Are you considering gold as a possible investment? Will it protect you against financial uncertainty? Gold is a solid investment; its value cannot be influenced by government policies. The price is driven by supply and demand. As the value of the dollar falls, gold value will actually rise.
Want to know how to invest in gold? Here are a few suggestions.
Gold bullion: There is nothing that matches the tangible satisfaction of owning physical gold. Gold bullion is the best way to buy gold for investment. A bullion is a refined and stamped weight of precious metal. Gold bullion comes in two forms: gold bars and gold coins.
Gold bars: The term gold bullion often conjures up visions of stacked bars of gold. Gold bars come in several sizes, from 1 gram bars to bars weighing several pounds. Gold bars are the favored choice among investors.
Gold coins: Gold coins have long been in use all over the word as currency. Now, these coins are minted by the government not as currency, but as a commodity. Private mints can only produce gold bars or rounds; they cannot mint coins. So, gold coins give the added satisfaction of having been minted at a recognized national mint. Gold coins sell at a slightly higher premium than gold bars.
Gold prices are based on the spot price of gold, with a premium added. As spot prices vary, the price of gold also changes often. Watch the daily gold price to know the right time to sell your gold if you need to.
Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
These are special types of ETFs which track the price of gold. Right now, there are three backed Gold ETFs in the United States:
SPDR Gold Shares
iShares Comex Gold Trust
ETFS Gold Trust
SPDR Gold Shares is the most popular Gold ETF, and iShares Comex Gold Trust is the cheapest. ETFS Gold Trust, which has its gold bullion stored in Switzerland, is the newest. It gives investors choices of different types of gold. Currently, one share in each of these ETFs equal 1/10th of an ounce of physical gold.
Gold mutual funds
Like equity mutual funds, these funds also hold portfolios of stocks in various companies. The difference is that all these are gold mining companies.
Senior gold stock
Most of these stocks are in well established, large mining companies. These companies have a record of working consistently productive mines. These are called senior gold stock.
Junior gold stock
If you have high risk tolerance, you can own these speculative stocks. These are stocks in new mines at the exploratory stage. These are small to medium investments, and very risky. They have the potential to create huge returns if they do strike gold. But, they may not discover any precious metal and you stand the risk of losing your investment.
Gold options and futures
These investments rely on the future price of the underlying asset. The options market is complex and needs investors with good knowledge and an appetite for risk.
Many investors suggest buying gold bullion as the best way to invest in gold. You can buy gold bullion online through established dealers.
Opening a gold individual retirement account (IRA) is another effective way to own physical gold. Opening a Goldco IRA account enables one to secure their purchase and buy precious metals once the IRA is funded. A company representative from Goldco guides one through the entire process, making it convenient and hassle-free.
A strong immune system is an essential part of leading a healthy life. A healthy immune system incorporates organs, tissues, proteins, and bodily processes that help fight infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and other foreign bodies. There are multiple ways to improve and maintain a strong immune system, one of which is to eat certain foods. Read on to learn more about foods that help in boosting one’s immune system.
Yogurt
Yogurt and other probiotic foods are essential to improving the body’s immune system. These foods help to improve the microbiome and bacteria that reside in the gut and the digestive tract. These bacteria play a crucial role in regulating the immune system. They also help ensure that the immune system only attacks infection and harmful bacteria and viruses but not healthy cells and tissue in the body. Besides yogurt, you can add other probiotic foods like kimchi and kombucha to your meals.
Fatty fish
Fatty and oily fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and more contain loads of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients. Omega-3 fatty acids are linked with lower risks of developing conditions such as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even eczema. It also helps with the prevention of certain autoimmune disorders and even cancer.
Broccoli
Broccoli contains tons of essential nutrients, and antioxidants such as sulforaphane, and vitamin C, among others. It makes Broccoli an important vegetable to add to your meals. Studies have found that vitamin C can help improve certain components of the human immune system, including antimicrobial and killer cell activities, chemotaxis, and more.
Garlic
Garlic has been used as a natural remedy since ancient times. It is filled with sulfuric compounds that act as antiseptics. Garlic also possesses antifungal and antiviral properties. Eating raw or lightly cooked garlic is recommended because high heat can deactivate the essential compounds in garlic.
Blueberries
Blueberries contain a flavonoid that is known as anthocyanin. It contains antioxidant properties that help boost the body’s immune system. Flavonoids present in blueberries have also been linked with improved immune system defense in the respiratory tract.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is rich in fibers and contains beta-glucans that help improve the immune system. It does so by boosting the white blood cells in the body. Fibers can also have many other benefits, including lowering bad cholesterol and improving the digestive processes.
These foods can prove to be of help in boosting the immune system if a person is going through the flu. Besides these, one can also try other remedies such as eating honey, sipping warm liquids, staying hydrated, and resting properly.
Cremation is growingly becoming one of the most preferred choices over a traditional burial. The statistics come to show a significant increase in cremations, which was not seen in the recent past. Interestingly, the number is expected to increase as the method becomes more known and practiced. There are several factors that are found to contribute to this trend. The specific benefits are unique to cremation, and this has not only to lead people in the country but around the world to opt for cremation.
Here are five reasons that make cremation a great choice for the final body disposition method.
Simpler ceremony
Cremation supplies and the practice, overall, does away with the need for the elaborate ceremony associated with burial. Essentials such as pallbearers and caskets are not required. Cremation involves an urn that is much smaller, which makes for easier handling.
Environmental consciousness
The traditional practice of burial requires a lot of ground space and causes contamination due to the embalmment of the body with heavy chemicals. Moreover, the casket is typically designed from wood and further causes environmental damage. Cremation too takes a toll on the environment due to its carbon emissions. However, the impact is far lesser with the technological advancements of cremation supplies and equipment.
Cost
Cremation is indubitably a more affordable choice when compared with a traditional burial. It eliminates the cost required for a casket, burial plot, embalming, etc. The family is already in the middle of a difficult time, and cremation can effectively lower the burden of funeral cost.
Acceptance of religious institutions
For the longest time, cremation was prohibited or considered a violation of beliefs among most religious institutions. However, today there is a growing acceptance of this alternative to the old burial tradition. The factor adds to making cremation an ideal form of body disposition among most communities.
Flexibility
Traditional burial services demand a plethora of essentials that must be met. On the other hand, cremation offers better flexibility as it can be performed immediately. Moreover, the memorial service can be held weeks, months, and even years later. This provides loved ones and friends the time travel to pay their last respects.
Some of the most common terms that you come across when searching for apartments are – Section 8 housing, low-income apartments, affordable housing, etc. While we have heard of these terms frequently, there is more to the meaning of affordable housing. Moreover, one has to meet some qualification parameters to get a low-income apartment. The primary term that one has to be aware of on their low-income housing search is AMI or Area Median Income. It is a measurement that determines the amount of rent that you can afford for an apartment. It is based on the location you live in and other local parameters. The HUD sends out an annual AMI determination report for each region in all counties. Once the median income is determined, all households that earn below 80% of the listed amount are considered as low-income households. Those families with less than 50% of that amount fall under the very low-income category, and those earning less than 30% fall under the extremely low-income category.
Out of your whole income, your rent amount should not be more than 30% of it. Let’s say the average income is around $80,000 in your area, and you make only $35000 annually; in such a case, you would qualify for low-income apartment rental schemes that will help you and ensure that your rental costs are covered within 30% of your income. However, there are more qualification parameters that one needs to consider. The income cannot be too low or too high above the line. Only people whose income is within the stated parameters will qualify for these schemes.
One common fear for those who seek out low-income apartments is to how these affordable housing structures look like and what condition are they in. Every developer receives perks in the form of low-income housing tax credits that can help them save on their taxes by setting aside a small percentage of housing units exclusively for low-income families. The developers are required to ensure that the rent stays within the affordable limit at all times, failing which they will lose their tax credits. Some exclusive public housing structures only have low-income apartments for rent. A simple way to hunt down these types of houses is to inquire with the management offices of the different housing developers in your area. They are sure to provide you with the required help.