Sunday, August 21, 2016

Extra Money...just in case!

There really are legitimate ways to make money. The possibilities are as far reaching as one's imagination...literally!

Here are some clever ways to make extra money. My favorite is renting your friendship, and they say money can't buy friends!

As far-fetched as it sounds, I think this 'be my friend' thing is a goldmine! Oh please be my friend on Facebook!

I'm just saying...

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Investing Worth $1 For One Month

Although I am ready to retire in a few years, I have this itch to invest in the stock market. I guess it's like the itch the compulsive gambler gets when he thinks he's got a winner but ends up losing. With the Brexit thingy, everybody expected the worst with stocks and investments and feared that their 401Ks and other retirement investments would see a BIG lost. At first, their fears were realized, while my opportunistic sense for profits was in high gear!

Well, it seems that stocks are rebounding rather nicely on this side of the pond. I was looking forward to buying some winning stocks that were sure to rebound. Most stocks seem to have lost a little while others gained a lot!

Yes, Brexit will affect stocks on their side of the pond for awhile, but it will balance itself out. I am European and realize that European stocks and bonds may have to wait for a couple of years more to give you a good return. Britain was smart, and people fail to realize that Britain never made the Euro its official currency. Rather it decided to keep the Pound as its currency. Now with other countries wanting to exit the EU, it may just create turmoil because they converted their currency to the Euro. So I see a problem if others choose to exit for maybe 3-5 years.

For those of us who look for great investing advice cheap, check out Zacks. This site offers the use of all its premium services for a month for just $1. After that period you can leave, or sign up for various services that can run from $5 a month all the way to over $1000 a year. This service has been extremely informative and my month will end in a couple of weeks. I will sign up for one of their services, I can guarantee that.

Why do I like this site for investing? They break the stocks down from Strong Buy to Strong Sells. They have stocks under $10 that so far perform fairly well. They analyze your Portfolio(s), real or just for research. They give much analysis and strategies that are easy for even the novice to understand.

Now as with anything, there are risks involved with any investment, and I have been ill-advised about one investment, but Zacks more than redeemed themselves since then.

Monday, June 20, 2016

The Gifts Of Stocks!

Please note:
Since I wrote this SparkGift has been acquired by Stockpile. Stockpile doesn't have the flexibility of buying stocks like SparkGift. I had to sell my stocks to get my money, and I was actually making a profit. With Stockpile you are also limited to the stocks that you can buy. I'm not a member.

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When it comes to Christmas, birthdays, special occasions, weddings, etc., my gifts are cash, gift cards or lottery scratch-offs. I never had a knack for buying the right gift. Now, for the most part, I will continue to give these as gifts, but there may be a better gift buying that can be considered an investment.

I found a perfect site to give the gifts of stocks and mutual funds to loved ones or even yourself. What makes it great is that you can buy stocks or funds for as little as $20. The fee is a mere $2.95+3%. The great thing is that you use a credit card and your gift gets sent in an email with instructions on how to claim their gift.

The great thing is that unlike sites where you have to buy a whole share, your investment buys fractions of shares. An example is if you invest $50 and a stock costs $100, you get .5% of a share. If you're like me, this is a great way to build a portfolio on the cheap!

SparkGift is a site that is practically addicting to me when it comes to buying stock for loved ones and myself. Imagine how much easier it is to invest for your children. The beauty is that you can buy shares of the stocks and funds that they suggest, that are sure winners but a bit expensive, or you can buy whatever you want from stocks and funds.

Monday, June 6, 2016

The One I Got Right

Perhaps you missed my last entry, but just so you know, Exelixis is flying high. I've been following this stock for the past three years, and I've seen extreme lows but some extreme highs like the past couple of months. I've lost a significant amount, but now it has more than made back my loss.

What caught my eye and drew me to this company? Look at the description...
Exelixis, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in developing small molecule therapies for the treatment of cancer. It focuses on the development and commercialization of cabozantinib, an inhibitor of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases, in various tumor indications. Cabozantinib is indicated for the treatment of progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer, and is sold under the brand name COMETRIQ. It is evaluating Cabozantinib in a development program, which consists of over 45 clinical trials, across multiple indications, including pivotal studies in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its other products are Cobimetinib and XL888. Cobimetinib is a potent, selective inhibitor of MEK, a kinase that is a component of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. XL888 is a small molecule oral inhibitor of Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90), a molecular chaperone protein that affects the activity and stability of a range of regulatory proteins.

Cancer treatments are the future with the aging baby boomers and other generations where cancer will still exist. I'll admit pharmaceuticals are risky since some other company may come up with a generic version. They are a roller coaster ride, so not for the weak hearted.

At one time, all the analysists said don't buy this stock or sell the stock if you have it. Look what they are saying now, here, here and here. Financial advisors might laugh at my layman's assessment. I'm just in shock and awe how this stock is currently flying high!


Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Weird Scenes Inside The Gold Mine

Stocks are not for the weak-hearted. The ups and downs on a scale resemble that of a person having a heart attack. Stocks are ever changeable, and weak-hearted individuals may  not be able to endure the battle to win the war.

I have been focusing on pharmaceuticals, which some advisors view as risky and fly by night. When Pfizer came out with Viagara, for example, it's stock price was at an all-time high. Today it is average and a risky investment long term.

When it comes to pharm-stock, I find you should strap yourself in for the ride, buy low and sell high, research the uses  of the product and make sure the target audience is dominant in it's a miracle cure for that audience.

Think senior health with baby-boomers aging and needing life-saving drugs. With senior, drugs need to fight cancer and boost immunity.

I came across Exelixis purely by accident. It was under $4 and into cancer research. I bought my shares and went on a wild roller coaster ride that would see me taking heavy monetary hits. At one point it was below $2 and all analysists pointed to not buying and selling. I didn't listen.

Today the stock is over $6. I realize that I am still in for a bumpy ride, but today I am far out of the red with this stock. This stock has now become a must buy, and even skeptics realize it's potential. I've seen my portfolio skyrocket in the past couple of weeks!~

Friday, April 29, 2016

Best INTEREST Banking

Back in the day, banks would pay out up to 5% APR on all savings accounts. Today some people are happy just to save money with a .08% APR return, because they feel that is the best they can do. Well, I know a few online banks that pay at least 1.0%!


I use 3 online banks for savings and emergencies. GE Capital became GS Bank and pays 1.05% APR. That is a great rate for an interest earning saving account. A bit of advice is to avoid CDs no matter how tempting. You're locked in and there are penalties for early withdraw, not only from the bank, but on your federal returns. Keep that in mind.


Saving money isn't always easy, but being an ant instead of a grasshopper will prepare you for anything that comes your way. Seeing a possible emergency coming may help you put extra money aside. This may very well be the theme of a frugal penny pincher.  Smile, you're on Candid Camera! Google CC.


If you want just a little bit more than GS Bank then you should check out Barclays. It not only pays 1.05% APY, but rewards you with extra credit for not withdrawing and depositing.


So is there possibly a better rate to help you save and earn interest? How does 1.10% sound? Check out Salem Five Direct. The .25% APY on the checking account!


In the GS Bank, I deposit as a weekly overdraft protection. If my paycheck doesn't cover expenses at some point, I withdraw from this account.


The Barclays is a long term savings for retirement account that will yield a high interest return. The Salem Five is for an emergency fund.  Some would say, "Wouldn't you want Barclays as an emergency fund?" An emergency fund might be short term, but more than likely will be longer than projected. Eventually, a non spent SalemFive may earn more than a Barclays!


Now if you are saving it implies that you are not living paycheck to paycheck. This really will not make any sense to those who do. Saving is a form of investing that has a guaranteed return.


As always, be sure to read all agreements before signing on. Is there a minimum deposit on high interest accounts? What is my rate? Read and understand what you are getting into for the most part!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Birthday Freebies

There are many freebies to be had on your birthday. By not using them, is like  turning down free money. Some may not be available in your area, others may not be your cup of tea, but regardless even one birthday money saver is worth it.

Here's a Google Search, to start. Denny's is still giving a free Grand Slam with just a proof of birth. Some sites you have to register and copy a birthday coupon that comes in your email. Either way, the freebies are great.

I also found local freebies from food to booze. The booze was a 2 liter boot of beer! That's over 2 quarts of beer!I couldn't finish the whole thing without a designated driver!