However fanciful life one may believe to live, one cannot escape the harsh fangs of poverty. It is insulting to note that the amount spent on a single dinner in a five star hotel can account for monthly food of many families. And, this is not considering those that live below poverty lines.

The rich: poor ratio through the world is appalling and denotes that a sizeable population lives without the promise of daily food; let alone education and sanitation. These poor people have been riddled with deadly HIV/AIDS virus for the last decade. Yes, governments and WHO has played significant hand in allaying the threat; but it is almost impossible to cater to the suffering millions.

Death of children due to poverty is a saddening fact. Men are forced to indulge in physical labor beyond their means to sustain themselves. They incur debilitating diseases. Heat or cold waves also kill poor people more as they have sheltering problems.

Home equity loans play an important role in making us financially stable. If you are interested in the stock market, you can easily apply for a home equity loan. However, there are some important things that you need to know while applying for such loans. One of the main things that you need to know is to decide when exactly to apply for such loans.

The rate of interest is one of the main factors that you need to ascertain while applying for such loan as this may become a financial burden in the long run. It is better not to apply in times when the rate of interest is high. Try to apply for home equity loans when the interest rate is more or less ok.

Also try to have an idea of the overall economic condition while applying for such loans. If there is an economic downturn, it is better that you delay the application for the loan and play the waiting game. When, the economy recovers, you can apply for the home equity loan.

Some of the ways to avoid investment frauds are:
• If the company is giving out extremely high returns then avoid that company and its stocks.
• If the company does not have independent auditing done, then it should be avoided.
• If there is any high pressure sales techniques that presses the investors to invest quickly then that company is better avoided.
• You must check before investing whether the investment is regulated and verifiable. If it is not regulated then don’t invest.
• Same is the case with the personal back ground check of the company and the promoters. If it can’t be done easily then they may be frauds.
• If the investors are asked to invest in same types of funds without giving them an option for diversified funds, then it is better to altogether avoid that company because if it declares loss all the money will be completely lost.

Whatever you do remember no two people will have equal gains from similar portfolio. The best investing lessons for any person would be:
• Do your own research. Before investing a single dollar do as much research as you can through internet books and other people. This will give you a basic idea of the market.
• Never do as your friend s doing. Your investment needs will be unique and it can not be compared to anyone. Invest in the instruments that fulfill our financial needs.
• Believe in the market sentiments that it is emerging. So never invest with any doubts in your mind. The stocks and securities from reputed companies may show loan gains but they will provide sure and secure profit to you.
• Change or modify your investment portfolio whenever you feel that certain instruments are not behaving as they should. This means keep your portfolios flexible.