Priceless Wonder

Dividends from Singtel, Cambridge, Suntec and Mapletree

2011-09-04T12:41:00.001+08:00

Great month ! I didn't even realise I'm getting dividends til i login to my i-banking statement.

Here are the stats in August 2011 :

Suntec : $50

MIT : $31.20

Cambridge : $62.16

Singtel $190

Total dividends received : $ 333.46

Dividends time

2011-07-03T03:10:00.001+08:00

Received some dividends in May and June

latest being SP Ausnet with a total of 49 cents.

Also had received from MIT $19, Sabana $30 , Cambridge $40, Aims $20, Suntec $24, CWT $25, totalling up to $208.

Hope to acquire more dividend stocks in the days to come =)

Investments update 11 June

2011-06-11T11:21:00.000+08:00

AIMS 8 lots
Cambridge 6 lots
CWT 1 lots
Epicenter 2 lots
Genting 1 lots
MIT 1 lots
Sabana 1 lots
SP Ausnet 1 lots
Suntec REIT 2 lots

Total $15,410

A message on living well

2011-06-09T00:26:00.000+08:00

A MESSAGE THAT HOLDS GOOD FOR ALL TIMES, ALL AGES AND ALL FAITHS. LET US TRY TO FOLLOW AS MUCH OF IT AS POSSIBLE…..

An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

1. Go to bed on time.
2 Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
3. Say 'No' to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

4. Delegate tasks to capable others.
5. Simplify and unclutter your life.
6. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
7. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

8. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
9. Take one day at a time.
10. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
11. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

12.. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
13. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
14. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

15. Carry a book with you to read while waiting in line.
16. Get enough rest.
17. Eat right.
18. Get organized so everything has its place.
19. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
20. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
21. Every day, find time to be alone.
22. Having problems? Talk to someone. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed.
23. Make friends.
24. Laugh.
25. Laugh some more!
26 Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
27. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
28. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
29. Sit on your ego.
30 Talk less; listen more.
31. Slow down.
32. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe..
33. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. IT MAY HAVE A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

Update on Investments

2011-05-11T22:57:00.000+08:00

AIMSAMPREIT 8 lots
cambridge reit 6 lots
cwt 1 lot
epicenter 2 lots
MIT 1 lot
Sabana REIT 1 lot
SP Ausnet 1 lot
Suntec Reit 2 lot

Total value : $10, 975

Trip to HK ( 8 days )

2011-05-10T00:47:00.000+08:00

A brief breakdown of costs :

flight to hk : $125

flight to sg : $97

Total including accomodation : $600 per pax

Amt spent : $700

Total spent for the trip : $1400

Mac vs Pc

2011-04-12T23:47:00.000+08:00

I just got myself a new Macbook recently. A Macbook Pro to be exact. Looks cool doesn't it ? Its a 13-inch model dual core i5.

One of the first thing I noticed was how sleek it is. glass panel display instead of the usual lcd monitors on laptops which are prone to dead pixels. Had a couple of them on my IBM laptop... yeah really old one.

And then i happily logged in and got lost. was not used to the system at all. shortcuts that worked in windows are totally different in Mac.

instead of Ctrl or Alt keys I find myself using Command a lot more.

From a user perspective it is a lot more friendly compared to windows. the total setting up is a lot easier and intuitive.

installing programs or rather applications is just click and drag into the application folder.

the trackpad is a lot winder and more interesting to use with its multi touch scrolling and navigation.

But hey don't listen to me watch this video below to see a review of the Macbook Pro which introduces more of the cool features.

My Networth for March 2011

2011-03-14T23:42:00.000+08:00

Its been a while since i updated. getting lazy these days.

Savings $8918

Emergency cash $2017

Current $700

Total : $11635

slowly but surely mysavings acct is steadily growing while my own savings acct is quite stagnant. I also put some of my cash into investments. hope they will do well and give more dividends !

just bought something extravagant this mth which is my macbook pro !
cost me $1648.

hopefully it will last me at least 3 yrs =) so far its been a good experience using it but still gotta really explore its functionalities.

Boyzone : Air That I Need

2011-02-16T23:00:00.000+08:00

Heard this song on radio a few days back and felt really nostalgic. Nice song but I forgot the title and singer until my good friend Google helped me find it haha.

Do not multitask

2010-12-22T07:29:00.001+08:00

Focus on one or 2 things to do each day which are of high priority. U will find that you are more focussed and less distracted hence finish what u have to do in a shorter time.

U will be amazed at how much more u can accomplish.

My portfolio

2010-12-20T23:58:00.000+08:00

My stocks consist mostly REITS.

Stock	Lots	Price bought
AIMSAMP	8	0.2243
Cambridge	4	0.533
MIT	1	1.117
Suntec REIT	1	1.537
Citi group	10 shares	6.26
Sabana	1	1.9

Market value : $7511. ( as of 1 march 2011 )

Put on your thinking cap

2010-12-07T23:58:00.001+08:00

Ever thought about how do you think ?

How do you evaluate a problem to come up with a solution ?

I never thought about these until recently.

I attended a course recently on how to think or manage thinking processes in decision making.

It defines thinking into 6 types of thinking basically, white, black, blue, yellow, red and green.

White – thinking abt information; No evaluation

black – judgement, must have a reason

yellow – positive, must give reason

green – new ideas, no killing of ideas allowed

red – gut feeling or instinct, no reasoning

blue – choose which hat to put on, one at a time

blue is the hardest hat to use because we need to consciously think about which hat we are using when we think about the idea or give our comments.

yellow and black hats are logical hats which helps us to give a reason to why this decision is good or bad.

This allows us to understand ourself better in how we think and also know which type of thinkers we are.

I try to be a yellow hat thinker most of the time because it focus on the positive aspects and what you focus on expands.

generally most people will use the red hat to make decisions because of lack of knowledge or simply because we follow our feelings more than our logical mind.

ICT 2010

2010-11-15T00:07:00.001+08:00

Feels great to be back though its been v tiring and I collapse into bed every nite, really fun to see everyone back together again.

Just like NS days again. Although its been 5 years since I met up with most of them, they look almost the same as before, like nothing has changed, though many has got married and some with children. Some grew fatter, some became thinner, but generally still like before. I wonder if it means that people fundamentally do not really change on the inside once they reach a certain age. perhaps 5 years is not that good a gauge for it isnt that long.

Maybe when we reach another stage of our lives, we will be able to see the differences in everyone then. Perhaps we would just be older and still the same person on the inside still.

Back to work again tomorrow. Same old shit again. I’m just glad its a short week this week.

Money Saving Tip : Student Rate

2010-09-25T17:45:00.001+08:00

I recently went for a haircut. Paid $25 for it. The stylist asked me if i am a student. Being curious, I asked “Student got discount ?”

Turns out there is. If I brought my student pass, I would be only charge $15 instead of $25. a whooping $10 off ! I really regretted not bringing it around.

There are also many dining places with student discounts like fast food and some restaurants.

For those who are still currently studying, or still look like a student, do keep your student pass handy. you never know when it would save u money.

I will definitely be bringing around my ~~old discoloured~~ student pass around from now on.

Bought more shares

2010-09-25T15:25:00.001+08:00

- Bought Suntec REIT 1 lot at $1.51

- Phillips money market fund

Fireflies

2010-08-31T23:05:00.000+08:00

Lyrics | Owl City lyrics - Fireflies lyrics

So you think you're smarter than a kid?

2010-08-30T23:19:00.000+08:00

A riddle for you to keep awake...

Eighty percent of Kindergarteners solved this riddle, but only 5% of Stanford graduates figured it out!

Can you answer the following questions in one word?

1. The word has seven letters....
2. Preceded God...
3. Greater than God...
4. More Evil than the devil...
5. All poor people have it...
6. Wealthy people need it....
7. If you eat it, you will die.

Did you figure it out?
Try hard before looking at the answers

Did you get it yet?

Give up?

Brace yourself for the answer....

The Answer is:

NOTHING!
NOTHING has 7 letters.
NOTHING preceded God.
NOTHING is greater than God.
NOTHING is more Evil than the devil.
All poor people have NOTHING.
Wealthy people need NOTHING.
If you eat NOTHING, you will die.

From a Student to a Rat Racer

2010-08-23T23:58:00.000+08:00

Money advice for new graduates

1. Define your financial goals. What do you want to have in the future? Write down your goals and a general timetable so you can remind yourself of your goals later on. Some good goals are: having a car in three years' time, enrolling in graduate school in five years' time, establishing an emergency fund within a year. By having a timetable, your goals become more realistic and attainable. 2. Look for a job that will use your skills, give you room for growth, and will give you steady income enough to meet your needs and allow you to save. The job market is very competitive but that does not mean that you should grab the first job opportunity that comes by. Weigh the pros and cons of each job offer and choose wisely. If the job offer comes with additional benefits such as car plan, subsidy for further studies, and profit-sharing, that's even better. 3. Once you have a firm job offer, draft a budget to help you plan your monthly spending. With a new job, you will have a steady income coming in. Start by saving first (see next item below), then allot amounts for regular expenses such as food, transportation, clothing, and others. Live within your means. 4. Open a separate bank account for savings, different from your payroll account. This will be for your savings. Ideally, you should deposit money here regularly and make the money grow for future consumption. Ideally, too, you should take out the money meant for your savings (at least 10 percent of your income) as soon as you get your pay, so you won't be tempted to spend all of your income. 5. Save up for an emergency fund. Make this your priority for saving. Build up a fund equal to three to six months' worth of your expenses so that if anything happens-you lose your job or get sick-you can have a fund to dip into to help you in your day-to-day expenses. Don't touch this fund unless there's an emergency (thus the name). You can put this fund in a time deposit or money market account for easy access. 6. Once you have saved up enough money for an emergency fund, tackle your other savings goals. Save for that car or dream home in the future. Don't forget to start saving for a retirement fund because the earlier you do it, the better as compound interest will make your money earn even more without you doing anything. To give your savings a kick (in terms of growth), look into investing them in instruments or accounts that may give you more interest or yield than what a savings account may offer. Talk to your bank for more details. 7. Get insurance coverage. You'll never know what's going to happen, but it pays to be prepared always. Take out a life insurance policy if you have dependents. Buying life insurance while you are young also means paying for lower premiums. If your company does not give free health insurance, make sure you get one for yourself. With health care costs escalating and more so as you get older, it will do you good to have some form of coverage in place. 8. Read up on financial matters. Sharpen your financial IQ by reading more about personal finance and attending personal finance seminars. You can learn from experts to help you stay on the right track financially. Good luck and we hope all your financial dreams come true.

For those who are buying a Flat

2010-08-23T23:40:00.000+08:00

Buying an HDB flat - Resale or brand-new?

By Goh Mei Yi (Compiled by Chew Hui Min)
There are two methods through which one can buy an Housing Development Board (HDB) flat: Either purchase a new flat directly from the HDB, or a resale flat on the open market.
A new flat from HDB tends to be much cheaper than resale flats in the same area due to subsidies from the HDB.
For example, a four-room flat in the recently announced Senja Gateway development in Bukit Panjang is priced at $242,000 to $306,000, but the median resale price of a flat in Bukit Panjang in the second quarter of 2010 was $340,000.
However, there are more eligibility guidelines for new HDB flats, including citizenship, and a household income ceiling. If you qualify, it is definitely a good investment for your family.
Direct from HDB
There are four ways you can buy a new flat from the HDB:

Quarterly sale of three-room and smaller flats
Three- and two-room flats as well as returned studio apartments are sold on the first day of January, April, July and October.
Sale of balance flats
Most of these new flats are surplus units in an established estate or town offered for sale through balloting.
Build-To-Order (BTO)
HDB will launch a BTO site and invite applicants to book a flat. When most of the flats are booked, HDB will call a tender for the construction of the flats.
Design, Build & Sell Scheme (DBSS)
Plots of land are sold to private developers who are free to design and price the flats as long as they work within the rules of public housing.
If you are in a hurry for a home or picky about the location, this is the method for you.
1. Check out the listing of flats for sale in the Classified section.
2. Contact the property agent or home owner to view the flats you are interested in.
3. Get the HDB Loan Eligibility Letter or Letter of Offer from the bank.
4. Once you find a flat, make an offer and exercise the Option to Purchase.
5. Submit the resale application and wait for your First Appointment date.
While a property agent would have a good gauge of the average prices of similar flats in a particular area, you should do your own homework and be aware of market prices. Here is some general information about resale transactions you can find on HDB's website.
HDB Resale Price Index
This index tracks the overall price movement of the HDB resale market. It is derived from resale transactions registered across various towns, flat types and models, using the fourth quarter of 1998 as the base period with an index value of 100. By comparing how it changes from one quarter to another, you can tell whether prices on the whole have moved up or down over a three-month period.
Median resale prices
This set of statistics provides the median prices for resale transactions of a particular flat type in a given town based on resale cases registered in the quarter. The prices are inclusive of Cash-Over-Valuation (COV) if the flat was sold at a price above market valuation.
Median Cash-Over-Valuation (COV)
You can find out what the quarterly median COV is for all flat types in any town. The COV is the difference between the resale price and the market value of the flat.
Individual resale transactions
At the HDB's e-Service resale transactions site, you can do a search for the resale transacted prices based on resale applications approved in the last three months. You can search by HDB town or street name, or by price range.

source : http://business.asiaone.com/Business/My%2BMoney/Property/Story/A1Story20100820-233109/2.html

If you had a bad day

2010-08-23T23:28:00.000+08:00

50 Tips for Surviving Your Worst Work Days

OK, you've heard about Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant who had a major workplace meltdown last week. It was a classic "take this job and shove it" moment.

[See 21 secrets to getting the job.]

And, sure, maybe he shouldn't have done what he did, but did you catch yourself thinking, "I know exactly how he feels"?

If so, you have a lot of company. It's tough out there. Even if you like your job, even if you are grateful just to have a job nowadays, you probably get stressed out from time to time. It's normal.

But wait. Print out this list now, and on those days when it all feels like just too much, check out these tips before you do anything rash.

[See how to take smart risks at work.]

--Don't promise what you can't deliver.

--Learn to manage your emotions, instead of letting them control you.

--Cultivate a sense of humor.

--Resist perfectionism.

--Resist micromanaging (of yourself and others).

--Get the sleep you need.

--Try getting to work 10-15 minutes early.

--Take regular breaks.

--Take a walk at lunch, or do some stretching exercises, or jumping jacks, or something.

--Don't overdo the caffeine.

--Don't skip breakfast or lunch.

--Learn to recognize symptoms of stress (anxiety, headache, anger) so you can nip it in the bud.

--Make some friends/allies at work.

--Talk about your stress, to somebody.

--Pay attention to your breathing; slow it down, deepen it.

--Post family photos (or other images that make you happy) in your workspace.

--Focus on the now (i.e., don't agonize over the past, don't fret over the future).

--Take some alone time.

--Find harmless ways to vent; e.g., cry, or punch a pillow.

--Vary your routine.

--Stop trying to multitask.

--Remind yourself of what's really important in life.

--Beef up your skills; become better and faster at what you do.

--Make sure you truly know what is expected of you (you may need to talk to your boss).

--Try looking at situations from different points of view.

--Seek work that suits your personality.

--Learn to say "no."

--Always have a fallback plan (a "Plan B").

--Get better organized.

--Clean up workspace clutter.

--Stop procrastinating.

--Make your workspace as ergonomic as you can.

--Wear clothes that are comfortable and that you look good in.

--Try some "positive affirmations."

--Learn to manage your boss.

--Meditate/pray/contemplate.

--Avoid negative people as much as you can.

--Write down the things you like about your job.

--Make a list of all your achievements in the last year.

--Get clear on your life goals and take a step, no matter how small, toward those goals every day.

--Learn to love yourself as you are.

--Put a smile on your face.

--Get a hobby that makes you happy.

--Learn to prioritize. Learn to delegate.

--Stop comparing yourself to others.

--Ask for help when you need it.

--Break big jobs into bite-size pieces.

--Know your limitations and let others know them too.

--Don't try to control what is uncontrollable.

--Hang in there!

source : http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/50-Tips-for-Surviving-Your-usnews-650024601.html?x=0

Skip Diamonds, go with Moissanite

2010-08-16T23:24:00.000+08:00

5 Reasons to Skip the Diamond Engagement Ring

can you tell which is diamond ?

You're ready. You have the entire scene planned out in your head, every detail plotted and mapped until it's perfect. At the climax of this mini-drama, he will bend on one knee and present to you a beautiful diamond ring -- or, if you're the one proposing, you will watch as her expression changes from surprise to utter delight when she sees the ring. And that's when you'll know: Yes, you're getting married.

[Visit the US News Personal Finance site for more insight and money management tips.]

Or so the diamond industry would like you to believe. The sole purpose of this appealing fantasy is to drum up sales. Once you look past the mythos of the diamond engagement ring, you'll see that it's not much more than a shiny rock. (See also 24 secrets from a 24-year-old happy marriage.) Here are five good reasons to skip the diamond engagement ring.

1. It isn't an ancient tradition -- just marketing. For all intents and purposes, "A Diamond is Forever" and the idea of a diamond engagement ring is Sprite's "Obey Your Thirst" and Nike's "Just Do It." It is Gary Dahl's "Pet Rock." De Beers controlled supply by buying up and closing down any diamond mine discovered, and they controlled demand by making it sentimental. Although the campaign is less than 70 years old, it has made the diamond engagement ring the ultimate symbol of how much the relationship, the girl, and love itself is worth.

2. Diamonds are rare! Or not. It's true, diamonds are abundant. For generations, De Beers had stockpiled most of the world's diamond supply and effectively monopolized the industry. Their dominance has weakened over the last decade, but De Beers and its competitors still control the supply of diamonds entering the market. While most gems are valued based on their rarity, diamonds are different. Their scarcity is artificial -- and so is their value.

[Also see U.S. News's list of The 100 Best Mutual Funds for the Long Term, and use our Mutual Fund Score to find the best investments for you.]

3. Other options look just as impressive and cost much less. Moissanite looks just like a diamond; the difference is undetectable with the naked eye. In fact, moissanite is actually more brilliant. If, for whatever reason, you're stuck on the diamond ring idea, synthetic or "cultured" diamonds are the real deal. They're made in a machine that replicates the environmental forces that make diamonds. They're real diamonds, only with less flaws. A synthetic 2-carat pink diamond costs just a few thousand dollars, and a 1-carat moissanite ring is under $1000.

4. You can invest in something more meaningful/useful/fun than a piece of jewelry. Many women simply enjoy having a beautiful collection -- and that's fine (if you can afford it). For most people, though, a diamond engagement ring is fun to show off for about 30 seconds. But it's special, right? Because it marks your engagement and symbolizes your love? Remember, that's De Beers's marketing campaign talking. Three-plus months' salary would be better spent on furnishing your home, an amazing trip, or your future kids' college funds!

5. It's hard to get around the ethical issues surrounding the diamond industry. Terrorist groups use conflict/blood diamonds to finance their activities. Rebel groups use them to fuel conflict and civil wars. In these conflict zones, children are being used as soldiers. The Kimberley Process is an agreement that was established to prevent conflict diamonds from getting into the market, but the self-policing system is far from perfect. One way to fool the Kimberley Process is to smuggle and mix conflict diamonds with legally traded ones before being certified -- and you, the buyer, would be none the wiser.

-------------------------------------------------

I've been thinking about this for a while, and I was wondering how did diamond become the de facto standard in wedding proposal ?

There was no historical writeup around this topic although advertisements have always centered marriage around it.

I mean, its just a tiny little stone that sparkles on your finger. the only useful thing it does is that it makes your lady's eyes light up when you flash it to her and she will know what you wanna do.

Other than that its perfectly useless. there is no resale value or practical use to it. that is why we never heard of 2nd hand diamond ring.

Liar Game : The Final Stage

2010-08-15T03:22:00.000+08:00

The Final stage of the Liar Game : Garden of Eden.

Is it really paradise ? Or does temptation prove too great to be true ?

As usual, there is always a win-win situation which is clear however hard to execute.

Does Nao and Akiyama come together ?
Will the Boss of Liar Game be revealed ?

These questions will be answered in the final stage. Really exciting finals with lies, betrayal and a battle of wits.

Net Worth 14 August 2010

2010-08-14T17:54:00.001+08:00

Savings : $8463.76
Current : $657
Total : $9120.76

Transactions :
bought 1 lot Singtel shares at $3.05 = $3050
Returned $4500 to dad

Insurance :
GE shield plan : $23.41
Pru Cash : $71.21
Pru ILP : $150.08
NTUC Income : $19.50
Total : $264.20

Inception : A dream within a dream

2010-07-27T00:17:00.000+08:00

5 min in a dream is 1 hr in real life.

You wake up when you die in a dream.

An idea is like a seed which grows rapidly and changes our whole being.

This movie basically talks about the power of dreams and how they made use of it to steal information. But planting it is a whole different level.

Its usually hard to remember the details of a dream once we wake up.

A dream usually does not have a beginning. If you cannot remember how you got there, you know u r in a dream.

Net worth update July 20, 2010

2010-07-20T23:47:00.000+08:00

Savings : 13,357
2nd Savings : 2000
Current : 550

Total : $15907

Girls Generation : Gee

2010-06-28T23:54:00.001+08:00

Nice catchy song by a Korean Girl band Girl's Generation

Trapped - 16/06/10

2010-06-26T07:46:00.001+08:00

Orchard Rd - 16/6/10

net worth for june 2010

2010-06-13T00:38:00.001+08:00

savings acct : 13290

current acct : 1030

Total : 14320

Liabilities : computer loan - 1400

New expenses : GE insurance plan 23.41 / mth

ntuc union member : 9 / mth

Total insurance premium : 71.21 + 19.50 + 23.41 = $114.10

Old habits die hard

2010-06-10T00:24:00.000+08:00

I have a bad habit. Had it since young but can't seem to get rid of it. Such is the power of a habit. Once you're stuck, its hard to get out of it.

Similarly, good habits die hard as well. Imagine if you have the habit of saving half your allowance or salary every month, the amount you will save up over a couple of years will be immense !

Someone once said :" you cannot quit a habit. you can only replace it with another one."

Take some time to review what are the bad habits we have and see what good habits we can replace it with. It won't be easy but its sure worth a try. you never know how it will make you a better person and how t helps you to reach your goals.

I wish to cultivate the habit of sleeping before 12.

Gosh its already past 12 ! got to try harder =)

What to Look For in a Financial Advisor

2010-06-01T00:26:00.000+08:00

That's me!

Miss Ang is a pretty insurance agent. She is someone so adorable that you don't mind seeing her everyday. She has the character, attitude and look that will light up your life.

She is not pushy and will patiently explain stuff over to you if you don't understand. I think its great to have an adviser who is like a friend to you. Once the rapport is built it will be easy for you to share your money concerns and future goals with your adviser.

This is my advisor Miss Ang from GE if you are looking for one I'd recommend her for the above qualities =)
~~not because she is my fren.~~

Betterment : a simple online investment account

2010-05-26T00:22:00.000+08:00

https://www.betterment.com/

a simple interface for investment. those who want to get better returns than their interest can check it out.

Ex-pastor turns evangelist of wealth

2010-05-24T22:51:00.000+08:00

By Lorna Tan

Pray, what could he do to help the poor? Mr Petrus Carstens wanted to make a difference to the lives of ordinary Africans.

For 15 years until 2002, he worked as a pastor in South Africa but could do nothing more than pray for them.

It was only in 2002 that MrCarstens, now 48, realised he could do more if he became a successful investor and created a wealth foundation.

He started reading feverishly on finance. He did well with property investments when South Africa had a real estate boom between 2002 and 2006.

His financial knowledge was boosted when he signed up for wealth coach Robert Kiyosaki's year-long Rich Dad coaching programme in 2006.

'My aim is to accumulate US$100 million (S$137.9 million) in cash and US$350 million in property and other investments, with a passive and portfolio income of US$2 million to US$3 million per month. I want to use this money for economic empowerment programmes in the developing world,' said Mr Carstens.

He aims to set up his wealth foundation in the next five years.

Among his many businesses are a hotel, an upcoming shopping centre and a licence for an organic waste-water purification system.

He also conducts wealth management programmes, under his firm Ample Wealth, for individuals in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and Malaysia.

Mr Carstens studied economics for three years before switching to theology. He obtained a theology degree from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, in 1989.

He became a pastor in 1987 and, while ministering, obtained a masters in theology from the same university in 1994.

He is married to world champion cyclist Cathy Fair, 47, who runs a physiotherapy practice in South Africa. They have a son, Deon, 18, and a daughter, Margi, 16.

Q: Are you a spender or saver?

I am a saver. My income is from wealth coaching, property development, portfolio investments and passive income. I save about 65 per cent of my income, which is almost always immediately re-invested.

Q: How much do you charge to your credit cards every month?

I charge about US$5,000. But if I am not travelling, I spend less than US$1,000 a month. I settle my credit card payments monthly. I have 10 cards - one for each company. This makes it easy to track what I spend for each company and for me to qualify for tax benefits as well.

I carry very little cash, nothing more than S$500 to S$1,000.

Q: What financial planning have you done for yourself?

I have three trusts, three property companies and 10 other companies. Each firm handles one type of business.

The reason is to ring-fence each business, protect my personal safety net and optimise my tax structure.

To obtain financial leverage (bank borrowings), you need to first have a solid asset base, which also serves as an income stream (rental or yield) as well as capital gains.

Every five years, I write out a five-year personal wealth plan. I assess where I am at in terms of assets, liabilities, cash reserves and cashflow.

I believe you can create wealth only from three foundations - assets, cash and cashflow.

I determine where I am at every five years and work out a plan to get to the next five-year target via any one or all three income streams - active, portfolio and passive.

I have exceeded each of my five-year goals even though at times it did not appear to be heading that way.

I have five investment categories, each with different target returns.

First is retirement assets - lifelong investments for which I expect 15 per cent to 20 per cent returns per year.
Second is property - my asset base for which I expect capital gains of 15 per cent to 35 per cent per year.
Third is speculative assets - investments I buy with a plan to sell in one to six years such as land banking, prime property, stocks, bonds and businesses.
Fourth is cash-generating assets, such as network-marketing franchises and mines.
Fifth is my 'play money' which I look to double returns between one and six months.

About 10 per cent of my cash is channelled to venture capital, bridging finance and commodity trading.

Q: What properties do you own?

Back in 2002 to 2006, I was riding the biggest property bubble in the world. South Africa had the fastest- growing middle class. I could get 110 per cent housing loans from banks as they expected property to appreciate. I could refinance twice a year.

Currently, I own two seafront double-storey houses in Hermanus, South Africa, each about 2,200sqft. They were bought in 2007 for 14 million rand (S$2.75 million) each and are rented out. I do not know their current values.

I own part of eight game farms in the Krueger National Park. They are valued at 50 million rand and I have a 50 per cent share.

Together with seven friends, we bought a 3,000 sq ft vacation house on the border of the Krueger National Park. It was bought for less than 3 million rand in 2004. It is currently valued at 8 million rand.

I own 15 apartments in Johannesburg and they are rented out.

I own 30 per cent of a hotel in Hermanus, bought for 12 million rand in 2008.

My partner and I invested 19 million rand in a shopping centre in 2008. The development cost is 100 million rand. It will be operational next year.

Q: Money-wise, what were your growing up years like?

I come from a family of five and I have two younger sisters. My mother was a housewife while my father was a diplomat for the South African government. He never spoke about money or taught us about money. It was a comfortable life and I never had to think about money.

We lived in Nelspruit, close to Krueger Park, in a single-storey brick house with a land area of 19,400 sq ft.

When I started working, I never valued money and never saved. Even as a minister, I could create extra revenue but I either gave it away or lost it. I was trapped in a middle-class mentality. I learnt to respect money only when I realised my life purpose and understood that I could not fulfil that purpose without respecting money.

At that time, I was a minister of 4,500 people but I had a vision of changing the lives of 450,000 people who lived in a culture of poverty.

Q: What is the most extravagant thing you have bought?

Someone owed me US$400,000 and could not pay me. He handed me his brand-new red Ferrari in 2008 as payment. I never drove it. Instead, I sold it for 4 million rand.

Q: What is your retirement plan?

I don't intend to retire. If I only lived for myself I could consider myself financially free. But my work is not done and I want to build a foundation to make a global impact in terms of economic empowerment of the poorest people.

My current fixed expenses are 200,000 rand a month. We donate to charity regularly.

Q: Home is now...

My house in Cape Town. It has a swimming pool and three garages. Its land size is about 10,760 sq ft.

Q: I drive...

A silver Mercedes Diesel. I also own a white Toyota Prado and a yellow BMW motorbike.

Prayer is always good cos God hears them.

Another practical way to help the poor is by educating them on money skills. As the saying goes, you give a man a fish, he eats for a day. You teach him to fish, he eats for life.

I'll never go back there again

2010-05-17T00:39:00.000+08:00

if you happen to go to clementi mall, there are 2 jap restaurants on the 2nd floor.

Pls walk to Sakae Sushi if you want to have a decent jap meal.

The 99 cent sushi is really deceptive. you are only allowed to take those on the conveyor belt. Anything you order on the menu is a different price. The thing is, there is HARDLY ANYTHING on the conveyor belt. you would have thought the shop is closing with the same few plates of sushi on the belt.

The sushi doesn't taste good, ramen nope, nothing much is nice there. And the set meals aren't cheap either.

So I think there's no reason for me to return to the restaurant.

Net worth for May 2010

2010-05-17T00:24:00.000+08:00

Net worth as of 17 Apr 2010

Savings acct : 12773

Current : 850

Total: 13623

+ Liquidation of life policy - S$4,516.27

Liabilities

Computer Loan : $1500

Update on networth 12 April 2010

2010-04-12T00:53:00.000+08:00

Its that time of the month again !

to tally my net worth see how i'm doing.

Net worth as of 12 Apr 2010

Savings acct : 7947

Current : 770

Total: 8717

- got added expenses now in the form of education loan repayment.

Updates on net worth 11/03/10

2010-03-13T12:17:00.000+08:00

Its that time of the month again !

to tally my net worth see how i'm doing.

Net worth as of 11 Mar 2010
Savings acct : 6570
Current : 1762
Total: 8332

Net worth as of 17 Feb 2010
Savings acct : 5275
Current : 730
Total : 6305

Net worth as of 9 Jan 2010
Savings Acct : 2800
Current Acct : 400
Total : 3200

The Richest Man in Babylon

2010-02-18T20:04:00.000+08:00

A part of all you earn is yours to keep

Men of action are favored by the goddess of good luck

Better a little caution than a great regret

We cannot afford to be without adequate protection

Where the determination is, the way can be found

7 cures for a lean purse

Start thy purse to fattening
For every 10 coins thou placest within thy purse take out or use but 9. Thy purse will start to fatten at once and its increasing weight will fell good in thy hand and bring satisfaction to thy soul

Control thy expenses
Budget thy expenses that thou mayest have coins to pay for thy necessities, to pay for thy enjoyments and to gratify thy worthwhile desires without spending more than 9/10s of thy earnings.

Make thy gold multiply
to put each coin to laboring that it may reproduce its kind even as the flocks of the field and help to bring thee income, a stream of wealth that shall flow constantly into thy purse.

Guard thy treasure from loss
guard thy treasure from loss by investing only where thy principal is safe, where it may be reclaimed if desirable and where thou will not fail to collect a fair rental. Consult with wise men. Secure the advice of those experienced in the profitable handling of gold. let their wisdom protect thy treasure from unsafe investments.

Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment
if a man setteth aside nine parts of his earning upon which to live and enjoy life, and if any part of this nine parts he can turn into profitable investment without detriment to his well-being, then so much faster will his treasures grow.

Insure a future income
provide in advance for the needs of thy growing age and the protection of thy family.

Increase the ability to earn
to cultivate thy own powers, to study and become wiser, to become more skillful, to so act as to respect thyself.

The Five laws of Gold

Gold cometh gladly and in increasing quantity to any man who will put by not less than one-tenth of his earning to create an estate for his future and that of his family.

Gold laboreth diligently and contentedly for the wise owner who finds for it profitable employment, multiplying even as flocks of the field.

Gold clingeth to the protection of the cautious owner who invests it under the advice of men wise in its handling.

Gold slippeth away from the man who invests it in business or purposes with which he is not familiar or which are not approved by those skilled in its keep.

Gold flees the man who would force it to impossible earnings or who followeth the aluring advice of tricksters and schemers or who trusts it to his own inexperience and romantic desires in investment.

Happy Chinese New Yr to all

2010-02-17T14:39:00.000+08:00

Its been a while since i posted,

decided to start the Tiger Year on a good note.

been spending quite a bit for Christmas, New yr and Chinese New Year. Glad i manage to stick to savings goal of $1000 a mth.

so what have i done in the past few mths ?

signed up for citibank smrt credit card

- bought new clothes for CNY

- struggle to stay awake at work

- going out on weekends

Why Do I want to Be Rich

2010-01-09T13:39:00.000+08:00

1. So I do not have to work for money for the rest of my life but work for what I like

2. No more waking up early in the morning for work

3. To wake up leisurely for breakfast

4. Travel the world anytime I like

5. Buy a sports car ( Audi, Lamborghini etc )

6. My family will not have to worry about money

7. Stay in a house facing the sea

8. Use it for the kingdom of God

Holiday Season Spending

2009-12-28T23:30:00.001+08:00

Oh My God !

Been spending too much this month. must be the clash of the 2 major holidays :

Christmas and New Year !

the season of giving doesn't have to be the season of spending. but i guess i got carried away with my first paycheck.

Got to keep my spending in check before the next pay =)

considering having Marche and Breeks next week. ( more spending ? )

An Essential Guide To Buying Your First Car

2009-11-29T19:19:00.000+08:00

(img from http://sg-exoticspotter.blogspot.com/)

OWNING A VEHICLE IN SINGAPORE

The 2 main factors that impact the cost of car ownership in Singapore are:

The vehicle tax regime including import duties, additional registration fees (ARF) and road tax.
The Vehicle Quota System which limits the vehicle population growth in Singapore to approximately 3% per annum. The tool which is used to limit the number of cars registered in Singapore is the Certificate of Entitlement or COE. Each vehicle registered in Singapore must have an accompanying COE which is "attached" to the vehicle throughout the vehicle's lifespan. For more information on the Vehicle Quota System and COEs, please visit www.lta.gov.sg (The Land Transport Authority) and www.onemotoring.com.sg.

RECURRING MAINTENANCE COSTS

In addition to incurring the cost of acquiring a vehicle, there are other costs associated with keeping the vehicle on the road. Here are some of those costs:

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

One of the most common misconceptions on the affordability of a car is the "low monthly installment" syndrome. This happens when prospective buyers are enticed into buying a car on the premise that the monthly installment is low. However, many consumers do not factor in other "costs" and can end up in a horrendous situation from a financial perspective.

Many car buyers also do not take enough time to consider their length of ownership and therefore do not make the best purchase decisions from a financial perspective. Unlike a property, a car is usually a liability as its value depreciates the moment you purchase the car. Therefore, when buying a car, it is important to take time to consider how much it will cost you overall, your intended ownership period and of course, your motoring needs.

iFAST: If an individual were to purchase a car, what would be the maximum percentage of the individual's salary that should be allocated for the monthly installments and other related expenses?

DF: To work out your Income and Expenses when deciding on a car purchase, one will need to work out his/her Debt Servicing Ratio (DSR) which is often used by banks to assess whether a loan application can be approved. DSR is the percentage of the borrower's total monthly financial commitment (including car loan, home loan repayment, and other financial commitments such as unsecured borrowing, etc) against his monthly income and it will determine the loan quantum to be granted. The acceptable DSR varies from bank to bank, but is usually between the region of 40% to 50%.

SOURCING FOR A SUITABLE CAR LOAN

There are three basic factors to think about when sourcing for a new car loan: interest rate, loan principal and loan period. Knowing these three items will enable you to understand how much loan you are able to obtain. Using these to make your loan calculation will help you establish your budget for making the monthly payments.
It will be good to bear in mind that most lenders will want you to take out as much loan as you can possibly afford, since they will make more money, the larger the loan amount is. Therefore, always check the terms and conditions for the car loan before you commit to a loan. Below are the key items one needs to take note of, when it comes to car loans.

The Loan Principal
Loan principal is a term used in finance that refers to the original amount of the debt or the original amount of money borrowed. Your total interest charges at the end of the loan period depend on the amount of the loan principal and the loan period. The higher the principal amount you borrow, the more money you will ultimately be paying back over the course of the loan.

Interest Rate
The interest rate is usually expressed in percentage terms and is referred to as the amount of money charged outside the loan principal amount.

There are two common car loan interest schemes, i.e. the flat interest rate and the monthly rest schemes. Flat inter¬est charges are also known as "flat add-on rate". The interest rate is fixed throughout the loan period and it uses simple interest calculation. This means the total interest payable for the whole loan period is already added into the principal loan amount at the beginning. Borrowers pay equal monthly installments over the period of the loan. Currently, most car loans in Singapore are based on this scheme.

Monthly rest schemes are repayment schemes with floating interest rates. These rates are usually pegged at a certain percentage below or above a benchmark rate, such as the lender's prime lending rate or board rates. The interest is calculated on a monthly rest basis, meaning that the principal amount is reduced every month as the monthly installment is paid. The monthly instalments are a fixed amount, but the reduction in the principal and the interest payment vary according to changes in the interest rate.

Loan Period
The loan period refers to the life cycle of the loan. The longer the loan, the more expensive the loan will be.

Car loan calculation is an important part of sourcing for the right car loan. You can determine how much your loan is going to cost, by utilising good car loan calculation.
By regulation, car loans have a maximum repayment period of 10 years and a financing limit of 100% of the car purchase price or market value, including COE, whichever is lower. The loan period added to the age of the car cannot exceed 10 years.

Terms and Conditions - Default
For hire purchase loans, if you default on the monthly installments, the lender has the right to repossess the vehicle. Upon the sale of the vehicle, you have to pay for the shortfall between the sales proceeds and the loan outstanding, including the costs arising from the repossession.

Late Fees and Penalties
Different lenders charge different fees for late payment of installments. Make sure you check out all these fees before you commit to the loan.

http://sg.promo.yahoo.com/managingyourmoney/article?blogid=mmoney_features&postid=8&viewPost=1

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind

2009-11-21T23:55:00.000+08:00

my inner world creates my outer world
I have a millionaire mind !

what i heard about money isn't necessarily true. I choose to adopt new ways of thinking that support my happiness and success.

what i modelled around money was their way. I choose my way.

i release my nonsupportive money experience from the past and create a new and rich future.

i observe my thoughts and entertain only those that empower me.

i create the exact level of my financial success !

my goal is to become a millionnaire and more !

i commit to being rich.

I think big ! I choose to help thousands and thousands of people!

I focus on opportunities over obstacles. I get ready, I fire, I aim !

I admire rich people !
I bless rich people !
I love rich people !
And I'm going to be one of those rich people too !

I model rich and successful people.
I associate with rich and successful people.
If they can do it, I can do it too !

I promote my value to others with passion and enthusiasm.

i am bigger than any problems.
i can handle any problems.

i choose to get paid based on my results.

i always think 'both'.

i focus on building my net worth!

i am an excellent money manager.

my money works hard for me and makes me more and more money.

i act in spite of fear.
i act in spite of doubt.
i act in spite of worry.
i act in spite of discomfort.
i act when i'm not in the mood.

i am committed to constantly learning and growing.
I have a millionaire mind !

S'poreans clueless on retirement

2009-11-09T15:11:00.000+08:00

>> ASIAONE / BUSINESS / NEWS / MY MONEY / STORY

Mon, Nov 09, 2009
my paper

S'poreans clueless on retirement

By Kenny Chee

SINGAPOREANS generally have not planned well for their retirement, according to a survey by global bank HSBC.

The majority of Singaporeans polled in the survey - aged between 30 and 70 - said that they saved only $100 to $200 a month for their retirement.

This works out to a total of less than $100,000 for retirement, which experts say might not be sufficient.

http://business.asiaone.com/Business/News/My%2BMoney/Story/A1Story20091109-178608.html

Auctioning for Property

2009-10-23T11:03:00.000+08:00

main auction houses in Singapore - Colliers International, DTZ, Jones Lang LaSalle and Knight Frank - post their auction dates, venues and available properties online. They usually hold their auctions at Amara Hotel.

do not forget to take your cheque book. Should you succeed in bidding for a property, you will have to pay a 10 per cent deposit. Those buying commercial properties also have to pay the Goods and Services Tax on the spot.

http://www.asiaone.com/Business/My%2BMoney/Property/Story/A1Story20091019-174518.html

How much is your Girlfriend Costing You ?

2009-10-20T20:31:00.000+08:00

Being in a relationship may enrich your life, but it’s definitely doing no favors for your wallet. Find out where you’re spending the most money on your girl and plug those holes ASAP.

http://www.primermagazine.com/2009/spend/why-your-girlfriend-is-making-you-broke

Strategies for Apartment Hunting

2009-10-18T15:54:00.000+08:00

Inform everyone that you are looking for a place. That great deal may come from a friend's pet-sitter's therapist.
Look a few months in advance. if you are looking for a great deal in a week, its not going to happen. Its even less likely to happen if you are looking for a place in 24 hrs.
Be willing to make sacrifices. the more unsavory the neighbourhood, the longer the commute ( the more ulu it is ), the lack of restaurants usually means it will have a much cheaper rent. You don't need the coolest place in the world right out of college. postpone it until u have a million dollars.
Bargain with the landlord. it doesn't hurt to request for a 2 year lease in exchange for lower rent. the allure of long term and reliable tenant is worth it to most landlords. Generally any non-shithead vibe you give to your landlord is for the best. So try to be nice !
Be willing to have roommates. It could improve your people skills and save you a bundle of cash.
Rent a furnished apartment. stick around with used to discarded furnishings until you buy a place of your own.
Don't hire a broker. Good deals can be found if you do the legwork yourself.

- From Alan Corey's A Million Bucks By 30

How to Become a Millionaire

2009-10-15T14:19:00.000+08:00

How to Be a Millionaire

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Regardless of where you go in the world, money is the basic universal measurement for being "rich", or becoming a millionaire. And it seems like everyone wants to be a millionaire these days.

Steps

Open a savings account. Having a savings account is one of the many ways where you can set your money up to work for you. Your initial deposit of money grows whether or not you make additional deposits by interest. Learn the different types of accounts, including accounts like IRAs.
Buy stocks. If you are gung-ho for individual stocks, you should buy stocks of the companies whose products and services you use or purchase. One of the best ways to invest in individual stocks is through an investment club; you may want to consider forming one with your friends.
Buy mutual funds. Mutual funds are really an investment of other investments. When you own a mutual fund, you actually own the securities (stocks, bonds, cash) within the mutual. With mutual funds, you are pooling your money with other investors and diversifying your investment.
Audition for game shows. Game shows earn their money by the audience, not the contestants.
Find a "system" that has been proven to make people become millionaires. The top five producers of millionaires today are: technology - internet marketing, direct marketing, home-based business, product distribution, and investments (stocks, bonds, real estate investment / development). Usually, the most stable and reliable forms of income would be from internet marketing, technology, and real estate, with internet marketing, and home based businesses requiring the least money to set up. Investments like real estate and stocks are usually quite risky and time consuming.
Find a mentor who has walked the walk and seek advice. Surround yourself with already-made millionaires. They can be found in several places, there's even a private online club where you can have a millionaire mentor personally show you how to make money in many areas online.
You can also visit this great website for top opportunities online today. http://www.ourgoldrush.com
Win who wants to be a Millionare. If you don't know the answer to the question, just guess you have a 25% chance of getting it right, if you do know the answer, then say it.

Tips

Don't use a credit card much, all of the excessive spending will come back to haunt you, and you may end up in debt. Try getting a debit card for daily purchases, they're a lot easier to deal with. Use your credit card only for emergencies, and to establish your good credit.
Try not to take any big loans, because that's "big" money that you'll just have to pay back, and you could end up in debt for that also.
Control your expenses. You get rich on the difference between that and what you make
Make it a game. Looking for opportunities to make money is supposed to be fun. Never sweat it.
Read. The more you know the more you will perceive to be possible, the more you can make.
Make it about something else than money. It has to be fun. Fair enough you are doing it to become financially well off but few wealthy get off on that alone.
Make friends with people who share the same goals and values. It will reduce your downtime, and give you pleasure when you are down.
Make friends with people who are different than you. They can be the greatest source of inspiration and guidance if you are open to their different perspective.
Help others. Learn to be a caring individual that makes the world better for people around yourself. It will lead to more positivity coming your way. Also, donating to charities can come back to you in the form of tax deductions.
Plan. Define what you want, Act on it, and Evaluate often to see how you are going.
It is OK to be cheap, but never be cheap on things that give you value.
Never invest more than you are willing to lose. This is particularly important when you start. The older and more experienced you get the less risk you are likely to take, or the better you are capable of taking it.
Think a lot on why you want to become rich, what exactly you want to buy, what lifestyle you want. Make it specific, and date your time for having it and why it matters to you
Money represents value. You might come to the understanding that you make money on giving something that other value more than what they pay. You spend the money to get something that is more valuable.
If possible, make the maximum out your retirement fund provided either by your government or your work. Then proceed to put as much money in to an account like a Roth IRA.
Whoever said money can't buy happiness has never driven a sports car!
Money can never buy true happiness. Do not lose your friends and family over making money.

Warnings

Unless you are the wealthiest person in the world, there will always be someone with more money than you; there will always be someone with less money than you.
Be prepared to make choices that are different than most people around you.
Keep riches and wealth in perspective i.e. don't kill the goose that lays the golden egg. In other words, avoid neglecting the source of the wealth e.g. decent health.
Money doesn't always buy happiness (but it can take care of almost everything else).
Never steal money. So don't get any ideas about robbing the bank.
Do not brag about how much money you have. Thieves will be more likely to target you. Consider investing in a means of personal defense such as a martial art or a firearm.

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be a Millionaire. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Saw Something really CHEAP ? Don't Buy It !

2009-10-13T13:33:00.000+08:00

Or rather, don't buy something just because its CHEAP.

I was walking back after lunch and there was a crowd of people surrounding a make shift stall.
Being ~~kaypoh~~ curious, I went to have a closer look.

It was a stall selling fridge magnets with a cute toy attached to it at $1.

Sure you may think "That's cheap !", but how many of us really need that magnet ?

Was it really value for money ? i'm sure the magnetism would be pretty weak and not much use other than for decorations.

How often do we find ourself gulty of buying something we don't really need or even want but buy it because its cheap and think that we will use it ?

Price : $2, Value : $0.00 ( cheap but still overpriced )

Whenever we make a purchase, ask ourself "Do I need this ? or do I want this ?"

When I only buy what I need and not what i want, then I will be able to save more money and make better purchases. ( & of course less junk lying around at home =) )

A quote From (500) days of Summer

2009-10-11T21:21:00.000+08:00

You cant describe great cosmic significance to a simple earthly event. Coincidence, thats all anything ever is, nothing more than coincidence. There are no miracles. There is no such thing as fate. Nothing is meant to be.

This was the thoughts of Tom Hansen ( male lead ) at the end of the show (day 500) when he was interviewing for a job. There was another girl who was waiting for interview as well.

Instead of thinking there's such thing as "the girl of your dreams", Tom decided to take action by asking the girl out whom he met at an interview.

Her name, was Autumn.

2009-10-10T23:52:00.000+08:00

Ok. Opened account

MySavings POSB at 0.4% interest rate.

Hope this works out =)

Dating places visited

2009-10-10T23:34:00.000+08:00

Possible Places to go *updated*

Sentosa
West Coast Park
that place around Yio chu kang and Khatib
Esplanade
fish spa
night safari
pulau ubin

Bedok prawn mee wif handmade noodles
Jurong Area Crab Feast ( see mangekyou blog )

Dating locations

Macritchie Reservoir
Firestation ( bt timah )
Changi Airport ( T2 viewing gallery closed :S )
Changi Village
East Coast Park
Labrador Park ( nothing much )
Hort Park ( colourful park )
Keppel Bay ( nice view )
Bt timah Nature Reserve
Punggol Beach ( ??? )
Marina Barrage
JB

Eating Places visited

Boon Lay Market ( Nasi Lemak )
Soup Spoon ( great soup )

2 Books : $50. A millionaire by 30 and finding your ideal partner? priceless ~

2009-10-04T17:52:00.000+08:00

"I'm going to be a millionaire."

I recently purchased 2 books "A million bucks by 30" by Alan Corey and "I kissed Dating Goodbye" by John Harris from the MPH bookstore near my office.

A million bucks by 30 talks about how this college graduate working in a normal day job sets this goal of becoming a millionaire by the age of 30.

He does it in a systematic way by gaining as much knowledge as he can about finances and lives as frugally as he can with many cheapskate tips for the readers throughout the book. I have not completed the book but he eventually made it by the age of 28 within 6 years.

What he has achieved proves to everyone that you do not need a high paying job or a rich family in order to become rich living in an expensive city like New York. I got to admire him for his determination to live such a spartan lifestyle to achieve his goal even to the extent of being called a "cheap date" and being ridiculed on tv to make extra cash.

I kissed dating goodbye is all about how to treat dating as a Christian and to understand more about how to find the right life partner without having to do traditional dating routine.

Some of the stuff mentioned is not easy to do especially since following God is never an easy path with all the temptations of the world.

I hope to apply some of the methods in the book to my life so as to have a better relationship experience with girls as well as God so that the 2 do not have to conflict.

---------------------

I'm glad 2 months of gruelling RT is finally over ! I think I'm pretty close to passing IPPT although my fitness level would mot probably drop by the next time i do my IPPT.

P.S if you feel that your car can do some decoration to differentiate itself from other car owners of similar models, check out this website to improve the interior and exterior design of your car.

http://luxury-concept.blogspot.com/

I Have A Dream . . .

2009-09-30T15:51:00.000+08:00

"What do you want to be when you grow up ?"

I'm sure this question is very familiar to everyone. We often get asked by our parentsor teachers when we were young. I remember when I was in primary school class my teacher askedeach of us and i answered that I want to become a detective.

I've always had an inquisitive mindand would often question about the things around me or people and why they do certain things.If I happened to be curious enough, I would go all the way to dig up information until I became satisfied withmy findings.

Sometimes I would suprise myself in my ability to fish out information about people or thingswhich i thought was close to impossible. Luck comes into play sometimes but it was mostly becauseI was determined to find out what I wanted to find out, whatever it might be.

Like most other people, I grew up and did not become what I said when I was young. Many factors come into play like level of education, our values and experiences that shaped our thinking changes our goals.

As we grow older we also consider the practicalities of life [ $$$ ] and whether our childhood dream is really feasible for us at this point in time.

Fast forward to the present time, I now have new goals and dreams.

I dream of owning aprivate house and a nice car ( like most people ).
One day, I would not have to squeeze in the crowded train to work but instead wake up at my own time and work from my own home.

I will be earning enough passive income to support my daily expenses so any extra that I earn will go into growing my assets or putting into good use like donating to charity or the church.

Ultimately, a dream is just a dream until we start taking ACTION.

Right now I am working and saving money so that I would be able to sustain myself at this moment before my online business takes off so that I will not have to depend on anyone for a living.

Like a quote from a famous person once said "No one owes us a living."

I will be working on the blogshop and hopefully things will turn out fine and thiswill be a great learning experience for me as it is the first time I'm doing a blogshop business.