Hi Mr Tan,
Here is an interesting article about the housing crash continuing in US even after all the stimulus.. I suspect that China(Shangai and HK) and eventually Singapore will suffer the same fate. http://patrick.net/housing/crash.html
Here is another interesting article on possible crash of china propery bubble for you to read.
http://www.dailymarkets.com/economy/2010/04/09/jim-chanos-on-the-coming-collapse-of-chinas-property-market/
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Why Life Insurance Is Not an Investment
Life insurance is one of those things that most of us need but none of us enjoy talking about.
When it does come up in conversations, it’s mostly because someone is complaining about being sold a whole life insurance or variable life insurance that is both expensive and complex, who would be better off with a plain term insurance policy.
http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/why-life-insurance-is-not-an-investment/
My comment
The same message is given in my b ook, Practical Guide on Financial Planning ($12) which is available here. Spend $12 and save a few thousand dollars by avoiding a bad investment.
When it does come up in conversations, it’s mostly because someone is complaining about being sold a whole life insurance or variable life insurance that is both expensive and complex, who would be better off with a plain term insurance policy.
http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/why-life-insurance-is-not-an-investment/
My comment
The same message is given in my b ook, Practical Guide on Financial Planning ($12) which is available here. Spend $12 and save a few thousand dollars by avoiding a bad investment.
Develop thinking skills with puzzles
Singaporeans need to develop the ability to think independent and to solve problems, rather than rely on their bosses for detailed instructions at every step of the way. This confidence and skill can come from a liberal arts education and can also be developed through practical training.
I have created four puzzles (i.e. tangram, shape quiz, einstein quiz and sudoku) that are useful in developing the thinking skills. These puzzles can be downloaded here. Watch these videos to learn about how these puzzles help to develop the thining skills.
You can buy the puzzle books here. Spend some time to learn the thinking skills and develop the confidence through practice. It is also fun and interesting.
Tan Kin Lian
I have created four puzzles (i.e. tangram, shape quiz, einstein quiz and sudoku) that are useful in developing the thinking skills. These puzzles can be downloaded here. Watch these videos to learn about how these puzzles help to develop the thining skills.
You can buy the puzzle books here. Spend some time to learn the thinking skills and develop the confidence through practice. It is also fun and interesting.
Tan Kin Lian
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Singapore Talking - COE, 10.30 pm Sunday 18 April
I have been invited to be in the panel on Singapore Talking this Sunday at 10.30 pm on Mediacorp TV. The topic is on the high price of COE. I will be giving my views about moderating the fluctuation in price of COE and more importantly, about making public transport and taxis more comfortable and affordable.
Good signages to show directions
It is important to provide good signages to help people to find their way. In recent years, there is too much focus on getting revenue for advertisements that result in signages being hidden or difficult to find. Here are some examples:
1. Whole buses are now being painted as a moving advertisement. It is difficult for the commuter to know if it is a public bus.
2. There are many advertisements in MRT stations and bus interchanges that the essential signages, such as EXIT and PLATFORM number, are difficult to find.
3. Even gantry gates of car parks are being converted into advertisements for property agencies.
When I visit an unfamiliar place, I have a lot of difficulty to find the way due to poor signages, but I get distracted by many advertisements.
There has to be a balance between the desire for advertising revenue and the need to give property signages and instructions to commuters. I hope that the regulatory authority comes into the picture. If the transport operators are restricted in their advertisements, it will create opportunity for other media, such as the newspapers and the television. This may be better for all.
Tan Kin Lian
1. Whole buses are now being painted as a moving advertisement. It is difficult for the commuter to know if it is a public bus.
2. There are many advertisements in MRT stations and bus interchanges that the essential signages, such as EXIT and PLATFORM number, are difficult to find.
3. Even gantry gates of car parks are being converted into advertisements for property agencies.
When I visit an unfamiliar place, I have a lot of difficulty to find the way due to poor signages, but I get distracted by many advertisements.
There has to be a balance between the desire for advertising revenue and the need to give property signages and instructions to commuters. I hope that the regulatory authority comes into the picture. If the transport operators are restricted in their advertisements, it will create opportunity for other media, such as the newspapers and the television. This may be better for all.
Tan Kin Lian
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