Year end reflections 2020

This year has not been kind to many. Who would have predicted that the impact of the Wuhan virus can be more fatal and widespread than SARS? I can only say that we are really fortunate to be living in Singapore, where our government really took good measures against community virus spread and also took good financial care of its citizens hit by this economy seismic.

View from the MBS Skypark

I was half-joking with my friend, at the beginning of the year when discussing FIRE, that I will be forced into FIRE soon.

As I am drafting my plans, I know very well that I am not ready for full retirement (RE) despite scrapping a financial independence (FI) enough for lean FIRE. Things just happened and I do not have much choice (or motivation) to be working full-time.

From 'The Personal MBS' - What's sufficiency?

I am confident that with less going out with friends, eating out and no overseas holidays, my expenses would be much reduced this year. I don't do budget down to the cents.

Well, I don't know what might change a year from now so I can't really plan too far into the future.

Sometimes we conveniently forget, as time ticked away, that every action we took would give repercussions that we may notice too late in the future. Opportunities, places and people encountered - how many have I let slip by and how many have I chosen to keep touch with?

Despite having a wild ride for stocks this year, the v-shape recovery totally crushed my speculation of a dead-cat bounce. Thus, my portfolio didn't fare too bad after all. As of date, I have recouped all my trade losses from the 2018 massacre. Could have done better if I wasn't such a scardy cat.

Also, my cryptos are now on freehold. Providing that I don't add on to my positions.

I am considering doing DCA into a few ETFs or funds next year to be hands-off from valuating and picking individual stocks, which can be rather time-consuming. Here's an interesting read - Returns per unit of stress. Consider it as a diversification of portfolio too.

I shall rest my pen now and pick up the mop (it's housework time). Going to burn this weekend slogging.

Have a Merry X'mas!

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Disclaimer: Contents of this blog are personal opinions and NOT financial advice to buy or sell any mentioned securities, commodities or assets.

Reflections for year 2024

2024 has been a relatively peaceful year. So peaceful that I have read countless novels and other books, met my sports buddies almost every weekend and picked up horticulture. Physical and mental health As we say, health is wealth. I have stuck fairly consistently with my exercise regime and tried to include more fruits and vegetables in my meals (although I eat out more and cook less these days). My weight, BP and cholesterol levels are doing ok. For those 40 years and above, remember to get your subsidized health screenings from the government . Working less and meeting up with friends more contributed to an improved mental health. I see that the government has stepped up on initiatives in the community but work place initiatives from employers still seemed lackluster, especially for those who can't WFH and need to commit 44 hours or more a week at frontline work. I have also started a Gratitude journey to celebrate all my little life milestones. Financials Investment wise ...

The best credit card for my house reno & prep

As updated in my previous post, I have finally bought my own place solo. For the past few months I have been busy coordinating with various contractors and vendors for my house renovation. As I am still on flexi work schedule, I decided to be my own ID. With only a simple renovation in mind, I set my reno budget as 20k (aircon & fixtures inclusive). The renovation process and acting as my own ID were not as easy as I thought. It took me about a month to gather and compare quotations from different contractors and another few weeks to finalize all the things that I need my chosen contractor to do. I eventually settled for a main contractor who specializes in carpentry work but also provides painting, tiling and electrical services. I have grossly underestimated the amount of defects that need fixing for this resale flat. Fortunately, the floor tiles and some of the existing built-ins are still in good condition so I kept them, otherwise I would have burst my budget. The first issue ...

Shit happens and I lost my low-hanging fruits

My SAYE account has just hit its 25th month anniversary which is also the "month of maturity". Anticipating to get the 3.5% bonus interest for all these months of saving, I was shocked to see only $17+ cash gift credited as opposed to a few hundred dollars. I was about to send a message to query the bank what caused this interest plummet versus what I got in the 13th month when I came across a debit transaction in my account history (GASP!). To my oblivion and horror, I have accidentally selected my SAYE account to transfer $50 to a joint account to foot some bill in one of the months last year. Here's the terms and conditions for those who are not familiar with the SAYE account of POSB. "To receive the additional 3.5% p.a. Cash Gift Interest, ensure that you do not make any withdrawal from your POSB SAYE account." "If a withdrawal is made in the month, this will result in the previously accumulated additional 3.5% p.a. interest to be forfeited." Damn....

Rainbow on FI

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