Personal Finance Concepts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personal Finance Concepts - Essay Example With respect to an individual's financial security, this implicates the need to intelligently plan one's investments and retirement plan, not only to secure a good life for the future, but also to ensure safety from unprecedented economic crisis and financial problems. As an individual seeking to secure a retirement plan, investing in a house, gold, and retirement insurance such as Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) will be top priorities. After careful consideration of the market, these three products present the most profitable and secure values, which are crucial factors that must be considered in making an investment. First, a person's home is perhaps his most important investment. Not only does it provide an important use at present, but, given proper maintenance, ownership of a house and lot can reap high returns. Depending on the location of a house and the possible development plans in that community for the future, home values can appreciate up to 100% in a span of ten years. Furthermore, it is also a valuable asset, which could be mortgaged in times when large sums of money are needed. In addition, given its high appreciation values, houses can also be very useful for retirement, which could be sold in order to pay for membership in a comfortable retirement house in the future, or rented to earn a sizeable monthly income despite retirement. A second investment of importance are pension plans such as IRAs and 401(k)s. These pension plans, which acts like savings accounts, allows individuals to save money form their salaries before taxes and deposit them into a fund, which through the years could grow into a sizeable sum. Its importance lies in the manner that it is saved. First, since they are automatically deducted from salaries before taxes, it makes sure that a regular amount of money will be saved every month, eliminating the chance for individuals to skip payments. Furthermore, it decreases one's gross salary, decreasing income tax, which gives individuals a higher disposable income if analyzed properly. Thus, it is an efficient investment for retirement. Lastly, another investment, which is of importance, is gold. Unlike other investments, gold provides the most stable, hence safe, investment for retirement even in times of economic crisis and financial instability. On the average, its value has been increasing throughout the years. Thus, it is no question why it has endured as a viable form for keeping wealth in centuries. Another reason why gold is an important form of investment for a retirement plan is its negative correlation with the US dollar (van Eeden, 2000). There has been numerous forecasts regarding the weakening of the dollar in the coming yeas, thus, gold provides individuals with a greater sense of security. Furthermore, owning gold allows one to diversify his domestic portfolio and diversify the risks present in his other investments. Thus, gold is an important investment for retirement because it allows individuals to diversify his portfolio, hence, shielding it from the risks that could be brought about by a deeply integrated world economy, ensuring that one's retirement plan is secure. A house, an untaxed investment, and gold are three important components of a retirement plan because they are relatively stable, diverse, and could still be used in the present during hard times in mortgages and loans giving them value

Alternative Education Options Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Alternative Education Options - Assignment Example This is one of the key features for the school. The test serves the following purposes: to identify the students’ potentials, to allow the teachers to give sound judgment on the scope and effectiveness of the course and finally assess on the whole accomplishment of the course. The school uses formal tests, homework, class work, field trips among others to constantly assess the students’ progress. The school has a diverse range of out door activities available for learners. The include round square community service projects, drama, debating and verse speaking, horse riding and desktop publishing among others. These activities have greatly assisted in promoting self discipline among the students with the help of strict school rules and regulations. Brook House has the academic calendar beginning from the month of August to December for the first term but with breaks in between lasting for a period of one week. The second term resumes on January till March but with breaks for half term. The third term resumes after the Easter holiday with a merely short half term. The school has very skilled professionals who are fully dedicated to the tune of schools’ international focus. The staff comprises of the locals, Asians and British expatriates of whom they are well trained with technical knowledge of British curriculum. The school adapts the British form of curriculum throughout the entire academic period. Among the subjects done include; Music, modern Foreign Language, English, History, Art, Science, Mathematics, Physical Education, Geography and ICT. At the end of academic year, students sit for International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations thereafter join International Foundational Year program. The school is governed by board of directors who are well knowledgeable about the academic prospects of life. For smooth operation of the school, it is funded by