THIS is the last Money Matters column for 1993 - an ideal time to have a full financial check-up, just as some doctors recommend that you have a full medical every year.
Many Hong Kong residents have at least two tax jurisdictions to consider; their home country and, of course, Hong Kong. Also, if your spouse comes from a third country, you might find there are a number of rapidly changing factors that need near-constantreview. Investment markets move quickly, and opportunities and trends come and go.
Furthermore, if you have enjoyed pay increases over the past few years, your protection packages - life insurance, income protection or health insurance - may well be woefully out of date and inadequate.
Always check your policy documents and certificates. When making a financial commitment via unit trusts or an insurance plan, do not throw your share certificates/policy documents into your bottom drawer. It is always worth double-checking; maybe a name was spelt incorrectly, maybe the term is not as you originally prescribed.
Prepare for your meeting with your financial adviser. Think about subjects to discuss with him: what do you want to achieve? When do you want to retire? Where do you want to retire? How much, in today's terms, do you want to retire on? And what is your attitude to risk? Only by giving your financial adviser this type of information can he do a good job.
There are so many investment alternatives that you should be able to get the product or products that are best suited to you. Independent financial advice is important.