The shifting of US dollar in today’s economy

If you keep an open ear and a keen eye on today’s economy, you will be sure to find some very unhealthy signs. For example, take the cases of big commerce conglomerates like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FDIC, Wall Street and even the newly formed Health Care. Everything points to the ailing health of the economy as these once esteemed entities have sunk deeply into murky financial waters.

It is true that it is impossible to borrow to get out of debt which is precisely what the US Treasury is doing; it is essentially getting a loan to pay off a debt.

The Middle East

President Nixon cut a deal with the Saudis to supply US with a continuous flow of cheap oil paid in US dollars. This demand caused others to pay for oil from OPEC in US dollars which was fine when the US economy was strong as that made the US dollar strong. But when the economy slumped, as in the 2008 financial meltdown, the nation’s lenders were clamoring for repayments of the debts.

As the other parties, they got together with OPEC to discuss the possibility of moving over to using Euros rather than the US dollar. That happened at the 2009 and 2010 OPEC meetings behind closed doors. There will be more meetings to bring on the total changeover from Petro-Dollars to Petro-Euros soon as the US economy spirals further into greater debt.

World Reserve Currency

For many years, US has had a very strong and firm control over the world currency and economy but with its recent poor performance and decreasing standing in economy and currency value, the IMF came out with a Special Drawing Rights which is basically an international lending house with varying currencies to be lent. This makes IMF a more palatable lender than the US as not all focus is on one particular currency. It is just a wise business move of not having every egg in one basket.

This became tough competition and it became difficult for the US Treasury to hold its fort, much less of the top position in the financial standing of the world today. And the competition is looking good with all its fringe benefits and frill offerings.

Sooner or later, the players in IMF will be pushing for the SDR to be the new world reserve currency instead of the US Dollar. Signs are set in place as big guns like China, India, Japan and Russia are boosting up their gold reserves through the sale of the treasuries.

How to invest in gold

Gold has proven to be a very valuable commodity, especially when it comes to investing. The purchasing power of this commodity has remained constant over the years, causing the demand to increase rapidly. Since more and more individuals understand now more than ever the advantage of having a good portfolio, the buying demand for this precious commodity has shot up with time.

However, not all buyers know about the various methods of buying gold. This applies to both the buyers who want to get exposure to the price movements of gold and those who want to buy gold to protect their assets. It is important to know all the available options for you since there is more than one way to acquire gold.

The various methods for procuring gold depend on the outlook and requirements of the individual investor. It is therefore important to come up with an investment strategy to help you in deciding which method is best for you and meets your needs. Some of the most common methods are rare coins, bullion coins and small bars of gold, gold accounts, exchange traded funds and gold certificates. Structured products and gold-oriented funds are other methods one can use when investing in this commodity.

Having any of the above will enable you to invest just the way you want and give you the possibity of great returns in the end. However, it is very important to consider all the facts you would normally consider when making any other form of investment. Work through the same guidelines when deciding which gold investing route to take.

Evaluate why you have decided to buy gold. Evaluate factors such as whether your reasons for buying gold are based on a desire to obtain a profit using the varying price of gold or to have it as a real physical asset that you can have available at all times. It is also of importance to know whether you would rather have your gold with you or have it kept in a vault in addition to verifying that you are dealing with a trustworthy and reliable person or company.

Another very important thing is to ensure that you have all the necessary information about the costs involved such as premiums, commissions, insurance, storage and taxes. Ensure that your gold acquisition fits well with all your other investments to support your overall investment strategy.

Opportunities in the Gold Market

There are many claims that gold is an investment. This could be true that the price of gold may rise and increase in value though it is better to look at gold as an asset. Gold truly is the most bare form of money as gold is the one form of money that if all paper money collapsed you would be able to barter with.

The main role of gold is as a safe haven from economic stress more than purely just a return on your money. That is not to say gold will not go up. Past performance doesn't means their will be future gains though it can be the best way to understand the value.

The opportunities in the gold market are going to be based on your risk level. This post is not to be an expert on how to buy and sell gold. The goal is to open your eyes to the possibility that now may be a good time to buy gold and for you to learn more from a trusted brokerage firm.

Considered by many as the best way to own gold is numismatic gold coins or what is called rare gold coin. Rare gold coins have two values. First, the gold content gives them inherit value with the price of gold. Second, the rarity of numismatic gold coins has potential for greater gains in profit. The gold content in rare gold coins is the same as bullion coins though rare gold coins are not minted any more and now thousands and thousands of gold bullion coins are minted each year.

As it stands today there is an estimate that a few hundred thousands numismatic gold coins are in existence in what is called mint condition. On the contrast there are literally tens of millions of gold bullion coins in existence right now circulating.

Due to the scarcity rare gold coins have typically out performed gold bullion coins. This is a generality and there have been exceptions to that rule. Rare gold coins still have the same gold content as gold bullion coins which adds to them being a safe haven.

Other advantages of rare gold coins is that they are exempt from the federal government ever confiscating your private gold collection. You may not think this would ever happen though it happened in 1933.

Rare gold coins are considered a private collection of collectibles which doesn't make the sale or purchase subject to the same rules as gold bullion coins.

The best way to understand if rare gold coins is right for your portfolio is to talk to a certified brokerage firm that has years of service. A plus ratings at the better business bureau is a good place to start.

Types of Gold Coins: The Popular Ones

There are several types of gold coins that are sought after by both collectors and investors alike.

Types of Gold Coins: Popular Series

The American Gold Eagle: This is the official gold bullion coin of the United States, first minted in 1986 by the US Mint. The obverse of the coin features a full figure of Lady Liberty holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left hand. The reverse of the coin portrays a male eagle holding an olive branch, flying above a nest enclosing a female eagle and hatchlings. The coin is available in the denominations of $5, $10, $20, and $50. For coin collectors, a proof version of this gold coin is produced by the US Mint.

Krugerrand: Krugerrand is among the most popular gold coins produced by the South African Mint Company in 1967. It was minted to be used as currency. The coin is a durable alloy of gold and copper, with 91.67% gold and 8.33% copper. The obverse of the coin features the face of Paul Kruger, former president of the old South African Republic, while the reverse features a springbok, one of the national symbols of South Africa. Very few proofs of Krugerrand neeeproduced by the company for collectors.

Russian Golden Chevronets: These gold coins were introduced by Russia in 1701 and were minted until 1757, after which they were replaced by the ruble. However, their production was restarted in 1925, after the end of Russian Revolution and the Civil War. Only five chevronets coins are known today, three are housed in the Museum of Goznak and the other two in the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Russia. These coins have great value as collector’s items.

Chinese Gold Panda: This series of gold coins was introduced by the People’s Republic of China in 1982. These coins are made of 99.9% gold. The design of these coins changes every year. The obverse of the coin depicts the Temple of Heaven with Chinese inscriptions “Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo” and the year of mint. The reverse of the coin features different images of the Panda, and are changed every year. These coins come in different denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Yuan.

Numismatic Gold Coin Pricing: the US Mint’s Response

The US Mint adopted its numismatic gold coin pricing policy on January 12, 2009. The policy categorically states that the Mint can align the prices of gold and platinum pieces with the prevailing market prices of these metals, adjustable on a weekly basis. Earlier, the price adjustment used to be a long drawn process with the requirement for issuing a public notice before any such move. This procedure effectively took weeks, during which the trading in coins would remain suspended. Since the adoption of the policy, the Mint has adhered to it. Taking the procedure charted out in a notification published in the Federal Register, the average of London Fix prices over a week is used to determine the price adjustment for the collector’s pieces. However, on May 27, 2010, the authorities did not reduce the price of the gold coins in response to the decline in the London Fix gold prices.

Four days later, the Mint explained its action in a statement released on May 31, 2010. The official communication revealed that the price fixation of the coins is determined ‘primarily’ based on the Fed Register method, but not solely on it. Reiterating the mission of the pricing policy, the statement mentioned, “The new policy was adopted to ensure that the United States Mint is able to recover all costs associated with gold and platinum products, while keeping changes in prices to a minimum.” Apparently, the internal policy that comes into play only in some exceptional circumstances was invoked this week.

As per this rule, the Wednesday PM Fix is used as a reference point for assessing the trend with the view to keep the change in valuations to the least. If the average falls above the existing range, while the Wednesday Fix falls within the range, the prices will remain untouched. On the other hand, if the average is lower than the range, while the Wednesday Fix remains within the range, the prices do not fall. Such was the point in the case for the week ending with the AM Fix on Wednesday, May 26. The Mint also clarified that there exists yet another parameter for consideration. “Additional criteria based on the Wednesday PM fix address changes of more than one range, as well as spikes in the market, which could cause the average to be above the existing range, while the Wednesday PM fix is below the existing range, or vice-versa,” the statement mentioned.

Analysts Predict Gold Prices Reach New Records in Third Quarter

Speakers at a precious metals conference put together by ETF Securities believe that gold prices are set for even more record highs do to the current monetary policy and issues over the current status of the euro.

HSBC analyst James Steel expects gold prices to exceed the present high of $1,248.95 with in the third quarter of 2010.

"If the issues that are affecting euro zone debt shift across the Atlantic ... that is when we would look for the dollar to weaken and for gold to (break higher)," Steel said.

Steel will on to say the the current US monetary policy is good for gold with supporting global commodities demand. The US monetary policy has reduced the opportunity cost of holding non interest bearing gold.

The euro has lost 15 percentage points to the US dollar in 2010 which has also increased the demand for gold, says Nicholas Brooks, head of research at ETF Securities.

"It seems across the board to be Europeans who are buying gold, whether it is coins or bars or ETFs," Brooks said. "The clear logic is that European investors are worried about the euro.

"The concern is what happens to the euro in the next three to five to 10 years," he added. "A lot of investors (are) looking at gold and commodities generally as an alternative."

"I don't think they are selling all their euros and buying gold, but a lot of conservative investors, very large investors, who before had never held any gold are now looking at gold."

Steele continued to add that, as long as, there are concerns about the euro than the strength of the dollar which usually impacts gold prices will not have any effect.

How Does Gold's Value Change with the Stock Market?

There is a common misconception in the financial world that gold moves in the opposite direction of the stock market. This unfortunate interpretation of historical data produces a misleading image that often results in confusion and bewilderment among investors when the two markets periodically move in the same direction.

Negative Correlation or No Correlation?

In order for gold and the stock market to move in opposite directions, there would need to be a negative correlation between gold and stocks. There is no evidence that such a correlation exists and, if there was, and it was true that gold moved in the opposite direction of stocks, it would greatly reduce gold's value as an investment alternative.

If gold and the stock market were on the proverbial see-saw that a negative correlation necessarily implies, there would be no reason for long-term investors to invest in both. The proper decision would be for individuals to choose which ever one outperformed the other over the long-term.

Fortunately, individuals are not faced with such a dilemma.

The fact of the matter is, gold is NOT negatively correlated to the stock market. Nor is it positively correlated to the stock market.

There is NO discernible correlation between gold and the stock market.

Gold: An Independent Asset

In other words, gold reacts independent of stocks, to economic and political factors and market events.

This makes gold the ideal diversifier for a portfolio of stocks. The reason for this is because of the unpredictable nature of world events.

When you get right down to it, consistently predicting near-term and medium-term movements in the stock market is just about impossible. No one has done so with any success to date and no one has developed any trading system that has done so over the long haul.

The same can be said of the gold market. No one has a crystal ball with which to predict the movements in gold either.

Likewise, no one can predict with certainty the timing and nature of the next economic crisis or perhaps the next terrorist attack. All of these kinds of factors impact the financial markets—including the stock market and gold market—and thus need to be accounted for.

Gold: Protection Against Inevitable Uncertainty

The best way to protect your portfolio against unpredictable events in the financial markets, the economy and the geopolitical arena is to diversify as completely as possible. This means not just diversifying across industry by selecting stocks of companies which are engaged in varying lines of business, it means diversifying across asset classes. In addition to a diversified portfolio of stocks from a variety of industries, individuals absolutely must include gold in their portfolio.

Why?

Because gold has no correlation with the stock market. The best way to achieve the stability of your portfolio is to include an asset that is as unpredictable vis a vis stocks as the very events which impact the stock market.

We know from history that gold will not react in the same way as the stock market to crisis, hyperinflation, depression, and other turmoil. This is what makes gold so vital for all people.

No one knows what to expect next from the financial world. One day the stock market is doing just fine and the next a storied name like Merrill Lynch is being bailed out in a deal put together by the Feds. One day the world is calm and the next a 23 year old tries to blow up an airliner over Detroit.

We can't change the unpredictability of future events and the stock market's reaction to those events, but there is something we can do to help protect our wealth from the fallout, and that is to own gold.

ITM Trading offers expert advice on buying St. Gaudens and other rare gold coins.

Why are organic and eco-friendly toys better for our children?

One of the greatest gifts to mankind given by the creator is nature. Now it is our duty to protect this gift. If nature is not properly used and protected, we put ourselves and our next generation into peril. So use of nature and natural products should be made with wisdom. It is also true in the case of manufacture of toys.

Care of child:

It is the duty of every soul in this world to care for the child. He is our successor. The care of his health is of utmost importance. In order to make the child industrious, we provide him with many toys. Unfortunately many of these toys are made of materials like plastic, fibers, etc. which are chemical based products. These products are known to affect the tender skin of the baby. Attracted by the pleasing color of these toys, the toddler puts these products in his mouth and as a result he gets infected. These products are known to be storehouses of many serious diseases. So the child is laid down with serious ailments. His future is affected. Ultimately we have failed in taking proper care of the baby.

Remedy:

The remedy is to stop providing such toys which are manufactured using artificial materials like plastic, etc. Instead, replace these with organic and eco-friendly toys. They do not harm the child. These toys are manufactured using natural materials. They are as attractive as artificial toys. Advantages of organic toys:

As they are made of natural material without any artificial lining around them, they are totally safe for the child. Of course, they cost little more than their counterparts; artificial toys. But looking at the long range benefit, anyone will be willing to pay more. They are free from all sorts of toxic materials. They can be used for longer period of time. They can be repaired and reused. But in any form they are eco friendly. If there is a need to discard these toys, they can be put back on the road; nature will accept them. For example toys made of wood, cotton cloth, clay toys are all eco friendly; when they are discarded in the open, they in no way harm the nature or the neighborhood. But it is not so in case of artificial toys. There are many examples of many electronic gadgets yet to be disposed off because they cannot be thrown in the open for fear of causing environmental hazard.

Natures Organic Market offers discount prices on organic products like the best organic tea and more.

Are black wedding dresses becoming popular?

The trend of wearing white dresses on weddings is getting un-popular with the modernization. Now more brides prefer dresses which are out of the tradition and this is the main reason why brides now choose black wedding dresses. The trend of wearing black wedding dress is getting more and more popular with time.

There are a few people who scoff at the concept of wearing black wedding dresses because of their traditional thinking that this is the tradition of Gothic community. But, no matter who has started the trend, it is a fact that more and more women choose black wedding dresses all over the world and this has changed the life styles as well.

There can be many reasons behind the selection of black wedding dress on wedding day and one of these reasons is the season. This means if your wedding is near Halloween, you may prefer to wear black wedding dress. The other reason most of the time behind the selection of the black wedding dress is the liking of bride as she may feel that fabric in black color will flatter her more.

One other important reason behind the popularity of black wedding dresses is change in the trends as most of the weddings are now about style. Bride feels that she does not need to wear the traditional white dress to show her purity and faithfulness. Now she likes to look beautiful and stylish and this is the reason behind the acceptance of different colors for the selection of bridal dresses.

Another good reason behind the change in trend is that the bride can wear her black dress again as well. White wedding dresses are no more usable for most of the women while by wearing black dress, they can make some easy alterations in the dress and wear it again on some occasion. Thus they can fully utilize the money spent on the purchase of the dress.

There is one problem if you want to choose black wedding dress on your special day and that is the unavailability of these dresses at every bridal store as this trend is still new and is still not that much common among the brides. But this does not really mean that you cannot find your dream dress. You just need to explore some of the wedding stores and you will surely find your perfect dress which will suit you.

RomanticGowns.com offers discount prices on wedding dresses and plus size wedding dresses.

Top 5 Solutions to Problems with HOA Boards

So, you have a problem with your home owner association (HOA) or its board members. The general rule which seems to apply to most people's feelings as it relates to HOAs are follow the rules or its time to move. What happens when you feel your HOA has outdated policies or you have been treated unfairly? The following at 10 things you can do for solutions with your HOA board.

You do have to keep in mind that you singed a contract as it states with your home owner association so these solutions don't work if you simply are made you can't have a gazebo in your backyard. Those issues and others like it are policies that you would need to have your board members approve. The solutions we are mentioning below are for when you feel that the HOA has acted capricious or in a vindictive manner.

5 Solutions to Problems with HOA Board

1. If you read newspaper columns for advice they will tell you to work it out with your HOA board members. You do have to keep in mind that these columns are typically written by lawyers who represent HOA boards so they are not the best source of info for the home owner themselves. It is still important to attempt to work any issues out directly before taking further course of action.

2. You need to know your bylaws. If you want a state official to help you solve your issue you need to know exactly what you are talking about. Many people don't get far with their cases against HOA boards as their information is filled with emotion more than facts on how HOA bylaws were broken.

3. If there are board members who are apathetic to your situation you can use them to hold special meetings and replace vindictive board of directors. It is important that all policies on these proceedings are followed for them to work.

4. You need to keep all documentation with correspondences between you and the HOA or the HOA's attorneys. You want to get to proof of your violations though you have to realize you will also need proof of your innocence. Just as you want the HOA to have all the documentation, so will you if you are to win your case. If you ever need your own lawyer, the lawyer will need proof to be able to defend your interest.

5. Most issues with home owner associations are consistent courses of action that are in violation or patterns of now working with home owners. You can recommend professional community services take over your HOA's management services which is usually better for both the HOA board members themselves and the individual home owners. Professional community management services are experts in how to handle home owner concerns so that both parties understand and win in the end.

Parker Finch is a professional community management company offering services for HOA board members in Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada.

HGH Supplement Facts and Information

It is a fact that everyone in this world wishes to look younger and live longer. However it is not at all possible to look younger for the entire life. It is so because it is the natural process which cannot be changed by anyone. People try many things as well as several products in order to have the younger looks. However just beauty enhancing products and tips are not just enough.

Along with all the above stated facts and things which help you in feeling and looking there is a hormone that is must for making you look longer. Such hormone is known as HGH or Human Growth Hormone. Human growth hormone is an efficient supplement which helps you in looking and feeling younger as well.

There are several HGH facts that are enough to make one understand the utility of this hormone for the human body. HGH is considered as the most successful supplement which is gaining its popularity day by day. It is a well proven HGH fact that it works in an amazing manner. In several studies it is found that it is a supplement which helps in losing weight and maintaining blood pressure. In addition, it also helps in improving your immune system as well as your memory. Thus it directly helps a person to live longer and healthier by fighting against the infections and diseases because of the strengthened immune system that it offers. The effects that a person gets from increase in HGH is so surprising that it all looks like a magical effect.

HGH or human Growth Hormone is considered as the vital hormone for your body. It is so because it is the major hormone which is helpful in maintaining your health as well as liveliness. It is a hormone which is created by the pituitary gland of the most important organ of your body i.e. the brain. In several researches it is revealed that the growth of human growth hormone decreases as one passes the age of 20. HGH facts also reveal that that after the age of 30 one starts to loose his/her acceleration of doing any kind of work. It is just because of less release of HGH.

Many of the studies conclude that the production of the HGH becomes 15% lesser after every decade. As a result of this, as you grow older you look old and aged. However, studies also conclude that HGH facts also help to encourage the tissue repair. It also helps the immune system in fighting with the diseases as well as the other infections. HGH facts also reveal that this hormone is responsible for regenerating the cell of the muscles, bones, vital organs and other organs as well.

These hormones are basically the chemical messengers. Theses chemical messengers helps to complete different task that are related to your health. Several researches conclude that the HGH is prepared from 191 amino acids. These hormones are a kind of proteins. However, the other hormones are also there that are released by the endocrine glands in our body. These hormones help each organ to work in a wonderful manner with full efficiency. They perform this task after mixing with blood.

HGH is considered as the one of the most plentiful hormone in the body. Scientists also say that HGH is responsible for the functioning of the body organs like reproduction organs as well as the sexual organs. They also say that it the marvelous wonder of the nature because it is produced in excess when you are at the teen age and reduces its growth as you grow older.

If you look carefully on the HGH facts then you will find that it is not just the matter of age that reduces the quantity of HGH rather there are several other factors responsible as well. Among several factors diet plays a very important role in the increase or decrease of the Human Growth Hormone. It is even possible to take HGH supplement in order to increase this hormone in the human body.

Once you start taking the HGH supplement you will find surprising results right from the first month. For example it would result in sound and better sleep, more energy, and better stamina and so on. In the same manner the person will feel more energetic in the next month and this continues with additional HGH supplement intake.

Read more about Kurt Vesecky at Kurt Vesecky Blog and Daily Dads

Travel Certificates With Big Ticket To Wealth: How Do They Work?

Creative Marketing Solutions has contracts with various resorts and hotels for providing incentive vacation schemes at chosen locations. Such incentives can help you increase your sale manifolds, irrespective of the type of the business you are in. Through the power of teamwork through all individual marketers allows each individual the ability to sell at low prices with high margins.

What are travel certificates?

The travel vouchers or certificates are incentive travel programs, which you provide to your selected, or all of the customers or buyers, when they make certain purchases from you. These are free vacations, you sponsor. You will find travel certificates to all the places that people are already traveling to and planning their vacation.

Any catch?

Unlike most of the incentive travel schemes, Big Ticket to Wealth's offers come absolutely without any strings attached - no promotional programs or time sharing videos! All a person has to do is enjoy their vacation.

How to get started?

It's a hassle-free easy registration process. Once you are registered, you can go to the travel certificates' section, choose the package (from various available options), you want to offer to your customers, and begin printing!

How much do I pay?

You total fixed monthly cost come to $99 only. What's more, you can print an unlimited number of vouchers for the same price. That means whether you print 10 or print 1,000, all you have to pay is $99 per month only.

How much do my customers pay?

The person who redeems the voucher has to pay only the applicable taxes and nominal travel agency costs, if any. Such payments depend upon the travel package that you choose.

Why would a resort, hotel, or cruise liner allow such schemes?

Except peak seasons, the hotels, resorts, and cruise liners rarely have 100% occupancy. Through such travel schemes, they can get their rooms occupied for nominal charges, which were otherwise going empty. Here, these hotel owners can benefit on others services, like spa, laundry, room service, restaurant, bar, renting of sports equipments, etc. These services contribute towards covering the fixed costs. In addition, the prospects of repeat travel and referrals are also encouraging in such cases.

Can my customers combine two or more travel certificates?

No two rewards in the form of travel certificates can be clubbed together.

Can I sell the certificates?

These certificates are the only travel incentives and cannot be sold or bartered.

Diamond Development Team offers Big Ticket to Wealth and the Executive Marketing Package.