After the recent floods in Ghana that have killed at least thirty-five people, I am motivated to share with you the experiences I learned from my father in his ‘land-buying stories’.

The recent floods in the country, which meteorologists say are the result of global warming, are considered the most disastrous in recent years.

Ghana is a country that experiences rainfall mainly in June and July every year. The intensity of this rain fluctuates between the years with some years experiencing very heavy downpours than others.

But for the past year and this year, the downpour has been so intense that it has caused flooding in most parts of the country. These floods have caused the destruction of illegal structures, mostly houses in waterways. The government is doing it to create a track for the water to minimize the havoc caused by flooding.

This means that you should be careful about the land you buy and where it is located. The points that follow will serve as advice to follow when you go to buy land anywhere in the country.

First, I will share with you what my father says will prevent you from acquiring land that has so many court cases or land that has the potential for disputes. When you are going to buy a land, especially in the Greater Accra region, apart from the legal documents, persuade the traditional authorities to pour libations on this particular land. The serious belief in libation on the part of the Ga’s (the owners of the land in this region) will prevent them from deceiving their gods by selling this land to a second party.

One thing worth noting is which boss you buy a land from. Due to the many chiefdom disputes and court injunctions over who sells land in many of these areas, you need to ask around and know the right chief who can sell you land. There have been cases where ‘illegal’ chiefs have sold land to individuals and these lands are later confiscated.

Second, when you decide to buy land, do it in a rainy season. So when you go to the site and the depth of the pool of water in the ground is about knee height, it implies that one day that is the amount of water that will be collected in your house. If, on the other hand, the soil dries out quickly after rain, you have good soil that you can buy.

Third, you should look for a type of shrub that is locally called ‘sre3’ in the Akan language. This shrub grows easily in flood-prone terrain. When you go to buy land and see these types of plants, you may want to consider returning in the rainy season to confirm your suspicions.

Your financial situation is also very important. In this way, you can take the risk of buying flood-prone land because you can afford to erect a foundation that will prevent water from entering your house when it rains.

You must also take into account the area or town in which you buy the land. When many of the buildings in this area are on waterways, it means that when there is a heavy downpour there will be no passage for the water to escape, so the whole place will be flooded.

Lastly, and most importantly, after completing all of these background checks, contact the Land Commission or any government agency in the locality that is responsible for the land to seek further official advice on the land you wish to purchase.

Thanks for reading and have a good land buying experience.

Many starting out in business don’t realize that there are more than 20 funding sources available to raise the money needed to fund a business vision, idea or project. The sources fall into two main groups, Bootstrapping and Equity Financing.

Bootstrapping is when you, the entrepreneur, decide to do it only using resources on the ground, from personal savings to second mortgages. Equity financing is when you, the entrepreneur, decide to give up a percentage of ownership of your business in exchange for the necessary capital.

Bootstrapping Early Sources:

1. Capital of the Founders

2. Savings

3. Credit cards

4. Second Mortgage

5. Risk lease

6. Sales income

Bootstrapping from later sources

1. Lines of credit

2. SBA Loans

3. Asset-backed loans/accounts receivable factoring, etc.

4. Corporate Strategic Alliances

5. Banks that lend to startups

6. Government grants (eg, SBIR, DARPA)

7. Company earnings

Under Equity Financing, depending on the source, one may have to give up 25%-75% ownership of the company. This generally depends on the nature of the deal and what can be negotiated. In Equity Financing you should also be aware that there are early stage and later stage sources.

Early sources of equity financing

1. All Bootstrapping First Sources

2. Friends and family

3.Angels

4. Groups of angels

5. Early-stage venture capital firms

Equity financing Subsequent sources

1. All boot sources

2. Venture capital firms

3. Corporate venture funds

4. Private equity firms

5. Private Placement Companies

6. Mezzanine financing companies

7. Investment Banks

8. Public Markets

To make a sound financial decision, make sure your business plan is solid and paints an accurate picture of your business idea or project. The Proformas and Valuation of the business must be honest and realistic. Angel investors and venture capitalists will only back ideas and companies that will deliver the safest and strongest return on investment (ROI).

Famous for its different villa stays; Detached villas are an integral part of Cyprus. Found almost everywhere around that place, these self-catering villas in Cyprus offer visitors an easy time to spend time in the country. There are different types of villas in Cyprus, available for young and old, the honeymooners and the family. You can rent a vacation villa or a vacation villa or a luxury villa. It all depends on the mood of a person while he wants to spend some time in Cyprus.

Cyprus Self catering Villas:

These villas provide the flexibility to meet one’s needs and are typically available for a short or longer stay. It is a villa that offers all the comforts and allows guests and residents to prepare their own meals.

basic structure:

These self-catering villas offer basic amenities and generally have a 2-4 bedroom stay option built in a home-like environment. Double bed and single bed option may be available. They can even ask for a baby cost, if they have a child along with them. Dining room, living room and halls and air-conditioned rooms are other facilities that surround the villa.

Main feature:

A fully equipped kitchen that allows visitors to cook on their own is the main attractive feature of self-catering villas in Cyprus. Many company hotels offer facilities where people can cook, drink and have access to all other equipment. This helps make the kitchen and villa more operational. The various equipment provided includes hobs and fans, oven, microwave, fridge, toaster, grill, kettle and coffee maker along with a full set of kitchen utensils.

Hotels and apartments can be found in the Limassol, Paphos, Pissouri, Larnaca, Polis, Latchi, Ayia Napa and Protaras areas of Cyprus. Limnaria Garden apartments are ideal for newlywed guests to stay together. They are apartments located near Alexander, the big hotel. Other properties range from traditional houses to modern villas and are found in coastal resorts and rural towns.

Why Cyprus Self Catering villas?

Many traditional families believe in cooking and preparing food themselves. They want all the necessary equipment and utensils to prepare their food. These villas are rented for a period of about 70 days or a maximum of 14 weeks.

Qualifications and titles:

Every apartment and self-catering property in Cyprus is classified by 3 categories: A, B and C compared to hotels, which are classified by stars. This is because self-catering holiday apartments and villas offer accommodation with separate kitchen and cooking facilities, separate living room and shower/bath/WC. In each bedroom there are double beds and for large families additional sofa beds can be added in the living room. Again, compared to hotels, apartments are charged per apartment and not per person. Most of these apartments, especially those of category A and B, offer optional breakfast and other meals in their restaurants, with an additional charge.

Therefore, we can say that these self-catering villas in Cyprus are meant to provide all the comfort while enjoying a bright and sunny holiday in Cyprus in your own way and style.

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is pricing their homes too high. Buyers are generally well educated and won’t consider a listing too expensive. After the property is stuck on the market, the seller will slowly wake up to reality and lower the asking price to a more realistic figure. The downside of this scenario is that one has lost valuable marketing time in the meantime.

The longer a listing remains on the market, the less attention it receives. The lesson here is: price your home accurately from the start! To help you determine that value, you can use one of three commonly used valuation methods: a Comparative Market Analysis or “CMA”, a Broker Price Opinion or “BPO”, also called a Broker Opinion of Value, and a formal appraisal, performed by a licensed and certified real estate appraiser.

Before going into the details of each of the valuation methods, let’s talk a bit more about the different types of securities.

Market value

The Uniform Standard of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) defines market value as the most probable price a property should sell for in a competitive and open market. This assumes that all the conditions for a fair sale are present and that the buyer and seller are of sound mind.

value as is

In general, current value is defined as the value of the subject property as it currently exists without repairs or improvements. The as-is value must reflect the current condition of the property in question.

repaired value

Repaired value is generally defined as the value the subject property would sell for if the subject property were move-in ready, but not overly improved for the neighborhood.

quick sale value

Quick sale value is defined as the value that the subject property would sell for in terms of liquidation or forced sale. Quick sale value typically assumes limited exposure to the open market and restrictive selling conditions.

1. CMA Market Comparative Analysis

A CMA is a comparison of the prices of similar homes in the same general geographic area, typically a one-mile radius. Typically, MLS data and tax records are used to conduct the investigation. Includes: 1) Closed Sales: Properties that have sold and closed in the last 6 months, 2) Active Listings: Properties currently for sale, 3) Pending Sales: Listings that are under contract but have not yet closed, and 4) Expired Listings: Properties that did not sell during the listing period. After careful analysis of this information, a probable sale price is suggested.

Because the price derived from a CMA is somewhat subjective, the result typically results in a price range rather than a defined number. Most agents will perform a CMA without physically visiting the property. In general, a CMA prepared by an experienced agent with good knowledge of the local market is in line with the appraised market value of your home. Therefore, a CMA can be a very useful tool. Most agents offer this service free of charge as a promotional means to gain your business.

2. BPO Broker Price Opinion (also Broker Value Opinion)

A broker price opinion is when a real estate agent or broker will make an appraisal of a property similar to an appraisal. There are two types of BPO: an exterior or drive-by and an interior or full BPO. For our purposes, I will focus on the in-house or complete BPO, as it is the most complete and most valuable to a vendor.

The Broker’s Price Opinion has been a popular tool used by lenders and mortgage companies to appraise properties in situations where they believe the expense of an appraisal is not necessary. A BPO goes into much more detail than a CMA; the specific purpose of the BPO as stated by the client will dictate much of what the agent focuses on. In addition to the work done at a CMA, the agent will typically perform a complete inspection of the property and list any defects and recommend any necessary repairs. A detailed commentary of the material issues will be included.

Photos of the interior and exterior are taken and included in the report. Three recently sold comparables and three active listings are used to determine the value of the subject property, adjustments are made if necessary. The cost of a complete interior BPO ranges from $85.00 to $165.00, depending on the detail that the client wants. Listing agents typically charge for this service, but in some cases, they may credit the fee to the client upon successful closing of escrow.

3. Formal evaluation

A formal appraisal is by far the most detailed appraisal tool used to determine a property’s value. Appraisals are most often reported on a standardized form, and only licensed and certified real estate appraisers can perform an appraisal. Authorized appraisers are trained to be able to appraise real estate in various ways;

The sales comparison approach (same as CMA or PBO) is by far the most common, where comparable properties are used to determine subject value.

The Income Approach: This method is most commonly used to value income-producing properties, such as offices and apartment buildings. In some cases, depending on client requirements and/or the specific type of property, appraisers may use a combination of the sales comparison approach and the income approach to determine value.

The Replacement Approach: This method is most commonly used in newly built houses, where there are no established comparables, in houses built with unique materials for which no comparables exist, or, in the event of, say, a fire, where there is no remaining nothing to compare.

The cost of a formal residential appraisal generally ranges from $300.00 to $450.00.

4. Closing

The reason to hire a professional to appraise your property is to get accuracy. It is strongly recommended to start with a realistic price tag, and to do so, the seller must obtain an accurate estimate of the value of the property in question. This will set the tone for a smooth and productive sales and marketing process.

Although the details may vary slightly from home to home, the average mobile home built up until the mid-1980s is built with 2 x 4-in. exterior walls and RSI 2.1 (R-12) fiber insulation. Mid 80’s to present day: Exterior walls are 2 x 6 inches. walls with R-20 wadding insulation. The ceiling insulation is R-24 to R-34.

Mobile homes built before the mid-1970s are less airtight than newer homes. Leakage areas are generally distributed throughout the unit, but in double-width homes, the seam between the two halves can be a significant source of air leakage. In fact, if you combine all the fonts, there’s an average of 12 x 13 inches. air gap.

Homes with forced air systems often do not have cold air ducts that prevent ventilation of the entire unit. Homes typically sit on stilt foundations with an uninsulated and unheated crawl space.

The following are improvements you can make that will help save energy in your mobile home. Savings potential varies by year and the condition of your unit and your location. They are designed to reduce:

– energy used
– drafts
– summer overheating
– humidity and condensation problems
– outside noise
– Emissions of greenhouse gases
– improve humidity levels
– improve indoor air quality
– increase the overall comfort level

1. Heating:

Replace the furnace with a high-efficiency model based on the size of your mobile home. In some cases, the furnace can be combined with the water heater so that only one unit is required. Seal any conduit where you can easily access it. Install programmable thermostats to automatically lower temperatures at night or when you’re not around.

2. Drafts:

Seal air leaks around light fixtures, wiring, where utilities enter through walls or floors, and in double-width homes, the joint where the two halves meet. Better air sealing will also keep humidity levels from dropping, but if levels drop below 30 percent, consider adding a humidifier.

3. Insulation:

Increase ceiling insulation to a minimum of R-28. If your unit has a vaulted ceiling, the change can be made from the inside with little impact on ceiling height. Rigid board insulation (with taped seams), can also be attached to the ceiling and covered with gypsum board. Insulate hot water pipes with pipe insulation and insulate the hot water tank.

4. Windows:

Replace windows with an array of low-e, energy-efficient, argon gas double-glazed windows. Make sure the seam around the window frame is well sealed and the weatherstripping is in good condition.

5. Exterior doors:

If your unit has the older wooden exterior doors, consider replacing them with the insulated metal version. They are durable, easy to maintain, and look great. Repair any damaged weather stripping. You may want to consider adding a small vestibule to trap cold air before entering the house in areas with bad weather.

6. Bases and crawl spaces:

For houses on pile foundations, make sure the gable is fully insulated and the roadway barrier is in good condition.

Reduce moisture by covering dirt or concrete floors by placing a continuous layer of polyethylene on top, running 6 inches up the wall.

If you want to bet on which new lawn care business owners go out of business first, look to see who has the best equipment.

As a consultant in our industry, I have seen countless new homeowners make this mistake. They go out and spend thousands of dollars financing expensive new lawn mowers, blowers, brushcutters, edgers and trucks and barely have a plan for their businesses. They spare no expense, thinking that the minimum payments are so low that only a few turfs are needed to make up the payments. Mistaken!

When looking at the purchase of equipment there are four important considerations; current workload, cost, reliability and performance.

If you’ve been in this industry a while, I have no doubt you’ll have many strong opinions in favor of one method of purchasing equipment over another. I find that my clients usually base their ideas on emotional reasons, such as using a certain brand because their father used it or because it is made in a particular country. Others tend to be more committed to one brand than another based on past success with that product and how long it may have lasted or how well it performed its particular role. Let’s approach this topic with the mindset of running a business and making money.

Current workload, if you’re just starting out and looking for residential accounts, you don’t need a mower that can cut Wrigley’s Field in 15 minutes! This is one of the biggest rookie mistakes I come across. A new owner will show me his new equipment with such pride and enthusiasm; They talk about all the bells and whistles, the leather seats, the awesome warranty, and the mammoth engine.

Cost, cost is everything. We are in a utility business. That means the rates you charge your customers are set by your competitors. Most companies can do a decent job of mowing the lawn. I mean, let’s be honest; Our service isn’t exactly rocket science! Due to this fact, it is difficult to justify major changes in charges for most customers. Then what do you do? Work on your costs!

Reliability and performance, I put these last ones and group them because they are important, but less significant than the first two points. When you buy a computer, you expect it to do what the manufacturer says it will do and to last a long time. Well, the saying “if you buy cheap, you get cheap” is certainly true, so what should you do?

When you’re starting your business, I want you to only shop at big box retailers like Home Depot or Lowes. The reason is that their equipment is inexpensive but not “cheap” and their return policies can’t even be compared to small garden stores that sell on the make or the other.

If something breaks, just pick it up and return it for a new one, no questions asked. Try doing that at your local John Deere mom and pop store!

I also want you to make good friends with a lawn mower mechanic and pay him to help you find good used equipment. I can tell you that after the first 8 months, my new mowers average the same time in the repair shop as my used mowers. Also, when our new lawn mowers break down, the repair is usually never covered by the so-called “warranty.”

I know that if you are doing the work yourself, these suggestions may be hard to accept because owners tend to be very attached to their equipment. But I recommend following this advice and then learning not to be doing the work yourself. If you are still a worker after 8 or 12 weeks of starting, you did not create a company, you created a job. I will post another article on simple steps to get out of your lawn mower soon.

Remember, your customers don’t care about the specs or cost of your equipment, but they do care that it looks neat and clean. Don’t be reckless, if you buy used, clean it up and apply a fresh coat of paint.

Have you considered doing a home inspection? A home inspection isn’t just for home buyers and sellers, it can also be an invaluable resource for those who already own their own homes. Most people don’t realize that they need to do a home inspection every five to ten years as part of an overall maintenance plan. But a home inspector can help you more than you think.

For most of us, the two things we will spend the most money on in our lives are our cars and our houses. You would never drive the same car for 10 years or more without taking it to a mechanic for adjustment, right? Of course you wouldn’t. Car maintenance should be done to ensure that your vehicle continues to perform as long as possible and in the best possible way. He also cleans, washes, and vacuums it from time to time to maintain resale value if not for his own clean feel. Why then should your house be any different?

A regular maintenance plan for your home should include a home inspection every few years. A home inspector can advise you on repairs that need to be done before they become a major expense and discuss any safety issues you may not be aware of.

Home inspectors review all aspects of your home and provide you with an impartial report of their findings. The report will show you anything that may be wrong with your home now, what may be getting ready to need repairs, and advise you on how to make the repairs. For example, a home inspector might notice a small stain on a wall and trace it back to a water leak. The leak may have been small enough that it only cost a couple of bucks to fix now, but it could have caused a lot of damage before he found it on his own.

Home inspections can also alert you to any safety issues you may not be aware of. Frayed gas lines and frayed electrical wiring often go unnoticed until a fire breaks out or people become sick and die. A home inspector checks electrical cables as well as gas and plumbing cables as part of a routine check and alerts you when they find a problem.

Hiring the services of a professional home inspector should be part of regular home maintenance. A thorough and unbiased home inspection can pinpoint repair and safety issues before they become serious problems and help you preserve your home’s value and your peace of mind.

Have you ever had a slightly disturbing dream in which you were naked in a public place, such as on a street, on a bicycle, in a store or on public transport? If so, what happened in your dream? Did you wonder how you got into that situation, were you embarrassed, or did you think it’s just a dream so it doesn’t matter?

If you have had such dreams and have not yet practiced naturism, perhaps it appeals to you.

Every year, thousands of families spend their holidays between April and October in one of the naturist villages that lie between the ancient Mediterranean city of Leucate and the seaside resort and marina of Port Leucate.

Most towns are free of traffic, but you can walk or bike like everyone else, completely naked. There is a small shopping center with a very good bakery where you can buy fresh croissants, bread etc, you can shop at the supermarket, shop at the butcher, wine shop or newspaper shop and have a drink or eat in one of the small restaurants, all while remaining naked.

These towns, which include Aphrodite and Oasis, were established as a result of a tourism commission established by President Charles de Gaulle in the 1960s. The government was looking for a way to attract thousands of tourists to stay in France in instead of heading to Spain in search of a beach holiday destination.

The old town of Leucate is located between the Mediterranean Sea and a large saltwater lagoon. To the south of the town there is a narrow strip of land several kilometers long between the sea and the lagoon. Six kilometers to the south there was an old settlement and it was here that the commission proposed to establish a new development called Port Leucate with a marina, a shopping center and holiday accommodation. Work began in the mid-1960s and de Gaulle visited the work in progress in 1967. Following his visit, the commission was asked to address the future of the beautiful stretch of beach just north of the new resort of Port Leucate. .

At the time, there was a growing practice and tolerance for naturism in France and there were already several naturist destinations, including a large naturist holiday resort at Montalivet, on the Atlantic coast north of Bordeaux.

The strip of beach under study has the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Leucate Lagoon on the other and is practically an island since there are two channels to the north and south that connect the sea with the lagoon. Therefore, it was decided that this would be an ideal place to develop a naturist spa with access restricted to residents and vacationers.

Instead of creating a campground with mobile homes and camping spots, it was decided to create a real town with houses, apartments, tennis courts, swimming pools, and a shopping center. Plans were drawn up and construction began in 1973. Years have passed and development has continued and today there are a total of 8 small towns, all next to each other, bordering the beach or lagoon. Many properties have permanent residents, but the owners make most available for naturist vacation rentals. Most areas are pedestrianized so children can play, run, or bike safely.

At certain times of the year, fairly strong winds blow through the area, which is why it has become one of the most popular areas for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

One of the advantages of the area, which makes it perfect for family vacations, is the offer of other activities within a short distance of the naturist villages. Less than 10 minutes away by car there is a large aquatic center with several pools and giant slides. There is also an adventure center in a nearby pine forest where people of all ages can climb and slide through the trees. Also nearby is a casino and a new cinema complex. The Pyrenees can be seen from the town and from autumn to spring you can see the snow on the highest peaks. Being at the gates of the Pyrenees, there are, of course, walks through magnificent landscapes to undertake.

About 35 minutes by car is the great African reserve of Sigean, fascinating for adults and children alike. A part can only be visited by car as there are many animals in their natural environment, including lions. Then there is another part that can be visited on foot that includes a lot of bird life, monkeys, antelopes, elephants and many other types of creatures.

This area is one of the sunniest in France, so of course one of the most popular activities is to relax on the beach right next to the holiday apartments and maybe take a little nap dreaming of being naked in public.

If you want to know more about the naturist villages, go to http://www.naturistholidays.fr

The sunniest time of year, when the sun is shining brightly, is certainly a great time to explore new neighborhoods and envision upcoming backyard parties while visiting. If you plan to buy a home this summer, it’s important to understand the housing market before beginning any serious purchase. You need to know what the real estate market is like for buyers right now and what you can do to end up with the best priced home that fits your budget.
Owning a home is an investment in your future, and with that in mind, you need to make sure you make informed decisions so you can get the best deal possible. The housing market in 2018 should be as strong this summer as it has been all spring. Listing prices and existing home sales are up this year, but there are also advantages to home hunting right now. Here are some of the facts and tips to help you make the most of this year’s summer housing market.
SUMMER MARKET DATA
DURING THE SUMMER PRICE DROP: Although summer is peak home buying season, it’s not crazy as prices drop from May to October. Anyway, if you stick around until the end of August, then you might find a really good deal, which is when almost 14% of listings get a discount.
Private mortgage insurance is becoming more reliable: PMI or Private Mortgage Insurance getting cheaper after PMI lenders MGIC and Radian cut their rates this spring; is excellent financial news for homebuyers. That will make most of these PMI companies competitive with each other, which will bring them all down as a result. Less than 20% down payment earns homebuyers PMI. It means it will be cheaper for some buyers to get into houses earlier.

HOME BUYING TIPS FOR SUMMER 2018

I DO NOT DISCOUNT PREVIOUS LISTINGS: At times when homes are blown off the market in a matter of days due to stiff competition, it’s easy to think that a listing that’s a week or so old is a red flag. But keep in mind that this is not always the case. Often it is because the buyer backed out and backed out of a deal for a house in mint condition. But thanks to the assumptions homebuyers make about older listings in crowded markets, the delay can drive the price down.
There are more of these on the market. The number of homes on the market is shrinking, but there are still 8.3% more homes in need of repair than six years ago. If you’re determined not to have to fix the top so you’re ready to move quickly, then there will only be a couple of options at a time. And when new listings show up, it’s going to be pretty fierce.
KNOW THE NEIGHBORHOOD: The plus point of the competitive market is that it’s tempting to make an offer on any available property that meets your criteria, but if you’re in the wrong neighborhood, you may never want to buy the house. It is best to take some time and explore the community before making an offer. You can even find out what your future neighbors have to say about the area by contacting them.
MAKE THE STRONGEST OFFER: To stay in the market, make the strongest offer, even if your offer is not the highest because now is not the time for low offers. Sure, making an all-cash offer can be difficult for many homebuyers, but there are a few ways to make a solid offer that doesn’t require a lot of money. Substantial eventualities, such as a shorter closing or inspection period and writing a great offer letter, can help your offer stand out.

As a member of Rich Dad World, I downloaded the online version of this book for a limited time offer only. This book offers many important financial lessons that will make you realize the importance of being in the B and I quadrants, which I would like to summarize below.

The school system teaches students to be employed and does not prepare them to make sound financial decisions. Financial education in schools teaches children to send money to the government and banks. These kids grow up and don’t know the difference between a good investment and a bad investment; good and bad advice. True financial education allows you to tell the differences and get people to send you money. Many of the billionaires in the top ten on the Forbes list don’t have a formal education like having a degree. They knew that school is not the place for them to be who they are today.

In the US, taxes are the biggest expense for people in the E and S quadrants. Getting the right tax advice from the right person is key. The right tax advisor should be able to help you reduce her taxes. With the money saved, it could be channeled into other investments to build your income-generating assets. There are three types of income you pay taxes on:

• Ordinary income: This attracts the highest tax rate, meaning the more you work for money as an employee or on your own, the more tax you pay.

• Portfolio income (also known as capital gains): This attracts the second highest tax rate, meaning the more your money works for you, the less you pay in tax.

• Passive income – this attracts the lowest or zero tax rate, meaning other people’s money works harder for you; you pay less or even no tax.

I agree with Robert that savers are now losers as banks give lower interest to save money in the bank account. Since President Nixon removed the US currency from the gold standards, money stopped being money and became debt. Countries are quick to devalue their money by printing large quantities to help increase their exports to other countries. This increase in inflation thereby decreases your purchasing power, that is, groceries have become more and more expensive. So if you can use the debt to buy assets and put money in your pocket, that’s really an unfair advantage. Many people have become impoverished because they used debt to buy liabilities that take money out of their pocket, worst of all, they think that liabilities are assets.

Robert explains why the next couple of words are oxymorons for those without a financial education. An oxymoron is words that contradict each other. They are 1) Job Security 2) Saving Money 3) Safe Investments 4) Fair Share 5) Mutual Fund 6) Diversified Portfolio 7) Debt Free. Risk is inversely related to control. If you have less control, it means that the risk increases in your investment. Rich Dad advised Robert to learn three things if he wanted to be rich like Rich Dad in both the B and I quadrants. The three things to learn are:

• Sale (income control).

• Real estate investment (debt control).

• Technical investments (control markets).

All fund managers advise people to diversify into a portfolio of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. For those without a solid financial education, you might think this is good advice. However, the fund manager is still putting your money into an asset class that is paper assets. The four basic asset classes that Robert invests in are 1) Businesses 2) Real Estate 3) Paper Assets 4) Commodities. The more he learns and knows about these asset classes, the more control he will have and his risk will be reduced.

Different kinds of people focus on different places on the income statement and balance sheet. The poor focus on spending. The middle class focuses on the bottom. The rich focus on assets. The rich don’t work for money, they make their money work hard for them. Applying the three laws of compensation will allow a person to enjoy an infinite return on investment, leading to enormous wealth.

I agree with Robert that we need two types of schools. One suitable for those who want to be in the E and S quadrant and the other for the B and I quadrant. In Singapore, there are some efforts to encourage entrepreneurship; Some courses related to it have been established as “Escuela de Emprendedores”. However, this is not in the core curriculum leading to the degree programme. So I doubt what Robert proposed won’t be seen here for a long time until the US has a breakthrough in its education system.