The luxury and price of a villa can beat that of the best hotel

At St. John and other Caribbean hot spots, a week's stay at a villa can be cheaper and more luxurious than even the best hotel room

The benefits to renting a villa begin at the airport. There you will sit in the departure area and survey your fellow passengers, inevitably a kind of Peterson’s Field Guide to Caribbean flotsam and jetsam: the knots of senior citizens on their way to meet cruise ships; the frat boys in Señor Frog T-shirts; the would-be Jimmy Buffetts with leathery faces and thinning ponytails; the moms already applying sunscreen to their screaming kids and the dads already plotting their escape to a fishing boat or golf cart. You will look around at them and whisper to yourself, “After this flight is over, I will never see any of you people ever again. Not at the pool. Not at the reception desk. Not at breakfast. Never.”

While your cabinmates are checking in at the local upscale resort, you’ll be wandering through room after impeccably decorated room of your villa trying to figure out which one has the best view of the ocean from its private balcony. And if you’ve played your cards right, you and your handpicked companions may have paid less for your accommodations than the resort crowd did. With four bedrooms, St. John’s Hakuna Matata averages out to just $370 per night per couple—in the high season. Compare that to the nearby Westin St. John Resort, where the rack rate can be as much as $700 per night.

But beyond cost (and even beyond the undeniable tingle that saying the words “my villa” provokes), there’s a vast aesthetic difference.

A villa is somehow of a place—integrally part of the landscape—an authentic alternative to the McLuxury served up by even a well-meaning hotel chain. To stay in a private residence puts you in a community, not only of your neighbors and the locals you’ll meet at the market, but of a sort of “villa-ocracy” whose members have known how to travel right through the ages: from Italian counts relaxing in the hills of Tuscany to David Letterman taking a break on St. Bart’s.

As you may have imagined, the inaugural, stock-up trip to the liquor store is one of the great rituals of villa life. So are a host of other, usually boring, domestic chores. Like ending an evening of picking out constellations in the hot tub by throwing your bathing suit in the dryer, so it will be ready for the beach in the morning. Or telling the cook the snacks you had in mind for tomorrow’s poolside backgammon tournament.

Eventually, of course, you will deign to come down off the mountain and spend a few hours snorkeling across impossibly blue water or riding a horse over wild green hills or just lolling in the sand. And then, pleasantly sunburned and weary, you will return to your villa—up the dirt road and past the gate and up the long driveway—and, inevitably, someone will sigh happily and say, “Ah, home.”

And, for a week at least, they’ll be right.

Things To Remember When Borrowing Money

Whether you're starting a small business, remodeling your home or just paying some bills, from time to time you'll need to borrow money. Whether you choose to use your line of credit or take advantage of some equity in your home, you'll want to know what you're getting yourself into before you sign the deal. Here are some things to consider.

1- Shop for the best interest rate
The main thing that you'll be comparing when you're looking for a loan is the best interest rate, which is essentially the price of the money. It's easy to fall for a good sales pitch, but a prudent borrower does his homework. Ask several banks for quotes and then do the same with brokers. You'll get an idea of the price range, but don't be afraid to tell the lowest-priced broker that you think he can do better, especially if other quotes are close. Of course, you need to make sure that you're comparing apples to apples, so be certain that your loan quotes reflect the same amount and time period, and be sure to account for fees.

2- Consolidate your loan
Loan consolidation can have two advantages:
A- It's easier to manage one bill at the end of the month instead of three or more.
B- You can lock in a low interest rate.

Of course, you take a risk; if interest rates continue to drop, you may not be able to reconsolidate, which means you'll be paying more for your money. But if they rise, you'll be sitting pretty.
3- Use equity
Your home equity is actually your money, and sometimes it pays to use it. You can take equity out (essentially, get a check from the bank equal to some or all of your equity), or you can open a line of credit against your equity (essentially using your home as security for the loan). Because this is a secured loan, you should get a better interest rate than a credit card, but on the downside, if you default, you could lose your home. If you take out a home equity loan, make sure you do so to finance a worthwhile project.

Use that line of credit and whatever you do, avoid payday loans..

4- Utilize your line of credit
If you don't own a home or don't want to use your home equity, you can use your line of credit. Essentially we're talking about a credit card. While charging it is almost never the foundation of solid financial planning, a credit card has its merits. First, they're great in an emergency. Second, you won't have to justify your plan to anyone before you charge, which means that you have ample flexibility. On the downside, you're going to pay higher rates. However, you should always try to negotiate a lower rate with your credit card company. Remember; credit cards are a competitive business and it never hurts to ask for a deal.

5- Check the fine print
Whenever you sign a loan document, you'll need to check the details. Two big issues to keep in mind are default and early repayment. Default means that you did not pay on time, and you'll want to know when you're technically in default (30, 60, or 90 days), and what that means (does the whole balance become due; can they seize your assets?). On the other hand, you'll want to know about early repayment. It may sound odd, but some lenders charge a penalty for repaying early. After all, the sooner you pay, the less interest they make. So you'll want to know if you can do that without a penalty.

6- Avoid payday loans
Companies that advertise cash loans with no credit check and no collateral make their money by doing volume business and charging outrageously high rates (upwards of 300%) and penalties. Those companies prey on the desperate guys out there, and they should be avoided at all costs.

7- Maximize your credit score before you borrow
The price you pay for the loan will depend greatly on your credit, so if you're planning to borrow in the immediate future (six months out), check your score and see what you can do to improve it. If you've missed payments on credit cards and utilities, make sure that you make timely payments for the next six months. And take that time to clear up any mistakes or outstanding issues on your credit report.
Borrowing money
Shopping for a loan can seem like a daunting task, especially if you've never done it before. But in a lot of ways, a loan is just like buying a car or a major appliance; they all come with different features and prices. Once you get beyond the intimidation factor, you'll see that with multiple sources, you'll be able to compare apples to apples. So do your homework.

Source: Askmen.com

Fast Cars, Super Cars

For the rich and famous it seems to be a statement of success when they own the very expensive fast and super cars. These fast, super cars will usually be found in areas such as Hollywood, Las Vegas, or New York since these are the places where the rich and famous usually work and live. In other countries you might find royalty and upper members of government sporting these cars but few members of the working class will ever have the money to buy one.
Fast Cars, Super Cars – Looking At The Models
The exotic Ferrari Modena is a popular Ferrari model which offers a six speed transmission, a V8 engine, and will get about 11 to 16 mpg. With a price tag of $152,000, this car is capable of doing 189 mph and reaching 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
One of the top of the line super cars, which is also a fast car, is the Lamborghini. The current Sypder is considered to be one of the most popular super cars available. Voted as the most beautiful car in the world, the Spyder sports a V10 which reaches a speed of 195 mph with the roof up and 191 mph with the roof down. It comes with a price tag of $195,000. Its lightweight aluminum frame allows the car to reach faster speeds and it can do a quarter mile in 12.2 seconds, reaching a speed of 122 mph.
If you want to come down a little closer to earth you might want to take a look at the Dodge Viper. It also offers a V10 which can reach speeds of 190 mph, will do 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, and a quarter mile in 11.9 seconds. The Viper is rated for 10 to 20 mpg and comes with a price tag of $80,000. This makes the Viper a super car which is a fast car with a more affordable price tag.
A never-ending classic super car is the Corvette which is put out by none other than Chevrolet. This American icon has been around for several years and continues to improve with age. Available in a coupe or convertible, you can choose from several color combinations. You also have the choice of a 6 or 7 liter engine, and the starting price is about $66,000. These cars have withstood the test of time and continue to be one of the most popular sport cars on the market today.

About the Author:
Gavin Drake is a self confessed "Petrol Head" and loves fast cars. He races in a number of championships in the U.K and runs Fast Cars Info.Com where fellow petrol heads can come chat, share photo's and catch up on the latest automotive news.

How To Raise Capital To Fund Your Business.

Raising capital to start a new business may seem like a daunting task, but it need not be overwhelming if you follow a few basic business practices. If you have a viable idea that will net a return for your investors and prepare a compelling business plan the chances are good that you can find investors to join you.

Your first task is to create a business plan, sometimes known as a business proposal or prospectus. Your business plan needs to be very detailed and concise. You should include information about your educational background, experience and training in the area of business you are contemplating. Just like a resume for a job, include references and any other favorable personal qualities that you feel reinforce the reasons why an investor should trust in your ideas. It cant hurt to include any information you feel comfortable sharing with regard to your positive credit history. If you have records of various satisfied loans along with the payment history, that information could be helpful to prove your stability with regard to financial obligations.
If you are requesting financing for an existing business the rules are a bit different than a new business startup. The current owner should be able to provide you with profit and loss statements. If you are purchasing an online business, statistical information pertaining to traffic, number of units sold and paid advertising are definitely necessary. The purchase price of the business needs to be included along with detailed information about how you intend to service the debt as well as how the potential investor will benefit from your request.
If you are seeking investors for a new business, the information required increases. In addition to the information outlined above, you will need to include market research, projected costs and a detailed summary of how you intend to generate income. This information needs to be projected for a period of three to five years. Its a good idea to project your expenses on the high side.
Have some idea of what you expect to pay your investor. The only reason someone is going to lend you money is if they can see decent profits in exchange for lending it to you. Your market research had best substantiate that your plan is viable and will provide them with sufficient return on investment to justify their involvement.
Before you begin your search for investors, its a good idea to have an attorney and/or accountant take a look at your plan. A good professional may suggest specific points that you may have overlooked.
Once your paperwork is in order, its time to start looking for investors. One place to begin your search might be friends or family. You might approach them singularly or in a group. Whatever method, you need to have a complete copy of your proposal carefully outlining your research and what they can expect in return for their assistance.
Read the classified pages of your local newspaper. Venture capitalists often advertise this way. Their rates are usually pretty high because they have a tendency to take on risky investments. A twist on this method might be to run your own ad either locally or nationally. If you select this method, explain the particulars and emphasize how much they can expect to receive for the load of their funds.
Use local business directories to find companies that specialize in investment services. You can approach a local bank, but try and find a bank that specializes in industrial or business type loans.
You might consider incorporating and selling stock in the company.
Another option might be a money broker. This can be risky. There are some legitimate brokers and others who operate on the shady side.
Be creative. If you believe in your idea, dont be afraid to do what ever it takes to launch. There are plenty of ways to come up with the capital you need. Think outside the box. Whether you are looking for $300 or $300,000 the money is there you just need to dig for it.

By John Kovanski

Classic Men’s Wallets That Never Go Out Of Style

I know not every man puts much thought into choosing the wallet he uses. After all, it’s just something that carries your cold hard cash. But to me, the wallet is arguably a man’s most essential accessory and the wallet he carries says a lot about him and his personal style.
So regardless of you’re buying a wallet for yourself or as a gift, you should really take your time to pick a good one. It’ll accompany you for many years to come.
Women are clearly spoilt for choice when it comes to handbags and small leather goods. Every season, designers crack their brain to come up the “It” bag that will be the object of every woman’s desire.
As guys, we aren’t that fortunate. We don’t have that many designers clamoring for our attention. But it doesn’t mean we don’t have choices. In fact there are men’s wallets and small leather goods that never go out of style.
I find these timeless classics very appealing because there’s always an interesting story behind its success. They may not come cheap but they’ll certainly elevate your status in the style department.
Meisterstuck by Montblanc
Montblanc turned 100 in 2006 and there are many reasons to celebrate. The success of the legendary Meisterstuck fountain pen launched in 1924 helped Montblanc become the de-facto market leader of fine writing instruments.
Today, Montblanc is more than just a maker of fine writing instruments. The company has launched its leather goods, its fine watches, eyewear, fragrance and even jewelry.
Montblanc’s foray into leather goods started in 1935 when it acquired a producer of leather ware in Germany. Riding on the success of its Meisterstuck fountain pen, Montblanc launched the Meisterstuck leather collection.
Using black calfskin fitted with its signature “star” logo, Montblanc creates a masculine line of fine leather goods that is an instant hit with its predominantly male clientele.
Must de Cartier by Cartier
Well-known for its jewelry and fine watches, Cartier is one of the top luxury brands in the world and its products are associated with very, very high price tags.
1974 was the year Cartier made a comeback in the world of leather goods with the Must de Cartier line. The color burgundy, with a slight raspberry hue, was chosen as a logical continuation to the Cartier red for this must-have collection of fine leather goods. Burgundy soon became the new black.
The influential Bordeaux color, the iconic double ‘C’ logo, and the distinctive gold hardware make the Must de Cartier line a timeless classic.
But to be honest, Must de Cartier is not for the weak-hearted. Not every guy feels comfortable carrying a burgundy wallet with gold adornments.
Monogrammed Canvas by Louis Vuitton
With more than 100 years of history, Louis Vuitton monogrammed canvas must be the classic of all classics. And no matter what Louis Vuitton does to the monogrammed canvas, it still sells like hot cakes.
They splattered the canvas with graffiti. They planted red cherries on the canvas. They painstakingly sewed the motifs on denim. And they got Takeshi Murakami who reinterpreted the motif in brilliant rainbow colors. It seems like you can’t go wrong with the monogrammed canvas.
Unfortunately they don’t have a good selection of men’s wallets in monogrammed canvas so your choices are rather limited.
Pocone Nylon by Prada
It was in 1978 when Miuccia Prada took over the dusty luggage business from her grandfather. Under her helm, Prada became a luxury powerhouse with far-reaching influence in the world of fashion.
The world took notice when Prada made a handbag out of black waterproof Pocone nylon. Fitted with its distinctive triangular logo plate, nylon never looked so good. Miuccia Prada single-handedly made nylon luxurious.
Of course, I’m not expecting you to carry the popular nylon handbag. Prada does make nice nylon wallets trimmed with cowhide for men. Although it’s now available in many different colors, black is always a classic.
Woven Leather by Bottega Veneta
Once a second-tier brand in the Gucci Group’s stable, Bottega Veneta has become the group’s rising star. With its ultra-exclusive and elitist appeal, Bottega Veneta is poised to become the next Hermes.
Recreating the brand’s popular woven bags from the 1970s, Bottega Veneta beats the trend of logomania with its handcrafted leather goods made from the finest napa leather.
And consistent with the brand’s slogan “When your own initials are enough”, you won’t be able to see any logo on the leather goods. But the beautifully woven leather, which ages very well with use, should be enough to announce that you’re carrying a Bottega.
Line D by S.T. Dupont
S.T. Dupont is so well known for its lighters that it’s easy for us to forget that Simon Tissot-Dupont founded the company in 1847 making leather briefcases for diplomats and businessmen.
The classic Line D collection of fine leather goods was launched in 1985 and featured the Dupont “D” logo in gold on black calfskin. In recent years, they also offer Line D fitted with the trendier palladium hardware. But whether it’s in gold or palladium, Line D still looks as timeless as ever.
Burberry Check by Burberry
When we think of Burberry, we invariably think of the red, camel, black and white check that has become synonymous with the brand. It’s hard to imagine that the Burberry Check actually has a humble beginning. It was introduced in 1920 as a lining to the iconic Burberry trench coat.
Burberry is enjoying a revival in recent years - all thanks to its creative director Christopher Bailey’s modern interpretation of the classic check, CEO Rose Marie Bravo’s dynamism, and Kate Moss’ star power. You just can’t go wrong with such rich Brit heritage.

By Logan Wong is the founder of mensfolio.com

Forex? What is it, anyway?

The market

The currency trading (FOREX) market is the biggest and fastest growing market on earth. Its daily turnover is more than 2.5 trillion dollars. The participants in this market are banks, organizations, investors and private individuals, just like you. (click here to read full market background by Easy-Forex™).

The goods (merchandise)

Markets are places to trade goods, and the same goes with FOREX. The Forex goods are the currencies of various countries. You buy Euro, paying with US dollars, or you sell Japanese Yens for Canadian dollars. That's all.

How does one profit in Forex?

Obviously, buy cheap and sell for more! The profit potential comes from the fluctuations (changes) in the currency exchange market.

The nice thing about the FOREX market, is that regular daily fluctuations, say - around 1%, are multiplied by 100! (in general, Easy-Forex™ offers trading ratios from 1:50 to 1:200).

How risky is Forex trading?

You cannot lose more than your "margin" (your initial investment)! You may profit unlimited amounts, but you never lose more than what you initially risked. However, risk only what you can afford and is not vital for your well-being.

How do I start trading?

Register (Easy-Forex™ offers the simplest and quickest registration process, no obligation); deposit your first trading "margin" amount (credit cards are welcome, only by Easy-Forex™); start trading.

How do I monitor my Forex trading?

Online, from anywhere, anytime. You have full control to monitor status, check scenarios, change some terms in the deal, or close it.

Want to know more? Want to get on-line training? Register here (quick, no obligation), we'll be glad to guide you, every step of the way.

Good luck!

Forex trading involves substantial risk of loss, and may not be suitable for everyone.

The Basics of Dividends

What exactly are dividends? You've heard that you can make money by investing in companies that pay dividends, but how does that work?

By: Martin Lukac

When companies make profits, they often distribute a portion of the profits to the shareholders. The company will retain a portion of the profits for future use. Some companies hold a large portion back while others are generous in their dividend payments -- it depends on where the company is and how well it is doing financially.
Dividends are often in the form of cash, yet some companies issue stock instead. Stocks that have a good history of paying dividends are attractive to investors. These companies are solid and profitable, but often offer little growth potential in their stock. The dividend actually gives an investor a reason to purchase the stock.
The company is under no obligation to pay a dividend. There isn't a preset amount that they must pay stockholders. The company board of directors determines the dividend amount. If the company is in financial trouble or facing an overhaul, the board has every option to forego the dividend. One of the warning signs that a company is in trouble is the elimination of dividend payments.
The dividend is set at a per share basis. For example, the board may decide on a $0.30 dividend per share. If you own 1,000 shares of stock, you will get a check for $500. If you own 100 shares of stock, you can expect a check for $50.
The board sets the dividend and announces when stockholders can expect checks at the declaration date. The ex-dividend date will also be announced at this time. The list of shareholders to receive the dividend will be set on the record date. If you want to get the dividend, you must own the stock before this date.
The ex-dividend date falls a couple of days before the record date. This date allows for the completion of pending transactions. If you want to own the stock and receive the dividend, you need to have your transaction through by this date. After the ex-dividend date, the market will discount the stock's price because the dividend will no longer be available to buyers.
The payment date is when the company actually mails the checks. This usually occurs two weeks after the record date.
There are two types of dividends: fixed and variable. Fixed rate dividends go to the owners of preferred stock. Common stock holders receive variable dividends.
Dividends are a great way to make money and often offer a fairly steady income if the stocks are chosen wisely. Many investors find that buying stocks with a good history of dividend payments is good for the growth of their portfolios.

Introduction to Hedge Fund

Although there is no universally accepted definition of the term hedge fund, the term has evolved over time to include a multitude of skill-based investment strategies with a broad range of risk and return objectives. The common element among these strategies is the use of investment and risk management skills to seek positive returns regardless of market direction.
Hedge funds are an exciting innovation to the range of professionally managed investment vehicles that have brought sophisticated investment strategies and a new sense of excitement to the investment community. They can serve as an important risk management tool for investors by providing valuable portfolio diversification. One might define a hedge fund as an information-motivated fund that hedges away all or most sources of risk not related to the price-relevant information available for speculation.
Hedge funds use a wide variety of investment styles and strategies. Even among hedge funds that purport to use the same investment strategy or invest within the same asset class, there is a wide range of investment activities, performance and risk levels. Because the investment activities of hedge funds are so diverse, the hedge funds assigned to a particular investment category are likely to exhibit less similarity than more traditional investment vehicles, such as registered investment companies.
The investment strategies are typically designed to protect investment principal and engage in a variety of investment techniques that include fixed income securities, convertible securities, currencies, exchange-traded futures, over-the-counter derivatives, futures contracts, commodity options and other non-securities investments in order to generate specific risk-return profiles.
Strategies may be designed to be market-neutral (very low correlation to the overall market) or directional (a "bet" anticipating a specific market movement). Selection decisions may be purely systematic (based upon computer models) or discretionary (ultimately based on a person). A hedge fund may pursue several strategies at the same time, internally allocating its assets proportionately across different strategies.
Hedge funds are often classified according to investment style including following categories: relative value, event-driven, equity hedge funds, global asset allocators and short selling. Within each style category, funds are then classified according to the underlying markets traded. For example, within the relative value style classification, there are a number of sub-groups, including equity market neutral, fixed income arbitrage, convertible arbitrage, credit arbitrage and statistical arbitrage.
Various hedge fund return opportunities stem from the expanded universe of securities available to trade and the strategies that can be employed. Funds can access both financial and non-financial (commodity) markets and can easily take long, short, spread, and option positions in any of these markets. Expanding the set of investment opportunities results in providing diversification benefits to a portfolio that cannot be replicated through traditional stock, bond, and real estate investment strategies.

For alternative investments, such as hedge funds, to grow as an investment alternative, individuals need to increase their knowledge and comfort level as to their use in investment portfolios. The logical extension of using investment managers with specialized knowledge of traditional markets to obtain maximum return/risk tradeoffs is to add specialized managers who can obtain the unique returns in market conditions and types of securities not generally available to traditional asset managers; that is, hedge funds. In addition, investors must compare the unique returns available to each of the hedge fund styles to insure that the particular style does not duplicate existing investment opportunities.