Maybe I can't help myself, but when a souped up Hennessy Performance Stingray hits the track, I just can't help myself. Something about a 700hp beast that I can't help but to envy and share. That link contains an impressive video - so I'll leave you with this phenomenal picture and a wrap up from the track: When equipped with Drag Radial tyres, the car records a sprint to 96 km/h (60 mph) in just 2.9 seconds and runs through the quarter mile in a brisk 10.97 seconds.
So Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is putting up not one but two cars for auction on eBay, a 1955 Bel Air and a blue 1999 Chevrolet Corvette Calloway C12. And boy does that 'vette make me drool.
I don't have anything against the burnt orange Bel Aire per se, but it looks like something that Fonzie would drive - and I'm not Fonzie. I personally don't collect automobiles just yet, baseball cards are more my speed. I'm looking for something to drive - and if this Corvette was good enough for Earnhardt, it should suit my needs just fine. As it turns out, there were only 19 of this model ever produced - so it's a collectors item that doubles as a high powered driving machine. Sign me up. Before I can bid on it, I had to apply to Dale's eBay account for permission to bid. LET'S HOPE HE SAYS YES ... after all, my money is as green as anyone else's, right? Oh yeah, here's the car... College tuition costs represent a major family expenditure and those costs keep rising without abatement. There are various sources to help cover college expenses, but some place more of a burden on parents and students than others. Scholarships and grants are the best because they do not require repayment. Financial aid in the form of student loans is one way to cover costs, but they may not always be enough.
Savings, personal income, and personal loans often comprise a large portion of financing for college tuition and other related expenses. Because of interest, personal loans are a costly alternative. Savings offers parents the most control by gradually growing a college fund over a long period of time, which reflects advice to begin planning for college expenses as soon as possible. About George Divel: As president of Investments at Global Wealth Advisors, George Divel offers clients a broad range of financial capabilities. With access to Global Wealth Advisors’ extensive and sophisticated resources, he provides such in-depth services as equity research, asset management, and domestic and international debt offerings. Securities and advisory services offered through Capitol Securities Management, Inc. Member FINRA & SIPC. A registered Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. In today’s down economy, many young people struggle to find work and are living on less than they’d hoped. Should these young workers even bother thinking about their retirement funds? The answer is yes.
A person who begins investing at 25 will be better situated for retirement than their friend who starts investing at 30, even if they make the same choices and get the same returns on their investments. The extra five years can make a huge difference. Some experts believe that many young people have shied away from the stock market because the economy has been so poor for so long. The same experts say that these young investors are making a big mistake. The current state of the market is much like the current state of real estate. The economic crisis has created some great bargains, and if investors are willing to buy now and hold on for a while, they could reap great rewards. Experts also point out that today’s young people are unlikely to have pensions and probably won’t have any Social Security or Medicare benefits when they retire. With such a bleak future ahead, it’s even more important to start saving now. About the author: George Divel is President of Investments and Financial Advisor at Capitol Securities Management, Inc. Securities and advisory services offered through Capitol Securities Management, Inc. Member FINRA & SIPC. A registered Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. For many young people, leaving college and starting a new job can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to finances. Here are several big tips for new hires who want to maximize financial freedom.
After a young person starts receiving a salary, she should sit down and take stock of all outstanding debt by tracking interest rates, monthly payments, and when debt will be paid off. She should consolidate and pay high-interest debt off as quickly as possible. Getting debt-free is the first step to financial freedom. Young people should also contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement fund. If an employer matches the contribution, the employee should contribute at least the minimum needed to get the maximum match, since this is essentially tax-free income. Young employees should also maximize their contributions to a Roth IRA for future tax benefits. Individuals should also track monthly bills and save a three-month emergency fund in case of job loss, serious illness, or car repairs. Savings and investments should be withdrawn and deposited directly from the paycheck to reduce the temptation to not save. Finally, young people overwhelmed by their finances should consult an advisor for help planning financial freedom. About the author: George Divel is President of Investments and Financial Advisor at Capitol Securities Management, Inc. Securities and advisory services offered through Capitol Securities Management, Inc. Member FINRA & SIPC. A registered Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. There are three processes that can help you create and manage an investing strategy with great success: asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing. Understanding these concepts is essential for maintaining an investment portfolio.
Asset allocation is, put simply, the distribution of your assets over a broad mix of stocks and bonds. This is a handy method for reducing the level of investment risk, due to the variation in behavior of asset classes. Diversification refers to dividing your investments over a wide range of investment styles and market sectors. These may include both growth and value stocks, or corporate and government bonds. With diversification as a clever investment tool, you avoid being hit dramatically when a particular market declines in value. Rebalancing is the periodic assessment and adjustment of asset class allocation, often performed quarterly. This is a process that should be completed regularly over time to ensure that decisions made in earlier months are still valid as the market fluctuates. About the Author: Highly respected finance professional George Divel heads Global Wealth Advisors as President of Investments and is a Financial Advisor. Drawing on more than ten years of finance industry experience, George Divel dedicates a wealth of knowledge and experience to advising clients from all backgrounds, from beginners to seasoned investors. Securities and advisory services offered through Capitol Securities Management, Inc. Member FINRA & SIPC. A registered Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. While every investment carries a certain amount of risk, financial advisor George Divel offers some strategies for minimizing risk and maximizing gains. According to Divel, diversification across several well-researched investment opportunities is one of the best ways to minimize risk. By investing in different styles (growth and value stocks, for example) as well as across market sectors, such as government and corporate bonds, an investor is better able to recoup a loss from one area with a gain in another.
In addition, investors must periodically balance their portfolios to accommodate fluctuating markets. Shifting percentages dedicated to each asset class ensures that the portfolio becomes neither too conservative nor too aggressive. For the investor who truly wants to minimize risk, short-term investments such as money market accounts and Certificates of Deposit are typically the safest investments. Although their profits are typically small, they usually offer insured principal. George Divel is President of Investments at Global Wealth Advisors. Securities and advisory services offered through Capitol Securities Management, Inc. Member FINRA & SIPC. A registered Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. By George Divel
When thinking about the role of an estate executor, many important activities come to mind: distributing assets according to the will and paying any bills or claims against the estate are two tasks that an executor must perform. But he or she may also need to pay any estate and inheritance taxes, settle the estate with the probate court, and collect any money that is due. Funeral expenses are another item that must be dealt with. In the days following a loved one’s demise, these activities can seem an undue burden, but upholding a sense of duty and diplomacy amidst the inevitable emotional turmoil will make a positive impact on the family members involved. In light of these challenges, it is a good idea when creating a will to choose an executor who is reliable and will make an effort to handle these responsibilities in the best possible way. About the author: As president of Global Wealth Advisors in Baltimore, George Divel provides personalized investment advice and estate planning services to his clients to help them make informed investment decisions. |