Saturday, February 14, 2009

Taking care of the old parents

Wonderful short story posted in www.theonlinecitizen.com

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old son watched it all in silence.

  One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up.” The four-year-old son smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.

  For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day is being laid for the child’s future.

Avoid dual currency products

Dear Tan
I am from Malaysia. I wish to invest in dual currency investment . Can you advise in this market situation , which foreign currency can invest ? Aussie dollar? any risks ? I am new in this investment. Will I lose all my money or i will make profit from it.


REPLY
My advice is to avoid all dual currency products. Read my views .

You can also search my blog for postings under the title "dual currency".


Forum for DBS High Notes 5 investors

DBS High Notes Investor Group (HNIG) will be holding a Forum to discuss legal options.

Date: Wednesday, 18 Feb 2009
Time: 6.30pm Registration begins, 7.00pm sharp forum commences
Place: PSB Academy Delta Road Campus, 355 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee

For new comers, you must register with us at dbs.hn5@gmail.com
For more information and to register, please email dbs.hns@gmail.com

CPF Life Annuity - reduced to 4 plans

It is good news that the Government has reduced the CPF Life Annuity to 4 plans, from the original 12 plans.

I wonder why they decided on 12 plans in the first place. I have always felt that it was unnecessarily complicated and have given my views on this matter. Anyway, the earlier structure was recommended by a committee of distinguished people that met and received the feedback of a large number of people over several months. It seems that there must be something wrong with the way that decisions are taken in Singapore.

When I gave my feedback to the REACH forum, I suggested that the CPF Life Annuity should be made attractive, rather than compulsory. If it is attractive, many people will opt to join the scheme. It can be made attractive by co-funding  by the Government or earn an attractive (higher) rate of interest. The cost to the Government is small and could be easily afforded. (This was before the loss of hundred of billions on the investment of our reserves!)

I do not have the details of the 4 plans. I am not sure if they are placed on the right structure or are still flawed. I shall study it and give my views later.

Surveys

Click on the label "Survey" on the right panel to take part in the various surveys (of interest to you) and to view the results.