The Plush Pup

RICH PICKINGS: Plush toys

Got some cash to splash? Take a lead from the world’s mega-rich and treat yourself to a $1.5-million-dollar puppy, or perhaps a $46 million pink diamond.

The whacky investments of the rich

What a horrible end to the year for Newcastle coal billionaire Nathan Tinkler.

In the space of a week, Tinkler had his luxury beach house broken into, and his $500,000 Ferrari California stolen.

The car, one of only five in Australia, was later found abandoned and burnt out in bushland outside the city.

Then, to make matters worse, the Tinkler vehicle set to acquire the Newcastle Knights rugby league club missed a key deadline to provide a $20 million bank guarantee – a key part of the takeover process.

Tinkler’s Hunter Sports Group says the deal to buy the club remains on track, although it could take longer than anticipated.

Tinkler might have ridden the resources wave brilliantly in the business world but, for the moment at least, it seems he can’t take a trick with what wealth advisors like to call 'passion' investments – and what the rest of us think of as 'because they can' splurges.

According to the World Wealth Report released last week by Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management and Capgemini, spending on passion investments – which includes art, luxury collectibles like cars, boats and jets, sporting teams, and jewellery – rebounded in 2010 across all categories.

The art world saw several paintings sell for more than $US100 million each (including a Giacometti and a Picasso); record prices were set at diamond auctions; and there was a record $US91.2 million total for Christie’s main fine and rare watch auction.

Rare coin sales surged, while fine wine sales rebounded strongly from a post-GFC slump. According to the Wealth Report, Sotheby’s sold $US88.3 million of wine worldwide – double its 2009 sales.

But passion investments aren’t all about fine art, jewellery, wine and cars.

The rich also like to splurge on some rather unusual items as they indulge their passions. Here is a selection of quirky big buys from the last 18 months:

The $2.3 million cowboy photo

Last week, US billionaire (and noted Tea Party supporter) William Koch made headlines when he splashed $US2.3 million on what is believed to be the only surviving authenticated portrait of cowboy icon Billy the Kid.

Kyjen Plush Puppies Girl Hedgehog Dog Toy, Jumbo | Amazon Mini

I purchased one of these at a local store for my pup as a birthday present when she turned 1. Well she absolutely fell in love with this toy. Has slept with it every night since. She also suckles it as she dozes off to sleep so the back of it became very wiry. So this year for her 3rd birthday I thought I would get her a new one because I had tried other toys and nothing would suffice. She would rip to shreds the others and go back to her hedgehog. So, I looked and looked and looked for a hedgehog locally and couldn’t find one, so I ordered from Amazon. And once again, she has fallen in love. I was able to successfully remove the old one and she has taken to the new one just perfectly.

Like I said, my dog LOVES this toy. Oh and did I mention my dog is a 60lb PitBull…lol

Great toy!

The Moose That Roared, The Story of Jay Ward, Bill Scott, a Flying Squirrel, and a Talking Moose

Becca by the Book

Collectible dolls and accessories of the twenties and thirties from Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalogs

Mother Jones Magazine

Babe in Toyland