bepgof

Long story, one move "wrong"- take me 19 yrs to get it "corrected"! Want to "read"? Cut LS to SS. Hope can "inspire" some. - 1991, the then gf(now my wife)& I applied for a 5rm hdb. She just started to work, hoped to "get rid" of the rented "bird cage" where stayed her mom & sis. I was at end of a 2-yr pt SIM DMS(batch 34), aft I completed an engrg dip in 1984. - That time, only 2polys, 2Us -only top 5% can go there, 1% reserved for "foreigners", rich ones go overseas. No pte U, no study loan, no cpf...asked Tony Tan, now our P, said then 2 Us are enough! The "cries" either not heard nor intended not to hear. - The waiting q "norm" for HDB, that time, take about 2-3 yrs. - I told my then gf, I wanted to cont study parttime to get a degree after DMS(done in Nov 1991), she said ok. So I aimed for RMIT/SIM's BBBA programme. I "rested" (both mental & phy tire, after 2 yr pt)and "skipped" one of the intake application, intended to go for the next intake. - Never ever "expect", "foresee", we recieved HDB letter to collect our 1st HDB key in 1992, Sept. Hard decision came: forego the key and cont the study, or take the key then "see how". Remember the "opportunity cost" and "exclusive"...? - We did most of the reno ourself, except flring, window grill...I was a all-round man, they(mil, sil, wf)moved in first in 1993 Jan. - In 1993, march 13(Sat), we held church solemnisation & chinese custom, 13 dinner tables....till our pockets emptied! My wife is a great saver, she experienced the "bitter" childhood, mine not as "bitter" as her. - Boy came to world in May 1995, girl follow by Jan 1997, we stopped. My heart felt "bitter" - I know my "dream" (get a degree)hard to fulfill liao, cos of these committments. We redeemed the 5rm which cost $124.4K then, within 6 yrs from 1992 sept. - As early as back to 1992 Jan, I already used spreadsht (then called Lotus 1-2-3)to project our "income"(wage) within a 5-10 yrs time with some conservative assumptions made. I told myself, one-source wage income not enough, "sure die" in no time, so I "stepped into" stock mkt in 1992 armed with knowlege I learned from DMS. Then gf was super worrying...with our little saving.....& scared that I would get addicted and "no come back". I told her we have to take some risks, as no risk no gain same as no pain no growth. - We work & work, save & save, teach & teach(to our children). We bought our 1st 3-rm L99 condo in July 2005($616,000, 1297sf), we moved in in 2006 Sept, rented out the 5-rm for a familly for 11 months then sold in 2007 Aug for $450k(#13 fl, nice view)That was our first "bucket of gold". - My "dream" still far to be seen, as children were young, so I "invested" my "energy" into stock & property for the "milk & honey". We sold the condo (for $850k, I intended "discounted" to tis amount as they are a nice christian couple with 2 children -my children's junior)after 3yr+ stay and "moved back" to a 31 yr-old ptblk 5 rm at #23 fl that cost us $528k in 2009. - With the "milk & honey" that we earned from wage, stk mkt, and property, we bought another FH condo in 2010 July($1.003 mil), now under construction tild mid 2014, after much of my spreadsheet calculation with worst case scenario factored in. - 2011 July(Son sec 4, daughter S2), with all the prevailing conditions positive, I told myself it is time to fulfill my "dream". I wrote and sent son & daughter each an email told them abt my story of the dream, they wish me "all the best" and I press the button and "go". Applied in 2011, Sept. Started since 12 Jan 2012. Programmed has been renamed to BBM from BBBA, 2 yrs, 12 subjects(inc 4 "electives", i opted for business finance, 4 semesters, RMIT/SIMGE, $18k, will be ended in mid 2014 when my FH is ready. - 3 essays(very much similar to thesis writing with harvest style referencing, not compo) & 1 test has gone liao. Have seen 2 "girls" cried due to pressure.... 1more essay & 2 more tests to go then 1st semester closes. - I pulled 3 "girls" and 2"boys" to form a group during 1st OB lesson. I address lecturer's name directly when i speak, then called him "sir". I told lecturer abt my "dream", he said I am in "self-actualisation" mode. Now I become the chauffeur to the boys & girls, I discounted myself to be their "big brother".

"You" happy only meh? Everyone! Ah gong, Ah mah, papa mama...security guide, old/new neighbour....Life is tought right?

Hard to disagree. All things in life come with costs of different unexpressed "payment term", but also "reward" with "credit term". All things always appear in an "exclusive" manner - can "take this" only and must "forego that". Competency is the key to make the right choice. "Take this" only and must "forego that" results in "opportunity cost". "Life style choice" is an example. "Right choice" of today can only be verified after many years. Same applies for the "bad choice". Walking out from "comfort zone" is a challenge to one's internal world,however, unnecessarily render a "reward". Why want to wait for so "many years" to verify good or bad choice of today? Enjoy first, "pay" later - such philosophy among young thus developed....

TS is "teacher", I got how many mark? Did I apply "critical thinking"?

U'll get zero mark, if I mark yr paper. He did not ask abt pty agents. The LHZB article deals with possible passing of law to "deal with" financial consultants/planner/insurance agent who concurrently "work" as pty agent, whereby there are obvious and serious existence of "conflict of interest" in performing 2 "jobs" which fall under the same person. His question is whether if these so called financial consultant( new way of putting "job" title), insurance agent(old timer addressing), financial planner, are allowed to "work" in a "part time" nature. Article does mention "to improve" the quality of services of these ppls/entities, BUT KEEP NUMB on whether working as "part time" is allowed or not. All this while we know that these insurance consultant/planner/agent, or whatever titles it may appear to be, is sort of Multi-layer-marketing. Who know if u are working full time or part time. Just like a taxi owner who pays rental everyday, the taxi company does care if he uses the vehicle to "perform other activities" other than carrying "passengers". Bottom line is : WHO is monitoring/controlling these "jobs" to ensure that the jobs are full time, or fit to the intended purposes(taxi).

After a wk, yst I triggered a "silver bullet" to school on topic of Chinese Numerology vs Exam Seat Numbering. Sure has some sort of response, ammunition will be added along the way to get target distroyed.

These explain the 1st person has part of competency on taxi drving, while the 2nd's part of competency is sitting at home or hanging around coffeeshops.! If ppls have no such competencies, things just won't happen on them. If they REALLY wish to be engaged in the trade they wish, they should increase their competency in that trade, tha's all. Defining one's "5 element" already so controversy, not to mention mapping of trades into 5-element. Anything with accuracy and consistency in doubt better put oneside. Development through research and experimentation is a key characteristic of any profession. The 5-element concept arose after the Yin-Yang balance concept, actually is the result of observation to nature mother. This is the "foregrund" or "base" of TCM. Ask any chefs, why food has 5 colors.

Since u ask, I response a little. 1. Once, twice, or thice in a life time events definitely worth celebrating & to be memorable, how? by selecting a "good" date ONLY? That is too simplistic! I've mentioned before : failing to prepare is preparing to fail. To everyone's convenience is important. 2. Qing Ming = Pure brightness = the earth has the most clearest airview, this is also the time when "most of the things" in northern hemisphere(southern hemispere the other way round)start to "grow" = welcome the sunlight, new & seasonal lives start. No more no less. 3. "Moving house" - in singaporean context, is not as simple as a 1 or 2 days process. You already "in/out" the house so many time, why should care be emphasied on "official" date? To be frank, personally, I enjoy the "renovation period"which really very memorable.

UOL, all units face south, no blocking between each unit. The one and the only one in singapore, at this point of time, L99 not worth at this "condo-flooded" era. May consider Dakota Residences(Ho Bee) which has the same location/amenity advantages.Get a FH in Geyland is a far-sight investment.

http://forum.channelnewsasia.com/showthread.php?59370-Singtel-sack-500-of-its-local-staff-and-dump-them-to-China-firm! Waves come. HR strategy? Outsourcing? In the process: "one by one" gone.

Let "Professor" bepgof argues: The "element" that determines performance is called "competency". Competency is the combination of skill, knowledge, attitude/behaviour of a person. Imagine if u are HR manager who selects staff based on "5 elements", what'll happen? Law of nature tells us that Yin & Yang must be balanced in a given situation to maintain harmony.. Typical examples of YY unbalance nowaday, as u can observe are Men become women, women becom men! Human is complicated, they act/react according to "situations" at time. They are very "khiang", too much "khiang" becomes "ke khiang". This is also a YY unbalance case. Herzberg's theory suggests that human's attitude/behaviour is like an iceberg immerses into water with one part expose abv water-level, the other part "under-water". The part that "under" which are "core values" which drive the part "above" which is attitude/behaviour. Ok?

Creative and innovative indeed, give u high distinction. Should join facebk or google, Apple also not bad, who is "forcing" microsoft walking toward museum. BG may need a fsm to counter act. Aging ppls who have deep acting emotional label, always remain cool tot facing "sure die". What abt change "4" to "D". 1,2,3,D...1D, 2D.3D.., 4D...DD ? Still "Die" right?

I give myself an opportunity (but friends quoted that I backside itchy)to verify which "element" (luck or competentcy) is more important in life by sitting in a business finance paper last sat, 17/3, 2pm, with financial calculator, in a grand hall with some 400 students. Never expect a 3rd "element" came into my way. I was assigned with seat#14!(Sure die) Frankly speaking, tot I'm not "so superstitious", however my "heart" beat increased and sunk before the time-racing "war" start. Asked for "another seat" was told no such precedent! Told administrator to be "sensitivity" to such number as students come mainly from APAC, told her "i will write in" and quickly practising my "deep-breathing" exercise to cool the heart and mind down. While "having war" half way, administrator walked to me & asked "want to change the seat or not?" What a joke! The 75min paper was a time-racing game. Where got time to walk and talk! Wrong timely!, "blasted" her one side and concentrated on my "verification". If u were in my position, WHATs would u probably have done and "wish" or "want" to be "done" in the coming exam in early May? Note: In HK, Taiwan, Sk, many hotels, apts carried no "4".

Old and mature are twin, see who u prefer. Mature creates opportunities, young slips opportunities, cos they can't identify.

Since living on this planet for so many yrs, just to share a few thoughts, based on experience, info & observation; - iphone initiated the consumption and comm patterns of ppls on earth. Kicked the "connecting the ppls" to have become being disconnected from ppls. The "fight" is still on. "Button phones" abt time to retire. - Employees are leaving Google for facebook. Google panick, searching for solutions. - Another "reshape the world" wave has come - Ipad, Tim Cook won't call it "Ipad3" - desktop/laptop/notebook will go to museum soon. - Gen Y coming, many COs change its HR models, in order to keep and retain the "talented" Gen Y, more COs join in the fleet of "play while you work". SMEs(with those tauka and tauka niang operating behind the scene)hard to get Gen Y liao. Waves, come one after another, very tire to keep staying afloat on top, i think abt my time, in a few yrs time, to say bye bye liao. History repeats itself. Comments?

Demand, supply, substitition and law of diminishing returns, all applicable. All things come with "S eleven" factor as "prime mover". More choices more arguments. No choice - no fish prawn also can.

"Auto door", best? Or close eyes, see no doors?

Maths fail. One big - many smalls=resultant

Nice. Avoid putting mirror near main entrance/folyer. Rem lighting along "passage way" to 3 rms. May consider a full one at shelter (kit entrance). May consider a 2-layer curtains at planter bed.

Thought US's employment now looks +ve and homeloan has increased. Let's rewind a bit to history: - Typically nov-dec is the "quite" time in stk mkt - many festive seasons + ppls on holidays. - Ppls receive "remuneration package" at yr end, meaning mkt being injected with "extra cash". - "Capricon effort" explain this. Ppls start buying in - Many Cos financial yr close in March, result release, div declare...ppls "chiong" - Gov's yearly "budget" play a part too (local effort) - ....... Let look "far" a bit and ask: Any "good, +ve news" in months to come? Seem none to me. And "potential bad bad news" coming? - China manufacturing speed down, meaning "spending down" = got "multiplier effects" - US's debt deficit is a big big big concern to many many countries who are holding their debts. When the "bomb" will ignite? No one can tell, however, when he loses his "influential power on the world stage", his doom day will come. Looked at Mexico, Argentina govs in 1980s, Russia in 1990s, Greece in 2010...who is next?

My wage has hit this amount yrs ago, fully aware. TS meantioned: "Our total declared pay is $6k." meaning boy + girl = 6k. Save efforts in writting letter, go to commercial banks instead. Learn commercial mortgage loan packages concurrently, beneficial u in future...fyi, standard chart's loan application contains 6 pages, the "worst" among the same industry. 3 pgs is the "norms".

Maths calculation: Loan amount: $400,000 Tenure: 30yr HDB interest rate: 2.6% Monthly instalment(or PMT) = $1601.36 Combined earning capacity (monthly):$6,000 OA:(<35 yo): 23%*6000 = $1,380 Take Home: 80%*6,000 = $4,800 Cash topup monthly: 1,601.36-1,380 =$221.36 HDB's HLE financial evaluation model is more capable than the fundamental cal above. Lender bears too high Beta & Sigma risks. Conclusion: reject application or lend only 290K ($1160.99 monthly PMT)

Assuming all parameters on same par(consider both quantitative & qualitative approaches). I noticed comparatively, old hdb unit is more expensive than say BTOs. Why? Why not so for pte units? Open discussion, to "test" yr understanding of the mkt.

Using own cash, some time , could be more expensive than by borrowing from banks. Singapore Power is "cash cow", has constant inflow of cash from Giros, why they issue debt to raise capital? Apple has 90 Billions of CASH on hand, why it NEVER issue dividend to its stakeholders? Tim Cook is now very headache with "too much cash" on hand. Finance Joke: Value of co= cash flow/cost of capital more cash, less cost increases co's worth. CEO manages cash flow (bring business in) CFO responsible for sources of cheapest cost of capital So, value of company = CEO/CFO !

Take this opportunity to highlight a few facts w.r.t "interest" from finance perspective, believed many layman not aware: 1. Credit card, 24% p.a, interest is DAILY compounding. The p.a = per annuum, is very misleading. It is actually the "nominal rate". 2. Saving account, 1% p.a., interest is actually MONTHLY compounding. Again, misleading..... 3. FD, 2% p.a, interest is YEARLY compounding. This is CORRECT. The interest will be added after a period of one year. So, to deal with these: daily, monthly, semi-yearly compounding interest methology, one need to "convert" them to "effective interest rate". The one uses in FD application, so allow an individual to make comparison of "interests" that have been bought to the "same base", so to make wise decision. But banks always like to confuse layman. Formular: Eff Rate = 1-[1+ (r/m)]to the power of m. r= nominal interest rate, other than yearly compounding, eg credit card = 24%=0.24, saving = 1%=0.01..... m=the number of compounding period, eg daily=365, monthly=12, semi-annual = 6.... Examples: 1. Credit card: eff rate = 1-[1+(0.24/365)] to the power of 365 = 0.2711 = 27.11% pa compound annually Previously examply: 1st yr: $18573.7 x (1+ 0.2711)= $23609 2nd yr: $23,609 x (1+0.2711) = $30,009! 2. Saving: Eff rate = 1-[1+(0.01/12)] to the power of 12 = 0.01004 = 1.004% p.a compound annually 3. FD : Eff rate remain at 2%p.a compound annually. Clear?