When I went to CitySquare, I saw Soxworld. Then I remembered I wanted to buy a pair of hand gloves. As the weather has been very cold plus the air con in buses and malls even colder. There were many times when seeing how the weather was warm and sunny, I didn't put any jacket when I head out, only for the weather to change and become cold and rainy. Usually it's the exposed arms and fingers are cold.
So when I saw that there was arm gloves, I immediately went in, chose one pair and paid. It's not that expensive, RM$12.90 about Sgd$5.45. Immediately that afternoon, the cold air con plus rainy weather and after a few hours in the mall, I put it on. Then don't feel so cold.
Yesterday Tab and I headed to Daiso to see if they have arm warmers. I didn't want to buy for myself. I was already using mine then. In the end, after discussing with Tab, I bought a pair of leg warmers for my Dad. Cos when he saw my arm warmers, and asked for the price, he nag and nag that it's cheaper in Daiso. How he had a pair but in the car blah blah. It's been cold at home too from the cold wind, so I decided to get one pair for him. Cos of the wider arm size, bought the leg warmers for him instead. Also chose the brown one, less femine. Tab wanted one pair but the colors weren't neutral enough to match her wardrobe. So last night, I passed to my Dad and though he was nagging still, could see he quite like the brown and saw him wearing it. He's been wearing it too today, cos the wind had been very cold. He did insist on paying me $2 for it.
Today I gave my family a lunch treat at BBQ chicken for last year's share investment gains. We ate the set meal and was very full. Bought a slice of cake for other sister who couldn't make it. We came back after and I just watched anime and fell asleep until dinner time. R&R for the coming week of work.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Out-shopped
Once again, I have outshopped my friend. It wad impossible many years ago but definitely possible now.
Tab met me after guitar for a lunch at Strictly pancakes. This time I ordered a savory one, Smoked salmon with dill sauce n herb garlic butter. Tab had a sweet apple cinnamon. There's a long shotglass of maple syrup for my savory order. Even just 3 pancakes was very very filling. Didn't feel hungry until about 8plus.
After I had to run a few errands in PS. We ended up in Daiso. I had nothing in mind yet came out with 6. There was a Bodyshop sale at the atrium and I bought body butter, facial wash, day moisturizer, body cream... With our combined purchase, we got another free gift set. Then the receipt entitled to $20 off at the main shop. So I bought a fragrance for my mom for $12.90 instead of $32.90.
Also ended up with a pair of crocs, after we went to this sale. Then walked around, played lots of 'words with friends' then din er at Waraku. The air conditioning is really cold, ironically not the weather but is the air con that makes us yearn for hot soupy food.
Tonight more ankle DVD, sleep more cos body clock is very messed up, gym and practise guitar.
Tab met me after guitar for a lunch at Strictly pancakes. This time I ordered a savory one, Smoked salmon with dill sauce n herb garlic butter. Tab had a sweet apple cinnamon. There's a long shotglass of maple syrup for my savory order. Even just 3 pancakes was very very filling. Didn't feel hungry until about 8plus.
After I had to run a few errands in PS. We ended up in Daiso. I had nothing in mind yet came out with 6. There was a Bodyshop sale at the atrium and I bought body butter, facial wash, day moisturizer, body cream... With our combined purchase, we got another free gift set. Then the receipt entitled to $20 off at the main shop. So I bought a fragrance for my mom for $12.90 instead of $32.90.
Also ended up with a pair of crocs, after we went to this sale. Then walked around, played lots of 'words with friends' then din er at Waraku. The air conditioning is really cold, ironically not the weather but is the air con that makes us yearn for hot soupy food.
Tonight more ankle DVD, sleep more cos body clock is very messed up, gym and practise guitar.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Back @ Work
Woke up at 7am, by 7.10am, I was already up and awake. That's a departure from the rest of the weekdays. where I woke up to the alarm, switched it off thinking to snooze, only to fell into some sort of light slumber until 2pm, and gradually worked my way back to about 10am. Was worried I would oversleep but didnt. The best thing is I dont need to iron my clothes. Just wear and go, though they were more formal than my usual.
Got all my things, including the pineapple golden pillows for collegues to eat in general. I ate an entire slice of Secret Recipe cake. My mom bought that yesterday in Citysquare. It was really too sweet and drank coffee. Made my way to workplace. A bit blur about time. A couple of times, already read the time wrongly. Partly still not in the routine of things, partly is I am not wearing my watch cos the strap is broken. I blame this lack of time concept thingy that I have been suffering from. About an hour plus more until dismissal. Today is a light day of mainly opening ceremony for the start of the last term. Its 10 weeks. Then the longer holidays of possibly a month esp if I dont have to, especially in the first 2 weeks of April. Possible to head to Japan then and still not miss the sakura?
So now really stoning infront of laptop. I have 1 piece of admin work to do, another is to plan next week's solo lessons. That's it. Quite light, just that I would rather do them later after dismissal and lunch cos now really stoned and not in the work mood. Plus in another 15mins, I have to head to class for some 1hr admin thingy. Dont want to start-stop-start-stop. The plan is to go to the gym straight after work. Dunno what time work is ending. Safe to assume it to be 5pm instead of hopeing for it to end earlier. So I do have quite a number of hours to kill. Think I will use them on the couple of pieces of work then.
Got all my things, including the pineapple golden pillows for collegues to eat in general. I ate an entire slice of Secret Recipe cake. My mom bought that yesterday in Citysquare. It was really too sweet and drank coffee. Made my way to workplace. A bit blur about time. A couple of times, already read the time wrongly. Partly still not in the routine of things, partly is I am not wearing my watch cos the strap is broken. I blame this lack of time concept thingy that I have been suffering from. About an hour plus more until dismissal. Today is a light day of mainly opening ceremony for the start of the last term. Its 10 weeks. Then the longer holidays of possibly a month esp if I dont have to, especially in the first 2 weeks of April. Possible to head to Japan then and still not miss the sakura?
So now really stoning infront of laptop. I have 1 piece of admin work to do, another is to plan next week's solo lessons. That's it. Quite light, just that I would rather do them later after dismissal and lunch cos now really stoned and not in the work mood. Plus in another 15mins, I have to head to class for some 1hr admin thingy. Dont want to start-stop-start-stop. The plan is to go to the gym straight after work. Dunno what time work is ending. Safe to assume it to be 5pm instead of hopeing for it to end earlier. So I do have quite a number of hours to kill. Think I will use them on the couple of pieces of work then.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Last day of 2nd Term Hols @ CitySquare
Yesterday I got an sms about cancellation of today's assignment. So my plan for today, the last day of the holidays was to practice electric guitar and go gym. Maybe squeeze in time to read the library books. Then after a light breakfast of blueberry yoghurt, my mom was asking whether I would be going to JB. Huh? So I asked my dad if he had any plans to go in. He didnt mind driving in just to shop around. 3 of us headed to Citysquare by 11.30am. It was very smooth journey there. The curved Causeway has been greatly improved. There is a smoother link to the immigration. Surprising.
We ate Kenny Rogers for lunch and walked around. My aim was to go for the animes. Yup I spent RM$200 on about 100+ episodes plus 1st season of Glee. So that I dont have to keep the recordings in the cable tv setup box. That exhausted most of my RM holdings. Had banked in the bulk of what I had exchanged the last trip my mom went in. So left with some, which I spent a hundred plus buying the Pineapple and Pineapple Cranberry tarts. So exhausted my RM for now. Then we were tired from walking around and had tea at this HK style cafe. The drinks were good and I ordered this won ton with a bit of chilli, its very nice. Should go there for lunch if possible. Their prices are cheaper than the restaurants eg Secret Recipe, Nandos, Kenny Rogers, Vivo that we often end up eating at. Too full to consider dabaoing the Malacca chicken and the Portuguese egg tart. Think too much, so 'Ren' and dont buy so wont overeat.
Looking at my passport, I saw the immigration chops for 2008 - Thailand, 2009 - Macau and HK. Nothing in 2010. I was too busy with guitar and assignment plus the different term dates to go anywhere. Nor had I wanted to go anywhere, except JB. Still need a massage. At least I went somewhere this term holiday.
I did practice electric guitar. Yesterday's makeup lesson was quite fun cos we started on a song. Not that I like that Chinese song but we started applying what was learnt and also did the 'slide' which is rather cool. So I dilligently practiced it just now.
I am considering either going tym today or tomorrow. I blame it on the weather. Its so cold now... If not today, then must be tomorrow. At least tomorrow, I can go straight after work. Will bring change and stuff. Then once more on Sunday. At least more manageable. Like the flexibility of moving the days around. That's the advantage of having at least 3 weekdays free and putting one slot on the weekend. Need more discipline and perseverance.
We ate Kenny Rogers for lunch and walked around. My aim was to go for the animes. Yup I spent RM$200 on about 100+ episodes plus 1st season of Glee. So that I dont have to keep the recordings in the cable tv setup box. That exhausted most of my RM holdings. Had banked in the bulk of what I had exchanged the last trip my mom went in. So left with some, which I spent a hundred plus buying the Pineapple and Pineapple Cranberry tarts. So exhausted my RM for now. Then we were tired from walking around and had tea at this HK style cafe. The drinks were good and I ordered this won ton with a bit of chilli, its very nice. Should go there for lunch if possible. Their prices are cheaper than the restaurants eg Secret Recipe, Nandos, Kenny Rogers, Vivo that we often end up eating at. Too full to consider dabaoing the Malacca chicken and the Portuguese egg tart. Think too much, so 'Ren' and dont buy so wont overeat.
Looking at my passport, I saw the immigration chops for 2008 - Thailand, 2009 - Macau and HK. Nothing in 2010. I was too busy with guitar and assignment plus the different term dates to go anywhere. Nor had I wanted to go anywhere, except JB. Still need a massage. At least I went somewhere this term holiday.
I did practice electric guitar. Yesterday's makeup lesson was quite fun cos we started on a song. Not that I like that Chinese song but we started applying what was learnt and also did the 'slide' which is rather cool. So I dilligently practiced it just now.
I am considering either going tym today or tomorrow. I blame it on the weather. Its so cold now... If not today, then must be tomorrow. At least tomorrow, I can go straight after work. Will bring change and stuff. Then once more on Sunday. At least more manageable. Like the flexibility of moving the days around. That's the advantage of having at least 3 weekdays free and putting one slot on the weekend. Need more discipline and perseverance.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Investing in Gold
I went to the bank to bank in the 'accidental' forced savings of $640 courtesy of good o'le Piggy Bank. Together with the $1k I promised myself if I hit the $15k investment target, they would go towards my Japan trip fund (can also be to other places, dont mind taiwan)
After I was done, I decided to get a number to enquire about investing in gold. I had asked Quetzal and she said that my bank offers physical gold, besides paper gold, gold funds and futures. These are the various forms of gold investment.
For Physical gold, they sell in kilobar; which means a solid 1kg gold bar which they issue gold certificates which are exchangeable anytime for that gold or cash equivalent. 1kg gold at today's price is about $85k. Ouch. Definitely cannot afford. Cos I wanted to use the gold limit available in my cpf.
To use that, I would have to go for Gold Savings A/c which the unit of gold is in grams. A minimum of 5 grams per transaction. The only thing about this is that one has to personally come down to any bank branch and do a trade, be it buy or sell. Also found out that there are 3 timings, 9.30am, 10.30am and 2.30pm where the gold prices change. So depending on what time you go in to trade, the prices are reflected accordingly to the current price at that 3 timing. There is an annual transaction fee of 0.25% of gold holdings. That I can live with.
I opened a CPF Gold Savings A/c and bought some gold. This would be those really long term investment. I dont anticipate building up so fast more cash under the cpf gold limit to do more transactions frequently. Also for gold, I rather it be long-term. Using cpf is my way of forcing myself to do such long term investing cos I've realized that those stocks under cpf, I often hold them way longer than my cash stocks. This I can also try the dollar-cost-averaging-technique because the minimum is 5g gold per transaction. So anytime, I reach enough for 5g, I can consider walking in to buy. Or I can buy after a 3-6mths interval depending on how fast the gold limit builds up. Of course there is also cash but given the fact that it is quite illiquid, because have to go in personally to transact, would just stick to current arrangements until otherwise. Nevermind that current gold prices are rather high at $58.70 per gram but since its long term. See how it goes. Its a sort of diversification strategy for me. At least I wont be monitoring daily, maybe once a week or fortnightly.
Then came home and started updating all the Excel spreadsheet for 2011. Also noted important things in my I-Phone. Downloaded 2 new apps for live gold prices and cpf. Pretty happy with myself. Also bought the jack needed for the amplifier so that I can practice at night with earphones. Still thinking about the headphones. Got the battery replaced for the guitar tuner too.
Going to continue reading some books about investment and Go then go gym then go for assignment. Gearing myself for the start of work soon. Getting into the routine of things and also practicising waking up at usual time. Its easier on weekdays cos I often remind myself the stock market opens at 9am.
After I was done, I decided to get a number to enquire about investing in gold. I had asked Quetzal and she said that my bank offers physical gold, besides paper gold, gold funds and futures. These are the various forms of gold investment.
For Physical gold, they sell in kilobar; which means a solid 1kg gold bar which they issue gold certificates which are exchangeable anytime for that gold or cash equivalent. 1kg gold at today's price is about $85k. Ouch. Definitely cannot afford. Cos I wanted to use the gold limit available in my cpf.
To use that, I would have to go for Gold Savings A/c which the unit of gold is in grams. A minimum of 5 grams per transaction. The only thing about this is that one has to personally come down to any bank branch and do a trade, be it buy or sell. Also found out that there are 3 timings, 9.30am, 10.30am and 2.30pm where the gold prices change. So depending on what time you go in to trade, the prices are reflected accordingly to the current price at that 3 timing. There is an annual transaction fee of 0.25% of gold holdings. That I can live with.
I opened a CPF Gold Savings A/c and bought some gold. This would be those really long term investment. I dont anticipate building up so fast more cash under the cpf gold limit to do more transactions frequently. Also for gold, I rather it be long-term. Using cpf is my way of forcing myself to do such long term investing cos I've realized that those stocks under cpf, I often hold them way longer than my cash stocks. This I can also try the dollar-cost-averaging-technique because the minimum is 5g gold per transaction. So anytime, I reach enough for 5g, I can consider walking in to buy. Or I can buy after a 3-6mths interval depending on how fast the gold limit builds up. Of course there is also cash but given the fact that it is quite illiquid, because have to go in personally to transact, would just stick to current arrangements until otherwise. Nevermind that current gold prices are rather high at $58.70 per gram but since its long term. See how it goes. Its a sort of diversification strategy for me. At least I wont be monitoring daily, maybe once a week or fortnightly.
Then came home and started updating all the Excel spreadsheet for 2011. Also noted important things in my I-Phone. Downloaded 2 new apps for live gold prices and cpf. Pretty happy with myself. Also bought the jack needed for the amplifier so that I can practice at night with earphones. Still thinking about the headphones. Got the battery replaced for the guitar tuner too.
Going to continue reading some books about investment and Go then go gym then go for assignment. Gearing myself for the start of work soon. Getting into the routine of things and also practicising waking up at usual time. Its easier on weekdays cos I often remind myself the stock market opens at 9am.
Monday, January 03, 2011
The sushi buffet tradition
I can't remember when this started, maybe during NIE days (cos I remember using the cards to get student prices). Ever since we discovered suki sushi, we would go for a buffet during the school holidays. It became a tradition of sort.
It's been a very long while since the last one so yesterday I jio her. Now having different school holidays meant not that easy to find a time for the buffet.
Don't regret the buffet. Our own 'Salmon Miso Nabe' made by combining the Salmon sashimi with the vegetable miso nabe, reminds us of the 2 other hot pots we just had - Nirai Kanai n @Krynnder's place. Delicious but I think I've feasted too much that when I stood on the scales "I am at the pig (peak) of my life" again... They had delicious Salmon mentai also though I didn't get to eat my salmon kama. Until the next time. The chocolate n cream enclairs were so nice, I took 2 servings.
After that I tried to bank in money from my piggy bank. $640 extra in a year, not as high as the years before. But too many people so only banked in the $5 n $10. Still have to go banking tomorrow. Then with the rain, it's time for the fugly pirated hello cat umbrella. We checked out Scape and really walked around every part. Then settled for mini milkshake at Onceuponamilkshake. It's really thick n the maple is good. Sat a bitore then headed to three-one-one and explored the whole place which is still rather small. Then using fugly umbrella, crossed over to three-one-three. Looked at CDs n books. Not really feel pike buying, except for the very cute Salmon sushi shirt. It's on offer 2 for $50 and so Tab but no other nice designs and we left without buying much. Then she had to go for dinner with friends while I went home by mrt.
Bathed, watched cable n online via I-phone. Wanted to continue Go but feeling sleepy. Quite a nice day out except the weather was wet and again more calories from the eating... Oh well my muscles are still sore today from gym. Tomorrow must go for 2nd. 1hr cardio. Got assignment in the evening. Spend some time looking at the market...
It's been a very long while since the last one so yesterday I jio her. Now having different school holidays meant not that easy to find a time for the buffet.
Don't regret the buffet. Our own 'Salmon Miso Nabe' made by combining the Salmon sashimi with the vegetable miso nabe, reminds us of the 2 other hot pots we just had - Nirai Kanai n @Krynnder's place. Delicious but I think I've feasted too much that when I stood on the scales "I am at the pig (peak) of my life" again... They had delicious Salmon mentai also though I didn't get to eat my salmon kama. Until the next time. The chocolate n cream enclairs were so nice, I took 2 servings.
After that I tried to bank in money from my piggy bank. $640 extra in a year, not as high as the years before. But too many people so only banked in the $5 n $10. Still have to go banking tomorrow. Then with the rain, it's time for the fugly pirated hello cat umbrella. We checked out Scape and really walked around every part. Then settled for mini milkshake at Onceuponamilkshake. It's really thick n the maple is good. Sat a bitore then headed to three-one-one and explored the whole place which is still rather small. Then using fugly umbrella, crossed over to three-one-three. Looked at CDs n books. Not really feel pike buying, except for the very cute Salmon sushi shirt. It's on offer 2 for $50 and so Tab but no other nice designs and we left without buying much. Then she had to go for dinner with friends while I went home by mrt.
Bathed, watched cable n online via I-phone. Wanted to continue Go but feeling sleepy. Quite a nice day out except the weather was wet and again more calories from the eating... Oh well my muscles are still sore today from gym. Tomorrow must go for 2nd. 1hr cardio. Got assignment in the evening. Spend some time looking at the market...
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Breaking cyles and starting cycles
These couple of nights, I've slept at the insane hours of 3-4am. Cos I was watching cable tv or dvd. Then end up waking at 1-2pm after all the lazing and dozing off. Last night I did glance through one book I borrowed and found it to be crap. Well it was a thick book of crap. So I am still re-reading that book about Financial Dysfunction.
Most of these books about asset allocation and diversification are based on investments available in the US. Though it was highly recommended to get housing settled. But given the ratio they gave was a max of 3.75 times of annual income. Say for a $50,000 income, the max housing amount paid is $200,000. But we all know that $200k cant buy any real estate in Singapore at all. So that measure is out. Another is diversification into bonds and mutual funds. They have very established bonds and mutual fund markets but in Sg, its primitve. Unit trusts are not as liquid and generally carry higher transaction cost and management costs. So that's another strategy out.
But the concept of the Financial Life Cycle is a very interesting concept because it gives you a measure to gague your financial health at. Instead of just keeping up with the Jones, or just looking at the rich and how much they spend, its a clearer measure. There are Formative, Accumulation, Conservation and Largess stages. In each stage, there are three more phases to go through. Its been pretty comprehensive.
Using the measure suggested, I could gauge which stage I am at. In fact, I went and did up a "Nett Worth" excel spreadsheet to compute my net worth. I've never kept track of this. I kept close track of the changes per month and per year. Never had a clear idea of my net worth until now. After knowing which stage I am in, I look at the stage before and after. To think about whether I've really moved past the earlier stage and how to move to the next. Its insightful and now I dont feel the anxiety to keep making up to certain salary figures. Of course, I still want to find ways to earn more on the main job so that I dont have to do extra hours after. Who doesnt? But I feel more assured of myself.
Today I broke the lethargic cycle by making myself go to the gym. Though I did pure weights and abdominal exercises only, it felt pretty good to be exercising again. Will shorten my usual routine to only cardio and weights plus abdominal exercises only. Resolve to go 3 times a week, about an hour only. Its only my first gym after a long break of more than a month. The good thing is now I am feeling sleepy already. Good thing about exercise is that it regulates appetite and sleeping time. Hope to build back my tone look and lose these extra weight and keep them off. I started eating smaller portions for dinner and lighter breakfast instead of hawker food, non fat yoghurt. Hope to keep it up. I do really like yoghurt, got to make sure I keep buying to stock the fridge especially to last the whole week.
Think I shall continue by trying to finish another 2 more investment books borrowed. They are quite thick. Also finish my 2 books on Go. I think I've gotten the basics but not sure how to put it together to play a game properly. Need to practice guitar more and tidy up some more of the room and table. Still on leave until this Thur. Friday I would be starting the last term.
Most of these books about asset allocation and diversification are based on investments available in the US. Though it was highly recommended to get housing settled. But given the ratio they gave was a max of 3.75 times of annual income. Say for a $50,000 income, the max housing amount paid is $200,000. But we all know that $200k cant buy any real estate in Singapore at all. So that measure is out. Another is diversification into bonds and mutual funds. They have very established bonds and mutual fund markets but in Sg, its primitve. Unit trusts are not as liquid and generally carry higher transaction cost and management costs. So that's another strategy out.
But the concept of the Financial Life Cycle is a very interesting concept because it gives you a measure to gague your financial health at. Instead of just keeping up with the Jones, or just looking at the rich and how much they spend, its a clearer measure. There are Formative, Accumulation, Conservation and Largess stages. In each stage, there are three more phases to go through. Its been pretty comprehensive.
Using the measure suggested, I could gauge which stage I am at. In fact, I went and did up a "Nett Worth" excel spreadsheet to compute my net worth. I've never kept track of this. I kept close track of the changes per month and per year. Never had a clear idea of my net worth until now. After knowing which stage I am in, I look at the stage before and after. To think about whether I've really moved past the earlier stage and how to move to the next. Its insightful and now I dont feel the anxiety to keep making up to certain salary figures. Of course, I still want to find ways to earn more on the main job so that I dont have to do extra hours after. Who doesnt? But I feel more assured of myself.
Today I broke the lethargic cycle by making myself go to the gym. Though I did pure weights and abdominal exercises only, it felt pretty good to be exercising again. Will shorten my usual routine to only cardio and weights plus abdominal exercises only. Resolve to go 3 times a week, about an hour only. Its only my first gym after a long break of more than a month. The good thing is now I am feeling sleepy already. Good thing about exercise is that it regulates appetite and sleeping time. Hope to build back my tone look and lose these extra weight and keep them off. I started eating smaller portions for dinner and lighter breakfast instead of hawker food, non fat yoghurt. Hope to keep it up. I do really like yoghurt, got to make sure I keep buying to stock the fridge especially to last the whole week.
Think I shall continue by trying to finish another 2 more investment books borrowed. They are quite thick. Also finish my 2 books on Go. I think I've gotten the basics but not sure how to put it together to play a game properly. Need to practice guitar more and tidy up some more of the room and table. Still on leave until this Thur. Friday I would be starting the last term.
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