8.7 Million Millionaires Around the World - and counting

The new global economy created more millionaires around the globe, according to the “10th annual World Wealth Report” released by Merrill Lynch.

12,000 Australians enjoyed the taste of becoming new millionaires in 2005, joining their 146,000 co-nationals, and representing a total wealth of $463 billion. That's more than the national GNPs of a lot of countries and represents almost a 50% increase in the number of millionaire Australians within the last 5 years. Good going, mates!

South Korea topped the list with 21.3% increase in the number of millionaires. The increase in Russia and South Africa was not too shabby either – 17.4% and 15.9%, respectively.

In India, the picture was similar. The number of Indian millionaires grew by 19.3% over the last year. India is expected to become the third largest economy of the world in year 2050, following the US and China.

And China, generally known as a poor country, produced 6.8% more millionaires in 2005.

The United States was not among the top fat-cat-generators, registering "only" 6.8% more millionaires compared to 9.9% in 2004

Canada now officially has 230,000 millionaires, shooting up by 7.3% in 2005.

There are a total of 8.7 million millionaires around the world, representing a total wealth of $33.3 trillion -- and I hope no one will ask me how many zeroes after “1” that corresponds to.

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Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 companies for the last 7 years. In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI). You can reach him at writer111@gmail.com for a FREE consultation on all your copywriting needs. You are most welcomed to visit his official web site http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials. While at it, you might also want to check the latest book he has edited, PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SAT MATH SUCCESS 2006: http://www.lulu.com/content/263630 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ugur_Akinci

5 Tips For Choosing Your Student Bank Account

As a student, you may be about to get your first bank account and the temptation to go for the bank offering the biggest free gifts or perks is huge. However, choosing your student bank account is an important step and you should not be thinking about whether to choose between a student railcard or free cinema tickets, tempting as those offers might be.

This is War!

Banks are fighting for your business because they know that today's students are likely to be tomorrow's high earners. Since most people stay with their bank for a lifetime, they want to secure your business before you even start your career. Therefore, they will be trying to outdo each other with great offers from free overdrafts to low interest rates to book tokens.

Tip #1 Don't base your decision on the student orientated gifts, however much you want them.

Purpose of Your Student Account

The purpose of your student account is to enable you to avoid unnecessary expenditure and manage your finances successfully while you are at college. This means that low interest rates and free overdrafts are important.

Tip #2 Consider the best money-saving deal

Borrowed money still has to be paid back

While an interest free overdraft is extremely useful, it's still an overdraft and it still has to be repaid. So use your overdraft and other financial incentives wisely.

Tip #3 Remember that you will have to use your overdraft sensibly

Make Sure You Understand the Terms

It's easy to forget that as soon as you graduate or go over the limit of your free overdraft, you'll be charged interest and these rates could land you in big trouble, increasing your student debt significantly.

Tip #4 Read the fine print

Look at the Bigger Picture

It's important to look beyond your college days, even though that seems a long way in the future. You need to consider the long term implications of setting up an account with a particular bank. What will happen when you graduate? Does the bank have a graduate account with special deals or will you suddenly find yourself with high interest rates? Is there a period of grace to allow you to find a new job? What will happen if you are unable to find a job right away? Of course, policies and rates change, but you can still get a reasonable idea by looking at today's situation for graduates. So be sure to make a list of questions and ask them all to each bank representative before making your decision.

Tip # 5 think about the long-term benefits of the accounts available

Save yourself some money! Get our free tips on budgeting for students http://www.coolercareers.com/budgeting-for-students.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Waller_Jamison