Handling The Interest Wave Rise Effectively

Last Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve had announced a certainty for investors and pensioners: the US' monumentally low interest rates are rising three times for 2017. Much to the chagrin of those indebted, the interest rates wave is not disappointing if one understands its advantages.

One advantage is to ensure that one's portfolio is on the proper track -- meaning part of your investment portfolio is unaffected by the long-term investment goals. If the goal is to reach a certain amount during a year, assess whether the buying or selling of a certain stock is worth the actual long-term goal. 

Second, bonds are a great investment nowadays. Their profits are moderate but they guarantee safety and security especially now that the interest rates for central US banks are higher. With higher rates, their value is lower -- meaning you could gain portfolio security once lower interest rates. Balance is truly an important part of the deal.

Higher interest rates mean the government is confident in the US economy. It would be best to move and make minor adjustments in one's portfolio given no drastic change is needed especially if one's long-term goals remain unaffected. The new interest rise is only a small change that would affect the market in the short-term.

Marriage Isn't All Expenses: These Three Prove It

Many remain single for reasons not because they are loveless or unlovable -- as many would say. Some just choose to be single because the economy and employment situation across the world is in dire shape. But these three reasons prove that marriage -- well-avoided for possible financial disasters -- still has plenty of fiscal merit.

Tax Breaks

According to Express UK, the UK's Marriage Allowance allows couples to save up to £220 annually and even support the lower earner with a £1,100 cap transfer annually -- if the lower earner has an income of less than £11,000. Tax breaks are pretty useful and £220-£1,100 is not bad an amount at all.

No IHT

Marriage in the United Kingdom also doubles the IHT allowance to £650,000 from £325,000 individually according to Express. Also, couples owning properties valued at about £600,000 do not need to pay additional IHT at all. If they were single and owned the same property, they would be paying back £110,000.

Pensions

Marriage also guarantees the partner receives the pension benefits of the married husband or wife should anything happen to them. Cohabitation makes pensions an entirely troubling scenario for the partner who is not legally entitled to claim any benefits under the name of the husband or wife.

The Stock Market Might Be Witnessing A Calm Before The Storm

It was the opposite of what stock analysts estimated about US President-Elect Donald Trump's win; America expected a volatile and fluctuating stock market pummelled by uncertain investors pulling out and likely investing their money in gold or other secure-value assets. But the stock market continues to soldier on even if the US Federal Reserve announced it would be raising interest rates.

The VIX index remains steady. It is responsible for estimating the deep fluctuations in S&P's 500 Index through a series of complex calculations. The VIX has remained calm. The last fluctuation was in late August 2015 after the market feared for an immense Chinese economic crash, having it raise up to 50.

When the VIX increases, premiums also increase as turmoil and market fears hold sway against investors. In 2017, the VIX raised itself to 32 from 20 due to unstable oil prices and slowing global economic growth. When Trump had taken the lead, the market's fears had grown further, bringing the VIX to a higher level. But now, it is at 11.

According to Luby Asset Management Chief Bill Luby in California, the number 11 is a historic low even for VIX. About 15-20 is the stable figure for VIX, signifying that investors may be becoming quite complacent and the current stock market is indeed favourable for long-term investors.