Here’s what you need to know about speed networking, a list of questions to ask, and advice on successfully participating in speed networking events. What is Speed Networking? Speed networking is a structured process for facilitating introductions and conversations between people who don’t know each other. The speed networking model is often employed at events for college alumni groups, chamber of commerce groups, professional organizations, and at business events and college or corporate orientations, to foster relationship development among participants....

The vast majority of stockbrokers are not licensed to deal in commodities, so it is likely you will have to find a broker that specializes in commodities futures and options. Local Commodity Brokers The first place to start is on the Internet to locate a local broker, but that is not necessary since communication over long distance is easy these days. Some commodity traders desire the personal attention of having a local commodity broker, but finding the broker that suits your needs is a personal affair....

The average rate for a 30-year conventional fixed mortgage fell to 5.83% from 6.03% the previous business day. The 15-year rate also moved down to 4.89% from 5.07% the previous business day. Our mortgage rate data goes back to 2020, but if other measures are any indication, both rates are near their highest levels in over a decade. Fixed mortgage rates tend to track the direction of 10-year Treasury yields, which usually rise with heightened inflation fears (and fall when those fears subside)....

Emerging markets used to be a somewhat obscure niche of the international investing world. These rapidly developing countries play an increasingly important role in the global economic system. In fact, more than half of global economic growth is now driven by emerging markets. The BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) nations alone account for roughly 30% of production globally. These countries have offered some spectacular returns over time. Other emerging markets are Mexico, South Korea, Colombia, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, and South Africa....

By using the lenders for their regulation, Congress was able to bypass a myriad of state laws and differing statutes relating to real estate transactions across the country. Lenders must abide by RESPA, and this effectively allows the control of the settlement process through them. The basic coverage of RESPA is “any federally related mortgage loan.” As most residential loans end up federally related in some way through federal loan guarantees and mortgage funding consolidation, RESPA covers the vast majority of real estate transactions....

Trickle-down economics assumes that investors, savers, and company owners are the real drivers of growth. It expects these entities will use any extra cash from tax cuts to expand businesses. Investors will buy more companies or stocks. Banks will increase lending. Owners will invest in their operations and hire workers. All of this expansion will trickle down to workers. They will spend their wages to drive demand and economic growth....

The answer is: A little of both, but it’s less complicated than it may seem at first. A few basic facts will help you understand tracking stocks and how they could fit into your portfolio. They may be less common today than they were in 1999, but it’s still worth learning about these securities. Defining Tracking Stocks Simply defined, a tracking stock is a special type of stock issued by a company to represent a particular division or segment of the business....

While the most common method is through exchange rates, the truth is you need to be familiar with all three in order to make educated guesses about where the dollar might be headed next. Exchange Rates The dollar exchange rate compares its value to the currencies of other countries. It allows you to determine how much of a particular currency you can exchange for a dollar. The most popular exchange rate measurement is the U....

The war killed 58,220 American soldiers and wounded 153,303 more. Another 1,643 were missing in action. North Vietnam lost 1.1 million soldiers, while 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died. Both sides lost more than 2 million civilians. Vietnam was the most heavily bombed country in history. More than 6.1 million tons of bombs were dropped, compared to 2.1 million tons in World War II. U.S. planes dumped 20 million gallons of herbicides to defoliate Viet Cong hiding places....

Student Loan Consolidation You may want to consider student loan consolidation, since this process can lower your monthly payments and lock in a low interest rate. It is important to realize that consolidation can extend the life of your loan and greatly increase the amount of interest you pay. If you do consolidate, you may consider paying the loans back at a quicker rate once you are in a better financial situation....

Where Western Union Shines Western Union is best for quickly sending money to people you know and trust. You can take cash to a Western Union representative, enter bank or credit card information online, or handle everything by phone. One-Off Transactions If you need to send funds to somebody, and you can’t wait several days for funds to move through the banking system, Western Union can get the job done quickly....

Growth Stocks Value Stocks Value stocks tend to be more established companies that have shown steady earnings growth but less steep growth through the years and make consistent dividend payments. They are relatively less risky (and more fairly priced) than growth stocks. Value stocks tend to appeal to buyers who want a steady cash flow and moderate growth over the long term. Examples include Coca-Cola (K) and Verizon (VZ). Example of a Blend Fund The T....

With a bond fund, you diversify your holdings, and you may be invested in a lot of different types of bonds—government, corporate investment-grade, corporate high-yield, municipals, for example—which minimizes the risk of default wiping out all of your assets. Intermediate-term bond funds are no different and will provide you with diversification within that bond fund class. Maintaining a diversified mix of investments from different asset classes is an important element of any investment plan....

Let’s take a look at origination points, how they work, and how they’re different from discount points. Definition and Examples of Origination Points Originating a loan is a time-intensive process. Banks must create all the paperwork associated with a home loan in addition to pulling your credit score, going over your bank statements, verifying your income and savings, and ensuring you’re creditworthy. They’ll charge you a fee in exchange for all this labor....

In other words, employees do not directly own shares of their company’s stock. Instead, they can receive the difference in the value of an employer’s stock share when it increases. For example, let’s say you were granted stock appreciation rights on 10 shares of your company ABC’s stock, valued at $10 per share. Over time, the share price increases from $10 to $12. This means you’d receive $2 per share since that was the increased value....

You might not have heard of all of these banks, but each example probably plays some part in your everyday life. Different banks specialize in distinct areas, which makes sense—you want your local bank to put everything they can into serving you and your community. Likewise, online banks can do their thing without the overhead of managing multiple branch locations. Types of Banks Some of the most common banks are listed below, but the dividing lines are not always clear....

During the nearly three years she served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit Court in Chicago, Barrett established a decidedly business-friendly track record that has earned the support of pro-growth, free-market proponents eager to limit regulation.  In fact, among her opinions in cases where business interests came into conflict with employees, consumers, or other non-corporate entities, 83% favored the business interests, rivaling Justice Clarence Thomas for the highest pro-business ratio among the current justices, according to an analysis of the past two years by Rocket Lawyer, an online legal service for consumers and small businesses....

Below, we explore funeral laws and typical costs so you can decide on the items and services you want or need. We’ll also explain alternative types of funerals that can honor those who passed away at a more affordable price. Laws About Funeral Expenses Consumers have several protections under the FTC’s “Funeral Rule.” The rule gives you the right to: Pay only for the goods and services you want, need, and select....

On this page, we cover how life insurance works, highlighting some of the most popular riders and benefits available. We also review circumstances that can cause insurers to deny paying a claim. With that information, you can choose the right policy and avoid surprises if you ever need to make a claim. What Does Life Insurance Cover? Life insurance provides money when an insured person dies, although there are limited exceptions....

Applies Only to the Card Expiration dates refer only to the actual cards and not to your credit card account. The terms of your account, including your credit limit and interest rate, remain intact. You’re still responsible for making your monthly minimum payments on time each month until your credit card balance is completely repaid.​ Credit card issuers can change the terms of your account, but significant changes typically require 45 days’ notice and are not tied to your card’s expiration date....