Today Money page in Straits Times heading: Shareholders enjoy better cash payouts as many firms report higher profits, lower debt levels.
It goes on to report that more people are investing for growth and divident stocks to make their money works harder for them.
The writer Jonathan Kwok concluded by advising investors to study a company's balance sheet when deciding whether to invest. Numbers to look out for include a company's net cash positions, capital expenditure requirements, and the ratio of earnings to dividend.
I have recorded this passage so it can remind me on what to look out for, what to do, and how to do it: how to make our moneys work harder for us. In the past, we have worked so hard for the moneys, and now it's time for the moneys to work hard for us.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Debt
I quote from Dave Remsey: " Debt brings on enough risk to offset any advantage that could be gained through leverage of debt."
I cannot agree more on the saying above on debts. Throughout my growing up years, my parents worked hard for meagre pays to support us for a simply lifestyle. We are lucky to grow up do not need to have the word 'debt' in our vocabulary. After growing up, I have the misfortune having to get a mortgage for my investment flats. When my property was fully paid up, I didn't want to calculate the actual sum I had put in on interests. I guessed the figure would make me depressing. Having fully paid off the mortage, I ventured into buying two more properties, using the deferred payment scheme, and progressive payment scheme respectively. I disposed off the properties when the market showed sign of recovering despite the fact that two banks had approved my two loan applications. Using the proceeds, I converted them into another small project which is within my mean and fully paid for it. I am therefore debt free. How relief it was.
Ya, there would be a lot of comments that I could have used the low interest rate to leverage my purcahses,
in the process, I could invest further. I could have made more income. However, the saying goes, what belongs to you, it is yours; what it doesn't belong to you, it is not yours. My tenure in properties investment had come to a station to stop. I had no regret in not going further to tax on myself to the extreme. I can relate to the above saying, thinking the stress you have put up living through not knowing the actual situations in the future.
More than one year had passed, and the worry and fear I had on rising of interest and other unwelcome scenario did not happen. But who knows, I could have escaped during the window period.
Anyhow, living in debt is never a good thing. We must live within our means. In that way, we sleep well and live a happy life.
I cannot agree more on the saying above on debts. Throughout my growing up years, my parents worked hard for meagre pays to support us for a simply lifestyle. We are lucky to grow up do not need to have the word 'debt' in our vocabulary. After growing up, I have the misfortune having to get a mortgage for my investment flats. When my property was fully paid up, I didn't want to calculate the actual sum I had put in on interests. I guessed the figure would make me depressing. Having fully paid off the mortage, I ventured into buying two more properties, using the deferred payment scheme, and progressive payment scheme respectively. I disposed off the properties when the market showed sign of recovering despite the fact that two banks had approved my two loan applications. Using the proceeds, I converted them into another small project which is within my mean and fully paid for it. I am therefore debt free. How relief it was.
Ya, there would be a lot of comments that I could have used the low interest rate to leverage my purcahses,
in the process, I could invest further. I could have made more income. However, the saying goes, what belongs to you, it is yours; what it doesn't belong to you, it is not yours. My tenure in properties investment had come to a station to stop. I had no regret in not going further to tax on myself to the extreme. I can relate to the above saying, thinking the stress you have put up living through not knowing the actual situations in the future.
More than one year had passed, and the worry and fear I had on rising of interest and other unwelcome scenario did not happen. But who knows, I could have escaped during the window period.
Anyhow, living in debt is never a good thing. We must live within our means. In that way, we sleep well and live a happy life.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Tenants
Lucy terminated the lease of renting a room from me as she was to relocate and settle in another job in the US. She moved out on 7 Feb 2011 at 7am. I have great admiration of this lady. She is in her early 30s, came to S'pore to work in a hotel line as a supervisor/ manager. Her working hours was very long, which was rather different from her own country (Poland). She had to leave the house around 6.30 am and not be at home around past 10pm. I didn't probe on the number of her working hours. But through talking with her, I gathered that she wasn't quite happy with the long working hours and the pay she got.
Like many European residing in S'pore, during short public holidays, she would pack and travel to nearby country. As a young adult, she probably used her opportunity in working in S'pore, to travel cheaply to the pacific country.
What I admire her most is her attitude in taking and tackling matters as they come along. In my eyes, she was a 'last minutes' type of person, which contrast very differently from my type of personality. I tend to worry a lots, always trying to plan long ahead, and in such process, very ofter missed out better opportunity.
She had been a quiet tenant, keeping mostly to herself, in her words, she had to sleep to catch up with the lost sleep owing to the nature of her job. Though we had not much dealings, she stayed in my flat for almost a year, I wish her in her pink of health, and success in all her endeavours.
Like many European residing in S'pore, during short public holidays, she would pack and travel to nearby country. As a young adult, she probably used her opportunity in working in S'pore, to travel cheaply to the pacific country.
What I admire her most is her attitude in taking and tackling matters as they come along. In my eyes, she was a 'last minutes' type of person, which contrast very differently from my type of personality. I tend to worry a lots, always trying to plan long ahead, and in such process, very ofter missed out better opportunity.
She had been a quiet tenant, keeping mostly to herself, in her words, she had to sleep to catch up with the lost sleep owing to the nature of her job. Though we had not much dealings, she stayed in my flat for almost a year, I wish her in her pink of health, and success in all her endeavours.
Popiah King not giving up his kingdom (2)
The Popiah King also says, "I always tell my staff, to be one of the largest manufacturing firms and the world's best, we must compete with our selves. Todays, we must be better than yesterday. Tomorrow, we must be better than today. With the kind of belief, then Tee Yih Jia will forever be a leader in manufacturing.
And, maybe one day, I can grow it to become a Fortune 500 company. I can try."
I read and my reflections are : Branding, competition, and self actualisation.
To be a successful entrepreneur, you must have the drive, the courage, and vision to succeed. When you step out in the world, it is not easy because you have yet to establish your own brand name. You require a lot of perseverance and to grow your business fast. You need to focus on the quality of your product rather than to worry over your competitors. Most important of all, compete with yourself, your product must be better with every new day.
And, maybe one day, I can grow it to become a Fortune 500 company. I can try."
I read and my reflections are : Branding, competition, and self actualisation.
To be a successful entrepreneur, you must have the drive, the courage, and vision to succeed. When you step out in the world, it is not easy because you have yet to establish your own brand name. You require a lot of perseverance and to grow your business fast. You need to focus on the quality of your product rather than to worry over your competitors. Most important of all, compete with yourself, your product must be better with every new day.
Popiah King not giving up his kingdom
I quote from ST - Prime.people - Mr Sam Goi, more popularly known as the Popiah King for his company's famous line of frozen popiah and roti prata products, has not sod out despite being approached on numerous occasions by private bankers with lucrative offers.
On asking whether he worried about companies competing with him and copying his product, he said, " Don't worry about competition, just maintain your quality." He also said, "If you worry about competition, your company will close down."
Branding is very important. If you want to start a new company today, it is not easy. You don't have a brand name, there is no market, costs are high, so the chances are very slim. But if you do want to, you have to grow fast, because you are too slow, companies in China, Indonesia, Vietnam will catch up very soon. Don't worry about whether you are a small or big company. If you try very ahrd, one day you can be successful.
On asking whether he worried about companies competing with him and copying his product, he said, " Don't worry about competition, just maintain your quality." He also said, "If you worry about competition, your company will close down."
Branding is very important. If you want to start a new company today, it is not easy. You don't have a brand name, there is no market, costs are high, so the chances are very slim. But if you do want to, you have to grow fast, because you are too slow, companies in China, Indonesia, Vietnam will catch up very soon. Don't worry about whether you are a small or big company. If you try very ahrd, one day you can be successful.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Chinese Lunar New Year
Besides having union meal at Tampines with my brother's extended family at Tampines, the generation Z kids also had a time to catch up as they didnt meet up very often throughout the year. We had a sumptuous meal, a steam boat, on the eve of CNY, to send off the golden Tiger lunar year (02/02/2011) and to welcome in the Rabbit year.
On the first day of the Rabbit lunar new year, we met up again for lunch at my brother's house. In the afternoon, we headed to Sembawang to visit another of my brother. My first cousons and his daughter Lily, came visiting, too. We were very happy to enjoy the festive mood togther at the same time. It was nice to mingle. There are altogther 3 generation Y kids, 10 generation Z kids, 9 generation X adults and the rest are older folks.
Besides visiting, CNY is a period to shop and enjoy the various CNY goodies. The health food I patronise doesnt sell these cookies during the course of the year and we dont get to consume them often other than during the CNY. We are also more gernerous in buying them. I spent over $100 just for my own consumption. Abalone is also another item which people would splurge on. I refrained from buying the bao kuah owing to the very oily nature of the food.
The next significant matter is the spring cleaning of the house. Though we clean our house every day or thereabout, when new year approaching, the spring cleaning has taken a different meaning and exercise. It symbolises that we clear all old and unwanted things, revisit every items, both tangible and untangible. Get rid of the old stuff and breath in fresh air. It is also time to renew and review all things that matter to us, with a view to gain from the past and expect good and things beneficial to us.
With that, I hope all healthy and wealthy and a prosperous CNY.
On the first day of the Rabbit lunar new year, we met up again for lunch at my brother's house. In the afternoon, we headed to Sembawang to visit another of my brother. My first cousons and his daughter Lily, came visiting, too. We were very happy to enjoy the festive mood togther at the same time. It was nice to mingle. There are altogther 3 generation Y kids, 10 generation Z kids, 9 generation X adults and the rest are older folks.
Besides visiting, CNY is a period to shop and enjoy the various CNY goodies. The health food I patronise doesnt sell these cookies during the course of the year and we dont get to consume them often other than during the CNY. We are also more gernerous in buying them. I spent over $100 just for my own consumption. Abalone is also another item which people would splurge on. I refrained from buying the bao kuah owing to the very oily nature of the food.
The next significant matter is the spring cleaning of the house. Though we clean our house every day or thereabout, when new year approaching, the spring cleaning has taken a different meaning and exercise. It symbolises that we clear all old and unwanted things, revisit every items, both tangible and untangible. Get rid of the old stuff and breath in fresh air. It is also time to renew and review all things that matter to us, with a view to gain from the past and expect good and things beneficial to us.
With that, I hope all healthy and wealthy and a prosperous CNY.
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