PocketStrategy

  "The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions." What Are ETFs? Exchange-traded funds are investments that hold multiple assets and can be traded on an exchange. ETFs are designed to track the value of a specific investment, like a group of stocks or commodities. ETFs vs. Stocks: Similarities Dividends: Some companies pay dividends to share their profits with their shareholders. ETFs can also earn dividends from the companies they invest in and then pass those earnings on to those who own shares of the ETF. Trading: Both ETFs and stocks can be bought or sold at any time during the day while the stock market is open. Transparency: Most ETFs are completely transparent, showing their holdings every day. This lets investors see exactly what they own. The same goes for owning individual stocks, where you always know wh...

"The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions." What Is A Value Stock? Value stocks are shares of companies that are priced lower than what they’re actually worth. Investors buy them hoping that the market will eventually realize their true value. A good example of a value stock is Procter & Gamble. Features Of Value Stocks: Value stocks can be big or small companies and may be involved in any industry. Here are a few traits of value stocks: Undervalued Price : Value stocks usually trade at a lower price compared to how much the company earns or is worth. It’s like getting a solid deal that others might have overlooked. Dividends: Dividends are payments that companies give to their investors as a reward for holding their stock. Many value stocks pay dividends, making them attractive to people looking for stead...

    "The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions". What Is A Growth Stock? Growth stocks offer a higher return rate than the average market return. They do not pay dividends, and  investors buy them hoping their value will increase over time. A good example of a growth stock is Nvidia(NVDA). Features Of Growth Stocks:  Growth Stocks can be big or small companies and may be involved in any industry. Here are a few traits of growth stocks:  High Growth Rate: Growth stocks generally go up much faster compared to the average market rate. Low/Zero dividends: A dividend is a percentage of profits a company typically pays its investors. Think of it like a reward for owning the company's stock. Since growth companies grow at a much faster rate, they usually reinvest their earnings back into the company ...

   "The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions". What is Dollar Cost Averaging? Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is investing a set amount of money in an asset over regular time intervals, regardless of market conditions. This helps manage risk by decreasing the impact of short-term volatility. A 401k retirement account is an example of this. Benefits Of Dollar Cost Averaging:  T here are many benefits to dollar cost averaging such as: Less Risk: Dollar cost averaging reduces investment risk. This is because your investment is averaged out. If you invested all of your money in a single lump sum and prices dropped, you would experience losses. However, if your investments are spread out, you are less likely to suffer significant losses. Simplifies Investing: It is a simple way to invest that doesn’t requi...

 What Is A Credit Score?  A Credit score is a three-digit number used to determine your creditworthiness. It ranges from 300 to 850, the higher the better as you would be more likely to qualify for loans and better interest rates. It is based on your credit history, such as your ability to pay bills on time and debt. It is also known as a FICO score. What Is A Good Score? Credit scores are viewed in ranges, and may vary slightly based on the scoring model used but they are generally similar to the below:  300 - 579: Poor 580 - 669: Fair 670 - 739: Good 740 - 799: Very Good 800 - 750: Excellent Lenders view a credit score of 700+ positively, which may result in lower interest rates. Higher rates usually mean you have demonstrated good credit behavior in the past, making potential lenders more comfortable. How Is Credit Score Calculated? There are 3 major credit reporting agencies in the US (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). These three consider a few factors when determi...

"The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions." Saving for big goals like a vacation or a car can feel like a challenge, but you can make it happen with the right plan. This article will show you everything you need to know. 1. Set a Clear Goal The first step is to know exactly what you're saving for and how much you need. A vacation might cost you $2,000, a new car could be $15,000, and a down payment on a house can be anything from $10,000 to $50,000+. Knowing the exact amount helps you create a plan that gives you a clear target to aim for. 2. Break Down the Amount You Need to Save Once you know your goal, break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. For example, if you need $5,000 for a vacation and you want to take the trip in 10 months, you would have to save $500 every month. If you are saving for...

   "The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions". Investing might sound complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you want to save for college or buy a car, investing can help grow your money over time. This article will go over 4 main types of investing. Stocks: When you buy a stock, you buy a small piece of a company. Imagine owning a tiny slice of Tesla or Disney. If the company does well, the value of your stock goes up, and you can sell it for a profit. But if the company struggles, your stock could lose value. Stocks are a great way to grow your money over the long term, but they can be risky because prices can go up and down quickly. For example, if you buy a share of Apple for $150 and its value increases to $200, you can sell it and make $50. But if it drops to $100, you lose $50 if yo...

  "The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional financial advice. Please consult a professional before making any major financial decisions". What is Saving? Savings is essentially setting money aside for the future. You can save for a variety of reasons such as vacation, retirement, college, etc... There are many forms of savings such as CDs or High Yield Saving accounts. It is generally low risk, but as a result, lower earning potential. What is Investing? Investing is a way of growing your money over a period of time. Many forms of investing include the stock market, bonds, crypto, and more. Investments do involve risk, some more than others. Investing has the potential to earn higher returns over time. Investing is used for the same reason as saving, to make money. However, investing comes with no guarantee, and there is always the risk of losing money. This is why diversification is important. Pros a...