Saturday, November 24, 2007

Thailand Land Banking





What is Land Banking?

Land Banking (land investment) is the practice of acquiring land and holding it for future use.

Historically, countless fortunes have been made in Land Banking by individuals who understood the concept of buying and holding pre-developed land in the path of growth. They did nothing more than buy and hold land in growing regions. Imagine buying land on the outskirts of London, New York, Tokyo at prices 50 years ago and what it is worth today.

World Famous Land Bankers
Worldwide famous personalities have made fortunes by investing this way. For example; Rockefellers, Donald Trump, Richard Branson, Howard Hughes, Walt Disney, Li Ka-Shing, Mori family (Mori Trust) to name but a few.

Good Timing for Land Banking
So when is the best time to invest? Invest while prices are still affordable, where there's room for growth, and where the potential for profit is greater. This is buying land at the pre-developed stage. One could compare purchasing land at the pre-developed stage to purchasing at wholesale, while purchasing land at the developed stage to purchasing at retail.

Land banking is timeless. The power of land is universal. The pressure of an exploding population on unimproved land places the owner of that land in an enviable profit-making position that will never again exist. Once the land is improved, the original opportunity is gone.


Why Thailand?

As a fast growing, emerging economy, Thailand offers huge growth opportunities in land investment, which had been previously only available to wealthy Thai nationals. With Royal Siamfs help, non-Thais can now take part in this highly lucrative growth area. Thailand also offers many attractive reasons to vacation and even relocate there.

The cost of land although rising at a fast pace is still inexpensive in comparison to most other countries. This, combined with low construction costs makes real estate in Thailand very attractive. Fastest economy to emerge from the Asian financial crisis in 1997.

More money has been made through the ownership and development of land than through all other investments combined, more than all the stocks and bonds ever created or all the gold and silver ever mined. Consistently delivering solid investment opportunities that provide significant returns, we committed to providing top quality land investment opportunities to all our clients.

+++ Facts about Thailand +++

Under valued currency

Fast growing, emerging market, economy

Currently the No.1 vacation destination for Europeans outside of Europe.

The fastest growing retirement destination in Asia, popular among nationals all over the world.

International experts rank Thailand as the World's 4th Foreign Direct Investment Destination and among the top 3 in Asia.


Are you interested to Invest, Please call me at : 012-3900718 or email me : sean@oscarwealth.com

The Most Intriguing Billionaire Heiresses



It used to be heiresses just lunched, shopped and partied. Don't tell the $20 billion babies on Forbes' list of the 20 Most Intriguing Billionaire Heiresses, who defy the stereotype of the bon-bon popping princess thanks to achievements in business, sports and the arts.

Though society and gossip columns track them like Hollywood starlets, these women distinguish themselves by exhibiting the tenacity and risk-taking that makes their parents the most powerful people on Earth. Not all are success stories -- it may take a lifetime for these women to match their parents' legacies.

Forbes editors -- our very own "wealth experts" -- compiled the list. Under 40 and hailing from around the world, the heiresses are ranked according to their father's or mother's most recent net worth on either Forbes' World's Billionaires list, the Forbes 400 list of the Richest Americans or Forbes Asia's 40 Richest Indians.

Vanisha Mittal tops the ranking. Daughter of Indian-born, London-based steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, Forbes estimates his net worth at $51 billion. Like her brother, Vanisha is active in her father's industrial empire, holding a seat on Mittal Steel's board after interning in the business. She's perhaps best known -- dare we say infamous -- for the $60 million wedding her father threw her and 1,000 of their closest friends in 2005. A performance by pop star Kylie Minogue capped the week-long Parisian affair.

Number two on the list: Delphine Arnault Gancia, daughter of France's Bernard Arnault ($26 billion), who runs the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton luxury goods empire. The former McKinsey consultant is the first woman to have been named a director on the LVMH board. At No. 3 is Marta Ortega Perez, the youngest child of Spain's richest resident, Amancio Ortega ($24 billion), the self-made apparel manufacturing giant who lords over Inditex, which counts the Zara fashion chain among its assets. Marta is being groomed to succeed her father, and she's learning the how-to's of retail by working the floor -- stocking shelves, assisting customers -- in some of the family's stores.

Hind Hariri, the youngest child of construction tycoon-turned Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, also makes it. Slain in 2005 in a car bombing, his children split the fortune, crowning Hind, albeit briefly, the youngest person listed on Forbes' World's Billionaires list in 2006 with a fortune of $1.4 billion. Despite the tragic circumstances of her father's death, Hind graduated last year from the Lebanese American University in Beirut undeterred from politics. She campaigned for her brother Saad in his recent successful bid for a seat in Lebanon's Parliament.

Two heiresses on the list are vying for spots on America's 2008 Olympic team for show jumping. Both Georgina Bloomberg, daughter of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg ($11.5 billion), and Paige Johnson, daughter of Black Entertainment Television founders Robert ($1 billion) and Sheila Johnson, are world- class equestrians with scores of championships under their respective belts.

Several socialites also make the list. Allison Sarofim, daughter of Houston investor Fayez Shalaby Sarofim, is a classically trained chef and sometime actress. The so-called "Downtown Doyenne" transformed her townhouse in Manhattan's West Village into a pseudo-salon for her legendary soirees (slumber parties in her basement, burgers and champagne inside a Moroccan tent erected in her attic). Anna Getty, niece of Gordon Getty and stepdaughter of John Paul Getty III, is a former actress turned yoga guru. She now runs PureStyle Living, purveyors of instructional yoga DVDs and other eco-friendly gear.

Equally accessible: Josie Ho Chiu Yi, daughter of one of Hong Kong's richest men, Stanley Ho ($7 billion). Josie Ho, as she's known to fans, is an indie rocker with several films and commercials to her credit. She even dishes on the often-unglamorous details of her gigs on her blog, JosieHo.com.

Anna Anisimova, daughter of Russian metals mogul Vassily Anisimov ($2 billion), is the paparazzi's favorite bicoastal It Girl of the moment. Her knockout looks help, but her dealmaking really generates the ink. In 2005 she debuted in Manhattan's clubby real estate scene, shelling out $23 million to buy Diane Von Furstenberg's downtown Manhattan headquarters. Most recently, the former model paid $15 million for her 4,000-square-foot pad in the new Time Warner Center.

Friday, October 5, 2007

马来西亚的一棵树引发了中国方便面涨价?

众所周知,马来西亚是棕榈油世界第一大生产国和出口国,中国是马来西亚棕榈油的第一大进口国。据方便面业内人士称,占据方便面成本18%的棕榈油,从去年均价人民币4200元/吨,猛增到现在的人民币8000元/吨,仅此一项,方便面成本即增高11.12%。

事实上,影响棕榈油价格的因素极其复杂,除了受到主产国产量、库存及出口量的影响,其价格还受到了期货交易的影响。另外,石油价格暴涨还使生物燃料概念一再提上工业化生产议程,棕榈油成为各方追捧的宠儿,油价起起落落使生物燃料的比价效应也起起落落。 中国油脂加工企业在价格大幅涨落中最有效的价格风险控制办法是,套期保值。在去年甚至更早的时候有关中国应推出棕榈油期货合约的提法就有了,意在为相关企业提供有效的风险对冲工具,并与大马交易所棕榈油期货市场相呼应,形成世界棕榈油市场新格局。而就在各方对此观望徘徊之际,棕榈油价格已经瞬息万变。

Monday, August 13, 2007

What is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is one of the most important steps any person can take to make sure that their final property and health care wishes are honored, and that loved ones are provided for in their absence. Though often overlooked or put off in favor of more immediate concerns, a comprehensive estate plan can resolve a number of legal questions that arise whenever anyone dies: What is the state of their financial affairs? What real and personal property do they own? Who gets what? Does a personal guardian need to be appointed to care for minor children? How much tax will need to be paid in order to transfer property ownership? What funeral arrangements are appropriate?

What is an "Estate"?

Your "estate" consists of all property owned by you at the time of your death, including:

* Real estate
* Bank accounts
* Stocks and other securities,
* Life insurance policies,
* Personal property such as automobiles, jewelry, and artwork.

How Can an Estate Plan Help?

Regardless of your age, or the size and complexity of your estate, an estate plan can accomplish the following:

* Identify the family members and other loved ones that you wish to receive your property after your death.
* Ensure that your property will be transferred to those you have identified, as quickly and with as few legal hurdles as possible.
* Minimize the amount of taxes that will need to be paid in order for your property to pass to others after your death.
* Avoid the time and costs associated with the probate process by utilizing estate planning devices like living trusts and "payable on death" bank accounts.
* Dictate the kinds of life-prolonging medical care you wish to receive should you be unable to make your wishes known when the time comes.
* Set forth the kind of funeral arrangements you would like, and how related expenses are to be paid.

Sunday, February 4, 2007

New Superior Wealth -- Asia Largest Gold Investment of 2007




"Asia's Largest Gold Mine"

Why?

Because there’s an estimated 22,000 TONS of gold lying beneath Chinese soil, according to the Xinhua News Agency (China’s biggest news source). That’s worth about $445 BILLION in today’s gold prices.


Can you imagine how valuable this land is? Enough gold to supply the world for the next 25 years… and potentially billions of dollars of gold still left to be discovered.

It’s easy to see why every gold company on the planet wants a piece of this untapped gold heaven…

As The Star (one of Asia’s biggest newspapers) reports: “Many parts of the country have gold reserves worth billions of dollars.”

Let me show you how to get started…
A Bull Market in Gold 'Til 2020

I believe these are the dawning days of a 20-year bull market in commodities and precious metals.

Already, gold prices have more than doubled since 2001.

And they’re likely to soar much higher.

You see, markets for resources – like everything else – run in periodic and predictable cycles.

The 20th century experienced 3 commodities bull markets:

* 1906—1922
* 1933—1953
* 1968—1982

The shortest of these bull markets lasted 14 years and the longest lasted 23 years.

The one we’re in now began in 2000. Historically speaking, we have at least until 2014 before this bull market expires. In my professional opinion, I think it’ll last until 2020.

Are you ready to invest? Contact me at 012-3900718 or email me at sean@oscarwealth.com

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

浅谈个人理财(下篇)- 退休计划、遗产规划




了解了如何通过购买保险去保障个人财富及与我们息息相关的税务筹划后,这一期就谈谈人生最重要的退休计划和遗产规划。

F.退休计划
在夏威夷的沙滩上晒太阳、游走在巴黎的街头,并在高级的意大利餐厅吃晚餐。如此写意的退休生活,又有多少个人可以实现呢?一个人工作了几十年,到了退休年龄,收入停止,支出却没有停过。如果没有及早规划退休生活,通货膨胀就会慢慢侵蚀掉你的退休金和资产,没过多少年,你就陷入经济困境中。

因此,越早规划退休生活,退休生活就越轻松。个人除了依靠退休金,也应该在年轻时就开始储蓄或投资。此外,退休计划不是简单地在退休前储蓄一笔钱就能解决,而是要确保几时退休?需要多少退休金?这些决定将取决于以下因素:
- 年龄和平均寿命
- 婚姻状况(单身或已婚)
- 计划退休年龄
- 资产状况(包括退休金、投资、房地产收入等等)
- 开支计划(包括衣食住行、医疗保健)
- 退休后的工作计划(全职或兼职)

一个人到了退休年龄,健康就显得很重要,所以医疗保险和人寿保险等保险都不容忽视。面对变化迅速的经济形态,你准备好了退休计划吗?

G.遗产规划
工作忙忙碌碌,转眼间,就到了中年时刻,以前拼命赚钱现在则理智地将你的资产分配给心爱的人。为了不让辛苦累积的遗产落入不属之人或政府机构,你应该及早规划遗嘱。遗产规划包含遗嘱信托,即立遗嘱人把遗产的管理、分配和给付等,写在遗嘱中。遗嘱信托除了有最佳传承效应外,亦有为子女选择监护人、避免因为争夺个人财产而引起的家庭纠纷等作用。

或许你会认为自己的遗产很少,不需要立遗嘱。但你的身价可能比你想象的高,或家庭成员对你遗留下的物件有很深厚的感情,而引起了争夺的问题。此外,你也不能如电视剧情般自立遗嘱,因为“自制”的遗嘱通常没有法律保障,让别人有机会与你的家人争夺财产,最好是找寻专业的遗嘱专员、律师或理财规划师等,以万无一失。
有效的遗嘱信托具备以下功能:
- 将财产顺利地传给继承人,和确保每位继承人可获得多少遗产。
- 具有法律约束力,公平地清算和分配遗产,减少纷争。
- 确保幼小或智力有问题的子女得到更好的监护与照顾。

此外,遗产规划中的寿险将确保遗产中的现金是足以应付处置费如葬礼费、遗嘱费和偿还未还清的债务等等,以免立遗嘱人的家人陷入经济困境或遗产被变卖。因此,及早规划遗嘱,并定期检查遗嘱符合最新的要求,是每个人对身边的人所做出的一小贡献。

以上《浅谈个人理财》篇只是简单地介绍个人财务规划中的七个主要范畴,详细内容敬请留意一系列的《理财天下》。

浅谈个人理财(中篇)- 个人风险管理和保险规划、个人税务筹划




在上一期的浅谈个人理财中,列举了投资计划、居住规划和教育投资计划。这一期继续看看如何进行个人风险管理和保险规划与如何筹划个人税务。

D.个人风险管理和保险规划
人生在世,难免会有无法预测的事情发生。一个人除了经历生老病死,也可能遭遇天灾人祸或其他状况,这些状况都可能损害个人的经济,甚至使整个家庭陷入困境中。因此,保险就是为了保障我们在遇到危险时,将其风险降到最低。

试想想,如果你一个月存100令吉当医疗的紧急费用,一年就只能存1千200百令吉,但是如果集合100个人的力量,一年就有12万,这就是保险 “人人为我,我为人人”的理念,即让100个人来共同承担你遭遇的风险。

保险的种类以财产保险、人寿保险和责任保险为主。财务规划师会根据客户的经济状况和保险需求,帮他们选择合适的保险。此外,客户应该留意投保的期限和金额是否符合其经济状况,以免影响了他可动用的现金流量。

E.个人税务筹划
吉隆坡到槟城:RM0.99。对于这个超低的飞机票,谁都无法抗拒吧?但是别忘记,这个价钱可能还没有包括税务、行政等其他费用。其实从我们一开始工作、出外用餐,甚至买外国名牌货,都逃不了要缴税。

纳税的主要目的其实是要人民共同分担政府的部分责任,政府则提供公共服务给纳税人,其中包括了国防、警察和消防、道路维修、学校等服务,并检查食品、药物等产品的安全性。但是,在面对众多的税项时,纳税人出于自身利益的考量,都希望充分利用税法中的优惠条款,合理地将税负减到最小。

因此,在个人理财规划中,就要包括了税务的筹划,并确保以下事项:
- 了解最新税收法律和规章制度
- 保留完整的税收记录
- 充分利用税收优惠政策(可以从收入中扣除的费用,如双亲医疗费、保险费等)
- 递延纳税时间(包括加速累积费用的扣除)
- 缩小计税依据(包括扩大税前可扣除的范围)

消费者必须小心个人税务筹划所面临的法律风险。你必须熟悉税法的相关规定,分析自身的财务状况、风险态度与纳税历史情况后,才签订个人税务筹划协议。

浅谈个人理财(上篇)- 投资计划、居住规划、教育投资计划




大部分人都埋怨在扣除基本开销后,已没有多余的钱储蓄或投资。要如何妥善地处理自己的财富?恐怕现在就要开始理一理自己的财务。我们可以选择自己制定财务规划或找财务规划师代劳,重点是该财务规划是最贴切自己的财务状况和理财目标。财务规划涉及了生活的多个层面,基本上包含了以下内容:投资计划、居住规划、教育投资计划、个人风险管理和保险规划、个人税务筹划、退休计划和遗产规划等。

A.投资计划
很多人都说:“薪水这么少,哪里还有多余钱进行投资?”。因此,投资也可以被理解为消费者放弃部分消费,而选择购买投资工具,以赚取报酬(收益)。虽然钱赚得不多,但是个人依然可以采取先储蓄(每个月规定投资500令吉),后消费(缴付账单等)的习惯,这样有助于减少不必要的开销。

不过,投资工具如股票和债券的回酬有一定的风险,现在投入的资金是确定的(例如每月投资500令吉),未来的收益却是不确定的(可能亏损或获利)。所以,在投资之前,消费者必须确保自己的财务和负债情况,其中包括了:
(一)先偿还信用卡贷款、车子、屋子和教育等贷款;
(二)预留未来必须支付的大额开销,例如保险费、教育费、旅行费等;
(三)预留紧急储备金以备不时之需。

在选择投资品种时,财务规划师会根据客户的风险承受度和投资回报率的要求,去拟定投资组合,以达致更好的风险与投资效应。

B.居住规划
很多外地人到了吉隆坡工作,都要花钱租房或买屋子。由于租房或买屋子之间决定了“你帮别人供屋子或自己供屋子”,两者所需要的资金和收益也不同。因此,在决定租房或买屋子之前,当事人必须考量自己的经济能力和收入状况,以决定购买屋子的类型、地点和投资计划等等。

此外,住房或房地产具有抗通货膨胀、风险适中等优点,除了供人居住外,也适合用于长期的投资。投资者通过出租住宅和房地产赚取租金,或通过转售获取收益。因此,居住规划还包括了租房、购房、换房房贷和投资房产方面的规划。这些规划将影响个人的资产负债与现金流的状况。由于房地产的买卖涉及庞大的资金,也不容易和其他投资工具如股票般容易出售,所以消费者在选择从事这高资金的投资时,必须留意相关法律和各种影响房地产价格的因素。
C.教育投资计划
所谓“再穷不能穷教育”,可见在知识型的社会里,教育越来越重要。在制定教育规划前,父母必须考量孩子的人数、孩子的年龄、学院和科系的选择、出国或本地深造等等,以确定所需要的教育经费。此外,父母必须清楚自身的财务状况和预期的收入状况,以判断个人储蓄是否足以应付孩子的学费。如果不能,家长就要想办法增加自己的收入、储蓄在某一个教育基金或通过投资去让资金增值。

除了储蓄和投资策略,家长和学生也应多留意政府或私人机构所发出的奖贷学金和助学金等等。其中包括了政府的贷学金PTPTN、各银行所提供的奖贷学金等等,这些咨询都可以从各大报章、网站、教育杂志中获得。各机构所发出的条件、偿还期限和利息也不同,因此要多加比较。如果情况允许,家长应避免动用公积金来支付教育费,所以越早规