Los Machucambos - Pepito

This is a song dedication to Coconut who likes to listen to oldies while trading :)


Below is the tongue-in-cheek mandarin version by Zhang Di for some humour on this red red day.

We have the land, they have the book

I remember hearing this quote from the BBC when they were doing a story about an African anti-colonial freedom fighter leader many years ago. The freedom fighter said:

“When the white men first came - they had the book, we had the land. Now we have the book, the white men have the land.”

No, I am not going to write about colonization or fighting for independence. I missed that boat in the 50s. Born at the wrong time.

But still it stuck in my head…

Let’s apply it to our financial decisions.

We have the cash, and after meeting someone (distant relatives and well-intentioned casual friends are the most dangerous!), did you notice if we are not careful, we often depart with our cash and come away with something the Red American Indians have also discovered after signing peace treaties with the white men:

Words written on water.

You may want to take a moment to pause and reflect.

There are many well-intentioned sermons to part with our cash –especially those that are stroking the inflation fears – that holding cash now is “foolish”.

Before we rush to buy “trinkets” from the snake oil salesmen, you make want to take your own counsel first.

P.S. I have hedged against inflation. The point is not to do nothing; but only act through your own volition. And there lies the key to true financial freedom – taking personal responsibility.

Are you the Opinion leader or Follower?



Where do see yourself in this picture?

Like lemmings to the cliff, there is one species of caterpillar in Athens where they will do mass migration to god knows where every summer. To new sources of food, I guess. It can be a frigthening sight - caterpillars everywhere! (You can stop laughing at me now)

Most will stumble onto the pavements and get stuck in the water drainage holes by the side of the road, or they will be crushed by the cars if the lead caterpillar decides to march across the road.

Like the human wave military tactic used by China in the 50s, it's an awesome sight (I can speak American OK?) to see the caterpillars march on despite the carnage up ahead. Perhaps they can't see beyond the ass of the caterpillar in front?

I was going to write a satire post on the "herding" behaviour of humans - be it in politics, our investment decisions, or our lifestyle choices (fashion, for eg).

Then it struck me! (I realise I like to use "then" a lot. A very Singaporean trait - then, hor!)

If a picture is worth more than a thousand words, whatever I write will be superfluous. Silly me!

I shall stop and leave you alone with the picture above, and this question:

Where do you see yourself in the picture? (Ouch!)