There can only be so much one get reap from mere savings. Even FD just mitigate the inflation rate..as well as safeguard any unforeseen circumstances.
I bought a PaySafe insurance as one of my flexibenefits recently - this will ensures 75% of my last drawn if I suddenly cannot work. This latest safeguard frees up some worries and since we are already well covered in other safe equities like FD and bonds, I think it is time we venture into the "DArK" side :P
Briefly, I analyzed a Orchard studio for rental returns... based on Buffet's Forum advice ..dropped it almost overnight.
For a start, I will use a test sum of USD 10k to invest - and track my returns in this blog from now.
I am a rookie investor and hopefully this exercise will lead to passive income to sustain me and Wabe when we are retired and Yang is working.
For a start, I have decided USD5k to be put into a tech stock for Oracle.
Another USD 5K will be invested in a China company ( currently still researching).
Debt side, the stupid car loan sticks out like a sore thumb - a painful reminder of stupidity extreme in days of yore. The only consolation is we will ride out the stupid remaining years...sigh.
On brighter note, house loan should be cleared in 5 years or less.
Overall, the battle plan looks fine. Wabe will be the sanity check for all of us in case *ME* goes crazy again:)
Here's to financial freedom.
Sam
Friday, October 27, 2006
Investment
There can only be so much one get reap from mere savings. Even FD just mitigate the inflation rate..as well as safeguard any unforeseen circumstances.
I bought a PaySafe insurance as one of my flexibenefits recently - this will ensures 75% of my last drawn if I suddenly cannot work. This latest safeguard frees up some worries and since we are already well covered in other safe equities like FD and bonds, I think it is time we venture into the "DArK" side :P
Briefly, I analyzed a Orchard studio for rental returns... based on Buffet's Forum advice ..dropped it almost overnight.
For a start, I will use a test sum of USD 10k to invest - and track my returns in this blog from now.
I am a rookie investor and hopefully this exercise will lead to passive income to sustain me and Wabe when we are retired and Yang is working.
For a start, I have decided USD5k to be put into a tech stock for Oracle.
Another USD 5K will be invested in a China company ( currently still researching).
Debt side, the stupid car loan sticks out like a sore thumb - a painful reminder of stupidity extreme in days of yore. The only consolation is we will ride out the stupid remaining years...sigh.
On brighter note, house loan should be cleared in 5 years or less.
Overall, the battle plan looks fine. Wabe will be the sanity check for all of us in case *ME* goes crazy again:)
Here's to financial freedom.
Sam
I bought a PaySafe insurance as one of my flexibenefits recently - this will ensures 75% of my last drawn if I suddenly cannot work. This latest safeguard frees up some worries and since we are already well covered in other safe equities like FD and bonds, I think it is time we venture into the "DArK" side :P
Briefly, I analyzed a Orchard studio for rental returns... based on Buffet's Forum advice ..dropped it almost overnight.
For a start, I will use a test sum of USD 10k to invest - and track my returns in this blog from now.
I am a rookie investor and hopefully this exercise will lead to passive income to sustain me and Wabe when we are retired and Yang is working.
For a start, I have decided USD5k to be put into a tech stock for Oracle.
Another USD 5K will be invested in a China company ( currently still researching).
Debt side, the stupid car loan sticks out like a sore thumb - a painful reminder of stupidity extreme in days of yore. The only consolation is we will ride out the stupid remaining years...sigh.
On brighter note, house loan should be cleared in 5 years or less.
Overall, the battle plan looks fine. Wabe will be the sanity check for all of us in case *ME* goes crazy again:)
Here's to financial freedom.
Sam
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Housing
I was mildly surprised whem my 2nd uncle in law mentioned that he did not make much from his flat - they have bought less like 20 years ago?
Granted prices are still pits now...but then I realized he was talking about opportunity cost!
You lose interest in your CPF when you use it to supplement the housing installments..
Therefore the actual gains ...might not be as hefty as you think.
This is a good lesson.
Despite all the negative images tagged to a thrifty person, I believe this behavior augurs well for the family and I believe and is glad that my 2nd uncle in law family will be the most secured financially moving into the future.
Which then spark off another argument: We will need to enjoy as we do not know when we will die....
I guess this is because we are all in this world for a different purpose.
Why do men of great standing like Dr Tony Tan stood for public service when he could well earn much much more in private? I believe we are all imbued with different values - we have a purpose to fulfill in this world and we are made to ease into the role.
I belong to a segment that believes in the Reward / Effort ratio which Wabe is strongly against. :)
Simply put, any effort I put into a job will need to have a big reward...i.e if Reward value is high and Effort value is low, then Reward/Effort will definitely be high!
Not exactly a very moral guiding principle for life but like I said, we are all born differently.:)
HOWEVER, I think it would be very unwise if I were to not make any disclaimer to this idea. Make no mistake, the Reward/Effort is RELATIVE...it's just a ratio..we are not talking absolute values here...so it is not as if you can reap much for no work coz.... 10000000000/0 has no value (IT's not infinity, smartass).
So hard work is still needed. Then we can talk about Rewards :)
Sam
Granted prices are still pits now...but then I realized he was talking about opportunity cost!
You lose interest in your CPF when you use it to supplement the housing installments..
Therefore the actual gains ...might not be as hefty as you think.
This is a good lesson.
Despite all the negative images tagged to a thrifty person, I believe this behavior augurs well for the family and I believe and is glad that my 2nd uncle in law family will be the most secured financially moving into the future.
Which then spark off another argument: We will need to enjoy as we do not know when we will die....
I guess this is because we are all in this world for a different purpose.
Why do men of great standing like Dr Tony Tan stood for public service when he could well earn much much more in private? I believe we are all imbued with different values - we have a purpose to fulfill in this world and we are made to ease into the role.
I belong to a segment that believes in the Reward / Effort ratio which Wabe is strongly against. :)
Simply put, any effort I put into a job will need to have a big reward...i.e if Reward value is high and Effort value is low, then Reward/Effort will definitely be high!
Not exactly a very moral guiding principle for life but like I said, we are all born differently.:)
HOWEVER, I think it would be very unwise if I were to not make any disclaimer to this idea. Make no mistake, the Reward/Effort is RELATIVE...it's just a ratio..we are not talking absolute values here...so it is not as if you can reap much for no work coz.... 10000000000/0 has no value (IT's not infinity, smartass).
So hard work is still needed. Then we can talk about Rewards :)
Sam
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
New Wheels
I went to meet Justin from Poh Heng. He is as legendary as they claim...very helpful
Traded in my 17 inch and get a new used 18 inch with Federal 595..very noisy as they are performance tyres...will wait till next year then change back to Aspect db.
Damn fierce man the rims..heh heh
Will post more pics next time.
Sam
Traded in my 17 inch and get a new used 18 inch with Federal 595..very noisy as they are performance tyres...will wait till next year then change back to Aspect db.
Damn fierce man the rims..heh heh
Will post more pics next time.
Sam
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Tarot Cards & New Skin
I changed my blogskin today... jesus christ I sound like a teenager...which 35 year old dude still blogs..(please excuse commercials like mrbrown..).
But here you have it... the new non nonsense blogskin.
I read the last few entries and I must say, the standard of my writings had been deplorable recently. I guessed I was too eager to show off my new "toys" etc that ... my thoughts overrunneth my speed of typing (this stupid ergonomic keyboard sucks big time btw...). Anyway I realised that the wit or if there was ever one was missing. I need to refocus man..:)
Went to a tarot card reading today in Maxell House with Zi Lin, Yang, mum-in-law, 5/3 aunties. Heck...I think I did that kinda stuff before..before my then pastor stormed my house to clear my amulets...books etc to burn in church. I remembered telling Lawrence that I can't meet him to play tennis because my pastor was exorcising me.. he was like "What the fuck ..your excuses are getting very kua zhang". I said "My pastor is doing qu mo for me.." He said "Qu ni ma de mo lar..." and hang up. heh heh
But this was indeed the truth - they struck the buddhist amulet I bought from a thai monk for 150 bucks with a hammer and burn it..
On hindsight, I could have sold it off in the bbs (no ebay in those days). They keep pressing my forehead and saying "In the Name of Jesus , get out"..
Actually, for a moment I thought they were talking to me..and tried to get up..then the 2nd priest muttered "Not you , idiot".
I felt very stupid then.
Sigh...I think they were expecting me to ..what you call..ah yes manifest...gutteral voices etc and strength of 10 men etc...they got 3 other guys to standby.
I just asked them after a while.."Finish already or not?"
They did not comprehend as ...perhaps I wasn't too grammatically correct...so I repeated "Are we done with the exorcism?"
They asked me if I felt like coughing..I said i did...I coughed once.
"YES! this is it..they have been expelled with that cough"....intoned the pastor seriously.
I was like.."Ok...so can I go back now?"
Man....very exciting times...I was told some people will vomit green stuff ..actually...from a scientific perspective, I think they had bronchitis and green phlegm..
Anyway, I am glad to be back on my sarcastic self:)
Signing off..
Sam
But here you have it... the new non nonsense blogskin.
I read the last few entries and I must say, the standard of my writings had been deplorable recently. I guessed I was too eager to show off my new "toys" etc that ... my thoughts overrunneth my speed of typing (this stupid ergonomic keyboard sucks big time btw...). Anyway I realised that the wit or if there was ever one was missing. I need to refocus man..:)
Went to a tarot card reading today in Maxell House with Zi Lin, Yang, mum-in-law, 5/3 aunties. Heck...I think I did that kinda stuff before..before my then pastor stormed my house to clear my amulets...books etc to burn in church. I remembered telling Lawrence that I can't meet him to play tennis because my pastor was exorcising me.. he was like "What the fuck ..your excuses are getting very kua zhang". I said "My pastor is doing qu mo for me.." He said "Qu ni ma de mo lar..." and hang up. heh heh
But this was indeed the truth - they struck the buddhist amulet I bought from a thai monk for 150 bucks with a hammer and burn it..
On hindsight, I could have sold it off in the bbs (no ebay in those days). They keep pressing my forehead and saying "In the Name of Jesus , get out"..
Actually, for a moment I thought they were talking to me..and tried to get up..then the 2nd priest muttered "Not you , idiot".
I felt very stupid then.
Sigh...I think they were expecting me to ..what you call..ah yes manifest...gutteral voices etc and strength of 10 men etc...they got 3 other guys to standby.
I just asked them after a while.."Finish already or not?"
They did not comprehend as ...perhaps I wasn't too grammatically correct...so I repeated "Are we done with the exorcism?"
They asked me if I felt like coughing..I said i did...I coughed once.
"YES! this is it..they have been expelled with that cough"....intoned the pastor seriously.
I was like.."Ok...so can I go back now?"
Man....very exciting times...I was told some people will vomit green stuff ..actually...from a scientific perspective, I think they had bronchitis and green phlegm..
Anyway, I am glad to be back on my sarcastic self:)
Signing off..
Sam
Thursday, October 12, 2006
New Job Day
It's been almost a week in my new job. Pretty slow compared to my days in Oracle..
I was told to be "less" on the ball ... don't rock the boat, Tornado...me?...on the ball? Blokes really have it real easy as end users..haha .. no wonder I worked my ass off as a vendor previously.
I keep getting good news... we get several hundreds a day if we travel (!!?) ... they give us thousands each year to buy insurance!?!? this is getting fun man...
I still feel like in a dream.....
God...I need to buy a NEW golf set liao.....heh heh
Sam
PS: If this is a dream, God don't let me wake up!
I was told to be "less" on the ball ... don't rock the boat, Tornado...me?...on the ball? Blokes really have it real easy as end users..haha .. no wonder I worked my ass off as a vendor previously.
I keep getting good news... we get several hundreds a day if we travel (!!?) ... they give us thousands each year to buy insurance!?!? this is getting fun man...
I still feel like in a dream.....
God...I need to buy a NEW golf set liao.....heh heh
Sam
PS: If this is a dream, God don't let me wake up!
Friday, October 06, 2006
Last Day In Oracle
Today is my last day in Oracle.
It's been almost 2 years since I joined as a TAM... strangely I do not feel anything...perhaps our nature of job made us so detached from the company as an entity.. it did not matter to me and thus did not have any emotional impact.
Incidentally, one of Siebel's last remaining VP has resigned today...so hey..I shared in his exit:)
Anyway, the new load of options just got vested TODAY...and I immediately exercised them away ..heh heh...some more pocket money..it's begining to look like the dot com days...
With that, my last assets with Oracle are transacted...I doubt I will come back again... so here's a final farewell...hope the product will grow and thus enhanced my skills value..:P
Sam
It's been almost 2 years since I joined as a TAM... strangely I do not feel anything...perhaps our nature of job made us so detached from the company as an entity.. it did not matter to me and thus did not have any emotional impact.
Incidentally, one of Siebel's last remaining VP has resigned today...so hey..I shared in his exit:)
Anyway, the new load of options just got vested TODAY...and I immediately exercised them away ..heh heh...some more pocket money..it's begining to look like the dot com days...
With that, my last assets with Oracle are transacted...I doubt I will come back again... so here's a final farewell...hope the product will grow and thus enhanced my skills value..:P
Sam
Monday, October 02, 2006
Golf
I managed to finally mastered my 3 woods...
This is one good bargain James Kong gave me... heh heh I think it was 99 bucks for this superb piece of Joy product.I think it cost 400 in its first entry.
And no wonder...the sweet ping of the contact is exhilarating..and the distance...beyond 180...this is simply too good..
I got so worked up..I went to buy a new golf bag...this Mizuno compact bag which weighs only 1.5 kg and looks really good...
I wonder if I have the time to continue this after I start my new work...hopefully..
Yang is sick for the last 2 days but he was still quite energetic ..this is probably a virus and Wabe is still working...this arrangement is not very comfy..sigh...
Hopefully, things will get settled down soon.
Lawrence is just begining to get used to being a father...I think he is scared shitless...heh heh
Come Saturday he was planning a golf trip with me...OMG~!! I think I will wait to see if Jolene kills him or not first..heh heh
Ok time to go..I am looking for a Callaway set ...heh heh..
Hmm... this feeling is very good..when I was young...I always do not have what I want ...no cool toys like Ninetedo..control cars...
Hmm...think I better stick to my thrify mode...as always it is not what you earn but what you save..
Sam
This is one good bargain James Kong gave me... heh heh I think it was 99 bucks for this superb piece of Joy product.I think it cost 400 in its first entry.
And no wonder...the sweet ping of the contact is exhilarating..and the distance...beyond 180...this is simply too good..
I got so worked up..I went to buy a new golf bag...this Mizuno compact bag which weighs only 1.5 kg and looks really good...
I wonder if I have the time to continue this after I start my new work...hopefully..
Yang is sick for the last 2 days but he was still quite energetic ..this is probably a virus and Wabe is still working...this arrangement is not very comfy..sigh...
Hopefully, things will get settled down soon.
Lawrence is just begining to get used to being a father...I think he is scared shitless...heh heh
Come Saturday he was planning a golf trip with me...OMG~!! I think I will wait to see if Jolene kills him or not first..heh heh
Ok time to go..I am looking for a Callaway set ...heh heh..
Hmm... this feeling is very good..when I was young...I always do not have what I want ...no cool toys like Ninetedo..control cars...
Hmm...think I better stick to my thrify mode...as always it is not what you earn but what you save..
Sam
Friday, September 22, 2006
My first watch
I finally did it :) I bought the Omega Seamaster 300M Automatic - it feels so ... complete ..heh heh
And what did you know? Oracle shares shot up 2 dollars in a night!! essentially means my new watch is free! WOO HOO!!
Told you the wonders of money right...WOO HOO!!
Yang got a fever last night and we suspected a viral - Dr Low confirmed it - saying it probably emptied out in the bowel movement...thanks goodness!! Today he feels ok...probably grinning and smirking that he got a off day today...ah well...I can emphatise with that :P
Wabe will be off a few trips soon..pity we cant have a short trip before I start work... well I can probably go for some golf ... hey I just realized with my weight training and static exercise...my 7 iron has leaped to average 130m! that's 30m more!!
And in time, just that day when I was playing in Executive Golf, I was joined by an ang mo and a cocky chinese guy. Keep asking me when I started playing golf...how come carry a Sunday bag ... (I only brought a 3 and 7 iron, pitcher and putter).
When I screwed my firt tee ...he keep gloating with his ang mo fren..."Show us your best shot!"...
I just grinned and asked them how long they have played...since 94...WOw ..you guys must be pros! I said.
The ang mo took shot...the ball ROLLED beautifully......haha
"That's one way of reaching the hole .." I commented grinning.
The chinese guy took his 3 woods...and whacked...not too bad...
I took a 3 iron and whacked pass his shot by 20 feet.
BANZAI!!! lucky shot:P...but I proceed to whack their asses off during the 9 hole.
Hmm....maybe I should go and take my handicap...I might actually have it now!! heh heh
Ok ..time to sign off..
Sam
MORAL of Story: Never underestimate the guy with a 20 dollars Sunday bag and you with the PING and CALLIWAY sets.
And what did you know? Oracle shares shot up 2 dollars in a night!! essentially means my new watch is free! WOO HOO!!
Told you the wonders of money right...WOO HOO!!
Yang got a fever last night and we suspected a viral - Dr Low confirmed it - saying it probably emptied out in the bowel movement...thanks goodness!! Today he feels ok...probably grinning and smirking that he got a off day today...ah well...I can emphatise with that :P
Wabe will be off a few trips soon..pity we cant have a short trip before I start work... well I can probably go for some golf ... hey I just realized with my weight training and static exercise...my 7 iron has leaped to average 130m! that's 30m more!!
And in time, just that day when I was playing in Executive Golf, I was joined by an ang mo and a cocky chinese guy. Keep asking me when I started playing golf...how come carry a Sunday bag ... (I only brought a 3 and 7 iron, pitcher and putter).
When I screwed my firt tee ...he keep gloating with his ang mo fren..."Show us your best shot!"...
I just grinned and asked them how long they have played...since 94...WOw ..you guys must be pros! I said.
The ang mo took shot...the ball ROLLED beautifully......haha
"That's one way of reaching the hole .." I commented grinning.
The chinese guy took his 3 woods...and whacked...not too bad...
I took a 3 iron and whacked pass his shot by 20 feet.
BANZAI!!! lucky shot:P...but I proceed to whack their asses off during the 9 hole.
Hmm....maybe I should go and take my handicap...I might actually have it now!! heh heh
Ok ..time to sign off..
Sam
MORAL of Story: Never underestimate the guy with a 20 dollars Sunday bag and you with the PING and CALLIWAY sets.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
The interest in the car stuff is dwindling...I had a feel of Yak's WRX on Wed...sad to say...I do not think I am suited to the turbo engine....the sudden acceleration is too forceful...can feel the head being jerked backwards... I do not think this is a safe car for normal drivers...
Was speaking to the mechanic..he said the driver of a CRV reverted the turbo after 3 days...said it was too fast...guess this confirms it...not all of us are destined turbo drivers. :(
Since I cannot proceed to the best of breed, might as well give up...but it was a good experience:)
Had a intense workout on Tue...till now can feel the muscles burning still like I am having fever..
Today must rest... for body to recover...
Sam
Was speaking to the mechanic..he said the driver of a CRV reverted the turbo after 3 days...said it was too fast...guess this confirms it...not all of us are destined turbo drivers. :(
Since I cannot proceed to the best of breed, might as well give up...but it was a good experience:)
Had a intense workout on Tue...till now can feel the muscles burning still like I am having fever..
Today must rest... for body to recover...
Sam
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
DAMAGED!
I am in a foul mood....some idiot( may he constipate for 3 days!) has banged into the side of my mean machine...my heart ached to see the dent and paint work...
Oh curse the fool ! Bloody bloody fool...
I mourned the damage by bowing in silence for 15 secs in front of the car.
Thankfully, it still roared to life with the VTEC manner.
Hmm... well MAYBE this is a sign that God wants me to khng my car more?
BUT I just found my RA6's model dont have legal exhaust (#$#$%$#)...
Body kit is expensive...saw the Wald's set...2k plus...Mugen is 3 k plus
Bloody ex...maybe i will just ask the mechanic to hammer back and touch up...hmmm...I can tell people..those are scars from battling the Forrestors?!
Ok ...that's it...I will do just that...pray I dont get tempted tomorrow and add a body kit...Wabe will kill me...
Mr Yak said there is a Blitz turbo...my god...it is too tempting..
Better go sleep.
Sam
Oh curse the fool ! Bloody bloody fool...
I mourned the damage by bowing in silence for 15 secs in front of the car.
Thankfully, it still roared to life with the VTEC manner.
Hmm... well MAYBE this is a sign that God wants me to khng my car more?
BUT I just found my RA6's model dont have legal exhaust (#$#$%$#)...
Body kit is expensive...saw the Wald's set...2k plus...Mugen is 3 k plus
Bloody ex...maybe i will just ask the mechanic to hammer back and touch up...hmmm...I can tell people..those are scars from battling the Forrestors?!
Ok ...that's it...I will do just that...pray I dont get tempted tomorrow and add a body kit...Wabe will kill me...
Mr Yak said there is a Blitz turbo...my god...it is too tempting..
Better go sleep.
Sam
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Saturday, September 09, 2006
New Job
I just deleted what I wrote earlier...gushing about the new job perks and all..
The material gains need to be tempered by humility and compassion still. Never never lose sight of the ability to laugh at oneself and the willingness to give without expectation.
Even the Bible says, "The meek shall inherit the earth."
Funny thing about this "giving" idea.... I found so many times... (it's scary) that when I give (usually on the monetary aspects) to others without any hint of expecting to be repaid (this is very important...normally if I have some hidden agenda, like expecting to be repaid etc...it gets screwed), somehow...just somehow I am rewarded many times over..
Trust me... just make sure you do it out of sincerity - you will be rewarded.
Whether you believe in karma (Cause and Effect) or God or Robert Kiyosaki, they talk about the strange effect of money... release it and it multiply...
I guess at the end of the day.. how many of us are sincere enough to take this up?
Have you ever helped a fellow human being in their hour of need? Even without karma, just seeing the other person comforted and happy by your gesture is reward enough.
Hmm... hey don't get me wrong.. I am not all kindness personified :) If you cut me in my "khnged" car, I will floor the accelerator and race you...heh heh
Talking about that...I haven't decided on the exhaust system...listen to the sweet melody of this beautiful piece...
http://www.magnaflow.com/04sound/04sport.asp
Wit that, I sign off..in the words of the Drift King (God bless his soul) Keiichi Tsuchiya
"You brake and then turn the wheel, step on the clutch, and pull the e-brake. Release the e-brake, go into countersteer mode, then wait. Wait until you know the car is facing the corner exit direction. then you smile and slam on the gas as you exit the corner." - Keiichi Tsuchiya
The material gains need to be tempered by humility and compassion still. Never never lose sight of the ability to laugh at oneself and the willingness to give without expectation.
Even the Bible says, "The meek shall inherit the earth."
Funny thing about this "giving" idea.... I found so many times... (it's scary) that when I give (usually on the monetary aspects) to others without any hint of expecting to be repaid (this is very important...normally if I have some hidden agenda, like expecting to be repaid etc...it gets screwed), somehow...just somehow I am rewarded many times over..
Trust me... just make sure you do it out of sincerity - you will be rewarded.
Whether you believe in karma (Cause and Effect) or God or Robert Kiyosaki, they talk about the strange effect of money... release it and it multiply...
I guess at the end of the day.. how many of us are sincere enough to take this up?
Have you ever helped a fellow human being in their hour of need? Even without karma, just seeing the other person comforted and happy by your gesture is reward enough.
Hmm... hey don't get me wrong.. I am not all kindness personified :) If you cut me in my "khnged" car, I will floor the accelerator and race you...heh heh
Talking about that...I haven't decided on the exhaust system...listen to the sweet melody of this beautiful piece...
http://www.magnaflow.com/04sound/04sport.asp
Wit that, I sign off..in the words of the Drift King (God bless his soul) Keiichi Tsuchiya
"You brake and then turn the wheel, step on the clutch, and pull the e-brake. Release the e-brake, go into countersteer mode, then wait. Wait until you know the car is facing the corner exit direction. then you smile and slam on the gas as you exit the corner." - Keiichi Tsuchiya
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