The stock market had increased six fold in just 8 years. And after prices peaked, economist Irving Fisher proclaimed: Stock prices have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.

Buy land, they're not making anymore of it - Mark Twain When I was a kid, I loved played Monopoly. I don't really get a chance anymore, like many other things in life. My two boys have the Monopoly Junior boardgame. I hate it. It's too simple. What I think however, doesn't matter at all. The boys enjoy it. Simple or otherwise, the objective doesn't change. Roll the dice, and buy everything. My eldest son gets it. Whatever he lands on, he buys. My youngest son however, is very selective. He wants the Swimming Pool and not the Ice Cream Parlour. He wants the Library and not the Pizza House. You get my drift. He's picky. Before you know it, my eldest sone owns 80% of the land and my youngest son is paying rent until he's broke. It's hilarious - I think anyway.

In his book, Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life, Nassim Taleb says: Don't tell me what you think, tell me what you have in your portfolio.

Geopolitical risk is a livewire. It's talked about every year by market gurus. The impact on global economies and financial markets is carefully narrated. Meanwhile, market participants watch in awe.

Speculation of rate rises here in Australia don't seem to be deterring eager Australian property buyers. Melbourne's clearance rate is currently sitting at 73% compared to 74% this time last year. And Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra are sitting at 77%, 75%, 94% (WTF!), and 79% respectively.

The Australian superannuation industry is a AU$3.3 trillion market, and is one of the world's most respected schemes. AMP is in the game of superannuation, insurance, and investing. And have been since 1849. The company when public in 1998. Since going public, the company has lost 84.1% of investors' total return. Just let that sink in for a second. You just lost 94% of your capital, and after taking dividends into account, you're still down almost 85% on your investment.