One big problem about becoming an IFA in Thailand and moving away from the well-known home in UK or Europe where it is freezing cold and wet is every brokerage seems to be the same.

Actually that’s not always the case, not only do we sell product; we also invent and market it through other brokers. So far this year we have created and sold several structured notes most of which have achieved their call early and none of which have lost customers money. So difference number one is in itself pretty cool.

Difference number 2 is everyone’s bug bear (names) no one ever gives you a list less than 5 years old which has already been worked by everyone in the office , well that’s also wrong We actively send name finders out to dig up none list names and give them to you. Maybe you like calling or maybe you want someone to do it for you, either way we pay much better levels of commission than anyone else as because we manufacture notes we have the power to pay

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We incubate and nurture our staff, obviously it takes effort to crack that first deal, but once it’s there well life is the crustacean of your choice.

Our owners and managers are all in the teens of years as veterans of the scene and can assist you in your endeavours.

Ok that’s me for today come and join us or maybe you enjoy being, cold, wet, underpaid and not appreciated.

To cennect with John and see about working at his consultancy alongside him contact Credenda

The economy is growing however weak and unstable we know it to be. US Congress seems to be stifling the world with it’s complacent attitude and willingness to do nothing at this time. So 2012 will not be a year of fantastic gains by any stretch of the imagination

It does however appear that we are finally climbing albeit weighed down with mud from the proverbial quagmire that is the recession. We wait to see if there is a double dip. Diversification and simple strategy seems the way forward if the best fiscal minds are to be believed.

The classic approach of exposure to varied asset classes (cash , bonds and stocks) are being adopted by the gurus. The mutual funds within the asset classes can reduce market risk. We also advise adding a little to each fund sector through EFT’s and Index funds which you trust the manager of and know he is a diligent fellow.

Certain defensive fund sectors do well in a downturn.

In UK for example sales of biscuits have soared seems Britons need the quick rush of sugar and beverages during cold gloomy winters especially in a depression. People are spending less and staying in more so household comforts remain a safe bet.

Utilities generally do well during bust times as people need to eat and keep their homes warm during their time indoors.

Health sectors, People on both sides of the Atlantic ageing fast as we start to see the bulk of the Baby boomers coming to retirement age, so medicines, pharmaceuticals and Medical equipment companies are safe bets.

Some Investors the ones who have a pre-disposed love of the gamble will go for Real Estate and technology this is a reasonable risk we feel people still like to own homes and companies like to own property ask Ray Krock whether he will go out renting!

How much is a safe bet? Well safety is the total portion of exposure to sector funds should be around 15% of your portfolio. stop watching Bloomberg for the timings and go for a safer long term and ride out the storm, patience is a virtue!

Going to college – Managing your finances and making it a financially favorable experience

As students are more prone to financial dangers, they must be extra watchful about their money when they’re in college. Have a look at the ways in which you can manage your monies and leave behind debt forever.

* Craft a realistic budget: It is necessary for a student to craft a realistic budget so that you get a clear picture of how much it may cost to live every month. If you’re not renting, you must be having a number of additional expenses and in order to rein in your finances, you must follow a frugal budget. Avoid all the unnecessary things so as to avoid running out of cash.
* Open a bank account and choose wisely: If you’re someone who is just starting off with your first year in college, it is mandatory that you open a savings account and get acquainted with the intricacies of saving money through a bank. Student accounts usually do not require transaction fees, such as ATM withdrawal fees.
* Be careful while handling credit: Credit cards are a convenient way to pay for goods that you can’t pay with cash. Though the plastics may seem to be a good way of buying the unattainable, yet you must also be aware that this can lead you to financial crisis. Credit cards are full of late fees, penalty fees, interest rates that are sky high. Instead of being overburdened with all such fees, it is always better to pay with cash.
* Tackle debt straightaway: If you find yourself drowning in debt, you must deal with it straightaway. Take help of debt consolidation options by taking out a debt consolidation loan and repaying all your creditors.

Is there any way for the parents to save money for their child’s college tuition?

Saving money for a child’s college tuition is an important goal for almost all parents as the unemployment rate is a big problem that bars them from meeting the high costs of college. Don’t give up if you’re a parent who is struggling to make payments for your ward’s education. Here are some ways to save money.

* Opt for college scholarships: It is always a good idea to apply for college scholarships as there are a number of colleges giving away money for the financially needy. If your child has good grades, you can certainly apply for a scholarship and help yourself economically.
* Go for a 529 college savings plan: A 529 plan is a savings plan that has been designed to boost money-savings habits of most children. There is a wide variety of investment options that may vary from state to state. Parents must easily evaluate the options that they get through a 529 savings plan.
* Prepaid college savings plan: The college savings plans allow parents to pay in the future for your ward’s education at the present prices. This form of prepayment may lead to huge discounts in future.

Ideally, it is possible to manage your personal finances even if you’re a college student. You have your future and you have to build it by staying away from debt. Maintain a good credit score by effective personal finance management. Help your parents save money and bridge the gap between the distressed finances and your education degree.

Steven Robert is a financial writer who has immense knowledge and interest on contributing his worthy articles on the current financial issues. he loves to help debtors reach effective solutions so that thet can improve their credit score. Some topics covered by him are the impact of the credit downgrade on the interest rates on debt consolidation loans, how to manage your personal finances in this tough economy and  saving and investment strategies. Steven Robert invites you to read and learn more about money savings and how to get out of debt by visiting:

www.debtconsolidationcare.com

Now there are approximately 70 offshore financial centres and if you choose to bank at any of these centres you could be deemed as having an offshore bank account.

Expatriates and those with business abroad, utilise offshore accounts as they have benefits of tax free investments and confidentiality.  Dealing in multi currencies and with many companies from different countries would certainly see a benefit from Offshore banking when many of the larger institutions that offer offshore banking are not restricted to time zones, not to mention more cost effective access to your money when traveling. People who have bought Villas or Condos overseas will certainly see the need.

Most high Street brand will have operations overseas because offshore banking is big business and what they can do with your money as soon as closing time to the public is concerned will astound you. After closing time it’s not really your money! There will be many other banks that will operate offshore but they will be mainly high cost to get in, but yielding much better returns with more risk! Again the most important question for anyone who is working, investing, or traveling overseas is what government protection does this bank have, as in, if the bank itself went ‘belly up’ and God knows this is not unusual any more, how much will the government of that country step in and save your money!

As an expat you should not keep all your hard earned in the bank of the country you are residing as any country especially third world or developing nations can turn at the first or the last Coup.

Privacy and confidentiality make up a large reason why high net worth individuals have their portfolios in offshore havens. Consider the cost of any country to go after and find the funds of all expats worldwide and then bring about actions and claims and then try to change the system to get more tax of expats from their countries, it will be a mind blowing and an unfeasibly expensive task, and decent Financial advisors will be ahead or at least always abreast with Government legislation so that any changes needed to protect their clients wealth will already be plotted!

That being said with all the benefits for travellers, SME’s, property owners it is still surprising the majority have not ‘cottoned on’ to the offshore/International bank, and many are missing out on huge tax savings because  many feel, unfoundedly that it is too expensive, sure if you have a couple of million dollars to invest you will pay hefty fees in the private houses and Investors offshore and receive maximum returns per se your risk factor, but a standard International bank account is open to the likes of the ordinary person!

The main difference between an International Bank account and an offshore one is mainly confidentiality, Your High street bank will help you if you are going abroad with little fuss or fees and total disclosure to the tax man. The International accounts will let you use ATM’s abroad without bankrupting you and you will have access to internet banking to pay all your bills in your birth country and your living country, even though you are earning in a different currency. International bank’s interest rates are laughable though, so you will not want to dump a load of cash in their first, you should try to keep this account ‘lean’ and use any facilities your bank has to dump any excess into higher earning, tax free accounts. But investing chunks of cash for maximum interest rates and investment opportunities will cost you for that privacy with on-going management fees for access to their top minds and top returns!

This is really about as hard as it gets imagine it like this; say in the UK you have a current account and a bond/ISA or any higher interest earning account, you put the excess left in your current account after all your spends in the savings account, same offshore, except the more you pay for your ‘super offshore’ savings account and the more advice you take, or at least learn about, the more tax free cash you will make! Any decent IFA will help you manage this is very safe funds like the Isle of Man!

 Contact us for free advice on costs for setting up International bank accounts and offshore tax free savings!

Wealthy people

73% of those surveyed in Skandia’s recent survey took advice from:

52% relying on a Independant Financial advisor
20% Using Stockbrokers
14% employing Wealth managers

Just ten percent used ‘Tied in Advisors’ (Those who can only give advice on their own products) and Accountants did well with a 34% share. Banks advice was used by around 27%

31% of millionaires took their advice from daily press and Online methods.

Whilst it can be said men don’t like asking for directions on the road, it is surprising that when it comes to their wealth they are 10% more likely than woman to ask. Men however trust the media more than face to face, wheras woman tend to see the Bank manager as more trustworthy as 44% of woman sought the advice of a High Street Bank.

Risk factor to Investing

Skandia’s survey of the rich found that many were paying more attention to risk factors when it came to their wealth with 2/3 rds basing their entire estate on it and 40% of them admiting their risk was around 7 out of ten. The excitement of the quick gain when playing with a lot of money is an adrenaline rush to many super rich. The average person of decent wealth will strive to keep growing and has a reasonable understanding on not risking it all.

Western credit crunch

Asians are reviewing their financial portfolio more often than Westeners, with the majority of Asians personally reviewing new investments themselves rather than trusting an advisor, the whole attitude towards money for Asians is more self governing and pro active and a genral feeling of control over their money compared to 48% of Americans.

Pensions though are very much a mine field to Asians with the vast majority 76% feeling that they may not have enough to have the same life they have now when they retire.

Aviva were delighted with the response and are taking steps to see how they can help clients with pension queries.

This survey coincides with the recent figures by the UK government on unemployment figures and over 1 million under 21 year olds clainming Job seekers allowance.This year aslo marks the start of the first baby boomers (people born 1945-64) to retire with a huge crescendo of retirees in 2015 across both sides of the Atlantic.

The BRIC (Brazil,, Russi,a India China) zone is still showing promise. Brazil is still finding and mining huge amounts of Iron ore and sugar Brazil plans to increase port investments for the next 2011-2014 growth program, he said. Some of the projects in the current four-year programs will also be rolled over to next year.

iron ore demand

The country will spend 700 million reais to prepare ports of seven cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Salvador, to receive cruise ships ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

India still have the best Young IT skills and a vast resource of young people.

Skandia/Concept Group Aurora Quantum (Who came together to offer this product) tell us that because of competition for QROPS set up costs and fees, they dropped the prices to be more competitive. New charges for the product are a set-up fee of £645 and annual administration charge of £845. Both were previously £995.

Old Mutual a South African giant bought Skandia just over a year ago and kept the name. Tighter cost controls have returned dividends for the company. They boast they are now one of the largest fund managers as their funds have grown 14% to over 16 billion GBP.

Roger Berry, managing director for Concept Group, said: “By refining our new business processes further and forging strong relationships with key UK pension providers, we have been able to identify further efficiencies and are pleased to be able to pass this benefit on to our new customers.”

How are your QROPS? is it working for you, have you seen a share of this 16 billion? Are your shares returning you 14%? Did the administration cost dropping affect you at all? Let us know

Not to say all financial advisors are un ethical many are not but there are just far too many ex washing machine salesman posing as Independant Financial Advisors whom do not always act in the very best interest of the client and make a killing on the non indemnified Commissions (up front money from the big institutions) I mean I speak from experience as I was an IFA and I did try to give the best advice I could but what did I know about finance I learned in a weeks long sales presentation course in Budapest Hungary. I wanted to do the right thing but was led by the bosses of Financial firms in Thailand who are out to make a fast buck.

Unethical financial advisors

So this website will be all about the best and the worst financial advisors from Thailand and elsewhere send me your stories at alan@netmediathailand.com