Sticking To the Plan: The Importance Of Following Your Trading Plan

Making a trading plan is no joke. It takes a whole lot of effort and research to come up with a trading plan that is perfect for you. But the problem is, sometimes, when that ticker or number goes up and up or down and down, we aren’t control ourselves and jump the gun on selling whether for profit or loss.

The problem with that attitude is, once you break away from your trading plan, nothing can stop you from doing it again. Rationalizing your violation of the plan by any profit you’ve earned is just a step away for you. That’s pretty much where it begins and it’s all downhill from there. Pretty soon, you’ll be ignoreing that trading plan you made and just go with the flow of the market. Oh, yes, you’ll have a few successes and then you’ll be broke, having thrown away your money on sure things.

What some traders don’t realize is that trading plans are more than just a few rules and guidelines for you to follow when you start trading. A good trading plan, and I mean a really good one, reflects your personality and should not be easy to break away from. When it is well-made, a trading plan takes into account your personal temperament and should be constructed in a way that all of its instructions are things that you will be comfortable with. This is why the first part of creating a trading plan is to always determine what are your mental limits are; both in terms of knowledge and in your personal character. A worrier’s trading plan will be incredibly different for one made by someone who is more daring. It may not seem like much but watching the stock prices fo up and down can have a heavy toll on a person. That’s why making a plan that you’re personally comfortable with is important. If you’re comfortable with the plan then it will be easier for you to follow it.

Why is it so important then, for you to follow your trading plan? It’s pretty simple actually – discipline. Discipline is sometimes a hard thing to have when you’re in the middle of a rough-and-tumble market. A good trading plan keeps you on your course and gives you definite goals. A man with a puprpose and a plan to reach that purpose always beats out anyone who just has a vague idea of what he’s doing. Traders who don’t have a plan, or have plans that are vague, usually end up panicking when bad stuff starts to happen. Even when good stuff happens it can confuse a trader, like suddenly selling all your stock at what you thought was a good price when you could have sold at a higher price later. A good trading plan limits how much you buy and how much you sell at particular levels, maximizing profits or minimizing loss.

This is why you should try your best to follow your trading plan. Keeping that iron discipline and keeping yourself following the plan that you made may be hard at times. It may even cost you in terms of profit, since even plans can’t be perfect. However, let me assure you that keeping to your trading plan is the only way to go if you want to be a serious trader.

Use These Credit Card Tips To Keep You On Track

Having credit cards requires discipline. When used mindlessly, you can run up huge bills on nonessential expenses, in the blink of an eye. However, properly managed, credit cards can mean good credit scores and rewards. Read on for some ideas on how to pick up some good habits, so that you can make sure that you use your cards and they do not use you.

Remember that you must pay back what you have charged on your credit cards. This is only a loan, and in many cases, it is a high interest loan. Carefully consider your purchases prior to charging them, to be sure that you will have the money to pay them off.

If you get into trouble, and cannot pay your credit card bill on time, the last thing you want to do is to just ignore it. Call your credit card company immediately, and explain the issue to them. They may be able to help put you on a repayment plan, delay your due date, or work with you in ways that won’t be as damaging to your credit.

Only take cash advances from your credit card when you absolutely have to. The finance charges for cash advances are very high, and very difficult to pay off. Only use them for situations in which you have no other option. But you must truly feel that you will be able to make considerable payments on your credit card, soon after.

Watch out for hidden fees when you get a credit card. You may have signed an agreement without reading between the fine lines and this could cost you a lot in the long run. Read any credit card contract prior to signing it, and do not be afraid to ask any questions if you are confused.

Try not to use credit cards for everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, and clothing. These are things you will most likely need again, before you can pay the balance off. You will end up with a pile of credit card debt that will keep on growing. When you need these types of items, leave your credit cards at home.

When offered a credit card with a freebie, be sure to make sure that you check all of the terms of the offer before applying. This is critical, because the free items may be covering up things such as, a yearly fee of an obscene amount. It is always important to read the fine print, and not be swayed by free items.

Make sure that you make your payments on time when you have a credit card. The extra fees are where the credit card companies get you. It is very important to make sure you pay on time to avoid those costly fees. This will also reflect positively on your credit report.

Before opting to purchase a roadside assistance plan, check with your credit card company. Some companies offer free roadside assistance to consumers, just for owning their card, which might mean you don’t need an extra roadside assistance plan at all. Just make sure to understand the terms of use for the roadside assistance, as well as any costs that might be involved.

When it comes to credit cards, be sure that you are weary of any sort of free offers. This is important, because a lot of times, the freebies that you are offered can be thought of as traps that may lure you in and end up costing you a lot of money in the future.

Having the right habits and proper behaviors, takes the risk and stress out of credit cards. If you apply what you have learned from this article, you can use them as tools towards a better life. Otherwise, they can be a temptation that you will eventually succumb to and then regret it.

Forex Trading: Make Forex Signals Work for You

In forex trading, watching the market for entrance and exit points is the brunt of your work. Traditionally, you monitor the progress of currencies by feed reports. Either by watching the news or guarding the numbers in your laptop.

Here lies the problem- who would want to spend the rest of their day plastered to their laptops? Forex trading seems to be a perfect business ground for everyone: opportunities are near equal, and you could trade anytime, anywhere provided you have internet access.

The answer to this is to get a service that provides forex signals. Simply put, forex signal services are paid subscription services where they monitor and interpret the market to your liking. Your set of specifications, what to watch out for and when to alert you. They send you results by email, or directly to your phone.

Forex signal services are very popular nowadays. You may even refer to it as an indispensable tool for any trader. Brokers even provide their own unique platform that will cater your information requirements. When you sign in with them for an account, they give you this service with a fee or even free.

What usually happens is that they give you signals for known or popular currency pairs. For instance, you may be intent in watching the changes in Euros and American dollars, Japanese Yen and Singaporean dollars. If requested on your account, they can provide you with signals on less known pairs. Whatever your strategy and currency trade is, they can fit their services for your needs.

How do they do this?

Well, forex signal companies use computerized systems to monitor pairs and make some analysis for their subscribers. Understand that they do not make decisions for their subscribers mind you; they are just signals, tools to help you make a decision. Once you make a decision right away, your broker and software can even do the trade right away.

However, there is a catch: they are not a hundred percent accurate. They only provide leanings or advice on what decisions traders should make. The best signal service companies have good track records of providing great recommendations and near accurate signals. The service will cost you, but if you are a serious trader upping their game, then signals are a must.

Here are some tips how to make the most out of your service:
1. Ask about the features from your service provider. If the service comes from your broker, then consider if they are effective for you. Some are packaged into the type of accounts.
2. List down what are the things you need to monitor. You might save money on services by getting a less costly subscription that just gives what you need.
3. Invest on the reputable forex signal service companies. Their excellent service might be just what you need to gain an edge.

At the end, what you should remember is that forex signals are just instruments that help you. They are not meant to replace you decision-making process. You alone should decide the trade you have to make. After all, you would not risk all of your money based solely on a machine. You and your strategy must still take control. Forex signals makes forex trading more manageable and more enticing to other people.

Bankruptcy Tips And Advice From The Experts

Anyone who has considered filing for personal bankruptcy can attest to the uncertainty and alarm the very idea of the process can cause. This does not need to be the case, however, because by gaining a bit of knowledge about bankruptcy, it is possible to sort through the worry and see the truth. By applying these tips to your own financial situation, you can determine whether bankruptcy represents a smart way to get a fresh start.

Before you file for bankruptcy, make sure that you sort out your taxes. When you file, the bankruptcy trustee will need to see your tax return from last year and possibly even your tax return from two years ago. If you have these documents ready, your bankruptcy attorney will be able to ensure that the whole bankruptcy process is carried out as quickly as possible.

Many people do not know that, there are long term consequences of filing for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy will not make a clean credit report. It will stay on a credit reports for ten years. This has to be considered prior to filing for bankruptcy. You will be excluded from buying a home, possibly a car loan, and securing a credit card for ten years after filing for bankruptcy.

When meeting with a personal bankruptcy lawyer, be sure you have all of the necessary paperwork with you. This will make the whole filing process go much easier and quicker. Some of the paperwork you should have with you includes loan documents, credit card bills, and any other relevant financial documents.

Start getting used to paying for items with cash. Because bankruptcy will affect your ability to acquire credit for the foreseeable future, and credit you do obtain will have a high interest rate, pay for everything you can with cash or a check to prevent racking up new, much more expensive debt.

Prior to filing for personal bankruptcy, take care to not make withdrawals from your retirement accounts, IRA’s, or 401k’s. You may think you are doing the right thing to free up money, but often these types of accounts are protected from any bankruptcy proceedings. If you withdrawal the money, you may be opening it up to any bankruptcy action.

A good personal bankruptcy tip is to be aware that even the refund you get from doing taxes can be subjected to your bankruptcy. A lot of people just think that their refund will be exempt, but this is not the case. It’s generally not a good idea to opt for a large tax refund.

Get a secured credit card after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A secured card requires you to put down money in order to open the account. However, if you use the card responsibly and pay it off every month, you can raise your credit score. So, within a few years of filing, your credit will be good enough to get you into an apartment or allow you to purchase a new vehicle.

As you are working to make the decision to file for personal bankruptcy, remember that it will affect your life for at least the next ten years. Bankruptcy should be used as a last resort and the decision to file not taken lightly. Carefully weigh your options before you make any decisions.

Protect your wages to live on. Bankruptcy is an important way to do just that. If you owe enough money that creditors are threatening to file lawsuits against you, it’s time to seek legal counsel. If a creditor sues you, they can obtain their money by garnishing your wages, taking a large chunk of change from your paychecks. This can put you in even more debt and make your situation worse. Filing bankruptcy will put a stop to any lawsuits and protect the money you need to survive. If the situation becomes dire, you can also ask for an emergency filing, so you don’t have to wait a couple of weeks for the attorney to compile all the information he or she needs.

Know the difference between Chapters 7 and 13 bankruptcies. Chapter 7 will wipe your debts clean, meaning you will not owe what you file against. Chapter 13 requires you to agree to repay your debts. These debts need to be repaid within three to five years of the filing date.

Know what your exemptions are before you file for bankruptcy. Exemptions are personal property that is out of reach from your creditors. Although this varies by state, items such as clothing, household goods, a vehicle, and some equity in your home may all be protected from creditors when you file for bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy filing is a topic shrouded in mystery and embarrassment for many. This is an unfortunate thing because the fact is that the process can be extremely helpful for those facing serious financial distress. Take the guidance and information in this piece to heart. It is possible to learn if bankruptcy might be the right financial solution for you.

Tips For Navigating The Process Of Personal Bankrupcy

So you admit that you just do not have control of your debt. You know that you want to do something, but are confused as to what you should do. You are considering filing for bankruptcy, but do not know where to begin. Take the time to read the following article to help you get some answers.

Make sure that you keep a close eye on the paperwork your attorney is filing. They have several cases to deal with, so any errors or problems should catch your eye as well. Don’t assume that lawyers won’t make mistakes. It’s your future at stake, so double check everything you sign and know what you are filing.

Speak up, when necessary, to remind your lawyer about certain facts regarding your case. Just because you have previously told the lawyer the same information, does not necessarily mean it is remembered. At the end of the day, it is your bankruptcy filing and your financial future, so ensuring your lawyer knows everything that is essential to your case is important – even if it means you have to repeat it a second time.

Locate an online support forum for those who have filed for bankruptcy. This way, you can ask other people questions and find out things that you may not know. There are a lot of forums on the internet, but there are also, some offline groups you can join, if you prefer being offline. Because these people know what you’re going through, they can make you feel better about the situation.

Do not attempt to pay off any of your favorite creditors before you file for bankruptcy. The reason is that all of your assets will be liquidated and each creditor gets their fair share. It is not your job to decide who deserves to be paid back and who does not.

If you have a steady job but low income, you may be eligible for both types of bankruptcy. Chapter 7 allows you to discharge your debts more quickly, but you will risk losing some of your property. Chapter 13 requires you to be involved in repaying debts for several years. You will have to give up some financial freedom until the plan terms are complete.

Before filing for bankruptcy, talk with your creditors and see if there is anything that can be done to reduce the amount of your debt. Most creditors will work with you because they want you to pay them back their money. If you actually file for bankruptcy, they will lose their money.

Remember that bankruptcy takes an emotional toll, and prepare yourself for the feelings that may accompany the process. Feelings of shame and depression are common, even if you ultimately feel relieved. Ensure that you have an adequate support network of friends and family to help you through the tough times you may experience.

If you can avoid bankruptcy, do whatever it takes to keep yourself out of it. Bankruptcy can offer many people a way out of a horrible situation and give them a clean slate to work from, but it is not an easy alternative to paying off your debt. Your credit will be destroyed, and there are possible ramifications towards future employment involved with bankruptcies.

If you have to go through a personal bankruptcy, it is important to keep a positive attitude. Financial problems can easily lead to depression, which, if left unchecked, can lead to worse monetary problems. Focus on the good things that will occur after your bankruptcy instead of the negative aspect of going through it.

Evaluate your consultation with any lawyer by the way he or she handled the consult. Consider the length of your consult. If it lasted less than 15 minutes or it was with an assistant rather than an actual lawyer conducting the consult, this could signal that lawyer is probably not the best choice. You want someone that takes the time to handle your case personally, and you want to get your money’s worth. You should also shy away from those lawyers who pressure you with phone calls or try convincing you immediately after a consultation by getting pushy.

There are two common types of personal bankruptcy. One in which all your assets are liquidated and the other creates a plan to pay off debts within a few years. It is recommended that you meet with an attorney to determine which type of bankruptcy is best for your particular situation.

As you can see, just by reading this article, the thought of bankruptcy is not as scary and confusing as it once seemed. Hopefully, the information that was presented to you has helped shed some light. If you feel that bankruptcy is right for you, remember the information from this article, as you take the next steps.

Trading Systems – Helping You Become a Better Trader

When you invest on anything, the main thing that you want to achieve is to earn and eventually to make it big in the business you are in. This statement is also true for people who are involved in any type of trading schemes. In this kind of arena, you would want to know the best trading systems available in the market that can help you succeed.

Where do you turn to if you are in this kind of quest? You may first want to check out various online resources for product reviews and testimonials. The least thing that you would want to happen at this point is to be lured into buying something that you will not be able to benefit from in the long run. Or there are times that you think that you already have the best and you are satisfied with its results until you have heard about something that could have given you more. If you were aware that such product exists from the start, you would have definitely chosen that over other similar products.

If you have a mentor with your trading venture, this is the best time to get their advice with regards to the system that you can use to advance in your game. As a currency investor, you have to be equipped with only the best tools if you want to make this a long term and profitable arena. There are some who would not want to rely on these kinds of products in order to advance in the field, but this is not something that will suit everybody. In trading, you will go far when you have lots of luck. But you will gain more profits if you will team that up with guts, determination and the best trading system that you can rely on.

Trading Buddy

No matter how good you are with what you are doing, someone else will emerge better and earn more in the process. This is why you need something to help you become that better trader. If not for your own benefit, you can use the tool to keep pace with your competitors. To achieve this, you must be in tune with every aspect of what you are doing. You need to know the latest and the best tools that can help you as you go along in the trading process. And this is also the reason why you need to go through rigorous research as to the best tools that can help you achieve more as you go along in the trading business.

To stay on top of your investment schemes, you have to rely on a very good buddy, which in this case, is the best system or the better one than what your competitors are using. The foreign exchange market is a complicated one. The system will help you analyze its complexities by capturing necessary data that are relevant to your goals in this field. You will also have access to potential opportunities that you can wish to invest on. It may be true that a human can also perform and give you similar results. But it will be more efficient if you will hand out the task to something that is created specifically for such job.

You will go a long way with your investments if you will find out the best trading systems early on. You should also keep up to date as to the latest in this kind of technology to keep up with your game and be successful at it.

Your Guide To Best Practices In Personal Finance

Improving your personal financial situation is something that everyone needs to be aware of. Although it can be daunting, dealing with your personal finances is much easier to do if you are equipped with the right advice. This article contains a number of tips on personal finance that will help you on your way.

When applying for a home loan, try to look good to the bank. Banks are looking for people with good credit, a down payment, and people who have a verifiable income. Banks have been raising their standards due to the increase in mortgage defaults. If you have problems with your credit, try to have it repaired before you apply for a loan.

Create a budget that prioritizes your spending, with bills and other necessities like groceries at the top. If you need to replace a major appliance or other item like a bed, this should go next but isn’t as urgent. Also, don’t spend too much on going out to eat or other unnecessary things.

Set up any bills that you can to be directly withdrawn from your checking account. This will assure that they are always paid on time as long as you have the available funds in your checking account that is needed to make these payments. It is easy to set up and will save a ton of time and money in late fees.

If you are attending a sporting event, try to look for the signs that lead you to free parking. Even though this may require you to walk a few extra blocks, it can save you up to 20 dollars during the night. Saving small amounts over time can really add up as they can be treated just like profits.

Radio talk show host Neal Boortz once advised when it comes to saving money that you should never spend a one dollar bill. You should put that dollar bill in a coffee can and never spend it, and every time you get one, put it in there. You would be surprised at how many one dollar bills you save by not getting this little item or that.

Pay off your high interest debts before saving. If you are saving in an account that pays 5%, but owe money on a card that charges 10%, you are losing money by not paying off that debt. Make it a priority to pay your high interest cards off and then stop using them. Saving will become easier and more beneficial as well.

Do not overlook credit unions when you are looking for a place to open a checking or savings account. Credit unions usually offer higher interest rates and lower fees than commercial banks. However, the services offered and access to ATMs might be limited. Still, credit unions are a good alternative if you are looking for higher interest rates.

As was discussed at the beginning of the article, improving your personal financial situation is important. It can give you peace of mind now, and a more secure future. The process of improving your personal finances is much easier when you have the right knowledge and information. Start making shrewd choices today, and you will be on your way to a better personal financial situation.

Quality Information For Elevating Your Bank Account

Money seems to be a hard thing to keep track of. One minute it is there, then the next minute, it is gone into oblivion. While money tends to be as slippery as a wet bar of soap, there are ways to keep track of it rather well. When it comes to keeping track of your personal finances there are numerous helpful ways to do so. This article discusses the ins and outs of keeping track of your money and allowing your personal finances some stability.

Change your trading plans with your goals. If your personal goals change, and no longer match up with the strategy you are using in the market, it may be time to change it up a bit. When your financial situation changes, reevaluating your goals and methods will help you manage your trades more effectively.

Start saving for emergencies. Budget your expenses so you will have money left over to pay for any emergencies that may arise. This will help cut out the chance that you may have to use a credit card in case of an emergency and will save you finance charges and interest.

See if your employer provides you with discount benefits. Many times, if you work for a larger company, they can pass their discounts on to you for various insurance plans or even, your cell phone. You could save yourself a lot of money if you sign up with one of these discounts.

Make regular contributions to your savings account. It will provide you a buffer in case money should ever run short and you can use it as a line of your own personal credit. If you find something that you want to buy, take that money out of your savings and make payments to yourself to pay it back into the savings account.

A great personal finance tip is to make sure you buy appliances that will help you save energy. Appliances that can help you save energy usually have an Energy Star sticker on them. Purchasing these appliances can go a long way in helping you save money by reducing energy.

Pay off your items with the higher interest before focusing on the lower or no interest debt. Paying the minimums on a high interest card can cost you hundreds of dollars more than it should. List out the interest rates of all the cards you have and pay off the highest ones as soon as possible.

Find out whether the utilities are included in the rent or you have to pay them separately. If you need to pay your utilities separately do some research and find out how much the average utility bill is. Make sure you can afford the utilities and the rent together or look for public assistance programs you may qualify for.

As we have discovered, money is not easy to keep in grasp. It seems as soon as we have money, we do not have it long. However, with the aforementioned money saving tips in this article, your money will not escape your account unnoticed. Personal finance will be a subject of ease once you apply these tips to your budget!

Measuring Twice and Cutting Once: How Trading Plans Help

The business of trading on an open stock market can be a very frightening thing. Mostly because it seems like a big giant casino from the outside. I mean, putting your money on something in the hopes that it will pay off? It suspiciously sounds like what you do at a roulette table. Any beginner may be excused for making that mistake. Another factor that contributes to the trepidation in entering the stock market is the recent meltdown in the global economy. Jumping into it now doesn’t seem to be a good idea, does it? But the truth is the risks of trading can easily be ameliorated by using a trading plan.

What is a trading plan? The name itself is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a stock trader’s personal plan of how he trades. Sounds easy, but it isn’t. Solid trading plans are backed by research and discipline. The best trading plans focus a trader on a particular field and helps guide his actions to maximize his profit and minimize his loss. Pretty simple sounding but it takes a knowledgeable person to formulate a decent trading plan. Going in unprepared into the stock market can be deadly for your assets and a good trading plan is probably one of the biggest ways to prepare yourself for entering the market.

So, how exactly does a trading plan help you, the beginning trader? The most basic foundation of a good stock plan is what markets you are targeting. I mean, you have to set out what your goals are: low profit that is stable and steady or are you aiming for high profit but in a more volatile sector, with a greater chance for a loss. That’s where you start because different markets mean different strategies and that dictates how you plan goes. Sounds daunting but market data is freely available on the Internet. A few hours and you will notice sectors whose stocks increase meteorically and plummet dramatically. Other sectors will be noticeable in the fact that the stock prices have been inching up by the year with no downward movement. Make a list of these product markets and make a decision on what you’re looking for: the quick buck or the stable nest egg.

Having decided on what you’re financially aiming for, you should then narrow down the market list you’ve made. Try to choose sectors where you knowledgeable or have access to information of, this way it can be easier for you to formulate your plans – knowledge is power in stock trading and knowing when one company’s products are lagging behind in the market is one of those interesting facts that may help you to decided whether to buy or sell in their stock.

Having decided on which stocks you’re interested in, time to flesh out your plan. The basic questions you should be asking yourself are these:

1) How much do I invest in the market and when?
2) How much am I willing to risk?
3) What are the signs that I should stop buying and start selling?
4) How do I get out of the market?

Answering all of these questions is going to take a bit of research and legwork but it will pay in the end. The importance of knowing how much you’re willing to trade is important – this determines how much profit or loss you might make in this venture. Strictly following your trading plan can give you a chance at a lot of profit or a chance at making sure your losses aren’t that bad. Remember this when you’re starting to enter the market with your trading plan.

Crucial Credit Card Advice Everyone Can Benefit From

Don’t let the fear of credit cards stop you from improving your score, buying the things you need or want. There are proper ways to use credit cards, and when done correctly, they can make your life better instead of worse. This article is going to show you just how to do it.

Read the fine print on any credit card you receive. There can be many hidden fees, rules, and penalties in tiny print that is often ignored by credit card users. Knowing what they are, can give you the power you need to manage your credit card the best that you can.

Sometimes, people get excited about certain rewards programs, and they make a hasty decision to go with that particular company. First of all, check the fine print. Second of all, make sure you know what else is out there, before you jump into a relationship with a credit card company.

Be extremely careful when using a credit card to get cash advances. Cash advances usually carry a higher interest rate and the interest starts accruing the day you get the cash. That means you won’t have the interest-free grace period you get on your normal balances before they are due each month.

Don’t open too many credit card accounts. A single person only needs two or three in his or her name, in order to get a good credit established. More credit cards than this, could actually do more damage than good to your score. Also, having multiple accounts is harder to keep track of and harder to remember to pay on time.

Do not use one credit card to pay off the amount owed on another until you check and see which one has the lowest rate. While this is never considered the best thing to do financially, you can occasionally do this to make sure you are not risking getting further into debt.

It is good practice to check your credit card transactions with your online account to make sure they match up correctly. You do not want to be charged for something you didn’t buy. This is also a great way to check for identity theft or if your card is being used without your knowledge.

If you have a credit card with high interest you should consider transferring the balance. Many credit card companies offer special rates, including 0% interest, when you transfer your balance to their credit card. Do the math to figure out if this is beneficial to you before you make the decision to transfer balances.

Be sure to limit the number of credit cards you hold. Having too many credit cards with balances can do a lot of harm to your credit. Many people think they would only be given the amount of credit that is based on their earnings, but this is not true.

If you cannot pay your credit card bill in a timely manner, then you should consult your credit card provider. Even though you may not think so, your provider may be willing to work with you to make sure that you are able to pay the bill. They can offer options, such as reducing the amount you pay each month.

If you have a credit card, add it into your monthly budget. Budget a specific amount that you are financially able to put on the card each month, and then pay that amount off at the end of the month. Try not to let your credit card balance ever get above that amount. This is a great way to always pay your credit cards off in full, allowing you to build a great credit score.

You have read a lot here today about how to avoid common mistakes with credit cards, and also the best ways to use them wisely. Although there is a lot of information to learn and remember, this is a good starting point for making the best financial decisions that you can.