Disk Partition management using Partition Wizard from MiniTool

Problem Faced while extending C Drive:

My hard disk was initially divided into two Partitions, one is C Drive that contains OS and the other one is D Drive for data. As the usage became more, more and more programs got installed making C Drive out of space.

I had enough free space in D Drive. I wanted to reduce the size of D Drive and increase the size of C Drive.

The OS in my machine is Windows 7. It has in built partitioning functions in Computer -> Manage -> Storage -> Disk Management. I used options like Shrink Volume and Extend Volume by right clicking on the different drives.

But, I could not extend C Drive by using the space released from D drive.

I thought this might be a common problem faced by many others. That's why I am sharing how I extended C Drive using Partition Wizard from MiniTool.

Problem fixed using Partition Wizard from MiniTool:

After a google search and reading many posts from search results, trying few free softwares, i couldn't find a proper solution for my specific problem. Then I found Partition Wizard from MiniTool. It solved my problem. Thanks to MiniTool team.

Steps to use Partition Wizard from MiniTool:

• Download the free software from Partition Wizard website
• Install it.
• Refer excellent help videos at their help portal.

The second video "2. I can not resize my partitions, Why?" helped me in fixing my problem.

Post your questions/comments. Thank you.

Assign GoDaddy Domain Name to IXWebhosting Hosting Provider

I have purchased a Domain name from GoDaddy. My hosting provider is IXWebHosting. Now, the question is how to link my Domain Name with my Hosting provider.

It's very simple. I followed the below mentioned two steps to fix it.

1. Add domain on IXWebHosting control panel
2. Set the IXWebHosting nameservers at Godaddy

1. Add domain on IXWebHosting control panel:

• Login to https://manage.ixwebhosting.com
• Click on Manage.
• Then Click on Domains. It will list all the Domains owned by you.
• Go to bottom of the Page and Click on Add New Domain.
• Enter the domain name and press Submit.
• Then Press Continue and then Submit.
• Note down the correct nameservers.

2. Set the IXWebHosting nameservers at Godaddy:

• Login to GoDaddy.com
• Click on My Account
• Next to Domains, click Launch.
• Select the domain name(s) you want to modify.
• From Nameservers, select Set Nameservers
• Then select I have specific nameservers for my domains
• Then Specify the correct nameservers obtained from step 1(Over write the first two default nameservers with correct ones) 
• Refer help tutorial at GoDaddy for more details.

Now Select the domain name you want to modify.

You are done. Post your questions in comments.

GIF Image not showing properly in my Blog

Recently I uploaded a GIF Image in my Blog and noticed that the animation is not showing properly and it appears as a Static Image. Then I did a google search to understand why GIF images are not showing properly in Blogger. I got to know that sometimes Blogger doesn't support GIF images.

Resolution:

There is a work around to display GIF images properly in Blog. Upload your GIF images at Photobucket and get a link for Website or Blog. Just use the link to display the Image in your blog. The GIF image will display properly.

Here is an example.

Uploaded the same GIF image through PhotoBucket:

Protection from Bank Cheque Fraud

Here are a few things from Citibank that you can do to protect yourself from Cheque Fraud:

• When receiving a fresh cheque book, ensure that all cheque leaves are present in the series. In case some leaves are missing, report it immediately at bank helpline or at your nearest branch.
• Always keep your cheque book separate from your credit /debit cards or any other documents that may bear your signature. Keep it in a safe and secure place, preferably under lock and key
• When writing a cheque, always try and use a ballpoint pen instead of using pens with erasable inks like fountain pen or felt tip pens
• Ensure that you draw a line through unused gaps/fields in order to prevent unauthorized alterations or additions to cheques issued by you
• Never issue a blank cheque to anyone. Always fill in all the details yourself before issuing it

For more tips on Personal Finance and Investment, click here.

Pictures of DC Avanti at Delhi Auto Expo 2012

Read more about India's First Super Car - DC Avanti

India's First Super Car - DC Avanti - at Delhi Auto Expo 2012

Avanti, The first Indian Super Car was the main attraction in the Delhi Auto Expo 2012. Superstar Amitabh Bachhan was showcasing the Super Car at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012. The car grabbed everyone's attention for it's Super Design and affordable Price.

The wellknown Automotive Design house, DC Design declared that the First Indian Super Car, Avanti will hit the Indian Roads in first quarter of 2013. The Price of the Super car is expected to be in the range of Rs 25 Lakhs to Rs. 30 lakhs.

More Pictures of DC Avanti here.

All About Investing & Not Investing In The Stock Market

This article is a part of [Personal Finance Tips to master your own Finances]

Do’s and Don’ts in the Stock Market:

Let’s introduce do’s and don’ts of investing:

Most of us have our own perception of investment based on our experiences, but also tend to be confused with the opinions given by others. Knowing the do’s and don’ts of the stock market would help us turn really as a smart investor.

The do’s and don’ts in the stock market are:

Slow, steady, and boring wins the race:

It is best not to panic over information about stocks on the media. Being slow and steady with looking at the activities that your money is to be used for would ensure that you invest in ventures that are good, useful and profitable.

Reading good books on personal finance will help you in taking right financial and investment decision. In addition, finding good financial advisors would help you get advice regarding stocks and mutual funds, along with entrusting the custody and management of your funds to them.

All this may seem too boring and time consuming, but it is better to be cautious than bitten too hard.

Don’t give any weight to market forecasts. All opinion pro and con is already built into the price of equities today:

Market forecasts on the media has got good entertainment value but doesn’t have any investment value. It is just enough for long-term investors to invest in good stocks, and mutual funds that would appreciate in the long run.

It is best to understand that market forecasts only show you the expected direction in which the market is heading based on the available information. This forecast is only a forecast and need not become reality.

In addition, market fluctuations are the very nature of share markets and should mean nothing to long tem investors. Making accurate market forecasts is tough, as they are influenced by various factors like the outcome of political elections, the direction of the economy, interest rates and world events. It is also wise to know that these fluctuations are incorporated in the price of the share, stock or mutual fund.

Do make your own analysis of the stocks, shares and mutual funds:

It is unadvisable to place your full faith on analysis of others regarding stock, shares and mutual funds. No wise man would always tell you all about his market beating strategy. Making ones own analysis keeping your financial goals in view and framing a strategy would help.

This involves studying the performance of top performing stocks and mutual funds over 5 years and existing mutual funds over a period of 3 months to decide on which stock to maintain and which to dispose off. All this would ensure that you are investment smart.

Don’t think you can successfully engage in short-term market timing:

As a long- term investor you should never contemplate taking advantage of short-term market dealings and speculations. Playing with shares and mutual funds in the short-term market may give you a profit in a few transactions but will not give you profits forever. So you can’t have an investment strategy which gives profit inconsistently. We need a strategy which can bring profits consistently so as to be a successful investor in the long run.

It is true that playing in the share market is neither entertainment nor fun. It is also futile to borrow or work on short-term margins to make money.

Don’t assume that if anyone were genius enough to devise a market-beating strategy he would be stupid enough to share it with anyone:

Stock tips are good to learn, but not to act on for speculations. It could prove dangerous to act on speculation tips given by one and all, as they may not be correct. In addition, everyone has his or her own perception of investment, with other not having full knowledge or skills.

You need to take time to think over each tip and analyze if it contributes to your long-term objective of capital appreciation. Similarly it is not advisable to subject your money to risk with investing in investment fads that may or may not earn you huge profits.

The final advice:

You need to make a calculated decision considering the pros and cons whenever you make an investment. In addition abstain from trading often in the stock and mutual funds market. Always think in terms of long term investing.

The author is Ramalingam K, an MBA (Finance) and Certified Financial Planner. He is the Director and Chief Financial planner of Holistic Investment Planners, a firm that offers Financial Planning and Wealth Management. He can be reached at ramalingam@holisticinvestment.in.

What's a Leap Year? Leap Year Calculator

Leap Year Definition:

"A leap year is a year containing one extra day in order to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical or seasonal year."

So, a leap year in the Gregorian calender has 366 days where as a normal year has 365 days. The extra day is added in the month of February making it 29 days.

The Next Leap Year:

The next leap year is in current year 2012 and hence, February 2012 has 29 days.

Leap Year Algorithm:

Here is the Pseudocode from Wikipedia to determine whether a year is a leap year or not in either the Gregorian calendar since 1582 or in the proleptic Gregorian calendar before 1582:

if year modulo 4 is 0
then
if year modulo 100 is 0
then
if year modulo 400 is 0
then
is_leap_year
else
not_leap_year
else is_leap_year
else not_leap_year

Leap Year Calculator:

Enter the year you wish to check

How to track Google Adsense Check Delivery?

Google generally sends Checks through BlueDart courier in India once a publisher's Google Adsense earning crosses $100.

Steps to track your Google Adsense Check:

Open Google Adsense account.
Go to Home -> Payments

Go to the Latest Issued Payment at the bottom of the page and click on details to view the details.

Now you will see the Payment Details.

You will get the payment number there. Remove the initial "0" from that number and use that number in Bluedart.com as Reference Number and Press "Go".

Now you will see the Status of your Adsense Check Delivery and also you can see the Expected Delivery date.

How to control unnecessary spending?

This article is a part of [Personal Finance Tips to master your own Finances]

Are you up for these 3 Financial Challenges?

Let’s begin learning:
The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket. ~ Kin Hubbard

Kin Hubbard is right in saying that if we do not spend money unnecessarily we would be able to save money and double it. However most of us like to spend and would find it difficult to not spend at all. We feel that it could stress us further.

Accepting the 3 financial challenges could help you in controlling unnecessary spending. Once you control and avoid unnecessary spending you can save more and invest more. So you can achieve your financial goals easier and earlier.


Here are the challenges:

A Day Away from spending:

The challenge of not spending for a day could be difficult, but could help save and render some important life lessons. It is true as most of us have regular daily expenses on coffee, tea, lunch, and snack at regular intervals and fuel to travel to and from work.

Effective planning with implementation of this challenge involves ensuring that your fuel tank is full on the earlier day. Then setting the coffee vending machine the night before could ensure you refreshing brewed coffee to enjoy before you leave for work. Similarly, carrying homemade lunch and healthy snacks like salads, nuts, seed and snack bars could help you eat healthy and save money.

It is not as difficult as it appears. Once you start practicing it, it becomes part of your habit like fasting. It opens new ideas to you on saving on daily routine expenses.

A Week Away from Credit Cards:

We all tend to spend a lot on small and big purchases with using the credit card. Credit card tends to make us spend excessively on unwanted purchases.

Buying things on cash would only make us spend on things that we absolutely consider necessary. It is found that sometimes postponing the purchase and preferring to pay cash could make us realize that the need was just momentary.

During the week away from credit card, you will be able to understand some of your spending pattern. You will come to know on what items you make impulsive buying and on what items you make need based buying.

As you are using cash to buy and not plastic money, you may want to negotiate the price. This develops your negotiation skills.

It is also true that buying unnecessary things with credit cards causes financial stress and spoiling of important life relationships. So avoiding credit card for a week could make you a need based buyer and better negotiator.

A Month Away from Eating Out:

The last challenge of not dining out for a month could be difficult for many today. This is difficult but you would realize on implementation that it saves you a lot of money that is usually spent eating out in restaurants and cafeterias.

Avoiding eating in restaurants would not only create huge savings, but also would help you avoid excesses in foods. In addition eating out only on special occasions as a family would help you enjoy the food. It would make the family realize the value of spending money lavishly.

When we have a kid around one year old, we won’t offer any outside food. We will pack the home made food or snacks for the kid. You can follow the same for the grownups.

Again this is not as difficult as you think. Think of having a homemade food as a family in a park or beach. This will bring a different experience and enjoyment to your family. This will give you new ideas on having more fun with lesser money.

A Final Note:

All these challenges do not mean that you should not spend at all on dining out or on getting good things of life. It only means you should spend the right amount of money for the right reasons. This self-control would not only help you save more but also in preparing you psychologically for a consumerism.

I am sure you would learn a lot with these spending challenges once you try them.

The author is Ramalingam K, an MBA (Finance) and Certified Financial Planner. He is the Founder and Director of Holistic Investment Planners, a firm that offers Financial Planning and Wealth Management. He can be reached at ramalingam@holisticinvestment.in.