11 money moves to make before you turn 40

1. Create a solid emergency savings fund.

Creating an emergency savings fund can prevent you from relying on a credit card and going into debt when unexpected costs strike, says "Today" show financial editor Jean Chatzky. "You've got to watch it with the debt," she warns, adding that half of Americans lack emergency funds. "Lack of savings and debt go hand in hand ... an emergency cushion is insurance against debt," she says.

2. Take out insurance policies.
"Insurance is always that thing that we don't think about that we should," Chatzky says. Rental insurance and disability insurance both tend to be "chronically under-bought," but taking out policies can end up saving you from financial catastrophe, she adds. She recommends looking into policies offered through work because they can be more affordable.
3. Automate your retirement savings.
Automating your retirement savings -- having money taken out of your paycheck and put into a tax-advantaged retirement account -- makes it easier to save without thinking too much about it, Chatzky says. Since many companies' automatic opt-in programs start at 3 percent of income, you might need to scale it up yourself, and Chatzky says if you do it in 2 percent increments, you might not even notice the difference.
4. Meet with a financial advisor.
While some people prefer to manage their money on their own, others benefit from a professional's help. "It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the competing expenses," says Suzanna de Baca, vice president of wealth strategies at Ameriprise Financial. "Sitting down with a financial advisor can help you understand where your expenses are and what is discretionary versus essential, and then you can create the right kind of budgeting and savings plan for you."
5. Clean up your credit.
Kathleen Grace, a certified financial planner and author of "Prince Not So Charming," says maintaining excellent credit is important as you progress through your 30s, particularly because your credit report can play a big role when it comes to determining how much you will pay to borrow money for big expenses like a mortgage. She suggests reviewing your credit report once a year to check for errors and paying off your credit card balance in full each month.
6. Become a tax expert.
Learning the ins and outs of income taxes, including any tax deductions and credits that might apply to you, can help you save a few hundred, or even a few thousand, dollars each year, says certified financial planner Nancy L. Anderson. Those amounts can add up over a lifetime, she adds.
7. Buy a house.
This move isn't right for everyone, but it is a smart investment for many 30-somethings, says Bart Astor, author of "AARP Roadmap for the Rest of Your Life." Despite the flux in the real estate market, "it's still a good idea for a young person or family. It brings stability," he says. And over time, the investment should grow.
8. Maximize your company benefits.
Many companies provide an additional 30 percent of pay in terms of employee benefits, Anderson says. Those benefits include retirement, tuition reimbursement, pretax transportation benefits, health savings accounts, employee assistance programs, wellness programs, financial planning and more. Since your company is already paying for those benefits, you can take advantage of them to help boost your own wealth.
9. Write a will.
"The single most important financial move you can make in your 30s if you have minor children is to put the time, effort and money necessary into drafting solid estate planning documents," says Tim Maurer, director of personal finance for the BAM Alliance of independent advisors. They should be written by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and include advance directives, a durable power of attorney and most importantly, a will.
10. Teach yourself investing basics.

You don't need to become a financial professional, but knowing your way around the stock market will help you make the right decisions for your own long-term savings and investments. Money and retirement expert Kerry Hannon recommends smartaboutmoney.org, by the National Endowment for Financial Education, for free guides on stocks, bonds and mutual funds. She also suggests taking a personal finance course at a local community college.

11. Pay off debt.

This decade is also the time to make slow and steady progress toward paying off any remaining student loan debts, as well as unloading any expensive credit card and other types of debt. Hannon even opted to cash in her 401(k) plan at age 30 to help pay off her credit card debt, which isn't necessarily the right choice for everyone. Still, becoming debt-free by age 40 is definitely something to celebrate.

Sourced from Yahoo News.

Michael Jackson new album release date unveils

The King of Pop will come alive on May 13, as Epic Records announces that it will release ‘Xscape’, an album featuring eight brand new, previously unheard tracks by the late pop king.
The world will hear the new tunes due to the efforts of Epic Records chairman and X Factor judge L.A. Reid, who was granted unlimited access to Jackson’s archives by his estate. In the archives, Reid uncovered what a press release calls “four decades of material on which Jackson had completed his vocals.”

Reid selected eight tracks for the album and then sent them out to be retooled by producers, including recent Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake hitmaker Timbaland, in a process Reid calls “contemporizing.” Reid only chose producers who had “the gravitas, depth and range” to maintain the “essence and integrity” of Jackson’s work.

Sourced from Vanguard News.

5 ways to get promoted faster

If you want to rise through the ranks of an organisation quickly, you need to take a strategic approach. Doing a great job is vital - but just as important is making sure your achievements are visible. We asked the career experts for the top tips that will fast track your promotion.

1. Know thyself
Some people plug away in the same role for years, while others advance through an organisation and land senior roles with seeming ease. The difference isn't "who you know" but "knowing yourself", according to David Shindler, performance coach and author of Learning To Leap.
'Without self awareness of what you can offer, you will struggle to persuade others that you're ready for the next step. Identify what you have going for you that is unique and ask how you can bring that to the company in a way that meets both your needs.'
If this is something you struggle with, David suggests seeking out a mentor in the company or hiring a career coach. 'We all have ideas about ourselves and how we come across but these don't always align with others' perceptions. A new perspective and some well-judged insight could be all that stands between you and success.'

2. Stay ahead of the game
To rise up the ranks quickly, you need to adopt a strategic approach and that means thinking well ahead of the game.
'Think about your career two or threes roles ahead and then identify what you can do to develop in your current position to get there,' suggests David. 'That might mean developing new skills or taking a role outside of the company - career progression is often not a linear process'.
David suggests reaching out to people in the role you want - to see how they got there and what skills and qualities you'll need to succeed in the same position.
'If you can identify the pressures that concern people at a higher level you can use those insights to demonstrate you have the skills, knowledge and attitude to succeed at a similar level.'

3. Make your boss love you
Of course, having a good relationship with your immediate line manager will make it that much easier to get promoted.
'Establish a strong relationship with your boss where you are clear about their expectations of you and they know your expectations of them,' says Peter Fennah, a Chartered Psychologist and accredited executive career coach at careersynergy.com.
It can be a good idea to support your boss - by taking on tasks they find difficult or dislike, for example - but you don't want to become irreplaceable. A manager who leans on you is less likely to back your promotion if it means undermining their own position.

4. Make your achievements visible
If you want to get promoted to the same level as your boss, and even leapfrog them in a few years, you need to appear on the radar of senior management.
David suggests putting yourself forward for projects and being part of initiatives outside of your immediate role, as this will 'get you noticed for your can-do attitude'.
'Managers often focus on their department. If you want to progress, you need to get a good overall view of the business. Spend time getting to know managers and senior people in other departments to understand how the whole company works.'

To ensure your achievements are visible, Peter suggests choosing your projects with care. After all, there's no sense in working hard on a project that only your boss knows about.
'You can build trust fast by delivering value to the business but don't be overly busy - instead seek out the strategic contribution that will make the biggest difference.'
If your manager doesn't give you credit for your work, cc senior managers on emails with important project updates and put your name on every document.

5. Advance your network
Visibility isn't just about being highly regarded in your own company. People who are seen as valued professionals in their industry will find it easier to move up the career ladder.
'Get on the front foot with your personal brand and professional identity. Your network = your net worth,' says David.
'Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and highlights your achievements. Attend industry networking events, join online groups and discussions and submit papers or features to industry-related journals and sites.
'Raise your profile in the industry and headhunters are more likely to notice you - even if you want to stay put, having an offer from elsewhere is a good bit of bargaining power.'

6. Be aware of politics
You can be highly skilled at your job and get results, but if people don't like or trust you, you're unlikely to be promoted.
'Be alert to the politics and alliances already in place and secure a mentor who will champion you in addition to your line manager,' suggests Peter.
David agrees adding: 'It goes back to knowing yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from others on how you come across. A strong mentor or career coach can help you see what you need to do more, or less of, in order to secure that next promotion.'

Sourced from MSN News.

Youthful Grandma uses sperm as facial cream

A youthful grandmother, 67, has claimed that sperm facials are her anti-ageing secret – and she’s made a video tutorial of it. Stella Ralfini from London said semen facials hold the key to her eternal youth.
‘It’s worth thousands and thousands, but it’s free,’ she explains in a YouTube video.

Stella Rafini: photo Mail Online

‘All you need is a lover but if you don’t have one, you know what to do. All you need to do is, every ten days or two weeks, just both have a good time, make sure he has a good time, and when your beautiful love-making session is over, you are going to scoop this amazing sperm mask up in your fingers, put it on your face, leave it for fifteen minutes and wash it off.’
She goes on: ”I know some of you are thinking “What is she saying?!” but we have to assume that your lover is a healthy clean man and eats wells.

Watch the video here:

British Stella, who describes herself as an author, life coach, couples counsellor and tantric guide, explains that she learned the bizarre anti-ageing trick during her time in India, where she was studying a lovemaking method called Tantra. She said she learned the trick from a woman in her sixties, who still looked youthful.
She said she has been using the sperm cream for 30 years.

Sourced from PM News.

Nigerian President Orders Cancellation of Immigration Recruitment

President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday, directed the immediate cancellation of the immigration recruitment exercise that led to the death of more than twenty applicants and scores of others injured.

NIGERIA, Abuja : Job-seekers applying for work at the Nigerian immigration department scramble as their exam papers fly in the air, on the pitch of Abuja National Stadium, on March 15, 2014. AFP PHOTO

The presidential directive was given at today’s Federal Executive Council meeting where the president further directed that all those who lost their loved ones would have automatic slot for three applicants, one of whom must be a woman.Those who sustained injuries will also be automatically employed.

Sourced from Vanguard News.

La Liga: Messi breaks another record, as Barca win 7-0

MADRID – Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to become Barcelona’s all-time record goalscorer as they cut the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to four points ahead of their meeting next weekend with a 7-0 thrashing of Osasuna.
After a slow start, the hosts were sparked into life by Messi’s opening goal as he flicked home at the near post from Alexis Sanchez’s cross.

Sanchez was next on the scoresheet as he finished off a similar move involving Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba before Iniesta’s wonderful strike from 25 yards made it 3-0.
Messi then broke another record by registering his 370th Barca goal to overtake Paulinho Alcantara as the club’s record marksman before rounding off his hat-trick in between further strikes from Cristian Tello and Pedro Rodriguez.

Barca boss Gerardo Martino had left Cesc Fabregas and Neymar on the bench after their exertions in the 2-1 win over Manchester City in midweek with Sanchez and Pedro recalled to the starting line-up.
Amazingly, the Catalans had to withstand a bright opening from Osasuna as Victor Valdes produced a great save to deny Emiliano Armenteros and Oriol Riera was rightly flagged offside as he put the rebound into the net.

However, Barca opened the scoring 10 minutes later when Sanchez was fed by Xavi and Messi got across his man to delicately touch home the Chilean’s low cross.
Sanchez should have doubled his side’s advantage two minutes later when he chipped over with just Andres Fernandez to beat, but the former Udinese man made amends when he side-footed home after a lovely one-two between Alba and Iniesta opened up the Osasuna defence.
Iniesta then made it 3-0 with just his second goal of the season 11 minutes before half-time with a sweetly struck left-footed effort that flew into the top corner.
Fernandez was forced into fine saves from Dani Alves and Xavi to ensure Barca didn’t go in even further ahead at the break.

Osasuna should have got themselves back in the game early in the second-half as Riera and Roberto Torres failed to hit the target when presented with clear sights of goal.
They were soon further behind, though, as Messi slammed home Iniesta’s cut-back just after the hour mark to surpass Alcantara’s 369 goals in 357 games between 1912 and 1927.
Substitute Tello got his side’s fifth goal with virtually his first touch as he whipped the ball into the far corner from just outside the area.

Messi fittingly sealed his hat-trick as he received Dani Alves’ pass before easily side-footing in from close range for his 31st goal of the season.
And Messi then teed up Pedro to make it 7-0 in stoppage time with a neat low finish past Fernandez.

Sourced from Vanguard News.

Beckingham Palace sells for £11.3m

David and Victoria Beckham's Hertfordshire mansion and estate, dubbed Beckingham Palace, has been sold for a reported £11.3 million to one of the UK's most successful tycoons.

Insurance entrepreneur Neil Utley, 52, and his wife Narmali, 46, agreed a cash deal for the seven-bedroom home and surrounding 17-acre estate, according to the Sunday People.
It ends an ultimately profitable four-year search for a buyer for the Beckhams, who bought the former council-owned children's home for £2.5 million after their wedding in 1999.

Sourced from MSN News.