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Gold’s seven-year performance is nothing short of amazing. Since 2005, bullion investors have enjoyed a return greater than 250%. Investors who made the move to bullion would show a compound annual growth rate of 14.56% on their investment capital in a period where the S&P500 index returned less than 2.8% annually, including dividends.
So is gold a good investment? Can the shiny yellow metal continue its secular bull-run? And how can you value gold to find a fair-value price-tag?
This is a guest post from Jonny Pean, who blogs about personal finance at Financial Wand.
College life not only enriches, but also imposes a few burdens on college students. As you prepare to leave your mark in college, new horizon of responsibility and anxiety can choke your path. For example, how are you going to arrange the payments for respective classes, books, food, events, and so on?
It’s sad, but in our society, education does not come cheaply. However, adversity never comes without a solution, and education has scholarships, grants, and loans to help students escape from the financial burdens of a college education.
The final year in high school is the best time to get into the financial aid mode. If you are puzzled about what to do, get detailed research on various schools and possible aid packages they offer. Don’t get discouraged before making the final decision. Do a comparative study of all your options and go for it. Here are some steps to help you along the way.
There are ample numbers of high school counselors, college financial-aid offices, and Web sites that can provide you with information about what is available to you. Just give your potential school’s financial aid office a call, and let them know you are an incoming freshman, and they will usually lay your options out for you.
After calling the school, start looking online for financial opportunities. When you talk to the college academic or finance counselor, ask if they have a compiled list of websites with financial aid information. Many schools usually have already put this information together for you.
If you are going after scholarship opportunities, go after ones that you can easily get. There is no point in wasting hours in applying for a scholarship if your chances of winning the scholarship are low. You should instead focus on applying for scholarships that you have a fair chance of winning, or that are at least less competitive. Second, you should look for contests or other competitions that you could enter to win money for school. For example, there is the Yakezie Writing Contest, where you can showcase your writing and win money.
There are many other ways to get money for college without getting student loans or going into debt. You just need to look around for them.
What different opportunities do you know of to get financial aid for school?
It’s finally here: The summer before your first year of college. As one chapter of your life closes and another begins to take root, it’s a prime opportunity to instill sound money management–and set yourself up for a lifetime of financial stability. As you decide which courses to take, start to find your textbooks, and wonder what you’re new roommate will be like, here are a few ways to make sure you’re taking care of your finances as you navigate your way through your freshman year….
Photo Credit: Chris Willis
Getting some type of international education is extremely popular right now. Many students are spending at least one semester, if not an entire year, studying abroad.
You can find study abroad programs at most major colleges and universities in the United States. These programs partner with universities in other countries so that you can get credit for your degree back home.
It is estimated that more than 270,000 US college and university students studied abroad last year, while more than 720,000 international students came to the US to study. Here is what you need to know when getting a student loan for these programs.
Have you ever considered starting a small business? Most people won’t consider starting a business because of lack of knowledge and fear of failure. Unless you’re in the 40% of Gen Y Grads who want to start their own business.
What most people don’t realize is that is all depends on what business you choose and your dedication level. Once you get started you will realize how easy it is, not to mention the extra benefits that you will encounter.
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