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  In  investing, do not buy or sell based on what your friends, neighbours or that fancy stock guru is buying. You do not know their realities. You do not know their risk appetite, information ratio, manoeuverability, asset allocation and incentives. Actually you know nothing about those you wish to imitate. Robert Cialdini described this behaviour as ‘social proof’. It is the tendency to see an action as more appropriate when others are doing it. It may not always be the best for you. Do not be in a hurry to grow up.  You are always asking when you will get independent, when you will make money, when you will be involved in discussions we adults take part in. Some things take time. Growing up is a process. Enjoy it. Your science book explains how a seed turns into a sapling, then into a shrub and later into a tree. Some seeds wither away, not all turn into a tree and bear flowers and fruits. We nurture, support, love and sometimes admonish you—it’s all a part of growing up. You may no

Financial Navigating in the Current Economy: Ten Things to Consider Before You Make Investing Decisions Given recent market events, you may be wondering whether you should make changes to your investment portfolio.  The SEC’s  Office of Investor Education and Advocacy  is concerned that some investors, including bargain hunters and mattress stuffers, are making rapid investment decisions without considering their long-term financial goals.  While we can’t tell you how to manage your investment portfolio during a volatile market, we are issuing this Investor Alert to give you the tools to make an informed decision.  Before you make any decision, consider these areas of importance: 1.         Draw a personal financial roadmap.   Before you make any investing decision, sit down and take an honest look at your entire financial situation -- especially if you’ve never made a financial plan before.   The first step to successful investing is figuring out your goals and risk tolerance – either

  Now that you have a better idea of the amount of profit that retailers are taking in, it’s time to look at the specific ways that you can increase your profit margins.   Here are 10 things you can try: 1. Avoid markdowns by improving inventory visibility Markdowns are notorious profit-killers, so avoid them whenever possible. How do you do that? Start by improving how you manage your inventory. You should always have a handle on the merchandise you have on hand, as well as what your fast and slow-movers are. This will help you make better decisions around purchasing, sales, and marketing, allowing you to sell more products and reduce the need for markdowns. 2. Elevate your brand and increase the perceived value of your merchandise  It’s interesting to see that cosmetics retailers have some of the best margins in retail. According to experts, one reason behind this is the fact beauty and cosmetics brands excel at creating personal and emotional connections with customers. Beauty is a

Federal and state agencies, as well as private companies, offer small-business grants. Here's a list of resources. Small-business grants provide free money for startups and existing businesses, including those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. It takes time and effort to research and apply for funding, but the payoff can be worth it if you secure a grant for your small business. To help you get started, here’s a list of federal, state and private small-business grants and resources. Federal small-business grants Government agencies are among the biggest distributors of business grants, supporting a range of enterprises from environmental conservation to child care services. Applying may seem intimidating, but federal grants are great opportunities for small-business owners looking to grow. Grants.gov : Grants.gov is a comprehensive database of grants administered by various government agencies, such as the Education Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Small Busi