The classic white diamond will always be timeless, but there’s something surprising and tantalizing about colored diamonds. As special as diamonds are, the rarity and uniqueness of a colored diamond seem to raise the feeling of exclusivity just a bit more. Pink, yellow, red, brown, blue, orange, black… diamonds come in an impressive range […]
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The incomparable Moira Rose; the sass, that accent, the looks! Schitt’s Creek wrapped up its final season this year and many of us will miss the Rose family and their oddly endearing eccentricities. This blog is to focus on Moira specifically because her looks were just so good. When we were introduced to Moira […]
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Disney engagement rings are growing more and popular. And we completely understand why!
We have popped together some designs from our own collection that could be inspired by Disney!
Most importantly, any Disney loving bride would flip over receiving a Disney inspired engagement ring. Taking inspiration from the Enchanted Disney range, you would be spoilt for choice.
Firstly, we are starting with this contrasting black and white diamond piece. Our Noir design features a 1-carat Black diamond set centrally, encircled with an additional 0.18cts of brilliant white diamonds. We believe this design could be inspired by the “Mistress Of All Evil” Maleficent.
Secondly, our Rosebud diamond ring beautifully cradles the centre diamond. The smooth, mirror-polished curves of the Rosebud ring make this a popular Engagement Ring benefitting from a practical height. Inspiration could be from Princess Belle.
Thirdly, this bespoke commission was crafted for a local client set with a 9 carat emerald cut aquamarine. Set and finished into a substantial four claw 18ct White Gold design. This Icy colour Aquamarine could take inspiration from Disney’s modern princess ‘Elsa.’
Encrusted with Diamonds, our Lacey Engagement Ring is the picture of elegance, and one of our most treasured vintage-style designs. A Round Brilliant cut Diamond sits proudly within the centre of this design, encircled by a halo of matching Round Brilliant Diamonds, which also flow down onto each side of the shoulders. Inspired by her glistening ball gown, the Lacey could take inspiration from ‘Cinderella.’
The Papillon butterfly engagement ring features a very simple four claw setting. Styled into the setting is a subtle butterfly detail adjoining each of the four claws. It is available in a wide range of diamond specifications from carat weight, colour, and clarity for a personalised ring design. Delicate wing detailing could take inspiration from Disney’s ‘Tinkerbelle.’
A round brilliant cut diamond sits within a simple but secure four claw setting, rising above the shoulders with a sense of elegance. The ring itself has a traditional court profile, making this design both a comfortable yet a classy choice. We can craft your ring for you in several precious metals, including 18ct white gold, 18ct yellow gold, 18ct rose gold, platinum and palladium. Our Maple engagement ring has an ethereal, natural beauty to its design. Inspired by nature itself, who better to take inspiration from than ‘Merida.’
Matched to perfection, each Ruby stands out from the mirror-polished 18ct White Gold setting. Rubies are an excellent choice for everyday wear. Among benefits, hardness and durability make Ruby a good choice. In addition, the intense depth of colour and rarity make it a popular choice.
The rich reddish-pink colour of the set of Rubies could take inspiration from Disneys loved ‘Snow White.’
The Octopus diamond engagement ring features a truly unique Ocean inspired design. Another example of how Bespoke design makes dreams come true! As part of our bespoke service, following a consultation in-person, we created designs based around the Octopus theme. Who better to be inspired from than the Disney ‘Witch of the Sea’ ‘Ursula.’
Where better to propose with your Disney engagement ring than Disneyland itself. If you plan to pop the question at Walt Disney World, they offer a dedicated Disney Engagement planner for those seeking something entirely custom and over the top. Arranging that all-important engagement selfie is paramount! So where is the best place in the parks to proposal?
Only naming a few with so many magical drop backs!
With detailed CAD available, any Engagement Ring can have the perfect matching wedding ring crafted. Whether you match that all-important Disney princess style to the wedding ring or go for something completely different, rest assured with detailed CAD images along the way and support from a friendly team member.
TTFN x
The post Disney inspired Engagement Rings from Serendipity Diamonds appeared first on Serendipity Diamonds Blog.
What might happen if you went on a financial diet?
According to findings from GOBankingRates, Americans could save an average of $5,339 a year by cutting some discretionary spending, CNBC reported. That’s how much individuals spend on non-necessities like coffee, eating out, entertainment, clothing, ride shares, and alcohol. Break that number down, and you’re looking at an additional $445 a month that could go toward retirement contributions or an emergency savings account.
Want to fight the norm and set yourself on a course for greater financial strength? Here are five ways to trim your budget for both necessary and discretionary spending and potentially save big in 2021.
The coronavirus pandemic prompted many stay-at-home Americans to tackle DIY home improvement projects. While it’s a great way to pass the time, it’s also a great way to save money. A 2018 report from the NerdWallet personal finance website found that the median cost of a DIY kitchen renovation/addition is $22,000 less than the median cost of hiring a professional to do the work.
The money you save from a DIY project can be put toward things like reducing high-interest debt, starting an emergency fund, or bulking up your retirement accounts.
Statistics compiled by the Experian credit bureau indicate that average credit card debt in the U.S. last year was $5,314. Chipping away at that debt can put more money in your bank account and could improve your financial outlook.
In November 2020, the average interest rate on an interest-charging credit card was 16.28%. If you pay your credit card bills in full every month, then interest isn’t an issue. But if you carry a balance from one month to the next, your interest charges could add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. In total, American consumers were paying $121 billion in credit card interest and fees by the end of 2019, according to Investopedia.
It seems like we’ve got more bills than ever—video streaming services, internet service, wireless service, and insurance premiums, to name a few. But you’re not necessarily stuck with your current payment amounts. You may be able to negotiate lower costs by contacting the companies that send you these bills and asking for a rate decrease or by enlisting help from a professional negotiator like Truebill, BillFixers, Billshark, or BillAdvisor.
The savings you pile up from negotiating your bills can be applied to decreasing credit card debt, setting up an emergency fund, or putting extra cash toward retirement.
The NextAdvisor personal finance website estimates that you could chop $1,000 to 2,000 a year in discretionary spending by brewing coffee at home instead of picking it up at a coffee shop like Starbucks. That $1,000 to 2,000 could help you percolate better financial health. For instance, you may want to shift that money to your retirement accounts, thereby caffeinating your retirement strategy.
You may be falling short of what you’re allowed to contribute to your IRAs.
For 2021, the maximum amount you can contribute to all of your traditional and Roth IRAs is $6,000. It’s $1,000 higher if 50 or older. Be sure you’re taking full advantage of these IRA contribution limits if you’re not already doing so.
One component you may want to add to the IRA mix is a Self-Directed Precious Metals IRA. This type of IRA lets you hold alternative assets like gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. Among other benefits it provides, a Self-Directed Precious Metals IRA can diversify your portfolio, hedge against inflation and a weak dollar, and offer a safe haven for protecting your wealth.
You can start saving money today. Put these practices into place to help set yourself and your loved ones up for future financial success. Contact U.S. Money Reserve today to learn more about Self-Directed Precious Metals IRAs.
The post 5 Ways to Trim Your Budget & Save Big in 2021 appeared first on U.S. Money Reserve.
Despite all my experience in the precious metals market, I still have times when I am surprised by market circumstances. This has been especially true lately, when massive gold demand unexpectedly hit the U.S. Mint.
It’s hard to understate the momentum gold began this year with. Not only did the spot price of gold have its best annual performance in 10 years, and not only did the price of gold reach a new all-time high, but there was also a 455% increase in gold coin sales at the U.S. Mint in 2020. It’s easy to see why this can be a difficult market for minting institutions to keep up with the growing demand.
Recently, the U.S. Mint informed precious metals distributors that 1 oz. Gold American Eagle bullion coins would be temporarily unavailable until a later date. The Mint became unable to meet the demand for these U.S. bullion coins only one week after the newly minted American Eagle coins became available for 2021. This has never before happened in the history of the Gold American Eagle bullion program that the Mint has been unable to meet the demand for these U.S. bullion coins from distributors only one week into being made available. The Mint previously struggled to deliver precious metals products last year when supply chains were affected.
Authorized by the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985, the Gold American Eagle coin is one of the most prized coins in the world. With an iconic design considered among the most beautiful ever struck, the Gold American Eagle coin has consistently been the top-selling gold bullion coin in the United States. Each coin is made from 22-karat gold, minted in America, and is authorized legal tender by the U.S. Congress. The U.S. government guarantees its gold content, weight, and purity.
Going forward, the Mint may have to adjust to accommodate for this new level of gold demand to avoid running into this problem again. As widely prized as Gold American Eagles have historically been, they appear to be on a trajectory to create new levels of demand. This event could be a bellwether for things to come, with gold coin demand rising as risks in the marketplace bring many to seek out such coins.
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Many savvy market watchers are asking themselves whether they should buy Bitcoin this year. Bitcoin surged to a record high on January 6, 2021, only two days after its biggest single-day drop in months. Learn what might be fueling this ascent and what you should consider before padding more of your portfolio with Bitcoin.
Bitcoin, a form of digital money known as cryptocurrency, has been on a roll. But why? The CoinDesk website cites three reasons for Bitcoin’s recent bounce:
The decision about whether to purchase more Bitcoin this year depends largely on your tolerance for risk.
As CoinDesk points out, Bitcoin continues to be a highly volatile asset class. Its price has fallen at least 25% each year since 2013 from a high point reached earlier in that year. Wild swings in the price of Bitcoin are common.
How wild? Wild enough to warrant a public warning from Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority and an outright ban of derivatives and ETNs linked to cryptocurrencies.
“Irrespective of what you think the future for cryptocurrencies might be,” adds Laith Khalaf, a financial analyst at AJ Bell, “there’s no denying that they are highly volatile and therefore sit at the precarious end of the risk spectrum. Products that are linked to cryptocurrencies might also be complex and hard to understand, further muddying the waters.”
Nonetheless, buying Bitcoin may result in fantastic gains.
However, some folks may prefer a less volatile means of acquiring alternative assets or may want to diversify their holdings. That’s where gold and other precious metals can come in. Here are some of the advantages of precious metals:
That’s not to say Bitcoin isn’t worth exploring. As U.S. News & World Report points out, Bitcoin can be a hedge against inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. Yet it could be wise for an owner of Bitcoin to consider shifting at least some of their crypto-profits to a physical hedge like gold and other precious metals to diversify their portfolio. In fact, U.S. Money Reserve enables you to buy precious metals with Bitcoin funds.
Furthermore, gold—the king of precious metals—wields a numerical advantage over Bitcoin.
If Bitcoin were to reach parity with gold, the price of a single Bitcoin would have to rise about $650,000 from its January 6, 2021, price of $34,650, according to a tweet from the @Bitcoin account.
Also, gold and other precious metals can be put into a Self-Directed Precious Metals IRA, enabling you to save for retirement. U.S. Money Reserve can help you transfer your Bitcoin into U.S. dollars to contribute to an IRA that holds precious metals, too.
Are you looking to offload some of your Bitcoin into something you can hold? Looking to increase portfolio diversification? Put your Bitcoin profits to work for you. Download your free gold IRA kit and call today to speak with one of our knowledgeable Account Executives.
The post Read This Before You Buy More Bitcoin in 2021 appeared first on U.S. Money Reserve.
If you don’t have as big a nest egg as you’d like and need to know how to catch up on retirement savings in your 50s and even your 60s, don’t panic. You can still achieve realistic retirement savings goals with the following five tips, each of which includes suggestions for additional resources that are within easy reach.
You can personally control your account’s assets—bypassing the employer or plan sponsor of a 401(k)—with a self-directed IRA. Having personal control opens up a greater selection of assets. Among that selection are more traditional assets such as stocks and bonds, as well as less traditional non-paper-based assets such as real estate, undeveloped land, promissory notes, tax lien certificates, water rights, livestock, and IRA-approved precious metals.
That latter asset type includes gold and silver coins and bars that meet Internal Revenue Code requirements for fineness and production source.
Available resources: your personal financial planner(s), U.S. Money Reserve IRA Account Executives, online guides to help you choose between a Roth or traditional IRA
A penny saved is a penny earned. However, if you’re looking to make inroads with your retirement savings, you’ll need to “earn” much more than a cent or two. Fortunately, you may be in a better position to do that than you realize. Bolstering your retirement fund contributions may be as straightforward as:
Another potential finance source for your retirement savings: any tax refund you receive each year.
Available resources: qualified financial planners, an objective third party who can help review long-running expenses
This tip is as on the nose as it gets for anyone wondering how to play catch-up on retirement savings. Here’s why: If you’re age 50 or above, you can use something called “catch-up contributions” to exceed retirement contribution maximums. For example, for a 401(k) plan, those extra funds can total $6,500 per year. As a tactic, catch-up contributions can pair well with the money you save after revisiting your spending habits.
If you feel like you’re playing catch-up on the idea of catch-up contributions, you’re not alone. More than a quarter of baby boomers are unaware of their ability to make such contributions to a 401(k) plan, U.S. News & World Report notes.
Additional resources: your 401(k) plan administrator, online guides about IRA contributions
Many professionals retire out of necessity. Two leading reasons: their own or a loved one’s health issue or an early forced retirement. However, if you can work longer, doing so literally buys you time by:
Speaking with professional colleagues and someone in your company’s HR department (such as a recruiter) can help you identify crucial skills that can keep you in the work game longer.
Additional resources: your HR department, professional colleagues, online guides with tips to help you protect your retirement savings when changing jobs
If you have a hobby or favorite pastime, consider how it might become an income-generating side hustle with profits that could go into your retirement savings. Options may include:
You won’t be the only one with a side gig.
“Over the last 10 years, we’ve seen people 55 and older increasingly seek out freelance, part-time, and project-based work, and we expect this trend will continue, thanks largely to the rise of remote work,” Sara Sutton, CEO of FlexJobs shared with Kiplinger.
Additional resources: Small Business Administration, professionals established in your field of interest
It’s never too late to have a conversation. Speak with an IRA Account Executive at U.S. Money Reserve to learn how precious metals can help support your retirement plans in your 50s and 60s.
The post How to Catch Up on Retirement Savings in Your 50s and 60s appeared first on U.S. Money Reserve.
Two key events happened just before last year ended that should not be ignored, even if the news cycle has moved past them. The consequences and effects of these events will remain relevant and could have major outcomes for the dollar going forward. One of the two events was an announcement from the Federal Reserve.
In a statement, the Fed clarified that the bond purchases would continue “until substantial forward progress has been made toward the FOMC’s maximum employment and price stability goals,” adding, “These asset purchases help foster smooth market functioning and accommodative financial conditions, thereby supporting the flow of credit to households and businesses.”
The Fed also reiterated its pledge to keep interest rates as at the near-zero range until it sees “substantial progress” in returning the economy to “healthy growth.” The Fed cut interest rates by 150 basis points, to the near-zero range, in March 2020. This new round of bond purchases in combination with these low interest rates could put immense pressure on the dollar.
This can be observed by following the effects on the dollar in the immediate aftermath of the decisions. Shortly after these announcements—on Thursday, December 17, 2020—the U.S. Dollar Index plunged to a more than 2.5-year low against other currencies. Fox Business reported that this was the lowest performance for the dollar since April 2018.
Not long after the Fed’s moves, Congress passed its second largest economic relief bill in U.S. history. However, the true size of the bill that passed has been somewhat understated.
Most of the media focus before the end of the year was for the $900 billion stimulus package. But outside of COVID-19 relief, the bill also approved $1.4 trillion in government spending, which Yahoo Finance reports consists of $740.5 billion in defense spending and $664.5 billion for domestic programs. The total size of this bill adds another huge chunk to the size of the federal debt, which puts additional pressure on the dollar.
Both debt and the Fed’s dollar program could substantially lower the effectiveness of the dollar this year and in the coming years. While there are a lot of important new developments unfolding, these two should not be forgotten by any American planning their financial stability. The impact they can have on not just the dollar, but dollar-equivalent assets, and even on the market as a whole could become very significant in the next few years. Owning safe-haven assets, such as precious metals, could help act as an important hedge against the consequences of growing debt and a flood of “free money” for businesses. If these consequences come, those with hard assets, like real gold, could stand to gain the most.
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What’s bigger than the U.S. economy?
It’s public debt.
America is drowning in debt, and the tides keep rising:
In the next 30 days, you could see the national debt balloon from nearly $28 trillion to $31.8 trillion. Not since World War II has public debt been so high.
This time around, however, there won’t be a post-war economic boom to bail us out.
The Fed’s plan? Print. Spend. Tax. Pretty sophisticated strategy, right? The worst part?
“The problem I see is the government has no exit strategy,” explained precious metals advisor John Karow in the video above with Scottsdale Bullion & Coin’s Founder Eric Sepanek. “We’re back to a policy that’s failed all over the world.”
Smart money investors know the End Game for the Fed’s Grand Experiment is Now. They see the flood gates bending and cracking under the weight of the country’s colossal debt, and they’ve been rushing to gold since President Biden’s confirmation.
“The new administration is simply going to keep raising taxes, and for me that means gold continues to be the life raft it’s always been. As the tide of taxation rises and the tide of government spending rises, there’s no other place to protect yourself,” said John.
This is evident in the spot price of gold, which has already jumped $35. Analysts are forecasting gold prices to hit $1,950 by the middle of next month.1
Have you secured your life raft yet?
If not, now is the time to buy gold and silver, before prices take off. Speak with your precious metals advisor today. Call 1 (888) 812-9892 today.
Have you been wondering if gold and silver’s record bull market’s run out of steam? Well, STOP now. Because the market fundamentals suggest these two precious metals are just getting started.
Never have gold and silver had more reasons to rise in price when you consider the following 8 factors:
If the outlook for gold and silver prices is so bullish, why have they drifted sideways for months now?
Some blame the recent rise in interest rates, including the ten-year treasury yield to over 1%. But, interest rates are still well below the rate of inflation.
Plus, history tells us that gold can thrive even as interest rates rise.
In the 1970s, the Fed funds rate went from 6% to 19%, while the price of gold rose from $35/oz to $1,875/oz. (In the ‘70s, interest rates rose with inflation. And inflation, of course, is good for gold). In addition, higher interest rates are ultimately negative for stocks, bonds, and real estate…
….AND higher rates make it costlier to pay off government debt, so the Fed will do everything in its power to continue easing (i.e., keeping interest rates low).
Most likely, however, the “lethargic” gold and silver prices are due to the ongoing manipulation by the bullion banks2.
If you haven’t heard, bullion banks like J.P. Morgan have been raiding the paper market for years. By selling gold and silver on the London and N.Y. Exchanges, these bullion banks drive the paper price down, allowing them to buyback paper AND physical gold at lower prices.
If you own physical gold and silver, these raids can be frustrating, but…
…Understanding These Dynamics Offers a Huge Advantage:
Of course, it’s not just gold and silver prices being manipulated. The Fed is doing everything possible to keep the stock market, bond market, and dollar propped up.
The resulting “wealth effect” has provided a superb diversion to the deeply inherent problems below the surface. But ultimately, the Fed is doomed to fail. The debt is too great. The economy is too weak.
The only Fed “bullet” left? Allow inflation to rise, which, in turn, allows future debt to be paid off in cheaper dollars.
The financial markets—which have lost touch with reality—will come down from their lofty levels with an ugly thud, either caused by inevitable higher interest rates and/or an economic “event.”
The Fed’s “monetary fountain of youth” and effortless “print and spend” program is going to end in crisis. In 2008, our government bailed out the banks. This time around? It will be our government, and governments worldwide, that will need bailing out.
Most Americans will be completely blindsided.
Don’t be one of them.
See how to properly diversify your portfolio and protect your wealth from the Fed’s grand experiment. Because the End Game is here.
“My concern is that the Fed and other leading central banks will soon fail in their attempt to sustain financial asset prices via printed money. On that basis alone, we are now on borrowed time. As soon as the Fed loses control of the bond market, the financial crash will take down the dollar with it. Gold is sound money. I’m not going to talk gold and silver prices because they are irrelevant. Anyone who does not have physical metal will suffer mightily from these evolving conditions.”— Alasdair Macleod, Head of Research for London based GoldMoney