Boring stuff, - maybe better we do our daily walk to the bank teller to check and see for ourselves if our money is still available behind the counter? Just kidding. However, it pays to remember often that our assets need looking after. Property investment beats money in the bank – 99% of the time. And next, -please forgive me, because today we have only a simplistic look at property investing. Some of you know way more than the average person about profit generating, but some may not have thought ever about making passive income or property values or how they can benefit from the developments here in and around Ubud. Therefore, as I said above, this is meant as a reminder just not to let the reigns hang loose, and ride on without a definite direction where to go to. Go on, make yourself some money, even when you sleep and understand the process.

You think you have time, but you are wrong. Dalai Lama "Hello, - what has time to do with Real Estate investment", you may ask. Well, there is indeed a strong connection. Owning Real Estate makes for peace of mind. Peace of mind is central to our quality of life, and - life is short. Should you own property not only for pure investment, but for private use and enjoyment, it is quite the same. Choose your home, make it your personal and homey castle and the quality of your life will improve. If not already done, start soon to make this way the best out of your time on earth. Recently a friend of mine recommended a book as ’must read’: Bronnie Ware - The top 5 Regrets of the Dying. Admittedly - this is a rather sobering issue, but then again, if we ignore the need to use our time wisely, we are wasting our most important and irreplaceable commodity, - until it is too late.

I just returned from a short visit to Lombok. Impressive, - the roads are not as congested as in Bali and there also seems to be less rubbish. The palm lined beaches between Senggigi and the Gili Islands are truly beautiful. Look at the mighty Islamic Centre in Mataram. I guess that the Saudi Royalty who may have helped in financing get’s life-long free parking. Also, the cost of living there are a little cheaper than in Bali, maybe because of lower wages and less ceremonies. So, let’s pack and move? Maybe, but… (they say rightly so: everything before the word ’but’ in a sentence is bull dust). But… Over a decade ago I have been living and doing business in Lombok for 4 years. Then I started to see through life there, saw the light and moved to Bali. Still last week I felt the underlying seriousness of the locals or got into an even slightly depressing mood which creeps under the skin in many places. It may be their upbringing.

No matter if you already live for years in or near Ubud, or if you just plan to one day become a local resident, now in the wet season or winter ’over there’ is a good time to think about the value of a harmonious atmosphere inside your home. Should the bed sheets be replaced with new ones in a colourful pattern? Maybe some wooden garden furniture on the veranda could do with a fresh coat, rethink the lighting and so on. Long ago, when still living in Europe, I enjoyed having a large aquarium, which gave on those dull autumn and winter days and long evenings romantic lighting and a colourful living focus next to the sitting area.

If you celebrate Christmas, there may be limited time for you to read this. After severe work-related stress or personal disappointment, for many Christmas is ranking third in the line-up of heavy demand pressure periods. If that is true for you, I’ll better be short this time. Last month you were promised to find some useful tips about selling a house here in Bali. I then made this promise a bit light hearted, because one point on the list says: ’if possible, do not sell in the rainy season’. Well, exactly for that reason I did not intend to talk about the issue before March/ April 2018.