Americans Failing Financial Literacy Education

With states in America growing lower by the numbers of students requiring high school students to complete an economic course and a bludgeoned personal finance education course seeing a huge list of failures, the biennial Survey of the States by the US Council for Economic Education publishes some troubling figures.

About 20 states have mandatory high school economic courses. About 16 states require testing, which was down from 25 in 1988.

The COEE President Nan Morrison said:

"We were disappointed to see that no additional states require courses in personal finance to be taught."

Financial education varies depending on state. Some states require economic education to be a requirement in primary school. Some merely offer the programs, which the students and parents can easily ignore.

Morisson added:

"To be successful, most kids don't need to learn about collateralized debt instruments, but they do need to know how to open a bank account, how much they need to save each month to reach their goals and, if they borrow this amount of money, how much money they will need to earn to pay it back."

The US Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's Investor Education Foundation said that high school students taking personal finance courses have received better average credit scores in their young adult age.

Three Ways To Prove You Can Handle Life-Altering Financial Decisions

The biggest and scariest financial decision I've made to date as I'm now 30 is going for a hundreds of thousands of pounds in a mortgage loan for my new home in Edinburgh. Yep, it's a huge financial commitment. With the economy's troubles and a fearful me scared of 

running out of online marketing projects, you know it's going to be my biggest enemy.

But then again, I have three things to prove to myself I can handle life-altering financial decisions. Maybe these three can help you too if you're going through the same.

A Master Of Stability

Stability is the most important focal point of your decision. But it is also what renders most investors stagnant.

I understand conservative investors who don't want to lose much for their investments. But sometimes, you have to lose some to get some.

Depending on stability alone is unstable. I learned this the hard way when I lost money in the stock market. But then again, I never lose completely when I decided to stay and see where my money takes me.

And lo and behold, this company I was holding on to just grew up by 15% in the last three 

years. Hurrah!

Looking For New Investment Opportunities

I was never really satisfied with earning just through my job as a writer and marketer. I have to raise two kids and it's never easy when you've got a new mortgage and you have someone to help you with the expenses. I went into the stock market for these new investment opportunities.

But the stock market isn't the only place to go. Banks can offer you several types of funds where you could invest your money and get some huge double back for yourself!

Knows How To Wait Out The Storm

Again, why item number 1 in this list went well is because I decided to bank on this little company. While I won't disclose its name right here, three years ago, it was down the slumps in London's Stock Market. It wasn't doing very well and I was kicking myself repeatedly for having invested in such a faulty endeavour.

But I anticipated the industry to become prominent in the next three years. And I was luckily correct.

A great financial-decider knows how to wait out the storm and when to set sail!

Europe Finance Ministers Agree To French-Led Terrorist Assets Body

According to EU Finance Ministers they have agreed to create a French-led organisation that will track and freeze terrorist funding across Europe. The agreement was made as an effort by France to end the terrorist threat to Europe after the previous month's bombing and attacks in Paris.

The European Commission is set to create a proposal to limit cash movements found to be illicit, asset freezing and financial intelligence sharing between countries to crack down on terrorist funding.

According to EC Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis:

“Ministers agreed to work on the fight against terrorism financing as an immediate priority."

French Finance Minister Michael Sapin said:

“France is satisfied,” Mr. Sapin said after the meeting. “The European Commission and EU countries will speed up efforts and cooperation between services will increase.”

The agreement will help create a comprehensive EU system that can search terrorist bank transfers modelled on international bank transactions programs the US used during its efforts post-September 11 attacks.

France wishes to implement ID checks on anonymous transactions within the European Union. Electronic currencies such as bitcoin and prepaid cards would be affected.

According to French intelligence, the terrorist cell that initiated the attack received funding in small amounts. Prepaid cards became a way to discreetly shift money from one place to the other.

Three Things You're Enjoying Right Now If You Shopped Early For Christmas

It's almost December and I bet you're finished with your holiday shopping. What? You're not? Well, not to worry. I tried the advice of those people in YouTube about shopping early and guess what? They're really right on the money.

Well, it took a little bit of effort, such as noting down and scheduling things. But then, it's a convenient way to shop.

Less Costs, More Gifts

Obviously, anticipating sales, as these YouTube tippers advised, had me buying items during percent-off sales. Some gave me half the price off. But that's just the minimum.

I actually saved on bulk deals offered last August in supermarts. Some shops, even online shops, were offering huge deals on certain items. These were running out, but I got them cheaper than I would get in Christmas.

Less Headache

I also faced less headache on the road. Christmas shopping traffic is hell, just ask anybody who did their Christmas shopping last year. If you want to save up on traffic, come home in one piece and keep your cool, then do your shopping earlier than you plan to.

No Credit Troubles

With huge sales abound and setting up Christmas shopping during your paydays, you're likely to pay for cash. You could plan your expenses. If you forgot anything, you could always head back at a later sale. Paying for cash, and saving up for money, reduces the need to use credit.

But if I plan my expenses accordingly using my credit card, I could open more opportunities for myself when it comes to financing.

Feeling Down? Just Do These Three Things To Get Your Finances Back On Track!

Working for 9 to 5 daily, even if everyone is doing it, is not always enjoyable. Even if you love your job, moody days and turbulent bodily reactions will get to you.

That's the time we begin asking "what are we doing with our lives?"

Of course, the answer to that is we work because we need money for things we need. So far, that 9 to 5 job had given us plenty of things to work with despite the economic situation and all.

But depressing days can come without warning and you might overspend as a response. Here are three things you could do.

Three Things You're Grateful For

List down three things you're thankful for. It can be as simple as having coffee every day, three square meals daily, the ability to drive a car or to afford gas. Anything. 

"I Am Wealthy Because I Have Enough"

If you've reached your financial equilibrium, you often find yourself in a happier position with your finances.

Our concept of wealth is about earning so much more while doing so little. It's also about living a luxurious life. But many are blinded by money rather than seeing time as the commodity of highest value.

It is quite rare for anybody to spend the money they earn these days. But for those who have enough time to spend their money on wants and enough money to spend for their needs, they are the true wealthiest ones.

There's a secret to this: level down the things you want, and you're instantly wealthy!

The Opposite Of Everything

If you aren't working that 9 to 5, you'll be living in the slums. If not for your job and ability to do creative work, you won't have three square meals for you and your family.

You'd rather be struggling in the traffic than laying around the streets begging for money, right?

You'd rather be talking to people with product concerns and concentrating on your product training rather than having nothing to help yourself with.

Contrasts will always help you find your motivation.

The Three Ways You Can Properly Use Credit Cards

People avoid credit cards like the plague being scared of high interest rates and mis-managed, borrowed wealth. However, credit cards take you back during a time in high school where your teachers grade your performance. Credit cards help banks determine your financial capability and responsibility to grant you access to higher credit as a form of reward.

You save money if you know how to spend it properly. That goes true for credit cards too!

1. Stick With One Card… For Now

Taking out multiple credit cards means taking on numerous responsibilities, namely repaying the finances you take out from each card. What's more, you're lowering your credit scores as soon as you take out more credit cards. Averaging the credit score, banks find that you have performed neutrally on other cards compared to your primary card. A neutral performance means a lower score. So for now, stick with one card. Build as you go would be best here.

2. Spend on More Practical Things With Your Credit Card

Practical things include gasoline, grocery and emergency items. Using your credit card to finance luxury items is okay if you have efficient fiscal management. The higher the financing you need, the better your credit score.

Look at your usual spending and list down the things you could do away with using your credit card. In this way, you reduce the likelihood of ending up in huge credit card debt.

3. Pay Regularly And In Full

By paying in full, your credit card becomes a 'wallet'. In a sense, the wallet is additional funds from your bank, which you repay to refill. If you do not refill your 'wallet' monthly, the owner of the wallet takes more for the service, hence the interest rate. Pay regularly and pay full amounts to avoid higher interest rates.

How Do You Convince Your Boss To Get A Higher Salary? Here Are Three Ways

A raise; it seems impossible for plenty of employers nowadays. If you place yourself in their shoes, you would understand. The UK's economy is growing and improving, but it is similar to a pole that is standing only on its centre of gravity and without proper support.

But you've been working hard. You definitely deserve a raise. While these methods are tried-and-tested to be highly effective, factors, including the current economic situation, will impede on your progress.

1.  Why Do You Deserve A Raise?

Before you plan on talking to your boss, remember the reasons why you deserve a raise. You've learned enough skills, check! You've learned to become entirely effective with your work, another check! You've been handling more responsibilities than what is set in the contract, check!

For sure, you deserve a raise indeed. But sometimes…

2. You Need To Get Your Timing Right

As stated earlier, not every company is doing well financially nowadays. It might not be the right time to try and ask for more cash. But then, there's always the regular pay review. When it's time, maybe you could speak up. If someone in your team leaves, it's best to link up and converse with the internal recruitment staff!

3. Geographic Research

You will want to make your case. You want to make a pitch. But you need the right information. You might find some same pay-grade to improved pay grade with current market rates. But always remember; geography dictates the amount you receive for your work. You might be paid higher for a similar occupation in London than in the Midlands, for example. It also depends on the business activities in the area.

But if you have effective research, you could definitely make your case successful!