Published at December 20, 2006
in Finance.
A woman I know asked my opinion about this topic, and I think this article sums up one good route (even though it is from the UK).
COPYRIGHT 2003 Financial Times Ltd.
(From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK))
I Wish to invest for my grandchildren’s future. I have read about the use of trusts, but am concerned they are complex to set up and incur high running costs. Could you please give me some guidance? - PB, by e-mail Ron Cameron, Ernst and Young Financial Management’s regional manager for Aberdeen, said: The use of trusts for gifting is certainly a good idea. However, you must be aware that as soon as you have made the gift into the trust, you have given up any right to get access to the capital for your personal use or to any income or gains thereafter.
Continue reading ‘Investing for your grandchildren’
I have paid some attention to this project as it relates to the overall “urban renewal” Houston has seen in the last decade. I wish Mr. Lowe were a native Houstonian, but we can claim him anyway.
As someone who grew up in the “inner-city” in Houston, I have always appreciated the sense of community that made many parts of Houston feel like a small town in a sense. I was very intrigued when the Harris County Heritage Society added an early 20th century row house to its collection, and it is very satisfying to read that this part of Houston’s heritage is getting so much positive attention.
project row houses
While perusing the catalogue for an upcoming 20th century design sale at Sotheby’s, I came across a lovely table by Israeli-born British designer/architect, Ron Arad.
Unfortunately, I am not in the market for a $100,000 table… lovely though it may be.
Fortunately, IKEA always seems to come through…
The Arad table reminded me of a table I had looked at for a back room at home. I think it could be kinda cute, and the price is right.
Ikea Table Top
In true IKEA fashion, you can choose from a variety of different legs.
So I guess all this has a point…
What intriques me about my thought process is that somehow I want the IKEA table more after seeing the Arad table. Did I need some sort of justification? Am I reassured that it is tasteful because it was likely inspired by high style design? Most importantly… does this make me a sheep? Just kidding.. I am pretty sure I’m not one… usually.
I guess this is just another subtle variety of social proof or something, but regardless…
I may just have to get that silly little IKEA table now.
My friend sent me this article a while back. It is worth a read!
Insightful and a little funny…
This Very, Very Old House
Of course I had to look up real estate bubble on wikipedia…
Nothing about Florida there, but it does reference “United States Housing Bubble,” and Florida is listed second after California… so I was close 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_housing_bubble
I read an article in the NY Times today about a real estate auction in Florida. Now… Florida is NOT Texas, and one could look up “real estate bubble” in the encyclopedia and probably find Florida property used as the first example (for the US anyway). However, I think the same general trend is on our way, but when? The auction model for selling real estate has always intrigued me, and I have previewed several, but only attended one. The auction I went to was at the height of the pre-9/11 New York housing boom, and I went thinking I’d get a good deal.
It was not my day. This auction in Florida was more along the lines of what I was looking for and partially expecting, but possibly not to such a great extent.
I have been waiting with ambivalence for a similar trend in Houston. Houston has fortunately not had quite the irrational climb in real estate prices that other US cities have had, so I don’t expect quite as painful a crash either. If we keep cash on hand will we be able to pick up an enormous townhouse in the Museum District for $80K like in the 80s? Ok.. so adjust for inflation…. Will wee see entire street blocks foreclosed in the suburbs like we did in the 80s? Should investors start getting their cash together? I remember these quite vividly from my youth spent tagging along with my realtor mother.
Hmm… I for one want a swank townhouse at an enormous discount if it happens.
The article: What Statistics on Home Sales Aren’t Saying
I suppose this could have advantages, but I fear I may be next…
NYC health board bans trans fats at restaurants
Some industry representatives were not happy. E. Charles Hunt, executive vice president of the New York State Restaurant Association, said the city had overstepped its authority by ordering restaurants to abandon an ingredient permitted by the FDA.
“This is a legal product,” he said. “They’re headed down a slippery slope here.”
I have to agree here. I know I shouldn’t eat crap, but I am not sure I need legislation to “protect” me… or maybe I do…
