Gold has always been a highly sought-after commodity—even in prehistoric times, apparently, it was coveted. It is mineral valued for its beauty and purity—but mostly for its exchange value. In periods of high market volatility gold becomes a repository for a different kind of value: faith. When the financial system looks bad on paper, value flees into gold.
Despite its repeated peaks in value, investing in it should be approached with caution. Those who know about the convoluted history of the precious metal have suggested that it is only possible to trade gold, not invest in it, due to the volatility of the economy. That said, it has been popular to capitalize upon gold’s potential during times of high inflation. Luxury goods like gold necklaces and Bertucci watches are rising in value due to market instability, which is certainly something for the adventurous to keep in mind when looking for an investment opportunity.
Devoting capital to any material whose value is reliant on times of instability, such as war or stock market decline, is a deterrent to those looking for a more guaranteed return on their contributions. Though gold has rapidly risen in value over the past several years – currently trading at more than $1,700/ounce – it is important to keep in mind that a decline in its cost is inevitable; it’s not if but when the bubble will burst. It is wiser to grow and protect wealth by looking for a good with a far better chance at steadily and concretely appreciating in worth, such as a mutual fund.
Though putting money into gold can help diversify a financial portfolio – that is, distributing wealth across a variety of economic resources and thereby reducing risk of loss – this goal can be accomplished by simply putting stake in a selection of opportunities that do not include the metal. Buying stake in gold and ownership of the same are wildly different animals. Gold will likely always be popular and made beautiful by its primary availability in jewelry manufacturing. Likewise, its shares in coins, electronics, and even the medical field (both in dentistry and for the treatment of various medical conditions) make it a reliable resource but not necessarily one whose value can always be counted on. Gold’s rise to prominence is unfortunately led by fearful investors instead of fueled by reliable fiscal data.
A reusable resource, gold’s reputation may further suffer simply given the prevalence of “cash for gold” outlets that hint at high returns on an initial purchase or gift. Just as one should be mindful of the adage “all that glitters is not gold,” so should financiers know to avoid businesses whose approach to marketing seems reliant on a variety of get-rich-quick schemes. A quick buck might be welcome news for those who view gold as more of a currency than a commodity, but rarely will that opportunity be absent of some higher, figurative cost.
Given gold’s limited dependability, it is wise to place one’s securities and trust in a safer and more trustworthy source. Few are in a position to gamble with the money they have worked so hard to earn, especially given the current economic climate. All monetary ventures come with a degree of risk but gold’s foothold is too shaky to trust. An investor’s wisest move, no matter what s/he bankrolls, is awareness of market fluctuations and which opportunities have a better chance at high levels of performance.
Thomas Stone is a freelance writer and investor. He’s become something of a connoisseur in precious metal markets and fine watches—particularly Bertucci Watches..
Although many cultures view homeschooling as the only option for teaching children, it is not free. It costs hundreds of dollars to buy current textbooks for each subject, and the higher the grade the more expensive the materials become in most cases. Even purchasing textbooks and resources used can cost a lot of money, especially if you have more than one child and children at several different grade levels. Is homeschooling affordable for your family?
The Cost to Homeschool
You have to consider more than just the cost of textbooks when you decide to homeschool your children, and many of these need to be included in a monthly, semi-annual, or annual family budget. For instance, many states require that the family attend ongoing education courses (often called CLE) each year in order to be eligible for state-approved education. This can cost hundreds each year, but without it your child’s education is not recognized by the state.
It is great to find textbooks at a cheaper rate, such as buying used textbooks or older editions, but eventually you will come to a place where you need answer keys or teacher guides in order to make sense of what they are learning. As a homeschooling parent, you are responsible for teaching them what they need to know, so you have to be sure that you can understand it yourself. Upper grades are difficult for the student to master, but they are nearly impossible for the average parent to decipher based on memory alone (such as algebra, for instance).
Implications to Society
Parents of homeschooled children are often frowned upon in society, and this type of social stigma can be harder for kids to handle than parents. Make sure that the kids are active in extra-curricular activities offered by the homeschooling umbrella, community teams, church-related activities, or other ways to keep them involved with their peers. Since most of these cost money, you will need to do your own homework and find out what your budget can handle.
Without some sort of outlet for the kids to meet other kids, they cannot make friends with other children their own age. This is important for their development, emotional and psychological, and without interaction they will not know how to handle college and the workforce later in life. Introduce them to kids at church, society events, family reunions, and through other methods whenever possible so that they learn how to form friendships and deal with conflicts from an early age.
Moving Toward Graduation
Many states require that children take standardized tests in order to gauge their learning level or to graduate. Examples of these include PSAT, AP, SAT, CAT, ACT, and similar tests, but they vary based on what state you live in and where your umbrella comes from. They cost money to take, and they are required for specific grade levels. Tests such as the SAT and ACT have to be taken and a minimum grade requirement is necessary before your child can graduate high school.
In some states, a GED-style test may be required in order to prove that your child has the skills necessary to move into college. You can pay a tutor to get your child ready for the test if you have any doubts, much like a high school guidance counselor’s role. You are also responsible for applying to different colleges, and many colleges charge for each application. Homeschooling parents must pay this cost out of pocket, in addition to searching for scholarship opportunities, grants, and other financial assistance whenever necessary.
Conclusion
Is homeschooling affordable? For some parents, it is the perfect option, allowing them to teach curriculum that they believe is best for their own respective families. To others, the cost is too much to manage, and they are forced to fall back on other alternatives, such as public school or private education. It is all a matter of research and personal opinions, and a strong commitment to the highest standards of education for each child.
Melanie Wymer isa staff writer for rangehoodhq.com, a site that offers advice and reviews on range hoods. She is also an Advanced Honors high school graduate with more than ten years of homeschooling experience. She has two years’ experience as a homeschooling parent of two children, with two more to teach in the near future.
Mercer has released their annual survey of the most expensive cities for expats to live. Topping the list is a city most Americans have never heard of — Luanda, Angola. Rounding out the top five are Tokyo, Ndjamena (in Chad), Moscow and Geneva.
The most expensive city in the US itself is no big surprise: New York City. To read more details, including the least expensive city in the world, check out CNN Money.
Despite its repeated peaks in value, investing in it should be approached with caution. Those who know about the convoluted history of the precious metal have suggested that it is only possible to trade gold, not invest in it, due to the volatility of the economy. That said, it has been popular to capitalize upon gold’s potential during times of high inflation. Luxury goods like gold necklaces and Bertucci watches are rising in value due to market instability, which is certainly something for the adventurous to keep in mind when looking for an investment opportunity.