How Learning to Trade Commodities Helps Your Commodity Future Trading Knowledge

By William Davies

When you start learning to trade commodities you will find yourself seeing commodity futures trading in a completely new light. Whether it is in a particular sector such as coal or copper or maybe across the whole range of commodity markets, your knowledge of these trading products will grow. Many have heard the mention of the New York Mercantile Exchange and crude oil trading against the background of a growing energy security concern and how many factors influence prices. Consider also what are the driving forces of prices in gold, palladium and other precious metals, and why do sugar prices spike?

You need to make an effort to find a very good commodities training school if you want to thrive in these markets. So what should you do to learn about commodity trading? Have you figured out the must know areas if you are to make a success in world commodity markets? It may help in the first instance to find locations where courses on trading commodities are offered. You may find you have a choice, either studying at home as part of an online training package or go to a high quality learning centre where students will have intense exposure to all aspects of futures and commodities.

What do you gain from going to a commodity training centre? You will benefit from physical contact with the tutors and there may be one to one coaching opportunities. What is likely is that lecturers will have real world knowledge of trading as they may be former or still active commodity traders, and this can be a valuable skill which you could benefit from. There is also the advantage of being able to share ideas with colleagues in your classroom and network afterwards.

One key advantage of attending a training centre is watching your coaches carry out a "live" trade, and giving you a commentary on the price action. You may find this "live" way of learning a trading technique preferable to a more passive approach. There is a certain edge to your commodity trading learning experience, and you may find the tutors helping you outline a personalised trading plan. With the growth of international financial centres in London, Dubai, Toronto and Singapore, or Washington, Chicago, Irvine, Philadelphia and New York in the US, you can probably find a training centre near to where you live.

Let's look at the alternative of training courses for commodity trading online. What are the benfefits here? If your commitments mean you cannot get to a centre when the courses run or you live too far from the location, the online version is ideal. When you take up this option you have maximum flexibility and you cover both technical and fundamental aspects of trading.

These online commodity trading courses will have offer e mail contact with your tutors, as well as video tutorials, using charts, blogs and forums. You will also most likely have access to special software packages allowing you to practice trades and use different trading techniques, as well as CDs and DVDs covering the key learning points.

You are about to start learning to trade commodities, so what will be covered? Courses will cover the fundamental foundations which look at how supply and demand can affect commodity prices, and the impact of events such as inflation and recessions on these variables. Technical analysis is the other key approach, covering commodity charts, interpreting Fibonacci numbers, Japanese candlesticks, support and resistance lines, trade volumes and moving averages and other indicators of when to trade.

You will also see how easy electronic trading of commodities can be and you will learn what a futures contract is and how to place orders, set your commodity futures margin, along with an appreciation of why market participants hedge their positions. Then there is the matter of managing risk and minimising losses of capital in what are leveraged instruments. And when you start learning to trade commodities you will certainly cover the important role played by psychology when you have to stick to your commodity trading plan. - 23199

About the Author:

Trading Commodities is a demanding exercise, according to William Davies who writes articles for a Commodity Trading website. Discover courses on learning to trade commodities here.

A Denver Condominium Might Be Your Best Bet

By Michael Canon

Finding a good Denver condominium is not as hard as many people think. Many of them don't even cost more than what a nice apartment does. A condominium gives you the freedom to live like you won the place without have to worry about mowing the grass or trimming the trees. Condo living is great for not just older couples, but all different kinds of people as well.

Condominiums, or condos for short, have been steadily decreasing in cost over the past few years. A smart buyer knows that this is the best time to buy a Denver condominium. Most of the people that enjoy condos don't need a lot of room and like the extra amenities. They are just like apartments, but the only difference is that you are able to own a condo. Condominiums also tend to be more luxurious and a bit bigger then apartments, but that isn't always the case.

A Denver condominium can be found in just about any part of town. The best place to start your search is in the local newspaper. Usually you will be able to find a specific column just for listings in your area. You can also search online for listings or talk to a local real estate agent. Buying a condo is a big decision, but they are very cost efficient compared to other properties. A good place will offer you privileges to the public recreation facilities including swimming pools and fitness rooms.

On average, a Denver condominium will cost you about $170,000 dollars. This means you will be paying between $800 and $1,500 dollars every month. If you choose a larger or more expensive condo, this price will obviously be higher. The best time to consider buying a condo is when the market is down like it is. Later on if you choose to sell you condo to someone else it will probably be worth more.

Basically there are three different Denver condominium styles. The first type is for wealthier people looking for very expensive living areas. They have access to many features that can't be found in other types of condos. There are also vacation condos. Vacation condos are usually found near the edges of the city within the mountain views and outdoor activities. The last type of condo is a budget friendly loft, and these are great for students and singles. These are less expensive and may be located closer to downtown.

Proper research ahead of time will help you find the perfect Denver condominium. You can go through hundreds of different listings before you find a condo that you like. The easiest way to get an idea of what living in a condo would be like is to take a tour of it. These are easily set up and will help enormously with your decision. - 23199

About the Author:

Michael Canon is a top Denver realtor with the Canon Colorado Team who have been frequently quoted by the Denver Media as real estate experts. Michael can help you find that perfect Denver condominium or loft that you're looking for. Get in touch today by visiting Denver Condominium or Downtown Denver Lofts!

Getting Started in Real Estate for the Penniless - Part One

By Dave Peniuk

You probably won't like what I have to say. But, the brutal reality is that you can't spend everything you make and expect to get rich. Period. If you are slipping further and further into debt each month and you think real estate investing is going to save you, I have bad news for you. It won't.

"But," you say, "Real estate investing rescued those people on TV. They got out of debt and were able to quit their jobs." For starters, it's impossible to believe those testimonials are real, and even if they are, people who can do it in this way are very unusual.

You can, and we believe you WILL, create massive amounts of wealth through real estate investing. Set your goals, find properties that meet those goals with plenty of good research and then hold onto them for at least five years...preferably longer. It works... look at the richest people in your city. Of those that are self-made, I bet at least 25% of them did it through real estate. We always go through the richest people in Canada and Power List for Vancouver, and this number holds up.

The secret to successful real estate investing is to learn what you're doing first, then you can make more investments as your knowledge and assets grow. If you do that, you CAN get rich off of real estate, with less money and fewer headaches than people who try to do it in other ways.

When Julie and I first started investing, we had only had $16,000. Unlike most people I knew, Julie liked to save money. After she graduated from college she continued to live as a student, that is to say, much below her means. Any extra pennies were used to pay off her student loans. Once those were paid, the extra money went to the savings. Her plan was to get her MBA without taking out more student loans.

When we met, I had a property with my Mom that we'd purchased years before, but didn't have much else. After years and years of being a student, I wanted to enjoy the money I was making. I drove a nice new financed Volkswagen and enjoyed my nights out in Victoria. I didn't spend money excessively, but I was carrying credit card debt and didn't have savings. Julie shared her visions of "retirement at 35" with me, and I got excited.

It took a lot of work on my part to pay off my credit card debt, but I did it. I then started to save a few hundred dollars every month. But the reward was worth the work, and we started to shop for our first investment property.

Our first investment was a lot easier to do thanks to Julie's savings. But, you don't need money to buy your first property.

Many programs out there will tell you that you can get into real estate for no money down - and there are definitely plenty of ways to buy real estate with no money down, but they come with a lot of risk. As far as we're concerned, there are only 3 ways you should consider coming up with a down payment on a property, and the good news is that only one of them requires that you have money saved:

1. Cashing out your savings, including stocks, retirement and GICs

2. Your home's equity

3. A partner that has money to invest.

Here's the hard reality that you won't like to hear though. Finding a partner will be next to impossible if your own finances are ugly. If you have no experience investing in real estate, you are deep in debt and you are trying to get rich on my money, what exactly is in it for me, as your potential partner? It just sounds risky to me.

But, if you come to me and say "Dave, I have found this property that I think is a great investment. I don't have any money because when I graduated from University two years ago, I had $30,000 in student loans. I only have $5,000 left to pay off, but I really want to get started real estate investing and I think this deal will be great," I will be more interested in working with you.

You'll notice the difference; one person is full of 'bad debt' due to poor decision-making and the other person has 'good debt' and has shown that they make sound financial decisions.

So now you understand why controlling your finances also means controlling your destiny. Start spending less than what you make. If you're not sure if you do that, keep a spending journal for the next six months. Write down what you bought, the cost, when you bought it and then evaluate whether or not you really needed it. In no time at all, you'll have a pretty good idea of where your money is going and what you can cut out in order to save even more money.

I can imagine what you might be thinking - "but, Dave, I always spend a lot during the holiday season", or "we've been planning the trip to Europe for two years"! Don't fret- if you've saved up for those things, you deserve to do them. But, if you are going to end up going into debt for those things, you may have just discovered that you are a SPENDER, not a SAVER. If that is the case, you may not be ready to start growing your wealth and becoming a rich real estate investor. - 23199

About the Author:

Learn How to Retire with Real Estate with Dave's free Real Estate Investing Starter Tips Guide. Learn how to find money for real estate deals, create financial freedom, positive cashflow and massive wealth with tips like: How to find quality investment properties, finding and keeping great tenants, and easy ways to make more money with real estate.

Living in Downtown Denver Lofts

By Michael Canon

Many people are looking for downtown Denver lofts to live in. Here you have close access to a variety of business and stores where you may work at. Lofts have a wide price range to help accommodate everyone. Downtown Denver has a lot to offer its residents as well as a great living experience.

Many people have chosen to live in one of the several downtown Denver lofts because they work in the area. By living closer to their job site commute time is reduced to just 10-15 minutes. There are plenty of transit options in this area, including taxis, buses, and light rails. Many people living in the downtown area have cars but they are not necessary for travel. If you don't have a need for a car you can save yourself a lot of money on car payments and insurance that you would be spending if you commuted.

Another benefit to living downtown is that you will be in close proximity to all different kinds of entertainment. The area is constantly busy due to a large shopping mall and other small shopping areas. There are plenty of places to catch a movie or spend time on the weekend when you are not busy. If you feel like having a recreational day you can exit the downtown area and take some of the paths. There are several different activities that you can do including biking, fishing, and site seeing.

Downtown Denver lofts are always available in one area or another. There are two different types of lofts including for sale lofts and for rent lofts. The lofts that are for sale work out great for those who plan to stay for a longer period of time. The lofts are usually stylish and there are several new lofts in the area. Younger students and business workers tend to favor the lofts that are for rent. The pricing tends to range rather widespread depending on what type of loft you choose.

Many of the downtown Denver lofts have come from factories and warehouses that are no longer in use however there are still some new lofts that have been built. Companies that have been converted into lofts include the old Great Western Sugar company, the Pride of the Rockies Flour Mill, and the Brecht Chocolate and Candies business. Each building has a story behind it and some have fascinating histories. The views and styles of the lofts vary greatly depending on which one you decide to choose.

The outside of many of the buildings look slightly run down due to their ages however the interiors have been completely renovated. Some of the lofts are fully furnished while others may come with polished wood flooring, workout rooms, or even jetted tubs. And of course, almost all downtown Denver lofts have ample square footage. Unlike your average apartment or condo, a loft gives you space to bring in all of your furniture and still have space to spare. Some of the best lofts that you can find will include free parking, swimming pools, and designer furnishings.

You will always want to check out the loft before you purchase it. You will also want to ensure that the views and the utilities fit your needs. With all of the downtown Denver lofts available you should have no problem finding one that suits you. - 23199

About the Author:

Michael Canon is a top Denver realtor with the Canon Colorado Team who have been frequently quoted by the Denver Media as real estate experts. Michael will help you find that perfect downtown Denver loft or condo that you're looking for. Make contact today by visiting them at Downtown Denver Lofts or Denver Condominium!

How to Become A Forex Trader

By Mark Abbots

Forex systems are the backbone and well-known tool for the traders those who have plan to trade in the big and popular currency market. Forex systems enable the trader to purchase and sell foreign currency through the Foreign Exchange (Forex) market. Forex systems have gained good popularity nowadays because of the internet since many individual can also put their effort in these kinds of trading system.

To obtain profit from Forex systems, the basic concepts about Forex systems should be understood properly through appropriate ways. Beginners can acquire knowledge about Forex systems through different Forex related books available in the market, which explains about basics of trading and about Forex as well.

Different Foreign Exchange system related websites are available in the web and with the help of these websites even a starter can get good understanding of the facts regarding Forex systems and its nook and corner business. The websites keep the trader well-informed about the changes taking place in the market like changes in currency rates, changes in exchange rate of currencies, etc.

Today, the experienced Forex traders conduct seminars free of cost to the future trend setters of the forex market. The books, if any, written by these experts based on the challenges and obstacles faced by them, can tell the way the market operates. Opening a demo account with an online trader can take a beginner through an artificial setting that works exactly like a real Forex market. The absence of real Forex investment helps in testing the various currency options that can be used to reap greater revenue. Once you are confident of yourself, then you can make your entry into a live Forex market.

If you are a beginner and trying to learn about Forex systems it is better to open a demo account through a Forex broker, with the help of whom you can gain some knowledge regarding Forex markets. You can save yourself from the risk of facing loss due to inexperience by using a demo account in the beginning. With the help of the demo account you can test different currency pairs and find a currency pair with which you will be more convenient. Until you get confidence that you can trade in the real time market use the demo account for trading.

A trader must never let emotions enter rule any of his judgments. Excitement, which is a part of it, clouds logical reasoning, forcing the individual make faulty and expensive decisions. Remaining calm is a prerequisite for any successful Forex system trader. - 23199

About the Author:

Mark has written numerous articles about have a forex trading online and also about Forex Trading.