Rather than making purses out of plastic, this small Canadian company has begun making vegan leather clothing items out of apple peels that are recycled from the juicing industry.

The two sisters behind the Toronto-based fashion line SAMARA recently launched their Mini purse, which is the first object made out of their new apple leather.

The designers say they were inspired to develop the material as a means of replacing the petroleum-based materials that are typically used to make vegan leather.

Though the designers told Tree Hugger that they are currently using polyurethane (PU) as a binding agent, they reassured readers that the glue is still a much more eco-friendly material compared to the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is commonly used in the textile industry.

MORE: Mom Turns $700 into a $65 Million Company After Manufacturer Calls Her a Stupid Woman

As the vegan leather industry is growing, we decided that it was time to raise the bar and start experimenting with other plant-based materials, reads the SAMARA website. Weve been hard at work over the last year, aiming to create our best sellerthe Miniout of apple-based leather.

After many iterations and quality checks, its finally here. Made from apple skins that are by-products of the juicing industry, and some PU that acts as a binding agent, weve designed our newest addition to the Mini Collection: our Apple Leather Mini.

The Mini is now on sale at the SAMARA website for $50 a pop. Additionally, a portion of every purchase made through the companys website helps to send a solar-powered backpack to a child in East Africa.

Pass On The Positive Story To Your Friends On Social Media

See the original post:

Fashion Designers Replace Plastic-Based Vegan 'Leather' With Fabric Made Out of Apple Peels - Good News Network

Its been a big week of news for Portland-area vegans and vegetarians: The city just scored the top ranking in a national survey of vegetarian and vegan-friendly cities; the 15th annual VegFest hits the Oregon Convention Center this weekend; and a Portland vegan chicken sandwich scores big on a national list. Heres a look at each.

Portland has long been known as a place where vegetarians and vegans find plenty of food options at the grocery store and at restaurants. Now the city can brag about being the best city in the nation for vegans and vegetarians, according to a new ranking by the website WalletHub.

The website took a look at the 100 largest U.S. cities, comparing 17 key indicators of vegan- and vegetarian-friendliness. Among the metrics were things like how much groceries costs, how many restaurants offer meat-free options, and how easy it is to score a salad.

When it came to affordability, its no surprise that Portland didnt fare well, coming in at 22nd out of 100. But it scored high for the diversity, quality and easy access of plant-based food options (3rd overall), and ranked near the top of the vegan lifestyle category (8th) for our organic farms, community gardens and other factors. The combination of those scores put Portland in the No. 1 spot, ahead of Los Angeles, Orlando, Seattle, and Austin, Texas.

Scoring at the bottom of the list was El Paso, Texas, which is known for its Tex-Mex fare, not easy access to salads.

Visitors of all ages can learn something about plant-based living and eating at Portland VegFest, which has its 15th edition Oct. 5-6 at the Oregon Convention Center.

One of the factors WalletHub looked at for its ranking was the number of vegan and vegetarian food festivals, and Portland has one of the best with VegFest, which turns 15 this weekend at the Oregon Convention Center.

The annual food festival, which is presented by NW Veg, includes motivational speakers, cooking demonstrations, and screenings of documentaries and health-related films.

The big draw is the main exhibition hall, where festivalgoers can sample a variety of food products, ranging from decadent chocolate to vegan cheese, buy vegan clothes and cookbooks, and learn about community groups that are doing good things for animals and the environment. Several vegan restaurants will be on-hand, offering full meals for purchase.

Expect to come away with a bag full of samples and coupons.

VegFest runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday in Exhibition Hall A of the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

Unless youve been in a cave, you know this past summer has been about the national chicken sandwich wars. While chains like Popeyes and Chick-fil-A have been duking it out, vegan restaurants across the country have been coming up with their own plant-based versions of the popular sandwich.

This week, PETA came out with a list of the 21 best vegan chicken sandwiches, and North Portlands Homegrown Smoker scored a spot with its Fancy Chikn, which features a smoked piece of faux-chicken topped with tempeh bacon, avocado, arugula, tomato and a spicy chipotle aioli.

Chicken sandwiches from the chains Veggie Grill, Next Level Burger and Native Foods also made PETAs list. All three have Portland-area locations.

-- Grant Butler

gbutler@oregonian.com

503-221-8566; @grantbutler

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.

Read more:

Portland is the most vegan-friendly city in the country; VegFest turns 15 - OregonLive

As a food hall in Bostons West End creeps ever closer to opening, its slowly unveiling the lineup of vendors that will fill the expansive complex. Bianco & Sons Sausage, Taco Dumbo, and Caffe Nero will all eventually operate within the Hub on Causeways forthcoming food hall this winter.

Bianco & Sons Sausage, which has operated since 1960, will open its first non-retail location within the so-called Hub Hall, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner to customers. The menu will feature Biancos own meats, with dishes and family recipes carried on from founding family member Joseph Bianco Sr. by the third generation: Francesca, Lewis, and Joseph Bianco III. Customers can look for menu items like Bianco sweet Italian sausage with grilled peppers and onions, among others.

The other two recently announced additions are imports from outside the Boston area: Taco Dumbo is a taqueria chain with seven locations around New York City (and another three on the way). The Hub Hall location will be its first outside of New York, and in addition to chicken and fish tacos, the restaurant will have lots of vegan options, including rice and salad bowls, soups, and other sides. Taco Dumbo bills itself as a health-conscious restaurant with options for omnivores and accommodations for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets.

The second out-of-town addition is Caffe Nero, which is hardly a stranger to the region, operating 30 locations in the area, plus one in Connecticut.

These three vendors join a growing list of existing and new restaurants that have already been announced, including local Greek chain Greco, Juicygreens, and the Boston Soup Company, a new venture from Marc Orfaly of Pier 6, Reelhouse, and more. Further vendors within Hub Hall include Apizza, which will serve Roman- and New Haven-style pizza from Douglass Williams of Mida, plus North End standbys Mikes Pastry and Monicas Mercato. Castle Island hotspot Sullivans will also operate in Hub Hall, along with North Shore-style roast beef shop Cussers; local barbecue chain Smoke Shop; and an Andover-based burger shop called Sauce. Hub Hall will ultimately have 18 vendors.

Along with the food hall, the Hub on Causeway will be home to a restaurant from Guy Fieri, an event space, a music hall, a movie theater with a bar and snacks, and a 25,000-square-foot bar called Banners Kitchen & Tap, which will have virtual Topgolf Swing Suites, 60 beers on tap, a massive television, and a cocktail list designed by local cocktail guru Jackson Cannon (Eastern Standard, the Hawthorne).

Keep track of Bostons ever-growing food hall scene here.

The Year of the Food Hall: Updates on Bostons 2019 Food Hall Boom [EBOS] North Shore-Style Roast Beef and More Join the Lineup of Upcoming Food Hall [EBOS] Guy Fieri Is Bringing Flavortown to Boston, and There Will Be Tequila [EBOS] A Sports Bar With Topgolf Suites Will Open by TD Garden [EBOS] The Smoke Shop BBQ Will Open at Hub Hall Near North Station [BM] The Most Anticipated Boston Restaurant Openings of Fall 2019 [EBOS]

Sign up for our newsletter.

See the original post here:

Taco Dumbo, Bianco & Sons, and Caffe Nero to Open at Hub Hall Food Hall - Eater Boston

Between the rise of plant-based sausages and veggie burgers that bleed, vegan protesters at supermarkets, and Disney adding hundreds of vegan items to its theme park menus, veganism is in the news. Not to mention the woman trying to sue her neighbours for their meat-grilling ways. For a group once perceived as placid and potentially anaemic, vegans have sure been making a lot of noise.

Who are the new vegans and what is behind their rise in prominence?

Read more: What's made of legumes but sizzles on the barbie like beef? Australia's new high-tech meat alternative

The term vegan was coined in 1944 by a group of people in the UK to describe a diet excluding meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. In 1988, the UK Vegan Society settled on a definition of veganism that described it as:

a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.

For many years, veganism had relatively few adherents, and was largely dismissed as a fringe movement, if not met with outright hostility.

In his 2000 book, Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain, didnt mince his words:

Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans, are a persistent irritant to any chef worth a damn. To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living.

Bourdain was by no means alone in his view of vegans. An analysis of stories run in UK national newspapers in 2007 that used the words vegan, vegans, or veganism found that 74% of articles portrayed veganism negatively describing vegans as hostile, oversensitive, or ridiculous.

Despite an initial bad rap, interest in veganism has been growing, particularly in the past decade. Data from Google Trends indicates that the relative frequency of Google searches for vegan has approximately quadrupled since 2012.

A number of prominent public figures, such as Moby, Angela Davis, Bill Clinton, and Ellen Degeneres, have drawn attention to veganism. At the same time, numerous studies and reports have discussed links between meat consumption and health and environmental outcomes.

Media outlets such as The Guardian, NBC, and The New York Times have run stories on the mistreatment of animals on factory farms. Furthermore, popular movies such as Okja, about a young girl and her pig-like best friend, have been credited with turning people toward plant-based diets.

As veganism becomes more prominent, a number of people are challenging conventional beliefs, particularly the idea that one needs to eat animal products to be strong and healthy.

Touring at film festivals in 2018, and reaching mainstream Australian cinemas in August, The Game Changers draws on a mixture of dramatic footage, scientific studies, and celebrity glamour.

Executive produced by a team including James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, Lewis Hamilton, Novak Djokovic, and Chris Paul, The Game Changers bills itself as a revolutionary new documentary about meat, protein, and strength, and challenges the old stereotype of vegans as weak.

The film follows combat instructor and UFC fighter James Wilks as he travels around the world meeting people like world surfing champion Tia Blanco, eight-time US national cycling champion Dotsie Bausch, and strongman Patrick Baboumian. Sitting down with the chair of nutrition at Harvard University, Dr Walter Willett, Wilks discusses the benefits of plant-based diets.

Although vegans are often motivated by some combination of concern for animal welfare, animal rights, health, and environmental sustainability, individuals often emphasise particular motivations more strongly than others.

Chef and activist Bryant Terry has written and spoken extensively on the health and food justice aspects of veganism. Youth climate activist Greta Thunberg adopted a vegan diet for environmental reasons. The Forest Green Rovers Football Club transitioned the food in their stadium to be 100% vegan in 2015, out of concern for animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

Other common motivations are religious and spiritual beliefs, adherence to social norms, a preference for the taste, smell, and texture of plant foods, and an explicit rejection of mainstream industries that treat animals like commodities.

Although veganism is often discussed through a Western cultural lens, several Eastern philosophies such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Taoism favour plant-based diets. Hinduism, practiced by the majority of Indias population, has a history of plant-based diets extending across thousands of years.

While in many Western countries, vegans may be negatively stereotyped or face social alienation, responses to those following plant-based diets in other cultures differ markedly.

In India, for example, the present day food hierarchy places a plant-based diet at the top as it is associated with a higher status. The slaughter of animals and meat-eating is associated with a certain baseness and physical and spiritual pollution.

Similarly, many people in China regard plant-based eating as central to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. In 2016, the Chinese government released updated dietary guidelines encouraging their population of more than 1.3 billion to reduce their meat consumption by 50% between now and 2030 for primarily health-related reasons.

Reaction to veganism in other cultures is not always positive though. Japanese media has expressed concern about how vegan tourists and locals can maintain their diet in a nation hooked on meat.

Today, countries with traditionally meat-based diets - such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and South Africa - are among the worlds top ten when it comes to the global share of vegan product launches.

The adoption of plant-based diets and lifestyles is projected to keep rising. For example, the percentage of Italians who identified as vegan nearly doubled from 2016 to 2018, and the number of vegans in the UK quadrupled between 2014 and 2018.

In 2017, the global plant protein market was valued at US$10.5 billion (A$15.65 billion) and this number is predicted to increase to USD $16.3 billion (A$24.3 billion) by 2025.

In the future we can expect to see and hear more from those who choose not to consume animal products.

More here:

The vegans are coming! What's fuelling the interest in plant-based eating? - The Conversation AU

Once again, Eater 38 stalwart and vegan standby The Sudra is heading south. After closing its St. Johns location and nabbing a new spot on North Mississippi, the vegan cafe is ditching its remaining restaurant and reopening just a few blocks down, in the newly vacant Tapalaya space.

Weve had an amazing 6 years at the Ocean micro restaurant complex, but were ready to move on, writes Sudra owner Sanjay Chandrasekaran in an emailed statement. We love our neighbors and our landlord but the lease was up and we realized it was time for a big change in the form of a bigger space.

Chandrasekaran hopes to open within the month, depending on how quickly the OLCC can approve a new liquor license, adding a small remodel to the space and some new dishes to the menu.

Anh Luu closed her Vietnamese-Cajun restaurant Tapalaya closed earlier this week, attributing the decision to some unresolved grief: She opened her restaurant around the same time her mother died.

The Sudras location near Han Oak and Stoopid Burger will close in late October, reopening at 28 NE 28th Avenue.

The Sudra [Official] Vegan Indian Mainstay The Sudra Has Said Goodbye to St. Johns [EPDX] An Essential Spot for Vegan Indian Food Is Opening a Restaurant on Mississippi [EPDX] It Looks Like Viet-Cajun Restaurant Tapalaya Will Close by October [EPDX]

Sign up for our newsletter.

See the original post:

Essential Portland Vegan Restaurant the Sudra Will Open in the Tapalaya Space - Eater Portland

Its Friday, which means its time for the weekly EaterWire round up of all those news items we didnt quite cover. This weeks food news cycle involved a drone accomplice in a food cart burglary and the sudden closure of a handful of Portland standbys, but a few stories did fall through the cracks. Read on for more:

VEGGIE HEAVEN Portland was ranked the best city in the country for vegetarians and vegans, based on factors like the percentage of restaurants with vegan options and smoothie bars per capita. Los Angeles came in second, followed by Orlando. [WalletHub]

DONATION DANGER An email obtained by Seattle alt mag The Stranger indicates Pacific Northwestern coffee chain Caffe Vita fired employees for giving leftover food and coffee to homeless patrons. Although these were well placed intentions, please understand, it is our belief that feeding homeless people without comprehensive services actually enables, increases and promotes homelessness, the email reads; reports from the National Coalition for the Homeless discredit this hypothesis. Co-owner Liz McConnell said the reasoning behind the firings was confidential but for cause; the former manager and author of the email has since quit the company. There is a Caffe Vita location on NE Alberta, but its unclear if theyre under the same scrutiny for this practice. [The Stranger]

ONE DOOR CLOSES Three Doors Down Cafe, the Hawthorne neighborhood Italian restaurant, is changing ownership. Not much should change from the customers side of things, however; the new owners plan to keep some of the restaurants staples like tortiglioni with original co-owner Dave Marths vodka sauce, and the staff will not change. New co-owner Michael Galloway has run several Italian restaurants in the Seattle area; his partner, Jeff Saulsbury, is a Portland native. [Portland Mercury]

Sign up for our newsletter.

More:

Portland Ranked the Countrys Best City for Vegetarians and Vegans - Eater Portland

If you haven't noticed, people feel very strongly about the Costco Food Court. And they specifically feel some feelings about the hot dogs. Even Julia Child reportedly loved them! Well, now even vegans want to get in on the fun, as more than 2,000 people have signed a petition for Costco to add a vegan hot dog to its menu.

According to Business Insider, the Change.org petition was created by Scott Hildebrand, who said he wanted a plant-based option that he and his family could eat when they visit the store. Apparently, thousands agreed. At the time of this writing, 2,014 people have signed the petition, making it very likely that it would reach its goal of hitting 2,500.

"Our family, like countless others, are regulars at Costco. I'd love to see them extend plant-based options to the food court, so we can enjoy veggie hot dogs after a Sunday shopping trip," he told BI.

It may sound out there, but a meatless hot dog would not be out of the ordinary these days. In fact, Costco added items like a meatless burger and an acai bowl to its food court menu in recent months. Competitors like IKEA have even announced they'll be adding a meatless version of their famous meatballs in 2020. Delish reached out to Costco in regard to the petition but did not immediately hear back.

It's unclear if this petition will be successful, but I think we can all agree...no one should put ketchup on a hot dog. Veggie or otherwise.

Excerpt from:

People Really Want Costco To Add A Vegan Hot Dog To Its Food Court - Delish

Until recently, investing was a pain. If you were lucky, youd spend an hour on the phone with a financial advisor. Then, youd cross your fingers until the quarterly report arrived.

With todays best investment apps, all it takes is a few taps. You can receive a tailored portfolio or trade your own stocks, check your portfolios performance, and shift money around without ever talking to a human being. And because both traditional brokerages and fintech startups offer investing apps, youre likely to find one perfect for you.

These 15 apps provide a painless route to investing for everyday investors.

Here are 15 of the best options for everyday investors:

1. Best investment app for high-end investment management: Round

Investment apps are increasingly turning to robo advisors. Although Round uses an automated questionnaire to generate its users portfolios, it works with fund managers like Guggenheim Partners, Doubleline, and Gabelli to provide individual investors with access to institution-grade investments.

Rounds institutional managers lean heavily on alternative assets and strategies, including asset-backed securities, real estate, and merger arbitrage. No matter the account value, Round charges a 0.5% management fee. In the event of a negative return, however, Round waives its monthly fee.

2. Best investment app for minimizing fees: Robinhood

For investors who want to do it themselves and pay as few fees as possible, Robinhood is one of the best investment apps. With no commissions and a $0 account minimum, Robinhood cuts out most of the costs typically associated with investing apps.

Unfortunately, Robinhood users do make some sacrifices. Robinhood doesnt offer any retirement accounts or managed portfolios, meaning all investments made through the app are taxable and self-managed. Its relatively bare-bones for an investing app, but its the best way to trade individually for free.

3. Best investment app for student investors: Acorns

Every investor has to start somewhere. To cater to the fledgling demographic, Acorns provides free management for college students. Unlike most investing apps, it also offers a spare change savings tool, which rounds up purchases users make at select retailers. The difference between the balance due and the next dollar is then invested in the users Acorns account.

But be warned: Acorns flat fees can be stiff for those with smaller account balances. For $1, $2, or $3 per month depending on the users account balance Acorns offers a passive portfolio of ETFs.

4. Best investment app for data dissectors: E*Trade

Through the Power E*Trade app, do-it-yourself investors can buy into a wide range of assets. E*Trades stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, futures, and options are backed by its best-in-class research library. There, E*Trade provides interactive charts and expert studies. Users of the investing app can dig deep into earnings, dividends, company news, and metrics like debt-to-equity ratio.

In exchange for that data, E*Trade does charge steeper commissions, at $6.95 per trade, than many providers on this list. Due to its educational tools and array of assets, this investing app is a smart pick at the poles: Beginning investors will appreciate the help building a risk-aligned portfolio, while veterans will like its professional-grade investment options.

5. Best investment app for banking features: Stash

Like Acorns, Stash is one of the best investing apps for beginners. Where Stash stands out is its account options: For a flat $3 monthly fee, users get brokerage, bank, and retirement accounts. At the $9-per-month level, they also receive two custodial accounts, monthly investment research, a stronger rewards structure, and an upgraded debit card.

Stash requires just $5 to open an account, and users can purchase fractional shares in stocks and ETFs. Unfortunately, though, Stash only offers about 150 stocks and 60 ETF options. To make their holdings more obvious to beginners, Stash renames ETFs with monikers, such as Clean & Green for the iShares Global Clean Energy ETF.

6. Best investment app for customer support: TD Ameritrade

Another brokerage competing in the investing app space, TD Ameritrade doesnt require a minimum investment. It does, however, charge a comparatively expensive $6.95 per trade. Options cost even more, with a $0.75-per-contract upcharge.

Why would users pay TD Ameritrades fees? Because its asset options and customer support are second to none. Traders can choose between stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, futures, foreign currencies, ADRs, and more. If they need help, they get 24/7 phone, text, and instant messaging support. And if thats not enough, they can stop into one of TD Ameritrades 364 branch locations.

7. Best investment app for parents: Stockpile

Founded by a CEO who wanted to give his nieces and nephews something more substantial than toys for the holidays, Stockpile lets investors buy blue-chip stocks and ETFs via gift cards. Although this investing app makes sense for parents who want to pique their kids interest in investing, beware its fee structure.

For a standard trade, Stockpile charges $0.99. Gift cards, however, cost $2.99 for the first stock and $0.99 after that. And if you buy the gift card with a credit or debit card, expect to pay an additional 3%. Although kids may not care, Stockpile users cant see company balance sheets or portfolio performance projections.

8. Best investment app for overspenders: Clink

If youd rather shop than save, Clink may be the best investment app for you. By linking your credit card and bank account to the app, you can invest a percentage of recreational purchases. Alternatively, you can schedule a fixed amount to be transferred into your Clink account on a monthly or daily basis.

Clink investors currently pay no fees, nor do they need a minimum deposit. Instead, Clink collects receives kickbacks from the ETF sponsors offered. ETFs are currently Clinks only asset option, unfortunately, and theyre only available in bundles based on the users risk tolerance.

9. Best investment app for total automation: Wealthfront

Similar to Betterment and other robo advisors, Wealthfront invests in passive portfolios and charges a management fee of just 0.25%. Though the investing app requires a $500 account minimum, it does support daily tax-loss harvesting or realizing losses to offset taxes on capital gains.The value of tax-loss harvesting is limited for everyday investors, but it remains popular among robo-advisor apps.

To make the most of Wealthfront, though, your balance needs to fall in its sweet spot. Unlike many robo-advised apps, Wealthfront doesnt deal in fractional shares. Serious investors should look elsewhere, too: Although it does offer extras like the Wealthfront Risk Parity Fund to six-figure accounts for an extra fee, theres no human management option or bonus for large balances.

10. Best investment app for human customer service: Personal Capital

Personal Capitals minimum balance may be high, but its featured savings tools are robust. Those who can meet its $100,000 minimum get a combination of human and robo advisors. Accounts over $200,000 are assigned to dedicated financial advisors. Although Personal Capitals management fee is a stiff 0.89%, investors with large balances may pay as little as 0.40%.

What do users get for those fees? A pile of financial planning tools, including ones to track spending, net worth, retirement progress, portfolio performance, and more. Two new features include Personal Capital Cash, a savings-like account with a 2.3% interest rate, as well as a retirement paycheck planner, which lets investors project their withdrawals during retirement.

11. Best investment app for data security: M1 Finance

Claiming to be one finance account that does it all, M1 Finance might be the toughest-to-categorize investing app on this list. A hybrid broker and investment management app, M1 allows for both self-serve and robo-advised investing.

Although M1 does have some drawbacks, as a free platform with no account minimum, its data security measures are strong. In addition to the typical two-factor authentication, M1 uses 4096-bit encryption for data transfer and storage. On the downside, M1 doesnt provide tax-loss harvesting, nor does it offer as many asset types as traditional brokerages.

12. Best investment app for introductory offers: Ally Invest

Catering to both new and experienced investors, Ally Invest has a solid selection of educational materials and a fair fee structure. But the reason its on this list of top investing apps is its bonuses: With only a $10,000 deposit, investors earn $50, plus 90 days of commission-free trades. For larger deposits, that bonus amount goes as high as $3,500.

Although Allys fees are higher than many app-first tools, theyre lower than the other online brokerages on this list. Stock and ETF trades are subject to a $4.95 commission, plus $0.65 for options contracts. If youre an active or wealthy trader, though, those fees drop to $3.95 with an additional $0.50 for options. Thats not bad, especially given Allys intuitive app and resources.

13. Best investment app for socially responsible investing: Betterment

Young investors, in particular, like to support socially responsible companies. To reach them, Betterment offers a best-of-breed socially responsible investing (SRI) portfolio. Compared to its core portfolio, Betterments large-cap SRI holdings score 42% higher on its social responsibility index. The other assets in this investing apps SRI portfolio are mostly broad-market ETFs.

With $15 billion in assets under management, Betterment recently split its services into Betterment Digital with no account minimum and a 0.25% management fee and Betterment Premium. For a $100,000 minimum and a 0.40% fee, Betterment Premium provides unlimited phone sessions with certified financial planners.

14. Best investment app for index investing: Vanguard

One of the oldest and lowest-cost investment providers, Vanguards investing app could admittedly use some work. If you can handle a confusing interface, though, youll find few better options for buying into mutual funds and ETFs.

Vanguard charges no commissions for trading but does receive fees on its own ETFs. Plus, users who receive their account documents electronically pay no account service fees. And believe it or not, Vanguard doesnt require a minimum balance, either.

15. Best investment app for couples: Twine

Saving as a couple that doesnt completely share finances can be tough. If youve got a wedding or vacation ahead but still want to keep separate bank accounts, check out this investing app. Backed by John Hancock, Twine charges $0.25 per month for every $500 invested.

Although that fee structure is on par with other digital investment providers, Twines investment options are not. Twine gives users just three portfolio choices: conservative, moderate, or aggressive. Even more limited is its all-ETF asset mix, covering stocks as well as bonds. Twine is a fair pick for short-term savers who are new to investing.

Investing apps can be a godsend for individual investors who need a painless way to invest in stocks. Not all apps are created equal, but these 15 offer a good place to start.

See the original post:
The 15 Best Investment Apps For Everyday Investors - Forbes

An investment bank in a report released Monday said the fears among Wall Street of the effects of a potential Warren presidency may be overblown.

RBC Capital Markets's head of U.S. equity strategy, Lori Calvasina, said in a report the negative effects of Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann Warren40 state attorneys general to take part in Facebook antitrust probe: report Overnight Health Care Presented by Coalition Against Surprise Medical Billing Buttigieg unveils aggressive plan to lower drug prices | Supreme Court abortion case poses major test for Trump picks | Trump takes heat from right over vaping crackdown On The Money: Judge tosses Trump lawsuit over NY tax return subpoena | US, Japan sign trade deals | Trump faces narrowing window for trade deals | NBA sparks anger with apology to China MORE's (D-Mass.) economic policies would be "temporary," according to Bloomberg.

"Any pain from a Warren win is likely to be temporary," Bloombergsaid Calvasina wrote in the report. "Most of the sectors at high risk under a Warren presidency from a policy perspective (Financials, Energy, Health Care, Industrials) are already deeply undervalued versus the broader market.

The biotechnology, for-profit schools and health insurance sectors have developed concerns about Warren's consumer-focused advocacy, the report said, according to Bloomberg.

Calvasina said in the report Warren could back environmental, social and corporate governance investments, and small caps may outreach larger stocks because of a lower effect from Warren's policies.

Stocks would be negatively impacted by any separation of big technology companies, but retailers that couldn't outcompete Amazon could benefit from the potential technology breakups, according toBloomberg's reporting.

The stock market tends to go up over time, regardless of who occupies the White House, Calvasina wrote. Ultimately we think Corporate America and U.S. equity investors would learn to adapt to new political leadership, as they always do.

Wall Street has voiced concern over Warren's economic plans, with Democratic Wall Street donors even threatening to donate to President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump campaign slams Minneapolis mayor, Target Center for 'attempting to extort' them with rally security fees Susan Rice calls Trump decision to pull troops from Syria 'batshit crazy' Ex-Trump officials met with Zelensky campaign aides at Trump hotel earlier this year: report MORE's reelection campaign if Warren is the nominee.

The Massachusetts senator has been soaring in the polls, competing closely with the main front-runner of the race, former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenA dozen House Democrats call on EU ambassador to resign amid Ukraine scandal Ex-Trump officials met with Zelensky campaign aides at Trump hotel earlier this year: report Overnight Health Care Presented by Coalition Against Surprise Medical Billing Buttigieg unveils aggressive plan to lower drug prices | Supreme Court abortion case poses major test for Trump picks | Trump takes heat from right over vaping crackdown MORE.

Warren has pushed for economic changes that work "for all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected."

I'm fighting for an economy and a government that works for all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected. I'm not afraid of anonymous quotes, and wealthy donors don't get to buy this process. I won't back down from fighting for the big, structural change we need. https://t.co/nx7GczQhHl

Read the original post:
Investment bank says fears of effects of Warren presidency might be overblown | TheHill - The Hill

The stock market has dramatically outperformed gold as an investment over the long run. However, when investors get worried about the prospects for stocks, they often turn to gold for its reputation as a safe-haven investment. Despite a strong performance for stocks so far in 2019, gold has recently seen its price rise substantially, and some of the precious metal's best days come when investors seem worried about whether the 10-year-old bull market in stocks can continue.

If you want to add gold to your investment portfolio, however, there are multiple ways to do it. Investing in gold coins and bullion ensures that you'll get direct exposure to the ups and downs in the gold market, but doing so involves going to specialized dealers and coming up with ways to store the yellow metal safely. Some exchange-traded funds, such as the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSEMKT:GLD), allow indirect ownership of gold bullion, collecting fees to store and manage the precious metal. Other ETFs, including the VanEck Vectors Gold Miners (NYSEMKT:GDX) and the VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners (NYSEMKT:GDXJ), invest in companies that mine gold and other precious metals, and these companies tend to do better when gold prices are strong.

As you can see below, the performance so far in 2019 dramatically favors gold mining company stocks over gold bullion itself.

Data source: Ycharts. Chart by author.

It might seem odd that large-cap gold miners have done better than their small-cap counterparts. In many industries, smaller companies are nimbler and better able to respond to changing conditions. Yet even when bullion prices cooperate, small mining companies often have operational challenges that can jeopardize their long-term financial viability. Even over longer periods of time, the industry's giants have tended to see their stocks have stronger returns than small companies in the mining industry.

Many financial experts don't like physical gold as an investment, including most notably legendary investor Warren Buffett. But mining companies are businesses first and gold plays second, and well-run miners can produce profits that can in turn lead to solid investment performance.

See original here:
A Foolish Take: The Best Way to Invest in Gold - The Motley Fool