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2014年1月8日星期三
The History of Soybeans
In
1904, the famous American chemist, George Washington Carver (pictured
right) discovered that soybeans are a valuable source of protein and
oil. He also realized the benefits for soybeans for preserving good
quality soil. Mr. Carver encouraged cotton farmers to "rotate" their
crops in a three-year plan so that peanuts, soybeans, sweet potatoes or
other plants would replenish the soil with nitrogen and minerals for two
seasons, and then the third year farmers planted cotton. To the
surprise of many farmers, this produced a far better cotton crop than
they had seen for many years!
In
1919 William Morse co-founded the American Soybean Association and
became its first president. At the time farmers used only 20 proven
varieties of soybeans. Morse recognized that there was much potential
to be discovered in the soybean plant. In 1929, Morse spent two years
gathering soybeans in China. He brought back more than 10,000 soybean
varieties for agricultural scientists to study. Morse understood that
new, improved varieties meant better production for farmers.
Henry
Ford is known for producing automobiles but did you know that he once
made a car with plastic bodywork made from soybeans? Ford owned a large
research facility. He came to the lab one day with a bag of soybeans.
He dumped them out on the floor and told the scientists, "You guys are
supposed to be smart. You ought to be able to do something with them."
In time, the scientists in Ford's lab made a strong enough plastic for
the gearshift knobs, horn buttons, window frames, accelerator pedals,
light-switch assemblies and ignition-coil casings. They also fashioned
the exterior of an automobile from "soybean plastic." By 1935 Ford was
using one bushel of soybeans for every car he manufactured. In the
picture above Ford is swinging an axe at an automobile to show how tough
the soybean plastic was.
Like
many field crops, soybeans are grown from seed planted in rows in the
field. The soybean seeds are mature soybeans that are cleaned and bagged
specifically for use as seed. Farmers select seed based on desireable
plant characteristics, like high yield, ability to withstand drought,
color, or ability to withstand wind and weather. In North Carolina,
farmers plant soybeans beginning in May and as late as July.
Seed
may be planted in cultivated or tilled land by a tractor and a planter
which deposits the soybean seed about 1 1⁄2 inches deep in rows that are
up to 30 inches apart. There is no rule about how wide rows must be,
but 30 inches is typical.
Or
soybeans may be "drilled" into the ground in seven-inch rows by a
special "no-till" planter. When a farmer uses the "no-till" method, the
land is not cultivated and the seeds are planted directly into the
stubble left over from the previous crop, for example wheat harvested in
May or June. The "no-till" method is a great improvement that saves
time, conserves moisture and greatly decreases the possibility of soil
erosion. "No-till" is often acceptable for farmers, but sometimes
tillage is required, especially for dealing with fields infested with
pests like tough weeds.
When
the soybeans sprout and small plants begin to grow (about four to seven
days after planting), there are many things a farmer must consider to
protect his crop. The farmer has already invested in seed, planting,
and weed control and wants the crop to grow its best. Bugs and worms
really like small tender plants; so when the farmer notices that there
is a heavy insect infestation, he or she must calculate the degree of
risk to the crop. If the infestation is bad enough to harm the crop,
the farmer sprays a pesticide to control the harmful pests. If the
farmer is using organic methods, there are still products that can be
sprayed but the choice is much more limited, and the risk is somewhat
greater.
Also,
if allowed to grow some weeds will produce seeds that will be harvested
with the soybeans and will reduce the value. The farmer will get less
money when he sells his soybeans if there are lots of weed seeds in with
the soybeans.
In
July, August and September, the plants bloom. The flowers are small and
vary from a white to a beautiful violet or purple. From these blossoms,
the soybean plant grows small pods that contain the young seeds. The
soybean is a self-pollinating plant, which means that each flower has
male and female parts. A single plant can produce seed and essentially
clone itself. Soybean plants produce many more flowers than they need,
so many flowers never produce pods.
In
late September, the soybeans begin to mature. As the days get shorter
and the temperatures get cooler, the leaves on soybean plants begin to
turn yellow. By mid-October and November, the leaves will turn brown and
fall off, exposing the matured pods of soybeans.
Some
soybeans are needed to produce another crop each year. High quality
soybeans are grown, harvested and purchased by the seed industry to be
used as seed for the next year's crop. Researchers in the seed industry
focus on developing new soybean varieties with outstanding
characteristics including high yield, lodging resistance, nematode
resistance, herbicide tolerance, and many other desireable
characteristics.
Nearly all soybeans are processed for their oil. 
Soybean oil is used in cooking and frying foods. Margarine is a product made from soybean oil. 
Salad dressings and mayonnaises are made with soybean oil.
Some
foods are packed in soybean oil (tuna, sardines, etc.) Baked breads,
crackers, cakes, cookies and pies usually have soybean oil in them.
The
high-protein fiber(that which remains after processing has removed the
oil) is toasted and prepared into animal feed for poultry, pork,
cattle, other farm animals and pets. The poultry and swine industries
are major consumers of soybean meal. Over half of the soybeans
processed for livestock feed are fed to poultry, about one-quarter is
fed to swine, and the rest is used for beef cattle, dairy cattle and
petfood.
Soy
protein is increasingly found in fish food, both for home aquariums and
for the fish grown for eating. Most marine species were feed fish meal
at one time, but the scarcity and increasing cost of fish meal has led
producers to switch to high protein soymeal for a variety of marine
species. Around the world, soy protein may be found in feed for most
animals. 
Soy
crayons made by the Dixon Ticonderoga Company replace the petroleum
used in regular crayons with soy oil making them non-toxic and safer for
children. 
Candles made with soybean oil burn longer but with less smoke and soot.
Soy-based hydraulic fluid and rail flange lubricants are among the more recent products developed with check-off funds. 
SOY-BASED
FOAMS are currently being developed for use in coolers, refrigerators,
automotive interiors and even footwear. Beginning in 2007, Ford
Mustangs and other vehicles rolled off the production line with soy foam
in the seats. New uses in the automotive and equipment industry
followed, including lubricants, body parts, interiors and seating. 
Soybean area up, corn down in South America
Brazil became the world’s largest soybean producer last year and this year’s crop is expected to be larger. | Reuters photo
Record soybean crop anticipated | Production in Argentina and Brazil affects global prices
Corn and soybean markets are focused on U.S. production but it won’t be long before the gaze shifts to South America.
When it does, the markets will see the potential for increased
soybean production and decreased corn output, according to two U.S.
Grains Council consultants.What happens with those two crops in South America will influence the prices of canola, wheat and other crops grown in Western Canada.
Summer corn planting usually starts around mid-August in Brazil and Argentina. Soybean planting begins in mid-September in Brazil and early October in Argentina.
Planting of both crops has been delayed due to dry conditions in key states and provinces.
Delays in corn planting and lackluster prices will likely result in corn land shifting to soybeans in both countries, say analysts.
“There will be a significant reduction in corn summer area,” Alfredo Navarro, the USG’s consultant in Brazil, said in an email response to questions provided by The Western Producer.
He is forecasting a 15 percent or 1.7 million acre reduction in summer corn plantings, which will likely result in four million fewer tonnes of summer corn than 2012-13.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts 72 million tonnes of summer and winter corn production in Brazil. Navarro believes that reduction is too drastic. He predicts 74.5 million tonnes of production.
Dolores Rodriguez Pareja, the USG’s consultant in Argentina, forecasts 8.55 million acres of corn, down six percent from last year.
Eight percent of summer corn acres have been planted, down nine percent from last year’s seeding pace, she said in an email.
Rodriguez Pareja believes 250,000 acres will be switched from corn to soybeans due to soybean prices holding up better than corn. Corn is also 2.5 times more expensive to plant.
Soybeans may pick up an additional 450,000 acres from sunflowers, which were not planted due to drought in northeastern Argentina.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting 26 million tonnes of corn production in Argentina, down slightly from the 26.5 million tonnes produced last year.
Rodriguez Pareja said 26 million tonnes is possible if farmers achieve trend-line yields.
The USDA is forecasting 88 million tonnes of soybean production in Brazil, up from 82 million tonnes last year.
Navarro believes that is a reasonable estimate. Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology forecasts normal summer weather in the two main soybean-producing states of Mato Grosso and Goias.
He is optimistic about 2013-14 soybean export prospects.
“There are indications that China will be in the market buying a lot. Brazilian real (currency) devaluation also increases competitiveness of Brazilian beans,” said Navarro.
The USDA is forecasting 53.5 million tones of soybean production in Argentina, up from 49.4 million tonnes last year.
South American Soybean Planting Pegged at Record by Oil World
Soybean planting in South America may climb to a record as moisture conditions improve in some areas, Oil World said.
Farmers in South America’s top five producing countries may plant 54.2 million hectares (133.9 million acres) in the 2013-14 season, 2 million hectares more than last year, the Hamburg-based researcher said in an e-mailed report. Brazil may plant a record 29 million hectares, up from 27.7 million the prior year. Argentina’s sowing at 19.7 million hectares will be 3 percent larger than a year earlier. South American production in early 2014 may top last year’s record of 145 million tons if rain expands in dry regions, according to the report.
“Brazil could become the world’s largest producer of soybeans in 2013-14 if our current estimate of soybean plantings is achieved and if weather cooperates,” Oil World said. “The biggest question mark currently surrounds the planting prospects in Argentina, where recent rains were much too light to break the drought in the central and northern areas.”
Growing conditions are favorable in southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, Oil World said. Rain is forecast by the end of the month for dry areas in Brazil’s Mato Grosso, the top growing region, where planting has been delayed. Argentine farmers may shift some corn and sunflower area to soybeans, because the oilseed is usually planted later and there is still time for moisture conditions to improve, it said.
Argentina’s corn area was estimated at 4.3 million hectares, down from 4.6 million a year earlier, while sunflower area at 1.6 million hectares will drop 3.6 percent, Oil World said. Brazil’s corn area was pegged at 15.4 million hectares, down from 15.9 million in the prior season, and cotton area may jump 33 percent to 1.2 million hectares, the report showed.
South American soybean exports have been “unusually high” in recent months, with shipments 4 million tons larger than the prior year in August and 2.25 million tons bigger in September, Oil World said. Exports have increased to China, the European Union, Japan, Thailand and Egypt, it said. The U.S. has historically been the largest producer of the oilseed.
To contact the reporter on this story: Whitney McFerron in London at wmcferron1@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Claudia Carpenter at ccarpenter2@bloomberg.net
South America’s 2013/14 soybean crop takes shape
Our neighbors to the south are planning to raise a record crop of soybeans for harvest early in 2014.
“The latest number right now for Brazil is 90.7 million metric tons (3.33 billion bushels) from Agroconsult. That group is sharply higher than the USDA’s estimate,” said Rich Nelson, Allendale chief strategist, in McHenry, Ill.
In the November World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimate (WASDE) report, the USDA forecast Brazil’s 2013/14 soybean production at 88 million metric tons (3.23 billion bushels). Argentina’s production was forecast at 53.3 million metric tons (1.965 billion bushels), and Paraguay’s was forecast at 9 million metric tons (330 million bushels).
The WASDE numbers were updated on Dec. 10. Most of the soybean trade expected the USDA to increase their soybean planting intentions numbers for South America.
As of early December, the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange reported that South America had about 60 percent of their soybeans planted.
“Overall soybean planting is going just fine – no problems at all with any of the crops in Brazil or Argentina,” Nelson said, adding that Argentina had some heavy rainfall in November, and conditions were more dry going into December. The dry conditions were needed, although moderate to heavy rains were predicted for mid-December.
The USDA reported in early December that U.S. soybean sales had already reached 95 percent of the agencies export forecast.
“That is certainly good news, and we do expect USDA to raise soybean exports in the Dec. 10 report,” said Nelson.
Shipments remained ahead of average but not on the same pace as sales.
“A lot of these countries are holding back and are leaving the ability to cancel this product. That’s still an issue we have to work on here.”
Export soybean contracts can vary greatly, and there are various ramifications of cancelling a contract. Most contracts include some type of penalty for cancellation, but in some cases, cancellation fees are minimal.
With China continuing as the number one purchaser of soybeans, the U.S. does have to pay attention to the role of politics.
“The simple fact is that China needs the product. They can’t raise soybeans themselves, and they have a very well established pattern of using the U.S. as a secondary supplier for the period of July through January,” said Nelson. “We are a secondary supplier of soybean products to China.”
On Dec. 6, soybean futures traded on the CME Group exchange with January 2014 at $13.22, March at $13.06, May at $12.92, July at $12.84, August at $12.55 and September 2014 at $11.99 per bushel.
Compared with prices on Nov. 22, the January contract was 10 cents higher, March was 9 cents higher, May was 11 cents higher, July was 9 cents higher, and August was 2 cents higher.
The September future price on Dec. 6 below $12 per bushel was significant.
“This is a recognition that we are moving from a very tight supply environment back to what we can say are adequate to larger supplies now,” he said. “It is changing in the supply flow as far as U.S. growing commodities and lower prices we’ll see in the future.”
At one elevator in western Minnesota followed in this column, cash soybeans on Dec. 6 were $12.69 per bushel with a basis of 37 cents. Compared with the price back on Nov. 22 of $12.62, the price was 7 cents higher and the basis had narrowed by 13 cents.
Allendale is beginning to look at some U.S. soybean acre estimates for 2014.
“We certainly won’t see anything like the 7 million acre additional increase that some are calling for, for U.S. plantings,” he said. “We could see a 3-4 million acre increase.
“There’s no doubt the issue is soybeans will be more profitable to plant next year. You can still obtain some very moderate profits compared with our very large concern we have regarding corn pricing.”
Prior to the release of the Dec. 10 WASDE report, the marketing firm forecast a U.S. 2013 soybean carryout of 147 million bushels.
“This number is an adequate supply,” said Nelson. “It’s smaller than normal, but in today’s variant, we call that adequate.”
“The latest number right now for Brazil is 90.7 million metric tons (3.33 billion bushels) from Agroconsult. That group is sharply higher than the USDA’s estimate,” said Rich Nelson, Allendale chief strategist, in McHenry, Ill.
In the November World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimate (WASDE) report, the USDA forecast Brazil’s 2013/14 soybean production at 88 million metric tons (3.23 billion bushels). Argentina’s production was forecast at 53.3 million metric tons (1.965 billion bushels), and Paraguay’s was forecast at 9 million metric tons (330 million bushels).
The WASDE numbers were updated on Dec. 10. Most of the soybean trade expected the USDA to increase their soybean planting intentions numbers for South America.
As of early December, the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange reported that South America had about 60 percent of their soybeans planted.
“Overall soybean planting is going just fine – no problems at all with any of the crops in Brazil or Argentina,” Nelson said, adding that Argentina had some heavy rainfall in November, and conditions were more dry going into December. The dry conditions were needed, although moderate to heavy rains were predicted for mid-December.
The USDA reported in early December that U.S. soybean sales had already reached 95 percent of the agencies export forecast.
“That is certainly good news, and we do expect USDA to raise soybean exports in the Dec. 10 report,” said Nelson.
Shipments remained ahead of average but not on the same pace as sales.
“A lot of these countries are holding back and are leaving the ability to cancel this product. That’s still an issue we have to work on here.”
Export soybean contracts can vary greatly, and there are various ramifications of cancelling a contract. Most contracts include some type of penalty for cancellation, but in some cases, cancellation fees are minimal.
With China continuing as the number one purchaser of soybeans, the U.S. does have to pay attention to the role of politics.
“The simple fact is that China needs the product. They can’t raise soybeans themselves, and they have a very well established pattern of using the U.S. as a secondary supplier for the period of July through January,” said Nelson. “We are a secondary supplier of soybean products to China.”
On Dec. 6, soybean futures traded on the CME Group exchange with January 2014 at $13.22, March at $13.06, May at $12.92, July at $12.84, August at $12.55 and September 2014 at $11.99 per bushel.
Compared with prices on Nov. 22, the January contract was 10 cents higher, March was 9 cents higher, May was 11 cents higher, July was 9 cents higher, and August was 2 cents higher.
The September future price on Dec. 6 below $12 per bushel was significant.
“This is a recognition that we are moving from a very tight supply environment back to what we can say are adequate to larger supplies now,” he said. “It is changing in the supply flow as far as U.S. growing commodities and lower prices we’ll see in the future.”
At one elevator in western Minnesota followed in this column, cash soybeans on Dec. 6 were $12.69 per bushel with a basis of 37 cents. Compared with the price back on Nov. 22 of $12.62, the price was 7 cents higher and the basis had narrowed by 13 cents.
Allendale is beginning to look at some U.S. soybean acre estimates for 2014.
“We certainly won’t see anything like the 7 million acre additional increase that some are calling for, for U.S. plantings,” he said. “We could see a 3-4 million acre increase.
“There’s no doubt the issue is soybeans will be more profitable to plant next year. You can still obtain some very moderate profits compared with our very large concern we have regarding corn pricing.”
Prior to the release of the Dec. 10 WASDE report, the marketing firm forecast a U.S. 2013 soybean carryout of 147 million bushels.
“This number is an adequate supply,” said Nelson. “It’s smaller than normal, but in today’s variant, we call that adequate.”
Ta Ann Holdings - CPO Price Assumptions Raised
Following our recent CPO price upgrade, we are raising
our earnings projections for Ta Ann by 8.8% for FY14 and 15.1% for
FY15. We lift our SOP-based fair value to MYR4.97 (from MYR4.53). We
continue to like Ta Ann’s: i) improving prospects in the timber
industry amid heightening economic activities in Japan and rising
timber prices, ii) a continued rise in FFB production, and iii) a rising
CPO price trend.
- Upgrading CPO price assumptions. We have upgraded our in-house CPO price assumptions for CY14 and CY15 to MYR2,700 and MYR2,900 per tonne respectively from MYR2,600 previously. We maintain our price assumption for CY13 at MYR2,400/tonne.
- Four main factors driving the upgrade. These are: i) a stronger global economy – which means food demand will continue to grow, ii) Indonesia’s lacklustre production growth on the double impact of dry weather in 2012 and 2013, iii) mandatory biodiesel implementation in the world’s two biggest palm oil producing countries, and iv) production cost to remain flattish-to-lower on significantly cheaper fertilisers following the potash cartel breakup in mid-2013.
- Raising forecasts. We are raising our forecasts for Ta Ann following the 8.8% price hike for FY14 and 15.1% for FY15. Our CPO price assumptions are MYR2,700/tonne for FY14 (from MYR2,457) and MYR2,900/tonne for FY15 (from MYR2,457). No change to our MYR2,292/tonne assumption for FY13.
- Maintain BUY. Post-earnings revision, we lift our SOP-based FV to MYR4.97 (from MYR4.53), based on an unchanged CY14 target P/E of 16x for its plantation division and 12x for its timber division. We continue to see value in Ta Ann on the back of: i) the timber industry’s gradually improving prospects amid increasing economic activities in Japan and rising timber prices, ii) a continued rise in fresh fruit bunches (FFB) production, and iii) a rising crude palm oil (CPO) price trend.
Financial Exhibits
SWOT Analysis
Company Profile
Ta Ann is mainly involved in the manufacture and sale of plywood, trading of timber logs and cultivation of oil palms.
Ta Ann is mainly involved in the manufacture and sale of plywood, trading of timber logs and cultivation of oil palms.
Recommendation Chart
Source: RHB
2014年1月7日星期二
銀行業私有化受關注‧豐隆、興業被點名
2014-01-07 10:35
（吉隆坡6日訊）邁入2014年，銀行業的重大企業活動料是私有化計劃，在資產負債表最大化的努力下，黃氏唯高達相信豐隆金融（HLFG，1082，主板金融組）及興業資本（RHBCAP，1066，主板金融組）仍是潛在私有化對象，以期釋放價值。
-
邁入2014年，銀行業的重大企業活動料是私有化計劃。（圖：星洲網）
該行相信這是2014年銀行業三大主題之一，另兩項主題則是回歸以國內業務為主，且市場將專注於落後大市的優質股。
隨著保險臂膀豐隆保險顯著成長，黃氏唯高達預見豐隆金融蘊藏的價值，而且豐隆金融潛在遭私有化，由豐隆保險取代上市，將有助於釋放豐隆金融的價值。
“豐隆保險正快速成長，不排除未來將掛牌，以2倍賬面值計，這可為豐隆金融釋放22億令吉，或相等於每股1令吉。”
該行補充，豐隆金融股票流通性不高，比豐隆銀行折價交易，私有化計劃反而能讓投資者專注於豐隆銀行的成長，並促使豐隆金融股價獲重估。
同時，興業資本仍是私有化對象，且馬屋業（MBSB，1171，主板金融組）可能會被注入興業銀行及重新上市，因為公積金局（EPF）都是兩者的大股東。
“馬屋業的個人融資業務誘人，但在進行重組前，必須先解決呆賬額高企問題。”
黃氏唯高達指出，大馬擁有潛力成為國家伊斯蘭金融中心，伊斯蘭銀行的整合活動或重新受關注，並推動回教銀行（BIMB，5258，主板金融組）及Muamalat銀行重新燃起併購洽談。
大眾和豐隆受青睞
隨著今年東盟新興市場處於不確定性及疲弱格局，黃氏唯高達研究相信國內銀行將重新專注在國內市場的成長。
“我們的首選股轉向大眾銀行（PBBANK，1295，主板金融組）及豐隆銀行（HLBANK，5819，主板金融組），因為兩者是國內消費者及中小企業銀行業務的領導者。”
值得一提的是，雖然國家銀行積極打房，但大眾銀行消費者貸款成長並沒有受到影響，預計接下來能企穩。
對於豐隆銀行，房貸仍是最大的貸款成長動力，在不犧牲賺幅下推動貸款成長。
馬來亞銀行（MAYBANK，1155，主板金融組）也是“國內主題”的另一隻重要股項，因為在主要業務，特別是存款業務表現看俏。
黃氏唯高達表示，雖然各銀行將持續執行區域化議程，但預計今年會專注於整合活動，以建立更強大的基礎。
印尼及泰國走勢不穩定及經濟疲態湧現，令涉足這兩大市場的馬銀行及聯昌集團（CIMB，1023，主板金融組）面對顯著影響。
“雖然國內銀行可從印尼長期成長中受惠，但目前經常賬項及貨幣趨軟，將導致此利好暫時落空。”
當中，聯昌面對的衝擊最大，因為30%盈利是來自印尼業務，預計今年印尼聯昌商業銀行僅能作出31%稅前盈利貢獻。
“敏感分析顯示，印尼聯昌商業銀行稅前盈利每下跌10%，將導致聯昌集團稅前盈利丟失3%。”
說到表現落後的優質股，黃氏唯高達研究首選豐隆銀行（HLBANK，5819，主板金融組），未來12至18個月將專注在伊斯蘭銀行、中小型企業及財富管理方面。
“豐隆銀行是國內唯一純商業銀行，可減少資金市場波動帶來的衝擊，過去12個落後大市後，我們相信該公司將重新綻放光芒。”
至於聯昌集團股價表現在505大選後沒有太大作為，主要是因為區域市場業務欠佳，因而相信其股價將持續處於窄幅格局內，直到資金市場重現活力。
“此外，聯昌集團收購蘇格蘭皇家銀行（RBS）亞太區投資銀行業務，也導致聯昌集團的盈利遭壓縮。”
盈利可增長11%
黃氏唯高達研究預期今年銀行業的盈利成長可加快至11%，相比去年料為7%，而且淨利息賺幅受壓程度也料減低。
“盈利成長展望強韌，主要歸功於聯昌集團、興業資本及大馬銀行。”
不過，由於政府收緊財政，加上國家銀行落實更嚴謹的放貸條規以抑制家債攀升，預計消費者貸款將趨軟。
“雖然淨利息賺幅壓縮程度紓緩，不過貸款成長料放緩至11%，將導致淨利息收益成長受抑制，預計今年將錄得9%，與去年表現不相上下。”
敏感分析顯示，淨利息賺幅每下跌10基點，將削弱銀行業6%盈利增長。
黃氏唯高達研究指出，若資金市場活動復甦，不排除非利息收益將帶來正面驚喜。.
越没钱越要投资vs没剩钱如何投资
问：有些人认为，没有剩余的钱如何投资，也有人说，越没有钱、越要投资，到底该听哪一方比较好？答：谈到投资，许多人都会说，没有钱如何投资。在现实生活中，许多人安份守己，虽然工作薪水不高，需要负担家人的生活，到了退休阶段，孩子完成高等教育，自己也可以退下职场，过着财务自由的退休生活。
以下摘录了美国著名财务顾问凯论朗瑟，对没钱或不够钱的投资者提供的一些建议，以便按自己的规划达成财务目标。
建议1：掌握金钱流向
每月都要记录每日的现金支出与收入，例如三餐、交通、休閒、饮料、其他消费等等，多数的人在记录后，发现他们低估了某项费用的实际支出，详细写下自己的开支，虽然是一项琐碎的事务，但是在界定自己花钱的方法后，可能会有很大的收获。
建议2：设定目标
最好是能将自己想要实现的目标写下来，除了教育基金、退休金、偿还信用卡及其他费用的债务是需要达成的传统目标，可能还要问问自己：“怎样的梦想才能充实我的生命？”
建议3：目标排序
由于资源有限，必须确定哪个目标是你想要率先达成，例如开始投资和存款的目标，以便储蓄购屋、年度旅游、修读硕士课程基金等等。
另外，中长期目标包括孩子的教育基金、可能换房屋、退休规划等等。（这些举例只供参考、实际情况将因人而异）
建议4：计算目标所需费用
对许多人来说，达成目标的障碍，往往是金钱的问题，主要是担心负担不起，不敢拥有梦想，若是你能真正算出实现梦想所需的代价，可能会有意外的惊喜！
建议5：调整花钱方式
这个步骤可以改变你的生活及支出方式，然后自行决定如何改变花钱的方法，以达成预定目标。
你可以将每月的支出分为3大类：
一：固定支出
这是每月必须支付的开销，例如保险费、大学贷款分期、电话费、房租，假如日后购买房屋和汽车，房屋贷款与汽车贷款分期，也属于固定支出，这些是无论你设定的是哪些目标，都不能避免的支出。
二：节制支出
这一项是你必须要花的钱，但金额是可以控制的，例如购买食物，可以购买必须经济实惠的饭菜，避免购买昂贵的饮料等等。
三：完全节制支出
这些是你可以完全节制的支出，以便省下不少钱的奢侈品，例如礼物、衣服、嗜好、休閒、娱乐等开销，这类支出是你决定目标后，可以完全删减的项目。
美梦成真可以体验到美好的滋味，当然，天下没有白吃的午餐，在节省的过程中，可能要舍弃一些要求，以便累积一笔投资资金，进而丰富人生的旅程，开源节流可以更快速达成人生的目标。
主答：Gain Wealth财务规划公司首席顾问李文畅
（来源：星洲日报 – 投资致富）
2014年1月5日星期日
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