I was talking to the lawyer the other day. A contract on a property purchase I am negotiating has a few nasty special clauses. The contract called for a directors personal guarantee (to complete) should a corporate purchaser fail to complete. These clauses were once rare, but you can’t keep secrets in contracts, so they…

It’ll never work. Not now. Not here. And definitely not for you. It works “over there” but that’s different. If you haven’t been spun a variation on this theme, click comment now and tell me your secret. Even with the most supportive family, friends and collegues the world is full of people who tell you…

I received the following email: Quick Question:: you had mentioned in one place, you build business. What have you built? and how hard was it? I am thinking of buying and building a business but a bit scared (butterflies in the stomach and all that crap).. Any guidance.?? Thriving business is the most fulfilling thing…

The finance on the three small units is almost in place. What a cocktail it is! But it is not the size of the units that is the problem. Normally I keep myself “ready to borrow”. Tax returns up-to-date, company trading accounts ready and stuff like that. Because I took Bookaburra over in July, none…

I tithe. That means 10% of my income and capital gains is given away. That either occurs quarterly on trading income or on settlement for capital gains. I give sacrificially, if I don’t miss it I’m not giving enough. Why? Because I think my gifts make the world a better place. I also believe that…

When I learned to drive I was required to have a fully qualified driver in the front seat passenger seat. That “black licence” was required to be sober and responsible. That is good risk management on behalf of the community. In poker if you can’t tell who the sucker at the table is, look in…

I bought a strata unit with a credit card cash advance once. I’ve used the same technique for a deposit in a hurry. Until recently I was a fan of lots of credit cards with high limits — providing you knew how to manage a bank’s Debt Service Ratio (DSR) calculations. You see, banks assume…

I just go home from listening to Peter Holmes à Court give a casual talk at the Sydney Chapter of Young Entrepreneurs Organisation. I won’t reproduce his entertaining, inspiring and insightful comments here — if you ever get a chance to hear Peter talk, take it. One point he did make was Someone’s always trying…

I sat in on an exchange between two very experienced businessmen today. What an education in five minutes. The Salesman and the Entrepreneur. Entrepreneur: We bought these from you last time at $1.62. Why do you want $2.25? Salesman: I have to pay MGM an 18% royalty on these. Entrepreneur (grabs a calculator): $1.62 +18%…