malcolminthemiddle

Cotto, among others, do a mold resistant grout, don't they?

CPAC Monier do (or did) a Zephry Roof Vent Tile.

Succession planning should be a concern for all of us over 50 and is more of a challenge living in a foreign country with a younger family. There are tax efficient products out there which are readily available in Thailand that are designed for exactly such situations. There are management fees involved and the returns obviously depend on the underlying funds. They can be used for a regular or irregular income, education planning, can be held in joint names and multiple currencies and can be added to at any time. Great care should be taken when setting up these plans because the structure is rigid once established.

I was advised that teak is naturally termite resistant while other woods should be pre-treated with Shelldrite for long term protection.

Surprised no one has mentioned the Magnapools technology using Magnesium and Potassium Chloride?

No one have experience of this technology?

Think about a natural stone such as travertine.

Suddenly "View New Content" doesn't work when I'm logged in.

When not logged in, no problem.

Have I upset some one?

It's too low.

Don't undersell your self.

Baht 100K per month minimum + accommodation + flights + work permit.

Getting back to the OP.

The point is that many people do not have the knowledge or inclination for investment self management. They have to rely on the advice of others or leave their money in the bank.

Such investors are looking for reasonable annual returns of say 5 – 8% over the medium to long term and are willing to take a level of risk and pay reasonable charges to achieve this level of return. Succession planning may also be a key requirement.

Choosing underlying funds which determine performance is always subjective irrespective of who makes that decision. If the investor allows the IFA to choose them the investor has little reason to complain if performance does not live up to expectations.

The principal issue is that some of the product providers and IFAs who offer these products are jointly disingenuous and intentionally mislead the investor in order to make the deal.

The investor is then stuck with a product that they never intended.

I just thought it more polite not to calculate an IRR or compare to what someone would have got from cash or to comment on any form risk adjusted return

Dear Fletch and Namm,

You are of course right. I consider myself duly admonished.

I opened a Skandia 10 years savings plan some 12 years ago and paid in a total of £84000. When it finished I received back just over £103000 so I was happy with this. As the money was paid monthly you get an average of high and lows in the markets which suited me. If you put a chunk in when the markets are high or take it out when they are low you never really gain that is why I preferred the method of monthly payments. Over the 10 years I never had one problem with them

If your happy with 23% increase over 12 years that's the main thing. Being comfortable with your money is probably one of the most important things with any investment.

As it is in life being happy with what you have...

On those numbers though I suspect a lot of people's opinions would differ...

Cheers

Fletch

JMS's contributions were paid monthly over 12 years not a lump sum. His aggregate simple annual rate of return was therefore just over 24% as Namm alluded to.

One of the benefits of umbrella bonds is they can be held in joint names and used for succession planning. With a written mandate for discretionary management they can be used to provide a spouse with a regular income in the event of your death.

Also I believe 100% of the contribution is invested in the underlying fund without deduction for "insurance".

Are you considering an umbrella bond such as their Executive Investment Bond promoted amongst others by Abbey Financial Services based in Spain?

If you are be aware of the different charging structures available.

Make sure you have received and signed not only the application form (do not let Abbey complete the form on your behalf) which only contains the code of the charging structure provided by Abbey but also the mandatory Charges Confirmation Form which details the full extent of the charges you have agreed.

PM me for any further details.

I plan to retire this year and first port of call for 10 - 14 days is a retreat to clear the mind and hopefully lose some weight.

Any first hand recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Wow, you're supportive. Cracks are NOT beginning to appear. Quitting substance abuse is an adaptive and continual process.

Dear Daftvader,

Quitting is not about being adaptive it is about being stubborn. The continual process you mention is maintaining that stubborness to never take another puff or nicotine supplement. If you don't believe me ask anyone who has tried to quit and failed, including Neeranam, they all have the same reason why they failed.

Still no cigarette but did take some nicotine in the form of Swedish Snus. Looks like I'm going the tapering route. This is the route I have used for other drugs like benzodiazepines(another real **** to get off) which worked.

The cracks are beginning to appear.

..........while watching Sky TV back in the UK

How do you manage that in Chiang Mai?

A league table based on Thai equities paying best dividends.

Depends where your estate is. For assets in the UK you need a Will in the UK. For assets in Thailand you need a Will in Thailand.

These 3D renditions give an idea of what can be achieved by using a professional interior designer before construction starts.

This is the living room.

Invest in a professional interior designer. Choose one whose portfolio includes the type of design you are looking for.Someone willing to incorporate your ideas into the design. Consider the costs, the interior designer won't.

Thais often re-register themselves with a new name particular if they think their current name is unlucky.

It has been many years since I last visited Pattaya and would appreciate some first hand help to identify a hotel or resort suitable for a family with a young child for an upcoming trip. Not interested in the night life. We have a car and a daily budget of upto 5K. Thanks in advance.