Tag: private

Circolino Pipistrello

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

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My youngster (nearly 10 years old) had had a project week at school. For a week the entire school had rehearsed a circus act and performed it on the Saturday. My youngster had lived the whole week only for the circus. On Monday they put up the tent and helped with the installation. They rehearsed the act and at home he had practised diligently. On Friday he was inconsolable. That was not logical, because the performance was not due until Saturday. I had expected that he would be looking forward to it, that he would have stage fright, but somehow sadness did not fit into the picture.

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How do I sell properly

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

02%20FunPark_EingangI and my youngest (nearly 10) love the Playmobil Land in Zirndorf bei Nürnberg. Firstly it is just by Playmobil itself and the fact that my youngest loves playing with the figures. In this leisure park one can do what one can do scarcely nowhere else. Read More »

Being right and being proven right

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

745732_web_R_K_B_by_I-vista_pixelio.deLara gave notice on her apartment. As planning was not one of her strengths, she had already signed the contract for the new apartment. That meant that for four months she rented two apartments. Lara is not rich and while both apartments are rather inexpensive, who can and wants to pay two rents. Read More »

New York – New York

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

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New York is a special city. Whenever I arrive, I feel the additional energy, which flows through this city. It is like a stimulant that is injected into me. I simply cannot imagine that it is boring there at any time. Something is happening the whole time. Shortly after landing I set out and walked down 5th Avenue to Central Park. As ever, I was on the lookout for a small present for my youngest child. He doesn’t like it at all when I travel without him, and the only thing that placates him are the small presents, which I bring him from my travels. The older he gets, the more difficult the search. Read More »

Coldplay

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

ColdplayIt’s raining. It’s not pouring down, but steadily. It doesn’t disturb the die-hard fans. They have fought hard for their standing room in front of the stage, in most cases because they have been waiting there since long before the band arrived. A little bit of water can’t harm them.

They are professionals, covered in plastic and well equipped, nothing can drive them away! Apart perhaps from the call of nature, which affects everyone. Read More »

Luna – the dog

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

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It was about the turn of the century. The labour market in Zürich was as dry as a river bed in Africa before the great rains. My small team had been desperately looking for a commercially trained assistant. We were unable to offer a dream salary or prestige or any other fantastic benefits. Our trump card was a good team climate, respect and flexibility. But despite this no one replied to our adverts. My frustration was growing almost daily. When Natalie phoned and showed interest in the job, I was out of this world. She said that she would come for an interview but there was one condition, namely she could bring her dog Luna to the office. She also assured me immediately that her Luna was the best behaved dog on earth, never barked, obeyed her absolutely and beyond that was extremely loveable. Read More »

41 days – the new Robinson Crusoe story

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

Fidji

With a backpack round the world. If one had the time, that’s the best way to travel. That’s how Eva arrived in Fiji. It is a wonderful spot on our earth, beautiful as paradise, with happy hospitable people. When the opportunity arose to take a day trip to a small, uninhabited island, Eva immediately said yes. The price was ridiculous and the trip promised wonderful experiences and impressions.

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The gilded cage

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

PwC_fl_30mmh_cClaude and Lisa both went to university. Actually Lisa was the cleverer of the two. That was evident in the seminars they both attended, and their marks. Both were not only clever, but were also good looking and came from solid middle-class families. Fate had been kind to them. No-one was therefore really surprised, when shortly after completing their university studies, they announced their marriage. We celebrated together and welcomed their restrained but obvious happiness. Read More »

Should one withdraw the Pension Fund balance? (Recording of a conversation)

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

602208_web_R_K_B_by_uschi dreiucker_pixelio.deI was at the airport waiting for my flight. I was reading my documents.
Two men in suits, 50+, carrying briefcases came and sat beside me.

“If it goes on like this, the Pension Fund conversion factor will soon be 0.0”, said the smaller of the two.

“Yes, that’s quite possible” replied the other. “Then it won’t be worth drawing a pension. One would have to withdraw the capital.”

“You’re quite right, if the capital is withdrawn, it’s taxed at a lower rate.To make the most of that, perhaps shortly before doing so one should move somewhere abroad, where it is not taxed at all.”Read More »

Room with a view

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

IMG_20160507_1118176Back in Ascona. I enjoy it. Water, fresh air, the mountains. Good food, good wine, friendly people. The bustle and the peace, depending on what one wants at the time. After breakfast, a leisurely trip with a mini-steamer. The enthusiasm of the owner, who designed and built all the machinery himself, is catching.Read More »