Funny Money Jokes 2

List of funny money jokes.Read and have fun.


I don't mind going back to daylight saving time. With inflation, the hour will be the only thing I've saved all year." -Victor Borge

"If all the rich people in the world divided up their money among themselves, there wouldn't be enough to go around." -Christina Stead

"I have enough money to last me the rest of my life, unless I buy something." -Jackie Mason

"There were times my pants were so thin I could sit on a dime and tell if it was heads or tails." -Spencer Tracy quotes

"We were so poor my daddy unplugged the clocks when we went to bed." -Chris Rock

"I'm as poor as a church mouse, that's just had an enormous tax bill on the very day his wife ran off with another mouse, taking all the cheese." -Rowan Atkinson "When people ask me if I have any spare change, I tell them I have it at home in my spare wallet." -Nick Arnette

"Someone stole all my credit cards, but I won't be reporting it. The thief spends less than my wife did." -Henny Youngman

Money

"If hard work were such a wonderful thing, surely the rich would have kept it all to themselves." -Lane Kirkland

"You never realize how short a month is until you pay alimony." -John Barrymore

"If all the economists were laid end to end, they'd never reach a conclusion." -George Bernard Shaw

"Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." -Woody Allen

"I'm so poor I can't even pay attention." -Ron Kittle

"Wealth - any income that is at least one hundred dollars more a year than the income of one's wife's sister's husband." -H.L. Mencken

"My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income." -Errol Flynn

"The only reason a great many American families don't own an elephant is that they have never been offered an elephant for a dollar down and easy weekly payments." -Mad Magazine

"A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain." -Robert Frost

"The easiest way for your children to learn about money is for you not to have any." - Katharine Whitehorn

"It doesn't matter if you're black or white... the only color that really matters is green." - Family Guy

"Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money." - Jackie Mason

"Money, if it does not bring you happiness, will at least help you be miserable in comfort." - Helen Gurley Brown

"Budget: a mathematical confirmation of your suspicions." -A.A. Latimer


"The trick is to stop thinking of it as 'your' money." - IRS auditor

What is a money box?

A money box is a small box with a opening at the top,into which a child puts coins as a way of saving money.

Money Box 

Money Box

Encouraging children to save money from young age is a must.

Start gifting your children a specially modelled, manufactured and hand painted gifts and moneyboxes from moneybox.

Make Money Online - Economic Times

ET has published some popular ways to make extra money using Internet.

Self publish books

If you love writing and want to get a book published, Amazon offers a free service called Kindle Direct Publishing. The service allows anyone to self publish books on the Kindle (electronic) bookstore and earn royalties from sales. There are two plans you can choose from — the 35% royalty works across any book sold in any country) while the 70% royalty plans works if you sell in a few select countries. Indian authors can choose to set prices specifically for the Indian bookstore and receive royalty payments in Indian currency as well.

Make & sell your apps

With so many smartphones and tablets, app development can be a very lucrative business. You can learn about developing apps online — there are various tutorials available for free. That's the easy part — the hard part is coming up with an idea that 'clicks'. Once you make an app, submit it to the respective app store, set a price and choose whether you want to earn from inapp advertising. Your earnings, after deducting the appropriate fees, will be paid monthly.

Sell your photos Online

Numerous stock websites like www.shutterstock. com, www.shutterpoint.com and www. istockphoto.com host photographs submitted by members. Depending on the site's policy, you can earn between a 15 to 85% royalty on each sale. The better the quality of photos and the larger your online portfolio, the more you will sell. Usually, each photograph you want to upload will have to be 'selected' by them first — and they usually have strict requirements of what can or cannot go on sale.

Make Money Online

Sell old stuff online

An easy way to earn some money on the Internet is by selling old stuff that you have around the house. Websites like www.olx.in, www.quickr.com & http://craigslist.co.in provide a free classifieds platform. You need to create an account, enter the product details, location, the expected price along with some photographs — listing usually go live within a couple of hours. Interested buyers can directly contact you and finalise the sale.

Start an online shop

With some creativity, you can learn to make handicrafts or if you know a wholesale dealer, purchase unique things at low prices. Once you have some stock ready, you can set up an online shop to sell these goods on sites like www.ebay.in or www.indiebazaar.com.

Both sites have a simple signup process. After you get verified as a seller, they provide you with a step-by-step wizard to set your online store (how to add photos & details of items you want to sell).

Work online for money

The internet is full of bogus companies that promise to pay you for work but never will. For instance, all places that offer money to fill surveys or those that require payment up front are scammers. Two popular & reliable places to find work are www. odesk.com and www.elance.com.

Both have a similar system: set up a profile and take tests to prove your proficiency in certain areas. Once done, you'll be listed as a contractor/freelancer and people can hire you for an hourly rate. You can get paid more by working hard, getting better at what you do and getting good feedback (ratings) from your clients.

E-Tutoring

If you are fluent in any subject and have some tutoring experience, you can sign up on websites like www.2tion.net or www.tutorvista.com as an online tutor. The sites require you to create a tutor profile with details such as the subjects in which you are fluent, what classes/courses you want to teach, your experience level, preferred timings for tutions and the remuneration expected.

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I want no fame, no money, just my freedom: Sanjay Dutt

Mumbai, Oct. 21 -- On Thursday evening, Imperial Heights, the famous Dutt building in Pali Hill was buzzing, thanks to little Iqra and Shahran, Sanjay Dutt's twins with his wife Manyata. Their squeals of excitements at the sight of a visitor, who they wanted to play with, took over the room. Very fit and with tattoos on practically every visible portion of his anatomy, Sanjay Dutt played the indulgent father as we chatted in an exclusive interview. "Shahran is a ditto copy of my childhood," he laughed.
At 53, Sanjay seems a happy man. Son of Sardaar, his latest film, is releasing this Diwali, but he has lots of other things to talk about as well. Here's what matters to him the most.
Did you ever imagine that you'd be a new father at 50?
It's a lovely surprise for me. This is the most satisfying phase of my life! I have two lovely kids, a nice wife. My whole family is together in the same building and my career is doing fine! I was truly waiting for
something like this.

That sounds great, especially since you've always felt that life's been unfair to you. Is Manyata responsible for the change?

There are phases when you feel terrible, and phases like this one help balance your thoughts. I was going through a very difficult phase when I met Manyata. I felt secure and stable after she came into my life - in fact, a lot of things came into my life when she did. She brought me back on track. There were so many issues and by God's grace, all are getting sorted out. I know I was very unstable and unhappy all through my life. I lost my mother and then my father. Losing dad was like losing the bearings of my life. My sisters took it badly, but I took it worse. Throughout my lean phases, dad was like a solid rock, supporting me, whether it was work, or my jail term. And everything crumbled after he was gone! Today life's become much more comfortable and beautiful. We all live in the same building; it's a big happy family. I mean my sisters' kids, my kids, all of them together. it's just unbelievable. Touch wood!
Is there anything now that you feel you lack?
Yes. I want my freedom back. I have been embroiled in court cases for the last 20 years. I have lost all my youth and a lot of time! I couldn't do many things. Now my final hearing is coming up. I just pray that I get my freedom back. I want no money, no fame, just my freedom!
Are you getting into politics again?
Yes, I want to. My parents were in the Congress, and I have come back to it. There was a phase when I meandered to some other political party, but it was a mistake. I went a little haywire. If I am approached to contest elections, I will give it a thought.


You look fitter than before. What do you do?
I work out like a maniac, three times more than anything I did in the past. I am off carbs, salt, sweets, and live on a fish diet. And I promise I am not going to indulge in food again. See, when I was 49 years old, I was fine, but the moment I touched 50, I felt that something within me had changed drastically. My metabolic rate dropped.
Are you a doting father?
Absolutely! With the kids around, this is a different world to me. I spend a lot of time with them till they go to their playschool. I wake up early, have breakfast with them. I come back from work and am with them again till they go to bed by 10 pm. Touch wood, this is what I wanted always.
Do you feel the absence of your first child, Trishala?
All the time! I try my best to keep in touch with her but sometimes the timings are inconvenient for both of us. I obviously can't go to the US because I am not given a visa. But I try and meet her outside the country sometimes. Unfortunately, I cannot spend as much time with her as I want to. She's grown into a beautiful girl! One thing that really bothers me is that the time and moments I am spending with Iqra and Shahran, I wish I would have spent with Trishala when she was growing up. I really miss it. And for that I am apologetic to Trishala. I know she understands.
Can't she shift here to be with you?
I can't see Trishala in this country. It would be unfair for me to uproot her. She has a strong base there. She loves New York City, her friends and life are there. I remember, years ago, we were in the family court and the judge told me that if I wanted to bring her back to India then I should do it in phases, never uproot her. I


really understood what he meant. At that time, we didn't have the Pizza Hut and McDonald's culture in Mumbai. And that was Trishala's growing up phase and she wanted all this. It would have been unfair.
Trishala wants to get into movies but you are dead against it. Why?
None of my sisters are in the movies, nor are my nieces going to be. That's how Dutt sahab, my dad, brought up the girls in the family and I am just carrying his thought forward. If he had been alive today, Trishala wouldn't have thought about getting into movies. In any case, she's worked so hard in her academics. She has seen me go through my court trauma and she was very passionate about becoming a criminal lawyer to fight cases for innocent people. She studied forensic science. I really think she should continue it.
But it seems her heart lies in movies.
There's a lot of labour that goes behind the glamour. Many youngsters are attracted to it without knowing the dynamics of it. It's not an easy route to success. Plus, Trishala doesn't know Hindi. Also, there are too many things involved. I have told her several times that the film industry doesn't guarantee superstardom to everyone. There's a grind you have to go through. Your lineage and surname become irrelevant after your first film. Audiences do not care.
Are you suggesting that the film industry is a big bad world for girls?
Absolutely not. Both my father and mother belonged here. The film industry is a lovely family and I respect it. I am only trying to say it's not easy.
Unlike many of your contemporaries, you are still sustaining your stardom.


I don't want to compare myself with anyone and I have gracefully accepted my age. I am not scared to take up roles that suit my age. Secondly, I am physically and mentally fit. Sometime ago I know I went out of shape and everything career-wise went haywire. Then I got Karan Johar's Agneepath and I was born again! I think, as long as you accept your age and are willing to experiment with those kinds of roles, you can sustain your career. I can't do what Salman does. It'll look odd on me. You cannot keep thinking you are young; you have to accept age someday. Salman is at that juncture where I was once. The feeling is surreal! But listen, I am not saying I am against working with younger actresses. For me, the story has to sound sensible.
You have patched up with Sanjay Gupta after five years and even with Kangana Ranaut.
I've known Sanjay since he was an assistant director in a movie called Thanedaar. We have done some great films together. Even though we weren't on talking terms, I never spoke ill about him. Recently I was at Amitji's birthday party. When I came in, Sanjay was standing at the foyer. We just happened to look at each other after five years. And before we realised it, we were hugging each other. I am sure even he felt my absence in his life. See, every family fights. I remember my youngest uncle (dad's brother) fought with my dad and they didn't talk to each other for 10 years. But eventually, everything vanished in a second when they met somewhere. It's a matter of connect eventually.
Do you miss being in Bigg Boss? Why aren't you there this time?
Of course I miss being there. It was a wonderful experience. I don't give too much emphasis to whys and hows. Salman is there and that's as good as me. That's the relationship I share with him. He is like my younger brother. We are always there for each other, be it good times or bad times. Let me tell you, there are not many people around you in times of crisis. But Salman has been with me and I have been with him throughout. I am worried about him as much as he is about me. There can be never be a problem with Salman. Touch wood.
What's your dream role?
I have done all kinds of roles, but Tony Montana's role in Scarface is something I would love to play.
You are reprising Pran sahab's role in Zanjeer. Have you met him?


I worked with Pransaab in few films. But I haven't met him recently. Once we start shooting, I'll go and see Pransaab.
You are close to Amrita Singh. Has it affected your equation with Saif today?
Yes, Amrita is a friend, but we are in touch off and on. I don't know why Saif and Bebo didn't invite me to their wedding. I think it was a closed affair. But I am fine with it. I wish them all the best. I have known Lolo and Bebo since they were little girls. Saif and I have done many films together and we have had some great times together in my house.
Sanjay Dutt's advice to his favourite five
Salman Khan: Bro, you are doing a great job, great charity work, just maintain whatever you are doing. You have God's blessings. And yes, get married.
Shah Rukh Khan: You have made peace with a lot of people, but you should make peace with everybody. We are all one big family.
Aamir Khan: You make the right movies and choose perfect roles. Your TV show Satyamev Jayate had great intent. You are one of the greatest actors we have. Aamir, stay in touch like before.
Akshay Kumar: He's my paaji. Whenever his film is released and I find it interesting, I call him and he takes my call. Bro, remain the way you are.
Ajay Devgn: He works from the heart. And he spends a lot of money. Bro, don't be like me. You need to keep a check on your money.


This article was distributed through the NewsCred Smartwire. Original article © Hindustan Times 2012

What is Money Market?

The money market is a key component of the financial system as it is the fulcrum of monetary operations conducted by the central bank in its pursuit of monetary policy objectives. It is a market for short-term funds with maturity ranging from overnight to one year and includes financial instruments that are deemed to be close substitutes of money.

In other words, The money market in that part of a financial market which deals in the borrowing and lending of short term loans generally for a period of less than or equal to 365 days. It is a mechanism to clear short term monetary transactions in an economy.

According to the RBI, "The money market is the centre for dealing mainly of short character, in monetary assets; it meets the short term requirements of borrowers and provides liquidity or cash to the lenders. It is a place where short term surplus investible funds at the disposal of financial and other institutions and individuals are bid by borrowers, again comprising institutions and individuals and also by the government."

According to Nadler and Shipman, "A money market is a mechanical device through which short term funds are loaned and borrowed through which a large part of the financial transactions of a particular country or world are degraded. A money market is distinct from but supplementary to the commercial banking system."

The money market performs three broad functions. 

1.It provides an equilibrating mechanism for demand and supply of short-term funds.

2.It enables borrowers and lenders of short-term funds to fulfill their borrowing and investment requirements at an efficient market clearing price.

3.It provides an avenue for central bank intervention in influencing both quantum and cost of liquidity in the financial system, thereby transmitting monetary policy impulses to the real economy.

The objective of monetary management by the central bank is to align money market rates with the key policy rate. As excessive money market volatility could deliver confusing signals about the stance of monetary policy, it is critical to ensure orderly market behavior, from the point of view of both monetary and financial stability. Thus, efficient functioning of the money market is important for the effectiveness of monetary policy.

In order to meet these basic functions efficiently, money markets have evolved over time spawning new instruments and participants with varying risk profiles in line with the changes in the operating procedures of monetary policy. Changes in financial market structures, macroeconomic objectives and economic environment have called for shifts in monetary regimes, which, in turn, have necessitated refinements both in the operating instruments and procedures, and in institutional arrangements by central banks.

Money Market

On the whole, Money market is for short term monetary transactions.It provides facility for adjusting liquidity to the banks, business corporations, non-banking financial institutions (NBFs) and other financial institutions along with investors.

These markets are described as “money markets” because the assets that are bought and sold are short term—with maturities ranging from a day to a year—and normally are easily convertible into cash. Money markets include markets for such instruments as bank accounts, including term certificates of deposit; interbank loans (loans between banks); money market mutual funds; commercial paper; Treasury bills; and securities lending and repurchase agreements (repos).

Money Plant

The scientific name of Money Plant is Scindapsus aureus.It is also called as Jade plant,lucky plant and commonly called as home plant.Money plant can be planted around the year with ease.

Money plant is the most easy to grow indoor plant.Maintenance also not very difficult.Soil is also not required for this plant to grow.It grows even in an water filled bottle.Keep the plant in shade.Avoid keeping it in direct sunlight. Less light it gets, darker its leaves would become.Yellow leaves is a sign of overwatering and excess supply of fertilizer.If there is any fungal infection clean the leaves with soap solution mixed with water and keep it in sunlight for couple of hours.

Money plants is believed to bring good prosperity,good health and wealth. 

It can be grown in home and offices.It decorates the place and creates the pleasant mood in us with its attractive shiny heart-shaped,dark green and yellow leaves.

Money Plant

Money Plant is a natural and beautiful source of fresh air.Toxic in the air is absorbed by the money plant .Especially,Money Plant removes the volatile organic compounds from the air and improves the air quality. It energizes the  environment by purifying the air and increases the oxygen flow.It  gives fresh clean air to breathe.

Money plant adds beauty to the place and relieve mental fatigue.Also calms and soothes us with its beauty.

As per feng shui,Money Plant kept inside home and offices produces positive vibrations and attract prosperity to the owner is the belief.

As per Vastu Experts,Money Plant kept inside home and offices brings good luck.
It freshens the environment and boost the health.

It is not expensive also.

It may or may not brings good luck  but definitely it retreats your eye and mind.It brightens and decorates the environment and improves the  health is the truth.



Caution:Money plant is a toxic plant considered poisonous.

Source:Good Life

Fun Ways to Teach Kids About Money

By Daniel Bortz | U.S.News & World Report LP

Instilling good money habits in your children is arguably one of life's most important lessons. Fortunately, with today's technology, there are many ways to make learning about money fun for kids of all ages.

Teaching your kids about money should start as early as possible. "As soon as your child starts asking for things, I think it's time for them to understand that things cost money," says Anton Simunovic, founder of ThreeJars.com, a website dedicated to teaching kids about money management.

But what lessons should you start with? Neale Godfrey, author of Money Still Doesn't Grow on Trees: A Parent's Guide to Raising Financially Responsible Children, suggests beginning with the concept that money must be earned. "There's no entitlement program in life," she says. "Kids need to know that they can't just whine for a toy in a store and automatically get it."

Money

As kids begin to learn about money, parents shouldn't feel intimidated. "The topic of money shouldn't be something that's taboo," says Jayne Pearl, author of Kids and Money Guide to Learning Capital. If you're uncomfortable talking about it, she says, it won't be an enjoyable experience for the kids.

You should also be careful not to argue about money in front of your kids. "If the parents are constantly arguing about money, their children are going to view money as a source of stress," says Jon Gallo, who coauthored the book The Financially Intelligent Parent with his wife, Eileen.

Starting to feel a little less anxious? Here are six more ideas for making money fun for kids:

Use cash

. Showing kids purchases with a credit card won't do much good, the Gallos say. "Don't [buy items] on credit cards or with checks, because that's completely abstract," says Eileen Gallo. "Let your kids hold the money and see the money leaving their hands." A fun way to accomplish this with young children is to deposit coins in a parking meter. 

Utilize a piggy bank for the 21st century.

A traditional one-slit piggy bank doesn't teach kids much about money management, says Susan Beacham, CEO and cofounder of Money Savvy Generation in Lake Bluff, Ill., a company that helps parents and educators teach children to make good money choices. 

Beacham says games are an excellent tool for approaching the topic of money with kids. "Games become something you can use to open the discussion, so it's not always you preaching about money," she says. Grade-school children can play Planet Orange at OrangeKids.com. In the game, kids travel through the planets by completing certain jobs to earn money for gas.

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What is Money laundering?

Money laundering is the process of concealing the source of money obtained by illicit means. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount of money laundered, either worldwide or within their national economy. 

In other words,

The process of creating the appearance that large amounts of money obtained from serious crimes, such as drug trafficking or terrorist activity, originated from a legitimate source.


"Legitimization (washing) of illegally obtained money to hide its true nature or source (typically the drug trade or terrorist activities). Money laundering is effected by passing it surreptitiously through legitimate business channels by means of bank deposits, investments, or transfers from one place (or person) to another."

Money laundering is the process of making illegally-gained proceeds (i.e. "dirty money") appear legal (i.e. "clean"). Typically, it involves three steps: placement, layering and integration. First, the illegitimate funds are furtively introduced into the legitimate financial system. Then, the money is moved around to create confusion, sometimes by wiring or transferring through numerous accounts. Finally, it is integrated into the financial system through additional transactions until the "dirty money" appears "clean." Money laundering can facilitate crimes such as drug trafficking and terrorism, and can adversely impact the global economy.

The goal of a large number of criminal acts is to generate a profit for the individual or group that carries out the act. Money laundering is the processing of these criminal proceeds to disguise their illegal origin. This process is of critical importance, as it enables the criminal to enjoy these profits without jeopardising their source.

What is Money laundering?

Illegal arms sales, smuggling, and the activities of organised crime, including for example drug trafficking and prostitution rings, can generate huge amounts of proceeds. Embezzlement, insider trading, bribery and computer fraud schemes can also produce large profits and create the incentive to “legitimise” the ill-gotten gains through money laundering.

Recent News

JPMorgan faces money laundering probe

(Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co's compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering laws is being reviewed by a banking regulator, a source said, making the largest U.S. bank the latest target of a wide investigation of how banks prevent transactions involving drug money and sanctioned countries.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, an independent branch within the Treasury Department, is examining JPMorgan's systems that are designed to monitor and filter such transactions, said the source, who is familiar with the situation.

The exact scope of the inquiry and the size of potential liabilities for the bank could not be learned.

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House prices: A tale of £2m properties

By Kevin PeacheyPersonal finance reporter, BBC News

Looking out the snooker room window across the lush green grounds of up-for-sale Loynton Hall, it is hard to imagine that a one-bedroom city flat could fetch more from buyers.

Yet offers have already been turned down at higher values for the apartment tucked into the ground floor of a Regency building in Notting Hill, west London.

The tale of these £2m properties tells the story of supply and demand during the worst of times - a recession - and of geographical differences in UK house prices.

It also sheds a light on the £2m-plus residential market as the government starts to levy a new 7% rate of stamp duty.

Six-bedroom Loynton Hall stands in 12.5 acres of land in rural Staffordshire 

'Selling a lifestyle'

A total of 96 homes were sold in England and Wales for more than £2m in February, according to the latest Land Registry figures. Of these, only 15 were outside London.

Another 104 were sold at £1.5m to £2m. Of these, 37 were outside the capital.

Portraits of the Higgin Burne family hang in the drawing room 

The owners of Loynton Hall, a six-bedroom Georgian country house in rural Staffordshire, have put their home on the market at a guide price of £2m.

Strolling up the sweeping driveway, only the sound of shoes on gravel interrupts the tranquil soundtrack of birdsong from the trees and bushes near the adjacent fishery.

"We are selling a lifestyle as much as a property," says Tony Morris-Eyton, the northern region head of estate agent Savills.

Potential buyers seem to hold the same view, with some asking about the possibility of constructing a tennis court within the grounds, and others attracted to the integral granny flat for family or staff.

Step through the front door between Doric columns and history drips from the building - from the portraits, hung in the drawing room, of the Higgin Burne family who built the house in about 1671, to the traditionally fitted kitchen complete with Aga.

With good schools nearby, it is mostly families who have been to viewings of the property.

Eurozone crisis

However attractive the proposition, the market for properties of all values in Staffordshire is patchy and often difficult, according to Mr Morris-Eyton.

Continue reading the main story

Prices dropped year-on-year by 2.3% in the county on average in April, Land Registry statistics show. This was a greater fall than the national annual average fall of 1%.

There is uncertainty about the future of the housing market, caused partly by the upheaval in the eurozone.

This unpredictability on the continent is having the opposite effect in London, just an hour and 20 minutes away on the railway mainline. Prices have remained buoyant owing to the interest of international buyers.

"There seem to be an endless flow of wealthy Greek buyers - old Greek family money - coming to London, both renting and buying," says Noel de Keyzer of Savills.

Instead of cooling since the Budget, the prime central London market continues to attract international and domestic buyers as a "safe haven", the estate agent says.

This is despite Chancellor George Osborne's decision to add a new layer of stamp duty, levying 7% for properties sold for more than £2m.

Stamp duty on residential properties over £2m bought via a company also increased to 15%, and overseas companies that already own UK residential property worth more than £2m will be subject to capital gains tax from April 2013.

'Trophy address'

There is already some disagreement within the property industry as to the effect of the policy on house prices.

Some, such as Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, argue that it has created an "artificial" boundary at certain values. At £2,000,000, the stamp duty is charged at 5% of the selling price; at £2,000,001 the tax is charged at 7%.

The one-bedroom flat in Kensington Park Gardens is on the market for £2.2m 

"'There is no longer a market for properties priced at between £2m and £2.1m, and almost to somewhere around £2.25m," he says.

"Vendors pricing at this level will struggle to sell, and may well find that they have to reduce the property price to just under £2m in order to find a buyer.

"For a £2.1m sale, the stamp duty is £147,000 as opposed to £100,000 for a £2m purchase."

Others say that properties on sale at prices just above the stamp duty thresholds prompt negotiations between buyer and seller.

But Ed Mead, director at Douglas and Gordon estate agents, says that the extra £47,000 is irrelevant for some people with more than £2m to spend on property in central London.

The capital's housing market, where demand for high-value properties remains strong and supply remains restrained, is striking in its difference to the rest of the country.

In April, one property was registered with the Land Registry as being sold for £55m.

Location, rather than size, sets prices for some properties in London's most expensive areas

The unique market is also why a one-bedroom flat in Notting Hill can go onto the market for £2.2m.

Mr Mead describes the property as a "trophy address".

"You can't get a much better location," he says, looking out towards the private garden for residents.

The high ceilings, spacious living room and conservatory are a draw but, with five fewer bedrooms than Loynton Hall, he accepts that it is an "indulgent" purchase.

Yet it is also an investment, he argues.

Prices in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea have risen by 11.6% in the 12 months to the end of April, Land Registry statistics show. The average house price in the borough has now risen just above £1m.

So the image of a millionaire's mansion can shrink from a country house to a downstairs flat. It is for buyers to decide whether it is size or location that matters.

India inflation rate rises faster than expected

India's inflation rate rose to a higher-than-expected 7.55% in August on a year earlier, official figures show.

Higher food prices were mainly behind the rise, which comes ahead of a Reserve Bank of India meeting on Monday to decide interest rate policy.

Analysts had expected the August inflation rate to be about 6.95%.

Rahul Bajoria, regional economist at Barclays Capital, said the "high" inflation number left central bank policymakers with a "tricky call".

Price Hike

Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Care Ratings, in Mumbai, said: "The fundamentals don't justify a rate cut at this point of time because the inflationary expectations are still quite high.

"The quantitative easing in the US is also likely to push up global commodity prices and add to inflation. I don't expect a rate cut on Monday as the Reserve Bank has repeatedly said inflation is its main goal post."

The fuel price rise was seen by some analysts as a sign that the government is prepared to tackle difficult economic reforms and the widening hole in the public accounts.

But others saw it as a move likely to spur inflation at a time when the economy has slowed and needs a boost from lower interest rates, which stand at 8%.

India's industrial output rose by just 0.1% in July from a year ago, data showed on Wednesday.