How to Find Your Perfect Asset Allocation

Stepping stone at Gargarve, Nr. Skipton. Uk.

How to Find Your Perfect Asset Allocation

Matt Krantz 

The savvy online investor manages her investment portfolio by allocating assets.

Asset allocation and diversification help you spread your risk across various types

of online investments. You can calculate how much risk you can tolerate

and select a blend of investments to give you the highest return for that risk. 

Or, you can take a return-based approach that measures how much return you need

to meet your goal and design a portfolio that can get you there.

Picking an asset allocation based on your risk tolerance

If you’re like most investors, the disappointment you feel when your portfolio falls

more than you’d like is definitely greater than any happiness you might feel at eking out

a slightly better-than-expected return. That’s why online tools that assess your appetite for risk, and then design a portfolio, make sense for many investors.

IFA.com: Take the Index Fund Advisors offer a Risk Capacity Survey to determine 

what kind of investor you are. 

After you answer the questions, the Web site suggests one of several portfolios.

Vanguard’s Investor Questionnaire: The Vanguard questionnaire asks you ten questions 

in an attempt to determine how much risk you can stomach. At the end, the site recommends that you own certain mixes of short-term reserves, stocks, and cash.

CNNMoney: CNNMoney steps you through four questions designed to figure out

what kind of risk taker you are. It then generates a fairly basic asset allocation mix.

Asset-Analysis: This site steps you through five questions that measure your appetite for risk. When you’re done, the site determines how much risk you can take and tells you how much

of your portfolio should be invested in cash, bonds, emerging markets, domestic stocks,

real estate, and international stocks.

Picking an asset allocation based on your goals

The other way to figure out how to allocate your portfolio is to first determine what kind of rate of return you need to reach your goal and then pick an asset allocation designed to get you there.

*TIAA CREF’s Asset Allocation Evaluator: If you want to determine your allocation

on a specific goal, such as saving for college, this is a good tool for you. 

The first question it asks is what you’re saving for, such as retirement, education, or a first home.

The site then asks you additional questions that are relevant to that specific goal.

*Fidelity.com’s Portfolio Review: Use this tool to help you plan for a wide array of goals,

ranging from retirement and education to more specific things like a vacation, wedding,

or wealth accumulation. The Portfolio Review also studies how much risk you can stomach.

The site can analyze your current portfolio and make suggestions on ways to improve

and suggest an asset allocation. You don’t have to be a Fidelity account holder to use the system; you can sign up for a free membership instead.

*Morningstar’s Asset Allocator: The Asset Allocator examines your financial goals

and helps you choose the blend of cash, stocks, and bonds that will make it happen.

The tool isn’t free, though, so you’ll have to pony up for a subscription to Morningstar Premium, which costs $189 a year. A free 14-day trial is available.

*American Century Investment Planner: This planner starts by asking you what you’re saving for and then goes further to make suggestions. You need to register to use the site;

however, you don’t need to have an account.

Some brokers and mutual fund companies provide asset allocation tools to their customers. Mutual fund company T. Rowe Price, for instance, offers tools that analyze your portfolio

and generate asset allocations to customers

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-find-your-perfect-asset-allocation.html

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To quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn; the more places you'll go.”

12 Techniques to Stop Worrying

  

 Typically decorated exterior wall. East Anglia. Uk

12 Techniques to Stop Worrying

Cindy Holbrook 

“I am an old man and I have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened” –  

Mark Twain

What Is worry? Worry is a very strong feeling of anxiety.

It’s fear of the unknown – the thought that the worst will happen.

We may become overly concerned with future events.

We may engage in repetitive negative self-talk with all the worst case scenarios.

A lot of our thoughts will begin with …

“If only ….
I would have stayed at home”
I would have said”
I made the opposite decision”

Or

“What if …
I get into a car accident?”
I get fired or laid off?”
My teenager gets pregnant?”
I become ill?”

Worry is a behavior – a habitual way of thinking. If your parents were chronic worriers,

chances are you will be too – then you’ll pass it on to your children. Since worry is a habitual behavior, you do have the ability to overcome it – to replace worry with a more positive habit.

What Do We Worry About?

When it comes to worry, studies have shown the following statistics:

40% never happens – so in essence we are wasting our time by worrying.

30% of what we worry about has already happened. Learn to “let go” and forgive yourself

and others. You cannot change the past – no one can. Accept it for what it is and go on.

12% are needless worries, such as what someone else thinks about us.

10% are petty and unimportant such as we worry about what’s for dinner,

we worry about being late, we worry about what to wear.

8% of what we worry about actually happens.

Of this percentage…

4% of our worries that happen are beyond our control. We cannot change the outcome.

These worries may include our health, the death of a loved one or an impending natural disaster. Often times the reality of these events are more bearable than the worry.

4% of what we worry about we have some if not all control over the results.

Basically I think this is the consequences of our actions or inaction on the problems

and challenges we face.

Given these statistics, you may find it worthwhile asking the following questions:

How many times do we work ourselves into frenzy over a situation that is beyond our control?

Why do we allow worry to stress us out so much that we become ill?

Why do we waste our mental energy with worry?

I can’t answer these questions for you. What I can do is offer you techniques to overcome worry. It’s up to you to decide to stop the worry habit.

How Can You Stop or Reduce Your Worries?

“Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime you will lose a couple of years.

If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry.

Worry never fixes anything.” – Mary Hemingway

1. Prepare for the worst – Hope for the best. 

This comes right from the advice of Dale Carnegie

in “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living”.

Accept the worst possible outcome and then take action to improve upon the worst.

2. Get Busy. When you find yourself beginning to worry – get busy on your to-do list.

If you don’t have a list – then write one. List your goals and the action steps required

to meet them. One of the benefits of your to-do list is you will stop worrying

about forgetting something important.

3. Distract Yourself. Call a friend. Read a good book. Watch a funny movie.

Take the kids to the park. Take a walk. There’s dozens of things you can do.

4. Get Support. Friends and family can be an excellent source of support. Especially if they

will tell you how they see things. Sometimes just talking things out, helps the worry go away.

5. Make a Decision. If you’re worrying about an unresolved personal or business issue –

then it’s time to make a decision.

Once you decide what to do, you can begin taking steps for the best possible outcome.

6. Confront the Problem Head-On. It’s usually not the problem itself that is causing your worry. It’s usually the anticipation of the problem. How will others be affected or react?

Deal with the problem as soon as possible.

7. Practice Relaxing. It is important that you take time to totally relax.

Close your eyes take long deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.

With each breath tell yourself to relax.

It just takes a couple of minutes of this exercise for the tension to leave your body.

8. Listen to CDs. This can be your favorite music, brainwave CDs or behavior modification tapes that are designed to dissolve worry and anxiety. (These do not have to be self-hypnotizing

or subliminal – but of course you can choose these types of tapes.)

9. Journal. After writing down everything they are worried about in a journal,

most people feel a sense of relief. In writing you may have discovered

what you are really afraid of, and then you can objectively work on improving the situation.

10. Take Care of Yourself. Get plenty of rest. Eat a healthy diet and exercise.

When you nurture your body and mind, it’s easier to put things in perspective.

It’s easier to cope with the unexpected.

11. Count Your Blessings. You have a lot to be thankful for. Look around you …

We live in a beautiful world. You can be thankful for your health, your family, your mind,

your country, your house, your job, your TV or even your microwave!

12. Monitor Your Thoughts. Be aware of your thoughts and be ready to replace worries

with positive thoughts. Be prepared with a positive thought or quote,

such as “Calmness is the cradle of power” (Josiah Gilbert Holland).

There are many techniques you can use to stop worrying.

The important thing is to consistently use them until the new behavior becomes a habit.

http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/stop-worrying/#CQV97KI78bT8xDsi.99

You can TCR specialist and language dictionaries that are spontaneously accessed.

I can Turbo Charge Read a novel 6-7 times faster and remember what I’ve read.

I can TCR an instructional/academic book around 20 times faster and remember what I’ve read.

Introduction to Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

A practical overview of Turbo Charged Reading YouTube 

How to choose a book. A Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Emotions when Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Advanced Reading Skills Perhaps you’d like to join my FaceBook group ?

www.facebook.com/mreenhunt

www.pinterest.com/mreenhunt

Perhaps you’d like to check out my sister blogs:

www.turbochargedreading.blogspot.com  

All aspects of regular, each-word down-each-line reading and education.

Turbo Charged Reading uses these skills significantly faster

www.innermindworking.blogspot.com   many ways for you to work with the stresses of life

www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com   just for fun.

To quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn; the more places you'll go.”

How to Introduce Yourself Quickly

Mr. R. Fox on emulsion paint.

1 Prepare

2 Practice

3 Body language: Voice, eye contact, facial expressions, posture,

You can pre-read all your course material for internal knowing.

I can Turbo Charge Read a novel 6-7 times faster and remember what I’ve read.

I can TCR an instructional/academic book around 20 times faster and remember what I’ve read.

Introduction to Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

A practical overview of Turbo Charged Reading YouTube  

How to choose a book. A Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Emotions when Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Advanced Reading Skills Perhaps you’d like to join my FaceBook group ?

www.facebook.com/mreenhunt

www.pinterest.com/mreenhunt

Perhaps you’d like to check out my sister blogs:

www.turbochargedreading.blogspot.com    

All aspects of regular, each-word down-each-line reading and education.  

Turbo Charged Reading uses these skills significantly faster

www.innermindworking.blogspot.com       many ways for you to work with the stresses of life

www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com       just for fun.

To quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn; the more places you'll go.”

13 things mentally strong people don't do

Teasel,

Fuller's teasel was widely used to provide a natural comb for cleaning, aligning and raising the nap on fabrics, particularly wool. It differs from the wild type in having stouter, somewhat recurved spines on the seed heads. The dried flower heads were attached to spindles, wheels, or cylinders, sometimes called teasel frames, to raise the nap on fabrics (that is, to tease the fibres).

13 things mentally strong people don't do

Steven Benna

Mental strength isn't often reflected in what you do.

It's usually seen in what you don't do.

In her book, "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," author Amy Morin writes

that developing mental strength is a "three-pronged approach."

It's about controlling your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.

Here are 13 things mentally strong people do not do, according to Morin:

1. They don't waste time feeling sorry for themselves.

"Feeling sorry for yourself is self-destructive," she writes.

"Indulging in self-pity hinders living a full life."

It wastes time, creates negative emotions, and hurts your relationships.

The key is to "affirm the good in the world, and you will begin to appreciate what you have," Morin writes. The goal is to swap self-pity with gratitude.

2. They don't give away their power.

People give away their power when they lack physical and emotional boundaries, Morin writes. You need to stand up for yourself and draw the line when necessary. 

If other people are in control of your actions, they define your success and self-worth.

It's important that you keep track of your goals and work towards them. 

Morin uses Oprah Winfrey as an example of someone with a strong grip on their power.

Winfrey grew up dealing with poverty and sexual abuse, but "she chose to define

who she was going to be in life by not giving away her power," she says.

3. They don't shy away from change.

There are five stages of change, Morin writes:

pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.

Following through with each of the five steps is crucial.

Making changes can be frightening, but shying away from them prevents growth.

"The longer you wait, the harder it gets," she says, and "other people will outgrow you."

4. They don't focus on things they can't control.

William Morrow Take back your power, embrace change, face your fears,

and train your brain for happiness and success.

"It feels so safe to have everything under control, but thinking we have the power

to always pull the strings can become problematic," Morin writes. 

Trying to be in control of everything is likely a response to anxiety. "Rather than focusing on managing your anxiety, you try controlling your environment," she says. 

Shifting your focus off the things you can't control can create increased happiness, less stress, better relationships, new opportunities, and more success, Morin writes. 

5. They don't worry about pleasing everyone.

Oftentimes, we judge ourselves by considering what other people think of us,

which is the opposite of mental toughness.

Morin lists four facts about constantly trying to be a people-pleaser:

It's a waste of time; people-pleasers are easily manipulated;

it's OK for others to feel angry or disappointed; and you can't please everyone.

Dropping your people-pleasing mindset will make you stronger and more self-confident.

6. They don't fear taking calculated risks.

People are often afraid to take risks, whether it's financial, physical, emotional, social,

or business-related, Morin writes. But it comes down to knowledge.

"A lack of knowledge about how to calculate risk leads to increased fear," Morin writes.

To better analyze a risk, ask yourself the following questions:

What are the potential costs?

What are the potential benefits?

How will this help me achieve my goal?

What are the alternatives?

How good would it be if the best-case scenario came true?

What is the worst thing that could happen, and how could I reduce the risk it will occur?

How bad would it be if the worst-case scenario did come true?

How much will this decision matter in five years?

7. They don't dwell on the past.

The past is in the past. There's no way to change what happened,

and "dwelling can be self-destructive, preventing you from enjoying the present

and planning for the future," Morin writes.

It doesn't solve anything and can lead to depression, she writes. 

There can be a benefit to thinking about the past, though.

Reflecting on the lessons learned, considering the facts rather than the emotions,

and looking at a situation from a new perspective can be helpful, she says.

8. They don't make the same mistakes over and over.

Reflecting can ensure you don't repeat your mistakes. It's important to study what went wrong, what you could have done better, and how to do it differently next time, Morin writes.

Mentally strong people accept responsibility for the mistake and create a thoughtful,

written plan to avoid making the same mistake in the future.

9. They don't resent other people's success.

Resentment is like anger that remains hidden and bottled up, Morin writes. 

Focusing on another person's success will not pave the way to your own,

since it distracts you from your path, Morin writes. Even if you become successful,

you may never be content if you're always focusing on others.

You may also overlook your talents and abandon your values and relationships, she says. 

10. They don't give up after the first failure.

Success isn't immediate, and failure is almost always an obstacle you will have to overcome. "Take, for example, Theodor Giesel — also known as Dr. Seuss — whose first book was rejected by more than 20 publishers," Morin writes. And now Dr. Seuss is a household name.

Thinking that failure is unacceptable or that it means you aren't good enough does not reflect mental strength. In fact, "bouncing back after failure will make you stronger," Morin writes.

11. They don't fear alone time.

"Creating time to be alone with your thoughts can be a powerful experience,

instrumental in helping you reach your goals," Morin writes. Becoming mentally strong

"requires you to take time out from the busyness of daily life to focus on growth."

Here are some of the benefits of solitude Morin lists in her book:

Solitude at the office can increase productivity.

Alone time may increase your empathy.

Spending time alone sparks creativity.

Solitary skills are good for mental health.

Solitude offers restoration.

12. They don't feel the world owes them anything.

It's easy to get angry at the world for your failures or lack of success,

but the truth is no one is entitled to anything. It must be earned.

"Life isn't meant to be fair," Morin writes.

If some people experience more happiness or success than others,

"that's life — but it doesn't mean you're owed anything if you were dealt a bad hand."

The key is to focus on your efforts, accept criticism, acknowledge your flaws,

and don't keep score, Morin writes. Comparing yourself to others will only set you up

for disappointment if you don't receive what you think you're owed, she says.

13. They don't expect immediate results.

"A willingness to develop realistic expectations and an understanding that success

doesn't happen overnight is necessary if you want to reach your full potential," Morin writes. 

Mentally weak people are often impatient. They overestimate their abilities

and underestimate how long change takes, she says, so they expect immediate results.

It's important to "keep your eyes on the prize" and relentlessly work towards

your long-term goals. There will be failures along the way,

but if you measure your progress and look at the big picture, success will become attainable.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/things-mentally-strong-people-dont-do-2015-7?r=US&IR=T

You can TCR music, poetry or self development material for internal knowing.

I can Turbo Charge Read a novel 6-7 times faster and remember what I’ve read.

I can TCR an instructional/academic book around 20 times faster and remember what I’ve read.

Introduction to Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

A practical overview of Turbo Charged Reading YouTube  

How to choose a book. A Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Emotions when Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Advanced Reading Skills Perhaps you’d like to join my FaceBook group ?

www.facebook.com/mreenhunt

www.pinterest.com/mreenhunt

                                       

Perhaps you’d like to check out my sister blogs:

www.turbochargedreading.blogspot.com  

All aspects of regular, each-word down-each-line reading and education.

Turbo Charged Reading uses these skills significantly faster

www.innermindworking.blogspot.com       many ways for you to work with the stresses of life

www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com       just for fun.

To quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn; the more places you'll go.”

You Need a Real Vacation (And So Do Your Employees)

Open all doors.

You Need a Real Vacation (And So Do Your Employees)

Laura Entis

Vacations are important. Done right, they can lead to fresh perspectives,

creative insights and reduced stress levels. There's a strong case to be made

that taking the time to unplug is not only beneficial for our mental and physical health,

but may boost the health of our careers as well.

Unfortunately, according to a new survey by rate-your-company startup Glassdoor, 

most of us aren't taking very many of them.

The survey found that the average U.S. employee only took 51 percent

of their eligible vacation/paid time off in the last year. Fifteen percent didn't take off any time

at all, while a mere 25 percent of employees reported using all of their allocated vacation days. And even when we're on vacation, the survey revealed, most of us don't unplug:

Sixty-one percent of employees who took time off admit that they did some work

while out of the office.

It's important for CEOs and managers to encourage employees to use their vacation days,

says Scott Dobroski, a senior manager at Glassdoor.

"Vacation helps employees avoid burnout," he says. "Taking time off can make them both

more productive and more satisfied when they return to work,

which translates into higher retention rates that can save a company thousands of dollars."

Those in senior positions should lead by example, recommends Dobroski.

If a CEO is not taking any paid time off – or if she goes on "vacation" but is still accessible 24/7 – she is making a clear statement about how employees should treat their own vacation time.

And that's a shame, because there are real benefits from taking a vacation

that's actually a vacation.

In the words of Sir Richard Branson"When you go on vacation, your routine is interrupted;

the places you go and the new people you meet can inspire you in unexpected ways."

Here are five more reasons why you and your employees should unplug:

To empower and motivate employees. Leaving the office for a week or two forces you

to shift major responsibilities to your employees. "I have found that when entrepreneurs empower their staff, they are more productive when their boss is gone," says Brian Miller,

the chief operating officer of AdviCoach, a provider of business coaching to small companies.

To instil confidence in your employees (and for your own peace of mind),

begin delegating tasks while you're still in the office. That way, be it sales calls

or stocking inventory, employees learn the ropes before they fly solo. 

To get inspired. Richard Branson is a strong proponent of getting away from it all.

"The places you go and the new people you meet can inspire you in unexpected ways," 

he writes. "As an entrepreneur or business leader, if you didn't come back from your vacation

with some ideas about how to shake things up, it's time to consider making some changes." 

To sniff out dysfunction. If a majority of your employees are not using any of their vacation days, that could be a red-flag says Andrea Herran, the founder of Focus HR,

a human resource consultancy. Is there some sort of dysfunction there?

Is there a problem with the team? The employees may be overwhelmed

or even staying put to cover up wrongdoing. "Employees need to get away and recharge.

If they're not doing so, something could be seriously wrong

and it could be hurting your company," she says. 

 To gain a new perspective. For Crosby Noricks, a fashion marketing strategist

and founder of PR Couture,  time off "actually fuels my creativity and gives my brain space

to come up with better ideas, solutions to problems and efficiencies that I can't always access

if I am operating at a furious pace.”

To disengage. Taking a break is often seen as the lazy man's solution,

but that may be the wrong way to look at it, says Bonnie Hayden Cheng, a PhD student

at the University of Toronto. Recently Cheng co-authored a study which examined a group

of university students juggling work, family and academic responsibilities.

Participants who practiced cognitive disengagement by actively taking their minds off

their troubles and onto something completely unrelated were better able to manage the tasks

at hand than those who tried to push through without breaking.

That may sound counterproductive, but "Actively taking your mind off the problems at hand actually helps manage multiple role responsibilities and leads to increased levels of [work] satisfaction," says Cheng. 

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/232766

You can TCR software and engineering manuals for spontaneous recall – or pass that exam.

I can Turbo Charge Read a novel 6-7 times faster and remember what I’ve read.

I can TCR an instructional/academic book around 20 times faster and remember what I’ve read.

Introduction to Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

A practical overview of Turbo Charged Reading YouTube  

How to choose a book. A Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Emotions when Turbo Charged Reading YouTube

Advanced Reading Skills Perhaps you’d like to join my FaceBook group ?

www.facebook.com/mreenhunt

www.pinterest.com/mreenhunt

Perhaps you’d like to check out my sister blogs:

www.turbochargedreading.blogspot.com   

All aspects of regular, each-word down-each-line reading and education.

Turbo Charged Reading uses these skills significantly faster

www.innermindworking.blogspot.com     many ways for you to work with the stresses of life

www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com     just for fun.

To quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn; the more places you'll go.”