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Investing to maintain and grow ones wealth is perhaps given more attention of late.  With society getting more affluent and better knowledge and ease of dissemination via electronic means have seen this sector grown tremendously over the last few years.

However, with the financial meltdown and economic crisis around the world today, has held back and to some extent given such aspect a bad name. As many people have now seen their hard earned savings/assets diminished in value arising from the diminished value if they have not yet become worthless.

One particular investment that I ventured into about 4 years ago, and that I have reaped the reward, is land banking which was then new to my country.  And here I would like to share my pleasant encounter with you.

Back in 2004, when I attended a seminar on the potential of Land banking, I was totally sold into the concept and saw the great potential.  However, after checking around, I find that people around you tend to be very cautious and risk averse and strong discourage for the high risk.

I started off with an investment of Canadian 43,500, by putting an upfront sum of Can 15K with the balance 28.5K from  a loan at an interest rate of  12%.  The investment is for the purchase of an undivided share for a piece of 1 acre land in Canada, and is supposed to be for a tenure of  6-7 years to reap the return.  Fortunately, after 2 years into it, there was a lucrative offer and the investment was sold.

In total, I had managed to receive back Can  65,258K  and thus giving me an annual return of  20 plus percentage which is quite good.  There is of course the foreign exchange risk and exposure.  In my case, when I first invested, the exchange rate was 2.8 Rinngit to 1 Canadian dollar.  When I cashed out, it was about 3.1 Ringgit to 1 Canadian dollar, which means that my profit and gains are well in excess of the ROI.  So if anyone of you out there who thinks that land banking is a scam,  I can tell you that there are genuine ones that offer good investment opportunities and return.

Since then, I have seen a couple more of the other Land Banking being launched in the country.  I must say that one has to be careful in checking the background of the company to ensure that they are reputable and stable and to match to one’s appetite for risk.  One must view this investment in the longer term.   And till to-date,  I still have confident in this added form of investment.

Posted by

Ivan

Posted by Ivan

My attention was caught by the Forbes Asia March 24, 2008 issue with the cover page title starring out “1,125 Billionaires”. Flipping through it immediately gave me the names of the Top 20 richest people in the world, wanna know who they are? I am sure you would like to find out. New faces to this year’s leagure included 3 Russians and 1 Indian. Success in life at most times are equated to riches at least to many people. How much can one amass over the years, it makes one wonders. While many would argue as to riches as an indicator that is key to such measurement of success, one cannot deny the fact that riches do come hand in hand with success in life.

Forbes has kept the world informed of those that have really made it to the Billionaires club. In the latest Forbes Billionaires 2008, some interesting facts do come up;

- Bill Gates ceded the title of richest to his friend Warren Buffett, after several years in the position
- People from other parts of the world is fast catching up
- Number of billionaires kept increasing and now exceeded 1000 with 226 new comers
- People making to the list now is inceasingly coming from the younger age group. 50 of the billionaires are under the age of 40
- Average age of billionaire is 61 down from 62 the previous years. This has been dropping with more younger age making to the club
- Top 20 richest, previous years dominated by the Americans are now seeing Russian and Indian making to the list
- 2 years ago, half the top 20 billionaires were from the U.S. Now there are only 4. India and Russia now also have 4 each
- One in six billionaires are resident of Moscow, New York or Hong Kong
- The Asian are fast catchng up

With such riches, it must be mind boggling, what to do with so much of wealth and one wonders how the rich lives out their lifestyle. It made my mind run wild that wealth created and in control at the hands of those few people who have the well-being of the world and its people at heart, can do so much. And many of the richest have indeed, led and played their part in this area. I am just hoping that these people will continue to be blessed with much good fortune and lead a healthy and lengthy life, so that whatever goodness they are doing, will continue and expand in the years to come.

Many would frown on such degree of wealth, but come to think of it, what’s wrong with it. It is only a means to something and so long as one has within his heart the spirit to share with the rest in need, and for the good cause. How I wish I can have ability and start imagining the good that I can bring to this world.

Find out the Top 20 Billionaires of the World by clicking at http://www.forbes.com

Where do you think the richest hangout, wanna know a bit of their lifestyle. Check this out at http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/30/billionaires-london-moscow-biz-billies-cz_cv_0430billiecities.html

Yours truly,
Ivan

Feel free to share your feedback on the topic by clicking the Comment below.

Posted by Ivan

Recently, my youngest son was lucky enough to be accepted into the LSE , London to pursue a 3 years degree course. Am I must say that in hindsight, I am thankful that I had unknowingly plan and prepare well to be able to afford the exorbitant cost of sustaining a kid for an overseas course. Some 30 years back, whoever has heard and thought about financial planning and financial freedom.

Back then, I remember that there are only a limited number of higher institutions. But today, there are a long list of so-called universities etc. As a parent, I would say that there are of course a lot more opportunities given that one has the financial resources, for local institutions or twinning programs.

So for young married couples out there with kids that are on their way to higher learnings in many years to come, adequate and sound financial planning is essential. At the fundamental level, there must be initial savings, excess that can be put aside to invest.

I am sure many would say that there is already insufficient to spend, so where to say. My own experiences and my advice to many is that we must start by keeping some savings. And no matter how difficult, one can also try to force himself to say for initial duration. Only when there is such savings, can this amount be applied to investment to grow.

Of late, financial planning has taken on a prominent role in the society, and a good knowledge of the principle behind financial planning is essential for one to making wise decision on such matter. People has been talking about financial freedom and many have offered many steps by steps to achieving financial freedom. Recently, I came upon to read an article that talk about the 5 elements to achieve financial freedom. From it, I can see that the above subject while it applies to all, each has a different perspective dependent on the circumstances one is when and what one wish to achieve out of it. Something that requires a self-reflection of his circumstances, his capability, lifestyle, the economy, his needs and objectives. In it, the expert calls for the application of the following 5 elements to one’s life;

a) Spending - inversely related to our ability to achieve financial freedom
b) Inflation – an important element to determining the purchasing power that one needs to
maintained
c) Return on Investment (ROI) – the lower the ROI required, the easier to achieve the objective
d) Time - it is not just only the amount that one talks about, but the timing of when and how the
funding is required, and last but not least
e) Saving – the more one can save the better and easier to achieve the target objective, a direct
impact to the financial freedom.

So it make sense for one to first reflect on his own circumstances before embarking on the route to achieving his financial freedom.

Find out More >>5 elements to achieve financial freedom” by Yap Ming Hui-NST(5/10/08)

Yours truly,
Ivan

:Feel free to share your feedback on the topic by clicking the Comment below.