Gold etc etc etc - Safe Havens for Troubled Times

The FTA has solicited views on what might be a safe haven for such assets as you have left. Sitting back and watching gold contemptuously dismiss the American 'compromise', as a service to our readers here's a summary of the answers, clustered for ease of review. Never say we don't look after you.

Philosophical

- just about any asset not US based will do - the safest thing in the entire world is surely a bouncy castle (nice one, Izzy !) - education/schools in developing nations - family - invest in human capital: invest in your children - secure white-collar private sector employment with annual pay rises that outpace inflation - the most effective flight to safety is the one picked as consensus

Financials

- cash - japanese government bonds "but FX hedge is needed!" - Bitcoin - Singapore Dollar - Australian Dollar - US dollar - SEK - Renminbi savings account - New Reichsmark - Swiss Franc - Terra Trade Reference Currency - gilts - SDR version 2 - New Currency (could even be a parallel currency to say the SFr) managed by responsible people [sic]

Equities etc

- global mega caps Microsoft, P&G, Philip Morris, etc - Moody’s 20 Cash Kings - Mongolian mining stocks - Sturm Ruger & Co - The Ocado business model - poundshops

Physicals

- silver - gold - basic products like food, and drink, internet services - energy - turnips - coffee - chocolate - rare earth minerals - copper - oil & gas - Dominos Pizzas - Apple iphones - prime London real estate - land

Survivalist

- farmland - cows - mixture of deciduous and coniferous woodland - mixed use agricultural land - assault weapons - tinned beans and digging a deep bunker - safe houses - solar - literally bunkers - food stores - small farm in Canada with (golden) cows - a croft in Sutherland, Scotland with it's own Irn-Bru still and water rights

Broader perspectives, *ahem*

- inflation adjusted stupid-government-insured CDS, with also synthetics and squareds available - human urine - whiskey - Hermes ties - Irn-Bru - dope - grade 1 opiates - Hershey's Nuggets - constant maturity put options on Bove's strong buy calls - doughnuts - beer - booze and wine - creme eggs - teenager-backed bonds - a giant floating mattress in the Atlantic

= = = = =

Well, there you go. No financial advice here, of course ...

ND

7 reasons to make the most of 2007

2007 is set to be a good year in economic terms, so make the most of it:

1 - UK growth is currently ticking along at a nicely overclocked 3%. As with all over-clocked goods, this means it will burn out faster and in all likelihood in a more catastrophic manner!

2 - The crap weather has really affected a lot of of our retail companies. Homebase had a 10% sale this weekend past and there will be more to come. Make the most of being able to do cheap DIY whilst the weather is bad. Statistically, the weather is very unlikely to be so bad next summer.

3 - Chances are there will be no election this year. This is a good thing as (for me!) the opposition are in disarray. Sadly, next year if the disarray continues then next year there will be an election and the Government will win by a country mile! This year I can at least travel in hope.

4 - The Stock market and investments are up hugely. Over 20% so far, if you have invested in these at all you will be well ahead of where you were (Up 50% if you have investor in Chinese or South American markets). Next year, is not promising to be such a good year, with the global economy overheating and higher interest rates slowing it down.

5 - Our generous Government has left you more money to spend. In 2008, with Government debt at high levels, taxes are almost certain to go up. At the very least a higher Oil price will mean more tax paid through petrol duty. A raid on our small pleasures such as drinking is on the cards too. More probably, there will be big extra taxes 'to save' the environment (and Government finances...)

6 - Next year the England football team, even if they qualify for Euro 2008, will be again boring the pants off half the population and making the other half scream and shout in frustration. Worse, Germany are resurgent as a national team and will probably win the tournament!

7 - Finally, from our more certain brethren, the world may well end next year, so time to make the most if it now