Pittsburgh Better Times

A Lifestyle Publication for the Pittsburgh Community

Day Trading Simplified

by

What is Day Trading?

Day trading is a special kind of trading where securities or other financial instruments are held for just a single day. This means that a day trader buys stocks today and sells off the stock by the end of the trading day. It could also mean buying and selling multiple times during a trading day. All transactions are initiated and concluded within that day.

This is different from swing trading in which securities can be held for weeks and even months or investment type trading where securities can be held for years. Learn more about day trading here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRNy7rTJK-A

Advantages of Day Trading

There are distinct advantages to day trading and we will look at these. [Read more…]

New Technology Solves a Common Problem, Especially Among Younger Car Buyers

by

In about 90 seconds, industry-changing text-to-quote technology delivers car insurance quotes directly to buyers’ phones

It’s happening more and more: millennials are going into car dealerships to buy cars, without realizing they need insurance to drive them off the lot. Now RightSure, a trusted name in insurance technology, is introducing proprietary text-to-quote technology that will give them an auto insurance quote in about 90 seconds using their smartphones.

This twist introduces speed and smartphone convenience to auto insurance technology

For years, hundreds of dealerships have used RightSure’s RightRater.com to help tens of thousands of car buyers quickly find and purchase insurance at the lowest rates. “But our research shows that millennials don’t want to call our toll-free number. They don’t want to hop onto a desktop or laptop to access our website. They want to be on their phones,” says RightSure’s Jeff Arnold, author of the Amazon best-seller, “The Art of the Insurance Deal.”   [Read more…]

5 Tips for Reinvigorating the Retirement Paradigm 

by

By Joan Tabb

Baby Boomers are heading into retirement in droves. Each day, about 10,000 close the door to their office for the last time. But, unlike generations before them, they can now look forward to potentially decades of vital life ahead of them. They represent the healthiest and longest living generation ever — translating to endless prospects for vivacity and opportunities in their next phase of life.

In this new era, it’s time to retire the word “retirement.” Its connotation of removing ourselves from the mainstream and biding time with card playing and porch sitting is a throwback. A better term for this stage of life is “ReVitalment” — reflecting a time of meaning, purpose and fun, and for activating the best part of you.

However, many in the 55-plus age range are daunted by the thought of 24-7 freedom. They can’t fathom how to replace the purpose and structure their careers offer. For these people who are about to exit the workforce, a process of self-inquiry and investigation can help in defining what will bring them the most satisfaction in this coming stage of life.  [Read more…]

Tips to Help You Control Your Finances and Stabilize Your Relationship

by

The notion that money can’t buy happiness is true to some extent but for people in a relationship, having aligned financial goals will go a long way in reducing the constant conflicts. Besides communication issues, relationships have suffered from financial issues. In short, serious money fights are prevalent in most relationships.

To most couples, talking about money isn’t a pleasant encounter despite its high place in determining a healthy relationship as well as financial security. While this is the case, it’s possible to embrace your significant other when managing your finances. With the financial tips discussed below, you can improve and stabilize your relationship.

Identify the money personality traits in your partner

People are different, there is no denying that. The differences tend to influence how we handle the finances to some extent. For instance, if you have a partner who embraces frugal spending habits but you like spending liberally, you can bet that your money talks are more likely to get heated.

When you identify how your partner thinks about and handles finances, you are closer to understanding the reasons behind the personality. With this in mind, you can handle the money topics without being judgmental and be more open to putting yourself in your partner’s shoes. Once this is accomplished, it is quite easy to lay down workable plans adapted to the different personalities. [Read more…]

How To Find A Trustworthy Real Estate Agent

by

Real estate agents aren’t known for their honesty and the media is packed full of alarming stories which show them in a bad light. However, the truth is they aren’t all bad. A well known saying in the industry is that 10% of agents do 90% of the work, and it’s the agents which fall into this 10% that sellers should be seeking out. So, those who are keen to move up the property ladder or who are after a quick house sale following a divorce should do all they can to hunt out the most trusting agents in Pittsburgh.

Knowledge of the industry

Agents should know their stuff, but they should also be knowledgeable in the increasing changes which are going on outside their direct line of business which could still impact them. For example, driverless vehicles could soon turn the real estate world on its head, but does your agent know this? As with any industry, it’s important that your realtor stays up to speed with the latest news and you shouldn’t be afraid to challenge them on this. After all, you’re potentially going to be making them a lot of money.

Other things you should question them on are properties which have recently sold in the area and others currently up for sale. Being able to provide you with this information off the top of his or her head is a sign of a good agent. [Read more…]

How to Sell Your House Fast After a Divorce

by

Going through a divorce is tough; it is also a costly process, which is why many divorcing homeowners choose to sell their home. And, they want to do it fast. The good news is that Pittsburg residents will enjoy a booming housing market, as recent statistics show that the Pittsburgh housing market trends increased 8% or $12,215 in median home sales in 2017. Also, the average price per square foot increased from $115 to $122. So if you’re in a financial bind because of the divorce, you must do what you can to increase the curb appeal of your home and put it on the market at a much higher value.

In the United States alone, there were 813,862 divorce cases in 2014. And according to the American Psychology Association, about 40% to 50% of married couples divorce. Divorce is an option many couples choose, but it is an expensive option at that. Not only is divorce emotionally draining, it is financially draining too. Whether the marriage ended happily or badly, the process will still greatly impact an individual who goes through it. One of the easy ways to finance a divorce is to sell the couple’s home. And if you can sell it for a much higher price, then you should do that. Increasing your home’s curb appeal will help you earn more from the sale, and at the same time, make your home more attractive and lucrative to buyers, especially if you want it sold as quickly as possible. [Read more…]

3 Of The Main Benefits Of Giving To Charity

by

Pittsburgh was recently called the “most generous” city by Charity Navigator, but there is still a clear need for more charity work. A third of the neighborhoods in Pittsburgh still have poor quality schools, and the costs of education, housing and child care continue to rise.

If you want to embrace the Pittsburgh giving spirit, there are lots of reasons to do so, from compassion to the possibility of tax deductions. If you are thinking about giving to a local charity, here are three reasons to do just that (just make sure that you do your research before you choose a charity).

Here are three of the main benefits of giving to causes that need your financial assistance.

You Will Receive A Tax Deduction

One great advantage of giving to an IRS approved charity is that you can write off the donations when you do your tax return. There are a few restrictions that apply to these donations though, so you should check out the IRS before choosing a charity and a time to donate. [Read more…]

How To Avoid Becoming A Financial Burden On Your Kids

by

Jeannette Bajalia

Americans are living longer than ever, which means retirement could last 20 to 30 years for some people – maybe even longer.

That’s great for those who remain in reasonably good health and retire with plenty of financial stability.

But lengthy life spans also increase the odds that many seniors will deplete their savings, face debilitating health problems and need to turn to their children for financial help or caregiving.

That’s a far cry from the kind of retirement they dreamt of over the years.

“I’ve done focus groups where one of the chief concerns that comes up is people don’t want to become a burden on their kids,” says Jeannette Bajalia, a retirement-income planner, president of Woman’s Worth® (www.womans-worth.com) and author of Retirement Done Right and Wi$e Up Women.

It’s really too late to do much, though, when you’re 80 and your life starts unraveling. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead to get your finances and health in the best shape possible, she says. Among some of the points worth thinking about: [Read more…]

Tips for Donating to Charity this Holiday Season

by

William Taylor

By Robert Fragasso & William Taylor, Fragasso Financial Advisors

The holidays are not only a time of celebration, but also a time of thankfulness and recognition. The spirit of the season, as well as the closing of the current tax year, often motivates people to contribute to charitable causes. But before donating this year, there are certain measures individual donors should take to ensure their donation satisfies both the tax and emotional advantages charitable giving can bring.

Identify the right fit

One of the most crucial issues for donors is finding a cause that has personal significance to them. If a donor does not already have a connection to a cause, we always recommend using the many resources available online to find the right fit. Sites such as GuideStar and Charity Navigator are two of the best tools available to assist in the research phase. These outlets can help narrow options by connecting users with organizations that are both reputable and IRS-qualified. 

Make sure your donation is allocated appropriately

In addition to understanding how to choose the right charity, we also urge our clients to make sure most of the donation goes to the cause itself, rather than administrative expenses. While these expenses are certainly necessary, some donors prefer their contributions be allocated toward a specific initiative or portion of the charity. This can prove to be challenging for most, and oftentimes, charity contacts do not have control over where a gift is spent. [Read more…]

Who Should Be Helping You Get Out of Debt?

by

What every consumer should know about overcoming a cash crisis

There’s been a dramatic reversal in spending behavior. People are borrowing more money and not paying down their debts. In the second quarter of 2015, there was a $28 billion increase in credit card debt. That’s a 66 percent increase over the same period last year. “What this means,” cautions National Debt Relief Consumer Advocate Adam Tijerina, “is that a lot of people may soon need help climbing out of debt.” He adds that should that happen to you, getting the right kind of help can make the difference between restoring your credit and falling further behind in your bills.

Financial hardships can strike anyone at any time. “Your work hours get reduced or you get laid off. Maybe you get divorced. Or, you may be making great progress on interest charges until medical expenses derail your efforts,” Tijerina explains. [Read more…]