Archive for February, 2008

Pros And Cons of Different Types Of Investments

Monday, February 25th, 2008

When deciding where to invest your money, you need to always take into account your investment goals and objectives. Different types of investments carry varying degrees of risks and potential return.

CD

A bank CD is a very safe investment. The CD is FDIC insured up to $100,000, so there truly is minimal risk. The only downside is that you cannot withdraw that money in the CD for a specific amount of time or else you’ll receive a penalty. Bank CDs generally only pay up to 5% interest.

Bonds

A bond is essentially a loan you make to a company or a government. Bonds have varying degrees of risk, from essentially risk-free treasuries to junk bonds. The higher the risk of the bond, the higher the return will generally be.

Stocks

Stocks are investments in companies. Depending on the company, the risk of the investment can be high or low. Obviously, buying stock in Johnson and Johnson is a lot less risky than a new internet startup company. In general, the stock market returns on average about 10% a year, though the actual return of any given stock will vary significantly.

 Mutual Funds

A mutual fund typically invests in over 100 stocks, so it’s an instant way to diversify your portfolio. However, the mutual fund generally charges a fee, which is about 1% of your assets per year. Because of this fee, most mutual funds do not outperform the market; a monkey blindly picking 100 stocks but not charging you a fee could easily outperform most mutual funds.

Real Estate

Real estate is a popular investment. The most obvious real estate investment you’ll make is when you purchase your home. Your home can go up or down in value when you sell it; it depends on the housing market in your area.

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Nintendo Wii vs. Playstation 3: Which Side Are You

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Sony and Nintendo have always been top rivals in the world of video gaming. In fact, both companies have certainly raised the ante when it comes to providing the very best products especially designed to impress and titillate avid game fanatics.

This is an all too serious business, with both companies aggressively pitting their products and trying valiantly to outdo and outsmart each other. No, it’s not a coincidence that Sony and Nintendo have decided to release the Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii one after the other.

It is undoubtedly a manipulative marketing scheme designed to generate more interest and fuel the public’s clamor for the latest product from the two global manufacturing giants.

Predictably, the competition between the two companies have spilled over and prompted a number of people to take sides. Hence, there is an ongoing comparison of the Nintendo Wii Vs. Playstation 3.

This is quite an inevitable scenario considering the two companies have decided to take on the head on challenge and confidently set the products against each other so publicly and with much sensationalized media hype. This is of course all in the name of serious fun and in the hopes of raking in more sales.

There have been quite a number of Nintendo Wii Vs. Playstation 3 discussions and debates as to which of the two are far more superior even way before the two products have been released. This has definitely put too much pressure on both companies and the determination to outdo the other not just in the United States but also in the entire global market. Both have a number of great features to boast and the have their own loyal followers too.

However, a lot of people who are actively participating in the Nintendo Wii Vs. Playstation 3 would concede that in terms of product hardware, Sony’s PS3 is certainly far more superior than the Nintendo Wii.

What Nintendo lacks they have more than made up for it in a number of great features that they have incorporated such as controllers with speakers and wireless controls with the help of motion sensors.

When it comes to price, Nintendo definitely gets the upper hand in the Nintendo Wii Vs. Playstation 3 comparison. This is because the Nintendo Wii comes with a more desirable price of one $249 as compared to Sony PS3’s price, which ranges from $499 - $699. Nintendo have always been known to provide family-friendly games, while Sony have a more adult oriented theme.

All in all, both products are definitely winners, but it all boils down to costumer’s preferences like any other product available in the market today.

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