Mandating health insurance

This article explains the need to pass a law to require every person to be insured, use of community rated premiums and guaranteed issue, i.e. no medical underwriting. This approach is adopted by several countries, e.g. Australia, Germany.

Price chart of land in UK

Dear Mr Tan
I notice that many Singaporeans seem to fail to grasp the problem with land banking. The argument is always that land increase in price and since you own the land you cannot lose.

I have created this chart to explain my case. This is based on real land banking company data. I used a starting plot price of 10,000 UKP in 2006 converted into S$.

The green belt land value is based on land registry data in 2006 The value with planning permission is based on a land banking company estimate of 250% returns adjust by the recent fall in property prices.

I have adjust all prices using both currency and the recent boom and bust in the UK property market. I have made an assupmtion of 5% per annum increase in the value of land from 2011 forward.

Since there are no recorded successes with UK land banking plots I cannot see how any company can make claims for expercted, estimated or anticipated returns on this investment.

You will note according to this graph that in real terms land banking plots have got cheaper since 2006 as the UK currency declined in value. However many land banking companies have increased their UK pound price of their plots so that they still get the same number of Singapore dollars. As an example X increased their plot price from 5600 Pounds to 8000 Pounds in 2008.

Keep your investment fees low

Read this report.

Rechargeable Torchlight with Locator Lamp

My friend saw this torchlight being sold at the airport for $27.50 (inclusive of GST).

It has two important features:

a) rechargeable

b) a locator light to locate the torchlight in the dark

With a torchlight, it is easy to move about the flat or house in the dark - without switching on the main lights. This will be handly in an emergency or power failure.

I have imported a torchlight with these two features and will be selling it for $6.50. Interested buyers can buy them from my office in Ang Mo Kio. This is specially useful for NS men or civil defence personnel.

I will be looking for distributors who are interested to sell the low cost torchlight. Send email to kinlian@gmail.com.

Guarantee against losses

Back to the old days of guaranteed products. Before investing in these products, make sure that the charges are low and you can get a reasonable yield. Read here.