5 Essential Things You Need To Consider Before Opening a CFD Trading Account

If you are thinking of trading in the financial market, the first thing you might want to do is open a trading account. With a plethora of platform providers in Singapore, choosing a platform as a preferred broker might be more beneficial to you than you realize.

Since most providers offer very similar services, they may appear homogenous from the very start. However, if you take a closer look at the various services they offer, you will begin to notice all the differentiating factors. Here are some of the essential things you need to consider before opening a cfd trading account in Singapore.

Company’s Reputation

All thanks to the internet, personal finance has become truly globalized. A few years ago, retail investors used to rely on making phone calls to their trading representatives for the purpose of buying or selling their investments. However, in today’s world all one needs is a good internet connection to make use of the platforms being offered by providers in Singapore and the rest of the world.

One major disadvantage to this is that there are plenty of small and obscure providers out there offering brokerage services. A number of such firms offer new clients extremely low transaction costs in order to lure them to their platforms.

If you are looking to open a cfd trading account in Singapore, it is advisable that you go with a reputable and well-established trading firm. This is because CFD trading requires a specific type of skillset.

Ease of Opening a Trading Account

Human beings have the tendency of always looking for the most convenient option. Most people, if not all tend to appreciate a low barrier of entry. When you are able to easily open an account online, it saves you the time you would have taken to physically go to the office to sign up.

Similarly, if you are not required to put up a minimum trading amount to open the account, it will give you a chance to first test drive the platform before making any long term commitments.

Mobile Support

In today’s world, it is crucially important to be able to use your tablets or mobile device to conduct business and check on your trades. This is because people spend more times on their phones and they constantly have their mobile devices with them as compared to desktops and laptops.

Before you go opening a cfd trading account, ensure that the provider has an application that permits you to trade via tablet or mobile devices. This would really come in handy in the long run.

Educational Support

This is perhaps one of the most significant factors to consider when getting a CFD trading account.  However, educational support is frequently ignored by both traders and platforms alike. If you want to succeed in financial trading, you need to have full knowledge and understanding of what you are doing. Unlike gambling, CFD trading in Singapore requires a lot of experience, skills and knowledge.

A good company should have industry experts who assist you in trading strategy and other skillsets. Some of the topics covered should include technical analysis, forex trading and algorithm trading among others.

The Platform Provided

Some of the key considerations when choosing a platform should be availability of tools and user experience. These should comprise of charting indicators, as well as customizable features. Other things your trading platform should have include automated trading and stop-loss features among others.

When choosing a financial trading account, ensure that you get one that best suits your needs. There is no right answer when it comes to choosing the best cfd trading account, it all depends with what you intend to do. Whether you intend on making a periodical investment or making more frequent trades in multiple asset classes, the best choice for a trading account really depends on your intentions.

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How To Be A Positive Influence In The Workplace

There is a considerable amount of weight in Newton’s third Law of Motion. According to him: “every action has an equal and opposite reaction”. Simply put, forces always come in pairs! No matter how small your action may be, it can either cause a positive or negative influence in the workplace.

Aim to radiate a pleasant effect in the workplace by considering the following ideals:

A Two-Way Street

Let us start with the basics. Without a shadow of doubt, influence is a two-way street. The more that you let others to incorporate their ideas to your vision, the more that they will be open to incorporate your ideas to their work. Take time to listen to your co-workers’ opinions and acknowledge their worth. You may also encourage other people to speak up.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Being Polite Goes A Long Way

During a child’s crucial years, etiquette is one of the first things that you are expected to instill. You need to highlight the importance of treating others in a way that you want to be treated. Being able to say “please and thank you” in suitable situations can cultivate mutual respect. Whenever you are delegating a task to your subordinate or asking a favor to your boss, it is better to display good manners. People will go above and beyond to assist you when they are treated with courtesy and admiration.

Having good manners shows that you care about your co-workers the people around you. Furthermore, it can open doors to building lasting friendships.

The Familiarity Principle

I am going to introduce you to an interesting concept in Social Psychology – the Familiarity Principle. According to this principle, we are attracted to the people who are familiar to us. Repeated exposure to “familiar people” will increase our attraction toward them. We are magnetized by the people who share the same interests, attitudes, behaviors, or beliefs. Apply the Familiarity Principle to your workplace by finding a common ground between you and your co-workers.

Start by making time for casual conversations. Ask them about their weekend or rejoice over the upcoming holiday. Small talks can uncover parts of their personalities (e.g., food preferences) and can lead to meaningful conversations. Remain professional without prying or over-sharing. Building positive interactions with the people you work with will make challenging situations less stressful.

Bond with your co-workers outside of the workplace by taking the initiative to plan events or to dine outside. Having a good relationship with the team makes any workday fun!

Show Your Flexibility

There are two types of people in the workplace. The people who are receptive of change and the people who are resistant of it. Assertiveness is a truly positive trait. However, pushing your own beliefs to others can work against you in the long run. Showing your flexibility in every situation and accepting better opinions can increase the respect that people have for you. This does not mean that you have to let go of your beliefs entirely!

Firmly hold on to your beliefs when someone contradicts you. Then, arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. No matter how stubborn a person may seem, they are more likely to approach you when you show your flexibility.

Let Them Help You

Do you believe you know everything? Well, think again! You are not an omniscient being, nor is your boss. Every day gives us an opportunity to learn new things. Broaden your knowledge by learning something new from your peers and supervisor. Intellectual curiosity proves your humility and maturity. After all, you must let others to influence you in a positive manner before being able to influence them in the same light.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Never be afraid to ask questions or to request help. If you are stuck with a certain project or assignment, ask for help! Accept support instead of settling for a mediocre result.

Sources:  1, 2, & 3

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7 Possible Reasons Why You’re Broke

Aside from cultivating an expensive taste or keeping up with your neighbors, here are 7 reasons why you are currently broke.

#1: YOU LOVE MONEY TOO MUCH

You are excessively preoccupied with the thought of gaining and spending money. Instead of focusing on the fulfillment of building a career or business, you gain satisfaction by flaunting your wealth.

#2: SAVING IS NOT YOUR PRIORITY

For many people, saving does not come naturally. It is a conscious decision to stick to your assigned budget or financial plan. If you are not making savings your priority then, you are at risk of financial stagnation.

#3: YOU ARE ADDICTED TO SALES

Who does not love scoring an item for a cheaper price? I know I do! For avid bargain hunters, there is a fine line between needs and wants.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

For instance, you just spent S$30 on an As Seen On TV product. How much did you actually save on this unnecessary sale item? Well, you saved nothing! You just spent S$30.

#4: SAYING “NO” IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU

You accept every invitation or each responsibility that comes your way. Sometimes, declining or disagreeing with other people is tantamount in protecting your finances. Consider saying something along the lines of: “No! I will not be able to lend you money right now.” or “No! I am not interested in that business venture.”

#5: YOU SPEND MORE THAN YOUR MEANS

It goes without saying that you are creating a mountain of debt by consistently spending beyond what you make. Others spend money based on what they perceive to earn that month. However, some people never actualize that financial vision.

#6: “LEGENDARY” INVESTORS DICTATE YOUR CHOICES

Self-claimed legendary investors are prevelant due to social media. These type of investors have potent skills in marketing and poor skills in managing their investment portfolio. Be careful with whom you worship!

#7: YOU NEVER LEARN

Taking a wrong financial turn is forgivable but, continuously repeating the same mistake can take a toll on your finances. Many people who suffer from financial difficulties never learn from their experiences. Instead of admitting that they were wrong, they have a tendency to ignore the issue or blame others for it.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

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Budget-Friendly Ways To Emphasize Your Abs

It is possible to score the perfect beach belly without spending too much! Case in point, most of the items on this list are free of charge.

THE VITAL ELEMENT

Believe it or not, there is one thing that many novice and some trainers overlook when toning their abs – their diet. Diet plays a vital role in getting your desired look. For instance, you may increase your intake of food rich in omega-3 to trim the body’s excess belly fat. Omega-3 fatty acid in fish oils can cause your body to reduce the amount of fat it stores.

With a dollar, you can purchase a can of sardines at the nearby grocery.

THE UPHILL BATTLE

If you are up for a challenge then, running uphill in a relatively fast pace is an efficient way to burn fat. Hill sprints helps you conquer stubborn belly fat while you indulge in a natural setting. Combining the physical benefits of running and the mental benefits of being outdoors sounds like a win-win situation to me!

Singapore offers a wide array of diversity when it comes to its hills. You can go as low as 30 meters (above sea level) in Bukit Kalang or as high as 106 meters (above sea level) in Telok Blangah Hill.

THE QUICK FIX

Did you know that it only takes two seconds too make your belly look seemingly flatter? You read that right! Andrea Metcalf, author of the bestselling book Naked Fitness, suggests that you change your posture to suit your desired figure. Highlight your flat belly by dropping your tailbone and pulling your hip bones up. Instill this posture to your daily routine by practicing “the quick fix” while you are standing up or while you are stuck in a queue.

When you are walking, Andrea suggests to keep your tailbone slightly tucked under to remove the pressure from your lower back.

THE PROPER ENGAGEMENT

I am not referring to the perfect proposal, which includes a diamond ring and unsigned property documents! Instead, I am encouraging you to engage your abdominal muscles while you walk. To do this, imagine a magnet pulling your belly button backward toward your spine as you stride. Practice this tucking movement until you become comfortable with it.

Walking can help firm one’s abs. Share this benefit by inviting a chum as you enjoy a healthy stroll.

THE SUFFICIENT SHUT-EYE

Research has shown that insufficient sleep was associated with greater fat accumulation around the stomach region. Why is this so? For starters, your body produces more cortisol (i.e., a hormone that mediates various metabolic processes) when you do not get enough shut-eye. The increased production of cortisol can boost your appetite. Thus, you have a tendency to gain more fat as you overeat.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

It is recommended to have at least seven hours of rest. Having sufficient sleep can aid in maintaining your toned belly.

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

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Bonus is in! Time to Diversify Your Investments with Peer-to-Peer Lending

With most companies’ financial year ending in December, some of you may have received your bonus in March and are wondering what to do with it. There is no written rule on how you should be utilizing your bonus. Some choose to repay their outstanding debts, while others prefer to splurge on luxury items as a way of rewarding themselves for a job well done in the past year. Building wealth can be a part of your strategy (see what experts say at CNBC and Forbes), and what better time to do it than when you have fresh funds in your bank account?

Wealth building comes in many forms, from saving to investing, be it actively or passively, amongst other strategies. Today, we introduce you to an alternative investment – Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending.

Although new to many, P2P lending has changed the financial landscape in Singapore over the past three years. P2P platforms like Funding Societies offer SMEs additional avenues for business financing and give investors more opportunities to diversify their portfolios. In other words, as you see your wealth grow progressively, you’re also helping local SMEs grow their businesses.

Here are 4 reasons to consider putting part of your bonus into P2P lending:

1. It caters to all salary and bonus ranges

P2P lending is accommodating in terms of one’s starting investment capital. You don’t need a huge fortune to begin investing, and you can invest more depending on your risk appetite. For instance, Funding Societies allows you to make an investment from as low as $50. Not to mention, you only need to put in a $1,000 deposit (can be withdrawn at no cost) before you are able to access investment opportunities. Accredited and institutional investors with higher capital and risk tolerance may also put in tens of thousands per investment.

2. Shorter tenures means that you get to see your returns quickly

If you are looking for short-to-mid term investments, P2P lending is a feasible option for you. Many traditional investment products require lengthy lock-in period. Generally, that is not the case with P2P lending as the loan tenures are usually shorter. The tenure for Business Term Loans typically ranges from 1 – 12 months and from 30 – 90 days for Invoice Financing. What’s more, you receive monthly repayments from your investments in Business Term Loans (one-time repayment for Invoice Financing), which you may choose to re-invest in new loans, creating a compounding effect.

3. Potentially high returns: Up to 14% per annum

Yes, you read it right. P2P lending has become a part of many investors’ wealth building strategy possibly due to its attractive potential returns. Interest rates offered by Funding Societies typically range from 8% to 14% p.a.

While the key risk with investing in P2P lending is the non-performing loans, Funding Societies manages its default rate at less than 1.5% (as of April 2018), comparable to those of major banks. This is done through extensive credit assessment of the SMEs’ loan applications to give you quality opportunities to make your investments.

4. It is super easy to participate

Investing can often be time-consuming due to the multiple tools and monitoring required. However, P2P lending is relatively simple to participate in:

  1. Just look out for upcoming deals
  2. Read the respective fact sheets
  3. Decide on an amount to invest in.

Funding Societies further simplifies this process with its Auto-Invest function, which helps investors pre-select investments based on their pre-set criteria. Investors will be notified of the pre-selection and can decide to opt-out or go ahead with the investment. This not only makes investment hassle-free for investors, it also helps them to diversify their P2P investment portfolio by participating in multiple loans.

Start your P2P investment journey today with Funding Societies
Now that you have a clearer picture of P2P lending, consider allocating a portion of your bonus into this form of alternative investment and start earning up to 14% returns. Funding Societies is here to help you begin your P2P investment journey.

Founded in 2015, Funding Societies is the leading P2P financing platform with a Capital Markets Services license issued by the Monetary Association of Singapore. With operations in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, Funding Societies has onboarded more than 45,000 investors in a span of three short years. Now, it’s your turn to get hands on investing in P2P lending.

Sign up with Funding Societies now!

Disclaimers

This article is contributed by Funding Societies.

It should not be construed that Moneydigest is endorsing this article or any of the products and services provided by Funding Societies.

Nothing in this article should be construed as constitute or form a recommendation, financial advice, or an offer, invitation or solicitation from Funding Societies to buy or subscribe for any securities and/or investment products. The content and materials made available are for informational purposes only and should not be relied on without obtaining the necessary independent financial or other advice in connection therewith before making an investment or other decision as may be appropriate.

 

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