The Most Expensive Real Estate In The World

World’s Expensive Real Estate

When you are looking for a place to live, you may want to look around the world, but when you have a lot of money, you may want to look in these locations, which are considered to be some of the most expensive cities and neighborhoods in the entire world.

San Diego, California

San Diego has beautiful weather, the Pacific Ocean and plenty of places to go and see in this world-class city. One of the most expensive areas in this city is La Jolla, where the average home price runs about $1.7 million per house. In this area you get a clear view of the Pacific Ocean and wonderful weather all year long.

Tokyo, Japan

One of the largest cities in the world, Tokyo has everything for person who wants to live in the island nation of Japan. Plenty of huge stores, high technology and amazing history, Tokyo is a great place to live. One of the best places to live within the city is the Shibuya Neighbourhood, where homes cost roughly $1.8 million.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Sitting along the coast, complete with beautiful beaches, a thriving nightlife, a deep history and very favourable taxes for the rich, this is one of the most expensive countries in the world to live in. Monte Carlo often ranks as the highest priced city to live in with homes costing on average $4,420 per square foot.

Hong Kong, China

For a century, Hong Kong grew as part of the British Empire and in 1999 it transferred over to China. Since then, the city has continued to grow and prosper, bringing up some of the most expensive real estate in the world with it. Currently, the average home in the high class neighbourhood of Victoria Peak costs about $3.5 million.

Moscow, Russia

The economy of Russia is beginning to grow again thanks to high oil prices, and that has pushed the real estate prices in this city skyward. Moscow may seem cold and uninviting but it is actually a very beautiful city that has much to offer, even at $1,937 per square foot for real estate.

Jupiter Island, Florida

Probably the most expensive place to live in all of the United States, you are only a short drive away from Palm Beach, Jupiter Island has many golf courses, yacht clubs and places to spend oodles of money. Former president George H.W. Bush used to live here, where homes cost on average $5.6 million.

London, England

One of the most expensive cities in the world to live, London is a city of history, culture and more. It has everything you could possibly want out of a city but that comes at a very high price. In the area of Kensington Palace Gardens, where the average home price is a whopping $85 million, the richest Londoners live, including Middle Eastern royalty and business tycoons.

So, if you got the money then these are the cities you may want to move
to, where you can enjoy the good life that money buys.

How An Actor and Composer Convinced Me to Join Instagram and Now I’m Hooked

Adawnjournal Instagram Is Ready

Published Date: May 2, 2016

I used to be one of those who never tried or understood Instagram, as I never bothered trying it. While I was in Myrtle Beach last week, I was sending some pictures to my nephew Shayan Mannan, who is an actor and a music director as well. His link: www.diseasemusic.com

He insisted I should open up an Instagram account to let the world see these pictures. He kept asking me to sign up and I eventually told him I might try it some other time just as a way to avoid signing up for it. I had no intention of opening up a new account only to share pics, as I have been more concentrating on YouTube posts about credit cards and rewards points these days.

However, on April 20th all of my reluctance changed. When I was enjoying the Atlantic, sitting on the balcony in my Oceanfront suite in Myrtle Beach, I don’t know how or why, but something made me sign up for Instagram on my smartphone. After posting my very first picture, I got hooked on Instagram and since then I’ve been posting new pics almost everyday, even after coming back to Toronto.

The ease of using this app and sharing pics with the world is hard to ignore. According to my nephew, “It’s better than Facebook or Twitter. Endless array of pictures from around the world.”

Here is the link to follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adawnjournal

I recommend you follow me, as I will be sharing pics from various walks of life and because I am a global traveler you will get to travel around the globe with me when I am traveling.

Global Economy Updates

World Economy

First Published Date: May 8, 2016

The recent global economic outlooks provided by IMF forecast a grim picture for the upcoming months. The global economy will continue to recover, but at a slower and fragile pace.

Due to uncertain growth and confidence, advanced economies have deteriorated economic growth in the near future. Also, due to declines in commodity and prices, emerging economies will continue to suffer along with commodity-exporting countries.

As China is moving towards an economic growth based on consumption and services, there will be spills along the way that could affect other countries, especially emerging markets and developing economies. Emerging markets also suffer from slowing capital inflows and accelerating outflows.

Countries should emphasize accommodation monetary policies supplemented by complementary fiscal policies to boost economic growth and output.

However, another report published by Oxford Economies indicated that the global economy is no longer likely to fall into a full recession due to a surge in the global stock market, stable oil prices, and surging commodity prices. Economy health is at a better position now than it was in early January when oil prices were heading towards $20 a barrel and the stock market was in a free-fall.

The US Federal Reserve also keeps maintaining its current interest rate until at least June. Faith in the strengthening US economy makes the Fed believe that evolving economic conditions will make it possible to increase interest rates gradually in the future.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

The Guaranteed Income Supplement

Published Date: May 11, 2016

As we get older in Canada, there are many things in place to ensure that you have money after you retire. The Canada Pension Plan, which you pay into, will help pay those bills, as will Old Age Security, which is taxable. However, if you are a low-income pensioner, with very little or even no income, then you can look at supplementing the Old Age Security you receive through the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). GIS is non-taxable and the amount you receive will depend on how much you make, whether or not you are married and the age of your spouse.

Currently, the maximum you can receive through the GIS program is $597.53 per month, and this is if you have no other source of income. If you and your spouse both collect from the GIS program, then you can each receive a maximum of $392.01.

Since your annual income changes each year, and since the GIS program is based on your income, you need to renew your GIS every single year.

Most seniors can easily renew their GIS automatically by filing their income tax return by April 30. If a tax return is not filed because there is no income, then you can request a renewal application to be sent to you. Once you do this, you will receive a letter in July that explains to you the new amount of your monthly payment.

In order to qualify for the GIS, you need to be first eligible for the Old Age Security pension, meaning you need to be over 65 years of age, a Canadian citizen, and have lived in Canada for the past 10 years.

Currently, the Old Age Security Act provides a GIS earning exemption of $3,500, up from $500 in 2007. This means that a single pensioner who earns $3,500 or more, will be entitled to keep an additional $1,500 in their annual GIS benefits.

If you get married, separate from your spouse, or your spouse dies, then you must contact the GIS program to let them know about the change. If you separate due to reasons beyond your control, like your spouse is put in a nursing home, then you can both be considered a single person and that will give you a larger monthly payment.

Since the GIS program is based on income, what counts as income then? Here is a quick rundown:

1.    Canada Pension\Quebec Pension Plan

2.    Private pension income

3.    Foreign pension income

4.    RRSPs cashed during the year.

5.    Employment insurance

6.    Interest on savings

7.    Capital gains and dividends

8.    Rental property income

9.    Employment income

If you want to get an application for the program, you need to contact 1.800.277.9914

The GIS program can help you get a little extra money to live on each year, making being in your retirement and golden years that much easier for you. All you need to do is apply and start receiving your benefits from the government.

Canadian ETFs Explode

WisdomTree ETFs Canada

First Published Date: May 15, 2016

The Canadian ETF market passed a milestone by adding 400 available ETFs trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). As average investors are gradually realizing the significance of paying low fees on ETFs, they are ditching high-fee mutual funds in favour of low-fee ETFs. After all, why would someone want to pay a 2.50 percent MER on a mutual fund when they can obtain a very similar ETF with a 0.10 to 0.25 percent fee? It’s no wonder assets under management for ETFs on TSX have passed or are close to passing $100 billion.

Big mutual fund companies, which have been in denial of getting into ETFs for decades, are coming to the realization that there is no other choice but to enter the ETF arena. Their excuse was that, due to its low fees, no money could be made from ETFs. However, the change of heart happened when they finally (although they were late) realized that people are shifting from mutual funds and ETFs and if they don’t change now other providers will keep grabbing market share and they will be left out in the middle of nowhere. Big mutual fund companies like CI Investments and Mackenzie are now active in ETFs.

BMO (Bank of Montreal) deserves credit for recognizing ETF potential many years ago, before any other banks or mutual fund companies. And it has been awarded generously for its far-fetched decision. BMO is the second largest ETF player in Canada today after iShares and before Vanguard with $27 billion assets under management.

Also, WisdomTree, a major ETF provider in the US, has announced that it will launch its ETFs in Canada and is awaiting Canadian regulatory approval. You will see more ETF players from within and outside Canada to offer ETFs for Canadian investors in the future.

More players mean more choices, more competition, and better value; that’s good for everyone and that’s what we want in Canada.