"Not bad if you bought the car off the showroom floor and stored it all these years," one reporter suggested. But is it? As an investment would buying one of these cars and then later trading them prove to be a sound move?

Sure. If you take the $680K and run the figures you're returning more than 14%pa while the $525K price still exceeded 13%pa. Not bad investments in anybody's language.

But, the problem with a car investment is that they can't just be stored. They need to be maintained, serviced, and insured. And all this costs money, money that comes out of the investment value. Do these costs actually have a relevant impact on the value?

If we took just the insurance component over the 36 years (based on 2.5% of the cars value) it would cost nearly $100k. Subtract that from the bottom line you would still make a decent 12.9%pa. Providing you stored the car well, ie. drained the oil and fuel tanks, removed the battery and jacked the car on blocks your return can be fairly decent.

Therefore, one would expect that you could make money selling cars of this type.

But what does the future hold for an investment in a car? As scientists shape our driving future on solar technology, bio-fuels and electricity will the craze for such an investment be the same in another 36 years. Will fossil fuel be available to run it if you so desired? Possibly not, but the question also needs to be answered whether it matters.

Buying and selling cars of this vintage will always attract some nostalgia and sentiment, at least for the next generation. But after that no-one will ever see these cars in action as they'll be too expensive to take out for a Sunday drive.

My fear is that these will become as sought after as a horse and buggy generations from now. Museums will be interested in them but collectors will have died along with the memories of these cars carving up Bathurst.

I have. But then I've also lost every piece of jewelery that's been given to me. I lost my wedding ring - twice. I lost my gold tie pin - how do you lose those things? I lost a sterling silver wrist chain, necklaces, watches...the list is endless.

Last summer I even had the unfortunate experience of leaving my credit card at a retail booth at a large conference. The chances of tracking a lost credit card down when you have no way of contacting anyone about it, are fairly remote. Instead, I phoned my credit provider and had them cancel the card and reissue me with a new one.

It's a little inconvenient but it's not an insurmountable experience.

Unless, of course, you happen to lose your credit card in the middle of an armed robbery. And you're the felon.

Then the situation becomes a little more tenable and inconvenience is no longer the issue.

This is exactly what happened to this 24 year old who is facing a jail sentence after leaving his credit card at the scene of the crime. In most situations, the average customer would be more than happy to receive a phone call from the police informing them that their credit card has been recovered. Not in this situation.

It reminds me of Amex's advertising slogan - "Don't leave home (or the scene of a crime) without it."

And then again, maybe not!

Maybe you're already pouring over the shopping catalogues perusing the easter eggs on display and circling them for your spouse to conveniently find laying around. The kids have already been talking about their desired eggs and the relatives have hinted that they will be buying easter eggs again this year. Does the circle ever change?

Maybe I'm just the Easter Grinch but I happen to think that perhaps buying easter eggs might be a little over the top - or at least we tend to take it that way.

An egg is no longer an egg. It has to be the biggest, best quality, packed with a novelty, packaged in my favourite team's colours or shipped in from Bonn. The Red Tulip 100g egg no longer cuts it.

To impress, this year, it's going to take a bigger effort than last year. Unless it comes with more than the easter eggs I bought last year - how can I expect that my loved ones will feel loved?

Wasn't easter about a guy dying on a cross to save the world from their sins? And easter eggs have What? to do with that....

Oh, that's right. They symbolise new life. Or at least another reason to increase my credit card...

"Women shop more than men but men spend more than women."

Is she right? Does she have a valid theory?

Her theory tests the age-old stereotype that woman have a genetic-DNA-thingy that propels them forward in the shopping stakes. For it may just be that men are the ultimate consumers.

When she first shared this enlightening theorem with me I balked at the notion but as I contemplated it further I realised that she may just have a point.

Taking my spending habits as a test case scenario I quickly realised that the majority of purchases that I made were above $500; laptop, iPaq, trip to Tasmania, VW Kombi project, software and I'm saving for a Canon 400D.

My wife, on the other hand, buys lots of clothes. Frocks, dresses, shoes, jeans - you name it she's buying it. In fact, more than half of the times that she goes shopping she will come back with something. The difference is though, that she will have only spent a maximum $10-20 on her shopping trip and she only shops like this once of twice per month.

So, while she seems to ALWAYS be shopping - while I never go - she ends up spending far less than I do. What's wrong with this picture?

Could you imagine it? The Technorati 100, the blogosphere's most popular blogs all taking a break from blogging for 1 complete month.

What would happen? Would they still remain in the Top 100 or will they have been replaced because we found time to seek out some different reading material.

Without a doubt, a million (probably an under-estimation) ...maybe a gazillion smaller bloggers would take the opportunity to spruik their wares hoping to attract the bored and restless. Hoping to make the list themselves many would chase links faster than a rabid hyena amidst a herd of frightened gazelle. Yet, would they be able to achieve a spot in the Top 100 in a leadership vacuum over 30 days?

If you take the average number of new blogs linking to Engadget (Ranked #1) everyday (approx. 24) and multiplied that by 31 days in the month, you would only have 744 new links to increase your rating. Not bad if your blog is sitting just below the Top 100 but not enough if you're a newcomer.

Even Cute Overload's daily linking from new blogs (running about 11 per day) shouldn't usurp their 100th ranked spot.

However, the interesting dilemma is that readers may have just created a new blog reading habit over the past 30 days and may not return when the Top 100 begin re-posting.

Or, are they just that good? Would we pine for their return as we do for the next season of Lost?

Sure. You're not trying to save the world but your financial world might need a little assistance. In fact, if you've got problems sticking to your budget then I can guarantee that the 48 hour rule may be the lifesaving tip you've been looking for.

48 hours. That's all I have? That's all you need...

Imagine this picture for a second. You accompany your partner or spouse to the shopping district - as an obligatory duty that one performs for a loved one. As they head into their favourite shop you begin browsing some shop windows that interest you. And then it happens....

Sitting on the shelf, at a heavily reduced, never-to-be-repeated price is that [insert that product you've been lusting over since Christmas] - and it's the last one in the shop. You know it's not in the budget and if you buy it it's going to set you back a couple of months financially.

Or, you're doing your exercises in front of the TV when an infomercial appears showing you how their product will give you a 6-pack in three weeks. Not only that, it will tone your thighs, buttocks and pecs so well that you might even consider entering the Mr. Universe competition starting in a few months.

If you phone in the next 30 minutes and pay via your credit card you will also claim your special DVD that shows how George Clooney used the product to land his movie deals.

We've all been here and we've all had to face an on-the-spot decision that could change our current fiscal wellbeing.

This is where the 48 hour rule comes into play. The 48 hour rule is when you force yourself to walk away from the deal for at least 48 hours. If after that time, you still feel that the product or service is worth getting then go for it. Get it. Buy it and feel confident that you made a good decision.

What you will find though is that when you have time to think something through your perspective is not clouded by all the marketing hype. You might even find yourself asking the question, "What the hell was I thinking?"

Why do you think infomercials always offer such good gifts to entice your response within the next 30 mins? Because they know that if you have time to think about it you will probably work out that it's a piece of junk that doesn't deserve the light of day let alone your purchase.

It's taken us a while to master but we're getting pretty good at it these days. The true benefit though, is that we can now stick to our budget and save for the things we really want rather than the things others want for us.

As teenagers, we thought we were invincible and that the world would be tamed in our lifetime. But, as we mature and accept more responsibilities time takes on another dimension. We begin to have families, borrow for our house or business and take far less risks.

When we consider that a crisis could happen at any time we're faced with two choices - save for an emergency fund or take out some insurance in case of emergencies. They are no longer the only two options as emergency loans seem to sprout up everywhere offering us the cash when we need it most.

But are they are as helpful as what the advertisers would like us to believe?

Prior to emergency loans, crisis insurance was the ugly duckling that puritan money handlers would steer away from. They would espouse the virtues of storing an emergency fund that might be as big as 3-6 months worth of your salary that should only be used in extreme emergencies.

Nowadays more and more are turning to cover themselves with the insurance and emergency loans are the proverbial 'ugly duckling'. Is it a tag that is rightfully deserved or does it have its benefits?

If you consider that most crisis insurance policies charge a premium of between 1-3% of your salary annually and 95% of people will never use it, it might be worth running the sums. If you took out an insurance policy when you began working and continued to support it during the course of your working life how much money do you think you would have spent?

While saving an emergency fund that can carry over a bad period is the preferred option it is interesting to consider that emergency loans may be the best alternative. The money spent forking out for premiums year after year for crisis cover (which can only be claimed when you become ill and not for just losing your job) may be a complete waste of money.

At least utilizing an emergency loan would only occur when, and if, you needed it. The chance is you may never need it. And, if you do, you still may save thousands from purchasing emergency insurance.

I wanted to trade my first car - a Ford Escort - up to a larger sedan. With my pre-approved bank loan of $5k and hopefully trade-in price of $1500, I was sure I could pick up a decent set of wheels within my budget.

That was until the car salesman noticed me ogling off a more expensive sedan that wasn't within my price range. After a short discussion he promised me that he could get it down to within my budget (a drop of $5K) if I was interested. Of course I was so we started completing the paperwork.

One small hitch, he just had to get it approved by his manager but reassured me by saying this was a fait accomplice. So, I sat waiting until he re-emerged with his boss who wanted to have a word with me. His manager was less than polite and berated me for taking advantage of his fine establishment. How on earth could I expect to buy this car with the amount that I had? I'm pretty sure this was my original question!

Regardless, every other car I'd seen by this stage no longer appealed and with the finance deal they could secure for me I could be on my way in less than 24 hours.

Why I fell for this, I have no idea. Apart from the fact that I was a pimply-faced 18 year old who was too trusting of the world, I was also too hasty trying to prove myself.

But the rip-off didn't end there. The $5k loan I had already obtained from the bank was charging 11%pa while the showroom finance deal was closer to 30%. I couldn't understand back then why the bank was only prepared to lend me $5k yet this finance company was prepared to further extend my credit to almost the same amount.

Today, it makes sense albeit a little late. However, once bitten twice shy. Showroom finance deals are usually the highest interest loans you will ever see because they work on a customer's compulsiveness.

From now on, I get the finance deal sorted prior to choosing a car and I stick to it - like superglue.

But I'm here to suggest that maybe it does.

Just maybe, the contents of your wallet reveal a little more about the psyche of the person. And just maybe, what you do or don't have in your wallet could determine whether you become rich or remain in the grips of mediocrity.

Here are some of the contents and what they may tell you about yourself;

1. Photo of your spouse - If one of these are predominantly displayed in your wallet you're starting well. Being married is not the most essential key to being successful but it is a positive. Being able to remain faithful to one partner and trust them, including the area of finances, can only be a good thing. Many divorces attribute money as a determining factor for the split.


2. Photo of your kids - If this is in isolation to a photo of your spouse then it would probably mean that you're no longer living with their mother/father. Which probably means a portion of your income and wealth is being separated from you beyond your control - not a positive factor.

   If the photo is in addition to one of your spouse, then you're more likely to strike it rich. A healthy family is far more likely to succeed in life than one which isn't. Your family is also a great motivator to ensure that success is attainable.



3. Photo of your girlfriend/ boyfriend - while this could be a long term positive the short term truth is that you're likely to be handing out money hand-over-fist trying to impress them. Consider it an investment providing you have long term ambitions.


4. Condom - Many guys carry one of these in their wallets for that special occasion. However, trying to determine what it could mean for your financial success is difficult. On the one hand, it could mean that your safe and willing to insure the things that are essential. On the other, maybe your frivolous and not willing to commit. Therefore, opportunities are only seen as short-term gains.


5. Business Cards - If you carry your own business cards in your wallet this is a definite positive. It means that you're prepared for opportunity and willing to grasp it when it presents.

   If you carry other people's business cards it can also be seen as a positive measurement. It displays your willingness to network and hold opportunities close for when the time might become right.

   However, if you carry other people's cards without your own you can gauge this as detrimental to your prospects. It shows that you're not ready for opportunities but your holding on to a chance just in case it comes good. Risky and fate-reserving. A definite no-no.



6. Credit cards - A platinum Amex may say "wealth-on-a-stick" but it can also mean "employee-related". If the cards are not your own they will give you good lifestyle, while you're working for your boss, but they sure don't display that you're on your own and able to handle money wisely.

   In fact, if you have more than 2 cards your chances for becoming wealthy diminish with each extra one. Managing credit cards, especially multiple, can take away serious time from creating long-lasting wealth. I would even go so far as to question why you would need more than one.



7. Cash - Cash is good. It shows that you budget and that you have control. The larger the denominations that reside in your wallet demonstrate how much more control you have and the ability to restrain yourself from spontaneous and unnecessary purchases. This is very positive.


8. Tickets to an upcoming show - very positive. Ticket stubs to a show you went to 3 weeks ago - a big downer. It shows that you're not willing to unclutter your life and move on. You hold on to things which no longer have value or you're too slack to deal with minor things.


9. Library Card - a huge positive. Your library card demonstrates your willingness to read and therefore learn. It also shows that you esteem frugality over ownership.

Your wallet could hide the secrets to making it in this life because it is one of the most personal things we hold tightly to. It shows us a little piece of our world and what we hold dear. And, it gives us a glimpse of what me might become.

Check your wallet. Have you got what it takes?

What am I talking about?

Well, there is no doubt that popular products and services, investments, people, ideas etc draw "big" audiences and attention. They receive a great deal of focus because the media always try and tap fads and exploit them for their own purposes.

But, they are relatively inefficient at posting good returns on investments - particularly for those late to enter the market. Those who recognised the opportunity and milked it are the ones enjoying the cream. The ones who hear about it via the media, like you or I, have already missed the boat.

For this reason many investors are turning their eyes back to the small. The seemingly insignificant investments that large stock miners miss and the popular group have little time for. For small is found in the 'niche'.

This is a handy tip - which I won't charge you for, consider it a freebie - because if you can understand that niche's are the new big, then small investments no longer require mortgage-risking levels of debt.

Now, before you head off pioneering that niche goldmine, consider that sometimes opportunities can only be met with a full-hearted commitment. If you're wanting to keep to your plan of investing small and growing your investments slowly then passing some of these 'golden' opportunities are inevitable. Get over it.

So, if you want to invest small here are a few tips;

1. DRP's or DRiP's are an easy way to drip-feed your investment into large companies by building your portfolio slowly. They usually only require a regular contribution and can offer some good leveraging of purchasing expenses. Here's some more info...


2. Join an investment group often we can achieve far more as a group than by ourselves. The concept is called synergy (The effect of two or more agents working together to produce an effect that is greater than the sum of the parts.) More investment capital, more investment ideas. Makes a whole heap of sense.


3. Invest in smaller stocks there are a ton of cent priced shares available especially through speculative mining companies. After some in-depth research you may find their prospects of success are reasonable and therefore worth the risk (albeit small). It's much easier for a cent share to double to 2 cents than it is for a blue chip stock to double from a $35 base. Not for the faint-hearted though!


4. Invest in mutual funds or listed property trusts these usually only require a small investment because they're accessing funds from a larger audience and can therefore leverage their investment potential. They can usually return a good profit as well.


5. Diversify away from personally owned stocks and properties non-listed small business and property developers may also be an avenue to try for small investors. The risk is greater bu the returns are usually proportionate.

This is only a short list of small investment possibilities. A plethora of opportunities abound provided you are willing to accept the paradigm shift of thinking 'small' is the new 'big'.

But rather than leave the crooks to their own devices and enjoy their perceived freedom the FBI have their own tactics for spying out the climate of online terrorism.

Wired News started a three part series last month sharing the views of David Thomas, a one-time Mr Big of cybercrime, as he now fights against the hackers as an unidentified possible employee of the FBI.

The story starts here and progresses through a case of a sojourning honeymooner who was fraudulently separated with more than $106,000 as he holidayed with his new wife. The money was moved to a Belgian bank account and withdrawn by a second accomplice.

Unbeknown to the cybercrime hacker he was being watched by Thomas and every conversation between him and his accomplice was observed and recorded. The Belgian withdrawer never showed and both him and the hacker, known as desertmack, were simultaneously arrested - though not for the same crimes.

Stories like these happen on a regular basis and it helps continue the fight against these online cybercrimes. They will probably never go away, but be assured the are being contested and convicted.

Link found via Boing Boing

It seems, from a recent study by the Personal Finance Education Group - a not-for-profit charity aimed at educating teenagers in the area of personal finance - that they aren't as well adapted to future fiscal adulthood as one might hope. In fact, quite the opposite.

One alarming trend displayed that of the more than 1000 teens surveyed, 20% considered that credit cards were a viable option for purchasing more than one could afford. More frightening still, 1 in 20 hadn't even contemplated paying it back.

While teenagers under the age of 18 are not allowed to have their own credit cards, many are securing credit by prepaid cards that parents continually 'top up.' While we slam the teenagers for their incompetence with handling money maybe we should be slapping the hands of parents who also fail to have the financial wisdom to model healthy habits to their children.

Kids learn from their parents and if living in debt rather than saving is upheld in the home, what chance do they have?

One commenter on the Telegraph's article said this;

Surely the answer is to put the credit card companies out of business. Then we might get this country back on its feet.

Sadly, the blame-everyone-else-but-ourselves game is running rife and we would rather chew the ear off our government administrators than the choices we make on a daily basis.

The fact is, if a kid earns $100 per week and loses $20 in tax he only has $80 to spend. But its hard to only spend $80 when you HAVE TO get credit for your mobile phone, buy a debit card for iTunes so you can download all the songs you NEED before the weekend, and update your superseded iPod to the new model. Then the weekend comes and the local McDonald's becomes an essential grazing spot, your friends are all heading to the movies and Sunday's spent in the mall shopping for those MUST have items.

I don't know how they can afford it....honestly!