Author Archives: admin
HSBC Refusing to Let Customers Withdraw Money?
A few people got hot under the collar last week when the BBC published an article saying that HSBC is not honoring withdrawals unless the customer gives a good reason for wanting the money. In some cases tellers were refusing … Continue reading
Weekly Roundup 001
It’s been a mixed week: some small victories, one big setback but I’m not conceding defeat. Shares I have been sitting on a small profit and noticed that one company I hold, a gold miner, was close to $1.00. … Continue reading
Gold is Malleable
A Japanese craftsman can beat an ounce of gold into a sheet thin enough for light to pass through and covering an area of nine square meters. It is not possible to do this with any other metal. Gold … Continue reading
Context Adds Value 01
British artist Banksy’s work normally sells for over $200,000. How many would you buy if you could have forty for $60 each? A lot of New Yorkers and tourists to New York were given that opportunity when the artist set … Continue reading
Work and Slavery
In Brazilian law, slavery not only include forcing people to work against their will for little or no money. It includes failing to provide them with a safe and decent working environment. This broad definition has lead many employers with … Continue reading
Street Smarts by Jim Rogers: a Review
Jim Rogers is well known as a commentator who often appears on TV money programs, so his financial views are well known. He is also a highly successful investor, having been a partner of George Soros at one point. As … Continue reading
Why Selling is Harder than Buying
(1100 words) Selling well is equally as important as buying well, possibly more so. But selling causes far more anxiety than buying. These are my notes from an essay by Donald L. Cassidy “Why it is so Difficult to Sell” … Continue reading
Don’t Drive to Work, Save $5,500
Research by Southern Cross University shows the average savings from leaving your car at home and taking public transport to work amount to $5,500 per year for Australian drivers. This amount is higher in Sydney and Perth, where drivers could … Continue reading
In the Name of Rome – Review
970 words I read Adrian Goldsworthy’s biography of Caesar a while ago and was impressed by his writing style and the type of information he conveyed. So I chose another of his books for some holiday reading. I’m reviewing it … Continue reading
Why the Poor Don’t Use Banks
Payday loan and check cashing companies have a bad reputation in the media. When I read a report on them they are usually described as predators, loan sharks and opportunists. Considering the high fees they charge, it has often puzzled … Continue reading