Gold News Today

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the last day of the battle at Iwo Jima.

Stories of heroism are more important than ever. In today’s world, it is important to remember that when times are tough and when the odds seem overwhelming, we can endure, and we can overcome.

The bravery and sacrifice of the heroes of Iwo Jima are also important to remember on their own merits. We must remember all service members for their valor and courage. Their efforts have been immortalized, and the world will never forget them.

March 26, 1945, was preceded by one month and one week of some of the fiercest fighting in the war in the Pacific.

Iwo Jima had critical strategic importance. It housed an air base for imperial Japanese fighter planes and was a safe haven for their naval units. U.S. forces also recognized that the island could be a critical staging ground for an invasion of the Japanese home islands.

The volcanic island was subjected to nine months of naval bombardments and air raids from American forces before the battle even began. Intelligence sources believed that the imperial Japanese forces left on Iwo Jima would fall in one week.

They were wrong.

Imperial Japanese forces abandoned the beach defense strategy they normally applied. Instead they entrenched themselves in a series of pillboxes and bunkers connected by an intricate series of tunnels. Forces that had been assumed to have been decimated were instead underground.

Marines began their normal amphibious invasion and encountered none of the usual resistance from imperial Japanese forces. It seemed like this would be an easy victory.

The Japanese counterattack caught the Marines by surprise. The ensuing battle was deadly and continuous. The heavily fortified positions of the imperial Japanese were immensely challenging to clear, and the network of tunnels made the usual clearance methods difficult. The Marines had to adjust their strategies to overcome these challenges.

Every square inch was fought for, and nothing came easy. However, the United States eventually proved victorious.

First the south side of Iwo Jima fell, and Marines raised the flag on Mount Suribachi. Then, eventually, the north side of the island was captured, too. American forces sustained heavy casualties. But they persevered and won.

The actions during these five weeks turned the tide of the war.

For their actions, the Medal of Honor was awarded to 27 Marines and U.S. sailors. To this day, the battle is depicted in books, movies, and shows. Americans of all walks of life still look to the heroes of this battle for inspiration.

In today’s world, the heroism exhibited can be a guide for the challenges we now face. The soldiers who fought on Iwo Jima were faced by a foe more dangerous than they initially expected, and overwhelming odds, and they persevered.

It has been 75 years and honoring the heroes of those battles is as important as ever. Take the time to learn about these heroes and honor their memory.

The post The 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima appeared first on U.S. Money Reserve.

Times are uncertain. Markets are in a state of flux. It might feel like the right financial move is difficult to see. If you’ve made some money moves that feel more like regrets, read on. We’re here to empower you with some tips for turning financial trials into triumphs and helping you better avoid financial disappointment in the future.

Common Financial Mistakes

“Financial mistakes are part of everyday life,” Senior Finance Advisor notes. The most common mistakes include living paycheck to paycheck, indulging in unnecessary spending, taking on too much credit card debt, and forgoing portfolio diversification, among others.

With stocks suffering and uncertainty reigning as the new norm, now is the time to position yourself for financial security

“Any significant market volatility presents a good opportunity for you to take an honest look at your reaction” and financial activity, advises Arielle O’Shea, a specialist at the personal finance website NerdWallet.com. Here’s how to better position yourself.

Conquering Financial Disappointment

1. Shift to Save More.

According to a survey by GOBankingRates, 58% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings, and the percentage hasn’t changed much over the years.

“As the market flashes red, you should reevaluate how your savings are allocated,” experts say.

You don’t have to stop enjoying the things you purchase or curb shopping altogether. All you have to do is reduce spending on unnecessary items. Even small changes in behavior, like making your coffee and meals at home, can help.

To help increase your savings and organize your money, consider the following guidelines from Fidelity:

• Allocate 50% of take-home pay to essentials, like housing and transportation.
• Place 15% of pre-tax income into retirement savings.
• Allocate 5% of take-home pay to a savings account for the unexpected.
• Save the remaining amount for other personal goals.

Making specific decisions about how your money is saved and spent can help you gain a sense of financial control and avoid living paycheck to paycheck.

2. Make Informed Purchases.

Sometimes you can’t help but spend money. The dishwasher breaks, or you need to put new tires on the family car. That’s okay. It’s what your “savings account for the unexpected” is designed to cover.

Research shows, however, that the average adult in the U.S. spends $1,497 a month on nonessential items, which adds up to almost $18,000 a year.

To help avoid unnecessary spending, take the time to make informed purchases. Set priorities, make a budget, and stick to your plan. When it’s time to spend, do your research.

At U.S. Money Reserve, we encourage our clients to learn as much as they can about precious metals before they make a precious metals purchase. Financial decisions deserve time and consideration. Call or go online to read reviews, news articles, e-books, and more when it’s time to make a significant purchase.

“There’s always a need to do some research before deciding what to do with your money,” notes WiserAdvisor.com.

Plus, slowing the decision-making process can help you avoid spending impulsively on unnecessary items.

3. Guard Against Credit Card Debt.

A financial disappointment in one area of life could force you to reach for a credit card for some relief. Avoid the urge.

On average, each American household with a credit card carries $8,398 in credit card debt. It’s a tough beast to tackle. There are interest rates to consider, minimum payment amounts, monthly statements, and always another desirable purchase looming in the distance.

If you’re able to allocate your finances as Fidelity recommends and also make more-informed purchases, you’re well-positioned to pay down credit card debt.

4. Diversify Your Portfolio.

Recovering from financial mistakes doesn’t end when you fix a few problems. You must continuously pursue financial preparedness. Portfolio diversification is an essential part of that pursuit.

Diversification is the act of achieving variety in your portfolio to reduce risk. It’s like eating a balanced diet that includes all food groups. While healthy meals of fruits, vegetables, meat, and grains are no guarantee that you’ll stay in perfect health, they’re a solid defense. The same can be said for diversification.

Yet “1 in 4 Americans say they don’t know or have no opinion on whether their [holdings] are diversified,” found a survey conducted by CNBC Make It and Morning Consult.

With the recent economic turmoil, now might be the best time to adjust your portfolio. How does your allocation of traditional assets (like stocks and bonds) compare to your mix of alternative assets (like real estate and precious metals)?

Some experts recommend holding 10 to 25 percent of your portfolio in tangible assets like gold, silver, and platinum. Of course, your allocation will depend on the amount of protection your portfolio requires.

But Why Buy Gold and Precious Metals?

Owning gold and precious metals can do more than help protect against another financial disappointment in life. It can help give you and your family a sense of tangible security. Call U.S. Money Reserve at 1-844-307-1589 to learn more about the powerful benefits of precious metals.

The post 4 Tips for Safeguarding Against Financial Disappointment appeared first on U.S. Money Reserve.