Frustration. We all face it, sometimes on a daily basis. It is part of human existence. Our professional and personal lives are full of obligations, deadlines and decisions, and it is often difficult to decide on a course of action. We waver and hesitate, trying to make the best choices from among a confusing array of alternatives. Many times it seems that making no decision is the only course. But that only leads to more frustration.
One of the goals of Personal Finance is helping you alleviate stress by giving you the knowledge to make informed choices, especially when it comes to spending and investing. Each week, our reporters and contributors tackle diverse topics, from finding the best deals on car insurance and spending your weekly entertainment money, to ones of a more complex nature, such as retirement planning and offshore investing. This issue is no exception.
Our cover story, written by Asa Fitch, takes a look at mutual fund activity in the region and finds that many analysts see their growth here as vital to a stronger regional economy. Institutional investors are large holders of funds, and they tend to panic less easily than individual investors, which makes markets more stable. All that glitters? Conrad de Aenlle looks at that staple of the financial world, gold. It is among the most precious of metals, and we all dream of owning a bar or two. In addition, it has long been seen as a wise investment in times of economic turmoil and as a hedge against a weak US dollar. But it may not belong in every portfolio. We tell you why.
The UAE is a melting pot, and many of us are here to expand our careers, and our bank accounts. Inga Stevens talks to an Azerbaijani in Dubai who has parlayed property investments back home into profitable income, all the while holding down a full-time job. We should take a lesson from her perseverance and hard work, and her story might even have you planning your own mini property empire. Still frustrated? Hypnosis might just be an answer. Inga Stevens explores this ancient form of therapy.
Let us know how you fight frustration in your personal and professional life. Write us at pf@thenational.ae
