This week in MoneyWeek: Brexit, Santa and the Xmas quiz
In this week’s MoneyWeek magazine: an interview with the most famous face on the planet, our annual Christmas quiz, and which flavour of Brexit should Britain go for?
Well, as far as MoneyWeek magazine goes, we've come to the end of another year (there is no issue between Christmas and New Year). It's been an interesting year. But in fact, as Merryn, our editor in chief, says in her editor's letter this week, it's not been a year in which much has actually happened it's been a year in which a lot of things have begun to happen. So next year promises to be much more fun.
Which flavour Brexit would you like?
Well, unfortunately, that's a very difficult question to answer. One person's perfect solution is another person's intolerable nightmare. But in this week's issue, Matthew Partridge has a look at three of the options open to us. Of course, there's hardline, take-no-prisoners "hard Brexit" just dispensing with the niceties and walking away, doing trade via bog standard WTO rules. It's not my preferred option, but it has its pros and cons, which Matthew sets out very succinctly.
Second is a "soft Brexit". Leaving the EU, but perhaps remaining in the EEA. We get to be in the single market, but we have to accept free movement of people. The upside is that we dispense with some of the nuttier EU stuff the "ruinous" Common Agricultural Policy, for one. Then we'd be free to negotiate whatever trade deal we like with the rest of the world. Third is what Matthew calls a "bespoke Brexit"; the "have your cake and eat it" option where we get free trade but keep tight control of immigration, for example.
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Whichever one you prefer, Matthew's article is a very insightful piece of writing, setting things out in clear terms. I reckon it's worth signing up to on its own.
Santa's secrets
This week, Chris Carter has secured an interview with one of the world's greatest philanthropists, head of a huge multinational manufacturing and distribution network, and one of the most famous faces on the planet. None other than Father Christmas Santa Claus Saint Nick. Call him what you will, the only way to find out how he manages his empire, and the secrets of his success, is to buy a copy of this week's magazine. Sign up here.
How things changed in 2016
And of course, there's our annual quiz. As I said it's been a busy year. Test your memory of the last 12 months with the MoneyWeek Christmas quiz.
As for the rest of the mag, there's far too much to list here. John Stepek looks at emerging markets; we outline the best and worst performing funds of 2016; and David C Stevenson picks an adventurous fund to invest in next year. Then there's our usual roundup of the best share tips from the rest of the UK's financial press; plus markets, news, a little bit of politics, and five pages of property, wine, toys and travel This week, Chris Carter picks the five best places in the country to celebrate New Year, and we've eight of the best properties for sale with impressive fireplaces.
If you fancy sorting out your finances in the new year, you could make no better start than to sign up to MoneyWeek magazine. You'll get the magazine delivered direct to your door, access to the website, plus the smartphone and tablet app.
Have a great Christmas and New Year, and we'll see you in 2017.
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Ben studied modern languages at London University's Queen Mary College. After dabbling unhappily in local government finance for a while, he went to work for The Scotsman newspaper in Edinburgh. The launch of the paper's website, scotsman.com, in the early years of the dotcom craze, saw Ben move online to manage the Business and Motors channels before becoming deputy editor with responsibility for all aspects of online production for The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News websites, along with the papers' Edinburgh Festivals website.
Ben joined MoneyWeek as website editor in 2008, just as the Great Financial Crisis was brewing. He has written extensively for the website and magazine, with a particular emphasis on alternative finance and fintech, including blockchain and bitcoin.
As an early adopter of bitcoin, Ben bought when the price was under $200, but went on to spend it all on foolish fripperies.
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