Will Personal Finance Courses In College Really Help Improve Student Debt?

Financial literacy is at an all-time law, said financial experts, and the only way to improve it is through financial education integrated in all levels of education -- including college where they consider it counts the most. Financial literacy and introducing concepts of money management and personal finance during tertiary educational levels increases the likelihood of understanding possible financial options during a time of true need.

According to Wall Street Journal, the United States financial literacy level is ranked only 14th in the 2015 Standard & Poor Ratings Group Global Study with only 57% of its population capable of understanding personal finance and financial terminologies associated with fiscal options. According to George Washington University School of Business Economics and Accountancy Chair Denit Trust, personal finance courses truly help fill the gap.

According to  Annamaria Lusardi of the Denit Trust, incompetence in financial terminologies and failing to identify signs as "we would driving down a road," is the same with financial decisions -- one is treading blindly and may likely find him or herself down a pothole or worse, down a cliff.

Those opposed to the idea of personal finance courses state that scepticism is an important idea against any type of finances. Students must understand conflicts of interest especially in part of possible financial educators in all levels of education. Those opposed also believe that government policies are also to be watched, and may need to be incorporated in any successful financial education subject.

Amazon Skipped During Taxation Of Small Businesses

Small to medium enterprise representatives were enrage after UK government data speculates to collect £1bn from hiking taxes for said enterprises this 2017. Property revaluations would be "revenue-neutral" according to Treasury officials, but a report from the Department of Communities and Local Government revealed the tax total would increase from £24bn to £25bn in 2017-2018.

Some of UK's well-known upscale brands could be affected by the changes. However, Treasury Secretary David Gauke said the businesses would barely see any change or fall in their business profits."

The Federation of Small Business said the rates system is become "unfair and outdated" as it was obvious many businesses faced "arbitrary surprised hikes" in their bills.  All businesses are preparing to see a huge rating backlash in their regular tax bills.

Meanwhile, Amazon UK would get a huge business rate cut due to pre-emptive measures such as moving their warehouses away from town centres. Other large business chains including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's would also get reductions for their business.

Other property revaluations could mean universities and other educational institutions may face a £300 to £500m value increase for the rest of the decade. However, the Treasury defends the hikes stating that the cuts in the high streets were fair because these areas had handled the stress in the last few years.

Planning To Buy A House? Average Home Prices Now At £200,000

England and Wales close off 2016 with another inflation of real estate prices -- signifying great news for homeowners. Data from observers suggest that homes in England and Wales have increased by 3.1 per cent in value by the end of 2016. From October to December alone, house prices have grown by 0.4 per cent pushing house prices by £1,139 to £297,678.

The Brexit vote during the EU referendum had helped push down prices in the area but real estate confidence had returned with the average house prices back at "record levels." The rise of 3.1 per cent in England and Wales in general is an effect analysts consider to help lower London's property prices as the "balance" shifts away from the British capital city.

However, first-time homebuyers still need to contend with over £200,000 in property expenses -- a lower contender compared to the £400,000 homebuyers may face in London property values. Data from Halifax indicates that last year, 28 per cent of first-time buyers opted for a 30 -35 mortgage term with most buyers beyond the age of 30 years.

Foxtons -- recently faced with investor coop-out -- warned that the estate industry's sales are slowing down. Reflected in their figures is a sharp drop in transactions for the second half of 2016 in their central London operations.

India Has More Credit Cards That Purchase Only Small Products In 2017

Indian financial reports indicate that applications and approvals for credit cards have increased in the last three quarters of 2017 but the value of items purchased and frequency of usage is quite small. Demonetisation and the ability to pay online has increased the number of credit card applications and approvals but consumer confidence -- measured capably by credit card use -- is still at a low. 

However, India's bank industry is optimistic that the values will pick up in the second half of December once consumers pay for fuel and airline tickets for the holidays.

Analysts noted a drop in sales of consumer durables but agree it has nothing to do with the trend of demonetisation. Most consumers used their cars to spend on fuel. They speculate that as soon as old notes are phased out, it would increase the use of credit cards.

Meanwhile, ICICI Bank sources indicate that credit cards are being used for items such as coffee payments and keep growing weekly. It said that the trend of higher credit card approvals versus low transactions can be risky in the long run. Discretionary spending for higher-value items including jewllery and consumer durables are seldom with most credit card owners.

Former Kraft Finance CFO Takes Over Gap

GAP Incorporated, the world's former foremost clothing firm is to name Teri List-Stoll -- the Former CFO of Kraft -- to lead the vacant position in the company.

Ms List-Stoll formerly worked as the CFO of Dick's Sporting Goods and had left last August.

List-Stoll had resigned from Kraft after it split into two separate entities in 2012. She is also a part of the Microsoft and Danaher Corporation Board of Directors.

As newly-elected US President Donald Trump may make good on his promise to dismantle the Dodd-Frank financial reforms, she said that companies including Gap -- who intend to comply with the regulations and with happy shareholders -- are likely to keep the regulations in check.

Gap announced the resignation of former CFO Sabrina Simmons earlier this month. According to the clothing company

According to a Gap spokeswoman, Ms List- Stoll is a tested CFO of two public companies.

From her statement at the sidelines of the Financial Executives International Conference in New York last Tuesday, she needs to do a lot of things because they're the right things to do.

Her internment with Gap may begin after the company declares that Ms Simmons' hold on the CFO position will last by February 1, 2017.

Maybe It's Time To Go With Equities

Yes, the pound sterling is in very bad shape nowadays. With a 16 per cent drop to its 30-year-lowest of $1.28, the UK is facing huge rivalry against the EU and US. Given the UK's troubled economic situation due to the Brexit, it is entirely possible the UK could level down.

But once again, corporate stocks defy the odds.

According to official figures, the benchmark index of top UK stocks had defied expectations as it soars to its highest levels.

However, the UK is still bound to get a 'hard Brexit' according to Ayondo Markets Chief Trader 

Jordan Hiscott. He also said the Bank of England's cutting of interest rates had the pound less attractive to foreign investors.

British exporters and Britain's tourism industry is praising the lowered pound sterling as foreign markets are purchasing their products and services. More tourists from other countries have been purchasing pound sterling upon entry into the country, improving the industry's current outlook.

But for Britons planning trips abroad or even purchasing properties abroad, it would mean big trouble.

According to Mr Hiscott:

“It will make your holiday more expensive, particularly to Europe or the US, as sterling has fallen hardest against those currencies.”

I guess the best equities would be in the tourism industry. Indeed, now is the time to invest. From here, we can strengthen the economy once again.

Put Your Money Now If You're Thinking of Using 'Smart Funds'

The buzzword for this era is "smart".

Whenever anyone talks about "smart", it means it is capable of adapting to the needs of its owner.

For a "smart" fund, that means it adapts quickly to investor behaviour. The fund should cut more volatility and increase profits where possible.

Low or minimum-volatility funds hold stocks that are less likely to crash when the stock market should fail. Investors nowadays consider it as the new "rainy day" fund compared to the issue of crashing as a whole previously.

While it picks out blue chip companies, it picks ones that are known for their stable profits. It uses the idea  of consumer necessities fitting for a present situation, bringing out its "smart" function.

The trouble is, even with its low-risk trouble, if funds like these continue to become popular, it increases in risk.

In fact, it could very well be at risk as the Federal Reserve starts raising interest rates by the end of 2016. A climb could mean an increase in stock value, which could mean a huge number of sells depending on the investors' preference.

But even if the high demand continues the stock prices would continue to skyrocket, making it essential for investors to immediately put their money where it is right now: at a manageable position.

Reviewing The Moni 3

Whitewater Labs first released Moni in 2012. It was a simple personal finance management app made during the early days of Android. It was an easy-to-use financial management tool. I was able to keep track of all my mortgages, debt repayments and credit card limits easily.

Moni gained favours from me because of the colour codes. It handled Google's Material Design and flat design principles that gave it an attractive yet friendly look.

After three years, the Moni 3.0 arrives with new features. Before, the app only relied on your Google account where you could backup your information to a hard drive or an online cloud. Whitewater Labs had developed its own cloud system allowing you to sync and export your data in real time.

But of course, like all new applications (and methods to get you into their newsletter), Moni would require you to sign up for a Moni account.

One thing though, Whitewater Labs understands the interface was lovable for many users. New features include the ability to share financial information and update them in real time with friends and family. Now, you also have charts to keep track of your expenses.

It's an amazing tool that only keeps on giving. While there are many alternative personal finance management software out there, I think I'll stick it out with Moni 3.

George Osborne In Wall Street: Invest in Britain

The Brexit was the Tory's biggest nightmare. As it had come true, the government continues to try and plug the sinking ship that is Britain.

UK Finance Minister George Osborne has travelled from London to New York and would be travelling to China and Singapore to help convince investors to stay with the UK.

The upsell comes after immense pull-outs from investors after the Brexit's decision had come to pass. 

The vote had sent the pound to a 31-year-low as uncertainty looms in the background.

“While Britain’s decision to leave the EU clearly presents economic challenges, we now have to do everything we can to make the UK the most attractive place in the world to do business,” Osborne, who backed staying in the EU, said in a statement.

“Pursuing a stronger relationship with our biggest trading partners is now a top priority … my message to the world is that Britain may be leaving the EU but we are not quitting the world. We will continue to be a beacon for free trade, democracy and security, more open to that world than ever.”

Mr Osborne said tying up with the United States, Canada and Mexico would give the UK the leverage it needs to buoy itself off of stormy waters.

“As I will tell Wall Street, we want more finance in London, not less,” Osborne wrote, adding Britain and the United States were the biggest foreign investors in each other’s country.

Retail Investors in China Lose Money Over Huge Speculative Investments

I'm not going to say this once and I might say it again in the future, but if you're investing, don't let the promise of other people fool you. Instead, focus on looking at the industry's stability, stock performance and long-term growth.

I'm saying this because in China, thousands of retail investors have lost their life savings investing in online speculative platforms. Some of them lost about millions of Yuan, the equivalent of about hundred thousands of pounds in the United Kingdom.

According to the investors, local Chinese governments earn much from the exchange taxes. They said the local governments fully support the practice even if some found themselves duped due to outsized returns.

My only advice would be to learn from these investors. If a deal is too good to be true, it could be too good to be true.

Remember, stock investments and investing in general is all for the long-term growth and never the short game. There are methods to shorten the timespan of your money's growth, but that would mean turbulence and a load of headache.

UK Families Couldn't Afford A Cancer Treatment

According to Macmillan Cancer Support, cancer care is about £570 per month. UK families would be left with £365 monthly including standard costs for food, electricity, gas and utilities.

Unemployment and a large drop of income progress could make additional costs for cancer harder to absorb.

According to Macmillan Cancer Support's Chief Executive Lynda Thomas:

"At a time when thousands of families are struggling to make ends meet, a cancer diagnosis can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, sending them into financial freefall.

"We’re talking about families whose world has already been turned upside down and now they’re having to stop going out or spending money on small treats such as toys for their children or magazines. And even then they’re still at risk of getting into debt. It’s got to be a very worrying, isolating place to be.

“When you’re diagnosed with cancer, the last thing you need to be worrying about is how to pay the bills and keep a roof over your head. But the one thing I would say is that you don’t have to do this alone – there is help out there. At Macmillan we offer financial information and support to help people get back on their feet.

"Last year we helped 90,000 people affected by cancer unlock £267million in benefits alone.”

Macmillan warned families may turn to debts and sell properties to cover the shortfall. With the possible real estate bubble pressing against UK cities, it may not be enough to cover the cancer treatment depending on length.

Statutory Sick Pay, a government allowance that pays just £88.45 weekly, wouldn't be enough to cover the costs as it could only last for about 28 weeks.

Removing BP as a Primary Museum Sponsor is Wrong - Butler

Writing for the Financial Times, King's College London Professor and former BP Group Vice-President for Strategy Nick Butler said the British Museum's move to remove oil company BP from sponsoring their institution is a wrong move on the part of the cultural institution.

Butler's argument is that cultural institutions will benefit not just from the oil company's money, but also its upkeep.

Aside from looking like he's scaremongering, I have to agree he raises lots of valid points in these three things.

Cultural Institution Loses

The British Museum would be the one to lose. By turning away BP, the museum will likely find a suitable replacement for a lead sponsor.

However, BP has injected more than its replacement could provide for museums. Campaigners are not offering to cover the funding gap. Instead, they would suggest cuts with the museum's itinerary. 

This would devalue the institution instead of improving it.

Climate Change Negativity

Mr Butler continues to add that the British Museum's move is wholly negative and impractical.

Instead of concentrating on constructiveness, campaigners are calling for removal of greenhouse-causing companies and introducing climate change.

But the move of removing BP for climate change awareness is one that is worthless and only accounts for a small result against a bigger, more positive result in the form of a prestigious display of British history.

Hypocrisy

Mr Butler believes that those who signed for British Petroleum's removal in the sponsor list are also individuals, groups and institutions working with oil and gas companies. It reveals a major case of hypocrisy according to the former BP vice-president.

He had likened the situation to someone who claims to be vegan but inserts bacon inside the sandwich.

Avoiding Financial Trouble With Your Midlife Spouse In Three Ways

I know you've been married a bit late. I've been married about the time I was already 40. It's my first wedding in contrast to my partner; she has been married twice and I'm the second guy. It's not so bad. However, we made sure money was not a taboo topic between us and respected boundaries through these three tips!

Open Communciations

Both of you have been financially independent as you were married late. I handled my own finances without anybody telling me what to do. She has raised three children on her own without her own husband. In short, we're supposed to be a perfect team. But we figured if we didn't talk to each other about money, we'd never get anywhere.

Keeping an open channel for communication builds trust and companionship. If both of you are sharing in the financing, then that's great! If not, then it should be a boundary line that you both respect.

Be Honest

Don't wait for your partner to discover that your credit score will prevent both of you from attaining your financial goals. Discuss your credit score early on. It is highly likely, unlike my spouse and I, that you'll have joint purchases when it comes to properties, cars and even appliances.

There's huge rewards for being honest even if there could be a short term disagreement between the both of you.

Take Action

Always remember that your financial plans are just ideas. You need to do all the hard work. Make sure that both parties are seeing the proper perspective. If it isn't, later on, you and your spouse might find yourself unsatisfied with the outcome simply because you half-heartedly agreed with the investment plan in the first place.