This is just a quick update due to the overwhelming interest in the Iraqi Dinar. There is so much speculation on when and will this currency RV. I decided to do further research on the Iraqi dinar. I am no expert on this particular currency and after many hours of research the site which I think has great insight is www.dinarspecualtion.com Adam Montana apparently has followed this subject for a number of years and has a wealth of information on his site. I am sure all readers will have a greater understanding on the Iraqi Dinar after reading this informative site. I know that I have. I encourage you to look around the Dinar Speculation blog. The site takes a very honest look at the speculation on the Iraqi Dinar, but never once mentions when and if this currency will RV due to the fact that no one knows. I am sure you will enjoy reading this information as much as I have. As I have stated before, if you are thinking of investing in this particular currency do your research.
The Iraqi Dinar is a hot topic on discussion boards debating the pros and cons of investing in the dinar. There are those in favour of investing small amounts of money buying the devalued currency based on the fact Iraq’s currency was devalued as part of economic sanctions which are expected to be lifted soon. Investors look at the Kuwaiti Dinar and what happened to the currency when the Kuwait war ended apparently making quite a few people wealthy.
The big question when and will this currency revaluate? If you are interested in buying this currency there are issues you should consider. After the rule of Saddam Hussein a unique and almost perfect protection against counterfeiting named the Iraqi Dinar was ushered onto the open market. If you are considering purchasing the Iraqi Dinar be sure to purchase from an authentic dealer and don’t purchase the earlier Saddam Hussein money it is worthless.
Some financial observers are positive. Jim Cramer of Money Matters said Iraq is receiving tremendous support from the US and indicates Iraq’s oil reserves are the reasons why investing in the dinar is not a bad idea. Check out the segments which can be found on YouTube about the potential the dinar has as a good investment. Points to consider: The dinar has been devalued deliberately as part of economic sanctions against Iraq. When sanctions are lifted if Iraq is able to overcome its problems and develop the oil fields the dinar, which has shown some growth, may show moderate to significant growth. Some experts say the dinar could be devalued further after sanctions are lifted, or even abandoned for a new form of currency. Others say that the worst case is the currency even if devalued could still be traded in for the dollar. There is information all over the net regarding this subject which makes for very interesting reading. If you are considering investing in this currency do your research and only invest an amount you can afford.
There has been a big shift towards people arranging their travel plans online. Will the Travel Agents survive? Providing you are able to use a computer, booking domestic flights online is now quick and easy, I would certainly recommend this option instead of using a Travel Agent. Agents make little profit on domestic flights and therefore would probably prefer people to book their flights online. The airlines have sales on domestic flights during the year and this is a great time to book online.
International Travel is a whole other story and I prefer to use a Travel Agent. They are the professionals and are worth their weight in gold. The internet is a great source for research but to actually plan and cost the holiday a Travel Agent is the better option. The dislike of the Travel Agents by the Airline Companies is simple they don’t want to pay the 5% commission to the agent. The Airline Companies want Travel Agents taken out of the booking equation. A good travel agent will find the best deals on airfares, accommodation and perform tasks related to all your travel needs. They are able to negotiate priority seating, boarding and act as a representative should something go wrong. The airlines to do not appreciate this service provided by a good agent as this actively works to lose airline companies money when pursuing a better deal for travellers. Keep in mind that it is the airlines not the Travel Agent that can change the pricing many times due to demand.
In order for the Travel Agent to survive an option is to specialize in certain locations and become an authority on that area. Provide information that is hard to find elsewhere and become an indispensable resource. Corporate Travel for business people is still high in demand for their travel plans. Retirees and those that do not have access to the internet also use agents. Travel Agents still know how to get the best deals and have the buying power leverage behind them. I find the safety net of a Travel Agent invaluable if something went wrong. The key is “specialization”.
A continuation of the article that was sent to me regarding Gold. As I stated I am no expert in this field. I found this article so interesting and informative, I felt compelled to put it on my blog simply for people to have some information on this subject that is being talked about in many circles. A thank you to Ellyn for your much appreciated comment.
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
ETFs for gold and silver can be very good vehicles for trading but they can also be a major pitfall for investing. When you buy an ETF, you are buying shares in a trust that is owned and run by a bank, which might be holding gold or silver. However, shares in an EFT are not gold or silver, which is allocated to, and wholly owned by a single entity, YOU!
Numismatics
Numismatics is defined as the study or collecting of coins, medals, and paper money. They are considered “collectables” and as such are subject to being valued in terms of rarity and sentimentality. Numismatics coins are easy to buy, however, they can be very difficult to sell!
Online Sellers
Although there are many legitimate and reputable online services to buy and sell gold, there are just as many scams and fraudulent services out there as well! Only buy from a well-known online company. Do your homework and check with consumer watch dog agencies to confirm the online seller you buy from is trustworthy. Buy your gold from a service that comes recommended by someone you know and trust.
How To Buy Gold
Find a company that sells gold in small ingots or bullion. Ingots will be the perfect size for use as gold money currency. Make sure the gold in 99.9% pure kina-bar quality gold certified by an authorized agency. Be sure to shop around for the lowest storage fees. The best gold brokerage firms offer storage for free!
Storing Your Gold vs Possessing Your Gold
I recommend that you store most of your gold in a Swiss Bank or a Hong Kong bank. This way in the event of an economic disaster the Federal Government cannot mandate you to give your gold to them as they did during the Great Depression!
Should I Buy Gold or Silver?
For practical purposes, that is, using precious metals as a new global currency Gold is a better choice. It is not as soft as silver and small ingots bring a higher price. Gold is consistently increasing in value. And there seems to be no indicators of it slowing down any time in the near future. Because Gold is so predictable you can have peace of mind that your retirement now holds a security level not found in other investments.
I received an interesting article on Gold the other day and I thought I would share it with you all. I know my son has been saying for a few years now buy gold, I should have listened then, as it has doubled since that advice. There is alot of talk around regarding paper money and its value being worthless. I am no expert on this field at all, although after reading the article it certainly has some valid points. Read the article and watch the video, it would be interesting to receive your thoughts on this subject.
Why Buy Gold? For those of you who are neophytes to the gold and silver market, you probably have many questions. You may be asking yourself, “Why buy gold?. That is a very good question. Depending on whom you ask you will probably get a different answer. I will tell you the reason why you should buy gold…Because GOLD IS MONEY! When (notice I did not say “if”) our currency fails (and it has to!) and our paper money is worthless, owning physical gold (and silver) will become the globally accepted currency. People will need gold to purchase the essentials of everyday life! Another reason to buy gold is… Because Gold Is A Store Of Value! Gold never loses its value. The same amount of gold will buy an average home today as it did in the 1920s! The price of gold has an inverse relationship with the value of the dollar. When the dollar is up the price of gold goes down. When the dollar falls the price of gold increases.
Quick Historical Fact: Throughout history, all the fiat currencies of great civilizations have failed! The U.S. dollar has had a nice run but it too is coming to a fast end. Our nation is on the verge of a TRAUMATIC Economic disaster! The perfect economic storm is forming and it is just a matter of time before it hits. When that happens, hyperinflation will occur and the dollar will collapse. Those who own gold and I mean “physical” gold, not stocks of gold companies, will become wealthy! At this writing, the price of gold is approximately $1,500 per ounce! I predict that within two years or less the price of gold will hit $5,000 per ounce or MORE. In addition, here is the reason not to buy gold… Because Gold Is Not An Investing Vehicle! Yes if you bought gold and especially silver in the past few years, and held on to it, you have made quite a nice profit! However, trying to play roulette with the price of gold and silver is a fool’s game. Buy gold because… It Is A Hedge Against Inflation! As prices go up and the purchasing power of the dollar drops, your money is becoming worthless. So what if I am wrong and we do not experience hyperinflation and you went out and bought a boatload of gold and silver? What is the worst thing that could happen to you? You would still own a boatload of gold and silver. Guess what? The value of gold and silver NEVER GOES TO ZERO. When the dollar crashes and people start using gold for business transactions using gold bars, gold coins, and gold jewellery will not necessarily be practical. They are too big and will be worth too much money. You will not be able to buy groceries with a one-ounce gold coin worth $5,000! The Answer: buy gold in small denominations of.5 grams, 1 gram, or 2-gram ingots.
Gold is everywhere you look these days, isn’t it? These “Cash for Gold” places are apparently in every strip center in the country! Gold purchasing companies are advertising for you to mail in your gold and they will give you money back. Every other television commercial is promoting gold commemorative coins!
IMPORTANT TIP: Avoid these places like the plague! They are a supreme rip off. They are gold experts. You’re not. They buy and sell gold every day. You do not. They do this for a living. You do not. They will beat you all day long. My advice: KEEP YOUR GOLD AND SILVER JEWELRY! It will be worth 100 times as much in a couple of year.I received an interesting article on Gold the other day and I thought I would share it with you all. I know my son has been saying for a few years now buy gold, I should have listened then as it has doubled since that advice. There is alot of talk around regarding paper money and its value being worthless. I am no expert on this field at all, although after reading the article it certainly has some valid points. Read the article and watch the video, it would be interesting to receive your thoughts on this subject.
Why Buy Gold? For those of you who are neophytes to the gold and silver market, you probably have many questions. You may be asking yourself, “Why buy gold?. That is a very good question. Depending on whom you ask you will probably get a different answer. I will tell you the reason why you should buy gold…Because GOLD IS MONEY! When (notice I did not say “if”) our currency fails (and it has to!) and our paper money is worthless, owning physical gold (and silver) will become the globally accepted currency. People will need gold to purchase the essentials of everyday life! Another reason to buy gold is… Because Gold Is A Store Of Value! Gold never loses its value. The same amount of gold will buy an average home today as it did in the 1920s! The price of gold has an inverse relationship with the value of the dollar. When the dollar is up the price of gold goes down. When the dollar falls the price of gold increases.
Quick Historical Fact: Throughout history, all the fiat currencies of great civilizations have failed! The U.S. dollar has had a nice run but it too is coming to a fast end. Our nation is on the verge of a TRAUMATIC Economic disaster! The perfect economic storm is forming and it is just a matter of time before it hits. When that happens, hyperinflation will occur and the dollar will collapse. Those who own gold and I mean “physical” gold, not stocks of gold companies, will become wealthy! At this writing, the price of gold is approximately $1,500 per ounce! I predict that within two years or less the price of gold will hit $5,000 per ounce or MORE. In addition, here is the reason not to buy gold… Because Gold Is Not An Investing Vehicle! Yes if you bought gold and especially silver in the past few years, and held on to it, you have made quite a nice profit! However, trying to play roulette with the price of gold and silver is a fool’s game. Buy gold because… It Is A Hedge Against Inflation! As prices go up and the purchasing power of the dollar drops, your money is becoming worthless. So what if I am wrong and we do not experience hyperinflation and you went out and bought a boatload of gold and silver? What is the worst thing that could happen to you? You would still own a boatload of gold and silver. Guess what? The value of gold and silver NEVER GOES TO ZERO. When the dollar crashes and people start using gold for business transactions using gold bars, gold coins, and gold jewellery will not necessarily be practical. They are too big and will be worth too much money. You will not be able to buy groceries with a one-ounce gold coin worth $5,000! The Answer: buy gold in small denominations of.5 grams, 1 gram, or 2-gram ingots.
Gold is everywhere you look these days, isn’t it? These “Cash for Gold” places are apparently in every strip center in the country! Gold purchasing companies are advertising for you to mail in your gold and they will give you money back. Every other television commercial is promoting gold commemorative coins!
IMPORTANT TIP: Avoid these places like the plague! They are a supreme rip off. They are gold experts. You’re not. They buy and sell gold every day. You do not. They do this for a living. You do not. They will beat you all day long. My advice: KEEP YOUR GOLD AND SILVER JEWELRY! It will be worth 100 times as much in a couple of year.
Take a look at the video by Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad Poor Dad Author).
The ash cloud that has caused so many flight delays, may continue if the volcano erupts again. Although most people are understanding and know the staff at the check in have no control over what is called ‘an act of god’, there are still some people who continue to abuse the staff. It may be frustrating and upsetting to see that the flights have been cancelled, but I am sure that most would agree that safety is of the utmost importance. The cost of cancellations to the airlines will run into the millions of dollars. Their decision to cancel flights is based on the safety of their passengers and is in no way meant to inconvenience their customers. Perhaps, we should be grateful that in this day and age we all have the opportunity to be able to fly to our destination for a reasonable price.
The staff are not responsible for travel baggage allowance that is over the required limits and this includes cabin luggage, customers who arrive late for check in and they are certainly not responsible for the cancellation of flights, whatever the reason may be. Every airline has different rules and policies, domestic is also different to international, therefore it is always wise to read the Airline Policies regarding baggage allowance, check in times and cancellation. When you purchase an airline ticket there will be a section on the company policies for you to read, when booking online the same applies. Take the time to read the policy, if there is something you don’t understand contact the airline or a Travel Agent they will be more then happy to explain the policy to you.
Next time you decide to verbally abuse the staff at check out, remember they are only following the company policy. Patience and respect is the way to go.
I recently returned from a holiday in Vietnam and it has certainly stirred my passion of travelling. It was so exciting to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City previously known as Saigon. Our Vietnam home as they say was the famous Rex Hotel which was a regular hangout for the American officials and journalists during the Vietnam War. The Rooftop Garden is where they sipped their drinks while they could see and hear the unrest in the city below. To this day the Rooftop Garden is a famous place for tourists, expats and locals. The Rex Hotel is located in district one which is the central part of town. The hotel is well equipped with 5 restaurants, gym, two rooftop swimming pools and a Day Spa. The first day we managed to visit the Vietnam War Memorial which in itself was very emotional but well worth the visit. Next stop was the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office which is right across the road from the Cathedral both which were built during the French colonists.
The following day we ventured to the Cu Chi Tunnels. It is about 60km away from Ho Chi Minh City, home of the legendary underground tunnel network. The VC built a 250km long network of tunnels connecting post, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. The network of tunnels apparently were never discoverd by the enemy. We also went to the Mekong Delta which was an amazing feeling as this river runs through 6 countries. The reason it looks muddy is due to the sand. Other places of interest is the Ben Thanh Markets, Dinh Doc Lap (Reunification Palace), Opera House and the Lacquer factory. I personally found Ho Chi Minh City full of history, warm friendly people and spectacular food. If you love shopping, you can shop till you drop from the markets to the high end shopping malls. Once in Vietnam the cost of food, tours and gifts for family is very cheap. Visas are required before you can enter Vietnam check online www.myvietnamvisa.com
Travel insurance is a must for both young and old when travelling to another country. Travel insurance is very competitive and it is wise to do research before deciding on a policy. There are credit cards now that offer free international travel insurance, check with your credit card company to see if it applies to you. If you do have travel insurance on your credit card be sure to read the policy in depth. After reading my policy I discovered that I was not covered for domestic travel or while I was in transit. Conditions do apply so be sure to read what they are.
When choosing your travel insurance take into consideration where you will be travelling. In the case of Cuba you have to present your health insurance policy before entry. Health is very expensive in the USA so I would recommend high medical insurance. If you have a pre existing medical condition you MUST inform the insurance company, the reason is the company has the right to decide whether the condition will be covered or not. Travel Insurance Policies may not cover dangerous or extreme activity for eg. Snowboarding, surfing, rock climbing, bungee jumping, hunting and kite surfing they maybe a general exclusion. There are many travel insurance companies online that you will be able to compare prices. Persons that do not have access to the internet will be able to phone the company. Another option is your Travel Agent, they are more then qualified to explain all the different policies and which one is suitable for you. Always read the product disclosure statement and ensure you understand exactly what your travel insurance covers. Any Policy issues should be clarified directly by the insurer. The cost of Travel Insurance is always based on the type of cover required.
IF YOU CANT AFFORD TRAVEL INSURANCE YOU CANT AFFORD TO TRAVEL!!!!!!
There are a few tips and hints to making your flight to your destination easy and comfortable. If you prefer a window seat rather then the middle or aisle seat or the front of the aircraft to the back, you now have the option to check in online. After completing your booking head to the online seating chart and choose the seat of preference this will save disappointment when arriving to check in and the seat you prefer is not available. Meal options are available for vegetarians or persons who require special dietary needs this must be done prior to flying. Before checking in your luggage remove all old flight tags.
Wear comfortable loose clothing especially on the long hauls. When you are sitting in a seat for 28hours tight clothing will become very uncomfortable. If possible wear shoes that you can slip on and off with ease. Once you are in your seat I would recommend to take your shoes off and put on a pair of socks. Long hauls provide a small kit with socks, toothpaste, toothpaste and sleep mask. Short trips take a pair with you. Its wise on the long hauls to move around the cabin or do some feet exercises to prevent swelling. Due to altitude your eyes dry out, therefore it is advisable to wear glasses instant of contact lenses.
In regards to taking bottled water on board you will need to check, each airport in different countries seems to have different rules. In any case if you have a bottle of water on you they will simply ask you to discard the water bottle in the bins provided. If you need water on the flight you only have to ask the Steward or Stewardess.
As more and more security issues arise the rules seem to change consistently. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the Air Travel Rules. Different countries have different rules, some require you to take your shoes off to be scanned others don’t. Check to see if the items you are carrying on board are not prohibited if they are you will be asked to discard them. If you don’t comply with the rules you will be detained by airport security. Do your research to find the latest updates on Air Travel Rules it will make your travel experience more pleasant.
Now its decision time to ask myself what do I continue to write about. It clicked to me when John said write about your interest, hobby etc, instantly travel came to mind so here we go with the second blog.
There are many various ways to satisfy the human curious nature of wanting to acquire information. The internet is a great source for satisfying our curiosity, there is also newpapers, magazines, seminars, even watching television and of course travelling to different parts of the world. In recent years with airfares being very competitive access to travel has become available to all who want to experience different cultures.
When you do decide to venture to other parts of the world, it is always wise to do your research. There are many ways to research, first there is you local Travel Agent. Travel Agents are well qualified to answer all of your questions regarding flights, accommodation, tours, visas, car hire cruising and most important the cost. Providing you have access to the internet, you are able to book your own flights, accommodation, tours, car hire, cruises even visas all online. The internet is fast becoming a very popular way of organizing all travel arrangements. Travel books such as Lonely Planet are a great way to read up on your choice of destination and even newspapers have a travel section with tips and hints on travelling.
Where to go? There are numerous places to go and have a wonderful new experience. Relaxing on beach in Bali, trekking through Nepal, snow boarding in Austria or shopping in Dubia travel is a great way to satisfy our curiosity. Whether you choose a popular destination or a destination off the beaten track just do your research and you will have a great experience. Happy Travelling!!!!