FinalRant
A Houston Lifestyle Blog

Why It’s The Perfect Time to Learn Stock Market Investing & How

I can give you a million reasons why now is the perfect time to learn about the stock market. If you aren’t familiar with stock investing, now really is the time to learn.

Stock prices are low AF! Everyone just got back their stimulus checks and don’t know what to do with them. Should I continue?

In this intra Coronavirus world, many of us have way more free time on our hands. I’ve been making great use of my time. I’ve stepped up my Youtube thumbnail game. I have researched a whole new skincare routine. Why not add a couple of money-making skills to the mix?

Now don’t get me wrong, don’t think that you can wholly learn how to invest in the stock market in only a few months. There are so many facets, tactics, and techniques when it comes to stock market investing. Patience is truly a virtue when it comes to investing.

In this blog, I’ll give you a few pointers on how you can start to learn about the stock market for free.

learn stock market investing

Find a Mentor That Will Help Guide You

Before I ever got comfortable with creating my first stock trading account, I made sure to find a couple of mentors. Find someone that has both the knowledge and the accessibility to help you hone your skills.

I was lucky to have two individuals in my life that were extensive stock traders. One mentor was into day trading and holding a select few stocks. The other was mostly interested in options trading.

It was great to get both viewpoints. Before talking to them, I never knew that there were different types of stock traders.

Join a Stock Market Investment Group

When you first set up your trading account, you will have lots of questions. The easiest way to find out about the basics will be for you to join a beginner’s trading group. I recommend that you do a Facebook search for an applicable Facebook investing group.

In the group, you will see all of the common questions that new traders might have and you’ll have access to a wealth of knowledge. If there’s something that hasn’t yet been addressed, you can ask in a pressure-free environment.

I also recommend that you find out if there are any local groups that you may join. Consider websites like Meetup or Eventbrite for these types of meetings. Not only is it a learning experience, but it’s also an opportunity to make friends with likeminded individuals.

learn stock market

Watch Youtube Videos to Help You Learn Stock Market Basics

Nowadays, you can learn anything by watching a Youtube video. I’ve learned a multitude of things from Youtube. I learned how to edit videos, how to make artisan soap, how to manage my hair, and how to do my makeup–all on Youtube!

Don’t forget to check out a couple of the popular stock investment podcasts. You can capture knowledge just as easily by listening to informative content.

There are a few basics that are explained very well in video form. So, head over to Youtube.com and do a search for the following frequently asked questions:

  • Types of purchase orders.
  • What is a dividend?
  • Types of stock market traders.
  • What is averaging down?
  • How much are capital gains taxed?

Set Up a Practice Trading Account

If you’re still apprehensive about purchasing stock, you can do practice trading. Set up an account that let’s you trade fake money before jumping into the real thing.

Or, you can create mock trades by writing down the name and price of a stock. Watch this stock, to see if the price increases or decreases. Record data each data to see how it changes.

This is a great way to practice with the stock market without tying up actual funds. Remember, patience is a virtue when it comes to trading. There will be lots to learn. Think of it as an ongoing journey.

learn stock market investing

Start Trading Real Penny Stocks

To start, create a Robinhood account using my referral code: click here. Guess what? You’ll get a free stock just for signing up. And, I’ll get one too!

Watch your free stock to see how it behaves over the next few weeks. Pay special attention to the value of the stock, any trends, and any news surrounding that stock. All of these will determine if the stock becomes profitable or not.

If you feel like you’re ready to start trading stocks, give it a try. Due to the current state of affairs, stock prices are at an all-time low. Lower prices mean less risk for you as a new trader.

You can get a variety of penny stocks for under $5 a pop. If you have the money, then now is a wonderful time to try your luck with investing.

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Top Things You’d Never See Prior to The Coronavirus Pandemic

We thought life was pretty peach before this cloud of craziness plumed above us all, check out my list of top things that you’d never see prior to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Toilet Paper Hoarding

When this first came about, people were joking at how people were starting to load up on toilet paper. We saw literal stockpiles being created of that, hand sanitizer, and paper towels.

I hate doing weekly grocery shopping, so luckily I had a nice cache of toilet paper on hand. I am, however, running low on paper towels. It’s crazy to be living through days where even Amazon is out of stock [of anything] across the board.

Purchasing of Canned Meats

I can’t remember the last time I’ve eaten, much less seen meat be eaten out of a can. In fact, I don’t know anyone who has. Other than tuna, I can’t recall ever having to eat meat out of a can.

eat canned meat to survive the coronavirus pandemic

When talks of the Coronavirus first began, no one took it seriously. By the time I made it to the grocery store, the only canned meat that was left was chicken, sardines, oysters, clam, salmon, octopus… pretty much, all of the weird stuff.

Yes, even the Vienna Sausages and the Spam were gone. My soul was so hurt y’all. So, right now, I have a combination of about 30 cans of sardines and canned chicken. Mind you, none of this is on my pre-apocalyptic slim thick diet plan. Coupled with my Chef Boyardee, I think it should get me pretty far.

Caution on Bodily Fluid Exchange

I have never seen men be so cautious about the exchange of bodily fluid until Coronavirus started to take over. It was one of their last worries, now it’s one of their first concerns. This virus is no joke!

Someone replied to one of my Snaps asking, “Have you been social distancing yourself?” First of all, what did that have to do with my photo? Lol. Hilarious… I guess I can at least be thankful that people are actually paying attention to these precautionary tips being given.

Reminders to Wash Your Hands to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus

Yes, all of the reminders to wash your hands and keep a safe social distance are definitely starting to get old. I hear it about 9 times every hour.

No, I’m not complaining. We, the people, need to continue stressing this as this virus has exponential grown out of control. We are currently utilizing lots of hand sanitizer, Lysol, and even a medical-grade handsoap.

Folks, please continue to wash your hands… especially if you are leaving the comfort and safety of your home for any reason.

Lots of Free Services During COVID-19 Outbreak

Lots of establishments are trying to reduce the blow that Coronavirus has delt, by offering free services. UberEats has waived delivery fees for independent restaurants during COVID times. Houston gyms, like LA Fitness, are even offering guests free online fitness classes, via their app.

For a list of all of the most recent freebies that you can take advantage of during these chaotic times, click here.

Beer & Liquor Delivery Permitted During Coronavirus Social Distancing

The hospitality sector has taken a huge blow with Coronavirus limiting operations. Many local Houston restaurants have been forced to close their dining room doors and offer either delivery or drive-through only service.

Can you imagine all of the wait staff that are now out of commission? It sucks… bad! But, hopefully these recent changes help out some of these small mom and pop restaurants. At this rate, we all need as much help as we can get.

Just this week, Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, approved a temporary stay allowing such establishments to deliver beer and liquor as long as it was accompanied by a food order. I think this is one of the things that we are all asking why it wasn’t around sooner.

Presidents Handing Out Stimulus Checks

There are talks that Republican President, Donald Trump, will soon pass a bill to help with the Coronavirus relief effort. The direct cash assistance check is rumored to be $1200 for individuals, plus an additional $500 per each child.

To qualify for the proposed GOP bill, you would have needed to have filed your 2018 taxes and made less than $75,000 annually. These are very unusual times.

The last time this was done was in 2008, by President George Bush. Adults got checks ranging anywhere from $300 to $600 during the denouement of the Great Recession.

In all seriousness, I hope that you guys are weathering this storm as best that you can. I hope that you appreciate this blog in light of recent events and that if anything, it ensues a brief smile.

Drop a comment below… What are you seeing that wasn’t around before the CoronaVirus days?

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Top Things You’d Never See Prior to The Coronavirus Pandemic | Final Rant

6 Ways to Get Back in Touch With You

 

Wake up. Go to work. Hit the gym. Sleep. Repeat. It’s so easy to get lost in the world wind of life and lose touch of you. Things become so routine that your body begins to perform behaviors on autopilot. It’s no wonder that we are so easily burnt out with the repetitive Monday through Friday routine that we replay week after week.

There are several things that I do in order to stay grounded and in touch with myself in the midst of it all. Each of these techniques will heighten your appreciation for staying fully present and living in the now.

 

get back in touch with you

Environment

After work, place yourself in a stress free environment. This means creating an area that’s meant just for you, away from stress, away from distraction, and if necessary away from people. As an introvert, I often find myself needing to pull away from being too social as it really depletes my soul and energy.

Find a place where you can escape it all. My place away from it all is either the beach or the gym. The sound of rushing waves is the most soothing thing in the Universe. Both locations allow me to recharge while turning off the outside world.

If you can’t escape your environment, then try to work creatively with the space that you have. Try hiding out in your backyard garden… Tell the kiddos to go play outside… If all else fails, invest in a good pair of headphones to tune things out.

Source: CreateHerStock

Meditate

People are so surprised when I tell them that I meditate. There’s nothing like clarity of the mind. Meditating is a great way to spring clean your slate after a busy day. Not only does it allow you to think more clearly, but it makes your thought processes more efficient.

Whenever I need to be creative and productive, I make sure to set time aside for my meditation routine. If you’re new to meditating, I recommend the Calm app. It offers guided meditation so that you have an idea of what to do and for how long.

Youtube is also a great resource for beginners. At first it will seem difficult to concentrate on, but stick with it! The more you meditate, the easier you will find it to become.

Consumption

Oftentimes, they say that you are what you eat. Let me set the record straight! You are what you allow yourself to consume. This relates not only to what you may eat or drink, but to everything that enters and surrounds you.

Consider what social company you are keeping, your current partner, your work life, living arrangements, and even what you are reading and watching on tv. All of these play a major role in your current mood and aura that you put off.

If something isn’t doing you a positive, let it go! It’s not worth your sanity.

Source: CreateHerStock

Rest

I can not tell you enough, to get adequate rest! Sleep is how the body rejuvenates and repairs itself. If you’re not getting enough of it, then your sending your body down a staircase of despair.

Your brain will not function adequately. Your tissue will not repair correctly. Get some sleep! Studies on recommended sleep requirements constantly fluctuate.

I try to clock at least 7-8 hours nightly… and guess what? A nap never hurt anyone!

Exercise

This goes hand and hand with the meditation. Meditation exercises the mind, while exercise works on the body. Following a routine involving both of the latter have created for some of the most creative moments in my life.

I’m more inspired during these times. My brain is legit on go. It’s like it wants me to max out it’s creative capacity. Did I also mention that tip will keep you right and tight.

Go the extra mile. Begin (and stick to) a workout regiment. Runner’s high is really a thing! Eventually it will become habit. It’s just a win win situation all around. Exercise is a great way to get back in touch with you.

Source: CreateHerStock

Habits

Ask yourself if you are creating health habits. If you’re not sure, look introspectively at how intentional your behaviors are. Make it a point to note elements of gratitude at the end of each week.

Every couple of months you should also take a conscious look at your progress toward goals. All of these will allow you to live with intent to define your true self.

Have you tried any of these suggestions? I’m curious to see how it is that you get back in touch with you. Drop me a comment below if you have suggestions of your own.

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Spring Home Decor: Seasonal Mix Up!

What better a time than Spring to redo your home decor? You can do a lot with just a few little additions throughout your home. An accent wall here, a decorative item there… Here are a few ideas to get your “spring home decor” juice flowing.

Add a wall gallery

You can start a wall gallery with just five strategically placed frames. You can add family photos, popular brand logos, abstract art, or even positivity quotes. The more variety the better. You can even mix up the frame colors and sizes for an even more unique look. I love throwing in random things like a clock or wording just to add more dimension to the mix. Virtually anyone can successfully do a wall gallery.

home decor spring

Change your linen

At the start of each season, linen normally goes on sale. This is a great way to catch monumental sales prior to the season. You know what they say, think smarter not harder. Stores like At Home and TJ Maxx are perfect for drapery, throw and linen shopping. I like to keep a variety of linen on hand, for surprise company. I always have an ample supply to pull from when I start to feel like my home decor is getting stale and monotonous.

home decor

Add an accent piece

Accent pieces are a great way to tie the colors within a room together. You can go with a highly matched color scheme or you can choose two main colors and compliment with a one off color (or material).

Choose something that is elaborate and will catch your guest’s attention. There is no such thing as too busy when it comes to an accent piece. I’m seeing that brass and gold accents are very big this season!

My favorite stores for accent pieces are At Home, Amazon, and Bed Bath & Beyond.

home decor spring

Paint a wall

You can effortlessly change up the mood in a room by simply changing the main hues. Paint a wall or two within a room to give the space a new feel. Changing the walling is a great way to quickly alter the mood within a room. Don’t sleep on wallpaper! It’s a great temporary alternative to switching up your home decor.

spring home decor

Throw a rug in the mix

Adding a rug to a room is a great way to tie everything in a room together. You can top it off with a fancy look by choosing a faux fur or you can go with a geometric patterned cotton rug. Rugs can be expensive, but you can also find some affordable ones. It’s all up to you and your budget.

home decor rug

Add greenery

Plants seem to make a home space so much more livable. They add a rejuvenating touch to the room’s ambience. They add a balance and sense of calm to the room. The options are vast: short, tall, frosted, spiky, healing… Once you identify your room’s decor style, you’ll have no problem choosing a fitting piece of plant life. If keeping things alive isn’t your thing, opt for some artificial greenery.

home decor plant

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My Favorite Spring Time Activities in Houston

Hello, Spring! Are you there? Yes, it is… Today is the first official day of Spring–or at least that’s what the meteorological calendar says. We’re in Texas, so we really don’t know. Anyway, read on more to find out my favorite spring time activities in Houston!

And, in Houston, things are even worse! Houston is one of the most moody cities that I’ve ever lived in. One day we have torrential storms, the next day it’s halter tops and BBQing by the pool.

If I have a favorite season, Spring is definitely it. It’s a time of anew: renewed positivity, fresh starts, and personal growth. In this blog, I’ve enumerated all of the little things that I love about Spring in Houston, Texas!

my favorite spring time activities

Spring Time Activities: Fashion

Spring brings with it the acceptability of wearing halter tops, rompers, daisy dukes and sundresses without people looking at you like you are crazy. Also, you have the widest range of shoe options. You can pair an outfit with flip flops, sandals, wedges, heels… The possibilities are really endless. Then, there’s the accessorizing: sunglasses, belts, watches, bracelets, and hair adornment. I’m getting excited just talking about it.

Patio Dining in Spring Weather

As if I didn’t have enough excuses to visit Houston’s premier dining and cocktail venues… Warm weather means we should all be outdoors with a drink in hand. If you’re into people watching and patio dining, then I recommend Memorial City’s City Centre, Sugar Land’s First Colony Mall, or Downtown’s Axelrad Beer Garden . These spots allow for easy bar hopping, as well as sophisticated bites. These are perfect options for a business luncheon, date night , just going out with the girls. 

my favorite spring time activities houston

Spring Time Activities: Parties

This is the best time to throw a party. The weather is typically just right! Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, a fancy themed tea party, or just parlaying by the pool… I love it all. Being under the veil of direct sunlight just does something so miraculous to my soul. Parties mean food, so you know you have to come with your A game! People will definitely talk about you if you’re host to a party with bad food! Having been in Houston for so long, I feel that I’ve mastered all of the best party dishes. If I’m trying to show out, Crawfish is by far my favorite menu item. If I’m wanting something easy and relaxed, I love to do a loaded nacho bar. Cold beer and food. Side note: Spring socials are a great way to meet people in a relaxed setting. So, if you’re an introvert like me, spring is your season boo!

Outdoor Attractions

As Spring approaches, Texans begin to prepare for all of the upcoming attractions. My favorite are Mardi Gras, the Houston Rodeo, and all of the concerts at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. In Texas, events like these are a low key fashion shows. Think stylish, but functional enough to still move around. My typical attire for outdoorsy events is usually blue jean shorts, a pair cowboy boots or wedges, and a cute tank. Oh, and don’t sleep on all of the great parks! My favorite are Discovery Green and Herman Park. These are great for relaxed fun in the sun with friends. Check out a listing of Houston’s most up to date festivals for the year.

my favorite spring time activities

I have so many past Spring time memories and I plan to make even more this year.

What do you love about Spring? Let me know down below.

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