Is gold a good investment?
Gold bullet: Should I sell my jewelry now?
Question: Many of my acquaintances are wildly buying gold, even though the price is already so high. I think the opposite is true: Is it worthwhile to sell gold right now - eg. For example, all those jewels that I'll never wear anyway?
Helma Sick: I do not consider gold as the safe investment that many see in this commodity. It is also always a speculative object and above all a crisis facility for many who have panicked during the financial crisis. That drove the price up so much. If you are not afraid of "bad times", it is certainly very sensible to use the high price of gold to sell jewelry that seems to be in your drawer.
Ship Participation: Is my money in danger?
Question: Some time ago I still earned a lot with my ship participation. Now it is in the newspapers that even large shipping companies are about to go bankrupt and that money invested is lost. What do you mean, what should I do?
Helma Sick: No question: reputable ship investments have been profitable investments for many years. After all, more than 90 percent of world trade is handled by ships. Of course, the economic crisis has an impact on the capacity utilization of ships - and thus also on the chances of returns and risks entailed by every entrepreneurial investment. Through your investment, you are practically financing one or more ships with others. But: By no means all ship investments are equally shaken. For example, container ships hit the crisis even harder than tankers and bulk carriers. And holdings in a pool of different ships are generally less under pressure than investments in individual vessels.
My opinion: just do not panic. The markets will also recover. As the independent analysis agency Fondsmedia reports, at least 93 percent of all ship funds are in the plus. So, if you've planned a longer investment time from the start, just wait and see.
Maintenance: Does the current income count?
Question: Because of my three children, I (52) was never working. Two years ago, my husband, in agreement with me, decided to give up his job as an employed doctor in the hospital and settle down as a cardiologist. However, a favorable practice did not occur until we separated - after 28 years of marriage. , , Now the divorce is in progress, and my husband only wants to pay maintenance in line with his previous earnings. I mean, I would have to participate in his much higher income from the doctor's office. Who is right?
Helma Sick: You are right! Because the practice was planned earlier (and would have taken place without separation), you as a married couple could count on a higher income for the future. This, in turn, usually leads to a change in the standard of living. An example: Let's assume that your husband has earned about 4,000 euros net as a senior physician in the clinic and pays 600 euros a month for your son, who is still studying. Then you would now be entitled to about 1500 Euro maintenance. If he comes as a self-employed cardiologist on a monthly net income of 6000 euros, go monthly 700 euros to her son and about 2380 euros to you. It would be different if your husband only came to the idea of settling after the breakup - or even after the divorce. Then one would speak of a so-called career jump from which you as a divorced wife would not benefit.
Swiss Depot: Do I have to worry?
Question: My friend has a securities account in Switzerland. I do not know if this is official or not. Now I am very worried because you are constantly hearing about CDs with the names of tax evaders, heavy fines or jail. What would be to be feared in the worst case?
Helma Sick: Anyone who owns a securities account in Switzerland is not automatically a tax fraudster. All Germans can also invest money abroad wherever they want - in Switzerland as well as in Austria or Liechtenstein, Singapore or Canada. Switzerland is popular because this country has never made war because it did not have to deal with hyperinflation or currency reforms, and because the Swiss franc is one of the most stable currencies in the world. It can not be argued that a Swiss custody account can be misused for tax fraud. But if your friend gives his all foreign income in the tax return, everything is fine.
Helma Sick leads her company "frau & geld" together with Renate Fritz in Munich. More tips can be found on their homepage.
