Posts

Children Fighting Over a HDB Flat After Father's Death

Source What a shame, if the old man know about this, he would jump out from his grave and beat some sense into these brats, ok, I'm not sure about him but I would. I know it's a 5-room HDB flat, it's worth a lot of money but that's no way to handle it, they even have to enter legal proceedings to determine who should own the flat, oh boy. Singapore has really become a rich country, so has the people here, getting richer in the head, blinded by money, can't we just be nice and talk it out harmoniously, and by the way, their 91 years old mother is still alive, they even dragged her into the court battle, bunch of ingrates. Why don't they just leave the house to their mother? Fight for what? It's her retirement nest, just leave it to her, and let her decide how to pass it on should she leave this world, why make her life so difficult, I seriously cannot understand what goes on in the minds of people blinded by greed.
Post a Comment
Read more

Singapore Service Standard is Getting Worse

Source Customer: hi Conti, Regarding the Aero Frame, is the STIX logo embedded with the frame or can it be peeled off? Shop Representative: Can you di*k be peeled off? If yes, then our STIX logo can be peeled off... If you are wondering which Conti ... It was posted on STOMP, and oh boy, look at the comments... Bikers97 said   on 4 May, 2013 Since when can we peeled off the logo of the bike? haha dumbass..  kingkull said   on 4 May, 2013 Queer question from the student as well, Student can google porn but not do primary research for a prospective purchase. I've never asked any shop about stripping a label BEFORE i bought it. That is equally rude, isn't it? ghost_soldier said   on 4 May, 2013 Is just a local Singaporean joke. Some more he is so stupid. Just peeled yrself lah or google more about peeled that logo can or cannot. If person msg the way to me I say wtf lol!!!! Terrible.
Post a Comment
Read more

SMRT Losing Money

Source On 30 Apr 2013, SMRT posted a whopping S$12.049 million loss for the period of Jan 2013 to Mar 2013 and today, the market responded to that and their stock price dropped more than 4% to close at S$1.415, lowest point since Jun 2009. I looked closely at their financial statement and their staff costs caught my attention. From Apr 2012 to Mar 2013, they spent S$395.161 million on staff costs, for the same period one year earlier, they spent S$340.141 million on staff costs, that's a S$55.02 million difference. Now we look at all of their expenses, from Apr 2012 to Mar 2013, they spent a total of S$1045.569 million, compared to the same period one year earlier, S$930.588 million, S$ 114.981 million difference. 55.02 / 114.981 * 100 = 47.85% Just the staff costs alone takes up a massive 47.85% of their total increased expenses! If I remember correctly, I think they started to assign more staff at each of their stations in Jan 2012, after the chain of train disruptions
Post a Comment
Read more

Straits Times Index Hold Steady Above 3300 Points

It is slowly but surely heading back to where it was before the financial crisis of 2008 and I wonder what can get in the way. I think the main thing to look out for now is the situation in the Korean Peninsula, the question is, will war break out? But the most important thing is, if war really breaks out, will the USA take part? Will China take part? As we all know, Singapore has close trade relations with both the US and China, and the value is in the billions each year. If the US decided to take part in the conflict, it only means that they will spend more money, and they are already in so much debt so it's going to be a major blow to their economy, and it will impact other economies working closely with them i.e. Singapore. I don't believe they are not aware of this so I bet they are taking cautious steps too. As for North Korea, I don't think they will start the war, just count her allies, I think the only country she can count on is China but even the second super
Post a Comment
Read more

挂羊头卖牛肉 - Selling Beef Under the Guise of Mutton

Source 3 stalls at Ayer Rajah Food Centre were selling beef as mutton. Personally, I can eat anything so it's not a big deal to me, but I know there are people who are not allowed to consume beef due to their religion, just imagine the kind of shock waiting for them when they learn of this news. Madam Semi Sagi, 36, owner of a nasi ayam stall, said: "A fine or a warning would be enough, this is not right." The stall owners were fined S$3000 each and their licenses revoked, I agree that it's quite extreme to revoke their licenses, but then again, they were deceiving customers. I think everybody has the right to know exactly what they are paying for, they can't just lie to people. And these hawkers are planning to meet their member of parliament, I wonder what he/she can do for them, they cheat people and they still have the cheek to ask their MP for help. Another hawker, who declined to be named, said: "NEA can't just come down and do this. If th
Post a Comment
Read more

Passing of One of The Best Actors in Singapore

Well, kind of sudden as he always looked so kind, so healthy and always smiling. Very humorous guy, I always chuckled whenever he appeared on TV, just his face alone is enough to lighten up my mood, and when he started talking or acting (the funny roles), most of the time I just laughed. Sigh, his passing made me realize that I got so much older, how time have passed, people gets old, gets sick and such a thing is inevitable, just a matter of time, but I think he will live forever in the hearts of people who've been touched by him. Thank you Mr. Huang Wen Yong, for all the joy you have brought me, and for accompanying me since I was a little boy. And to his family members, please take care.
Post a Comment
Read more

Financial Literacy should Start from Young

I strongly feel that financial literacy is a necessary skill for everyone. It's the kind of skill that you can never learn in school, most probably not even at home unless your parents are financially savvy and teaches you from young, or you have friends who can influence and guide you. I think the best time to start learning is from young, it's like trying to catch a plane, if you miss it, you will have to pay more and then wait for the next one. It's actually a very simple concept, Earn, Save and Invest. Earn You earn by being employed or self-employed. The key point is to have a steady stream of income. You will have to spend, but spend it on NEEDS and not too much WANTS, and that is under expenses, anything left after expenses are spare cash and that goes to Save. Save You set aside a small amount as emergency fund, if you don't ever need to use it, let it grow, but there should be a cap as there is no point holding onto too much cash. Anything after the
Post a Comment
Read more

BAM! I Bought it!

If you read my last post , I was thinking of buying Semb Corp Industries at S$4.90 if I had the cash, but I don't. Today I did something brave and did my first ever stock purchase using CPF, bought 4 lots of Semb Corp Industries (U96) at S$4.97. We'll see how it goes, but I have plenty of confidence in this counter, furthermore, I will get S$600 of dividend from this purchase in 14 May.
Post a Comment
Read more

DBS Bank Charges When Investing in Stocks with CPF

Source 1. S$2.50 per lot when buying or selling, capped at S$25. 2. S$2 per counter every quarter as maintenance fee, minimum S$5. 3. Note that the amounts are before GST, so you need to add 7%. 4. Note that you also have to pay the SGX fees as well. 5. There is also a one-time S$0.50 (w/gst S$0.54) charge by CDP for each transaction See that when you buy or sell, it's charged by PER LOT, so do not buy those low priced cents-category stocks like e.g. Sheng Siong or Informatics, buy those dollar-category stocks like SingTel, Starhub or DBS, it's all just examples, don't really go buy because I said so, anyway DBS is very expensive now. And don't buy too many counters, focus on one or two, because the quarterly maintenance is charged by PER COUNTER, you hold 10 counters then you will pay 10 x $2 x 1.07 = S$21.40 per quarter. 1 lot = 1000 shares Buy example Buy 4 lots of Semb Corp Industries (U96) at S$4.96 via CPF. SGX Fees 4000 shares x S$4.96 = S$198
2 comments
Read more

One Stock I will Buy Now...

If I have money. I bought 1 lot of Semb Corp Industries (U96) at S$5.15 on 27 Mar 2013. I was attracted to the S$150 dividend that they will payout in May, and I was expecting the price to go upwards, it did go up to S$5.23 in early April but from then on, kept going down, it's now S$4.90 as I type this. Too bad I don't have the cash to average down. Dividend Info Record: 02 May 2013 Payment: 14 May 2013 Per Share: S$0.15 Let's see how it performs in late April. And that's the good thing about trading long-term, if the price goes down, and if I have the money, I can choose to average down, if not, I'll wait since it's only paper loss. And I don't believe at S$4.9x or S$4.8x, or hell even S$4.7x nobody wants that S$150, it's just too good to pass.
Post a Comment
Read more

Immigration Phone Scam

Source SINGAPORE: The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said it does not call up members of the public for transfer of funds pertaining to immigration facilities such as extension of stay in Singapore. This comes after ICA received public feedback that some individuals including foreigners had received suspicious phone calls from a caller who claimed to be an ICA officer. The calls made to the victims happened over this week and were from a phone number that is similar to the ICA hotline (6391 6100). ICA said the caller would tell the victims that they had not filled their disembarkation/embarkation cards properly. They were then asked to transfer funds to the caller in order to make their stay in Singapore legitimate. ICA said such calls are not authentic and that the police have been informed of the scam. The public is advised to ignore such calls, and not transfer any money via remittance agencies, banks or any other means to the caller. The public should call the poli
Post a Comment
Read more

Photos from Thailand Trip

Image
Photos! I didn't take too many though as I keep leaving it at my wife's home, but here goes... New Tesco Lotus in Kumphawapi District Random shot of chickens in cages Rubber trees at my mother-in-law's house Look at the neat formation I heard this is the correct way to cut the tree Cut rubber tree front view See how the liquid used to flow down to the collection bowl I think it takes time to fill up Young rubber trees Another small farm for young rubber trees Growing healthily Young spring onions See how the spring onions have grown Bamboo trees, it's a very useful tree Lots of snail shells, I see piles like this everywhere I wonder what these are for This is how they manage their waste, burn. My wife's uncle's house This is how they store clean water See how big the jar is Honeycomb, this is honey fresh from the trees! Rear shot of the honeycomb Yu
3 comments
Read more

Just Came Back From Thailand Trip

Went to my wife's hometown in North Eastern Thailand (Udon Thani) with my parents and then had a short stay in Bangkok. I have some pictures to share but I will post my spending, get some sleep and then upload tomorrow. Air tickets to Bangkok (4 adults) Fare Price S$200 Tax S$136 Checkin Baggage S$18 (1x 20KG) Booking Fee S$36 (online booking charge) Seat Fee S$20 (seat selection) Total S$410 Air tickets back to Singapore (4 adults) Fare Price 5160 THB Tax 2800 THB Checkin Baggage 900 THB (2x 20KG) Booking Fee 900 THB (online booking charge) Seat Fee 500 THB (seat selection) Total 10260 THB ( S$428.06 ) My spending for the trip (11 days) Taxi to Changi Airport S$10 Bought a 10 pack Sampoerna S$32 Changed S$3450 at Suvarnabhumi Airport @ 22.63 for 78073 THB 12000 THB for my wife to return to her mom. 15000 THB as payment for sinsod (by installment). 2104 THB for bus ticket to her home in Udon Thani (526 THB per pax). 2400 THB for bus ticket back to B
2 comments
Read more

Popular posts from this blog

Long-Term Visit Pass - Plus (LTVP-PLUS)

http://www.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=12665 Good news for those of us who cannot get PR for our beloved spouse, because the Singapore government has come up with a enhanced long-term visit pass called LTVP-PLUS or LTVP+. I'll sum up the key points in the FAQ provided by ICA so you don't have to go through one big page. Do let me know if I missed out anything or correction is required by dropping a comment. GENERAL LTVP+ will be in effect from 01 Apr 2012. LTVP+ holders will enjoy extended duration of residency, public healthcare subsidies and easier access to employment. No separate application required for LTVP+; an application for LTVP will automatically include your spouse for LTVP+, if eligible. LTVP applications submitted from 01 Feb 2012 will automatically be considered for LTVP+. The first approved LTVP+ will grant 3 years residency and subsequent renewal will be 5 years. Current holders of LTVP will be considered for LTVP+ on next renewal. If holde
Read more

How to Marry a Thai in Singapore

Image
You should refer to here -  https://www.rom.gov.sg/reg_info/rom_marriage.asp Please spend some time to go through and understand the information on that section (legal provision, other information, filing of notice, solemnization and etc), if your still not sure, feel free to drop a comment here or you can use their FAQ . The ROM website did a really good job of putting together the information that you need in a well-organized manner. I've done it once and I think the guide is very easy to follow. The only hiccup I've had with my marriage is during the  Appointment for verification & Statutory Declaration where both of us were required to read out a wall of text and my wife had difficulty getting past the first few lines and the counter guy got fed up and told my wife to stop. Definitely my oversight as I didn't arrange for an interpreter beforehand but luckily, there was a licensed interpreter at the scene and we managed to get her to do the interpretation fo
Read more

Commission Calculator for DBS Vickers SG Stocks

Made this little tool to help me calculate the costs of buying or selling a stock, just enter number of shares and price and it will show both buy and sell costs at the same time. Can even choose by cash upfront, online or phone and it will calculate using respective rates. Cash Upfront ONLINE By Phone Shares: Price: Value: Commission: Clearing Fee:
Read more