Asia’s developing nations are recovering strongly from the global financial crisis, but should now start raising interest rates and adopt more flexible exchange rate policies, the Asian Development Bank said in a major report Tuesday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/business/global/14asiaecon.html
My comment:
When interest rate is raised, you can expect property and stock markets to correct from their current level, which is a bubble caused by low interest rate.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Survey - expenses of a retired couple
How much does a retired couple have to spend each month to live in Singapore? Give your views in this survey.
I estimate that the expenses for a retired couple with a home for an adequate lifestyle is $1,200 a month and the bare minimum is $800. What do you think?
I estimate that the expenses for a retired couple with a home for an adequate lifestyle is $1,200 a month and the bare minimum is $800. What do you think?
Defamation and fear
Singaporeans are so afraid to express any opinion, as they fear that any negative opinion about any person or organisation can be considered as defamtory. What a shameful state of affairs. How has the country got into this state?
Tan Kin Lian
Tan Kin Lian
The future for our country
A met a nurse at a wake. I said that the current government had done a lot of good for the people and the country during the first 30 years after independence. During the next 15 years, the policies have been bad for the people, as they led to high cost of living, stagnant wages and wide disparity of income. The government leaders are not working for the welfare of the people and appear to be looking after the intrest of big business and their own interest.
Most people have been quite unfair in judging the "poor quality" of the opposition politicians, as their main source of information is the mainstream media.
I know many of these politicians personally and appreciate their personal sacrifices in being willing to take a stand against the ruling party. Many of them are quite well educated and decent people, quite moderate in their thinking and feel strongly for Singapore. Some people think that they only appear at election time. This is not true. They do spend time on the ground work, but are not reported in the media. We must remember that they have to make a living and have to face difficulty in the business or at work.
She was surprised at my frankness. She started to express her own feelings of doubt about the future of our country and the direction that it is heading. She lamented that many Singaporeans are not able to think about what is good for the country and are afraid to think differently from what has been told to them in the media.
Tan Kin Lian
Most people have been quite unfair in judging the "poor quality" of the opposition politicians, as their main source of information is the mainstream media.
I know many of these politicians personally and appreciate their personal sacrifices in being willing to take a stand against the ruling party. Many of them are quite well educated and decent people, quite moderate in their thinking and feel strongly for Singapore. Some people think that they only appear at election time. This is not true. They do spend time on the ground work, but are not reported in the media. We must remember that they have to make a living and have to face difficulty in the business or at work.
She was surprised at my frankness. She started to express her own feelings of doubt about the future of our country and the direction that it is heading. She lamented that many Singaporeans are not able to think about what is good for the country and are afraid to think differently from what has been told to them in the media.
Tan Kin Lian
Gold investment scheme
Hi Mr. Tan,
Recently there is this gold investment scheme by 2 companies called X Gold and Gold label. They claim that it is a pretty low risk investment with 9% guranteed return after 6 mths which will mean a return of 18% annually. What is your opinion on this? Is it too good to be true?
REPLY
Of course it is too good to be true. Never invest in promises that you do not understand.
Many investors were offered a return of 12.5% after 6 months on a land banking product and on an industrial chemical product. When the investment matured, they did not get back their principal or the interest. The promoter of the product gave all kinds of excuses - citing the financial crisis. It is easy for you to hand over your money, but difficult to get it back.
There is a chapter in my book, Practical Guide on Financial Planning, about unregulated products that should be avoided. You can buy the book ($12) here.
Recently there is this gold investment scheme by 2 companies called X Gold and Gold label. They claim that it is a pretty low risk investment with 9% guranteed return after 6 mths which will mean a return of 18% annually. What is your opinion on this? Is it too good to be true?
REPLY
Of course it is too good to be true. Never invest in promises that you do not understand.
Many investors were offered a return of 12.5% after 6 months on a land banking product and on an industrial chemical product. When the investment matured, they did not get back their principal or the interest. The promoter of the product gave all kinds of excuses - citing the financial crisis. It is easy for you to hand over your money, but difficult to get it back.
There is a chapter in my book, Practical Guide on Financial Planning, about unregulated products that should be avoided. You can buy the book ($12) here.
Who shot the lion?
80 year old man : My 28 year old wife is pregnant, your opinion Doctor?
Doctor : Let me tell you a story. A hunter in a hurry grabs an umbrella instead of the gun. He moves into the jungle, sees a lion, lifts the umbrella, pulls the handle and BANG... The lion drops dead!
Old man : That's impossible; someone else must have shot the lion.
Doctor : MY POINT EXACTLY!
Doctor : Let me tell you a story. A hunter in a hurry grabs an umbrella instead of the gun. He moves into the jungle, sees a lion, lifts the umbrella, pulls the handle and BANG... The lion drops dead!
Old man : That's impossible; someone else must have shot the lion.
Doctor : MY POINT EXACTLY!
Anonymous comments in websites
Some websites may required commenters to give their identity. Read this article.
My view.
This is a good move as it makes the commenters more truthful and accountable.
My view.
This is a good move as it makes the commenters more truthful and accountable.
HK: BOC staff charged over Lehman sales
Two employees of the Bank of China were charged by the Hong Kong police over the sale of financial products related to Lehman Brothers, the bank said, while a third staff member had been arrested and released on bail.
Bank of China said in a statement Sunday that the staffers had been charged under a securities law that prohibits fraudulent or reckless misrepresentation for the purpose of inducing financial transactions.
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/two-boc-staffers-charged-over-lehman-sales/
Bank of China said in a statement Sunday that the staffers had been charged under a securities law that prohibits fraudulent or reckless misrepresentation for the purpose of inducing financial transactions.
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/two-boc-staffers-charged-over-lehman-sales/
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