How safe is my money in a brokerage account
How safe is my money in a brokerage account

One of the most commonly asked questions by customers in the field of trade. There are only two possible ways an investor may lose his money when he invests it in a brokerage account. One, if an event such as fraud or bankruptcy occurs at the brokerage firm, and two, through investment losses, which are subjected to market risks but is conveniently under your control, provided you have a discretionary basis account which requires client approval for any trade carried by the broker on behalf of his client.

So other than investment losses, one place where customers fear and feel helpless about is the first mentioned scenario, i.e. in cases of bankruptcy or fraud. And in their defense, considering the recent financial crises in 2008, they have a good reason to be worried. Fortunately for the investors, one could say that an investor’s money in a brokerage account is probably much safer with multiple lines of protection than it is in a bank’s savings account.

When a customer deposits his money in a bank, it is common knowledge that the money is never actually lying idle in a safety deposit box, and the bank has already probably loaned it to another customer. Such loans are a risk to any customer with money in his account. That is exactly why, in such cases of a financial crisis, banks are insured by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which covers losses up to $250,000 per individual.

But in the case of Brokerage accounts, money once deposited, the investor can be sure that his money is truly lying idle under the firm’s safety, thanks to the federal law that requires that the client’s brokerage account be segregated from the firm’s assets. But what in the case of bankruptcy or fraud? And this is where the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) comes in; the SIPC covers losses of up to $500,000 including of up to $250,000 for cash claims. So it is arguably safer to deposit your money in a brokerage account.

  • 5 trusted websites to make money online

    Making money online has never been easier! The ever-expanding online world is swamped with legit opportunities that’ll help add some extra bucks to your bank from the comfort of your home. And, the best part is that you don’t always need to have certain skills or qualifications to earn money. Don’t believe us? We’ve compiled a list of trustworthy websites that can help you make money online. Try them!

    Swagbucks
    If you have a hard time trusting online survey sites, you likely haven’t tried Swagbucks. It is one of the most popular and legitimate websites that will pay you for everything from filling out surveys to watching videos to shopping online. You will receive your earnings in the form of gift cards from top retailers like Amazon and Walmart or cash back from PayPal.

    Upwork
    Interested in taking up some freelance work? Consider creating an account on Upwork. It’s the world’s largest online marketplace to find great clients and grow your independent career. Regardless of what skill you have, be it writing, video editing, software development, graphic designing, or marketing, you can find work in no time.

    ThredUp
    If you’re looking for motivation to clean up your closet, then check out ThredUp. You can sell items you no longer wear or need for cash, such as jeans, shorts, tops, dresses, swimwear, shoes, handbags, and backpacks. Another great thing is that there is no shipping fee for sending them your package. Keep in mind that you will receive the payment only if your items are accepted.

    Gazelle
    Most of us have electronic waste lying around the house. So, why not make some money by selling them out? With Gazelle, you can trade your old Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, iPhone, or any other phone, and even iPads and tablets for money. They will also cover your shipping costs. Gazelle pays via check, or they send you Amazon gift cards. Also, you can request a cash transfer to your PayPal account.

    Skillshare
    As the name suggests, Skillshare is where you share your skills and get paid for them. All you have to do is make quality videos on your topic of interest like crafts, film, fashion, cooking, or anything else you love to do. The platform will then compensate you for every minute of your video watched by their Premium students. The best teachers on Skillshare make more than $100,000 a year.

    Read more
  • Make Your Small Room Capacious With Murphy Beds

    Wondering what Murphy beds are? Have you seen people living in a studio apartment or a one-room kitchen flat? Do you feel congested entering those apartments? If yes, you may ask them to get themselves a Murphy bed.

    Murphy beds are commonly known as wall beds or folding beds. These beds are built across walls and are pivoted at one end. Thus, it can easily be folded whenever not in use. Ideally, it is used in ships, one bedroom apartments, or movable houses. It doesn’t occupy much space and can be folded whenever not in use. This is one of the most compact beds that you can buy if you have a small house and you want to save space.

    Birth of the Murphy Beds

    No doubt, the Murphy beds were named after a person called William Lawrence Murphy, who was living in a studio apartment in San Francisco between the 19th and 20th century. Due to lack of space in his apartment, he invented this bed with a hinge at an end.

    Advantages of Murphy Beds over traditional beds

    Makes your room capacious

    Murphy beds can easily be folded along the wall, allowing more space in the room for other things. It makes your room look bigger and clean. Every night or whenever you wish to lie down, you may open up your bed and when leaving the bed, simply fold it along the wall.

    A comfortable and sound sleep

    There are many other companies making beds that are of the same design. But, when it comes to Murphy beds, the comfort and class are to the next level. Murphy beds are sold by several other reputed furniture companies. You may easily notice the difference between the folding/wall beds from Murphy and other companies. The other specialty of an original Murphy bed is the lifelong guarantee on the product and its durability. So, you need not worry when spending money on this amazing bed because it offers a guarantee with the comfort.

    Adds value and class to your interior

    In case you are planning to shift to a new location, you need not worry. Your Murphy bed can easily be carried from one place to another. But, if you have planned to leave it back in your old house, or wish to sell it, you will be offered an extra price for it. There are 4 very simple reasons for this-
    – The quality of this bed is unbeatable
    – It offers a lifetime guarantee
    – It adds comfort to your life
    – Offers a lavish interior design

    Top 5 stores that sell Murphy Beds

    – Murphy Bed USA Inc in Boca Raton
    – Murphy Wallbed USA in Tulsa
    – Murphy Wall Beds Hardware in Surrey
    – More Space Place Salem in Salem
    – Bredabeds in Nampa

    Buying Murphy Beds online

    Apart from several other sites such as Amazon, Walmart, eBay, you can also pick up your favorite product by visiting the official site of Murphy Bed Depot. Here you’ll get original products at a discounted price during season sales. The site offers easy and secure shipping facility along with installation.

    So, if you are dealing with space shortage at your home and if want to make your bedroom even more commodious, go for it. Murphy Beds are just for you. This helps in utilizing the space created as a living room, office, library, or study room for you.

    Not only this, Murphy Beds are even more comfortable when sleeping. The mattresses used by Murphy Bed Depot are soft and fluffy which offer you a comfortable sleep without hurting your back.
    So, don’t think twice, just log in, make the payment and get your bed in your room. Just place an order and Murphy Bed is all yours.
    Order now and feel like a king/queen at your own place.

    Read more
  • Six remedies to ease your child’s constipation

    Kids have the tendency to chew on anything they can lay their hands on. When your house is baby-friendly, the chances of your child falling sick because of such activities is quite low. Parents are super-sensitive about their child’s well-being and everything related to it. They monitor their day-to-day routine, make sure they eat on time, they have their share of playtime, etc. They even keep a timetable of their child’s vaccination dates. But what can be done when the child becomes prone to illnesses that cannot be protected by merely vaccinating them.
    Constipation is one of the most common ailments that would turn your otherwise smiling kid into an irritable being. Your child might think of constipation or his inability to go to potty as a different kind of stomachache and would tend to ignore it. But being an adult that you are, you can differentiate between a normal stomachache and constipation.

    The child is suffering from constipation when he/she shows the following constipation symptoms- abdominal pain, passing of stools less than thrice a week, experiencing pain while having a bowel movement, passing hard stools, blood on the surface of hard stools, etc. If your child shows any of these constipation systems, do not panic. There are certain remedies that can provide constipation relief. Here are some of the popular and easy ways to get rid of your child’s constipation woes.

    Use of laxative is a common method of treating your child’s constipation. However, you should never think of administering a laxative without consulting a doctor. Chances are high that even a slight miscalculation on your part can cause grave problems for your child

    • You should make your child drink more water. Water would help soften the food that he eats and would keep his digestive tract healthy.
    • Fibrous food would keep constipation at bay. They prevent constipation and have great nutritional value as well. So give your child fresh fruits, vegetables, lentils, nuts, etc.
    • The ginger-root formula is something that majority of moms vouch for. A mixture of ginger root with honey is what would immediately relieve his constipation
    • Soak some raisins in water overnight and give the concoction to your child. Raisins are known to help bowel movements and constipation relief is attained
    • If your child complains of stomach ache, cut down on the dairy products. The high-fat and low-fiber content is the main culprit in making your child feel constipated

    So, the next time your child shows any constipation symptoms, you know what to do! Do not panic or create a ruckus, try these remedies for constipation relief. If it still persists, a visit to the pediatrician won’t hurt.

    Read more
  • What are the treatment options for pancreatitis

    Pancreatitis is a serious health condition in which the pancreas gets inflamed. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on the early signs of pancreatitis. A timely diagnosis will help you recover faster and more efficiently. If you are wondering what could be the early signs of pancreatitis, then here’s a list which can help you identify this condition.

    • Nausea
    • High fever
    • Issues with digestion
    • Abdominal swelling
    • Diarrhea
    • Sudden weight loss
    • Pain in the upper area of the abdomen
    • Loss of appetite

    However, the early signs of pancreatitis mentioned above can vary from person to person. If you observe any of these, ensure that you seek medical assistance instantly.

    Causes of pancreatitis
    The most common cause of pancreatitis is alcohol abuse, but it occurs due to multiple reasons such as

    • Gallstones
    • Specific types of medications
    • Family history
    • Injuries
    • Cystic fibrosis
    • Infections
    • Surgeries in the abdomen

    Treatment options for pancreatitis
    Treatment for both acute and chronic pancreatitis usually includes hospitalization as pancreatic processes need to be safely normalized. The following are some of the commonly used treatment options used to heal the damaged pancreas.

    • Surgery Based on the cause of pancreatitis, doctors may have to opt for surgery to eliminate bile obstructions, infected tissues or gallbladder. To prepare for surgery, an IV (intravenous fluid) tube will be attached to you so that you can receive proper nourishment. As you recover from the surgical treatment, you can gradually go back to consuming a liquid diet and then low-fat foods.
    • Support programs If you happen to be battling with alcohol addiction then your doctor might also encourage you to participate in a program which can address and counsel your dependence. Not just for your health, this can bring about a positive change in your social and personal life a well.
    • Medications If you are dealing with abdominal pain, then your specialist might prescribe you with some painkillers to alleviate the discomfort.
    • Enzyme supplements To enhance your digestive processes, doctors might recommend you enzyme supplements so that the body can break down food and absorb nutrients successfully. These are supposed to be taken every time you have a meal.
    • Lifestyle changes Even if you drink within moderation, after suffering from pancreatitis it is best to cut down on drinking altogether. Ensure that you avoid cigarettes as the smoke settles in the internal organs causing irreversible damage.
    • Dietary changes For treating pancreatitis, you will have to follow a low-fat diet. The idea is to cause minimal or zero strain on the pancreas. You will also have to reinvent your eating habits by consuming small meals throughout the day.
    Read more
  • Custom TV – best picture quality and maximum value for money

    In the latest battle of the TVs in the acronym space, there are two major players: OLED and LCD. There are striking similarities in the two screen features, but there exists a difference in quality that sets them apart. On the arrival of OLED into the market, there was a massive appreciation for near-perfect black levels and excellent color transmission. However, custom TV’s prevailed then because they provided a rich experience of picture quality. There also existed a wide price gap between premium LCD and OLED TV screens, making it unattractive for consumers.

    Throughout the first decade of the current century, there was a battle between LED/LCD and plasma TVs, wherein cost an integral role in the final decision making. But in recent years, there has been a slow death of plasma-based TVs; now, this battle is between advanced technologies such as OLED TVs and Samsung’s QLED TV’s. Custom TVs use LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology, which is also present in LED and QLED TVs. However, an exception to this would be OLED TVs, in which every pixel provides self-illumination, unlike LCD TVs where LED backlight illuminates pixels.

    LED technology stands for light-emitting diode technology. Light-emitting diodes are tiny solid-state devices that provide light due to the movement of electrons through a semiconductor. With the broad acceptance of LCDs, there has been a shift in the preferred choice from backlit LCDs to LED screens. Although LEDs are much smaller in size than that required for compact fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs, they can emit extremely bright light. Despite this, LEDs cannot be used as individual pixels as they are quite big for TV sets. Thus, LEDs are used only as the backlight for LCD screens.

    Custom TVs rely on LED-backlight-based technology that emits light behind an LCD panel. Despite using advanced dimming technology, which is known for selectively dimming LEDs that need not be at full blast, LED TVs have always struggled to produce near-perfect dark blacks. Also, LED-based displays suffer from an effect known as “light bleed,” where lighter sections of the screen create a haze or bloom in the remaining adjacent darker areas.

    Due to the high price of OLED TVs, even after receiving decent OLED TV deals, it will be a long time before OLED prices come down to the tune similar to that of LCD screens. Given the difference in price between the two products, the decision depends on picture quality desired by the consumer. If the consumer is keen on having a good picture quality with a modest budget, then LCD screens are better.

    Read more
  • Should know this before buying golf cart batteries

    For a first time buyer of golf cart batteries, you might be confused with a lot of options available in the market. How to make a well-thought purchasing decision? This can help. Here is what you should you know before buying a golf cart battery.

    The difference between batteries used in an electric golf cart and gas golf cart is evident from the way they work. Batteries made to be used in an electric golf cart are required to be recharged after every two or three days. They need to be restored fully. On the other hand, batteries used in the gas golf cart work same as they work on a car.

    The advantage of an electric cart battery is that it is inexpensive and hassle free. But you need to charge it regularly which could be annoying to some people. Most important thing to consider before buying a battery is to check its life cycle. Prefer batteries with the high life cycle. A life cycle 600 or more should always be preferred. You can also check specifications given in minutes and amps that are referred to the lifespan of a single charge.

    One important fact about batteries is that number of accessories and components used with the golf cart influence the lifespan of a battery. More accessories lead to the early draining of the battery. A use of GPS and DVD player would require more charging than usual.

    When you lookout for battery whether online or offline, follow the following. Do not get confused, just follow.

    Compare prices
    You may find different deals and offers online, make price comparison before buying. This can save you some money.

    Buy from known vendors
    Never buy from vendors that new or are hardly known. Always consider buying from those who have a good track record with their customers. Go to the website that is trusted by other clients.

    Read product details
    Product details such as warranty, specification, features or shipping costs should all be considered before placing an order. This saves you from paying hidden charges.

    Read more
  • Tips to choose Timberland boots

    The Timberland company is one of the leading manufacturers of American footwear since 1952. They have been in the business of rolling out some of the best and high-quality footwear that aligns with the current fashion trends, so much so that their boots never go out of style. In the recent years, Timberland boots have been bringing back some of the classic touches favored by many. Despite their adaptation to technology, the Timberland boots are manufactured with attention to detail in a manual process and they, in fact, detail their shoes using shoe artisans. Timberland ensures that each of the boot that leaves their factory is checked manually by their craftsmen for any defects and even do their leather cutting by hand. Their pride lies in this very fact that comfort is 100% ensures for its customers and provide some of the best waterproof leather boots to weather any season. They even have an eco-friendly organization that ensures environmental protection.

    When you go hunting in the woods or deep forest zones, you need the perfect pair of Timberland boots to tread comfortably. Hence, the main factors that Timberland believes you should ensure when picking a boot are the fit, the comfort, waterproofing, breathability, etc. Some of the key check-list items that you should consciously remember when picking the right Timberland boot explained below.

    Get the right size
    This is very important and one of the most basic factors that you should consider when you buy any boot. Timberland’s boot sizes for men range from size 6 to size 18 to ensure that everyone has the size and shape they are looking for.

    Shape matters
    Most people presume that size will complement the shape of a boot, but the bitter reality is that both these elements are actually different. Timberland boots are designed for different purposes such as hiking, hunting, trekking, etc. If you are looking for a boot that will stay sturdy for all terrains then you should pick the Timberland Waterproof Field Boots, or if you want a Timberland boot that is designed with a tough sole and ankle support then pick the Leather Euro Hiker Boots.

    You also can pick a wide array of colors on your Timberland boots apart from the classic black and brown shades of leather. Some of the other prominent colors offered by Timberland are red-brown, copper, dark grey, khaki, dark blue, etc.

    Read more
  • Factors To Consider Before Buying Gold Jewelry

    Factors to consider before buying gold jewelry

    Since ancient times, women loved to adorn themselves with gold jewelry to enhance their beauty. Gold jewelry is always the first choice for women of every age. This one kind of jewelry that continues to be a favorite among several women as it never goes out of style. Gold is beautiful and amazingly complements jewelry designs, making it one of the most wearer-friendly pieces. Gold jewelry is long lasting and is treasured as it retains its value over time. Thus, it makes for the best jewelry investment. Imagine, wearing gold jewelry and being able to pound it in fluctuating financial times, no wonder our ancestors loved gold jewelry so much.

    If you are looking to buy gold jewelry, you may be absolutely amazed at the choice in design that you come across. Unlike a few years ago, you can now purchase dainty pieces that are great to wear even on casual days. Moreover, many jewelry brands provide drool-worthy gold jewelry pieces. You do invest high amounts of money in gold jewelry and thus, you should learn a few things before going ahead with your purchase. Here are few factors to consider before buying gold jewelry.

    Gold purity: The purity of gold is measured by the karats that it is made up of. Karats are a system that is essentially used to describe the percentage of gold that is present in the jewelry piece. So, the higher the gold karats, the more is the amount of gold added. This means that a jewelry piece with 22k gold will retail at a much higher cost. 24K gold is the purest form of gold and cannot be used to make jewelry. 10K jewelry contains the least amount of gold and is mixed with other additional metals.

    You should note, the higher the gold content, the better the value over years. Low karat gold is not likely to hold any value if you are purchasing jewelry as part of an investment.

    Metals mixed with gold: Gold is a soft metal and is not practical for daily wear unless it is mixed with other metals. Gold alloys make for more durable jewelry that does not bend easily. Moreover, gold alloy lets makers produce more variety of gold jewelry in the form of rose gold or white gold. Gold is usually mixed with other metals such as nickel, copper, and silver. You should understand the type of alloy you are looking for before making your purchase.

    Gold-plated jewelry: Gold plated jewelry is one of the popular forms of jewelry that a lot of women use. In this kind of jewelry, gold is coated onto a much cheaper metal such as silver or bronze. This reduces the cost of the jewelry piece. You must understand that if the layer of gold is thin, it can wear off soon. On the other hand, the thicker the layer of gold, the lesser chances of the metal underneath getting exposed over time. If you are planning on buying gold plated jewelry, then you should check the markings that indicate the amount of gold and the type that coats the less expensive metal.

    Brand: When buying gold from a brand or a local jeweler, you should make sure that the store is reputed and is trust-worthy. The brand should build a strong and trustful relationship with you that will make you want to buy from them even in the future. Look for a reliable and authentic trader before going ahead with your transaction.

    When gold jewelry is cared for, it becomes one of the most cherished pieces that can be passed on to generations.

    Read more