Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Another land banking project

Hi Mr Tan,
Can I have your advise regarding the land banking company - X. Should I trust this company to invest land in US - Texas? When I visit their website, it shows nothing, just simple background information. The investor consultant, talking about the advantage, made it look attractive. I I have paid 10% deposit for the investment, now I worry about being cheated. Can you give me some advise about this company?

REPLY
Go to my website, www.tankinlian.com and type "land banking". You can see my views there. You can also click here
You should consider taking legal action against the consultant for giving incomplete or misleading information about the company.

A Tale of Two Seas

The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea receive their water from the Jordan River. But they are quite different in their hosting of marine life. A lesson in life. See TKL Website or click here.

Take risk to your advantage

Someone commented that the stock market is risky and that a single premium endowment can give an attractive yield for the risk averse investor.

Here are some facts to consider:
  • The guaranteed yield for a single premium endowment is around 2% for 10 years or longer. The non-guaranteed yield may be higher, but is still less than 4% per annum.
  • The yield on a low cost investment fund, such as the STI ETF, is likely to be around 5% over the long term. By accepting a higher risk, you can get a higher return.
  • If the market is weak and your actual yield is lower than 5%, you have the choice (as a long term investor) to wait for a few years for the market to recover. Time is on your side. Wait for an appropriate time to achieve your long term yield.
When you buy a single premium endowment, the insurance company also invest your money in shares and other investments that are subject to the same risks that you have in a low cost investment fund. After deducting the expenses and profit margin, you get a lower yield on the single premium endowment. If the reduction in yield on the single premium endowment is less than 1% per annum, it is all right to invest in it. If the reduction is more than 1%, you should avoid it.

Tan Kin Lian

Climate of Fear

A citizen gives his perspective about the climate of fear in Singapore. See SGEP or click here.

SGX-ASX merger

A concerned investor asks some questions on the SGX-ASX merger. Read SGEP or click here.

The public sector

The public sector plays an important role in providing basic services at affordable cost to the general public and to set the benchmark for employment terms and practices. Read TKL Website or click here.

New tech not always the best medicine

Read this excellent commentary by Craig Turner, who is a surgeon.
http://www.todayonline.com/Print/Commentary/EDC110324-0000011/New-tech-not-always-the-best-medicine

Quotes:
The decision to opt for medical care that relies on the most costly technology is often based on blind faith that newer, elaborate and expensive must be better.


We seem to be promoting new technology even in the absence of data. Exciting cutting-edge treatments are marketed with the singular effect of peddling hope to patients when they are at their most vulnerable.


If a surgeon recommends an older, less expensive technology, many patients will shop for a surgeon willing to use the newest and costliest devices - even if the added benefits are unproven and the risks may be greater.

World Blogger's Day 2 May 2011

Financial Savvy Test #4

Take a test of your financial knowledge by answering the questions below. You can find the answer from www.tankinlian.com/information.aspx - type in the keyword to search for the relevant FAQ

1. How can I invest in a low cost investment fund? Keyword: low cost

2. Should I buy term insurance up to 99 years? Keyword 99 years

Wine investors website

Some people have invested in wine products under representations that the investments will achieve a significant capital gain at the end of the investment period.  These investors have also been pressured to make additional investments to protect their earlier investments. Many investors are now holding several wine products and have not been realise the gains that were earlier projected.
 This website allows these investors to get together to discuss how their can protect their investments. If you have invested in wine products and wish to meet with other investors, you can register in this website (membership is free). After registration and confirmation of membership, you will be allowed to view the information pages that are reserved only for members. You can also register to attend events and meetings to meet other investors.

Movie Club

I carried out a survey recently. There was strong interest in the formation of a Movie Club. There were also many people who go to the movies many times in a year.

I wish to invite you to register for the Movie Club. This is just to register your interest. If there are more than 500 people who are interested, I will arrange for a protem committee to be formed to register the club.

Movie club:
http://www.easyapps.sg/assn/Org/Default.aspx?id=6