Author: Henry R. Lares

Henry Lares is still early into his career as tech reporter but has already had his work published in many major publications including Tech Crunch and the Huffington Post.  In regards to academics, Henry earned an engineering degree from Apex Technical School. Henry has a passion for emerging technology and covers upcoming products and breakthroughs in science and tech.

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Finance News

Questions Should ask before Hiring a Financial Planner

It can be challenging to hire a professional planner. After all, your planner will know about your finances and help you make huge decisions about financial planning in Saddle River. Therefore, you need somebody to communicate consistently and clearly with you.

The professional should also understand your future goals and help you make prudent decisions that will ultimately compound in value.

When choosing a planner, you’re selecting more than somebody you hope can give you a return on your money. A reputable financial planner won’t merely discuss the latest financial predictions or go through quarterly returns. They’ll get into deeper issues such as personal values and deeply-held fears. If you’re contemplating these services, here’s a list of questions you should ask.

Are you 100% fiduciary?

This is one of the most significant questions to ask when hiring a financial planner. Unfortunately, not all planners will place your best interest first. Only those who are fiduciaries should act in your best interest. A fiduciary is an expert entrusted to provide advice and planning or manage wealth or assets while putting your interests first always.

Planners or advisors who adhere to a fiduciary standard should reveal any conflict or possible conflict to clients during and before the engagement. Additionally, fiduciaries adopt an ethics code and disclose how they receive compensation. Beware that non-fiduciary professionals can propose products whose sales produce commissions, bonuses, or prizes.

How do you receive payment?

Another important question to ask planners about financial planning Saddle River is how they’ll receive compensation. This could make all the difference in the proposals the planner makes for you. That’s because some planners follow a standard whereby only their recommendations to suit your specific situation.

Other planners, however, follow a fiduciary that needs advisors to consider your best interest. Financial planners receive compensation in one of three ways: commission-based model, commission and fee model, fee-only model.

Commission-based model

This kind of planner receives a commission for selling or recommending certain investments or other products. Most of the time, you might not notice the commission because it’s embedded in a product unless the advisor discloses the amount.

Fee-based model

A fee-based planner can obtain fees or commissions from you. Typically, there’ll be an agreed-upon proportion of managed assets that will be deducted out of the accounts the advisor manages.

Fee-only

A fee-only advisor or planner only receives compensation from the client instead of third-party commissions or any kickbacks. The precise means of compensation differs with every advisor, from subscriptions or retainer to hourly.

Why You Need a Financial Plan

Clear Goals

Sitting down with financial planning in Saddle River will make you ponder over what you wish to attain with your money. Moreover, a planner will examine your overall objectives and help you develop a realistic, attainable plan to make them a reality.

Regular Reviews

Whether you’re the kind who keeps a close eye on investments or would rather invest and forget, taking professional advice implies that you’ll have yearly reviews to track your finances and progress. There are two benefits here: it permits you to tailor your plan as your needs and situation change, and it refocuses your mind on whatever you’re trying to accomplish and permits you to make adjustments if you feel you aren’t on the right course.

Product Knowledge

There are numerous pension and investment solutions, each with its rules and nuanced complexities. A planner will conduct the time-consuming research and narrow down the most appropriate solutions.

If you’re looking to plan your finances for the future, you’re better off hiring a financial planner.

After narrowing down your list of potential financial planners, the next step is to do a background check on the candidates. Get their written consent, and hire a third-party checker to get access to their complete criminal record. Your chosen financial planner will know about all your assets and help you manage them; thus, it’s crucial that you vet their character thoroughly to protect your wealth.

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News

Are Consumers Attracted By Loyalty Programs?

Loyalty programs are everywhere but some are more effective than others. While consumers are very keen to sign up to loyalty offers, they will only actively participate in around half of the ones they sign up to. This shows that many companies are not convincing those customers of the value of their programs or not engaging with them once they have signed up. In some cases, customers just become too familiar with a system to feel the benefit. It is for this reason that many experts are predicting the end of supermarket loyalty cards.

What are loyalty programs?

Loyalty programs are marketing campaigns designed by brands and businesses that offer incentives to encourage customers to start or continue using the services of the company associated with the program. They may also be referred to as reward schemes as they often allow customers to earn rewards by regularly purchasing items of paying for services. A supermarket loyalty card is a good example of a loyalty program.

What are loyalty programs for?

Loyalty programs are about more than just getting the customer to sign-up or to claim a free offer. They are about retaining the customer and building a long-term relationship based on trust. A customer must feel they are getting some kind of value if they are to enter into such a long-term relationship with a brand or business.

First and foremost, customers want to feel that they are saving money or have the possibility to gain some extra value by joining a program. For example, many online casinos gain popularity through their famous loyalty programs which, in the case of Grand Mondial, can actually give clients a chance to become a millionaire by giving free spins on jackpot games such as Mega Moolah.

Your business might not be in a position to offer a multi-million dollar jackpot, so your strategists need to think about what it is their customers are looking for and how they can offer them extra value for their loyalty.

The coffee shop example

Some loyalty programs are simple but effective. Many coffee shops will give customers loyalty cards that get stamped every time they buy a coffee. Once the card is full, they can claim a free cup. This keeps the customer coming in for their coffee and offers them a satisfying reward at the end. As these customers rarely drink alone, there is a high chance they are also bringing friends who also receive a card. This is a great way to build a regular customer base.

Source: Pixabay

Should customers have to work for rewards?

In the coffee example, the customer has to earn the reward over time but as coffee drinking is a regular activity, it does not require much work. However, a customer will decide in seconds if the work required to earn any reward is of value. This can even override any emotional attachment they might have to a certain brand. It is no surprise to find that most customers prefer to save money or be given a reward for doing nothing. So, the nature of the reward will be determined by the type of service your offer.

Customers are still attracted to reward programs but keeping them actively involved is not easy. The trick is to find that sweet spot between giving the customer want they want and pandering to any emotional connection they may have to the brand while making sure that there is a positive financial benefit to the business.

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News Real Estate

Benefits of Real Estate Investments

Nowadays, there are tons of people who invest their wealth in real estate. They aim to let their money work today so that it will increase in the future. Investors say that real estate investment could be beneficial for an additional income stream.

Based on 2019 statistics, the real estate covers 60% of the world’s mainstream properties. It’s a very significant part of the national, corporate, and personal wealth around the world. Nowadays, most real estate investors know how to make money with Airbnb. They let tourists enjoy their apartments while on vacation. It’s a short-term rental business that can bring them additional money.

Most business people will say that real estate investment is like playing monopoly. You have to understand and study the possible risks that you might experience. You also have to buy properties and generate rent to buy even more properties and avoid bankruptcy.

However, keep in mind that this situation is not simple and easy. You have to remind yourself that there is a wide range of inconveniences along the way. You have to be prepared.

Before you invest your wealth in real estate, you need to understand the basics of a real estate investment first. This article is ready to provide you with broad information on how to begin your investment.

What are the Benefits of Investing in Real Estate?

  • Leverage

One of the best benefits of real estate investors is their ability to leverage their capital several times. They can borrow funds from lending companies and use it to invest in a new real estate that will give them a continuous flow of money.

  • Tax Advantages

Real estate investors have tax benefits. Their taxes are lower than employment income because the government considers real estate profits as capital gains. The tax basis of real estate investors decreases with time because of real estate depreciation.

  • Control

Having a real estate investment allows you to enjoy your wealth. You can purchase stocks or mutual funds that will increase its value in the long run. You can also improve your properties with your profits to attract more clients. You can buy laundry machines that are very useful for tourists. If you’re considering investing in real estate, you’ll want to learn more about houses for sale in Florida that will suit your needs and preferences. Discover the benefits of real estate investment and find your ideal Florida property today.

How Can You Invest in Real Estate without Purchasing a Property?

Some people out there also dream of making money out of their apartments. Therefore, they join “home-sharing” websites to start their journey in real estate investment.

If you have an apartment with extra bed space, listing it to a “home-sharing” website is an excellent idea. If you’re living in an apartment that has a $50 rate per day, you can rent your vacant room for tourists and earn more or less $200 per day. With repeated strategies, you’re sure to make quite a bit of money.

There are tons of tourists everywhere. This real estate opportunity is an excellent side hustle that can give you six figures per year. So, why not shape your own Airbnb empire today? You can find out how to make money with Airbnb once you conduct broader research.

You’re sure to find tons of companies that offer expert training and coaching to help you build your rental empire without buying any property. They are willing to give you all the effective strategies to become a successful entrepreneur. This strategy can help you achieve your dream of financial freedom.

Categories
Crypto News

Computer software giant makes trademark infringement claims to eliminate competition in blockchain news space

Computer software heavyweight Oracle Corporation has begun using questionable trademark infringement claims and bully-boy tactics as it seeks to build a presence in the blockchain news market. The company has existed for 40+ years, but only added the word ‘blockchain’ to its trademark in April 2019, yet it has immediately started a campaign to eliminate competition in this niche. Earlier in 2019, online publication CryptoOracle received notification from Oracle Corp that they must cease using the word ‘oracle’ in their brand or face legal consequences on the basis of trademark infringement and a number of other questionable accusations. Now, the same letter has been sent to popular cryptocurrency and blockchain news website OracleTimes, and the demands amount to a systematic dismantling of the smaller company.

In the letter from Oracle Corporation’s legal team, there is reference to ORACLE MAGAZINE, an online publication covering “business analysis, research and information services” as well as “news reporting services”. The claim is that since the company owns the trademark ORACLE®, and has developed “tremendous goodwill” in that brand over its 40+ year history, they have the right to prohibit any other company using the word ‘oracle’ on grounds that customers may be confused and think the other company is affiliated or associated with Oracle Corporation.

In terms of the case against OracleTimes, the accusation is that since the word ‘times’ is a common suffix for news publications, the dominant element of the name is ‘Oracle’, and this amounts to dilution of the corporation’s brand and something akin to ‘piggybacking’ on their success and reputation. And, if you look at the situation without putting any context to it, you’d be forgiven for thinking they have a point. If the main word in the company name is ‘Oracle’, followed by a common news-related suffix, the reader may be inclined to think they are looking at a website that delivers news about Oracle Corporation. But this point of view is extremely myopic and, more importantly, does no harm to the Oracle Corporation brand in any way. Here’s why:

First of all, the word ‘oracle’ refers to an idea that has existed for millennia. In ancient mythology, and oracle is a being with incredible wisdom and authority, often associated with divine knowledge of the future. As an online publication for up-to-the-minute news relating to cryptocurrency and blockchain, OracleTimes exists to provide the authority and wisdom that those ancient oracles were revered for. By having a finger on the pulse of every new development in the niche, OracleTimes answers every question a visitor may have about the state of the market and the progress of the technologies and can make informed, accurate predictions about things that will happen in the future. In this sense, the use of the word ‘oracle’ in the company name is intrinsically linked with the traditional definition of the word, with absolutely no intention of feeding off the reputation of an established multinational corporation.

But though this definition of the word is pertinent to its use in the brand name ‘OracleTimes’, the connection is even more industry-specific. ‘Oracles’ are an important part of how blockchain technology – the very thing that OracleTimes is all about – functions. They are one of the key innovations and are as legendary to blockchain users as the ancient oracles were to the people who went to them for answers.

In principle, they are the same: in the ancient stories, people lacked the important information they needed to make decisions and turned to their oracles for access to knowledge that was beyond their ability to understand. Similarly, blockchains are unable to access information from outside the chain – information that they need to validate the conditions upon which smart contract are based. Simply put, an oracle is something that enables blockchains to access critical information from outside platforms that they would otherwise have no access to. Oracles are an integral part of blockchain technology, and their function is similar to the role the ancient mythological oracles played for people.

With that in mind, the use of the word ‘oracle’ in OracleTimes is entirely justified and completely unrelated to Oracle Corporation in any way. The multinational corporation owns its space, and has worked hard to establish its reputation under that brand and trademark over decades – that is not up for debate. But to claim ownership over a word that is associated with so many different things, and a concept that has existed for thousands of years is a highly questionable position to take.

Another issue that arises from the letter sent by Oracle Corporation is its claim that OracleTimes offers “identical or highly similar services to those covered by Oracle’s marks”. OracleTimes has existed since 2016, and in less than 4 years it has grown to become one of the prominent names in cryptocurrency and blockchain news/information. Oracle Corporation only incorporated blockchain into its trademark in April 2019 and has published very little about it on the ORACLE MAGAZINE publication. This is because ORACLE MAGAZINE reports on the full range of software services offered by Oracle Corporation, mainly covering their own software and offering information and guides about that.

Conversely, OracleTimes does not create any technology in its own right and is focused entirely on the cryptocurrency and blockchain news niche. This has been the sole focus throughout the 3+ year history of the publication, and every element of the website involves some reference to a component of cryptocurrencies and blockchains. You will not find a single piece of information on the website that isn’t related to this specific niche, which is vastly different to what you see when you look at ORACLE MAGAZINE.

The differences don’t stop there, however. When you look at the URLs of the publications, Oracle Corporation makes it very clear who owns theirs since it is an extension of the oracle.com website. OracleTimes has its own URL that in no way suggests it is a part of the corporation. Indeed, a simple Google search for ‘Oracle Magazine’ yields various other publications that use that word, covering various industries and niches. When you visit the OracleTimes website, it has its own highly distinctive branding that doesn’t resemble that of Oracle Corporation. The logos are not similar, the colour schemes are different, and the structures of the websites are very distinct from one another.

In short, there is no way that a visitor could believe they are viewing something related to Oracle corporation when they visit oracletimes.com. At worst, they might see the name and click on it, believing they are visiting something connected to Oracle Corporation, then immediately realise the two aren’t related when they see the website. This does no damage to the business of Oracle Corporation, and certainly doesn’t dilute their brand in any way. Nor does it help the business of OracleTimes, whose content is very niche and completely unrelated to the work done by the good people at Oracle Corporation.

The Head of Publishing at OracleTimes commented on the issue, stating that “Oracle Corp is claiming that the word belongs to them” and that “despite us operating years in publishing blockchain news they give us a deadline of 15 days to cease our entire business”. He feels that the worst part of it is that it threatens to put “our writers and employees out of business”. His statement includes a confirmation that OracleTimes intend to “fight CMS Cameron McKenna and Oracle Corporation, and have allocated some of the most prestigious lawyersto hopefully come to an arrangement.” The aim is for the two companies to continue to coexist “without the destruction of a trustworthy news source in the blockchain community”.

It is clear that there is a defiant mood at OracleTimes, where a company will be fighting for its existence against a corporation that is exploiting its status to eliminate competition. The mood has been similar over at CryptoOracle, where the legal battle has escalated into an attempt by Oracle Corp to sue for a number of trademark-related infractions. The defence relating to the existence of oracles in real-life examples of blockchain projects could prove problematic for Oracle Corp in its attempts to eliminate these smaller companies from the competitive space. There has even been an anecdotal suggestion that by entering the blockchain space, they should not be allowed to operate under the name ‘Oracle’ since that name already exists in blockchain structures.

Of course, history is full of stories of huge multinational corporations and conglomerates eliminating smaller competitors. In 2012, large telecom companies like Time Warner Cable and AT&T took part in a large-scale lobbying campaign to block communities from building their own cheaper networks, as this would have forced them to lower their own prices and become more innovative to stay competitive. Similarly, Wal-Mart and Costco have consistently supported higher minimum wages to put smaller shops, who can’t afford to pay their staff at those higher rates, out of business. The legal teams that represent these corporations find ways to make it appear that the big, powerful organisation is in the right, but the reality is that they are simply wiping out their competition and monopolising the markets.

These types of actions by large corporations are happening all the time in virtually every country in the world, and they are the dominant forces that hide behind the illusion of a free market. The good news is that the smaller companies can sometimes win, making a dent in the ever-increasing stranglehold a few big names have on their respective markets. Oracle Corporation is not a blockchain news publication – publishing articles that relate to blockchain is just a minor part of the work they do. They have allowed Oracletimes to continue trading without any trouble for nearly 4 years, so why are they now deciding to take this legal action against them? The answer is simple: because now, they have decided that they want to make blockchain a bigger part of what they do, and they want minimal competition as they enter the space.

The legal challenges have all come about in the time since blockchain became a part of their trademark in April 2019. And they have come thick and fast. It is to the credit of these smaller organisations that they are standing their ground and fighting back. If Oracle Corp is successful in eliminating any of these publications on the grounds of trademark infringement, it sets a very worrying precedent for the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain. With oracles being such an integral part of the technology, and so many companies using that name in their branding, if the courts rule in favour of Oracle Corp then the entire industry could suffer.

Rest assured there will be a significant defence against the allegations, and the progress of the disputes will be worth following. There is a history of companies trying and failing to claim ownership of commonly-used words, so this is certainly a battle worth fighting for OracleTimes, CryptoOracle and any other company that Oracle Corp attempts to eliminate in this way. The world of cryptocurrencies has been met with hostility from a number of authorities and organisations; it’s not something the establishment wants to succeed, despite the fact that the blockchain technology behind it is being so widely adopted. This could be viewed as another battle to protect the freedom and legitimacy of the cryptocurrency world, so keep an eye on events as they unfold.

OracleTimes company info

OracleTimes is a website publication that broadcasts cryptocurrency and blockchain news in real-time. It brings analytical commentary to major events in the economical and political landscape regarding financial markets, exchange rates and stock exchange quotations. They are a Google News Approved website specialising in the latest cryptocurrency and blockchain news.

Categories
News

What are the Benefits of Final Expense Insurance?

Only 59 percent possess some form of life insurance in the United States. While there are no definite reasons for it, people usually do not buy life insurance because of price, demands, and distrust of insurance companies.

However, not getting insurance, especially final expense insurance services, might cost you in the long run. The risk may include massive healthcare expenses, which could lead to mounting debt and strain in household finances.

Opting for final expense insurance services will help keep medical costs and other end-of-life expenses like cremation, burial, and caskets to a minimum. Generally, final expense insurance is permanent life insurance, which does not expire and stays in force for as long as the premiums get compensated.

In other words, the policy will be in effect until the individual passes away, and his selected beneficiaries will receive the death benefit. Dissimilar to traditional life insurance, the final expense will only require individuals to answer a few questions to help set the cost of their policies.

While the final expense insurance is meant to be utilized as burial insurance for funeral expenses, the beneficiary can use the death benefit for whatever he wishes. Some recipients choose to use it on a mortgage, everyday living, and college.

The average cost of a final expense insurance policy is estimated at USD 50 per month, and the most outstanding face amount purchased is USD 10,000. Nonetheless, the specific premium you will receive differs depending on your gender, health, face amount, and age.

What are the Types of Final Expense Insurance?

Final expense insurance policies are classified into two types, particularly guaranteed issue, and simplified issue life insurances.

  • Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance

Guaranteed life insurance is whole life insurance designed for individuals who cannot qualify for a traditional life insurance policy. It does not involve any health questions or medical examinations and is considered as the most accommodating form of life insurance.

Usually, financial companies like Funeral Wise will only require the applicant to submit a basic application form and fill up details like name, address, age, and beneficiaries. The coverage amount for a guaranteed issue life insurance has a maximum limit of about USD 25,000.

  • Simplified Issue Life Insurance

Simplified issue life insurance is for individuals who may not qualify for underwritten life insurance policies but are referred only as moderate risk. No medical exams are involved, but you will be required to answer a comprehensive medical questionnaire.

Individuals who can get approval will be able to receive around USD 50,000 of coverage, which will be paid to beneficiaries to settle any debts. They also do not have a cash value component, which makes it simpler than buying regular life insurance.

What Final Expense Insurance Service Suits Me Best?

Before deciding on final expense insurance, make sure to consider your preferences when it comes to coverage types, terms, and the coverage amount. While whole life policies do not expire, some may only be acquired to a certain age.

So, it is essential to do your research and set your policy needs to trim down your choices. Ensure that you are picking the best value for your budget.

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