samer wrotePeople chasing "secured investment opportunities" as you phrased it is part of what led our country to financial collapse. I do not buy something I you do not understand. The other consideration is that even if I think I have long time horizon, there are always unknown unknowns (particularly in Lebanon) that creep up and force one to sell at the worst possible time.
So hold on to your dear dollars. In this volatile environment, you may need them sooner than later.
One thing i agree with - "investing" in someone and expecting a some kind person or corporation to give a good percentage just for letting him use money is very naive.
Otherwise, i rather disagree. Its good to work on, chase some business idea, invest money in it, when you are absolutely sure in returns. But unfortunately, not everyone is capable of this or have opportunities. And even fewer people are able to calculate realistically their chances. And of course, people should not trust outsiders now, many are now in a difficult situation and are ready to sacrifice moral principles as soon as they see big enough money to steal.
But just "eating money" and even more keeping in dollars - may not be a good idea. Many expect dollar depreciation in the near future.
user wrote
If banks don't return deposits and banks don't lend out money anymore, realstate will have no clients with over 100k to pay, That means in theory you should be able to buy apartments for around 40k...
Then in about 10 years when all those who immigrated these 2 years have accumulated some money abroad and wish to come back to Lebanon, that is when you sell again.
The real estate market is bloated. Why is everyone so sure that the apartments will rise in value and anyone will return - in a country where there is no basic infrastructure (electricity, water, sewage, roads), where there is a risk of devastating wars (and loss of this property and even life), where all neighbours are warmongers and whole region full of terror, and now the situation will get worse.
And the houses that were built this days, i'm afraid in 10 years will not have much value. If people start returning, other people will start building new houses. And I hope they will be normal, and not those wretched monsters as they are now (with defective water supply, which is getting clogged due air bubbles, without cable channels for low voltage, without heating infrastructure, with terrible sound and heat insulation).
My forecasts are still deeply pessimistic. I personally will fight for progress in the area in which i work (telecom), and will try to invest my money and push some my own electronics projects, but i have very little hope it will work this days.