Worldwide Financial Planning

We covered the different measures used when assessing the housing market last week, due to the discrepancy between prices rising at ‘record highs’, versus the very low volume of housing sales, and the news that the number of estate agents declaring insolvency jumped by a third last year.

In the UK, there is a further complication from the upcoming budget. The chancellor is widely expected to change government borrowing rules and a significant change could free up billions in potential additional borrowing to fund the government’s growth plans.

You will see many house-price financial columns quote the relevant indices. All of them will say they are the best, longest running etc. So, which is the more accurate to use so you understand what house prices are really doing?

Times of significant stress usually see a sharp rise in the dollar and US treasury yields fall as nervous investors seek a safe haven. Gold often rises as well. None of those things have happened this week.

Whether it’s decision paralysis, overwhelm, avoidance of negative thoughts, or instant gratification elsewhere, procrastination has its many feeders. Talking about life insurance must be done at some point and the sooner the better and in reality - as well as miserably - the best time is now.

China currently struggles with high youth unemployment, weak domestic consumer demand and a property market gummed up by developers who are unable to sell completed properties or finish existing developments amid falling prices and low confidence from potential buyers.