Former Broker: I think your comment is extremely one sided.
Options may not be for everyone, but anyone who trades stocks would be well served to learn how options work and the basics behind them. They are really just another tool that can be used to express a sentiment about a company/stock.
And of course brokers make money off each option trade! They’re a business and their goal is to perform a service and attempt to turn a profit while doing it.
Options can be used responsible and irresponsibly—just like anything else. But the goal of the article was to show stock investors how they can use options not to gamble but to execute a trade that takes advantage of some of the benefits of options.
As for index funds, I’m a huge fan. I think index funds are a good fit for some investors, especially when it comes to long-term investing in a Roth IRA or 401(k). But I think that scaring people away from learning about options is a disservice to them. Learning about them makes for a more well rounded, prepared investor.
I agree with one of the comments, definitely become part of a Hotel's Loyalty program, and once you are a member, never hesitate to ask for an upgrade, such as to the concierge level, where a free continental breakfast is usually provided and other small perks.
Also, it never hurts to put in your comments that you are traveling for a reason, such as your birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc...These sort of comments usually result in a small gesture such as an upgraded room type, treats from room service, etc... All of the hotel chains focus on guest experiences, and 9 times out of 10 a hotel will help you celebrate whatever reason you are traveling.
If you are a frequent traveler to a hotel, get to know the staff! You will always be taken care of if you have a good relationship with the hotel staff, especially the front desk.
Thanks for your article. I've done these things as well:
I don't even look at the hotel phone anymore. I simply use my cell.
As you mentioned, the mini-bar is off limits. I've been told that most in-room refrigerators have sensors and if moved, you are billed.
Room service is another rip-off. My wife and I bring our own snacks, beer and wine. What some hotels charge for a single beer, I can get a 6 or even 12 pack of.
RE_priceline and orbitz..I don't use them personally, as I prefer to deal with the hotel directly. I have friends and family that have had both good and bad experences with them.
When I started my job, it was great but soon found out that looks can be deceiving. The company won't allot time enough to get anything done, there are so many policies in place that the job can be done as efficiently as pigs fly, and the new manager is such a type A nervous wreck she can't function (and she had the nerve to say that I seem stressed over the number of customers I provide customer servbice to). I sort of feel sorry for her as she MUST be overwhelmed with her hands tied and so much work to get done...for only about 5 seconds since she treated me like crap when I asked her why I was getting the COLD SHOULDER.
After reading the 10 reasons to stay VS. the 10 reasons that I KNOW my jobs sucks, I have to say that MY JOB, MY CO-WORKERS, and MY MANAGER SUCK and I want out. Now how do I get them to fire me without making myself look really bad to future employers? LOL
If there's a job I need a repair shop to do, I also prefer to buy the parts myself from somewhere like Auto Zone and bring the parts to the repair shop. I save a lot of money by doing that since I bypass their markups.
Mogi is easy and ready to take your order for extended insurance against auto parts mishaps but since I no longer need the service (bought a new car and cancelled the service) they are impossible to contact for a refund.
Willie Boy,
Esters can be cut out by watching the power you distill and keeping a close eye on your cuts. You can smell them when you pull it off the still. Try an experiment. When you are distilling, cut your heads and save for the next batch. From there on out, save about half a liter in each glass jar. Line them up and compare. They will get cloudy as you go along. Use room temp, distilled water and see if it helps. Esters, will dissolve in alcohol, a strong chemical. But when you lower the alcohol content with water, it no long can suspend the esters. It is worth the effort to get rid of the esters. They are the things that help cause hangovers, but also give it flavour. I like mine clear, clean and almost tasteless. It will not 'hurt' the alcohol. So you wont have to worry too much.
I especially enjoy the tip about selling your stuff. In addition to getting some extra cash, it helps you to relieve yourself of unnecessary objects that you would no longer have to maintain, or worry about. Just don't go replacing them with other unnecessary objects that you would have to maintain and worry about.
How did the tenth man aquire his wealth in the first place? That's the base of the problem. Did he sell products made in a third world country? Did he pay his employees a fair rate? In almost every situation, the things that seem the easiest or have the best monetary faith are not benifitial to society long term.
@Heather mentioned the Carter's PJ's...Absolutely. I have shopped at Costco and picked those up for my kids, and then happened to see the same thing at a regular store for like twice the amount. Girls' clothes tend to be a great deal, not so much for boys'. I have gotten a ton of cute stuff for my daughter there, including Hanna Andersen dresses and at least one Easter outfit.
Also, another thing Costco does is keep me out of stores. Target tends to separate me and my money pretty easily: I can buy diapers there for about the same as I get them at Costco, but if buying the massive 200-diaper pack (or paper products, or shampoo) keeps me out of Target because I'm not running out every two seconds, I end up saving money in the long run because I'm not tempted by all the other stuff.
I agree completely. There are numerous lawsuits out there for what I believe to be just sloppy research and fact-checking, but these ETF companies have to defend them nonetheless. Admittedly, I came up with some whacky leveraged ETF/option combo model years ago and I thought I had a sure thing, only to find out months later about the value decay that occurs. I just didn't spend the time to read the fine print - or articles like this :>
Good article. If investors aren't doing their homework and blindly investing in ETFs, it really isn't the ETF's fault for not meeting those expectations. If you're an investor, your money is your lifeblood. Do it the courtesy of understanding the risk you're putting it in.
I love shopping online. I became hooked 9 years ago when I blew out my knee and couldn't walk very well. I sat there on Amazon and bought for all my kids in one night. I felt so accomplished!
I better get to work on this now that I think about it!
Retailmenot.com is one of my favorite coupon web sites. For printable coupons like grocery I use Coupons.com. I also like the site 9malls.com for hand picked coupons, also have a good coupon newsletter. Early this December Australian owned Retailmenot was actually sold.
Its a shame that manufacturers try to get you to use more of their product than what is necessary, or even beneficial. It is all just a game to make them more money. They don't make products to make your life easier, or comfortable. They do it to make money. It is an unfortunate aspect of capitalism. Money should be a means to an end, not an end in itself.
Zorcy,
A lot of people on here have came up with the same problem, their moonshine turning cloudy or hazy after being cut with water. Been reading up on Scotch whiskey. Google "chill-filtering", and check it out. Apparently the haze is a common effect, depending on your recipe; the way to eliminate it is to chill your whiskey to a sub-zero temperature, (it won't freeze) and then filter it through coffee-filters and charcoal. There's some molecular things called esters that cause the cloudy effect; they can be filtered out below the freezing point of water. Sounds a bit of a laborious process, admittedly, and the jury is still out on whether or not it improves or actually detracts from the flavour.
Former Broker: I think your comment is extremely one sided.
Options may not be for everyone, but anyone who trades stocks would be well served to learn how options work and the basics behind them. They are really just another tool that can be used to express a sentiment about a company/stock.
And of course brokers make money off each option trade! They’re a business and their goal is to perform a service and attempt to turn a profit while doing it.
Options can be used responsible and irresponsibly—just like anything else. But the goal of the article was to show stock investors how they can use options not to gamble but to execute a trade that takes advantage of some of the benefits of options.
As for index funds, I’m a huge fan. I think index funds are a good fit for some investors, especially when it comes to long-term investing in a Roth IRA or 401(k). But I think that scaring people away from learning about options is a disservice to them. Learning about them makes for a more well rounded, prepared investor.
At OptionsHouse, we make every effort to educate our customers on potentially risky investments like triple-leveraged ETFs and how to manage some options-trading risks.
I agree with one of the comments, definitely become part of a Hotel's Loyalty program, and once you are a member, never hesitate to ask for an upgrade, such as to the concierge level, where a free continental breakfast is usually provided and other small perks.
Also, it never hurts to put in your comments that you are traveling for a reason, such as your birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc...These sort of comments usually result in a small gesture such as an upgraded room type, treats from room service, etc... All of the hotel chains focus on guest experiences, and 9 times out of 10 a hotel will help you celebrate whatever reason you are traveling.
If you are a frequent traveler to a hotel, get to know the staff! You will always be taken care of if you have a good relationship with the hotel staff, especially the front desk.
Thanks for your article. I've done these things as well:
I don't even look at the hotel phone anymore. I simply use my cell.
As you mentioned, the mini-bar is off limits. I've been told that most in-room refrigerators have sensors and if moved, you are billed.
Room service is another rip-off. My wife and I bring our own snacks, beer and wine. What some hotels charge for a single beer, I can get a 6 or even 12 pack of.
RE_priceline and orbitz..I don't use them personally, as I prefer to deal with the hotel directly. I have friends and family that have had both good and bad experences with them.
When I started my job, it was great but soon found out that looks can be deceiving. The company won't allot time enough to get anything done, there are so many policies in place that the job can be done as efficiently as pigs fly, and the new manager is such a type A nervous wreck she can't function (and she had the nerve to say that I seem stressed over the number of customers I provide customer servbice to). I sort of feel sorry for her as she MUST be overwhelmed with her hands tied and so much work to get done...for only about 5 seconds since she treated me like crap when I asked her why I was getting the COLD SHOULDER.
After reading the 10 reasons to stay VS. the 10 reasons that I KNOW my jobs sucks, I have to say that MY JOB, MY CO-WORKERS, and MY MANAGER SUCK and I want out. Now how do I get them to fire me without making myself look really bad to future employers? LOL
If there's a job I need a repair shop to do, I also prefer to buy the parts myself from somewhere like Auto Zone and bring the parts to the repair shop. I save a lot of money by doing that since I bypass their markups.
Paul, very helpful. Thank you!
Mogi is easy and ready to take your order for extended insurance against auto parts mishaps but since I no longer need the service (bought a new car and cancelled the service) they are impossible to contact for a refund.
Willie Boy,
Esters can be cut out by watching the power you distill and keeping a close eye on your cuts. You can smell them when you pull it off the still. Try an experiment. When you are distilling, cut your heads and save for the next batch. From there on out, save about half a liter in each glass jar. Line them up and compare. They will get cloudy as you go along. Use room temp, distilled water and see if it helps. Esters, will dissolve in alcohol, a strong chemical. But when you lower the alcohol content with water, it no long can suspend the esters. It is worth the effort to get rid of the esters. They are the things that help cause hangovers, but also give it flavour. I like mine clear, clean and almost tasteless. It will not 'hurt' the alcohol. So you wont have to worry too much.
Toothpaste DOES NOT work.
It screwed up my CD to the point where its now unplayable.
Oh well... guess I have to fork out another $50...
I especially enjoy the tip about selling your stuff. In addition to getting some extra cash, it helps you to relieve yourself of unnecessary objects that you would no longer have to maintain, or worry about. Just don't go replacing them with other unnecessary objects that you would have to maintain and worry about.
Our family purchases over the counter medications at a significant discount!
How did the tenth man aquire his wealth in the first place? That's the base of the problem. Did he sell products made in a third world country? Did he pay his employees a fair rate? In almost every situation, the things that seem the easiest or have the best monetary faith are not benifitial to society long term.
@Heather mentioned the Carter's PJ's...Absolutely. I have shopped at Costco and picked those up for my kids, and then happened to see the same thing at a regular store for like twice the amount. Girls' clothes tend to be a great deal, not so much for boys'. I have gotten a ton of cute stuff for my daughter there, including Hanna Andersen dresses and at least one Easter outfit.
Also, another thing Costco does is keep me out of stores. Target tends to separate me and my money pretty easily: I can buy diapers there for about the same as I get them at Costco, but if buying the massive 200-diaper pack (or paper products, or shampoo) keeps me out of Target because I'm not running out every two seconds, I end up saving money in the long run because I'm not tempted by all the other stuff.
I agree completely. There are numerous lawsuits out there for what I believe to be just sloppy research and fact-checking, but these ETF companies have to defend them nonetheless. Admittedly, I came up with some whacky leveraged ETF/option combo model years ago and I thought I had a sure thing, only to find out months later about the value decay that occurs. I just didn't spend the time to read the fine print - or articles like this :>
I had the same thing happening to me, i received a card from Academy Bank.
I did not call them yet
Good article. If investors aren't doing their homework and blindly investing in ETFs, it really isn't the ETF's fault for not meeting those expectations. If you're an investor, your money is your lifeblood. Do it the courtesy of understanding the risk you're putting it in.
I'm happy to be here! Now get back to work...wait, I meant to say "Thanks for the warm welcome."
Thanks, Will! Let me know if you need me to send you any recipes. :)
I love shopping online. I became hooked 9 years ago when I blew out my knee and couldn't walk very well. I sat there on Amazon and bought for all my kids in one night. I felt so accomplished!
I better get to work on this now that I think about it!
Retailmenot.com is one of my favorite coupon web sites. For printable coupons like grocery I use Coupons.com. I also like the site 9malls.com for hand picked coupons, also have a good coupon newsletter. Early this December Australian owned Retailmenot was actually sold.
I can't really speak on behalf of all Luddites, but personally I'm very pleased to accept direct deposit.
I only write cheques to pay Luddites and the elderly.
Creating ambiance with lights is a great idea. Instead of red a my color, I like to use black, white, and silver - it adds a little shimmer.
Thanks for the tips!
Its a shame that manufacturers try to get you to use more of their product than what is necessary, or even beneficial. It is all just a game to make them more money. They don't make products to make your life easier, or comfortable. They do it to make money. It is an unfortunate aspect of capitalism. Money should be a means to an end, not an end in itself.
Zorcy,
A lot of people on here have came up with the same problem, their moonshine turning cloudy or hazy after being cut with water. Been reading up on Scotch whiskey. Google "chill-filtering", and check it out. Apparently the haze is a common effect, depending on your recipe; the way to eliminate it is to chill your whiskey to a sub-zero temperature, (it won't freeze) and then filter it through coffee-filters and charcoal. There's some molecular things called esters that cause the cloudy effect; they can be filtered out below the freezing point of water. Sounds a bit of a laborious process, admittedly, and the jury is still out on whether or not it improves or actually detracts from the flavour.