In the bid for the world’s search for alternative sources of energy as time is currently running out given the current scarcity of crude oil, there have been numerous initiatives by companies to develop the potential of different alternatives to crude oil such as natural gas and ethanol.

Ethanol is a colorless, clear liquid with an agreeable odor. This is the natural component of ethyl alcohol. Corn, wheat, potatoes and other plants can produce starch that is made into ethanol by the process of fermentation. It can be used as fuel by mixing it with the regular gasoline and this becomes gasohol.

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I got a dividend today off one of my funds….. it only transacted 1.6 shares! I thought a dividend would transact all the shares I hold. So, the reason it was only a small amount is because of the vast majority of stocks the invest in and only 1 company gave a dividend? Why would they give me such a small dividend I own more than 1.6 shares. The dividend didn’t show up on Yahoo’s historical prices either
OK, I took the total amount earned divided by the total amount held…and got 1/5. I think, that is how much the dividend really was, maybe I am wrong!

District Employees And Families Welfare Fund(DEFU)

A message to all!

      The district employees and families welfare fund or DEFU is a simple and easy mean to solve the basic problems of employee(IInd, IIIrd & IVth class) who are forced to take bribe because of the personal problems that they faces during their service in the government. The employees although get their salaries and perks but there are many situations in which the salary is not enough to meet all the needs and necessities. It is not that only needs are the only factor of corruption at lower level yet they are the major cause for corruption in our country.

     For example a I-class officer(I.A.S/State Administrative Service) may be getting on average Rs 30000-45000 p.m  But we often forget to calculate is this amount is sufficient for a officer having 5-6 children? If  on an average the officer spend Rs 5000 per child then the total sum could be around Rs30000 per month. Now you can’t say that the officer should have gave birth to only 1 or 2 child and not 5 or 6 because there is no law in our country to restrict them. This was the calculation for a high earning officer but what about drivers, peon, Clerks who hardly get Rs20000 per month? what if they too have 5-6 children?

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Albania is a South Eastern Balkan country situated on the eastern Adriatic Coast in Europe. The country borders the former Yugoslav provinces of Montenegro, FYR-Macedonia, Serbia and Greece to the South. The capital is Tirana. (The World Bank Group, 2009).

Personal foreign direct investment (FDI) interest in Albania is derived from closely monitoring Albania’s transition into a NATO country and prospective European Union (EU) member. The process of accession of Albania to the EU started in January 2003. Albania’s admission to the EU depends on the countries future economic and political stability. Albania has been engaged with EU institutions and joined NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) April 1, 2009. (Wikipedia Contributors cited 2009). Albania formally applied for EU membership 28 April 2009.

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Many stock market beginner investors have read up on the theories of stock market investing but are still unsure as to the actual steps involved in the investing process. How to start investing in the stock market is a question faced by many a beginner investor. This article offers you some basic steps that you can start with today. Why are you investing? Ask yourself your reason for stock investment – is it to get a fixed income every few months? Is it to save up for your retirement? Is it to generate profit over the long term? Is it part of your get rich quick scheme? The latter is called speculating and investors usually do this on a short-term basis; however speculating in the market is not advised for beginner investors. More commonly, investors invest for income (in the form of dividends) or growth (in the form of rising stock prices whose stock can be later sold for a handsome profit). Figure out how much risk is associated with stock market investing and what your risk threshold is. Yes everyone’s is different; yours will depend on many factors including your financial situation, your nature, your psychological needs, etc. There are many different kinds of risks that you must consider before investing in the stock market – everything from financial risk to interest rate risk to personal risk. Once you have understood each type of risk, you must evaluate how risk-averse you are and then set about minimizing your risk and maximizing your profits in the stock market. Some strategies for minimizing risk are market research, diversification and sound financial management and planning. Once you have covered this, then you can begin to understand how to start investing in the stock market. Many people start investing by playing it safe with mutual funds. Mutual funds are stock portfolio aggregates compiled by most brokerage and financial firms. They are just that company’s estimation of a fairly “safe” balance of stocks to hold – the aim of mutual funds is to provide stable income so they are not too risk-intensive. The theory is that since mutual funds invest in stable stocks in the major markets and stock indexes, then their rate of return closely mirrors those indexes. Some people start stock investing by going for the hot tips offered by the internet or local brokerage services. This may not be a wise strategy for a beginner investor because it means relying on others to tell you what to buy and sell and when. If you really want to treat stock market investing seriously then you must do all the hard work yourself and start to trust your own instincts. Sometimes just by having your pulse on the market, you can come to insightful conclusions and beat the “hot tips” guy. Start by investing small amounts. Most traders refer to the first 6 months as the green period. You should not be making any major investments during this time. Instead you should be closely studying the market, making small investments and tracking and monitoring them continuously so as to be able to gauge developing trends and develop a knack for picking winners. Stock market investing is not a game, nor is it a gamble. It’s a carefully calculated program, and when used properly can generate a continuous stream of passive income for you. So follow the tips outlined here and learn how to start investing in the stock market today.

The book “Project New America” puts great stock in alternative energy investments for lifting the country out of the recession. Here’s a link if you’d like to review it yourself: http://www.sitenet.com/books/NewAmerica/New%20America%207.pdf. How well do you believe this could work?

Tax planning has changed radically over a period of time. Since its time for filling income tax returns for 2007-2008 as the end date (31st march’ 08) is approaching. As a tax payer you need to understand the best way through which you can make use of the exemptions provided by the government. Earlier people had limited choice of tax saving instruments to be used for the purpose of tax planning. But now with the ELSS (Equity Linked Saving Schemes) launched by most of the mutual fund companies, the whole approach towards tax saving has changed. With mutual funds tax planning had become more important part of over all investment planning. With equity linked saving schemes the tax exemptions can be used in a manner such that you not just disciple your investments but also create good corpus through equity investment.

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So everyone harps and harps and harps ad nauseum about Bush and Cheney having prior ties to the oil industry making them immediate mindless patsies to the Great Satan Big Oil, but what about the Democrats and Big Green? The funny part is that those like Pelosi have DIRECT investments in alternative fuel companies whose technology they’re trying to ran through in legislation. So when these Big Green companies that the Democrats are lackies to start making billions in profits, will there be a call for Windfall Profits Taxes? I guess that will depend on whether Pelosi and her cohorts have sold their stock or not.

How freaking hypocritical, LOL!

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Socially aware IRA/mutual?
I’m 24 and looking to start a Roth IRA, as well as a non-retirement picture (for a house). Stipulations: I want to invest in something socially aware/eco conscious (I anticipate a huge movement toward the green trend…) next to about…

Socially Responsible Funds?
If you had to choose two socially responsible funds that interested you which would you pick? I’m looking around. Also, any good websites to look into this more? THANKS!

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A mortgage agreement binds you for a long-term relationship. In order to have a healthy relationship between a customer and a service provider it is essential to ensure a good understanding between the concerned parties. A customer generally tends to visit a service provider that is known to him as a reputed name of the industry. A bank is a type of financial institution that usually has a wide area of presence and offers a variety of services and is usually preferred by the customers for most transactions. Mortgage being a crucial transaction, many customers choose to go to the banks, which is what makes a bank mortgage the number one choice of so many.

Every individual normally has a savings account in one or the other bank, be it a private bank or a public sector bank. Through years of transactions through this bank account, a sense of mutual understanding and a bond of trust tend to develop between them. As a result, the customer is quite likely to approach the same institution for a bank mortgage as well. Each financial institution has a different policy that is governed by a set of rules and regulations to be followed as stated by law. As such the scheme details of all these institutions are much the same. In most cases, it is the quality of service and the facilities provided that becomes the basis of your choice. For instance, if you have maintained an account in a particular bank for a certain time period, you would be aware of the type and quality of service offered. You are, therefore, well informed and thus, can take the right decision in this regard. Likewise, the bank is also aware of your financial health and conduct and the management too can take a better decision while considering and sanctioning a bank mortgage application. Before signing any papers, make sure to read the bank mortgage contract very well.

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