TJ,
Many thanks for your prompt and thoughtful reply. I found many interesting points for me to act upon, even if my financial resources limit the depth and spread of available options for me.
Malaysia is a great place to live out the third phase of one's life, as it has good facilities, is very economical, and being close to friends/relatives is very convenient. KL is quite far from Langkawi, is not as tranquil, but its distractions are many, esp if one's kids have long left home, and my future years are only to be spent with my wife, mainly. Quiet dinners, fine Australian wines, acceptable Western classical, jazz and other equivalent more contemporary genres do make life here quite bearable, even if it is without my children (who've long left the nest). In some ways, I'm actually quite glad my parenting days are behind me, especially since my precious two have turned out alright.
I'm not sure which oil sands you have in mind, I suspect it is not Petrocanada for a 2-3 bagger. Any others you would like to share?
I take your point about health insurance, but I also like Maurice' point about the paddings in the premiums, so looking after my health is where most of my 'health focused' spending goes.
My foreign trips are mainly regional these days, and a week in the Chiangmai hills last week turned out to be both cost effective and most relaxing.
Do you have a view on mainland Chinese stocks, as a 2006 play, given their very depressed levels and potential big time Yuan appreciation? Any preferred sectors?
Many thanks again, best wishes for a great week ahead,
Selva |
