CFI.co Blog - Page 11 of 48 - Business, Finance, Economics

Cash flow management is necessary for startups and small businesses because it is the foundation of a business’s ability to operate. It’s managing cash resources to ensure that cash is always available for business operations.

We will explore why cash flow management matters, and how startups can make it easier to manage their cash flows.

What Are the Key Factors that Impact Your Cash Flow?

The key factors that impact your cash flow are the management team, venture capital investors, and revenue projections.

In growing your business, you need to ensure you have a strong management team. Your team should provide a clear vision for the company and be able to execute it. They should also have experience managing and running a business, helping them manage finances more efficiently.

Revenue projections are also important, as they can help you plan what you need for growth. It can also help you decide whether you should take on additional investment from venture capitalists.

Creating a Cash Flow Plan that Works for Your Business

Cash flow is a term that most businesses know but few understand. It’s turning revenue into cash, and then back into assets or investments. To create a successful cash flow plan for your business, you need to fully understand your expenses and how much money is required to succeed.

A cash flow plan helps track your money and identify growth opportunities. The first step is to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of your approach so far. What has been successful and what hasn’t? This will help you map out the next steps in your process.

Here are a few steps to creating a cash flow plan:

Establish your business objectives. What are you trying to accomplish? Review the company’s goals and identify the milestones.
Plan for growth: How will you get more clients or customers and increase revenue?
Evaluate your momentum: How can you keep the momentum going and build on it?
Plan for sustainability: How do you plan to continually expand what you’re doing?
Create your budget: Break down expenses into categories. Create a budget based on projected cash inflows and outflows.
Consider contingencies: What will happen in an emergency or if revenues don’t meet projections? What steps will you take to stay in business and get results?

Finance Tips to Enhance the Growth of Your Business

Having a financial strategy in place is critical, especially when you start with low capital. You need to be aware of your financial goals and how you can get there.

To start, understand the difference between your fixed and variable costs. Fixed costs don’t change, whereas variable costs fluctuate based on revenue. A business should carefully analyze its fixed and variable costs before deciding on which type of financing it needs if any.

There are different financing options available for businesses, such as invoice factoring, loans, venture capital investments, and equity investments. For small businesses with little capital, invoice factoring might be the best option for funding business growth.

Consider crowdfunding. If you have a product in the pipeline and need funding, crowdfunding is a great way to raise capital, especially for startups that don’t yet have strong cash flow.
Negotiate with suppliers. Suppliers may be open to more favorable payment terms. This will give you more time to pay without getting deep in debt.
Don’t try to grow too fast. Additional employees are an important asset, but investment and return must be evaluated. Consider salaries, employee benefits, supplies such as computers, and desk space. Outsourcing might be a better choice.
Explore invoice factoring. You can sell your outstanding accounts receivable to an invoice factoring company in exchange for cash. A factoring company is a quick way to get financing and free up working capital.
Run a lean operation. Find ways to do more with what you already have. This can be challenging due to a lack of time and resources, but small changes can lead to big results.
Use good tasking software. Task management software is a digital tool that helps organize, prioritize, and delegate your work and stay on track. Task management software is a must-have for any company focusing on productivity and saving money.
Plan for and invest in growth. Identify areas for growth, and reinvest in the company to compete at a higher level for greater success down the line.

Conclusion

Cash flow management is vital to all businesses, particularly for start-ups on a tight budget. Approaches vary depending on the company’s needs, but planning is essential. Startups can generate money in several ways, including invoice factoring with a reputable factoring company, equity crowdfunding, and planning for growth. By effectively managing their cash flow, startups can generate more revenue and become more successful.

Digital Banking

Bitcoin for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know

ByCFI.co

More than 106 million people worldwide use cryptocurrencies. Despite the rapid adoption of cryptocurrencies in recent years, many people still have very little understanding of them. Of all the cryptos we now have, Bitcoin is still the most popular, so if you want to get into crypto, Bitcoin is where you should start.

So what is Bitcoin, and why has it become so big? This Bitcoin guide covers what Bitcoin is for beginners and will get you started in the world of crypto.

Bitcoin for Beginners

Bitcoin is a digital currency that was invented in 2009. At the time it had a value of less than 1 cent per coin and has since seen all-time highs of almost $70,000. Bitcoin is traded using blockchain technology, where everything happens through a decentralized ledger. This means that no government or financial institution can control it in any way.

All transactions on a blockchain are recorded, and anyone can view the information. Bitcoin is secured with cryptography, which involves complicated algorithms to validate transactions.

Because there’s no central authority that controls Bitcoin, users can create accounts without making their identities public. You can make transactions without having to worry about anyone tracing them back to you.

The History of Bitcoin

Perhaps one of the most interesting things about Bitcoin is its origin. Despite all the things known about it, the actual creator remains a mystery.

When it was released in 2009, credit for the creation of Bitcoin was given to Satoshi Nakamoto. This, however, is not a real person, and the creator’s actual identity remains unknown to this day. There’s even speculation that “Satoshi Nakamoto” is a group of people rather than an individual.

One of the details specified in Bitcoin’s whitepaper is that the purpose of Bitcoin is to serve as a “peer-to-peer electronic cash system” independent of any central authority. Many people believe that this is a direct response to the financial crisis of 2008 so that regular people don’t risk suffering as a result of the greed of financial authorities and large banks.

Since Bitcoin’s creation, thousands of other cryptocurrencies have been invented with varying levels of success. Some have become very popular and valuable, but Bitcoin still stands at the top.

How to Buy Bitcoin

If you’re interested in buying Bitcoin, there are a few ways you can do this. The most common method people use is a crypto exchange.

There are several large exchanges available such as Coinbase, Binance, and Kucoin. For the most part, these are all relatively similar, but they do vary in terms of the cryptos they sell, the fees they charge, and certain smaller features. Take a look at some different exchanges so that you can decide which one is best for you.

Once you’ve settled on an exchange you need to create an account. Depending on the one you’ve chosen, you might need to provide ID for verification before you can start trading. You can add a payment method, with the easiest being a debit/credit card, but wire transfers and some other methods are also possible.

You can then start buying your crypto. You’ll have the option to buy Bitcoin or a range of other cryptocurrencies. Bear in mind that there will be a fee for every transaction, so look at the payment details on each purchase to see how much it is.

Remember that the value of any crypto goes up and down, so buying at different times will affect how much Bitcoin you get, even if the transactions are just minutes apart.

Selling Bitcoin

If you decide to sell any Bitcoin you own it works similarly, but you choose what to sell it for. You can sell it for a fiat currency (dollars, euros, etc.), different cryptos, or stablecoins. Again, like when you’re buying Bitcoin, the price will change with each transaction.

Stablecoins are useful if you want to hold your finances on the blockchain, but not as crypto. Stable coins are pegged to the US dollar, so unlike Bitcoin, the price doesn’t change, and they will always be worth the same dollar amount.

Storing Bitcoin

When you buy crypto it will be held in your account on the exchange you’ve used. You can keep it here, but most people prefer to transfer it to an external wallet for security purposes.

Soft Wallet

A soft wallet (or hot wallet) is a digital wallet that you can usually use as a browser extension or a smartphone app. They’re free and more secure than exchanges.

When you set up a soft wallet it will give you a 12-24 word seed phrase. If you ever lose access to your wallet you’ll need your seed phrase to get it back, so make sure you make a note of it and store it securely.

You shouldn’t save a seed phrase to your computer or anywhere else someone might be able to access it. If someone gets your seed phrase they may be able to steal all of the crypto in your wallet.

Cold Wallet

A cold wallet (or hard wallet) is a physical device that you can store crypto on. Like a soft wallet, these use a seed phrase, but they also have to be connected to a computer physically for any transaction to take place.

When it comes to strong Bitcoin, this is the most secure option. A hard wallet isn’t essential for everyone, but if you have a large amount of crypto then it’s generally a good idea to have one.

The Future of Bitcoin

As more people and organizations are adopting Bitcoin, it seems that it will only grow from here. Various retailers already accept crypto, and there are even Bitcoin ATMs all across the US. CFI.CO covers all things finance, helping you stay up to date with the latest information.

For more about Bitcoin for beginners, click here to visit our website and sign up for our newsletter.

Budgeting

Creating a Budget for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide

ByCFI.co

Did you know that more than 63% of people in the United Kingdom are in debt? When it comes to finances, it can be hard to take control of your own money. It might sound easy in theory, but when it comes down to it, many people end up spending more than they should.

Fortunately, this isn’t an inevitable problem as long as you have a budget plan. But how should you go about creating a budget in the first place, especially if you’ve never tried doing it before? Keep reading and learn more about how to budget your money so you can leave your debt behind you.

Try the 50/30/20 Budget Plan

At some point, you may have heard of the 50/30/20 budget plan, but what is it exactly? It is actually one of the most efficient ways to budget your money and it involves splitting up your income into three sections. First, you will need to spend around 50% of your income on necessities.

Be sure to calculate this after you factor out your taxes. Your necessities, as the name suggests, should only include things that you can’t live without. So, your necessities would include your rent, car, and other things such as food.

The majority of your income will go to these things because they are the most important. When you create a budget like this, you won’t have to worry so much about having to pay for your necessities because they will be the first thing that you pay for in the first place. But what should you prioritize next after you’re done spending money on your necessities?

Next, you will want to divide around 30% of your income for your wants.

What You Need to Know

Your wants, as the name suggests, involve things that you want to enjoy and splurge on. For example, you can spend money on going to a movie, buying a nice new pair of shoes, or anything else that you might feel like doing.

Spending money on your wants, of course, is one of the more enjoyable parts of starting a budget. However, you will want to be careful not to go overboard with your wants. Many people enjoy spending money on fun things that they end up forgetting all about the 50/30/20 rule.

As long as you keep in mind that you should only spend 30% or less of your income on wants, you won’t have to worry about running out of money and ending up in debt. Finally, there is the 20% of your income that you will need to focus on debt repayment and savings.

This 20% is very important because it can help you dig yourself out of your financial hole so you can leave all of your debts behind you. It might seem difficult to do at first, especially if you have a mountain of debt, but as long as you’re persistent and follow the rest of the 50/30/20 financial budget, you will eventually reach your financial goals and be free of debt.

Keep a Close Eye on Your Money

The 50/30/20 budgeting plan will only be able to take you so far when it comes to saving money and getting out of debt. It won’t be able to help you plan out the details of your budget. Instead, you’ll have to do that for yourself.

The problem that many people have when it comes to budgeting is that they forget about the little details of their finances. Many people end up getting so distracted with large costs such as medical bills, rent, and other things that they end up forgetting about the smaller costs and making the mistake of thinking that they don’t matter.

However, you will find that small costs are just as important as large costs. This is because small, unaccounted costs can easily start to pile up if you’re not careful.

The Details

For example, suppose you buy a charger for your phone, some snacks for the car, and a few other small things.

All of these items are quite cheap on their own, so you might not even bother factoring them into your budget. However, after a few weeks or months of ignoring these small costs, you will start to wonder why you aren’t saving as much money as you were hoping. The reason will be that these small costs have been slowly siphoning your savings without you even realizing it.

This, of course, can put your budgeting plans quite far back. To avoid this, you will need to stay on top of everything you’re spending, even if you’re only spending very little. This can be tedious at first, especially when spending money on very small items, but eventually, it will become a sort of habit, and it will be like second nature to you.

Once you get the hang of keeping an eye on your money in this way, you will find that it will be easier than ever to save your money and stay dedicated to your budgeting plan. Once you accomplish that, it will be quite easy to leave your debt in the dust and start saving money.

What You Need to Know About Creating a Budget

Creating a budget can be hard at first, but it isn’t impossible. The 50/30/20 rule can be especially helpful for those who have never tried budgeting before. It involves splitting up your income into needs, wants, and savings.

That way, you won’t be confused about what to do with your money. More than that, keeping an eye on everything you’re spending can be very helpful. To learn more, contact us here.

Budgeting

The Impact of Covid-19 on the World Economy

ByCFI.co Blogger

While we have been sitting at home playing casino real money online for the past two years, the global economy has been hit pretty hard by the Corona pandemic. Supply chains were disrupted. Inflation soared. And in less developed countries, many people lost their jobs. There, it was not so easy to shift work and education to the online system. The infrastructure simply was not able to provide the necessary elements for this transition.

The news was full of bad news and how people were suffering from the negative impact of Covid on the economy. Once again, it became clear how interconnected countries are. Globalization was now experienced in a bad way.

Several studies are showing the impact of Covid on countries. The results are yet to be seen as the aftermath of the pandemic is still ongoing.

Most major economies will lose at least 2.9% of their gross domestic product (GDP), as experts have noted as early as 2020. In the meantime, the pandemic situation has worsened since 2020, so this forecast has already been raised to a GDP loss of 3.4%. To put this figure in perspective, global GDP in 2020 has been estimated at around $84.54 trillion – meaning that a 4.5 percent decline in economic growth would result in a loss of nearly $2.96 trillion in economic output.

The Winners and Losers of the Pandemic

Some sectors of the economy have suffered more than others. For example, tourism and the travel industry. Others, however, managed to benefit from the new circumstances. In particular, delivery services and online conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Skype, and Webex. The IT sector faced large investments from governments or international organizations. This is also true for the healthcare sector. Pharmacies were always allowed to stay open, as were supermarkets. One of the biggest winners in the e-commerce sector. As all physical stores were closed, people shopped online. This is one of the trends that will most likely continue. Even after the pandemic.

Cultural and social institutions such as museums and galleries also suffered and could not have survived without government assistance. Again, developed countries such as Europe and North America can afford such aid. For less developed countries, however, it remains to be seen how they can recover from the crisis.

The fact is that we will be living with the new regime and also a greater awareness of the disease for a long time to come. Hygiene approaches have improved all over the world.

Although the number of Covid 19 patients has decreased, the world is still far from returning to normal. The new requirements are expected to be in place for at least the next few months. Even the industry, which has returned to its pre-Covid productivity, is still dealing with heavy losses.

People who have lost their jobs and perhaps even their homes are left relatively alone. Ultimately, there is now a universal blueprint or policy for getting the global economy back on track.

Finance

10 Money-Saving Tips to Survive Inflation

ByCFI.co

During the rest of 2022, it is estimated that global inflation will reach 5.7% in advanced economies and 8.7% in economies of developing countries. What is inflation? It is the decline in the purchasing power of currency and can seriously affect an individual’s financial health as prices rise. Luckily, there are many things that you can do to prepare for inflation. Do you want to learn how to survive inflation?

Keep reading this guide for the top 10 money-saving tips that will help with surviving inflation.

1. Assess Your Spending Habits

Assessing your spending habits is one of the easiest ways you can save money in times of high inflation. Inflation can make it difficult to stick to your budget, so you should try to identify all the areas where you are spending money.

This will allow you to adjust your budget and change your spending habits in response to the higher prices.

Are there things that you can temporarily stop paying for to save money? Consider all of the non-essential expenses that you can cut back on!

2. Avoid New Debt

Another important tip that can help you save money as inflation rises is avoiding new debt when possible. In the last year, interest rates have risen, which makes it more difficult to pay off your loans.

This is especially difficult if you have variable rate loans, as the rates can change without much notice.

Avoiding new debt can help you reduce your monthly payments and will give you more financial flexibility!

3. Pay Off Existing Debt

Not only do you need to avoid new debt, but you must also pay off existing debt. When you are in debt, you are responsible for a monthly payment. These obligations can make it more difficult to pay for the things that you need to survive.

To pay off your existing debt faster, you should try paying more than the minimum payments on your balances each month!

4. Have an Emergency Fund

Building an emergency fund is necessary for any budget, but is especially helpful when inflation increases. This will help you plan for the future and will protect you in the event of an emergency or changes to the economy.

It is a designated savings account that has reserve funds and will provide you with a buffer that will protect you as prices continue to increase.

5. Wait for Large Expenses

If you were planning on making any large purchases, like a new car or a new appliance, these prices may be affected by inflation.

If possible, it is best to wait to buy these large expenses until it is completely necessary. This way, you can start setting aside extra money to prepare for the increased prices!

6. Shop Sales

Being frugal and learning to save money can help you survive when prices start to rise. One way you can do this is by starting to shop sales. Just because prices are starting to rise doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the things that you normally purchase.

Instead, you can just wait until things go on sale to buy them!

There are also other ways you can save money, like buying in bulk or using rewards programs to save money.

7. Diversify Your Portfolio

Having a diverse portfolio can help you prepare for increasing inflation and will help you save money! It is important that you have investments that will continue to appreciate, even as the value of money decreases.

Make sure you don’t put all of your eggs in one basket! Having many types of investments will ensure that you don’t lose all of your investments to inflation and will protect your portfolio.

8. Find Ways to Increase Your Income

Not only do you need to save money when you are dealing with inflation, but you also must find ways to increase your income. This will help balance the rising costs to keep up with the cost of living.

For example, you can ask your boss for a raise to account for changes in inflation.

There may be other ways that you can increase your income with a side hustle or a hobby that you can use to start making more money.

9. Conserve Energy at Home

There are many expenses that are often out of your hands, like your rent or mortgage payments. However, things like utility bills change each month and you can make changes to your habits to save money!

Finding ways to conserve energy at home can help you save money to combat inflation.

For example, you can start by turning off the lights in rooms that you are not using. You can also keep your home at a lower temperature during the winter and at a higher temperature in the summer months.

Making these small changes to your energy usage can save a lot of money in the long run.

10. Be Prepared

Finally, it is essential that you are prepared for inflation! You can often expect inflation rates to rise over the years, so learning to prepare for inflation can help you get through the difficult times.

Learning to be frugal and how to increase your savings will provide you with additional cushioning when inflation starts to increase.

When you are prepared, you don’t have to panic. You will know what changes to make to survive inflation and you will be okay!

Learn How to Survive Inflation by Preparing Now

Inflation is something that you cannot avoid. Still, there are ways that you can prepare for inflation so it doesn’t affect you as much as it affects others around the world. Following each of these tips can help you survive inflation without affecting your financial health.

Do you want to learn more about inflation tips to follow? CFI.co can help! Our bank provides expert advice about wealth management and finances and can help you prepare.

Check out our wealth management blogs today for more money-saving tips!

Finance

7 Benefits of Investing in Stocks

ByCFI.co Blogger

If you’re new to investing, now is a great time to learn the ropes. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about investing styles, risk tolerance, and much more. Your investments will likely rise and fall. You’ll also gain valuable insight into normal market volatility. You’ll also be better prepared for the unexpected by investing in stocks. Listed below are the top 10 reasons to invest in stocks.

Dividends

The dividends that you receive from stocks can be a great way to diversify your portfolio, in this article they have put together Motley fool vs seeking alpha and compared their investing style. However, while high dividend yields can be tempting, you should also choose the right company for long-term investment. The most popular way to invest in stocks that pay dividends is through a mutual fund or ETF. Many ETFs track dividend-paying companies and focus on certain regions and sectors. You can also choose to invest in ETFs that focus on companies with a history of dividend-paying dividends.

Compounding

Many people are hesitant to invest in stocks, but many realize the compounding power of these investments. Investing over a long period will reap the most benefits. If you start early, compounding will take care of the rest. By the time you are sixty, your $10,000 investment will be worth $67,275. This is the same amount as if you invested only one month earlier. Here are some simple ways to maximize your investment’s compounding power.

Long-term growth

The long-term growth benefits of investing in stocks are many. They include greater profits, reduced taxes, and fewer fees. However, long-term investments do require a careful selection of businesses. Investors who buy and sell stocks too often are handicapping their chances of success. Ideally, long-term investments should be made in companies with sound management, long-term growth prospects, and a good balance of risk and reward.

High potential returns

While stocks and bonds have historically produced the highest average annual returns, these calculations do not consider all factors. This may result in an inaccurate picture and unrealistic expectations. In addition, the volatility of stock prices overtime should not be confused with historical returns. Stocks can increase and decrease more than bonds. You should always check with your financial adviser before making a decision. Investing in stocks is an excellent way to protect your money from inflation.

Reduced risk

If you’re worried about investing in stocks, you’re not alone. Many people have similar concerns, making it even harder to know where to begin. However, some simple tips can help you reduce your exposure to stocks. Investing in stocks can be risky, so a few strategies can help reduce it. First, diversify your portfolio. Then, you can invest in various types of stocks, including low-risk and high-risk stocks.

Diversification

When you invest in a range of assets, you limit the risk of anyone asset crashing down and reduce the impact of sudden increases. While diversification does limit your upside potential in short-term markets, it can lead to higher long-term returns. While some investors prefer to invest in single stocks, a diverse portfolio can help balance their risks. The benefits of diversification can be seen in a variety of situations.

Low volatility

One of the main reasons for low volatility is the lottery ticket effect. Many investors participate in the market purely as a gamble and don’t care about the downside risk. As a result, stocks with high volatility have greater upside potential, but the downside risk is generally limited to the money invested. As a result, investors are willing to pay a premium for a lower volatility index. This anomaly hasn’t been arbitraged away, but it remains a key reason to invest in stocks with low volatility.

Banking

What Do Increased Interest Rates Mean for Your Wealth?

ByCFI.co

Congratulations, you’re a grown-up!

That means that your money is doing more than just sitting in a savings account. You’ve got an IRA and you’re investing in real estate. Heck, you might even have some stocks or bonds.

As a savvy and forward-thinking person, you are already aware that interest rates are the price of borrowing money. These rates affect everything from auto loans to mortgages. When there are increased interest rates, lenders make more money on each loan.

But what does all this mean for your wealth?

We’re going to dig into this question to see how recent increases in interest rates might affect your current and future expenses. Keep reading to get the scoop.

The Federal Reserve Bank and the Overall Economy

The Federal Reserve Bank is a private bank that works independently of the federal government. It’s responsible for setting interest rates and regulating the banking system. When there are economic problems, they can lower or raise interest rates to help stimulate growth in the economy.

In May 2022, federal interest rates rose by half a percentage to 0.75% – 1%. This may increase to around 3% by the end of this year if we stay on track with our current economic situation and the inflation rate continues to rise as predicted. So you should continue to keep up to date on how this latest federal reserve hike are impacting business loans and mortgages.

Your Existing Loans

It is important to know how the new interest rates will affect your monthly payments if you already have a loan. If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, for example, there won’t be much of an impact on your debt since it does not change based on market conditions. However, if you have a variable-rate mortgage or student loans, higher interest rates could mean that your payment amount will increase and become more difficult to handle.

To avoid any surprises in the future, consider refinancing at a lower rate now while they’re still available. This can help reduce the cost of borrowing and improve overall savings. Plus, if there are other options available, like shorter terms or even no prepayment penalties, refinancing may be well worth it!

Credit Card Debt

If you have credit card debt, your interest rate is likely to increase because of the Federal Reserve’s rate hike. This is because credit cards are based on the prime rate, which moves in tandem with the federal funds rate.

If you have outstanding balances on multiple credit cards with different rates, consider merging them into one debt with a fixed interest rate that better matches what you pay now. That way, your payments will remain stable whenever your current card adjusts its rates.

The Housing Market

The housing market is one of the biggest economic drivers, so it’s no surprise that any changes to this sector would impact your wealth.

When interest rates increase, it becomes more affordable for you to buy a new home. On the flip side, renting may become more expensive as landlords pass along their rising expenses by raising rents (or evicting tenants).

Increased Interest Rates and the Stock Market

When the Federal Reserve Bank raises interest rates, it can have a positive impact on bank stocks. In fact, when the Fed raised interest rates in December 2018, bank stocks performed very well. Reason: When the Fed raises interest rates, savings accounts can earn more money and people are likely to use banks more often.

The stock market as a whole does not react favourably to rising hikes from the Federal Reserve Bank though. Instead, it goes down because of inflation eroding away at investors’ returns.

There’s no guarantee how your investment portfolio will move if interest rates go up. However, it is good practice that you regularly rebalance your portfolio so that any potential losses remain minimal.

Bonds and Other Fixed Investments

When you invest in bonds, you are lending money to the issuer of the bond. The issuer pays a fixed rate of interest on this loan (known as “coupon payments”), which is paid at regular intervals (usually monthly). Most bond issuers are corporations and governments, although they can also be other entities, such as mutual funds.

When interest rates rise, the price of bonds decreases to attract investors. Issuers might even be forced to reduce the interest rate they pay out in order to attract investors.

Personal Spending

It’s not uncommon for people to panic when they hear the word “interest rate hike.” But it’s important to remember that interest rates affect all sectors of the economy. While they might have a negative impact in some areas, there are others where higher rates can be beneficial.

Some people may choose to spend less when interest rates are high, but this could also be a good time to invest in certain areas. For example, if you’re thinking of buying a home, a higher interest rate may mean that you’ll have to pay less each month for your mortgage. It will also likely mean that the value of your home, along with other investments you make during this time, could appreciate at a faster-than-average rate.

Wealth management during this period of inflation can be difficult, but if done correctly, it can lead to financial stability.

Protect Your Wealth in Any Economy

As you can see, increased interest rates have a lot of implications for consumers. But don’t worry—by paying attention to these trends and making smart decisions about where to invest your money, you can still work to grow your wealth.

With careful planning and a clear idea about your spending habits, you can take control of your money situation. Check out our other blogs to learn more about how to protect your assets during periods of economic instability.

Finance

Protecting Your Portfolio: How to Choose Stocks to Invest In

ByCFI.co

According to CNBC, academic studies estimate that 85 per cent of day traders lose money — and that’s just the professionals. By the numbers, amateur traders had an even harder time with the stock market. Between 401ks and private investments, however, it turns out that most Americans own shares in some capacity. In 2022, for instance, Gallup found that 58 per cent of adults admitted to owning stocks.

But there’s an open secret in the investing world:

To be a successful investor, you have to know how to choose stocks to invest in. It sounds pretty simple, but the process is more complicated than it might seem.

Would you like to be profitable, retire early, and achieve all your wildest dreams through the stock market? Keep reading to learn how to build a winning investment portfolio.

1. Figure Out Your Trading Personality

This is about to get surprisingly philosophical. But truthfully, buying stocks isn’t just about dollars and calculations. It’s also about having the right mentality towards the market.

Have you ever met someone with such an abrasive personality that they could make sandpaper feel like silk? Talk about the last person you’d hire as a grief counsellor.

In the same way that some personalities don’t always mesh well with certain professions, investors can set themselves up for failure by choosing the wrong investment strategy.

Are you a high-risk and high-reward kind of person? Or do you take a slow-and-steady-wins-the-race approach to things?

Before you start looking at charts and evaluating broker spreads, you’ll want to understand your risk tolerance levels and your ideal day-to-day trading habits. This will give you a general sense of what a sustainable trading strategy might look like for you.

2. Set Your Portfolio Goals

Imagine you’re watching a wilderness survival challenge on TV. One team brings a map, a compass, and a GPS. And the other team is winging it.

All things being equal, the group with the map is more likely to reach the final destination first, right?

While most investors would agree that they want to make money, it can be hard to tell if you’re doing well or you’re underperforming when you don’t have financial targets. Consider this:

From 1926 to 2021, the S&P 500 has had an annualized return of roughly 10.5 per cent. Can you beat that result? Should you be trying to?

When you have specific benchmarks, it becomes a lot easier to evaluate stocks within the context of your overall investment portfolio goals.

3. Establish Trading Rules

So at first glance, this might sound like How to Start Investing 101. But having rules of engagement around your stock purchases is one of the most important investment tips you’ll ever get.

Stock market investing is about compounding returns. When you’re changing strategies on a whim, it becomes harder to cash in on the full growth potential of your investing approach.

However, that’s only half the story. Along with a reasonably well-established set of rules, you’ll also want to ensure that your strategy can respond to market conditions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, the hospitality and travel industries were hit extremely hard. But as restrictions eased and borders started reopening, suddenly everyone wanted to book flights and hotel rooms. A well-rounded trading strategy would have considered both the short-term drop in the market and the potential for big returns in the medium to longer term.

4. Become an Industry Expert

Fast forward a few months from now. You’ve developed your strategy and found a few positions you like. Now all you have to do is start buying stocks and watching the money roll in, right?

Well, not necessarily.

The internet is full of people telling each other to, “Do your own research!”. But beyond settling online disputes, it’s a sound piece of advice for aspiring stock market investors.

Here’s why:

Contrary to popular belief, the stock market rarely moves totally at random. Maybe there’s an under-the-radar scandal taking place that only people following the news would have noticed. Or perhaps, because you didn’t understand the principles of Hollywood accounting, you decide to pass on a stock that you would have purchased otherwise.

When push comes to shove, you don’t want to be one of those investors who can’t sell any of their shares in the buggy industry because consumers are buying cars. It doesn’t matter if you’re purchasing mining stocks or retailers — keeping your finger on the pulse of the trends can allow you to make better purchasing decisions.

5. Manage Your Risks

It’s not enough to just purchase stocks and let them grow. You also want to have a serious answer to the question, “How will I protect my profits in a market downturn?”.

To that end, common investment risk management strategies include:

Buying stocks in safer, steadier companies
Hedging
Using stop losses, options, and derivatives
Investing in bonds and mutual funds

Most profitable investors use a mixture of these strategies. After all, if you’re investing for retirement, for instance, your portfolio should become gradually less risky as you get closer to leaving the workforce.

But whatever you choose, there’s one thing that most experienced investors can agree on:

Being a profitable investor isn’t just about picking the right stocks and watching your portfolio value increase. It’s also about knowing when to cut your losses.

How to Choose Stocks to Invest In

Have you ever wondered how some people know how to choose stocks to invest in while others just don’t? The answer more than likely boils down to consistency.

Successful investors have consistent rules and due diligence procedures. And they’re also consistent about keeping up with industry news and growing their positions.

We can give you general investment tips about purchasing stocks with growth potential and portfolio protection. But uncovering hidden gems and staying profitable in the stock market is actually quite simple.

First, you need to find a stock-picking approach that makes sense to you. Then, you need to keep doing what works.

Are you looking for more information on all things investing? Check out the investment management section of our site to see more content like this!

Digital Banking

Sports sponsorships by crypto apps skyrocket in the past year

ByCFI.co Blogger

The sports sector has become the ideal target for some of the best crypto apps seeking growth. Some of the largest players in the cryptocurrency sector have announced strategic deals with sports clubs, leagues and organizations to attract new audiences.

Best crypto apps scramble for sports partnerships

The crypto space has grown significantly over the past year, and sports franchises have been open to securing deals in the world of cryptocurrencies. Some of the most reputable athletes have also pocketed deals, such as being brand ambassadors of some crypto projects or accepting their salaries in crypto assets.

Last year, some of the largest crypto sports sponsorships were recorded. The sponsorship deals were worth around $1.2 billion in total. One of the greatest sports deals secured last year was by Crypto.com. The exchange acquired naming rights for the Staples Center in Los Angeles for $700 million. They also spent another $210M in a major deal with UFC.

However, Crypto.com is not the only crypto app tapping into sports deals. FTX has also secured several major deals, including the naming rights to the Miami Heat arena last year. FTX also invested $210M for a sponsorship deal with TSM.

Other top exchanges like Binance and Coinbase are also investing in the space. Binance, the world’s largest exchange by trading volumes, was the major partner for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. Coinbase is also the cryptocurrency exchange for the NBA.

Regarding the number of sports sponsorship deals secured, eToro stands out, having secured 36 sports deals with football teams based in Europe.

Football attracts more deals

The crypto industry is yearning to attract sports enthusiasts by marketing during major competitions. For instance, Super Bowl, the most televised sports event in the US with an over 90 million audience, attracted advertisements from leading crypto exchanges.

Football has attracted more sports deals than any other sport. At least 56 sports partnerships have been with football clubs, tournaments and players. Football is one of the most-watched sports globally, and it makes sense that crypto apps are focusing most of their attention here.

However, partnerships with football clubs have also attracted attention from regulators. For instance, Arsenal was banned from promoting its fan tokens last year. Liverpool fans also criticized the club’s decision to release a non-fungible token (NFT) collection.

Sports players are also venturing into crypto

Sports players are also entering the crypto space. Odell Beckham Jr, an NFL star, became among the first marquee sports players to receive a salary in Bitcoin. Around 8 NFL players accept part or all of their salaries in digital currencies.

After signing for the Jacksonville Jaguars last year, Trevor Lawrence agreed to take a huge share of his $24M signing bonus in several digital currencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL).

Bitcoin has particularly become the top option chosen by players who want to receive their wages in digital currencies. However, fan tokens are also becoming a favourite, with Lionel Messi accepting PSG fan tokens after joining the French club last year.

Finance

7 Financial Tips Every Business Owner Should Know

ByCFI.co

46% of entrepreneurs don’t have any form of business education. These entrepreneurs struggle to formulate sound business financial plans. They unintentionally do things that sabotage their businesses’ growth. As one of these entrepreneurs, you should look for ways to fill this knowledge gap. To help you out, here are seven financial tips every business owner should know.

1. Separate Personal and Business Finances

As a small business owner, you don’t see the need to have two different bank accounts. You claim you can separate the personal and business finances on paper. Unfortunately, having a single bank account will lead to business financial woes.

You’re going to use business funds for personal stuff and struggle to make finances balance.

To simplify money management:

Open a separate bank account for your business
Instruct your customers to pay for products/services your business sells via this account
Avoid withdrawing money from this bank account for personal expenses

You want your business to stand as an independent entity.

2. Learn to Create a Periodic Business Budget and Stick to It

Most new business owners adopt a “wing it” approach when dealing with expenses and revenues. They have no idea how much money they’ll spend on a given expense. And that’s why their businesses constantly face money problems.

To counter this challenge, learn how to create a business budget. The idea is to allocate money to things that smoothen business operations. Also, a budget will help you track business expenses, thereby enhancing accountability.

3. Know When to Seek Professional Business Financial Advice

As a new entrepreneur, you assume that you’ve to figure out everything yourself. You experiment with different business management practices hoping one will work. Sadly, you make errors that hinder business growth and threaten its survival.

Instead of this trial and error approach, know when to seek professional financial advice. You want to find experts who educate you on things such as managing business credit. Also, seek advice on common financial problems small businesses face and how to overcome them.

The great thing is that you’ll find many affordable business financial experts using the internet. Besides, leverage online entrepreneurs’ forums to get financial tips from other business owners.

4. Always Track Your Working Capital

A business can report profits yet go under due to working capital problems. Working capital is the money used for the day to day business operations. It’s current assets (cash, account receivables/unpaid invoices, and stock) minus current liabilities (account payable and debts).

Your business should strive to have positive working capital as this means you’ve enough money to cater to recurring expenses. To achieve this goal, learn how to effectively manage your business’s cash flow. You want to avoid cash flow problems that disrupt operations.

Here are some of the things you can do to improve your business’s working capital:

• Cut all unnecessary spending
• Give debtors incentives to pay you sooner
• Request your creditors for longer repayment periods
• Examine your company’s cash flow patterns
• Explore cash flow loans

You want to adopt a proactive working capital management approach to streamline operations.

5. Choose the Right Business Investors

When facing business financial woes, it’s tempting to take money from anyone. The problem is that some investors are the wrong fit for your business. Some will use their investment to strong-arm you into doing things you don’t like.

Others will insist on a high return which your business can’t afford.

To avoid all these problems, take time to screen investors to find the right ones. You want to partner with people who share your passion for the business. On top of funding the business, you may also want to find investors who are experienced within your business area and can advise you on how to run it.

6. Plow Back Profits

Once your business starts generating profits, it’s tempting to withdraw all of them. You argue you’ve waited for so long, and you deserve to be rewarded. And you’re right, yet to grow your business, you need to plow back the profits.

Here are some of the ways you can reinvest the profits:

• Hire more employees and expand your workforce
• Invest in new technology that gives you an edge over the competitors
• Increase your sales and marketing budget
• Open another business branch
• Start a business emergency fund

Your goal is to invest in things that give your business stability and stimulate growth. You want to forgo current profits with hopes of reaping huge ones in the future.

7. Protect Your Enterprise Against Fraud

Cyberattacks cost companies $200,000 on average, putting many of them out of business. That’s why you should look for ways to curb these risks.

Here are some of the measures you can take to prevent cyberattacks:

• Train your staff on modern cybersecurity practices
• Invest in data encryption
• Only use secure devices and networks
• Undertake systems audit regularly to test for weakness
• Develop policies on how to handle data breaches to cut losses
• Buy cybersecurity insurance
• Consider hiring a cybersecurity consultant

Implementing these measures will help you keep up with the latest technologies without compromising cybersecurity. You want to accept electronic payments from your customers. Also, you should take advantage of different e-commerce platforms to expand your business’s reach.

Boost Business Growth by Adopting Practical Financial Tips

To stimulate business growth, you need to learn how to handle its finances effectively. Rely on the above financial tips to give your enterprise an edge. The idea is to improve your business’s working capital to give it stability.

Also, know when to seek professional business financial advice. Finally, be careful when choosing investors, as they’ll impact the business’s direction.

Please check out our Business and Finance sections for more incredible financial tips.