ووٹ کو عزت دو

27 برس پہلے سٹاف کالج کوئٹہ میں قائدِ اعظم کی ہدایت پر عمل کیا جاتا تو نہ ہی سقوطِ ڈھاکہ جیسا المناک سانحہ ہوتا، نہ ہی 21 اکتوبر 9991 جیسی بغاوت ہوتی اور نہ ہی عوام کے منتخب وزیرِ اعظم کو گرفتار کرنے کے لئیے پرائم منسٹر ہاؤس فتح کیا جاتا۔ اسی لئیے ہم کہتے ہیں “ووٹ کو عزت دو”۔ نواز شریف

Home Warranty vs. Home Insurance: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to safeguarding your home, it’s vital to differentiate between a home warranty and homeowners insurance. While both involve monthly fees and service charges, they serve distinct purposes and provide unique coverage. In this article, we’ll explore what sets them apart and how they can work together to protect your home.

Home Warranty: Protecting Your Home’s Vital Components

A home warranty is a service contract that covers the internal components of your home, such as systems and appliances. Unlike homeowners insurance, which primarily safeguards against major catastrophes like natural disasters, burglary, and vandalism, a home warranty steps in to protect these vital components when they suffer damage due to wear and tear. This differentiation is essential as it ensures comprehensive protection for your home.

The Synergy of Home Warranty and Homeowners Insurance

For complete home protection, it’s advisable to have both a home warranty and homeowners insurance. While homeowners insurance covers major perils, a home warranty acts as an additional safety net, ensuring your appliances and systems are protected from everyday wear and tear. This combined approach provides comprehensive coverage for your home.

Exploring Home Warranty Coverage

Home warranty coverage can vary among providers, but it generally includes a range of appliances and built-in systems. Most providers offer basic plans that cover either appliances or systems, as well as more comprehensive plans that encompass both. To make an informed choice, carefully review your home warranty contract, paying special attention to exclusions and limitations before filing a claim.

Commonly covered items include:

Appliances:

  • Clothes washer and dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Range/Oven/Cooktop/Stove
  • Dishwasher
  • Garbage disposal

Built-In Systems:

  • Air conditioning system
  • Plumbing system/stoppages
  • Heating system
  • Ductwork
  • Electrical system
  • Water heater

Homeowners can further customize their plans by exploring add-on options offered by providers, including coverage for pools, spas, additional systems and appliances, well pumps, sump pumps, limited roof-leak coverage, and central vacuum systems.

Exclusions in Home Warranty Coverage

It’s important to note that home warranties are designed to cover damage resulting from regular use, and coverage may be denied if the item hasn’t been properly maintained. Accidental damage, improper installation, modifications, and pre-existing conditions are often excluded. Before obtaining a policy, carefully review the service agreement to understand potential exclusions and limitations.

Homeowners Insurance: Safeguarding Your Home’s Structure and Belongings

Homeowners insurance, while not legally mandated, is often a requirement from mortgage lenders. It primarily offers coverage for your home’s structure and personal belongings within it. This insurance serves as a financial safety net in the event of catastrophic occurrences and may extend to personal property and injury liability within specified limits.

Comprehensive Protection Offered by Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance steps in to cover the cost of repairing and replacing items damaged during events outlined in the policy. This includes damage to the interior and exterior structure of your home, injuries, and other specified perils. It also provides coverage for additional living expenses, such as rent or hotel bills, if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a perilous incident. Some policies may even cover medical expenses for injuries sustained within your home.

Limitations of Homeowners Insurance

It’s worth noting that homeowners insurance does not cover all potential catastrophic events. Separate policies are required for events like floods and earthquakes. Additionally, homeowners insurance policies come with coverage caps, meaning the provider will only reimburse up to a predetermined amount as specified in the coverage agreement. Any expenses exceeding this limit become the responsibility of the homeowner.

In Conclusion

Owning a home comes with various responsibilities, ranging from minor appliance repairs to critical structural issues. The financial obligations of homeownership can vary from trivial to substantial. To ensure comprehensive protection for your investment, consider both a home warranty and homeowners insurance. Home insurance safeguards against major damage, while a home warranty fills in the gaps, ensuring you are well-prepared for unexpected breakdowns, especially if you lack the savings to cover such expenses. This combined approach is a prudent choice for safeguarding your home investment.

Maximizing Your Wealth: The Power of Investment Management

Investing can be a game-changer when it comes to financial success. You might think that investment management is a service exclusively for the affluent, but in reality, it’s a vital tool for anyone seeking to make the most of their money. Whether you have a small or substantial portfolio, ensuring every dollar is working to its full potential is crucial. Let’s delve into the world of investment management to understand how it can help you achieve your financial goals.

Defining Investment Management

Investment management encompasses the oversight and maintenance of an investment portfolio, a collection of financial assets. Its scope is broad, including activities such as buying and selling assets, crafting short- or long-term investment strategies, managing asset allocation, and developing tax-efficient strategies. This can be done independently or with the guidance of a professional investment manager.

While terms like portfolio management and asset management are often used interchangeably, investment management goes beyond managing specific assets. It’s about aligning your portfolio with your unique financial goals, risk tolerance, and priorities.

How Do Investment Management Services Operate?

When you engage with an investment management firm, they typically require you to establish an investment account with them or a brokerage they recommend. If you have existing accounts elsewhere, they assist you in smoothly transferring your funds.

The core of their service revolves around understanding your financial objectives, like retirement, education, or significant purchases, and the timeframes associated with these goals. Additionally, they assess your risk tolerance to gauge your ability to withstand fluctuations in investment returns and market volatility. The manager’s investment strategy is informed by market conditions, historical performance, tax considerations, and investment fees.

The Role of an Investment Manager

An investment manager, whether an individual or a company, is responsible for devising an investment strategy tailored to your goals. They make decisions on how to allocate your portfolio among various investments, such as stocks and bonds, buying and selling them as needed, and monitoring overall performance.

Some investment managers also function as financial planners, offering comprehensive financial advice on matters like cash-flow management, taxes, insurance, and estate planning. For high-net-worth clients, investment management may expand into wealth management, which encompasses a broader range of financial services, including estate planning, accounting, and retirement planning.

Managing Your Investments

When it comes to managing your investments, you have two primary options: do it yourself or outsource the task to professionals. If you decide to manage your investments, you’ll need to make decisions about the type of account you want, the specific investments you prefer, and the amount of money you want to invest.

If you opt for professional management, you have various choices, each with its pros, cons, and typical costs.

Robo-Advisors

Robo-advisors are automated investment solutions driven by sophisticated algorithms. They determine the optimal investment mix based on your stated goals and risk tolerance. Robo-advisors are cost-effective, with low fees and often no minimum account requirements, making them suitable for novice investors.

Online Financial Planning Services

These services offer guidance not only in investment management but also in broader financial aspects. Some provide access to teams of financial advisors, while others offer dedicated human advisors who create comprehensive financial plans and assist in executing them.

Traditional Financial Advisors

Traditional financial advisors offer a combination of portfolio management and financial planning services. Clients have face-to-face meetings with dedicated advisors, discussing their overall financial situation, goals, and assets.

When to Consider Investment Management

Investment management is valuable in several situations:

  • When you lack confidence in making investment decisions independently or seek a second opinion.
  • When you want professional oversight of your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your initial goals.
  • When dealing with complex financial matters, such as inheritance, retirement income, tax strategies, or legacy planning.
  • When you need assistance with additional financial aspects like cash-flow management, insurance, or debt management.
  • After experiencing significant life events or income changes.

The Prospects of an Investment Management Career

Becoming an investment manager or establishing an investment management firm can be a lucrative career choice. In 2021, financial advisors earned a median income of $94,170, and the field is expected to grow by 5% from 2020 to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. To excel in this field, having a bachelor’s degree is a typical starting point, with advanced degrees and financial certifications like the certified financial planner designation offering additional advantages. Investment managers also need to register with either their state or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, depending on the assets they manage.

However, it’s worth noting that investment management is not without challenges. Predicting the market is far from an exact science, and even professionals can struggle in times of financial turbulence. The rise of robo-advisors is also introducing new dynamics to the industry, providing cost-effective alternatives to traditional investment management.

The Significance of Investment Management

Investing plays a crucial role in building generational wealth. Time is a valuable asset, and the sooner you start investing, the better. Cash loses value over time due to inflation, making it essential to put your money to work. Investment management can help bridge the wealth gap, especially for people of color who have historically faced disparities in income and investment holdings.

By consolidating accounts and executing a cohesive investment plan, investment management streamlines your financial life. Whether you’re looking for a second opinion or guidance on complex financial matters, investment management can be a game-changer in achieving your financial objectives.

In summary, investment management is a powerful tool that can benefit both individuals and families, helping them grow their wealth and secure their financial future.

Signs It’s Time to Change Your Financial Advisor

When it comes to your financial advisor, breaking up can be hard to do.

Changing financial advisors can feel almost like splitting up from a romantic relationship, according to Patricia Jennerjohn, a certified financial planner at Focused Finances in Oakland, California. The intimacy of financial knowledge can run deeper than the bonds of marriage. Celia Brugge, a certified financial planner at Dogwood Financial Planning in Memphis, Tennessee, adds, “I’ve had people tell me things they haven’t told their spouse. One client was diagnosed with cancer, and I was the first person they confided in because their immediate concern was, ‘how will I pay for treatment, and how will that impact my family?’”

While evaluating the performance of your retirement savings is an obvious way to judge your financial advisor, relationships often end for more emotional reasons. Here are some signs it’s time to reevaluate your financial advisor relationship:

1. You’re Reluctant to Contact Your Financial Advisor

If you’re hesitating to pick up the phone and ask financial questions, it’s a red flag. “If you’re not reaching out because you believe your concerns aren’t important or because you feel like you’re bothering them, those are significant warning signs,” says Jennerjohn.

Ask yourself why you’re afraid to call. If your previous calls weren’t promptly returned, or if the conversations felt rushed, it might be time to assess the viability of this relationship. “Some clients may feel insignificant compared to their advisor’s wealthier clients, but your financial matters deserve full attention,” Jennerjohn adds.

2. Your Financial Advisor Doesn’t Listen to You

Jennerjohn has a client who is hesitating to leave her current financial advisor because he dismisses her requests and suggestions. “It’s like, ‘don’t question the doctor, just take the prescription,’” she says. Some clients can be overwhelmed by a fancy suit and office, as well as a barrage of complex advice that goes over their heads. “They feel intimidated to stay with this person,” Jennerjohn notes.

3. Your Financial Situation Is Changing, But the Advice Isn’t

If your financial advisor isn’t adjusting your financial plan when major life events are on the horizon, such as retirement, it’s a problem. Some advisors get stuck in an “accumulation phase” mindset, rather than preparing for the time when your investment savings need to replace a steady paycheck.

“How do you decide what to withdraw when, and in what order should you use your different accounts? These become crucial questions as retirement approaches,” says Brugge.

4. Your Financial Advisor Only Calls to Execute Trades

Another warning sign is if your financial advisor only contacts you when they want to buy or sell assets in your portfolio. This may indicate that your advisor is more interested in the fees they can earn through trading on your account.

Understanding how your current or potential advisor earns money is vital. Some make money through commissions on products they sell, while others charge clients a percentage of the assets they manage (typically around 1%). Many clients prefer fee-only advisors who charge an hourly rate or a flat fee for services and don’t have a financial incentive to push specific products.

If you suspect your advisor is only focused on making a quick profit at your expense, it may be time to consider other options.

5. Your Eye Is Wandering

If you find yourself seeking other financial advice or scrutinizing your advisor’s contract, you’re probably ready to move on.

Emotionally, parting ways with a financial advisor can be challenging, but legally, it’s usually straightforward. You can sign an agreement with your new firm and notify your old advisor. However, there might be financial implications. Review your old advisor’s contract to check for termination fees or additional costs. Additionally, moving assets from funds directly managed by your old advisor’s company could have tax consequences.

Regardless, if you’re no longer satisfied with your current advisor relationship, remember that you have the option to explore better-suited alternatives. As Brugge says, “A financial advisor relationship goes beyond mere numbers; it can be remarkably close. It’s a significant responsibility, and our clients deserve our best.”

12 Logic Puzzles That Will Test Your Smarts

As an academic discipline, logic is the study of reasoning. Logic puzzles, therefore, involve making a series of inferences and assessing them using reasoning. Easier logic puzzles for kids tend to have simpler setups—and therefore fewer possibilities to examine and eliminate. Harder logic puzzles for adults, however, are often deceptively short. They seem simple at first, but the solver is often left wondering how there could really be enough information to figure them out.

Like some of the hardest math puzzles and math riddles, these puzzles can get very complex. If you look for them online, you’ll find lots of examples of logic puzzles that come with grids to help you keep track of your thinking as you make your way through the various clues.

What is a logic puzzle?

These puzzles come in various forms and can have a nearly limitless number of different themes. But, at their core, logic puzzles present a series of clues and constraints. Solvers then must process each in turn to identify contradictions and eliminate possibilities until they arrive at the solution.

How to solve a logic puzzle

No matter the format, the key to solving any of these puzzles is to use a process of deduction. In harder logic puzzles for adults, it might not seem like there’s enough information at first. But by reading through the clues several times, you’ll have fewer and fewer possibilities to analyze with each pass.

Now that you know how to solve them, let’s try out a few. We’ll start you off with some easier ones (which are also great logic puzzles for kids) before we give you the tougher ones.

Easy puzzles

These logic puzzles are ideal for beginners or anyone who wants to warm up to something more challenging. Looking for good logic puzzles for kids? Then the ones below are your best bet.

1. Summer Camp

Abigail, Oliver, Rosa, and Blake all attend the same summer camp, where they can cook, kayak, rock climb, and zip-line. Each child has a different favorite activity.

  • Abigail’s favorite activity isn’t rock climbing.
  • Oliver is afraid of heights.
  • Rosa can’t do her favorite activity without a harness.
  • Blake likes to keep his feet on the ground at all times.

Can you figure out who likes what?

Answer: Abigail likes to zip-line, ­Oliver likes to kayak, Rosa likes to rock climb, and Blake likes to cook.

2. The Good Life

Each of five neighborhood dogs (Saber, Ginger, Nutmeg, Pepper, and Bear) is enjoying one of the following activities: getting its ears scratched, playing catch, taking a nap, burying a chew toy, and going for a walk.

  • Pepper is either playing catch or burying a chew toy.
  • Neither Ginger nor Saber nor Bear is on a walk.
  • One of the dogs named after a spice is getting its ears scratched.
  • A dog not named for a spice is playing catch.
  • Bear is getting some exercise.

Can you figure out what each pooch is doing?

Answer: Saber is taking a nap, ­Ginger is getting her ears scratched, Nutmeg is ­going for a walk, Pepper is burying a chew toy, and Bear is playing catch.

4. The Long and the Short of It

Here’s a great logic puzzle for kids: Six neighborhood children (Leisha, Benito, Delia, Charlotte, Weldon, and Zina) were measured yesterday.

  • Weldon is taller than Delia but shorter than Zina.
  • Leisha is taller than Benito but shorter than Delia and Weldon.
  • Benito is not the shortest.

Can you put them in order of height from tallest to shortest?

Answer: Zina, Weldon, Delia, Leisha, Benito, Charlotte