers. In contrast, red numbers and falling charts create a negative connotation. This naturally exposes us to loss aversion.
Avoid overhyped financial news and broker research designed to prompt action. Instead, one should be incentivised to focus on long-term prospective returns using a fundamental valuation framework.
By doing so, we change the itch to 'buy high and sell low' and turn it into a compulsion to 'buy low and sell high'. Said another way, a rise in prices is viewed as a fall in prospective returns. While this helps address the recency bias, it also reduces exposure to the law of small numbers as most daily movements in asset prices appear to be vanishingly small in the context of a decade long return expectation.
With $1 million to invest, do some comparison shopping and look at average costs.
I would rather have a million friends than a million dollars.--Eddie Rickenbacker
Mr. Rickenbacker is entitled to his preferences, but many of us would rather have the million dollars -- and perhaps just 10 or 20 or even 100 friends. Some of us even have a million dollars -- by having saved and invested over many years, via a lucky inheritance, or by some other means.
When you have a lot of money, you need to be sure to invest it wisely, preserving much or all of its value. That's where private asset management or an account management advisor can come in handy. It's smart to do a comparison of your options, assessing the cost and fee schedule and typical charges for each one. You may also want to invest the money on your own, with a potential focus on dividend-paying stocks, annuities, and other income-generating assets.
Here are some key ways to invest $1 million.
Private asset management or account management advisory services
One option for investing your million dollars is to let someone else do it -- or have someone tell you what to do. Lots of companies, including very possibly your own brokerage, offer wealth management services, ranging from having professionals manage your money for you to simply holding your hand and offering advice.
What they charge will vary, and if you're interested in such services, you should do some comparison shopping -- comparing not only their average fees but also the specific services offered.
Some companies' wealth management services define wealth rather specifically, seeking clients with at least several million dollars. A mere million might not let you in every door. That's OK, because many services can be rather costly, charging you 1% or 3% or more of your total assets under management each year. (Some do charge less than 0.50%, so it's well worth doing comparison shopping of typical charges.)
If you parked your million dollars with an outfit charging 1% or 2% annually, they'd be charging you $10,000 or $20,000 per year for their services. That kind of fee can sometimes be worth it, if they're delivering more than that in value, but many financial pros find it hard to outperform the overall stock market -- when you can earn the market's average return simply by investing in a low-cost broad-market index fund. Many services charge 0.25% or less per year in fees.
Be sure to also consider independent financial advisors -- especially "fee-only" ones who have few or no conflicts of interest and earn no commissions from steering you into specific investments. (You can look up such pros at www.napfa.org.) A good one can serve you quite well, reviewing your overall financial health and coming up with a plan to help you meet your financial goals, such as having sufficient retirement income. They might recommend strategies such as dividend-paying stocks or annuities -- which you can read about below.
Investing on your own
You can invest the money on your own too, of course, calling your own shots. If you're a young millionaire, you'll want your money to grow, and the stock market is where it's likely to grow the most quickly over the long run. One or more simple index funds could work well here -- ideally ones focused on the broad market, such as the S&P 500 or the total U.S. or world stock market. They will likely outperform most managed stock mutual funds. There are bond index funds, too. Even Warren Buffett recommends S&P 500 index funds for most investors.
If you're approaching retirement, you'll be most interested in preserving those million dollars, or deploying it in ways that will generate income.
Consider dividend income
Another good option for wisely investing a million dollars -- or a significant portion of it -- is to buy dividend-paying stocks. It's true that dividends are never guaranteed, but if you stick with healthy and growing companies that have a good track record of paying dividends, and you spread your money among a bunch of them, you'll likely do well over the long run.
If you park, say, $500,000 in healthy, stable, dividend-paying stocks with an overall dividend yield of 4%, you can look forward to $20,000 annually, while expecting the dividends and the stock prices to rise over time. Put the entire million dollars in the dividend payers, and you might enjoy $40,000 or more in annual income.
Just to give you an idea of what's out there, here are a few well-regarded stocks with significant dividend yields:
Invest in annuities
Another smart way to invest a million dollars (or a big portion of it) is in an annuity or two (or three). Since an annuity is only as reliable as the company paying it, it's wise to divide your annuity investment among several top-rated insurance companies, to minimize any risk.
In exchange for a big bundle of money, fixed annuities (as opposed to the more problematic variable or indexed variety) can start paying you immediately or on a deferred basis. Below are examples of the kind of income that various people might be able to secure in the form of an immediate fixed annuity in the recent economic environment. (You'll generally be offered higher payments in times of higher prevailing interest rates.)
If you have a million dollars and you take just half of it -- $500,000 -- and invest it in annuities, you could be collecting about $38,000 annually, if you're a 70-year-old man. Spend the whole million and you're looking at almost $76,000, a very respectable income in retirement, especially when complemented by Social Security.
If you're a 65-year-old couple, you could get about $28,000 in annual income for $500,000, and more than $56,000 if you spend the whole million. It might not seem worth getting a joint annuity instead of two separate single ones, but remember that when one spouse dies, the survivor will be left with a substantially lower income. A joint annuity can keep payments steady until both parties die.
If you're fortunate enough to have a million dollars, invest it wisely so that it lasts and serves you well -- perhaps even continuing to grow over time. Remember that you might opt for all of the options above, devoting a chunk of your million to each.
Whether you are saving for a retirement that is still decades away or building a college fund for your high school student, developing a smart, diversified investment strategy to also include real estate will not happen by accident. If you want the finances of your future to be better than the finances of today, you need to work hard to make it happen.
You do not have to be a savings savant or a real estate expert to develop a smart, effective and safe investment strategy. All you need is the dedication and desire to get it done, and here are a few tips you can use to make your plan more successful.
1. Lay out your goals. Before you start on this road, you need to know where you are going. Lay out your short-term and long-term goals and determine your investment personality. Do you prefer to flip real estate for profit or are you the type of investor that enjoys cash flow from single-family rentals?
2. Explore your options. Know what your options are, from the retirement plan at work to an individual retirement account, IRA, or 529 plans for education. Laying out all the available pieces will make it easier to develop a comprehensive investment strategy.
3. Pay yourself first. Instead of waiting until the end of the month and seeing how much is left to invest, put your investments first. Whether that means investing automatically in a 401(k) or 403(b) or transferring money from your checking account to ensure you have capital ready to invest in a real estate deal, paying yourself first is a winning strategy. Remember, your income is the greatest wealth generator.
4. Be smart about diversification. Diversifying your investments should be part of your investment strategy. If you are investing for retirement and have decades to go, you can probably afford to take more risk. If you need the funds in just a few years, reducing or eliminating that risk can keep your money working without the danger of loss. Given where the real estate market is right now, I would consider a 40/40/20 strategy. My colleague Rick Melero from HIS Capital Group and I discuss this at length because it truly is a smart strategy to deploy. Forty percent of your activity should be in real estate flips, 40% of your activity should be in buying cash-flowing assets (e.g. single-family rentals) and 20% of your activity should be in high-risk, high-rewards opportunities.
5. Keep your costs low. Investment costs can eat into your investment portfolio, so look for the lowest cost products that meet your needs. If you want to play it safe, index funds are low cost and provide exposure to a wide universe of stocks and bonds both domestically and internationally, making them excellent choices for most investors. In the real estate game, consider flipping one home and with the profit, buying two rental properties.
6. Invest consistently. It can be scary to keep investing when the real estate market is falling, but the down years are actually the best times to buy. When the market falls, every dollar you invest buys more property, and that can make a huge difference when the market eventually recovers. Remember, this is a long-term game; don't be swayed by short-term fluctuations.
7. Do not be a micromanager. Micromanaging your real estate investments will do nothing but increase your stress level, so avoid daily checks of your account balance. It is important to review your passive investments once or twice a year, but micromanaging your accounts will get you nowhere.
8. Be smart about taxes. When you make money on your investments, Uncle Sam will want a cut, but there are things you can do to reduce the pain. Keeping your real estate investments in self-directed retirement accounts, which are taxed when you take the money out, is one smart way to reduce your tax bill and keep your investments growing.
9. Ramp up your savings. Getting started is often the hardest part of investing, but once you are started, it is just as important to ramp things up. If you are currently investing 6% of your earnings into your real estate investing strategy, make it 7% next year and 8% the year after that. This escalation can give you the discipline you need to ramp up the savings over time, and that will be good news for your portfolio.
Developing a smart investment strategy will not happen by accident, but if you work hard and consistently, it will happen over time. The tips listed above can help you get started, and as your comfort level rises, you can up the ante and invest even more.
Many investors find themselves experiencing extreme emotional shifts in concert with the unpredictable rises and falls that come with stock market investing. Anxiety may hit like a ton of bricks when prices fall, while excitement sets hearts racing with exhilaration when they rise.
Those who choose to invest in long-term dividends, however, will not feel this same angst as stock prices shift. These investors know that the financial success of their investment is not based on the vagaries of the market itself, but rather on the long-term success of the company. They believe that the stock price and dividend will eventually rise over the long haul, resulting in huge gains over a long period of time.
So, what type of investor should you be? Should you ride the rollercoaster of short term investing, or settle in for the long haul? Really, it's all about your personality and financial goals. Read on for some of the how's and why's of long-term dividend investing.
What Is a Dividend?
When a publicly traded company earns a profit, the management generally has three choices:
Frequently, fast growth companies will keep the proceeds and either reinvests their income in the long-term growth of the company or offer a share buyback. Share buybacks increase each investor's proceeds in the future by decreasing the outstanding shares of stock.
Other companies will issue a dividend, or a share of the company's profits, which is paid out to investors on a quarterly basis.
Long-Term Dividend Investing
Dividend stock investing does not often provide the short-term capital appreciation of hot penny stocks. Nor does it match the excitement of day trading, which during rapidly rising markets can make these investments seem like stodgy, slow money stocks. Moreover, dividend-paying securities often fall out of favor in rapidly rising bull markets, subsequently regaining a fervent following during turbulent and unpredictable markets. This is due to the relatively moderate growth nature of these securities as well as the slow compounding nature of dividends that can be achieved through a long-term, buy and hold philosophy of dividend stock investing.
However, during slow growth bear markets, more and more investors seek shelter in dividend growth stocks such as blue chip stocks. In addition, the stability that these stocks can offer makes them an attractive class of security to include as a component in any portfolio during both harsh and thriving economic times.
Now that you know what dividends are, and how they work in the market, is it the right investing route for you? Here are a few things to consider:
1. The Power of Dividends
When choosing whether or not to begin this type of investing, it is important to understand the hidden power of dividends. Take these dividend facts into account:
2. A Strategy for Investors, Not Traders
When choosing a dividend investing strategy, it is important to develop a long-term investor's mindset. To the dividend investor, a share of stock is a living, breathing piece of a company, not solely a vehicle for capital appreciation. By looking at the investment as such, you will not be disappointed by what will likely be a slower growth rate than non-dividend-paying stocks. The most important factors in their overall investing strategies are:
3. Successful, Long-Term Investors Choose Dividends
Warren Buffett has been called a value investor. Indeed, he has historically purchased shares of companies when they are being sold at a discount to their inherent worth. But, if you review the top 10 holdings of Berkshire Hathaway, you will also find each position constitutes a dividend paying security. If dividend stocks are the investment of choice for the most successful investor in history, shouldn't they be good enough for your personal investment portfolio? Buffet loves dividend-paying stocks because they add another, more stable form of capital appreciation above and beyond share price increases.
How to Choose the Best Dividend Stocks
As with any investment, it is imperative to do your research when choosing a dividend stock. The most important things to consider when determining the correct dividend stock for your portfolio are:
1. Long-Term Prospects
Dividend investing is a long-term investing strategy. When asked what his favorite holding period for stocks is, Warren Buffett is reputed to have replied, "Forever." This is a dividend investor's mindset.
As a dividend investor, you never want to sell because this ruins your long-term investing strategy. So you must carefully choose companies with the long-term staying power and ability to thrive despite economic conditions. Seek corporations that grow, regardless of external economic conditions. Even dividend investors have to sell from time to time, when the underlying business or strategy changes.
2. Financials
If you can't read a balance sheet, research the company's bond ratings. You want to invest in the companies with the best credit ratings (investment grade or above). If you are familiar with reading financial statements, you will want to look at all of the traditional valuation tools, including the P/E ratio, price/sales ratio, Enterprise Value/EBITDA, and book value.
The company's outstanding debt structure will also be important to understand, as a corporation's creditors will get paid before the shareholders in any financial downturn.
3. Management and Dividend History
Look for companies with management teams that have a reputation for being investor-friendly. Consider the management's historical treatment of dividends and share buybacks, as well as the ability to navigate difficult financial times. Has management ever suspended or lowered its dividends? Has the company ever missed a dividend payout? Or has the company consistently grown its cash reserves and increased its dividend yield over the years?
4. Competition
If someone will be putting this company out of business in a few short years, there's no point in owning the shares as a dividend investor. Remember, fads come and go, but excellent companies with long-term staying power have the ability to navigate difficult financial waters while emerging as a leader in their industry. Look for industry leaders with staying power.
Final Word
Long-term dividend investing can be an excellent choice if you are looking to gain big over time. While it doesn't necessarily provide the instant gratification (or complete devastation) of short-term investing, it does promise a more stable investment strategy. Take a page out of the playbooks of big investors like Warren Buffett, think long-term, research the companies you're investing in, and your portfolio will significantly benefit.
There are no flashing lights, no clatter of coins hitting the metal bins of slot machines, no raucous shouts of victory or envious looks when a winner hits it big. But some believe that Wall Street is no different than the Las Vegas Strip – less glamor, less glitz, but still a place for gamblers to risk all where the house has the edge.
Dr. Leon Cooperman, the noted hedge fund founder and president of Omega Advisers, Inc., warned President Obama on CNBC television that "the best capital markets in the world were turning into a casino." And The Motley Fool, a popular newsletter for individual investors, said in November 2011 that "market volatility had become so erratic this summer that it often felt like a rigged game."
But what does this mean to the individual investor? Is the age of analyzing and picking your own investments passé? Should you be working with a new investment strategy? Knowing how to invest today requires, at minimum, two things: an understanding of how the market has changed, and strategies for survival in the new environment.
Fundamental Changes in the Equity Markets
Beginning in the 1970s, the composition of Wall Street participants – those who worked in the industry and those who invested in corporate securities – began to change. According to the Conference Board, an internationally known independent research association, institutions (pension/profit-sharing, banks, and mutual funds) owned 19.7% of the total U.S. equity value ($166.4 billion) in 1970. But by 2009, the institutional share had grown to 50.6% ($10.2 trillion) of the total value. According to Stat Spotting, a website that tracks the identification of stock buyers and sellers, professional or institutional funds accounted for more than 88% of the volume in 2011, with retail investors being only 11%.
Investors who purchase stock in individual companies – once the source of the majority of trading volume – have become increasingly rare due to the disadvantages resulting from the transition to institutional investor dominance. In fact, top performing stocks are likely to be sold by individuals and bought by institutions. What this means is that individuals are liquidating too soon, while institutions are picking up these stocks en masse, increasing their positions, and capitalizing on the subsequent appreciation and rise in profit.
Predominance of the Institutional Investor
The decline of investors buying individual stocks is due to a number of factors, including:
Despite the changes in the fundamental nature of the equity market, many people continue to believe in a market of stocks, rather than the stock market. They believe that good research and a fundamental, long-term approach to investing enables them to pick stocks that appreciate even if market averages go down. Others are content with the returns of the market as a whole, buying a fund that owns stocks of the same identity and proportion as in a popular benchmark index, such as DJIA or the S&P 500.
It is true that not all stocks go down or up on a single day or in any single period. There are always winners and losers. If you feel that you have the stomach, the brains, and the fortitude to thrive in this market, there are strategies that might keep you on the winning side.
Stock Investing Survival Techniques
One of the most successful investors of the modern era is Warren Buffett. Buffett recently told people at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, "The beauty of stocks is that they sell at silly prices from time to time. That's how Charlie [Munger, an early partner] and I got rich." He has always taken a long-term perspective, sought companies that were overlooked and undervalued by the market, and exercised patience, believing that good management would deliver results that would be ultimately reflected in the stock price. There is no better example to follow if you elect to purchase stock in individual companies, rather than mutual funds.
Warren Buffett's rules of investing include:
1. Invest in Yourself
Learn the rudiments of stock market analysis by reading and studying "Security Analysis," a classic book written by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd in 1934 and still considered the bible for investors. Study annual reports of companies to become familiar with accounting and financial reporting, and subscribe to "The Wall Street Journal" to get a financial perspective on the nation.
2. Focus on the Long-Term and the Value of Good Management
On any given day, some industries and companies attract the attention of the public with the promise of untold riches and worldwide dominance. While the popular picks rarely deliver hoped-for profits, they often explode in price on the upside following by an equally spectacular implosion. When selecting long-term investments, consider the following:
Concentrate on industries that are stable and will remain vital to the economy into the future. Buffett's current investment portfolio includes insurance, entertainment, railroads, and his much publicized investment into the automobile industry.
Look for companies with a long-term future in products that people use today and will continue to use tomorrow. For example, Buffett's biggest winner has been Coca-Cola, which he purchased in 1988 and still holds. As part of his analysis, he seeks to understand the industry in which the company operates, its competitors, and the events that are likely to affect it over the next decade. The management team is important with a track record of long-term growth in profits.
Buy companies that are undervalued relative to their competition. Plenty of companies with a history of improving earnings year after year and have lower price-to-earnings or price-to-sales ratios than their competitors are being overlooked in the market. Since this condition tends to correct itself, identifying these companies can represent an opportunity for profit.
3. Diversify Your Holdings
Even an investor with the prowess of Buffett can be wrong with regards to a company or its stock price. In 2009, he admitted taking a loss of several billion dollars on ConocoPhillips when he failed to anticipate the dramatic fall in energy prices.
Spreading your risks is always a prudent course to follow. Most professionals recommend a minimum of six positions or companies, but no more than 10 due to the work necessary to remain informed. It is also wise to vary investments across industries with the expectation that a general recession will not affect all of the companies and industries in the same manner or amplitude.
4. Act like an Owner
Be sure you're on the company's mailing list for announcements of new products and financial results. Buy the company's products and services, and recommend them to your friends. Attend company board meetings and other public events where the company will be present. Learn the name of the security analysts following the company, and read their analyses. Treat the investment as your company and not just as numbers on a brokerage account statement.
5. Be Patient
The market is full of examples where companies rise, fall, and rise again, demonstrating the underlying fundamentals and the value of a competent, if not outstanding, management team. Apple Inc., the company with the highest stock capitalization in the world, sold on March 1, 2002 for $21.93 per share. On March 1, 2007, the stock sold for $122.17, but fell to $78.20 by February of 2009. An investor selling at that time would have missed the stock at $621.45 during March 2012.
If the reasons you purchased a company initially remain in place, keep the investment no matter how long or how short you've held it. The fact that the stock price goes up and down is not justification by itself to sell or buy.
Final Word
While the stock market attracts more than its fair share of gamblers, investing doesn't require taking extraordinary risks. Fundamental investing is based primarily on safety of principal with the knowledge that good management in an undervalued company will pay better than average returns to investors over time.
Do you use any of these principles? What has your experience been with them?
It is a common belief among most investment experts that the fastest way to financial growth is to invest in long-term ventures or to set a gestation period of at least 10 years for enhancing one's prospects for bigger revenues instead of building a portfolio of short-term assets (for example, bonds and mutual funds). Hence, experienced leaders recommend diversifying investment portfolios with top-quality stocks that pay high dividends. This strategy has proven to be an efficient approach for investors to gain high long-term revenues that can sustain a stable retirement future for them.
Remember that this investment option is suitable only for investors who can have the patience and endurance to go for the long haul and choose to invest back dividends into the firms that offer payouts. For novice dividend investors, these primary advantages of investing in dividend-paying stocks on a long-term basis:
1. Highly rewarding with a potential return of a maximum of 45% when you re-invest.
2. You stand to gain a large number of shares, resulting to greater returns when you finally retire.
3. Dividends provide a lower volatility than earning over time.
4. Companies offering dividend stocks are most often well-managed, stable businesses in their particular areas and can, therefore, sustain their operations through unpredictable market conditions.
Nevertheless, be ready to apply many approaches of investing in dividend stocks in order to maximize your opportunities to gain big returns. Visit websites or consult experts to find out other essential investing tips any dividend-growth investor should implement to enhance your portfolio's long-term viability.
Aim for the overall return
Investing in stocks that produce high revenues does not readily bring in your expected overall returns; the process all hinges on the results of capital growth and the actual dividend outcome. However, do not give up on dividend returns. The top dividend-producing stocks have the highest payout ratios, although it also means having less money to invest back with below-average dividend growth in the future. Hence, the best strategy would be to aim for the overall return rather than aiming for high yields; this is due to the fact that dividend growth depends heavily on the future outcome and not on the present performance.
Dividend growth has nothing to do with time; therefore, persevere as you implement your long-term strategies. Wait patiently as you hold on to your stocks over a long period of time, not panicking even when market values dip. Buying and selling on impulse could cost you more than you have to because of the burdensome expenses, such as brokerage fees and taxes; and, moreover, you lose the compounding benefits of potential returns from high-yielding dividends. Nevertheless, when stock prices decrease in times of recession, stocks offering high-quality dividends can sustain large payouts to investors. Remember that firms that consistently provide sizeable returns yearly will help you accumulate stable revenue on the long-term basis.
Well-known investment guru Jeremy Grantham was quoted by Reuters as saying this: "Be patient and keep your eyes on the light ahead…. Endure the pain in the meantime since an excellent investment will grow eventually. More often than not, individual stocks will recover; and all markets eventually do."
Measure the risks involved
Besides persevering over the long-term, investors must also know when they have to invest and when to reduce any losses, the common qualities possessed by well-seasoned industry traders. FXCM recommends that traders must fully understand their trading personality, or, as in your situation, your investing personality. Ask yourself this: "Am I a risk-taker?" for it will show the type of investor personality you have to maintain and the best strategy to build wealth. As in all investment ventures, investing in dividend growth stocks likewise demands measuring risks and using your instincts often. All investors must learn to cut their losses and to let profits roll. Avoid the common human weakness to cling on to one's losses and calculate early both the degree of risk and the potential returns to diminish or eliminate the effects of human emotions on your investment decisions.
Finally, it is important to stick to a well-designed strategy (meaning, the dividend income need you have set as your goal, investment approach to apply), as a dividend growth venture lends well to a systematic investment approach. From here on, you are all set to raise your investment portfolio to a higher level of performance by using these recommendations. All the best in your investment journey!
Tax-savvy Tips for Retirement Savings
With the New Year with us, it is appropriate to consider your retirement savings and find out if you are benefitting at all from any applicable tax law with regard to your retirement future.
Melissa Sotudeh, a certified financial planner in Washington, D.C., offers tax-savvy advice on retirement savings.
What is the most vital aspect in retirement accounts tax-planning?
To a certain degree, you can control your income tax bracket by maximizing salary deferrals — for instance, by maxing your retirement accounts, such as 401(k) and IRA plans; hence, reducing your taxable salary. On the other hand, you can become tax-efficient when you invest money for college education, retirement or other objectives.
If you are in a lower tax bracket, take advantage of specific deductions, such as those for seeking a job or relocating for work, and tax credits, such as the education credit or the child-tax credit. Contribute to a Roth 401(k) as well, allowing you to pay lower-rate taxes today and then take out your Roth funds free of tax when you retire.
When you reach a higher tax bracket, salary deferral could be the best choice for a lower taxable income. Maximize your contributions to 401(k) or Health Savings Accounts.
Approach your investment planning as tax-efficiently as you can. This has nothing to do with tax brackets, rather, with the tax treatment of your portfolio investments. Strategies involve keeping the right investments in the right account (e.g., keeping tax-advantaged investments such as municipal bonds in a taxable account), annual tax loss harvesting and selecting funds with tax-effective features, such as low turnover ratios.
What is the most common pitfall in terms of income and tax brackets?
People do not leverage tax-advantaged savings instruments before they are phased out -- which is a common error with Roth IRAs. Although a great savings tool, your capacity to contribute starts to get phased out beyond specific earning levels. For 2017, the Roth IRA salary limits start once you begin receiving more than $118,000 ($186,000 for married, filing jointly). At the $133,000 income level ($196,000 for married, filing jointly), you are not qualified to contribute.
Likewise, not using the catch-up allowance for tax-deferred retirement accounts and HSAs, which allows you to contribute way above your retirement account when you are 50, is a big mistake. If you can, take full advantage of this chance to rev up your saving and limit your taxable salary. The catch-up contribution for retirement accounts, for instance, 401(k)s, is presently $6,000, aside from the regular $18,000 limit. It should give you a total maximum contribution of $24,000 every year for 50-above individuals.
$1,000 catch-up contributions for HSAs are permitted beginning at age 55, aside from the maximum yearly contribution of $3,400 for individuals or $6,750 for families.
What else can people do about optimizing their tax status?
Giving to charity through Donor Advised Funds is an efficient way to optimize tax management in any particular tax year. Using these funds, you will be able to give money or appreciated assets and avail of the tax deduction for your donation during the year that you contributed the amount. Nevertheless, you need not choose a recipient beneficiary for your donation within that year. You may let assets in the fund to increase in time and contribute to any 501(c)(3) charitable group any time you desire.
No matter what investment method you choose, choose the appropriate tax strategy needed to optimize investment taxes.


text:
Our Facebook fan Christine, has sent to us via our Facebook page this exciting project. It consists of a table made from pallets, like others we have seen on this blog, but including a brazier in the center. An ideal concept as an outdoor furniture, especially for the these months before and after the summer, where you need some warm spot to make more pleasant to be in the terrace, also the fire itself is a very decorative element.
The idea is to make from an entire pallet a coffee table, using the unmodified pallet as the top table, and placing at all the holes several wooden planks to get a flat surface. The pallet was lifted from the ground using multiple wooden planks from another pallet. In the center Christine has chosen to leave a gap, which has been closed inside to be filled with white gravel, finally a small brazier has been added on the center-top.
A magnificent and innovative project, we had not yet seen any table with a brazier in this blog! thank you very much for your idea Christine, I'm sure many are going to emulate it 🙂
Do you like this pallet table for the garden? Do you want to look for more DIY pallet tables?

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Old Family Photos
November 26, 2010 3 Comments
I believe that these are my paternal grandparents. (Unlabeled pictures! Grr!) I never knew my grandfather well, but I knew my grandmother. I don't remember her as being this elegant though, which is what is throwing me off. In my life I knew them as Noni and Nono. (Yeah, Italian scholars, I know it should be Nona and Nono, but my fam lives on the wild side…)


text:
- News
- Sports
- Police Beat
- Opinion
- Community
- Obits
- Lifestyle
- The Forecaster
- MaineJobs
- Directory
CAPE ELIZABETH — Superintendent of Schools Alan Hawkins announced his retirement on Tuesday, Aug. 24.
Hawkins, 63, told the School Board he will retire effective Dec. 31, but will remain as a consultant through April 15, 2011, to assist in the transition to a new superintendent and to continue to work on curriculum, instruction and assessment.
"My career has been one of great joy, constant reflection, continuing research into the best teaching practices of the time, and my own infernal drive to so what is best for the students," Hawkins said, reading a prepared statement Tuesday night at the high school. "Though the decision is a difficult one for me, the time has come to retire from my current role as a superintendent. It is done with great pride and humility at the opportunity of working collaboratively with so many in our community."
He declined to elaborate when asked for further comment.
Hawkins was named school chief in 2005. He previously was superintendent in Wiscasset, and was a teacher and principal for 30 years in South Portland, where he lives.
The board voted 6-0 to accept his retirement and his offer to consult.
Vice Chairwoman Kathy Ray said she accepted Hawkins' decision was great sadness and reluctance.
"Alan has served the Cape schools for five years with dedication and professionalism that is unparalleled in my seven years on the School Board," Ray said. "Alan always puts students first."
She said his accomplishments included implementation of a coordinated kindergarten-through-12th-grade curriculum, creation of job descriptions and his ability to collaborate in contract negotiations. Ray said Hawkins created a comprehensive energy preparedness plan, a gifted and talented program, a comprehensive guidance plan, hired a new food service director and facilities manager, and helped to improve the special education program.
"I believe Alan's retirement is a huge loss for the Cape Elizabeth school system, and I am very sorry to see him go," she said.
Board member Linda Winker also prepared a statement, and with tears said Hawkins showed patience, understanding, dedication and integrity throughout his five years as Cape's superintendent.
"You have been an advocate for the mission and vision of the Cape school system," she said. "It is with mixed emotions I accept your retirement."
Board members Kate Williams-Hewitt and Jon Christie, who have only worked with Hawkins for a year, both expressed their gratitude for his passion for the students and the curriculum.
"You have been open and available to answer my questions … and have put me at ease with my four children in the schools," Williams-Hewitt said.
Chairwoman Rebecca Millett said she is looking forward to what the future will bring for Hawkins, and said the board will more officially and adequately mark his departure at a later date.
"I was there at the beginning, and you came forward with your passion for the kids," she said. "I am excited to hear what you will continue to do in education for the state of Maine."
Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or email@example.com


text:
We have been interested in the concept of 'Stitch n Bitch' meetings and crafty get togethers like the lovely ladies of the Shoreditch WI for a while, but unfortunately we couldn't find anything local... So we decided to go ahead and organise a group ourselves.
This is the official call out for attendees. If you're in Northants and interested getting together with like minded lovelies and getting creative, please come and join us on the Stitch n' Bitch Facebook page to get involved. We want to get a sort of committee together to discuss ideas, workshops and events, ways to spread the word locally and get us a nice little group for crafting fun... So drop us an email if you'd like to volunteer yourself as a Stitch n Bitch 'board member'!
Those who are flung further and wider than our locality do not fear, we want you to get involved as well, we'll be posting up the tutorials and workshops from the events and encouraging you to get making too and sharing pictures along with the group... We'll maybe even run competitions for the best of each month... More details on the international 'spin off' will follow when we've worked out how best to involve everyone :)
So, if for 2012 you've resolved to learn a new skill, make new friends, share your crafting abilities with others then we'd love to hear from you and see you at the first Stitch n' Bitch meet :)
Much love,


text:
Breaking out of a multi-year slump, Chinese equities stormed ahead to become the top performing Asian market of 2014, trumping Indian stocks after being locked in a tight race this year.
The notoriously volatile Shanghai Composite advanced 52.8 percent this year, making it second-best performer globally behind Argentina, as domestic retail investors' increasing enthusiasm for stocks and expectations for further policy easing fueled a stellar rally.
In stark contrast, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, ended the year up just 1.3 percent as political unrest tied to pro-democracy protests turned off investors.
Trailing behind China in second place, India's Sensex finished up around 30 percent in what has been a milestone year for the market that hit an-all time high in November.


text:
www.cisce.org Results 2019:- ICSE 10th Result 2019 Name Wise, www.cisce.org ISC Result 12th Result School Wise Date Time & also Check ISC 12th Class Marks Region Wise School Code. Here, we are discussing the ICSE Board Result 2019. The huge number of students is also learning under these standards of 10th & 12th Class. ICSE Board had decided to plan that they are going to declare the CISCE Board 10th and 12th exam results on www.cisce.org Results 2019 at the official website in May. To know more details regarding the exam, the candidates should visit cisce results 2019 Portal. our Team Uploaded the Name Wise Result, School Code Topper List Here.
www.cisce.org Results 2019
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) will announce the results of the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) Class examination 10th in May month 2019. Last year, the ICSE 10th exam results were announced on May 18th, 2016 at cisce org Result 2019. The ICSE 10th class examinations were held from March 2019 to April 2019.
Note:- If any Doubts During Checking the CISCE Result 2019 Discuss Here Via Comment Box Given Below Our Team Help You ASAP.
cisce Result 2019
All the private and public students those who appeared in the ICSE Class X examination this year can check the icse 10th board result School Wise on the official website cisce .org Results. The result will be declared on the official site. The exam board will publish the ICSE 10th exam results 2019 in name wise, region wise, zone wise, school wise, roll number wise, subject wise, district wise in the official website portal www.cisce.org Results 2019 official Website.
cisce 12th Result 2019 School Wise
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has released the Indian School Certificate Examination 12th May 2019. The exam board of CISCE had published the exam results for the students who had completed their ICSE 12th examination. The exam board is going to discharge the results for various streams such as Arts, Commerce, and science on the Website www.cisce.org Results 2019. The student can check the exam results from the official website.
ICSE 10th Board Result 2019 Name Wise
The students need to enter the roll number, name and date of birth in the requisite fields. The candidates can also check the exam results in name wise by entering their name only. By Searching the 12th board exam ISC 12th Result 2019 School Wise at www.cisce.org Results 2019 online Website is easy and very helpful for the candidates who forget the registration number. The candidates can be able to download the scorecard and take the hard copy of the result page for future purpose.
ICSE 10th Result 2019 Server 1
ISC 12th Result 2019 Server 2
Visit Official – https://results.cisce.org/
Thanking you for visiting and reading our post. We are happy for supporting our site. We guarantee that we will provide more details regarding your reference in a little while. Visit us regularly for more updates.


text:
A British mine-clearing expert who was murdered in Cambodia and his remains burned to hide the evidence was killed on the orders of the Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot, a court was told yesterday.
The trial of five former Khmer Rouge cadres accused of the kidnap and murder of Christopher Howes in 1996 heard that the communist leader had a blanket policy of killing foreigners on the grounds that they supported the Cambodian government.
Howes, 37, was shot within days of his capture while leading a mine-clearance team north of Siem Reap - home to the Angkor Wat temples - after his abductors lulled him into a false sense of security by giving him fruit and a mattress for the night. His interpreter, Huon Hourth, who was among the 30-strong team from the British-based Mines Advisory Group, was murdered a day earlier when he was deemed "no longer necessary" because one of the accused spoke English.
The disappearance of the former British army engineer from Backwell, near Bristol, and Hourth remained a mystery for more than two years as Cambodia's civil war was in its death throes. But an investigation by a Scotland Yard team working with Cambodian police declared that Howes had been murdered after tests on bone fragments found in a fire.
The evidence collected from witnesses in the two years after Howes' disappearance was presented at the Phnom Penh court yesterday by a former Metropolitan police anti-terrorism officer, Mike Dickson, now an adviser to the UN-backed Khmer Rouge genocide tribunal.
The men in the dock lived freely in the Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Veng until their arrest a year ago despite suspicions of their involvement in the killings. A deal to end the civil war in 1998 pardoned many Khmer Rouge cadres.
One of the accused, Khem Nguon, 59, former chief of staff of the one-legged Khmer Rouge commander Ta Mok, was a brigadier general in the Cambodian army until his arrest. With the others, Loch Mao, 54, a Khmer Rouge officer who became a civil servant; Cheath Chet, 34; Puth Lim, 58, and Sin Dorn, 52, the frail Nguon faces life imprisonment for murder and illegal detention when the investigating judge Iv Kimsry gives his verdict in 10 days' time.
The court heard yesterday of the last days of Howes and Hourth after their abduction on March 26 1996. Some of the demining team escaped almost immediately, while all the others were released after Howes refused to abandon his staff to fetch ransom money.
Howes and Hourth were taken to Anlong Veng. Khieu Sampan, the Khmer Rouge's nominal head of state, told British detectives that Hourth was killed after Nguon said the interpreter was unnecessary as he could speak English. Nguon interrogated Howes before Ta Mok gave the order to "solve the problem" and kill him.
Howes was taken in a truck driven by Lim, with four guards: Nguon, Mao and two others, Khem Tem and Soeun Rim. Before his death in 2004, Rim told police that Mao killed Howes with two bullets from an AK-59 rifle that Nguon provided. Nguon and Mao retracted earlier statements and claim that only Rim fired the fatal shots. Mao says his weapon jammed.
All of the accused say they acted on orders of Pol Pot and that failure to do so would have ensured their death. But Lou McGrath, MAG chief executive, said: "The defence that if you don't kill others you will be killed yourself is what leads to genocide. It's no excuse."


text:
Melbourne Heart utility Aziz Behich is set to make his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance when his side travel to Wellington on Sunday.
Melbourne Heart utility Aziz Behich is set to make his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance when his side travel to Wellington on Sunday.
The 21-year-old - who can play in midfield or at left-back - has starred for the Heart this season as they have marched up the league table.
But his top-flight career in Australia started with the Heart's cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory.
After impressing at Green Gully in the Victorian Premier League, Behich was snapped up by Victory and immediately slotted into the club's National Youth League team.
They finished second-last in the 2008-09 competition and as a result, he was the only player from the squad to be retained - inaugural captain Matthew Theodore was promoted to the senior set-up - which resulted in him being given the armband for the NYL outfit.
Behich's A-League debut came in Victory's 6-2 thrashing of Perth Glory on January 16 2010 and a string of substitute appearances led to selection in the club's Asian Champions League squad, while he came off the bench in the 2009-10 A-League Grand Final against Sydney FC.
Victory went on to lose that match on penalties, with Behich missing a golden opportunity to score in the dying stages.
That proved to be his last A-League appearance for the club, with a short stint at Hume City followed by a trial with the Heart.
The trial included a friendly appearance against English Premier League outfit Everton before he signed an injury replacement contract for the sidelined Kristian Sarkies, which saw him join the club in enough time to make his Heart debut in their inaugural match.
Heart boss John van 't Schip showed faith in the youngster and shortly after, he signed a permanent contract with the Hyundai A-League's newest club.
He became the first player to ever be sent off in a Melbourne derby when he received two yellow cards in the first meeting between the two sides, which Heart won 2-1.
Behich impressed during his first season at the club but it has been during his second that his career has really taken off.
A string of superb performances at left-back - highlighted by a fantastic goal against the Newcastle Jets in November - have seen his name come up in possible discussions for the Socceroos.
And with a lack of legitimate options in the troublesome position, it would not be a surprise to see Australian manager Holger Osieck call on the youngster in the coming months.
Behich will be 21 years and 52 days when he makes his 50th appearance in the top-flight on Sunday.
That makes him the fourth youngest player to ever reach the milestone, with only Ben Kantarovski (19 years, 303 days), Kosta Barbarouses (20 years, 354 days) and Luke DeVere (20 years, 359 days) reaching the milestone before him.


text:
http://vimeo.com/41132946 The ever talented Dan Barham and his fellow expat sidekick Seb Kemp just slipped this awesome clip out with little fanfare. It's worth a watch, if you can rise above its advertorial tones, that is. Nice to see that Icebreaker actually talk to mountain bikers now. Maybe that will mean the next line of MTB clothing might actually be just that.
Related Posts
Claudio Caluori and Cedric Gracia take you on the DHI course of the 2015 UCI MTB World Champs.
September 3, 2015
September 2, 2015
The BBH Crew are the French trio of Bryan Regnier, Maxime Mauvais and young filmmaker Leon Perrin...
September 1, 2015
September 1, 2015
August 27, 2015
August 26, 2015


text:
Step into the living room of our Beachside Retreat. Relax and feast your eyes on the panoramic view of Puget Sound, the Seattle skyline, and the Cascade Mountains. Binoculars are by the window. Look past the porch of our neighboring 1900s home and you might see Mount Rainier in all its glory. You have a good view of the fishing pier, the boat launch, and the picnic tables at the park.
In the living room you can either sit or stretch out on the hide-a-bed. Also in the living room are a large and a small over-stuffed chair. You might watch television or read. The coffee table by the couch is one that raises. This table gives you a convenient place for playing board games, card games,or putting a puzzle together. A puzzle, cards and some games are stored under the table More board games are available from the manager. Coasters are there for your beverages.Two of the six kitchen chairs are usually used in the living room. You will find lamps, end tables, a desk and office chair. Look in the desk for a map and a tour book. A few office tools like stapler, staple remover, scissors, and pens are available in the desk.
By the entrance you will also see umbrellas in an umbrella stand, a step stool, and a trash container. The garbage can and recycle container are located by the driveway. Early Thursday the garbage truck empties the garbage can. The recycle truck comes every other week. If you would enjoy reading the paper the manager will recycle The Kitsap Sun and the Seattle Times to your porch. The library also has a copy of the papers. Most days the library opens at 1 p.m. There are also some activities in the community room of the library at different times on different days.
You'll find a fully equipped kitchen with oven and range and pans for baking, roasting, or broiling. Use the grinder, the coffeemaker or the waffle iron. Blend up a smoothie in the blender. Use the popcorn maker. If you don't feel like cooking, walk over to the Manchester Grill and let someone else cook and clean up for you. Under the sink are the dish soap, rack, scrubbers, sponges, brushes. The pans are in the next cupboard. Broiler pan is below the oven. Many small tools, silverware, and kitchen items are in the drawers. Cutting boards ,knife holder, banana hook, paper towel holder, and toaster are on the counter. Dishes, serving bowls, mugs, pitchers, cream and sugar, napkin holder, spoon holder and more are found in the cupboards.
A glass-top picnic table seats four. If you want to use the table umbrella, request it. In the summer some fruit or vegetable may be growing in the garden.
Dress up the dining table with placemats and use the vase for flowers. Two extra table leaves are stored in a space near the microwave, so the table can seat up to six with the addition of two more wooden chairs. Ask the manager if a booster seat or children's toys or games would be helpful. Let the manager know if you plan to invite others to the rental. We keep track of both parking and cars using the private lane.. Overnight guests must be approved ahead of time.
In the bathroom shower you may notice having the extra space a curved hotel style rod provides. Take a bath if you prefer. Reach under the counter and you'll find the hair dryer.There is cabinet space below the sink. You'll also find extra paper towels and toilet paper stored here.The mini sewing kit is just behind the mirrored mini sliding door. Cleaning supplies, and both beach towels and bath towels, hand towels, and wash clothes are found in the tall bathroom cabinet. A toilet higher than standard height is easier to use, especially for senior citizens. We hope that little conveniences like night lights, room deodorizer, shampoo and soap will make you feel at home.
Check the linen closet in the hall for dish towels, dish rags, placemats, light bulbs and a second set of sheets and pillow cases.. It is next to the thermostat. Turn the thermostat to the temperature you like. The furnace is electric.
The bedroom wall is completely used up by the double bed and night stands on each side of the bed, A large chest of drawers is opposite the bed and on it is an extra television that is used for watching videos. The closet spans the west side of the room. It has plenty of clothes hangers as well as the broom, dustpan, vacuum cleaner, ironing board, fan and an extra pillow. A foam topper that can be placed on the hide-a-bed is also stored here. Extra blankets revolve from linen closet, bedroom closet, and under-bed storage, depending on the time of year.
Beauty inside and out is important. With this in mind, pictures decorate each room and the hall. Two silk flower arrangements are located between the living room and kitchen and dining room. The shrub growing under the large window in the living room is a rhododendron, our state flower.


text:
Observational Studies and Experiments
Observational Studies:
In an observational study investigators observe subjects and measure variables of interest without assigning treatments to the subjects. The treatment that each subject receives is determined beyond the control of the investigator.
- In observational study researchers collect data in a way that does not directly interfere how the data arise. It is merely observed.
- From observation study, we can only establish correlation or association between explanatory and response variable.
For example, suppose we want to study the effect of smoking on lung capacity in women.
- Find 100 women age 30 of which 50 have been smoking a pack a day for 10 years while the other 50 have been smoke free for 10 years.
- Measure lung capacity for each of the 100 women.
- Analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions from data.
Retrospective study:
If an observational study uses it data from past then it is called retrospective study.
Prospective Study:
If data is collected throughout the study then it is called prospective study.
Confounding Variable:
A confounding variable is related both to group membership and to the outcome of interest. It is extraneous variable that affect both the explanatory and response variable and that make it seem like there is a relationship between them. Its presence makes it hard to establish the outcome as being a direct consequence of group membership.
Let's think eating breakfast makes people slim. It means people who eat breakfast regularly are slim.For this case, there might be three explanations.
1. Eating breakfast make people slim.
2. Being slim cause people to eat breakfast.
3. There might be some third variable that might be responsible for both being slim and eating breakfast. Generally, people who are really health conscious they are slim and starts their day with breakfast.
This third variable is called confounding variable.
In an experiment investigators apply treatments to experimental units (people, animals, plots of land, etc.) and then proceed to observe the effect of the treatments on the experimental units.
In a randomized experiment investigators control the assignment of treatments to experimental units using a chance mechanism.
In an experiment as researchers randomly assign subjects to various treatments and therefore it establishes causal connection between explanatory and response variable.
- Find 100 women age 20 who do not currently smoke
- Randomly assign 50 of the 100 women to the smoking treatment and the other 50 to the no smoking treatment
- Those in the smoking group smoke a pack a day for 10 years while those in the control group remain smoke free for 10 years.
- Measure lung capacity for each of the 100 women.
- Analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions from data
Principle of Experimental design:
In the design of experiments, treatments are applied to experimental units in the treatment group(s).In comparative experiments, members of the complementary group, the control group, receive either no treatment or a standard treatment.
From a statistician's perspective, an experiment is performed to decide
1. whether the observed differences among the treatments (or sets of experimental conditions) included in the experiment are due only to change, and
2. whether the size of these differences is of practical importance.
Statistical inference reaches these decisions by comparing the variation in response among those experimental units exposed to the same treatment (experimental error) with that variation among experimental units exposed to different treatments (treatment effect). Thus, the three principles of experimental design are:
- Control: Compare the treatment of interest to a control group to reduce experimental error by making the experiment more efficient.
- Randomize: Randomly assign subject to treatments to ensure that this estimate is statistically valid.
- Replicate: Collect a sufficiently large sample or replicate the entire study to provide an estimate of experimental error.


text: aboutrobertpaterson.com An HTML site of voiceover artist Rob Paterson which although was originally designed by another (very nicely indeed), it required some extra love a little tweaks to maximise impact and refresh portfolio with recent audio/video/info. After uploading all locally adjusted files to the hosting server we're just putting the finishing touches to aboutrobertpaterson.com. By TOBY MARTIN| 2016-11-03T22:05:35+02:00 September 5th, 2012|Jobs, websites|0 Comments Related Posts Permalink eventfulmusic.com Permalink theamericanvoiceoverwoman.com Permalink Gallery barcelonafoodsherpa.com Permalink Gallery odettegegenheimer.com Permalink Gallery tarastevens.co.uk


text:
Android Apps
Google's mobile operating system, Android, provides a portable assistive technology solution for students and adults that have difficulty with language-based activities. Third-party developers are steadily adding to the collection of AT-related apps in the Google Play Store, making Android an excellent option for people with dyslexia. While the following list is not complete, it will give you an idea of the variety of AT tools that are available for Android devices. For more information, you can contact me or follow the weblinks below.
Reading and Literature
Google Play Books
vBookz PDF Voice Reader
Learning Ally Link
Go Read (Bookshare)
Voice Dream Reader
Shakespeare in Bits
Claro ScanPen
OCR Instantly Pro
KNFB Reader
Talk - Text to Voice
Writing, Spelling, and Phonics
Endless Alphabet
Endless Reader
Grammarly Keyboard
MyScript Smart Note
Read&Write for Android
Google Keyboard
Easy Spelling Aid


text:
Publisher's blurb:
In the far future, the minds of humanity have escaped our dying planet and live in a computer simulation of Earth. They wait for the day that our planet will become habitable once again.
But the simulation is in danger, and threats from both within and from outside are attempting to usurp or destroy the human race.
Humanity needs Solutions, ordinary people granted extra-ordinary powers to combat the growing instability and chaos.


text:
The May 2015 issue of Burgundy-Report Extra!
The delayed issue – cursed by my house move in June but online at last!
For all that, a rather 'classic' yet interesting selection of producers that have never before been profiled in Burgundy Report.
Producers from the Côte de Beaune
- Domaine Leflaive – Puligny-Montrachet
- Domaine Van Berg – Meursault
- Maison Olivier Bernstein – Beaune
- Maison Lucien Lemoine – Beaune
- Maison Philippe Pacalet – Beaune
Producers from the Côte de Nuits


text:
Pit Boss - 820D
Bigger, Hotter, Heavier
Turn a simple dial to start the grill, and you can sear a steak, bake pizza or cookies, smoke jerky, ribs or brisket, all with natural flavored wood pellets. With a dynamic range of cooking temperature from 180° to 500°F, you have complete control with the turn of a dial. The digital control board results in precise cooking control. Fan forced convection cooking seals in meat juices and eliminates the need for a rotisserie.
The Pit Boss 820 Deluxe provides a large 820 sq. in. cooking surface: 580 sq. in. main surface, and 240 sq. in. removable upper rack. A flavor-enhancing grease tray directs excess grease to large grease bucket, while adding flavor back into your cooking. Additional features, such as the removable easy-lift stainless grilling & serving tray, copper-finish hopper lid and chimney cap, hanging hooks for barbecue tools and bottle opener, truly make this the ultimate deluxe barbecue unit. An embossed copper-finish lid for added strength, a large hopper which holds up to 24 lbs. of pellet fuel and two large, easy-rolling wheels result in a unit that is built and designed to last.
Key Features
- 820 sq. in. cooking space
- Stainless steel shelf / serving tray
- Digital control board
- Solid bottom shelf
- Bottle opener
- 24 lb hopper


text:
The Department of Health (DOH) is the official arm of government responsible for ensuring quality health of all Filipinos as well as administering and monitoring all health-related matters in the Philippines. The DOH has a total of 18 agencies and bureaus scattered all over the country with thousands accredited hospitals and clinics.
According to the 2004 Philippine Health Statistics, the top ten leading causes of morbidity are pneumonia, bronchitis, diarrhea, influenza, and bronchitis. Various programs are initiated by the DOH to further build up the basic health foundation of the public. Below are its most recent agendas:
FOURrmula One for Health – an implementation framework for the period covering 2005-2010 designed as a single package, supported by an effective management infrastructure along with various financing arrangements.
Drug Test Operations & Management Information System (DTOMIS) – consists of the following components: Drug Test Center Licensing and Accreditation System (DTCLAS); Drug Test Center Results Verifications System (DTCRVS); Confirmatory Drug Test Laboratory; DOH Licensing and Accreditation and User Free Payment System (DOHLAUFPS); and Executive Information System (EIS).
Contract Distribution System (CDS) – a new distribution system for purchased essential drugs to ensure that accessible stocks are distributed effectively and efficiently.
Currently, the Philippines has in effect a dual health care system – modern (Western) and traditional medicine. Modern medicines are commonly prevalent to urbanized areas though some of it is still unaffordable to majority of the population. Consequently, people living in isolated areas and those who cant afford doctor-prescribed medicines resort to traditional and other alternative medicines.


text:
THE CLOSE IN LIVING MEMORY - Hereford Cathedral Close Oral Reminiscences
Our 18-month oral reminiscence project has revealed an unimaginably rich vein of memories and beautiful photographs: from tales from the WWII fire wardens, to a Royal picnic in the rain, to modern-day students who form strong friendships while waiting for the bus.
Complementing the main film is The Learning Zone - two short films and a book of National Curriculum-linked classroom activities. Watch this
"Fab stuff! Love the fact that you've come up with lots of different, fun ideas for presenting to the children and ways for them to record their work" - Leominster Junior School teacher
"Children who see this DVD will be very lucky" - St.Martins primary school pupil
After premiering to a packed auditorium at Borderlines Film Festival, DVDs are now available. See some photos from the premiere on our blog.
A Catcher Media presentation for the Hereford Cathedral Close Project in association with Herefordshire Lore supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.


text:
Mike The Situation Workout
Can it Give you the
Fitness Model Look
Mike The Situation Workout Routine, is it for real?
I was doing some surfing of my own the other day when I came across the Situation Workout. At first I thought it was a promotion piece for the Jersey Shore, but it was the real deal. I was a muscle building ab solution workout DVD he has put out.
For those of you who don't know who The Situation or Michael Sorrentino, I'm not sure I want to spoil your innocence by telling you who he is….
but, if curiosity has gotten the best of you I will fill you in on the Situation and Michael Sorrentino.
Michael Sorrentino…
came to fame from his appearance in the reality TV show Jersey Shore on MTV. Before that, he was an underwear model and worked in a fitness center. I believe he did some personal training and was some kind of manager.
Being an underwear model I am sure you have guessed that he has a good body, flat stomach and six pack abs. Well, he is in pretty good shape. In fact he is in such good shape that he named is ripped abs…
The Situation.
Sounds crazy but it is true.
I know this guy has some great abs, a flat stomach, and a six pack…but does he have any business selling fitness routines!
Take a look at the promo for his workout routine. At first I thought it it was a joke but I found it for sale on Amazon. I took a look at few of the customer reviews and one rates it as "not a joke." Another person had said the workout routine is like an extremely simplified version of p90x with about 1/10 of the material and instruction. They went on to say that it makes for a good casual workout DVD recommend for someone who isn't crazy about fitness but wants to improve their body a bit.
Take a look at the clips below and see for yourself.
Get your FREE Report The Shrink Wrap Effect and discover how to get the fitness model look.
Below are a couple of videos of The Situation. I find it hard to take this guy serious. I have a rule I like to follow: Don't take advice from famous people who got that way for doing stupid things.Take Paris Hilton for example. The Situation is famous for showing off his abs on TV and being in a reality show. He may have great abs but that doesn't automatically qualify someone as an "expertâ€.
Getting Abs The Situation Tells All
I through this video in there to give you a little more of the Situation. I don't agree with much this guy says, but I will admit he does have one good tip in there. Eat right and don't drink your calories. But, he only suggests this when you are trying to reach a goal. He says you can get back to the bad stuff on your maintenance phase. This I disagree with, why go back to bad habits and junk calories.
The Situation Workout
Jersey Shore Star Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino DVD trailer
Mike The Situation Workout DVD â†Â Find Out More
When I first saw this video, I thought it was some kind of promotional piece for his reality TV show, the Jersey shore. But apparently this is the real deal. The Situation really has put out a workout routine DVD. Take a look at this clip and let me know what you think. Just leave me a comment below. If you are truly looking to get the fitness model look or have that Hollywood lean muscular body with a flat stomach and great abs, I have a few free reports that will get you much closer to your goals than anything the situation suggests. Get your FREE Report The Shrink Wrap Effect and discover how to get the fitness model look.


text:
Lisbon, Porto & the Douro Valley
You'll discover the real Portugal on this tour – a rich and varied country with a proud history that's admirably reflected in the many fascinating places we visit. Inland Portugal, long overlooked on European itineraries, has only recently been brought to the discerning traveller's attention. It's one of the world's oldest countries, Britain's longest ally and has been ruled by the Romans, Visigoths, by the remarkable Moors and almost every other race of invaders ever since, with all leaving their legacies. Without doubt the country's most defining period was the Middle Ages. A succession of maritime explorers pioneered by Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India, thus passing the Ottoman Empire. They created hugely profitable links with today's Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and even Japan – then the most closed of societies. Returning with gold, silks, spices, fine furniture and exquisite porcelain, selling it to Europe's aristocracy for a fortune they created the world's richest country.
With the discovery of yet more gold in Brazil, huge newfound wealth financed the building of palaces, fine monasteries and cathedrals - many of which we visit on this thought provoking tour. This Golden Age lasted until its eclipse by greater powers during the late 17th century, at which point Portugal slipped into centuries of relative obscurity as the world's political centre moved first to northern Europe and then to other continents. Portugal today is a country of great contrasts; it's modern in many ways, yet still has one foot very firmly set in its traditional past. Full of history and appeal, and spared from large-scale industrialisation or re-development, its remarkably well preserved medieval towns with their tiny cobbled streets are truly delightful.
Set on the very edge of Europe, its scenery is just as stunning and dramatic. You'll experience it in full - from its coastal forests, wild seascapes, fertile fields and dramatic valleys to sweeping biscuit-coloured hillsides covered with olive trees, fragrant pine forests and lush meadows.
Holiday Highlights
- Guided tour of Lisbon with its magnificent squares, Baixa and Moorish quarters, including a visit to the astounding Monastery of Jeronimos
- Visit to Sintra and its Royal Palace including entrance fees – summer residence of the Portuguese monarchy
- Guided tour of Oporto, centre of the port wine trade, including a visit and tasting at Taylor's wine lodge
- Full day touring the Douro, one of Europe's most dramatically beautiful river valleys
- See the holy shrine of Fatima and visit Coimbra University, one of Europe's oldest seats of learning with its astonishing gilded Baroque library, with entrance fees included
- Visit the 13th century walled city of Obidos, with its cobbled streets and lofty medieval fortifications
- Escorted by our experienced tour manager
- Seven nights in four and five-star accommodation including all local taxes, with breakfast and three dinners
- Return travel from a selection of regional airports and transfers to and from your hotel included
- Selected departures from April to October 2019
What's Included
- The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes return flights, seven nights accommodation, daily breakfast and three dinners (or one dinner if staying at the Royal Bridges Hotel) all tours as mentioned, all local accommodation taxes, all transfers and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.
Holiday Provided By
Please click here to view the Terms and Conditions of travel (this link opens in a new window).


text:
LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. -- One of the busiest supervised drug-consumption sites in North America is quiet on a cloudy Wednesday morning. The building is unmarked and non-descript, a squat structure on the edges of Lethbridge's downtown core. Two security guards in bright yellow jackets chat outside in the spring chill. Down the block, a dishevelled man stands alone, staring down at the sidewalk.
The facility was opened slightly more than a year ago and has been used more than 188,000 times since then, reporting to have prevented hundreds of overdoses in that period.
But the site has also raised serious concerns from some in the city. In a swing riding, as the provincial election nears, it serves as a stark reminder of the many complex issues the province is facing and the parties' sometimes very divergent views on how to deal with them.
"The drug crisis in Alberta is affecting not just large cities, but mid-sized cities like Lethbridge are almost all seeing the impact of the drug crisis," said Mayor Chris Spearman, who says the supervised consumption site is his city's foremost issue concerning voters in this election. "This issue isn't getting the discussion it should, but every urban municipality is facing this and it's a struggle."
Lethbridge is about 200 kilometres southeast of Calgary. It's a city of 100,000 nestled within the rolling farmland and snaking coulees of southern Alberta. The city is divided into two ridings, Lethbridge-East, where the NDP incumbent is Maria Fitzpatrick, and Lethbridge-West, the riding of NDP incumbent Shannon Phillips, who was a high-profile environment minister in the NDP government.
Taking on Ms. Phillips in the race for Lethbridge-West is UCP candidate Karri Flatla; Liberal Patricia Chizek; Alberta Party candidate Zac Rhodenizer; and Ben Maddison of the Independence Party.
In Lethbridge-East, Ms. Fitzpatrick is facing UCP candidate Nathan Neudorf; Liberal Devon Hargreaves; the Alberta Party's Ally Taylor; and Independence Party candidate John W. McCanna.
In many ways, Mayor Spearman says, Lethbridge is a city of contrasts. As Alberta's fourthlargest city, it is a hub for retired farmers and rural residents coming off the land, and it also attracts reams of youth and young families to its college and university.
Lethbridge has both a high quality of life and a high homeless population. As an urban centre on Alberta's Bible belt, it attracts people from religious communities and also the people leaving them.
Mr. Spearman says polling on social issues always shows this very deep divide in the city, an almost equal mix of very progressive and very conservative.
It's for this reason LethbridgeEast and Lethbridge-West are seen as potential swing ridings, with both a strong conservative vote and a sizeable population who voted toward the centre or left even before the NDP's sweep of the city in 2015.
Ms. Phillips, who had run for the NDP once before, took the seat in a landslide, beating by a healthy margin all her opponents combined. But no one in Lethbridge-West is expecting such a scenario this time around. At Ms.
Phillips's downtown campaign office, the work does not stop.
"We built this seat with hustle," she said. "And we're going to continue to do that."
At Ms. Flatla's campaign headquarters, a message on the white board reads, "Stay Humble! Work Hard! Earn Every Vote!"
Both party leaders have stopped in Lethbridge in the final stretch of the campaign, with UCP Leader Jason Kenney attending the gold medal final of the Pioneer Hi-Bred World Men's Curling Championship alongside Ms. Flatla on Sunday night, and NDP Leader Rachel Notley joining Ms.
Phillips in the city Thursday.
The city's supervised consumption site was created by ARCHES, a non-profit harm-reduction agency that has its roots in the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. Executive director Stacey Bourque says usage of the site is consistently ahead of much larger centres, as the region deals with skyrocketing addiction to opioids and drugs such as crystal meth.
"This drug crisis in general has been an extremely polarizing topic in our community," she said.
"Most of these facilities have been erected in large centres, so having such a large facility that is so heavily used in a community the size of Lethbridge, I think has been a lot for people to take in."
The UCP candidate Ms. Flatla says she's been hearing from a range of people including business owners worried about increasing crime or drug traffic, and paramedics suffering "compassion fatigue."
"We're acutely aware of the opioid crisis and lots of the socioeconomic factors feeding into that," Ms. Flatla said. But she says her party is also interested in other approaches, such as expanding specialized drug treatment courts to deal with addicted offenders and funding law enforcement.
"In a perfect world, we don't have those drugs coming into Canada at all," she said. "But if they do make it into the hands of Albertans, we need to look at setting up longer-term services to step past harm reduction."
Mr. Kenney has said he'd suspend opening any new sites and review whether current sites should remain open.
Ms. Notley has said existing support for drug consumption sites across the province will remain in place.
Speaking at her campaign office a few blocks away from the ARCHES site, Ms. Phillips says there's clearly work to be done, but stresses the number of lives that have been saved by the service.
"This is an area that is grappling with one of the worst opioid crises in the country. There are no easy answers with this drug.
There are no easy fixes," she said.
"You are living in a fantasy world if you think you can unlock it with one or two easy things."
The consumption site is not the only issue of conflict for voters in Lethbridge, who face serious differences in party views on everything from regulation of natural areas to the NDP's economic track record and legislation on gay-straight alliances, or GSAs.
These issues have become battlegrounds for the hearts and minds of voters who, in some cases, have very different views of the world.
Ms. Flatla is firm when she discusses what she calls the NDP's "fear and smear campaign" and said concerns about the UCP's approach to GSA clubs in schools are the result of the NDP "weaponizing vulnerable people." The UCP would keep a requirement that schools allow GSAs, but would remove a provision that banned schools and teachers from informing parents if a student had joined.
"Frankly, I reject the idea that we're not concerned for the wellbeing of vulnerable people in our society, whether it's senior citizens or mentally ill or LGBTQ," she said. "As conservatives, we are always looking for compassionate solutions that also provide dignity to those people."
A GSA rally at Lethbridge City Hall this week drew several hundred people who cheered along with impassioned and sometimes emotional speeches.
Many carried signs stating things such as, "Stop Kenney now" and "UCP is the only threat my kids need to be protected from."
On her way to the rally, Ms.Phillips wore a shirt emblazoned with the words, "Love wins."
"Jason Kenney is proving he thinks it's okay to go backwards on some of these really important things," she said. "And I don't."
Associated Graphic
A gay-straight alliance rally, above, at Lethbridge City Hall on Tuesday drew people opposed to Jason Kenney, but UCP candidate Karri Flatla, below, says her party is concerned about the vulnerable.


text:
Internet Manager 3gp FileInternet Manager 3gp File is a program collection with 90 downloads. The most lightweight of them are MyPadlock Password Manager (sized at 398,554) and Scott's Windows Startup Program Manager (sized at 565,844), while the largest one is Reliable Online Backup Manager with 76,699,660 bytes. It includes 31 freeware products like Blip.TV Video Downloader and Veoh Video Downloader as well as commercial software like 4Media Online Video Converter ($39.99) and AHD HD Video Converter Ultimate ($39.77)
Sort by: