quality shares

With stock markets tumbling all around the world, 2008 has been a truly awful year for stock market investors. However a lot of people, myself included, think that this is now a good time to slowly start snapping up some bargains, with the focus being on quality shares.





I would define quality shares as being shares in large, well-established companies that consistently grow their profits and their dividend payouts every single year. Furthermore in this credit crunch that we are all now witnessing, they should also have little or no debts so they are unlikely to run into any financing difficulties in the near future.





Nowadays there are not too many of these companies left, but they do still exist. The key is to adopt a Warren Buffett style of investing and focus on long-term profits rather than short-term gains. If you look to invest in market-leading companies who don't have to worry too much about new competition, then you should do well in the long run, particularly if you get your timing right.





For example, two such shares in the UK are Tesco and Rio Tinto. Both are huge companies who are at the forefront of their industry and have a long and distinguished record of profit growth. Although profits may inevitably drop slightly in the short-term, in the long run they should, in my opinion, continue to see strong earnings growth in the years to come.





So now could be a good time to start drip-feeding money into these types of market-leading companies because they have been sold off sharply along with the rest of the market. These times of doom and gloom very often present investors with excellent opportunities to invest in good quality companies at bargain prices, and I personally think we are in one of those times at the moment.





It's certainly a much better strategy to focus on large high quality companies because smaller companies are very much out of fashion at the moment, and are seen as a much riskier proposition at a time when all companies are struggling to raise the finances needed to survive.





The Warren Buffett investment method remains one of the best investment strategies so as long as you are patient and are prepared to hold onto the shares of these companies for several years, now could be a good time to start buying these quality shares. While it is very much a trader's market at the moment, there are still good buying opportunities for the traditional long-term investor as well.

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christmas gifts

The holidays are fast approaching, and that means it is decision time for gifts. What do you get your loved one when its too soon for a diamond. If you are even asking yourself if it is too soon to get your sweetheart a diamond, the answer is clear: it is. Diamonds are forever and should only be given when forever can be assured with the completeness of your heart.





But do not despair, this does not mean that you cannot get your beloved a spectacular Christmas gift that will make her eyes sparkle with delight and happiness. Jewelry is still almost the answer to any girls gift centered prayers. So now the question begs to be answered: what type of jewelry should you buy her?





A Watch?


A watch is practical and useful for an entire lifetime. Buy one for your brother or your father and you will see smiles and true appreciation on their faces. Buy one for your lover and you are not going to see the same genuine thankfulness in their expression. Practicalities and usefulness are great for friends and family, but when it comes to the romantic interest in your life, you have to be a little bit more creative and, of course, romantic.





Gold?


Take a look at most popular magazines and you will not see a great deal of gold being worn by celebrities or models. The stark yellow tones of gold pieces do not go so well with every complexion and silver tones are all the rage in Hollywood and Paris alike. Unless you are an expert on color coordination and the undertones of skin, steer clear of trying to match your loved ones skin tones with the right type of gold for their complexion.





Platinum?


Well, in this time of economic recession not too many have a platinum card with which to buy their platinum jewelry. Platinum is lovely, yet it is super expensive. Save your platinum splurge for when you have decided on forever and are ready to invest in those diamonds.





Silver.


Silver is the absolute best choice to give your sweetheart this holiday season. Silver is a quality metal that has been prized for centuries for its beauty and worth. The jewelry artisans in Peru create some of the most unique and beautiful creations in all of the world. To find some of the best holiday gift items on the market, peruse the online offerings by doing a google search for Peruvian silver jewelry. While you will not find any cheap low-end jewelry, you will be able to get your sweetheart a wonderful gift without taking out a second mortgage. There are many heirloom quality silver earrings below $50 and many necklaces and bracelets below $250.

Elaine Rojas is a writer, entrepreneur and inveterate traveler and is partner in an e-commerce site, Tikanchay.com that sells Handcrafted Jewelry handmade by master artisans who produce only the highest quality handcrafted jewelry from Peru featuring handcrafted bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. The silver bracelets feature stones like chrysocolla.

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