Sandra has changed her concept of investment ever since the high interest options came around.

"Anybody could see that the Partner Plan business was foolishness, because obviously anything that depends totally on people putting in money to keep paying out is going to fail and fail early," she said.

"But if it is one thing that came out of that it is if you are going to go into a risky business, go in and get out. Do not go to stay," she said.

Sandra is taking exactly that approach to her investment in a high interest rate set-up, which is paying her 10 per cent a month. "I have committed to six months and after that I am out. It is tempting to go further, but nothing lasts forever," she said.

Close eye on competition

At two months into her half-year investment period, the 28-year-old administrative assistant is keeping a close eye on the situation. Not that she can do anything about it, but it does help to be aware of the competition.

"I figure, also, that the new ones which come along are either going to fail very quickly or they are going to show signs of staying around. I do not rule out putting the money I get back into an investment, but I want back at least my capital from one first," she said.

Changing how she looks at investment has been the greatest adjustment. "We are taught to be so cautious, to put our money into something that has a great track record, but most times you are making a loss because inflation is more than the interest that you are being paid. Business people don't think like that and neither should we, not if we plan to do something more than just live to pay bills," Sandra said.