The Emporium's Asset & Wealth Management Expo the other day had some well-known people sharing their tips.

Common sense savings plans were the topic for Oishi Group managing director Tan Passakornnatee, Chulalongkorn University assistant professor Kritika Kongsompong, Ananda Development president and CEO Chanond Ruangkritya, and singer-actress Nicole Theriault.

Chanond said it's wise to invest in a property before it's developed, because once it's done, you immediately profit from the rise in the building's value. He believes the best investment opportunities are in condominiums that have good locations and infrastructure.

Nicole Theriault is currently investing in her own business, an event-planning and public-relations consultancy, as well as in stocks her family in the US buys. Since she isn't a "financial person", she said, she has a money manager.

"Never get involved in a business you don't know well," she advised.

Oishi's Tan is also a big fan of property investment.

"Properties near the city are easy to sell and produce high returns," he said. Currently 70 per cent of his money is in land, with the rest in diamonds, gold, watches and stocks.

He recommends having a plan ready when you consult a financial institution or business owner about investing.

Assistant Professor Kritika, of Chula's Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration, likes long-term investment that's low risk, since she has a family to care for. Currently she's investing in stocks, gold, foreign currencies and funds.

"I don't expect to profit from the stocks," she said. "I buy them because I like the companies!"

If you have the money, try investing, even if it's in a safe mutual fund, so that cash gets a chance to grow.