An ETF is an Exchange Traded Fund or investment fund traded on stock exchanges. You can buy them just like any other company's shares, and you can also buy them through your banking account. But, unlike companies that own producing assets - like oil, mining, or real estate - ETFs are usually just baskets of companies in different sectors. The share price fluctuates based on the performance of the individual stocks in the index, so it's not a "buy-and-hold" investment like shares in a company with assets that produce revenues and profits. ETFs invest in stock indexes, market indices, and commodity and currency indices.

ETF investments are generally considered very tax efficient as long-term capital gains - both short-term and long-term - are tax deferred until investors sell their interests. In addition, dividends are usually treated as a form of 'long-term gain,' which can further reduce your tax liability in the long term. ETFs are also very liquid and suitable for intra-day trading compared with other investments.

ETFs can also be an excellent way to diversify your portfolio. Sold using so-called asset allocation, the ETF is often advised when it comes to choosing the suitable strategic investment for your money. An ETF allows you to choose from a wide range of asset classes, supported by financial and regulatory professionals who are charged with keeping track of what's in their portfolios while monitoring the price movements of every share traded. Investors don't have to worry about whether the investment will be profitable in the future.

There are many types of ETFs selling a variety of investments, including oil and gas ETFs, gold ETFs, and even ones focused on currencies. All ETFs aim to produce consistent returns, but individual funds' returns can differ. ETFs also tend to be quite volatile. While they may not mirror the ups and downs of the stock exchanges, they don't always hold up well in falling markets either. Investors also need to consider that most brokers will charge you commission fees on every transaction you make.

Some of the more popular types of ETFs include the Market Index Fund, which comprises shares from different sectors. Market index funds balance the risk and reward trade-off by investing in growth and defensive stock. That way, they can achieve higher returns than low-risk funds but still lower than high-risk stock markets. A market index fund is an excellent way for investors to manage their money, and research has shown that it can be more profitable than other investment strategies over time.

Sector funds are another type of ETF and are made up of shares from different sectors within the market. These 'sub-indexes' can also be used for other investment types as well. For example, buying into a gold sector fund means that you will get a cut of the profits from gold mines, but also those that mine silver or copper. If you want to invest in your favorite sector, especially when it's doing well, then this type of ETF is a great way to go.

Commodity ETFs invest in commodities, and these include investments in energy, agriculture, and metals. The kind of stock traded here is far less volatile than that of ordinary stocks and others. Some of the most famous examples include commodities, such as oil or gold ETFs.

Never seem to have the time to cook at home? Takeout food can be costly and moreover, extremely unhealthy, but it’s the go-to option for families who just want to get food on the table. If this sounds like you, the issue may not be time but planning. With meal plans delivered to your home, you can save so much time and money. Cook freshly prepared meals with fresh ingredients in as little as 30 minutes. You’ll get new recipes every week plus everything you need to prepare them. Meals are chef-designed and specially designed to be as nutritious as possible. Give your family or even just yourself, the gift of a healthy homecooked meal every night. Read on to learn about the best meal plan delivery services and how to save more money when signing up!

Home Chef’s delivery service is great for beginner cooks as well as the more experienced. No matter your comfort level in the kitchen, the recipe cards are easy to follow and include tips and tricks to use as your skills grow. For the environmentally minded user, the boxes are lined with recycled textile fabrics. These fabrics are also compostable and biodegradable. The boxes are insulated and have ice packs in them to keep the ingredients fresh after they arrive at your home. The website boasts of 30-minute meal prep times, but for a novice, it could take as long as an hour to have dinner on the table. The ingredients are organized by the recipe to make the process easier on a hectic weeknight. Home Chef offers plans for two, four, or six people with between two to six meals per week. The two-person plan starts at $49.80 per box, and any order over $40 ships free!

If you are looking for a nutritious meal, Hello Fresh is easily the ideal meal plan delivery service. With their service, Hello Fresh will provide you with all fresh ingredients and basic recipes that require very little prep work. All recipes are dietician-approved to ensure you are getting a substantial meal each night of the week. Choose from 10 recipes each week, so you are never eating the same thing repeatedly. Deliveries can be made each week, so you never have to go to the grocery store, or if you just need help every now and then, you can request deliveries as little or as often as you’d like. Pause or cancel your deliveries at any time. For a limited time, you can get $80 off your first four boxes. Classic and veggie plans are available for as low as $4.66 per serving with free shipping. Meals include chicken cheddar fajitas, Balsamic Pork and Beef Ragu Spaghetti.

Blue Apron is another popular meal plan delivery service. Just as with Hello Fresh, Blue Apron sends you fresh seasonal ingredients straight to your door. Ingredients are of the highest quality and you’ll get detailed recipe cards that tell you exactly what to do with them. If you want fresh, tasty meals, made from scratch, there are few better choices than Blue Apron. Choose your meals from a weekly menu and eat the foods you want to eat. There’s absolutely no shopping nor planning required, you’ll even get the seasonings you need to complete your menu. Blue Apron is an affordable and budget-friendly option for families who don’t have a lot of time during the week. Recipes are easy to follow and can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Join Blue Apron today and you can get up to $60 off your first three boxes.

When it comes to caring for your baby, you want only the best products that will help nourish your baby’s skin and body. With so many products on the market, however, sometimes finding the right baby care products can be a frustrating experience. Every day baby care products, like diapers, wipes and infant formula, are often at the top of a new parent’s list of items to research and buy, and because these items are used daily, it’s especially important to choose products that are high-quality and will help keep your baby happy, healthy and thriving. For parents looking for the best baby care products, we’ve narrowed down the massive list of options for formula, diapers, and wipes, so you can spend more time enjoying your time with your little bundle of joy! Keep reading to find out more about these important products for baby!

For parents who can’t or choose not to breastfeed, choosing a high-quality baby formula is a top priority. Depending on your baby’s personal needs and sensitivities, there are dozens of formulas to choose from. If you’re looking for a high-quality cow’s milk-based formula, Enfamil Enspire is by far the best. Designed to be the closest match to breast milk possible, Enfamil Enspire contains milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and lactoferrin, both found in breast milk, and since those ingredients aren’t required by the FDA, Enspire is one of the only infant formulas to include them. In addition, Enfamil Enspire is made without corn-based sweeteners. Enfamil also carries formulas designed for babies who are lactose intolerant or have other sensitivities. For parents who prefer an organic formula, Earth’s Best Organic is an excellent choice. This is a dairy-based formula that uses organic milk, no corn syrup and includes prebiotics for immune-boosting benefits. Earth’s Best Organic also offers a reduced-lactose version, as well as a soy version for babies with sensitive tummies. Be sure to talk to your baby’s pediatrician before choosing an infant formula, so you can be sure you get the right formula for your baby.

When shopping for baby diapers, there are several things you’ll want to consider. First and foremost is the quality of the diapers. Since the diapers will be close to your baby’s skin all day, you want materials that aren’t irritating to sensitive skin, but strong enough to keep baby dry and happy all day and through the night. The best diapers for parents who choose disposables is Pampers Diapers. These are an excellent choice for new parents for several reasons: availability, affordability and overall performance. Pampers offer a super-soft feel, flexible fit that easily contains messes and even includes a wetness indicator that helps new parents know when it’s time for a diaper change. For parents who prefer a more eco-friendly diaper, however, Honest Diapers are definitely the way to go. Honest Diapers are made using plant-derived materials along with sustainably harvested pulp, so they’re not only easier on baby’s skin, but also on the environment. Best of all, Honest Diapers are affordable and can be found in most major stores, such as Target or Walmart.

Of course, no baby care shopping list is complete without baby wipes, and there are a lot of brands to choose from. The best all-around baby wipes are BabyGanics Baby Wipes, which use a moisturizing blend of cranberry, tomato, sunflower and raspberry seed oils, but don’t include any irritating products like alcohol, sulfataes, parabens, pthalates, artificial fragrances or dyes. Even better, BabyGanics is very low priced for a natural baby care line at just $19.99 for 400 wipes. For parents looking to save more while still getting high-quality wipes that get the job done, Huggies Simply Clean Wipes are definitely the way to go. They’re super easy to grab with one hand while wrestling with a wiggly baby, and they’re wet enough to clean even the biggest messes. At just under $12 for around 650 wipes, it’s really hard to beat the price for the quality.

Litter boxes also known as litter trays, sandboxes, cat boxes, litter pans, or cat pans are containers mostly made out of plastic. They are often used as indoor toilets for cats. When choosing your litter box, the most important considerations are the sizes and styles to ensure your cat fits comfortably and can easily get in and out. Here is a breakdown of the different litter box styles, their pros, and their cons.

Open litter boxes are the most common, simplest, cheapest, and easiest for your cat to use. As the name suggests, they are large with no covers. The main advantage is that you can see your cat get in and out, ensuring there is no danger.

You can also easily inspect the cat's stool to detect abnormalities and catch illnesses early. Since they don't have different parts, you do not need any assembly skills or equipment, and their compact nature allows you to place them anywhere. Their simplicity makes them easy to clean, and your cat will like them more because it can still see its surroundings.

One main disadvantage is they might not be so sanitary because they release lousy odor into your home, and your cat might scatter the dirt around. However, you can prevent that by getting a high-sided litter box with high walls.

For more protection against bad smells, covered sandboxes are a suitable option. Some of them, like the top-entry box, have a simple entry and exit opening, while some have elaborate swing doors.

One of these boxes' primary benefits is improved house hygiene. Your cat might also love it more because of the privacy, although train your cat in the beginning may prove challenging.

They are harder to clean and might be smellier because they tend to retain the odors. Unlike open boxes, they require assembly and take up more space.

If you want to eliminate the hustle of assembling and cleaning a litter box, disposable litter pans are an appropriate option. Since they are made from biodegradable materials, they are eco-friendly, and you can add them to your compost.

While they are cheap for one-time uses, like when on vacation, they can become expensive in the long run if you use them as a permanent alternative. They are also uncomfortable for your cat, and if you delay taking them out, the cat's waste might get on your floor.

Self-cleaning litter boxes are another alternative if you want to avoid cleaning. They come with a motorized rake that empties the waste into a closed container attached to the box and can be open or covered. Most come with a sensor that alerts them when your cat leaves the box, ensuring no litter remains there for long. This sensor helps minimize odors.

One main disadvantage is that the rake might hurt or scare your cat. You also need to charge them often, and they are more costly than other boxes.

Also known as shifting pans, shifting litter boxes come with a separate container at the bottom and a grate to make cleaning easier. They also help reduce litter waste. You can get a covered or opened one. While they help remove cat waste, you will still need to deep clean them after a few days or weeks.