Education and Employment
With another group of young people having completed grade 12, I felt it good to discuss the topics of employment and education. In a recent Podcast I listened to, the market commentator gave statistics on the current US unemployment situation. This figure came in at 9.4% (a far cry from South Africa’s figure of approximately 30%, depending on which source you use).
What was interesting to me was that the group with High School Diploma (equivalent to Matric/Grade12) had an unemployment rate of close to 16% and those who had obtained a 3 year Bachelor’s Degree or higher qualification an unemployment rate of closer to 4%. This gap seems to be widening further. It is obvious that base on this simple statistic, employment prospects are closely linked to educational background. It is therefore no wonder that for most parents their children’s education is a particularly high financial priority.
A quick survey indicated that a BCom degree (3years) would cost approximately R25 000 per annum (excluding residence). If a person wants to save for such an amount over a 10 year period, the investment would need to start at R590 per month (escalating at 7% per annum). If the time left before commencement of studies reduces to 8 years, the monthly savings amount should start at R751 per month, 6 years R1 017 per month and 4 years R1550 per month. As can be seen, the earlier one starts, the better.
Feel free to contact Plan-B in this regard or to discuss your own provisions for education or other financial goals.
Warm Regards
Jaco van Schalkwyk CFP ®
0219475454
Please visit www.plan-b.co.za
You can follow Jaco on Twitter, search for JacovanS.
|
Stakes in Facebook
Did you know according to an investment document, Facebook has more than 600 million monthly active users, 230 million of them accessing it on their mobile devices.
Potential investors contact a Goldman Sachs representative for further information.
DO NOT CONTACT FACEBOOK.
“To get a stake in Facebook, Goldman Sachs clients are required to make minimum investment of $2 million in what`s described as limited partnerships based in Cayman islands and Delaware.”
“The above mentioned company also charges 0,5% of any capital committed to the partnership as an expense reserve” as well as a 4% placement fee and 5% of any gains is also stated in the same investment document sent out to private wealth clients.
The firm also explains: The Goldman Sachs Group inc. may at any time reduce its exposure to its investment in Facebook without notice to the fund or investors there in.
The offering document to invest in Facebook, obtained by Bloomberg News shows that of the $450 million invested in Facebook by Goldman Sachs. $75 million is coming from Goldman Sachs Investment Partners a hedge fund that handles client`s money. The firm’s own $375 million investment will probably be cut, to $300 million because they expect to sell $75 million to third parties or the fund it created. So clients could buy a stake in Facebook.
Goldman Sachs recently paid $500 million to settle fraud charges filed by the Securities and Exchange comission reality to the 2007 sale of a mortgage-linked investment called Abacus.
The company admit to making a “mistake” by failing to inform clients in the 2007 deal that it allowed a hedge fund betting against the investment to help put together the deal.
Both spokespersons of Goldman Sachs in New York and Facebook declined to comment.
Gather all available information before buying stakes/shares in any company!!
Facts according to statistics on Facebook they have only 500 million active monthly users and only more than 200 million access from mobile devices.
Plan-B Update
The move to our new offices (still in the Sanlam Head Office in Bellville) has been smooth so far. A second phase will commence soon and should be done by end February. We welcome you to pay us a visit in the mean time to meet the team. We would like to make use of the opportunity to introduce our team to you: Jaco van Schalkwyk CFP ® - Investment Planner, Thea van Schalkwyk – Investment Consultant, Jolene Kotze – New Business Consultant and Chris Rube – Financial Adviser. You are most welcome to join us for a cup of coffee.
Warm Regards
Jaco van Schalkwyk CFP ®
0219475454
|
