These centers are perfect and make optimum utilization of space, given the space constraints in today’s world. The increase in the rentals and prices of homes are making it difficult for home owners to go in for bigger homes. Taking all this into consideration, it is ideal to opt for an entertainment center which fits into your living room and also does not occupy much of the space. Home entertainment centers can comfortably accommodate your television set, your DVD, cassettes, CD player and of course your books and showpieces.The central point when it comes to home entertainment center is undoubtedly the television. The size of your TV plays a vital role and it cannot be disregarded. Ultimately, the reason behind purchasing your home entertainment is to place your TV, be it plasma or a flat television. You would want to place your home theatre system or your 29 inch television. Hence, double check before buying your home entertainment center.The width, height and depth of your television need to be measured before you place the order for the entertainment center. There are many shops and stores which cater to tailor made entertainment centers. You could browse the net for more information on this. When choosing the entertainment center, make sure that the entertainment center gels completely with the walls of your drawing room and does not look out of place. Placement of the speakers is an important factor which cannot be ignored because a wrongly placed speaker will not deliver a good sound quality. Ideally, speakers are supposed to be placed near to the walls.TV entertainment cabinets are a new concept and it is gaining fast popularity, thanks to the space constraints people are facing nowadays. A TV cabinet is a very important part of the living room furniture nowadays. The cabinet size would depend on the TV size. You could either go in for an open cabinet or a closed door cabinet or Entertainment Centers. Depending on the layout and the furniture you have, you could choose either a wooden cabinet door or a glass cabinet door.Glass door cabinets need to be handled with care, since if you exert force, they are likely to break. Nowadays, you get beautiful glass etched cabinets, which look very elegant and sophisticated. They would definitely be expensive, but it looks classy. When selecting the ideal location for the entertainment unit, make sure there is space to let in air, otherwise the wires and receptive circuits would get heated very quickly. Ensure there is enough ventilation so that your television does not get affected.

You may have heard that only about 5% of network marketers in any industry will succeed in their business, and about only 30% of online entrepreneurs become successful. Given these statistics, along with idea that MOST successful network marketers started their business really CRUSHING IT… working 12 to 18 hour days…… HOW IN THE HECK CAN ANYONE DO THIS PART TIME?If you’re looking into building a business online from home, there are first a few things you need to be aware of…Don’t count on the three people you recruit to get their three and those just magically send more money passed up to you!The people who have made it successful in this business actually go forward with the attitude that they expect NOBODY to succeed in working the business.And, if you’re worried about asking people to buy into your opportunity because you’re afraid they might be “wasting their money”, you just have to let it go.Personally, I believe that ANYONE CAN MAKE it, if they just try. But you’d really be SURPRISED just how many people WON’T EVEN TRY!You can’t make them. All you can do is give them the opportunity and point them in the right direction.This is NOT to say that I advocate in any way leaving someone high and dry. Actually, this is the beauty of online marketing. Now, for the FIRST TIME EVER, you don’t have to be an expert to become successful in your part-time online business.There are teams of professional entrepreneurs ready and willing to help you… so all your sponsor need do “hook you up” with the team. The helpful Facebook groups today are available to answer questions 24/7, and most teams conduct weekly “hangouts” where all you need do is watch, learn and implement.Why then do people just CHOOSE to not even try?Some of my downline won’t even do as much as plug into the Facebook group – even after I’ve sent them a screen capture of all the team members welcoming them into the group!Actually, I think it boils down to two things: Fear of failure, and fear of success.
Of, of course, they’ll tell you it’s something else… They were swamped at their job and came home with no energy… or they just don’t have the money to invest in marketing… or maybe they just KNOW A BETTER WAY, and refuse to listen to the millionaires on the team hangouts giving advice!And, I was guilty of making these excuses. But once I started being honest with myself, I realized I was coming from a “scarcity” mindset… I was actually subconsciously PUSHING PEOPLE AWAY from my business because I didn’t want them to waste their money!People who have become successful with the field of part-time business online realize that being cheap with yourself will keep you broke. And, what’s more, having that same cheap mindset for others will keep them broke! You’re not doing anyone any favors by telling them to not invest in their business.The idea of how to become a successful entrepreneur in a PART TIME business from home begins with being willing to “waste” a little money. If you notice, the successful entrepreneurs around you have all “wasted” their money as they grow their business.But the difference is they don’t look at it that way.In their words, they “invested in their education” by learning what kind of marketing works, and what kind doesn’t work.Here’s the thing: You can probably make it as a successful entrepreneur in a part- time business opportunity of you invest ALL YOUR TIME – really crushing it – like the old-time network marketers did…OR, you can actually become successful PART TIME ONLINE by investing your money.I never used to be an advocate of paid marketing… because I just “couldn’t afford” to waste any money. But now I’m realizing the truth…… If I’m continuing to work a 40 hour a week job and only have two hours a day to devote to my business, I just can’t afford NOT to take a portion of money and devote it to marketing.

When faced with unexpected emergencies or genuine requirements and also to give ourselves that rare taste of luxury, we often turn to “Loans.” Loans provide us with the liquid cash needed for various things like clearing debts, home improvements, medical emergencies, education, to buy that dream car or to take that long awaited vacation. So many a times, we jump into these obligations and then due to various reasons cannot deal with the regular monthly payments combined with high interest, fixed loan terms, etc. Thus, we end up in debt. It’s defaults like these that cause us to end up with “Bad Debt or Bad Credit.Bad Debt Personal Loans are loans or rather financial solutions specially designed for those of us in bad debt situations or for those of us with bad credit. Whatever be the reason – bankruptcy, arrears, County Court Judgements (CCJ’s), late payments or non payments; when in debt it becomes difficult to find that financial solution that we found so easily before bad credit. However, don’t give up because bad debt is not the end of the road. In fact, with Bad Debt Personal Loans you can give yourself that desperately needed new beginning.For lenders granting Bad Debt Personal Loans, it is a huge risk. Nobody, in fact even if you were to step into their shoes, you would be hesitant to approve such loans. Since individuals applying for Bad Debt Personal Loans are those with bad credit or simply put – defaulters, there’s a big chance that they may default in repayments again. This is what makes Bad Debt Personal Loans difficult to get. However, what sense would a loan make if it were not gettable. To neutralise the risk factor, Bad Debt Personal Loans come with interest rates that are higher than usual, shorter loan terms and smaller loan amounts.Important points on Bad Debt Personal Loan:o Owing to the lack of assurance a lender has regarding repayment, Bad Debt Personal Loans have a higher rate of interest.o credit score check works as a benchmark for lenders in determining the creditworthiness of the borrower. Typically a good credit score is assumed to be above 760 and a bad score is below 600.o t is true that your credit score is important while deciding on interest rates but they are not the ‘only’ deciding factors. Collateral, equity, income, current debts, recent credit history – these should be your strong points.o Your current financial standing and the assessment a lender makes regarding your probability to repay the loan plays an important factor.o Documentation required with bad credit loans will include income tax returns, bank statements, estimate of property and title of the property (in case loan is secured), documents to see that there are no legal disputes relating to collateral.Bad Debt Personal Loans can be secured or unsecured. Secured Bad Debt Personal Loans are those that would make it imperative for bad credit borrowers to place collateral as security to assure repayment. The loan amount for the secured option usually ranges from £5,000 to £75,000 and it’s repayment term from 5 to 25 years. On the other hand, Bad Debt Unsecured Loans do not require collateral. They are perfect for non homeowners. However, they include higher interest, shorter loan terms – 6 to 10 years and smaller loan amounts – up to £25,000.When getting yourself a Bad Debt Personal Loan, find a loan that can relate to your story and to your financial situation. Educate yourself with the current rates and terms of Bad Debt Personal Loans. Try taking small amounts for bad credit loan. They are evidently easier to get.But before taking that leap, remember to get your credit score. It tells you exactly where you stand. Credit score (FICO score) usually ranges from 300 to 850. A credit score of 720 and above is considered to be good, while that of 580 or below is bad debt. Credit score is further classified into a range of grades varying from A to E. “Grade A “reflects excellent credit while it’s the converse for those with “Grade E”. People with grade C, D and E are considered in the list of bad debt.Make sure your repayments are on time. By doing so you are steadily improving credit. Take the amount that you need, even if you can afford more. However, credit rebuilding does not take place overnight. With time and patience, you can easily get in line with good credit borrowers. Remember, Bad Debt Personal Loans give us that most needed second chance – take full advantage of it!

Like many people around the world, you are living your life on a tight budget. If that is the case, you may have found yourself looking around for the proverbial “best deals” on auto loans. Indeed, there are steps that you can take that will allow you the ability to save money on auto loans. Through this article, you are presented with some useful, tried and true strategies that you can utilized in order to save money on auto loans.Not All Lenders are Created EquallyWhen you are in the market for auto loans, you must take the time to “shop around.” You need to come to a firm and complete understanding that there can be some fairly significant differences in the fees that are charged from one lender to the next. While there might not be a huge difference in interest rates on car loans charged by one lender to the next, the fees that are assessed by the lenders can, at times, be significant.By taking the time to really analyze the market and shop around, you will be able to identify those lenders that charge the lowest in fees and charges. In some instances, these fees can mount up and you need to make sure that you are getting the best deal in this regard.As mentioned a moment ago, the interest rates on different car loans normally do not vary that significantly. However, even a small difference in interest rates on different auto loans can add up over the lifetime of these loans. Therefore, you do want to compare and contrast interest rates as well with an eye to the savings that you can realize over the lifetime of particular auto loans.Visit with Lenders with Whom You Have a Prior RelationshipWhen looking for auto loans, many consumers overlook the obvious: contacting a lender with whom they have had a prior (successful) experience. For example, if you have a home mortgage loan with a particular lender, and if you are current on that loan and have had a satisfactory relationship with that lender, you will want to ascertain if that lender is involved in making car loans.The reality is that many lenders will give you a “better deal” if you have a pre-existing relationship with them. In other words, these lenders offer a lower interest rate on auto loans if you already have another type of loan with that company.Apply Direct for Auto Loans OnlineAnother step that you can take in this day and age when it comes to working to save at least some money on car loans is to apply for loans over the Internet and World Wide Web. An ever increasing number of reputable lenders that specialize in car loans (including auto loans for people with less than perfect credit) have established online venues through which people can make application for financing.Not only is the “apply direct, apply online” process an avenue through which you can save money on auto loans, it also is a very convenient way for your to obtain the financing that you require. Indeed, you can make application for auto loans from the comfort of your very own home in no time at all.

Key Insights
The strong pullback in the U.S. dollar provided significant support to stocks.
Treasury yields have pulled back after touching new highs, which served as an additional positive catalyst for S&P 500.
A move above 3730 will push S&P 500 towards the resistance level at 3760.
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Pfizer Rallies After Announcing A Huge Price Hike For Its COVID-19 Vaccines
S&P 500 is currently trying to settle above 3730 as traders’ appetite for risk is growing. The U.S. dollar has recently gained strong downside momentum as the BoJ intervened to stop the rally in USD/JPY. Weaker U.S. dollar is bullish for stocks as it increases profits of multinational companies and makes U.S. equities cheaper for foreign investors.

The leading oil services company Schlumberger is up by 9% after beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Schlumberger’s peers Baker Hughes and Halliburton have also enjoyed strong support today.

Vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna gained strong upside momentum after Pfizer announced that it will raise the price of its coronavirus vaccine to $110 – $130 per shot.

Biggest losers today include Verizon and Twitter. Verizon is down by 5% despite beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Subscriber numbers missed estimates, and traders pushed the stock to multi-year lows.

Twitter stock moved towards the $50 level as the U.S. may conduct a security review of Musk’s purchase of the company.

From a big picture point of view, today’s rebound is broad, and most market segments are moving higher. Treasury yields have started to move lower after testing new highs, providing additional support to S&P 500. It looks that some traders are ready to bet that Fed will be less hawkish than previously expected.

S&P 500 Tests Resistance At 3730

S&P 500 has recently managed to get above the 20 EMA and is trying to settle above the resistance at 3730. RSI is in the moderate territory, and there is plenty of room to gain additional upside momentum in case the right catalysts emerge.

If S&P 500 manages to settle above 3730, it will head towards the next resistance level at 3760. A successful test of this level will push S&P 500 towards the next resistance at October highs at 3805. The 50 EMA is located in the nearby, so S&P 500 will likely face strong resistance above the 3800 level.

On the support side, the previous resistance at 3700 will likely serve as the first support level for S&P 500. In case S&P 500 declines below this level, it will move towards the next support level at 3675. A move below 3675 will push S&P 500 towards the support at 3640.

Summary
SPDN is not the largest or oldest way to short the S&P 500, but it’s a solid choice.
This ETF uses a variety of financial instruments to target a return opposite that of the S&P 500 Index.
SPDN’s 0.49% Expense Ratio is nearly half that of the larger, longer-tenured -1x Inverse S&P 500 ETF.
Details aside, the potential continuation of the equity bear market makes single-inverse ETFs an investment segment investor should be familiar with.
We rate SPDN a Strong Buy because we believe the risks of a continued bear market greatly outweigh the possibility of a quick return to a bull market.
Put a gear stick into R position, (Reverse).
Birdlkportfolio

By Rob Isbitts

Summary
The S&P 500 is in a bear market, and we don’t see a quick-fix. Many investors assume the only way to navigate a potentially long-term bear market is to hide in cash, day-trade or “just hang in there” while the bear takes their retirement nest egg.

The Direxion Daily S&P 500® Bear 1X ETF (NYSEARCA:SPDN) is one of a class of single-inverse ETFs that allow investors to profit from down moves in the stock market.

SPDN is an unleveraged, liquid, low-cost way to either try to hedge an equity portfolio, profit from a decline in the S&P 500, or both. We rate it a Strong Buy, given our concern about the intermediate-term outlook for the global equity market.

Strategy
SPDN keeps it simple. If the S&P 500 goes up by X%, it should go down by X%. The opposite is also expected.

Proprietary ETF Grades
Offense/Defense: Defense

Segment: Inverse Equity

Sub-Segment: Inverse S&P 500

Correlation (vs. S&P 500): Very High (inverse)

Expected Volatility (vs. S&P 500): Similar (but opposite)

Holding Analysis
SPDN does not rely on shorting individual stocks in the S&P 500. Instead, the managers typically use a combination of futures, swaps and other derivative instruments to create a portfolio that consistently aims to deliver the opposite of what the S&P 500 does.

Strengths
SPDN is a fairly “no-frills” way to do what many investors probably wished they could do during the first 9 months of 2022 and in past bear markets: find something that goes up when the “market” goes down. After all, bonds are not the answer they used to be, commodities like gold have, shall we say, lost their luster. And moving to cash creates the issue of making two correct timing decisions, when to get in and when to get out. SPDN and its single-inverse ETF brethren offer a liquid tool to use in a variety of ways, depending on what a particular investor wants to achieve.

Weaknesses
The weakness of any inverse ETF is that it does the opposite of what the market does, when the market goes up. So, even in bear markets when the broader market trend is down, sharp bear market rallies (or any rallies for that matter) in the S&P 500 will cause SPDN to drop as much as the market goes up.

Opportunities
While inverse ETFs have a reputation in some circles as nothing more than day-trading vehicles, our own experience with them is, pardon the pun, exactly the opposite! We encourage investors to try to better-understand single inverse ETFs like SPDN. While traders tend to gravitate to leveraged inverse ETFs (which actually are day-trading tools), we believe that in an extended bear market, SPDN and its ilk could be a game-saver for many portfolios.

Threats
SPDN and most other single inverse ETFs are vulnerable to a sustained rise in the price of the index it aims to deliver the inverse of. But that threat of loss in a rising market means that when an investor considers SPDN, they should also have a game plan for how and when they will deploy this unique portfolio weapon.

Proprietary Technical Ratings
Short-Term Rating (next 3 months): Strong Buy

Long-Term Rating (next 12 months): Buy

Conclusions
ETF Quality Opinion
SPDN does what it aims to do, and has done so for over 6 years now. For a while, it was largely-ignored, given the existence of a similar ETF that has been around much longer. But the more tenured SPDN has become, the more attractive it looks as an alternative.

ETF Investment Opinion

SPDN is rated Strong Buy because the S&P 500 continues to look as vulnerable to further decline. And, while the market bottomed in mid-June, rallied, then waffled since that time, our proprietary macro market indicators all point to much greater risk of a major decline from this level than a fast return to bull market glory. Thus, SPDN is at best a way to exploit and attack the bear, and at worst a hedge on an otherwise equity-laden portfolio.

Your stocks to watch for the week ahead are Cheniere Energy (LNG), S&P 500 biotech giant Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), Cardinal Health (CAH), Steel Dynamics (STLD) and Genuine Parts (GPC).

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While the market remains in correction, with analysts and investors wary of an economic downturn, these five stocks are worth adding to watchlists. S&P 500 medical giants Vertex and Cardinal Health have been holding up, as health-care related plays tend to do well in down markets.

Steel Dynamics and Genuine Parts are both coming off strong earnings as both the steel and auto parts industries report optimistic outlooks. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy saw sales boom in the second quarter as demand in Europe for natural gas continues to grow.

Major indexes have been making rally attempts with the Dow Jones and S&P 500 testing weekly support on Friday. With market uncertainty, investors should be ready for follow-through day breakouts and keep an eye on these stocks.

Cheniere Energy, Cardinal Health and VRTX stock are all on IBD Leaderboard.

Cheniere Energy Stock
LNG shares rose 1.1% to 175.79 during Friday’s market trading. On the week, the stock advanced 3.1%, not from highs, bouncing from its 21-day and 10-week lines earlier in the week.

Cheniere Energy has been consolidating since mid-September, but needs another week to forge a proper base, with a potential 182.72 buy point formed on Aug. 10.

Houston-based Cheniere Energy was IBD Stock Of The Day on Thursday, as the largest U.S. producer of liquefied natural gas eyes strong demand in Europe.

Even though natural gas prices are plunging in the U.S. and Europe, investors still see strong LNG demand for Cheniere and others.

The U.K. government confirmed last week that it is in talks for an LNG purchase agreement with a number of companies, including Cheniere.

In the first half of 2021, less than 40% of Cheniere’s cargoes of LNG landed in Europe. That jumped to more than 70% through this year’s second quarter, even as the company ramped up new export capacity. The urgency of Europe’s natural gas shortage only intensified last month. That is when an explosion disabled the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia that had once supplied 40% of the European Union’s natural gas.

In Q2, sales increased 165% to $8 billion and LNG earned $2.90 per share, up from a net loss of $1.30 per share in Q2 2021. The company will report Q3 earnings Nov. 3, with investors seeing booming profits for the next few quarters.

Cheniere Energy has a Composite Rating of 84. It has a 98 Relative Strength Rating, an exclusive IBD Stock Checkup gauge for share price movement with a 1 to 99 score. The rating shows how a stock’s performance over the last 52 weeks holds up against all the other stocks in IBD’s database. The EPS rating is 41.

Vertex Stock
VRTX stock jumped 3.4% to 300 on Friday, rebounding from a test of its 50-day moving average. Shares climbed 2.2% for the week. Vertex stock has formed a tight flat base with an official buy point of 306.05, according to MarketSmith analysis.

The stock has remained consistent over recent weeks, while the relative strength line has trended higher. The RS line tracks a stock’s performance vs. the S&P 500 index.

Vertex Q3 earnings are on due Oct. 27. Analysts see EPS edging up 1% to $3.61 per share with sales increasing 16% to $2.2 billion, according to FactSet.

The Boston-based global biotech company dominates the cystic fibrosis treatment market. Vertex also has other products in late-stage clinical development that target sickle cell disease, Type 1 diabetes and certain genetically caused kidney diseases. That includes a gene-editing partnership with Crispr Therapeutics (CRSP).

In early August, Vertex reported better-than-expected second-quarter results and raised full-year sales targets.

S&P 500 stock Vertex ranks second in the Medical-Biomed/Biotech industry group. VRTX has a 99 Composite Rating. Its Relative Strength Rating is 94 and its EPS Rating is 99.

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Cardinal Health Stock
CAH stock advanced 3.2% to 73.03 Friday, clearing a 71.22 buy point from a shallow cup-with-handle base and hitting a record high. But volume was light on the breakout. CAH stock leapt 7.3% for the week.

Cardinal Health stock’s relative strength line has also been trending up for months.

The cup-with-handle base is part of a base-on-base pattern, forming just above a cup base cleared on Aug. 11.

Cardinal Health, based in Dublin, Ohio, offers a wide assortment of health care services and medical supplies to hospitals, labs, pharmacies and long-term care facilities. The company reports that it serves around 90% of hospitals and 60,000 pharmacies in the U.S.

S&P 500 stock Cardinal Health will report Q1 2023 earnings on Nov. 4. Analysts forecast earnings falling 26% to 96 cents per share. Sales are expected to increase 10% to $48.3 billion, according to FactSet.

Cardinal Health stock ranks first in the Medical-Wholesale Drug/Supplies industry group, ahead of McKesson (MCK), which is also showing positive action. CAH stock has a 94 Composite Rating out of 99. It has a 97 Relative Strength Rating and an EPS rating of 73.

Steel Dynamics Stock
STLD shares shot up 8.5% to 92.92 on Friday and soared 19% on the week, coming off a Steel Dynamics earnings beat Wednesday night.

Shares blasted above an 88.72 consolidation buy point Friday after clearing a trendline Thursday. STLD stock is 17% above its 50-day line, definitely extended from that key average.

Steel Dynamics’ latest consolidation could be seen as part of a larger base going back six months.

Steel Dynamics topped Q3 earnings views with EPS rising 10% to $5.46 while revenue grew 11% to $5.65 billion. The steel producer’s outlook is optimistic despite weaker flat rolled steel pricing. STLD reports its order activity and backlogs remain solid.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana-based company is among the largest producers of carbon steel products in the U.S. It engages in metal recycling operations along with steel fabrication and produces myriad steel products.

How Millett Grew Steel Dynamics From A Three Employee Business

STLD stock ranks first in the Steel-Producers industry group. STLD stock has a 96 Composite Rating out of 99. It has a 90 Relative Strength Rating, an exclusive IBD Stock Checkup gauge for share-price movement that tops at 99. The rating shows how a stock’s performance over the last 52 weeks holds up against all the other stocks in IBD’s database. The EPS rating is 98.

Genuine Parts Stock
GPC stock gained 2.8% to 162.35 Friday after the company topped earnings views with its Q3 results on Thursday. For the week GPC advanced 5.1% as the stock held its 50-day line and is in a flat base.

GPC has an official 165.09 flat-base buy point after a three-week rally, according to MarketSmith analysis.

The relative strength line for Genuine Parts stock has rallied sharply to highs over the past several months.

On Thursday, the Atlanta-based auto parts company raised its full-year guidance on growth across its automotive and industrial sales.

Genuine Parts earnings per share advanced 19% to $2.23 and revenue grew 18% to $5.675 billion in Q3. GPC’s full-year guidance is now calling for EPS of $8.05-$8.15, up from $7.80-$7.95. The company now forecasts revenue growth of 15%-16%, up from the earlier 12%-14%.

During the Covid pandemic, supply chain constraints caused a major upheaval in the auto industry, sending prices for new and used cars to record levels. This has made consumers more likely to hang on to their existing vehicles for longer, driving mileage higher and boosting demand for auto replacement parts.

Fellow auto stocks O’Reilly Auto Parts (ORLY) and AutoZone (AZO) have also rallied near buy points amid the struggling market. O’Reilly reports on Oct. 26.

IBD ranks Genuine Parts first in the Retail/Wholesale-Auto Parts industry group. GPC stock has a 96 Composite Rating. Its Relative Strength Rating is 94 and it has an EPS Rating of 89.

Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!

He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.

But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.

Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!

Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.

We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.

Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.

Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!

But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.

Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.

Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.

And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.

All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.

He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.

US Markets were trading in the green on Friday with Dow 30 trading at 30,678.80, up by 1.14%. While S&P 500 was trading at 3,701.66, up by 0.98% and Nasdaq Composite 10,690.60 was also up by 0.71 per cent

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US Markets in green on Friday; Dow 30 up over 345 points, Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500 up nearly 1%
Earlier today, Indian stock markets ended the week on a winning note. It was the sixth straight gains for equity markets. Source: Reuters
US Markets were trading in the green on Friday with Dow 30 trading at 30,678.80, up by 345.25 points or1.14 per cent. While S&P 500 was trading at 3,701.66, up by 35.88 points or 0.98 per cent and Nasdaq Composite 10,690.60 was also up 75.75 points or 0.71 per cent. A Reuters report said that today’s strength was on the back of a report which said the Federal Reserve will likely debate on signaling plans for a smaller interest rate hike in December, reversing declines set off by social media firms after Snap Inc’s ad warning.

Source: Comex

Nasdaq Top Gainers and Losers

Source: Nasdaq

Earlier today, Indian stock markets ended the week on a winning note. It was the sixth straight gains for equity markets. The BSE Sensex ended at 59,307.15, up by 104.25 points or 0.18 per cent from the Thursday closing level. Meanwhile, the Nifty50 index closed at 17,590.00, higher by 26.05 points or 0.15 per cent. In the 30-share Sensex, 13 stocks gained while the remaining 17 ended on the losing side. In the 50-stock Nifty50, 21 stocks advanced while 29 declined.

There are several potential financing options available to cash-strapped businesses that need a healthy dose of working capital. A bank loan or line of credit is often the first option that owners think of – and for businesses that qualify, this may be the best option.

In today’s uncertain business, economic and regulatory environment, qualifying for a bank loan can be difficult – especially for start-up companies and those that have experienced any type of financial difficulty. Sometimes, owners of businesses that don’t qualify for a bank loan decide that seeking venture capital or bringing on equity investors are other viable options.

But are they really? While there are some potential benefits to bringing venture capital and so-called “angel” investors into your business, there are drawbacks as well. Unfortunately, owners sometimes don’t think about these drawbacks until the ink has dried on a contract with a venture capitalist or angel investor – and it’s too late to back out of the deal.

Different Types of Financing

One problem with bringing in equity investors to help provide a working capital boost is that working capital and equity are really two different types of financing.

Working capital – or the money that is used to pay business expenses incurred during the time lag until cash from sales (or accounts receivable) is collected – is short-term in nature, so it should be financed via a short-term financing tool. Equity, however, should generally be used to finance rapid growth, business expansion, acquisitions or the purchase of long-term assets, which are defined as assets that are repaid over more than one 12-month business cycle.

But the biggest drawback to bringing equity investors into your business is a potential loss of control. When you sell equity (or shares) in your business to venture capitalists or angels, you are giving up a percentage of ownership in your business, and you may be doing so at an inopportune time. With this dilution of ownership most often comes a loss of control over some or all of the most important business decisions that must be made.

Sometimes, owners are enticed to sell equity by the fact that there is little (if any) out-of-pocket expense. Unlike debt financing, you don’t usually pay interest with equity financing. The equity investor gains its return via the ownership stake gained in your business. But the long-term “cost” of selling equity is always much higher than the short-term cost of debt, in terms of both actual cash cost as well as soft costs like the loss of control and stewardship of your company and the potential future value of the ownership shares that are sold.

Alternative Financing Solutions

But what if your business needs working capital and you don’t qualify for a bank loan or line of credit? Alternative financing solutions are often appropriate for injecting working capital into businesses in this situation. Three of the most common types of alternative financing used by such businesses are:

1. Full-Service Factoring – Businesses sell outstanding accounts receivable on an ongoing basis to a commercial finance (or factoring) company at a discount. The factoring company then manages the receivable until it is paid. Factoring is a well-established and accepted method of temporary alternative finance that is especially well-suited for rapidly growing companies and those with customer concentrations.

2. Accounts Receivable (A/R) Financing – A/R financing is an ideal solution for companies that are not yet bankable but have a stable financial condition and a more diverse customer base. Here, the business provides details on all accounts receivable and pledges those assets as collateral. The proceeds of those receivables are sent to a lockbox while the finance company calculates a borrowing base to determine the amount the company can borrow. When the borrower needs money, it makes an advance request and the finance company advances money using a percentage of the accounts receivable.

3. Asset-Based Lending (ABL) – This is a credit facility secured by all of a company’s assets, which may include A/R, equipment and inventory. Unlike with factoring, the business continues to manage and collect its own receivables and submits collateral reports on an ongoing basis to the finance company, which will review and periodically audit the reports.

In addition to providing working capital and enabling owners to maintain business control, alternative financing may provide other benefits as well:

It’s easy to determine the exact cost of financing and obtain an increase.
Professional collateral management can be included depending on the facility type and the lender.
Real-time, online interactive reporting is often available.
It may provide the business with access to more capital.
It’s flexible – financing ebbs and flows with the business’ needs.
It’s important to note that there are some circumstances in which equity is a viable and attractive financing solution. This is especially true in cases of business expansion and acquisition and new product launches – these are capital needs that are not generally well suited to debt financing. However, equity is not usually the appropriate financing solution to solve a working capital problem or help plug a cash-flow gap.

A Precious Commodity

Remember that business equity is a precious commodity that should only be considered under the right circumstances and at the right time. When equity financing is sought, ideally this should be done at a time when the company has good growth prospects and a significant cash need for this growth. Ideally, majority ownership (and thus, absolute control) should remain with the company founder(s).

Alternative financing solutions like factoring, A/R financing and ABL can provide the working capital boost many cash-strapped businesses that don’t qualify for bank financing need – without diluting ownership and possibly giving up business control at an inopportune time for the owner. If and when these companies become bankable later, it’s often an easy transition to a traditional bank line of credit. Your banker may be able to refer you to a commercial finance company that can offer the right type of alternative financing solution for your particular situation.

Taking the time to understand all the different financing options available to your business, and the pros and cons of each, is the best way to make sure you choose the best option for your business. The use of alternative financing can help your company grow without diluting your ownership. After all, it’s your business – shouldn’t you keep as much of it as possible?