Author Archives: Deborah Anderson
What Are Penny Stocks?
I admit it. I get excited when people start talking about “hedge funds” and especially when they mention “disaster recovery” or “business continuity.” But, I admit that I am a geek in those areas.
For years I have been hearing about “penny stocks” and have wondered, at least mildly, what they were.
So, I started where I start many times, with Wikipedia.
Wikipedia did a pretty good job, but I found that a better description could be found here: What is a Penny Stock?
So, whereas I am more accustomed to the “big stocks” that are traded on Wall Street, the penny stocks are a way to invest, but for those smaller stock prices. The tricky part is ensuring that you do not find a scam. Wikipedia does do a pretty good job highlighting the risks of scams, etc. in novice terms, so that the beginner can get a basic concept for the concern. That said, it is still up to the buyer and the old adage, “Buyer beware!”
Many web sites offer their list of penny stocks to watch and this is a good way to get an idea of what type of stocks are comprised in that penny stock category.
So, this is a teaser to get you going on penny stocks, if that is where you are headed, but by all means, don’t take my word for it, but do your own diligent research and take what I started in this article to the next step.
Identity Theft : Are You Protected?
Identity theft and identity fraud has been a concern for a number of years now. It is not new on the horizon, but it seems easy to set aside if it hasn’t happened to you, personally. In 2010, the reported number of identity theft complaints exceeded 250,000, as reported by the US Federal Trade Commission (Security Technology and News US Correspondent, 2011).
We are living in the information age and access to personal information has never been easier. However, with that information age and the tools to access data, there are also products/services like IdentityHawk that can help to protect a person against identity theft and identity fraud.
First, consumers should be advised to be cautious. Do not hand over information to someone calling on the phone, or sending an official (or unofficial) looking email or snail mail. Watch the online payment systems, first, that they are credible, and second that they show that they are on a secure server (a lock and the protocol “https://” preceding the web address).
These are only some basic, just-scratching-the-surface, off-the-cuff tips, to truly implement an identity theft protection plan, you will want to find a product that will help you to be able to identify risks, and identify steps that can be taken to protect their identity. IdentityHawk is an example of just such a product.
Am I advising you to panic over the thought that this could happen to you? No. However, I do caution you to act wisely, and obtain a product/service that will help you minimize the chances of this malady happening to you.
References
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Security Technology News’ US Correspondent (2011). US releases identity theft statistics. Retrieved January 28, 2011, from http://www.security-technologynews.com
Curious About Your Credit Score?
I know, for some people it is like getting your test back and not sure what your grade will be, but knowing you went to the Superbowl instead of studying for the test. A credit report doesn’t have to be nerve-wrecking. This is especially true if the financial burden of obtaining the report is taken care of for you.
Knowing your credit score will help you in cases where you fall in love with that new piece of furniture, new car, new appliance, and impulse takes over and you want to apply for credit, but you have had a couple bumps and you are not sure where you stand. (Hey, it happens to all of us!) By knowing your own score, before hand, you will be able to save yourself that gnawing feeling of “Do I?” or “Don’t I?” qualify and be able to approach the impulse purchase and plan for the non-impulse purchases, confidently.
Think of it this way, if you don’t know your credit score, you don’t know where to study for that test next time. So, any information that you can obtain, to help you improve, is just that, an improvement, right? Knowing your credit score may help you identify what the next steps are in your plan to take advantage of a higher credit score. So, what is better than obtaining your credit score? Obtaining a free credit score! What are you waiting for? The Superbowl will still be there, but take the few moments to help yourself, and take advantage of *knowing* your credit score.
Credit Card Processing Services
Before becoming an IT professional in the Financial Industry, I ran my own business. I remember researching and trying to find the right company to handle our online payments. This was before the time of PayPal and the respectability that PayPal has earned since then. So, as you can imagine (and some of you remember), it was a bit of a challenge to find a reputable company that not only you, as the merchant trusted, but also, was credible with the clients. Continue reading
Economy Got You Down?
Even if you believe you have “heard it all” and already know what to do (Yeah, like stop spending?), there is always more information that you can learn – a tidbit here, a tidbit there, to help you not only improve your financial prowess, but help that sun to come make an appearance from behind the clouds. Continue reading
Tax Time : Looking for Bookkeeping Software?
With tax time looming around the corner, the topic on some of our minds is, yep, you guessed it, Taxes! And, with that, we may wonder, especially those of us who run consulting firms, whether our bookkeeping solution is adequate for our needs. I have personally been using QuickBooks for years now and love it, but have been looking online to see what types of software and online services are available these days. Hey, I need to ensure that I am using the best possible – the most bang for the smallest buck!
I have discovered some bookkeeping software by Outright. First, and while this isn’t the most important feature, it is the first on my mind… The price is right! Did I read that right? The price is only $9.95 per month? Hey, I pay more than that for other services that do not provide nearly the time savings that this solution does. Time savings? It’s simple. The Outright solution accesses your banking information directly from the institution and imports it into your accounting records. Now, unless you are doing everything in cash, and nothing ever hits a financial institution, your bookkeeping is done in the ease of a click of a button (or two, or three…LOL).
Ok, ever the security-consious professional that I am, my main concern would be the security. Outright claims that they use SSL security in accessing your financial data, and that even *you* cannot access the data (see their site for more information). While I haven’t signed up for their service, yet, this is the same type of security that is on other financial web sites. So, if you are already using your iPad, iPhone or web site to access your bank, you are already using a similar technology! That said, it is your decision. But, it looks to me to be a reasonable “bang” for taking care of your “bucks.”
Investment Banking and Chemical M&A
Yes, it is true, my background is in information technology, and more specifically, the management of information technology in the financial industry. Living in the exciting, though sometimes tumultuous world of investment banking, is a thrill-ride, to say the least. It is also responsible for piquing my interest even further into the investment world and learning about companies that specialize in mergers and acquisitions. More recently, I have been reading about chemical mergers and acquisitions, and discovered a group called The Valence Group.
The Valence Group, which is a chemical investment bank specializing in companies in the sector relating to chemicals and materials, is well-suited for the expertise that they claim, with their plethora of experience. Notably, I would be more akin to attesting to how their information systems may be enhanced to accommodate their investment expertise more so than to speak to the aspect of the actual process or compete with them on their own turf, specializing in the area of being a chemical advisory group.
In this day and age, there are so many investment opportunities, even by way of those emails coming into your box! (Oh, please, people, tell me you don’t respond to those!) There are also the “mainstream” investment opportunities which may seem “safe,” and possibly are. But, again, to my novice mind, if you want to invest, find people that have a niche, and in this case, The Valence Group has found theirs in chemical M&A.
Disclaimer: For SEC purposes, please let me remind you that I am not licensed in the area of offering you any investment advice. Not only that, but I am not personally knowledgeable in the area of giving investment advice. So, please, do your due diligence for your sake and do not rely on me to point you to the “sure thing” as far as your money goes. I can give you advice on how to build an information technology infrastructure that will support your investment firm in the most efficient, SEC-compliant manner (for a price, of course), and I can recommend which personal computer you may want to buy, but, I am *not* an investment banker. I just like working with them. 
Is This The Trend In The Financial Industry?
So, how safe is your investment money, really? Do you know what to look for in an investment firm or advisor? Does the SEC know what to look for, really? Continue reading
What is “Socially Responsible Technology” anyway?
Good question.
The idea for this web site evolved out of the enigma of my personality and its intricacies, with one foot firmly planted in the arts, as the sassy Jazz singer, Deborah E (aka Lady D) and the responsibilities that I experience as a technologist specializing in SEC-Compliant technology in the hectic financial industry.
For a long time, these two aspects of my personality did not seem to be related until I realized that is the heart of the socially-minded Jazz singer the propels the mind of the Chief Technology Officer to use the science of technology in a way that not only is socially-aware, but also accountable in the grand scheme of things.
You see, there are so many ways that technology could be used irresponsibly, inefficiently, and, the worst of all, covertly, to cover-up a financial scam (i.e. think “Madoff”).
Do we need more people and companies ruined financially? What is our responsibility, as consumers? Do we simply hide our head in the sand and say, “the other guy did it?” Are there ways for us, as consumers, to protect ourselves from another potential loss? Are there ways that we, as technologists can be more responsible in the use of technology so that we are not leading the unknowing clients to their financial ruin?
On this site, I will share some technology insights for the consumer, as well as the technologist. I will also include guest articles on related subjects.
Let’s spend less time complaining, and more time learning how to make this world a better place. This corner? The corner on socially responsible technology.
-Deborah Anderson
