HOW DO I OPEN AN MT4 ACCOUNT WITH AGEA?

There are two main parts to opening an MT4 account:

• You need to ensure you have the software
• And you need to have an appropriate Live account – Cent, Standard, or STP

To download software

• 1. Login to your account
• 2. Go to “Services” at the top right hand corner of any page on the AGEA site.
• 3. Click “Downloads” in the left hand column of the Services page

Alternatively you can just click “Get Software” at the top right side of all AGEA pages.

4. Go down the page to the MetaTrader4 section and within the highlight box click “MetaTrader 4 Platform Services”

5. A box will pop up – Click “Save File”. It will be Saved into your downloads as ‘Agea-mt4-platform.exe”

6. Find the saved file and double click it.
7. A pop-up box will appear – Click “Run”.

8. The AGEAAgreement will come up, click “Next”.

9. You will then see where the program will be saved, and can select whether you want a shortcut made and the program to open after installation. Click “Next”.

• 10. The program will be downloaded, click “Finish” and you are done!

Now you have access to MT4 and can practice trading on your virtual desk where you have been given $10,000 virtual money to trade with.

Set up your Live Account

• 1. Go to your “Account Center” (this can be accessed by clicking the button in the top right side of any AGEApage).
• 2. Click “Platforms” > “MetaTrader” > MT4 Cabinet

• 3. On the page “MetaTrader 4 Cabinet”, click “Add a new account on the MetaTrader 4 Platform” which is at the bottom of the page
• 4. Choose which account type you want: Cent, Standard or STP, and your primary currency, and then click “Add Account”.

Remember minimum deposits are required for these accounts as follows:

• Cent - $10
• Standard - $100
• STP - $1000

To learn more about which account to choose see our Article “Which MT4 Account”

As long as you have the required deposit, the account will now be added.

• 5. A message will come up requesting you to enter a new password for your MT4 account.
  Note: The “Master Password” is the password you use for Streamster.
  If you do not add your password at this point, or want to change it at a later point, you can find this option at: “Account Center” > “Platforms” > “MetaTrader” > “MT4 Cabinet” . Then in the “Services” dropdown menu select “Change Password”.

Now you will have your Account ID (which can be found again in the MT4 Cabinet if needed) and your password.

• 6. Open your MT4 Software. Your Demo Account will automatically be displayed
• 7. To change to the Live Account – Go to “File” > “Login”
• 8. Enter your “Account ID” in the “Login” box, and your new password in the “Password” box.

The change the Server from “AGEA-Demo” to ‘AGEA-Live”.

• 9. Now you can start trading live on MT4. Remember to transfer funds into your MT4 account at “Account Center” > “Funds” > “Transfer Funds”.
• http://shortmeup.com/?_Tc 

HOW TO CHOOSE A FOREX BROKER?

With almost a $4 trillion average daily turnover in the global foreign exchange market and many technical and fundamental techniques to help you predict the market, forex is a great way to make money in the comfort of your own home. But with hundreds of forex brokers out there how to you know which one to choose? Here are some key points you should consider: MT4 and Streamster Platforms Platforms Trading forex online is performed through a platform. One of the most internationally recognized and widely used platforms is MetaTrader 4 (known as MT4). MT4 allows many currency pairs, indexes, commodities and other futures to be traded, and assist traders by performing technical analysis at the click of a button. Trade on mobile, tablet and PC However if you are new to trading then a simplified platform may be more useful. AGEAprovides an excellent platform, Streamster. Like MT4, Streamster beside forex offers many CFDs (indexes, commodities) but has the advantage of being more user friendly, requires no deposit (some company require thousands of dollars in deposits to use MT4) and you get a $5 reward to trade with immediately. Furthermore, you can trade using your android phone or tablet PC! No deposit and $5 free reward Deposits (Investment needed) As mentioned above, many companies require deposits when opening a live trading account. The reason for this is to protect the Company if you start losing heavily. Most MT4 accounts require a deposit of around $500. At AGEA, however, you can open an MT4 account from as little as $10! There are three different levels of accounts; even the top account – Standard – requires only a $100 deposit. And remember Streamster requires no deposit! Charges Most likely you are trading not for fun but to make money. The higher you’re trading costs are, the harder it will be for you to make profit, so charges are a key factor when choosing a broker. Forex brokers generally only charge commission on Straight-Through-Processing (STP) accounts. This is where your trade is passed onto another broker and the introducing broker just receives a commission.

AGEA has institution-level low spreads However on other accounts (such as AGEA’sStreamster, MT4 Cent and MT4 Standard) no commissions are charged. One of the key areas, therefore, that differentiates brokers is the spreads. Spreads are the different between the bid and ask price of an instrument. Let say you buy an instrument and sell at exactly the same ask price, you would still make a small loss as the broker will make the bid price slightly lower than the ask price. AGEA has institution-level low spreads on MT4 because we do not add any commission or mark-ups to the prime brokerage rates, and we choose the brokerage with the lowest spreads. Virtual Desk It is important that you practice trading before you go live, especially if you are new to trading. Most brokers will provide you with a virtual desk with virtual money for you to trade with, so you get to trade without the risk of losing money. But, of course, you also can’t make money just by trading on the virtual desk – except at AGEA! Win $100 trading on AGEA’s Virtual Desk –  No investment required! AGEA runs a competition which rewards the trader who makes the highest virtual profit on the virtual Streamster desk. The reward is $100 and can be used to trade on your live desk or withdrawn. All traders receive $5 when they open an account with AGEA to trade on the live desk, so again you could make money without investing any! 24 hour, multilingual support Support Whether you are technology pro or not, you may sometimes need some help. AGEA has a dedicated, high quality, 24 hour, multilingual online support channels. You can chat directly with one of their assistants at any time and they will be sure to help you in any way they can. Conclusion If you are serious about making money then you need to reduce your costs and make sure you have the right tools to learn and to trade. AGEA offers a multitude of platform accounts, learning tools, and full time support all at institutionally low prices! New to forex? Learn more at extra.agea.com

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LONG TERM RETIREMENT PLANNING

We all know that sooner is much better than later when it comes to planning your retirement. The more money you sock away and the longer that money has to grow and work for you, the better the position you are in to enjoy your retirement to its fullest. With this in mind, you need to approach all of your retirement investments as long-term rather than quick turnover investments.

It is often tempting to risk it all for the promise of a high return on your investment but you must remember that with great reward comes great risk and most of the time your security is simply not worth that particular risk. There are several different types of long-term investments that you may find to be reasonable and even attractive investments.

Bonds are a popular long-term investment. These are very much like bank issued CDs with the minor exception that bonds are issued by the government. There are many kinds of bonds and you should research them all before committing to one over another. If you select the right bond you might find that given enough time your bond will double in value over time.

Mutual funds are another popular investment for long-term investors. These are pools of money that are combined in order to invest in stocks, bonds, and other short-term investment ventures including securities. These funds are handled by the fund manager who decides where and how the money will be invested. This leaves you to reap the rewards that his or her experience will bring in for you over time.

Stocks are another popular option for those interested in long-term investing. It should be noted that investing in stocks is much riskier than investing in mutual funds though the payouts when things go well are often much more substantial. If you decide to delve into the realm of stock market investment you should be aware that every transaction costs money, that you need to thoroughly research the ins and outs of this type of investing, and that you are taking a substantial risk with your retirement investment. You should also be absolutely certain that you thoroughly research the companies in which you plan to invest and only invest in companies that are well established and showing strong potential for future growth.

With any major financial decision you should consult your financial advisor for guidance and advice. His or her job is to help you turn your limited investments into as much money as possible in order to secure your future and your retirement. The guidance that a good financial advisor can provide when it comes to long term investing is invaluable and should not be discounted or taken for granted any more than the advice you would receive from a doctor or an attorney.

My favorite type of long-term investment is real estate. While there are those that will argue that the return on this investment is too minimal to save for retirement I would argue that the fact that properly maintained and rented units will pay for themselves over time making them pure profit when the time comes to sell or simply to maintain a monthly income throughout your retirement. The more rental properties you own the better your financial position and the more options you have when the time comes to sell those properties. Real estate is one field in which fortunes are made and lost on a regular basis. Rental property is the safest bet for most when it comes to long-term investment and the most significant return on investment. There are options that go well beyond buy and hold when it comes to real estate. If this doesn't excite you perhaps rehabbing property or the even more speculative field of pre-construction investing will offer more appeal.

Long-term investments will be the primary fuel for your financial retirement funds and plans. You need to carefully consider the best possible option for your needs and work towards you financial goals.

INVESTING IN BONDS

When it comes to planning your financial retirement many people focus on the different types of accounts that you can use in which to defer payments or avoid taxes for a little while but very few people discuss in depth the specific things in which you can invest those funds that you have so carefully squirreled away for the important day that is to come in the dark dank future that seems as though it will never arrive.

Bonds are not your typical high risk-high yield investment but they are very likely to earn a return for you. If you are not in dire straights for retirement funds this is a slow and steady way to build a decent retirement for yourself over time. If you are in the final hour this is an investment strategy that might be more than slightly too timid for your specific needs. There are other more investment strategies that will be discussed elsewhere.

There are essentially three different types of bonds: corporate, municipal, and government.

Corporations trying to raise funds for ventures such as building new facilities or launching new product lines typically issue corporate bonds. The interest on these bonds is taxable. As a result these bonds tend to pay higher and are better retirement investment options than government or municipal bonds.

I have said before and will continue to say that there are no sure things when it comes to investing. While many bonds tend to be safer than some of the other investments on the surface there are significant risks involved when investing in bonds that would be negligent to overlook. Where you find the risks of market ups and downs when investing in stocks, mutual funds, and options the risk is that yours may lose value. When it comes to bonds the risks include the following: default, changes in the interest rate, and inflation. The risks for some are far weightier than the benefits of a slow and 'steady' investment.

You should really carefully consider whether or not bond investing is a good idea of your retirement needs along with your nerves. We weren't all born with nerves of steal, for this reason it is probably a good idea to carefully decide whether or not you are comfortable with the risks that bonds introduce into your investment picture.

I always recommend that you take the time to discuss your plans and goals with a financial planner before taking the plunge and making any major financial decisions whether they concern your retirement or your child's college fund. These all affect your future and the security you can provide your family when the time comes. A good financial advisor can help you weigh the pros and cons of investing in bonds and help you decide whether or not the potential payout on these bonds is worth the risks that are involved in the process. This is not the case for everyone. I tend to be a more cautious investor than most and will think long and hard before investing on things that I do not consider a carefully crafted and calculated risk.

Only you can decide whether or not you are comfortable with the idea of investing in bonds when it comes to your financial retirement hopes and dreams. I hope you will discuss this with our advisor and carefully consider the ramifications of this decision.

INSURANCE AND YOUR FINANCIAL RETIREMENT

When planning your financial retirement there are many things you should consider before taking the plunge and not all of them are overtly financial, though in some large way they are all very financial considerations, particularly if you don't take the time now to consider their importance later. Insurance is an important consideration when it comes to retirement. Depending on your age at retirement you may or may not qualify for Medicaid, which could leave you in a bit of a pickle when it comes to covering the high cost of insuring your health.

If you have a spouse that will continue working for a year or two you may want to consider the cost of being added to his or her insurance coverage. Chances are it will be less expensive than striking out on your own for health insurance coverage, which tends to increase in cost with age and according to health.

Dental insurance is another huge consideration among those approaching retirement age. The cost of actual dental insurance can be quite cost prohibitive but there are other options in the form of discount programs. There are quite a few programs that exist and all you really need to do is a quick Internet search in order to find more than a few good prospects. You will want to make sure that the plan you are considering has providers in your area before signing up. Some of these plans actually offer discounts on other services such as vision, prescription drugs, and even medical care. The costs typically vary according to the offerings of the plans in question.

Medications are another important consideration when retiring, particularly if you are planning to retire early or prior to the traditional retirement age of 65 when Medicaid kicks in. Some of the plans mentioned above offer discounts on prescription drugs and there are other things you can do such as asking your doctor about generic options or less expensive methods for medication that might exist. Some drug companies are offering free medications to people who meet their qualifications.

Long-term care insurance is a relatively new concept and something that many of us do not wish to consider but is something that really should be considered when you are young enough to get reasonable rates. If you are in your 50's and early 60's you should be able to get this particular type of insurance for around $100 a month. Whether you want to acknowledge that this could be a need for you or not, the odds are that it will be a very real need in time. Unless you plan to leave significant amount of debt in your wake it is a good idea to make sure you invest in long-term care insurance.

Home and auto insurance typically go through a reduction in cost as you age. This is good news on many levels as it leaves you the option of picking up additional insurance coverage or at the very least filling in the gaps that some of your other insurance costs are leaving in your carefully planned budget. You should keep in mind however that once you reach a certain age they will begin to rise again. Save the pennies you save on the premiums during the good years in order to cover the costs during the lean years. Insurance is one of those costs that simply must be covered. It helps greatly if you plan for these costs when creating your retirement budget.

FINAL NOTES FOR FINANCIAL RETIREMENT

When it comes to investing, whether you are putting aside money in order to send your children to college or aggressively saving for your eventual retirement there are many things you should keep in mind when making your investments. Keeping these things in mind will help you take the successes and losses you experience along the way in stride. This is important as we must keep going and investing if we want to build a solid retirement for ourselves or education for our children. If we give up and decide to play it safe we are seriously limiting our potential. You must learn from your mistakes and work hard not to repeat them rather than letting them rule your future investments.

The first and most important rule to remember is that there are no absolutes. There is no absolute right or wrong method of investing just as there is no one right or wrong way to save your money. There are only the methods that you are more or less comfortable with. The good news is that while diversity is the key in building a strong portfolio, there are many options from which to choose in order to keep your portfolio diverse and, more importantly, profitable.

For today's investor there are all kinds of venues to pursue. You have the choice of stocks, bunds, mutual funds, property investing, and many categories of each of these in between. You should seek the services of a financial planner in order to help you get through those areas that are confusing to you or those that make you uncomfortable. If you are still uncomfortable with certain types of investing after speaking with a planner there is no specific reason that you must pursue any one course of investing over another. It is often the wiser course of action but not necessarily the correct course of action for you as you are likely to make mistakes out of nervousness rather than allowing the fund to do their job and make money for you.

You should also never invest in companies, bonds, funds, etc for any reason other than you feel they will provide a good return on your investment or you really want to support that particular company. Do not be pressured into making an investment decision that you are not comfortable with unless you are having a hard time risking your money at all. In order to get the returns you will need to provide a proper retirement you will need to take some risks. The greater the risks the greater the potential rewards.

Whether or not you realize it, the choices you make when it comes to your investments affect every aspect of your future retirement or your child's education. You cannot afford to risk those important things too terribly long by being paralyzed by your fear. Fear and anxiety are quite common emotions to experience when handling funds that will have such a profound effect on your future and that of your family. This is a time when a financial advisor or planner is an excellent idea as he or she can take over the reigns within reason or course, during these times and pick things up and get them moving in the right direction once again.

There will be setbacks along the way when you are investing funds. I do not personally know anyone who has never lost any money in the stock market. I also know that when you lose money even 50 cents can seem like a tragedy if you allow it to. You must see the bigger picture rather than hyper-focusing on one good or bad decision.

PROPERLY INVESTMENT FOR RETIREMENT

While many fortunes have been made and lost in the real estate business, many people overlook the value of real estate investing when it comes to planning for retirement. There are many great ways that you can let real estate build a nice little nest egg for your retirement and the sooner you begin the process the better.

While there are all kinds of stocks and mutual funds that confuse even the most intelligent among us, real estate is a pretty straightforward business to get into. The problem is that many people feel it is too risky. The truth is that there are many different types of real estate investing that all carry different risk to the buyer. One thing is for sure and that is that with proper care and attention properties tend to gain value over time rather than lose value. If you purchase properties today and properly maintain them, you can not only reap years of rental income while paying the mortgage on these properties but you can also find your retirement home and pay today's prices for it rather than the prices of tomorrow.

When it comes to real estate it is always good to arm yourself with knowledge before taking any steps and you should carefully discuss all plans for your financial future with your trusted financial planner or advisor. His or her job is to give you guidance when making plans and purchases that will affect your financial stability and security. They can also help you with the matters of taxation, cost analysis, estimated inflation, and the average rise in property value for an area.

As I mentioned before there are always risks when it comes to any sort of investing. The same holds true for real estate investing. Things can go wrong. On occasion you will find lemon properties, for this reason you need to have a complete and thorough inspection performed before you purchase the property. You should also make sure that you are aware of your state and local laws as they apply to landlords. For this reason it is a good idea to consult with an attorney that specializes in this type of financial investing in addition to your financial advisor.

Rental properties aren't the only way to build a property investment portfolio. There are all kinds of property investment opportunities for those that are willing to take the risk. When it comes to property investing, the greater risks often net the greater potential rewards. The thing you must remember is that you are gambling with your financial future. I tend to stick with rental properties as they are a fairly safe bet and actually pay for themselves over the years while building a nice nest egg for my future.

There is the eternally fascinating investment opportunity that property flipping presents for one. When flipping a property you purchase a property below market value-preferably one that requires minor cosmetic repairs. Make the repairs. Then sell the house for a substantial profit. This is a risky venture for those who are novices to the field and many would be investors have lost a great deal of money doing this. Successful investors however can net significant profits in a very short amount of time if they have the knowledge and skills to do the work themselves and time things perfectly.

There are even more property investing opportunities that provide even greater risk, as they are highly speculative known as pre-construction investing. This is the type of investing that creates millionaires. On the flip side it has sent many into bankruptcy along the way as well so tread very carefully before engaging in this sort of real estate investing and take great care never to invest more than you can afford to lose.

As you can see there are ample opportunities in real estate to create an outstanding financial retirement plan for you and your family. The only decision you need to make is whether or not this type of investing is a good fit for your comfort zone.