Teresa Wilson | My10000dollars

Financial Fraud Can Happen to Anyone

November 7, 2019December 10, 2019 - by Teresa Wilson

In 2008 it was discovered that Bernard Madoff, famed financial investor, had scammed clients out of approximately $65 billion over 20 years. His victims included people from all walks of life–from politics, to Hollywood luminaries.

The list even includes Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and his Foundation for Humanity. Madoff stole from many in his Jewish community, not all of them wealthy.

He fooled investors, big and small, with claims of exclusivity and consistently positive returns. A year later in 2009, a seemingly endless string of similar scams began to surface.

Although the most sensationalized scandals were large-scale, many scams also occurred in small communities across America. They may not have made the papers, but these small scale con artists still cheated their victims out of every last penny.

No matter what regulators may devise, there will always be con artists on both big and small scales. They have existed long …

Business Finance

Phantom Commercial Loans

October 21, 2019November 22, 2019 - by Teresa Wilson

The description of phantom commercial loans was inspired by earlier terminology related to phantom software or similar phrases which generally referred to high tech companies announcing that they were planning to issue new products at some vague point in the future. The usual motivation was to discourage consumers from buying a competitive product because the manufacturer would usually suggest that their yet to be released product would surpass an existing item in one or more ways. Because such a large percentage of these announcements were often not followed by the actual sale of software, the product which was announced with such fanfare but never ultimately made available for sale became known in many circles as phantom software because the intended use of the definition suggests something that only appears to be real.

Sadly a similar event is now occurring more frequently with respect to business financing and working capital finance. …

Lending

Need For Venture Capital Stable in Questionable Economy

October 8, 2019November 22, 2019 - by Teresa Wilson

The declining economic trend continues. An old axiom in business says that the best time to start a business is during an economic crisis, but all indications show a similar downward trend in available venture capital.

It seems that most venture capital groups sit with cash, overcoming the uncertainties that dominate the economy. Not because the money isn’t there; the group just doesn’t want to take the risk now. Why is that?

The aim of most new companies is to make it an IPO or be acquired by another company. The failure rate in starting a business is very worrying. With rising fuel costs an increase in the costs of all other things, including capital equipment, labor and supplies, as well as construction and real estate. Companies that will not invest in their own businesses will most likely not acquire other companies. With the high costs associated with starting a …

Personal Finance

Green Business Equals Danger For Greenhorn Investors

September 24, 2019November 22, 2019 - by Teresa Wilson

I am not suggesting for a moment that all Green businesses are bad investments, but I am suggesting that whenever a bubble appears or to there is much enthusiasm for an idea, that a number of the businesses ideas sold to unquestioning investors will turn out to serve the middle men far more than the money men.

As the investors, the business angels, we need to be on our guard.

There appear to be two dangers with the current alternative or green energy fad.

The first is the classic investment risk taught by Benjamin Graham and discussed in his book The Intelligent Investor. Graham, the mentor of Warren Buffett, took apart the reasons for investing in the 1950s boom industry – the airlines.

His analysis has been proven to be right as Buffett now claims that in 50 years, airline investors taken as a whole still have not had a …

Household Finance

Business Plans for Angel Investors

September 7, 2019November 22, 2019 - by Teresa Wilson

Angel investors, venture capital firms, and private firms all going to see a well written business plan as it relates to your intended startup operation. A year-to-year budget is necessary when you’re seeking any type of financing especially if you are working with an angel investor. Commonly, you may need a private placement memorandum in addition to your business plan. You will be required to have a subscription agreement that allows these individuals to place money with your business. Your CPA can assist you with calculating the anticipated ROI for your business.

There are many drawbacks to working with a venture capital firm or angel investor for funding purposes. Regular payments to an investment can be a yes or no factor as to whether or not you receive the funding that you need for your business. As such, and within your business plan, you may want to discuss royalty based …