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Tag: freedom

  • After 22 Years in Gold Investing, I Embrace Early Retirement

    After 22 Years in Gold Investing, I Embrace Early Retirement

    In a thriving local economy, a young professional reflects on a family tradition of prudent investments in gold and real estate, highlighting the power of strategic financial planning for future generations.

    The Smart Start to a Promising Career

    After graduating with a degree, I set my sights on landing a job with two promising companies: one based in Taiwan and the other in Japan. With limited practical experience, I was thrilled to receive production manager offers from both companies. The opportunity came with a supportive work environment and a salary that outpaced my fellow graduates, setting the stage for future financial growth.

    Building Wealth: The Family Tradition of Gold Investment

    With my first salary, I chose to invest in my family’s time-honored practice of buying gold. My mother managed the finances, using my earnings to purchase small amounts of gold each month—ranging from a few taels to a fraction of a tael (1 tael = 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces) based on our budget.

    As savings grew, my mother seized the opportunity to buy a 300-square-meter plot of land on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City for just a few million dong (around US$384.62 at the time). She promised that this property would pave the way for my future when I eventually marry. Today, that land’s value has skyrocketed into the billions of dong, showcasing the immense potential of long-term investments.

    A Legacy of Financial Wisdom

    My parents often remind me of the saying, “Many a little makes a mickle,” reflecting their risk-averse nature. Over the years, they consistently turned to gold as a secure investment. Their approach was simple yet effective: while land appreciates, gold’s rarity makes it a stable asset.

    They adeptly navigated the real estate market, selling gold to buy homes and land when prices were favorable, and then converting those properties back into gold when the market suited them. Now, as gold prices soar, our family is well-positioned to reap the benefits of those decades of dedication. The freedom to sell gold when needed affords us options, whether it’s acquiring a new home, purchasing a vehicle, or traveling.

    Different Paths: A Tale of Choices

    In contrast to my family’s investment approach, a friend—earning a similar salary—spends freely on indulgences like alcohol and karaoke. This friend continues to live at home, while I find myself on the brink of early retirement, thanks to our family’s strategic decisions.

    Conclusion: The Ripple Effect in Retail and Real Estate

    The success seen in my family’s investment strategy echoes broader consumer trends in the retail sector. As more individuals lean towards conservative investments like gold and real estate, the potential for economic shifts builds. This growing inclination towards thoughtful financial planning not only benefits individuals but could lead to enhanced stability in the retail landscape, influencing how brands expand and connect with consumers.

    The opinions expressed are based on personal experiences and do not necessarily reflect the views of VnExpress.

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  • Hong Kong protests against I.T Group

    Hong Kong protests against I.T Group

    Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay was yesterday the center of the largest and most disruptive protest activity since the outbreak of Covid-19, forcing stores to close and shoppers seeking shelter from tear gas.

    And they revealed a new target: Hong Kong-listed apparel retailer I.T Group and its founder Sham Kar Wai.

    Angered by moves in Beijing to impose new national security laws on the territory, thousands of protesters took to the streets yesterday, ignoring social-distancing practices and unconcerned that the gathering had not been authorized by police.

    About 180 people were arrested after police fired tear gas and pepper spray and used one of its water cannons to shower groups gathered on Hennessy Road and surrounding streets.

    I.T Group’s A Bathing Ape store on Lee Garden Road had all of its feature windows smashed, with piles of glass fragments covering the footpath.

    Around the corner, its Commes de Garcons store received similar treatment. As during last year’s protests when retailers perceived to be pro-Beijing had stores targeted, nothing was stolen.

    Images of the damaged I.T stores were circulated on Twitter along with explanations why the company is now a target. Sham Kar Wai has been identified by the protest movement as “pro-Blue” after photographs were circulated allegedly showing him attending a police social event.

    “…This has absolutely NOTHING to do w/Comme des Garcon. If anything, I admire Rei Kawakubo A LOT!,” a person identifying themselves as Chloe tweeted, referring to the damaged store. “Her inspiration is often driven by freedom and rebellion. On that note I hope Dover St Market and CDG would stop their partnership with Sham Kar Wai’s I.T.”

    In a long stream, the person also shared internal memos instructing I.T staff to urgently remove stock from shelves from the US brand Awake NY after it posted messages last year supporting protests via tweets on its own channel:

    Meanwhile, across town, live television broadcasts showed several people in restraints being escorted from the Harbour City shopping centre in Kowloon, some by plainclothes police.

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  • Internet freedom shrinks globally in 2016

    Internet freedom shrinks globally in 2016

    Internet freedom around the world declined for the sixth consecutive year, according to the Freedom on the Net 2016 report released recently by Freedom House.

    The US government-funded advocacy group has published Freedom on the Net 2016, which assesses internet freedom in 65 countries, accounting for 88% of internet users worldwide.

    For the second consecutive year, China was the world’s worst abuser of internet freedom, followed by Syria and Iran, the report asserts.

    An amendment to Chinese criminal law added seven-year prison terms for spreading rumors on social media (a charge often used to imprison political activists). Some users in China belonging to minority religious groups were imprisoned for watching religious videos on mobile phones.

    Globally, the study found that two-thirds of all internet users (67 percent) live in countries where criticism of the government, military, or ruling family was subject to censorship. Governments in 24 countries also impeded access to social media and communication tools, up from 15 in the previous year. Moreover, authoritarian countries most frequently blocked access to these tools during political protests.

    “Popular social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have been subject to growing censorship for several years, but governments are now increasingly going after messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Messaging apps are able to spread information quickly and securely — and some governments find this threatening,” said Sanja Kelly, director for Freedom on the Net.

    “Jailing of internet users led to a significant chilling effect in many countries under study. When authorities sentence users to long prison terms for simply criticizing government policies online, almost everyone becomes much more reluctant to post anything that could get them in similar trouble.”

    Meanwhile, digital petitions or calls for protests were censored in more countries than before, as were the views of political opposition groups and the LGBTI community. Nearly half (47%) of internet users live in countries where alleged insults to religion can lead to censorship or arrest.

    Image-sharing platforms were blocked, and world leaders took strong action when their photos were mocked on social media. In Egypt, a photo depicting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with Mickey Mouse ears resulted in a three-year prison term for the 22-year-old student who posted it on Facebook.

    “When faced with humorous memes and cartoons of themselves, some world leaders are thin-skinned and lash out” said Kelly. “Instead of enjoying a good laugh, they try to remove the images and imprison anyone posting them online.”

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