from Börse Online issue 20/2025
Let's talk about money’
Thorsten Amend-Schnaar, Managing Director at Höchsmann & Company
about happiness, classic cars, envy and property
1 Shares, funds, bonds, property – what asset allocation do you think is advisable?
I would advise investing in a combination of shares and funds as well as private property.
2 Does your happiness correlate with the DAX?
My overall happiness does not correlate with the DAX. I am happiest when I am with my family; a glass of wine and a nice meal at the beach can also lead to happy moments.
3 Who do you take advice from when it comes to money?
My children have good ideas on how to spend my money. However, the house bank and my father-in-law are the more sustainable advisors.
4 Are you attracted to alternative investments, such as cars, watches or art?
No, I’m not familiar with that. My classic car is more for enjoyment and fun, and with good care it at least retains its value.
5 What is wealth?
My family, but this kind of wealth cannot be valued in monetary terms. Not having to accept every job requires at least a certain degree of financial independence.
6 Do you still have cash with you? If so, how much on average?
I am increasingly paying by card; I usually have 50 to 200 euros in cash with me.
7 What have you donated to recently?
I donate regularly to the German Red Cross, and occasionally to disaster relief organisations and my children’s sports clubs.
8 Who would you lend money to? And under what circumstances?
Family members and close friends, of course, but I would take total loss into account. There would have to be collateral in the wider environment.
9 Your most senseless expense?
The purchase of my Triumph TR6, but I have great fun on every ride.
10 Have you ever gambled with money?
I played the lottery and won five euros.
11 When was the last time you envied someone?
Last night, when my son did 100 push-ups.
12 How much should a good dinner cost?
That depends on the restaurant and the number of diners. I don’t want to pay for pure ‘fancy food’, steak with gold powder is not a must, a good wine would be a must.
13 Taxi or Uber?
Depends on availability, preferably an Uber.
14 A dream that only money made possible?
My own property for the family.
15 Your most valuable (material) possession?
My own property.
16 Should your descendants inherit your wealth or work for their own prosperity?
Both – the wealth enables a very good international education and provides a certain amount of security so that my children can find the career they are passionate about – they will have to do it themselves.
17 What management achievements do you admire?
I work for numerous family businesses that have successfully developed their company over generations, and I have great respect for this management performance.
18 How do you reward yourself for good performance?
Every now and then a new model for my car collection (1:18 scale).
19 What did you buy with the first money you earned yourself?
A red ski jacket from Killy.
20 What is waste?
Unutilised potential.
Thorsten Amend-Schnaar is Executive Partner of the consultancy Höchsmann & Company. The company supports medium-sized and family businesses as well as international companies in the areas of executive search, board search, succession planning and management diagnostics.