Pony Of Prey Blog

A promise ring is a ring that is exchanged between two people to seal a promise made between them. And for promises meant to last forever, nothing is better than exchanging diamond promise rings, as diamonds are meant to last forever.

A diamond promise ring is usually a forerunner to an engagement ring and then to a marriage ring. A diamond pre-engagement ring signifies a serious commitment between two people. However, those who wish to seal a strong friendship should opt for friendship rings that are exchanged on friendship grounds. Two young people who give diamond purity rings usually promise abstinence from sex for some time, usually until marriage. One can also wear a promise ring by making a promise to oneself, like perhaps to remain pure until the right time.

There are various types of diamond rings from which to choose. You need not only stick to a white diamond ring, as you can also choose from various natural-colored diamond rings to match your wardrobe. Diamond promise rings are not as expensive as diamond engagement rings, as the diamonds used here are usually smaller. However, when buying a diamond promise ring, keep in mind the recipient’s taste in jewelry. This is because some may prefer silver or white gold to pure gold. Choose the diamond promise ring wisely, as one who prefers simple jewelry would prefer a ring with a small stone. On the other hand, one who likes contemporary styles might prefer a ring with diamonds in a Chanel setting. You could also try combining other stones to make the ring look elegant.

Diamond promise rings usually cost from $100 to $400, and although promise rings are usually associated with women, there’s nothing wrong with getting a man a diamond promise ring. However, rings for men cost more because more metal is used in making the ring. So diamond rings can be exchanged for any reason; but it is very important that first both people understand exactly the nature of the promise to avoid any future misunderstandings.

Promise Rings provides detailed information on Promise Rings, Diamond Promise Rings, Meaning Of Promise Rings, Titanium Promise Rings and more. Promise Rings is affiliated with Best Prom Dress.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.

I don’t know if you have ever been fly-fishing or maybe you have
seen it on TV. When you go fly fishing you cast your bait way
down the river and let it float. That way the fish does not see
you and hopefully attacks the bait. I have that vision when we
cast our anxiety on God. Do you give Him your anxieties and let
them float away and realize He is in control or do you keep the
bait close so you can pick up the anxiety whenever you want? If
a fly fisherman keeps his bait close he will scare away the
fish. If he allows the bait to float downstream he is more
likely to catch a fish.

I think when we keep our anxieties close God is unable to work
and we are unable to even look down stream. Also, when we keep
our anxieties close we focus on the anxiety and take our eyes
off of God. When we give our anxieties to God and leave them
there He is more able to work and we are better able to rest. I
must confess I am good at giving God my burdens and worries, but
I quickly take them back. Why wait on God, maybe I can figure
this out myself? Do I really trust God to take my worries and
take care of them? When I look closely at the above verse I
often focus on the first part, cast all your anxiety on Him. The
second part is almost as important if not more important.
Because, my God cares for me, He wants to carry my burdens and
He wants me to bring them to Him. He cares about all my burdens,
not just some of them. He loves and wants me to share my worries
and concerns. God certainly knows what is best for me and only
wants the best.

So, I ask you “Where do you cast?” Once you cast your anxiety,
do you leave it with God or do you take it back? God cares for
you and cares about absolutely everything you care about. He
made you and He loves you. Give your loving Father all your
anxiety and leave it there. May you rest in His perfect peace.

Buying Off plan - Get rich quick no risk or Fools Gold?

It seems to be the hot topic - many agents in the area are pushing off plan as the investment vehicle for get rich quick. Is buying off plan the key to quick money or can it leave you with egg on your face and no dinero?.

The basics

Buying off plan means buying a property before construction starts. The developers need to finance the project and typically use bank mortgages to finance the project. Increasingly however they sell an amount of the properties off plan to investors who hope to increase their investment many fold.

They put down an initial deposit of say 30% and if the property increases in value by say 20% in the time it takes to build then because you are staking a smaller amount your money grows faster. The purchaser then sells on their contract before completion, and the new purchaser pays all IVA and taxes paid to date, so in effect the only taxes you pay are capital gains tax.

Sounds perfect - where do I get in?

Before we go rushing in to buy off plan lets look at it a little closely.

What has happened recently is that many amateur investors rush in without doing their homework and buy off plan, fuelled in part by the many agents out there who are pushing off plan developments as THE way to make money.

The developers are aware that investors are buying and therefore price accordingly. We often receive calls from developers offering new developments to off plan investors, buy 99% we refuse as they don’t offer any sort of real investment. An off plan development should be under priced by 10-20% compared to other constructions nearing completion, or indeed complete. It stands to reason that if you are effectively funding the project you should gain something out of it.

However very rarely these days to developers offer any sort of discount at all of buying off plan. There argument is that the market is moving so fast that in two years time it will be worth much more.

Add to this that if a development is being sold to off plan investors - what happens nearer the time of completion. Yes everyone wants to cash in their chips before going to the notary and having to pay purchase taxes. So guess what lots of property go on the market at the same time - over priced of course because they were told that it would be easy to sell at a much higher price. Lots of product in a flat market means prices drop and the price you expect isn’t going to be achieved.

The Risks

1. Prices may not rise as expected

2. You will need to finance the property if you cannot sell it - can you afford another mortgage payment?

3. Too many investors (more than 15%) means more people selling at the same time - less likelihood of selling at a good price

4. Too much construction in the same area

5. Poor location

Off plan investing is a serious business. There is money to be made at it but you have to follow guidelines. The art of selling a property is to buy the property less than market value, but many investors have lost money by buying without thought so how do you avoid becoming one of them
.
Here are a few simple rules to lessen the risk

1. Make sure that the price you are buying at is genuinely below market value - at least 10% but better 20%. You will be told time and again that the value will increase. That may be the case but unless you are clairvoyant how can you possibly predict what will happen in 2 years time. Did you envisage Sept 11th or March 13th?

2. Do your homework. Will the property be easy to sell afterwards. Find out what people are buying in the area and why. Adosados/Terraced houses, and town houses are difficult to resell because they are in vogue or out of vogue - apartments and villas are easier. The Spanish love apartments so you have a ready market for good quality apartments. They just don’t like buying something that they cant see (or generally so)

3. Research who will be likely to buy the property afterwards

4. Is the location prime. If not forget about it - you will have difficulty selling later unless the price is very much below market value.

5. Are there many other investors buying here. If so be wary because they will all be selling at the same time.

6. Do not become emotionally attached. Do your figures. Will it stack up on paper. Will you make a profit when you come to sell. If not walk away. People who are emotionally attached to a property make incorrect decisions. Remember it doesn’t matter if you want the building sky blue pink - the potential buyers are the ones you should be worried about. What do they want.

7. Is it close to amenities? If not your market will be reduced

8. Are there many new buildings around or being planned. How many of them do you think will be selling at the same time as you.

9. Do not sign for anything on site (this is an emotional purchase see point 6). In a flat market as today there will always be units available - no matter what the agent tells you. Always think about it and do your sums. If it all stacks up buy it, if not - don’t.

So how do you make money from off plan?

Generally if you are buying off plan you are too late. Once the first few units have been sold the prices will rise. The best time to buy into a development is when the land is being bought. But this is more difficult because you need to be close to developers or land purchasers- how do you find when land is being bought. It comes down to homework and this is my little secret, but there are plots around being bought now that will make very attractive investments.

In fact one I know of will hopefully have apartments for sale at half the value of surrounding property. Now that’s what I call a sound investment because you can make a profit and sell it on at below market value - so you will win., the buyer will win and the developer will win.

So when it comes to investing off plan the main point is do your homework. There are very few real bargains about these days but a little digging will soon turn up a gem because most people don’t bother looking hard enough. If you want any advice of course you are welcome to drop me an email

Vince Barnes is the owner of http://www.SpanishProperty-Direct.co.uk - a website aimed at informing buyers about the process of buying in Spain and keeping up to date with news and regulations affecting the Spanish Property Market. He has also just published the book - “The Insiders Secret Guide To Buying A Property In Spain - The Book Estate Agents Don’t Want You To Read” - available at http://www.spanishproperty-direct.co.uk/book.htm

Guides for Retailers

The regulations about marketing pearls are listed in the FTC’s Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries. The guide is very specific about what retailers should call a pearl. Gems that are created when a mollusk is nucleated must be called “cultured pearls.” “Imitation pearls” are any product that is designed to look like a pearl. “Seed pearls” are a small pearl that measures less than 2 mm.

The FTC goes into specifics to help make sure consumers are protected from nuances between the differences in pearls and pearl products. “Cultured” or “cultivated” must always be used to describe cultured pearls.

Imitation pearls must be referred to as “simulated,” “artificial” or “imitation.” Terms like “faux pearl,” “mother of pearl” or “fashion pearl” cannot be used to describe an imitation pearl. The imitations also cannot be referred to as “part-cultured” or any other term that might mislead customers into believing they are cultured pearls. Imitations cannot be described as “real,” “precious” or “genuine.” They also cannot be described as “synthetic.”

More Guidelines

Only saltwater cultured pearls can be referred to as “Oriental pearls.” Any pearl described as South Sea pearls have to be from the areas generally known for that variety. Biwa cultured pearls have to be from lakes or rivers in Japan, but not necessarily Lake Biwa.

Because to be candidates for faceting the pearls have to be perfectly unblemished, perfectly round and thick nacre, the value of faceted pearls is double of a similar-quality pearl. Demand is particularly high in the United States.

Jewelers are required to tell consumers if a pearl product has been treated or dyed if it changes the value of the pearl, the pearl requires special care or if the treatment may not be permanent. That being said, most cultured pearls do undergo some sort of treatment before they hit the retail market.

More Guidelines

When choosing a retailer, consumers should be sure that they are following the FTC guidelines. Check to see if the pearls are referred to as “cultured pearls” Virtually every piece of pearl jewelry today is made from cultured pearls. If the retailer sells imitation pearls as well, be sure they are marked accordingly.

Author: Kevin Canning
Pearls Of Joy is the leading online retailor of pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and black pearls.