Black Shaman Blog » Finance

With limited time, WHAT you read is vital. Especially about investing.

Alex Webley — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:48:07 +0000

How much time do you have to read?

How much time do you have to waste?

Books are often a great source of wisdom at a miniscule price.

We still have to chose which is the best book to read with the best return on investment (ROI) however. Why spend valuable time reading books from the second or third divisions…or worse?

When it comes to investing, you really do have to be sure that what you are reading is indeed wise.

Today, I came across a book review by Neil Jenman – a respected, honest expert in real estate. If you research Neil Jenman you will discover that he is well worth listening to. He is a refreshingly honest, and brave, man.

Here is Neil Jenman’s review:

PIGS AT THE TROUGH – How to avoid feeding the pigs.

Neil Jenman is very direct and to the point.

If you want to buy the book, it is available at Amazon here. Or at Fishpond (Australian) here.

With limited time, WHAT you read is vital. Especially about investing. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Second Financial Economic Crash Coming – Huge & Soon

Alex Webley — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:27:37 +0000

Are we really through the worst of the Global Financial Crisis (GFS)?

This video is a must see for everyone I think. Including us here in Australia.

Second Financial Economic Crash Coming – Huge & Soon is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Key money saving resource & example of lateral thinking

Alex Webley — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:58:08 +0000

I like learning from experts.

It’s a shortcut to better progress.

For some years now I have subscribed to a key website which helps me save money. It is run by Fiona Lippey, Australia’s Queen of Frugality and is called Simple Savings.

Many people are struggling today, more than ever, due to the economic situation. Saving money is a key priority.

Here is a somewhat amusing, touching and innovative story which I received via the website newsletter:

1000 FRESH EGGS FOR $24

Our family saves a fortune on top quality fresh eggs, even though we don’t
have chickens! We keep quail (Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix) for eggs.
They don’t take up much room, don’t eat much and give wonderful little eggs
that are just perfect to use in place of chicken eggs. Apart from their size
there is no difference in flavour or texture. In fact, quail eggs have a
higher nutritional rate per gram and a higher yolk to white ratio, so they
are much better for you. Children love quail eggs, the shells are so pretty
and the novelty of having poached, fried or soft boiled little eggs tempts
even the fussiest eaters. I use four quail eggs for every chicken egg in a
recipe.

Unlike chickens which are classed as poultry, quail are considered caged
birds, so anywhere you can keep a canary you can keep a quail. They are happy
living inside (in fact you might end up with more eggs due to extra lighting)
or they are tough enough to brave it in the yard, in a cat proof cage or
hutch. Our quail live in an old guinea pig hutch, given to us by friends. It
costs only $5 to $10 to buy a quail and they will lay between 200 – 300 eggs
each a year. Not to mention their droppings make a wonderful fertiliser for
the garden!

As far as diet, we feed our quail Game Bird crumbles, a selection of kitchen
leftovers and are starting to grow seed for them to eat. Quail also love
insects which children love to collect for them. A 20kg bag of Game Crumbles
only costs $24 and based on an adult bird consumption, would last around four
months to feed 10 birds. For an investment of $24 for feed you could end up
with over 1000 home grown eggs!

Personally I will not be getting any Quail, though I will do when I eventually move.

Key money saving resource & example of lateral thinking is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Key social media site for finance, investing, and business topics

Alex Webley — Sun, 10 May 2009 07:00:16 +0000

Networking with people who have similar interests is a key feature and benefit of social networking.

Here is a key social media site for finance, investing, and business topics:

Tip’d

The choice of website name is clever!

Key social media site for finance, investing, and business topics is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

27 Visualizations and Infographics to Understand the Financial Crisis

Alex Webley — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:24:01 +0000

The financial crisis has affected all of us in different ways.

Here are some high-quality graphics to help you understand what’s happened/happening.

Some graphics attempt to explain it all while others focus on affected business. Still others concentrate on how we, as people are affected. Some graphics show those who are responsible. After you examine these 27 visualizations and info-graphics, I expect that you will have a pretty good idea about what’s going on.

27 Visualizations and Infographics to Understand the Financial Crisis

27 Visualizations and Infographics to Understand the Financial Crisis is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Take a Tip. Share a Tip. – Google Moderator

Alex Webley — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:12:35 +0000

Tip Jar – powered by Google.

This is an interesting initiative, and very handy for the current financial climate.

Take a Tip. Share a Tip. – Google Moderator is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Learn from Warren Buffett.

Alex Webley — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:15:48 +0000

Free billion dollar advice and thinking from Warren Buffet, who has just published his 2008 newsletter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders:

Go here and then choose your PDF to download.

(For those unaware; Warren Buffet is one of the world’s most successful investors).

Learn from Warren Buffett. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Interesting financial perspective from Sir Alan Sugar.

Alex Webley — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 12:06:22 +0000

Sir Alan Sugar is one of my favorite business people. A very down to earth, smart, results orientated and world class businessman. I am a big fan, as also of Richard Branson.

Learning from, and listening to, the world’s best is a good habit.

Sir Alan has some key views concerning obtaining financial advice – very appropriate for these times too.

What he has to say makes simple sense. But then, simple stuff can often be the best.

SIR ALAN SUGAR: The so-called experts know double naff-all

Ironically, when I was involved with my father concerning investments (he is a world class share trader) I lost money. The only time I have made money share trading was when I did it myself. I was left out to dry by my Dad, after being told I would get personal assistance, and even have suspicions that on one occasion he deliberately set me up for a big drop too.

Stupidly I trusted my father, despite many warning signs over many years in many situations. Part of me hoped for better things in my relationship with him, beyond the point of rational hope. The survival of the fittest and natural selection is a life principle. Trusting my father in the way I did was my own stupid fault. Life kicked me. Stinking thinking. A lot of people blame circumstances for their misfortune, when often it is their own stupid fault.

Are there areas in your business or financial life where you are not thinking right?

What warning signs have you seen?

What warning signs have you ignored? Yes, ignored – like me.

Is your financial adviser any good? Would what you do pass Sir Alan’s scrutiny do you think?

What about your personal life? Here on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia we had a case where a young guy decided to swim across a canal one night as a short cut home. He got attacked by a Bull Shark and died. Sharks are a well known risk in canals and waterways here. The guy failed to think correctly and paid with his life. Another example of natural selection of the fittest.

Do you swim with financial sharks? Do you know much about the people you entrust your money to, or receive advice from?

Interesting financial perspective from Sir Alan Sugar. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Clever idea – pay as you drive car insurance

Alex Webley — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:29:42 +0000

Recently I received a letter and flyer in my letterbox here on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia about an innovative method of comprehensive auto insurance cover.

It is offered by an Australian company and I realize that most of my readers are in North America, however some of my Australian readers may benefit from it. And in any case, the idea is so good perhaps the concept is being offered in North America; or could be, by an enterprising company.

The insurance cover reflects risk in the sense of paying only for the distance you travel. It makes sense and is a clever example of how a company can reduce costs to its clients, yet still maintain profitability and a sensible risk profile. A win win situation for both the company and its customers.

Very smart marketing in my view and a key example of lateral thinking and looking at a situation from the customer’s perspective.

Here is the link: http://payasyoudrive.com.au/

Clever idea – pay as you drive car insurance is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Financial expert Suze Orman’s new book (Hurry)

Alex Webley — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:21:11 +0000

Financial expert Suze Orman is offering her new book for free download
(24 hours only) from Oprah’s site. Get it here quickly:

http://media.oprah.com/sterm/action_plan_english.pdf

Tell your friends!

Financial expert Suze Orman’s new book (Hurry) is a post from: Black Shaman Blog