Were you a trainer before?

The best compliments are those that are not spelt out or spoken; they are implied between the lines. Wink.


I like to "read" people.  It started out as part of the requirement for doing sales, but it quickly turned into a hobby.

Yesterday, a husband and wife couple were checking out some kitchen appliances. After some foreplay, I casually asked the husband if he was working in the Food and Beverage industry? I complimented him he's very knowledgable about the appliances!



Press pause button.

Fellow snake oils will know what technique I'm using. 

Female readers who are skilled at influencing men are probably laughing out now. 

"Bang, you so clever!"

"Wow! You so very de strong!"

"Oppa, why others can't, but you can?"

There's usually a follow up statement but I don't share. Don't worry girls, I won't spoil our "bawu" :)

Press play button.

The husand replied he's a chef in one of the 5-star hotels in Singapore. Ah! No wonder!

What happened next was not according to script...

The husband asked me whether I were a trainer before?

My smile was brigher and sunnier than my bald head!

LOL!

OK, as a chef, he's managing people too. 

Both of us were smiling and nodding our heads.

It felt good. 

Its always nice to get acknowledgement from your peers.

You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl... 

I am glad the country is still within me. Wink.

Wow! Now that's volatility!

Compared to 2017, I guess 2018 is another beast altogether!

Just look at the price action in the US on Christmas eve and on Boxing day! Whiplash!



Remember early Jan 2018 some smart ang moh guy said in Davos if we are holding cash, we would look pretty foolish?

Well, that's investing for you!

Still think its different from speculation and gambling?



On that note, I hope one day I'll be good enough to join the successful speculators club.

You know, like those brilliant (or lucky) folks who bought Bitcoin at USD$1,000 and sold everything at USD$15,000.

Shorted Keppel at $12.00; covered back at $7.50.

Bought WTI crude futures at USD$30.00; sold at USD$60.00. 

Shorted First REIT at $1.40; covered back at $1.00.



Yup, all the above were some of the opportunities I've missed under my nose. And that's coming from someone who does it full time... Ouch! Talk about eggs on my face!



Its never about the nouns - whether you're an investor, speculator, or gambler. Its always about the adjective.

Next time if you feel like being holier or superior than thou just because you call yourself an "investor", reflect on what's the point if you are one of those one day I'll break-even investors versus successful speculators and money winning gamblers?



Of course you weren't like this from the beginning. Someone put those silly ideas into you.

Who?

Well, if you parted with more than a thousand dollars, at the very least you should walk out all pumped up, "If I think I can, I can!"

Those who have attended prosperity gospel churches, political rallies, motivational talks may spot the similarities. Its all same same.

Never underestimate the power to manipulate, influence, inspire others!



Now you know why there's no shortage of shepherds (with sheep fleece) most willing to inspire and motivate you!

Wink.

How much money you need to be a millionaire

天黑黑

今天早上天空有点黑。。。

出门的朋友记得带把伞。



我知道。

有时蓝天白日，却下倾盆大雨。

有时乌云密布，雷声大雨点小。



带不带伞，随你便！

The Difference Between School And Life

Star Dusts, Voodoo, and Business Accounting

What are some of the most common elements in the Universe?

Hydrogen, helium, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen.


What are the most common elements we are made of?
Hyrdrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen.


No. We are not "special" or unique.

We are made up of stardusts.



Once we can appreciate and understand the true nature of things, philosophically and psychologically, we may begin to see and treat things differently from before.

Its as if the wool that others are trying to pull over our eyes has been lifted...




Technical Analysis

What are the basic building blocks of voodoo technical analysis?

Price and time.

Most people would include volume too. 

But in recent years, high frequency trading has messed things up a bit. So volume analysis its not a simple read as before...


With just 2 simple price and time factors, we can create 1001 indicators and oscillators. Like the many sub denominations in all religions.

If you are confused, using too many indicators, or arguing with others your one is bigger...

What's the point?

Might as well look at the basic building blocks directly. And if you are entrepreneurial and creative, you can invent your own technical indicator!

Start your own church and your followers will tithe you.

Now that's how you make money off technical analysis!!!




Fundamental Analysis

What's the language of business?

Financial accounting.

If you want to use fundamental analysis, shouldn't you be conversant with the language of business?

No, you don't have to take up bookkeeping or financial accounting. Not everyone likes to deal with numbers...

Wait a minute. 

Can you explain to me why you swear by fundamental analysis again?


But for those who want to have the competence to read and analyse financial statements themselves, there are plenty of financial accounting or business finance courses for non-accounting professionals/graduates out there offered by our polytechnics, professional bodies, and universities.

These are usually one year part-time evening programmes with exams kind of formal classroom courses. 

Perfect for those of you who like to collect paper qualifications and put "abcs" behind your names in business cards.


As for those who don't like formal learning environments, there are numerous books like those dummies series where they explain complex financial accounting and business finance concepts in an easy to digest format.

Cannot understand as in catch no ball?

Well, there's always voodoo for you as plan B! 

You think why technical analysis is so popular? 

The "minimium PC requirement" is much much lower... LOL! (Don't hit the face!)

Exception is probably Elliott Wave Analysis. I think you need a degree to understand it!!!??? Then again, its probably just me... 

And if you still don't understand cartoon lines with crayon colours, could that be a sign investing or trading not for you?

May I introduce you to Toto, 4D, or Big Sweep instead?




Idiot. 

How come Singapore Pools got no affiliate programme to reward me for introducing customers to them? 

Oh!

Silly me...

Monopoly.

Death and Sickness - Spanners in the Works.

Yesterday, I've received word that my ex-colleague has recently passed away in Switzerland.

This is the third colleague from my previous life as a sellsword.

And all 3 of them moved on before age 50...



I guess now that I'm 51 years young, I would hear more about such cases as in serious injuries, major sickness, and eventually death.

Funny how when I looked back into my early 20s and 30s, I was "male chicken" sure of myself. Even when I was in that dark phase of perpetual job-hopping, I never lost hope or faith that eventually something good will turn up. 

I'm still young! Lots of opportunities ahead! I got time on my side!

That's the strength of youth! I didn't know what I knew now.



Just because we have a dream, developed SMART goals, and drafted detailed kickass plans up to 2 decimal places; none of them "entitled" us to what we think we "deserve" in life - even if you are Singapore born and raised!



No, this is not a pessimistic or fatalistic reflection.

On the contrary, its about gratitude and joy in the greatest gift I have today - life!

Its like as an atheist, its precisely I have this one and only life that I have everything to live for!

I don't have the luxury of multiple lifetimes like in reincarnations.

Nor do I have the "consolation" this present life is only a full dress rehearsal, and eternal real living is the one coming here after... 



You know what? I just wanted to poke those who are constantly living in the future by worrying and planning how much financial resources they would need if they lived till 95 and beyond...

Then I realised there are those who are more concerned with life in the hereafter than living in the present!? OK, better stop. Don't mess with those who are super confident where they will end up. For these people are even more sure where I'll end up!!!

I've no heart to tell them I'll end up to the place before I was born. I'm made up of stardusts; I'll end up being with the stars. Wink.

When I started to sing...

No lah!

I'm not so bad. I'm not tone deaf OK?

I can sing in tune; most of the time anyways... (hee, hee)



Its around secondary 3 that I first discovered I can sing.

And it was in my Gan Eng Seng School's toilet... Of all places!!!

During the previous night, I was watching the Country Music Associations award ceremony on TV, and Willie Nelson's "Always On My Mind" won the song of the year.

The chorus was very catchy so as I sat down in the toilet cubicle doing my no. 2, I started singing it out loud thinking I was alone.

You know why we love singng in the toilet or shower?  

The echo acoustics!



So imagine my surprise and embarrassment as I flushed and opened the cubicle door, there stood 5-6 schoolmates clapping and cheering me on!?

Yah, I was blushing like a little school girl while washing my hands... 

It felt good. Its always a wonderful feeling to be acknowledged for a competence or ability we have.



Over the years, as I kept singing for the fun of it - usually in the shower and in the toilet - I noticed I've become better at it. (Mom may have another opinion though)

That 10,000 hours thing is true.

From mimicry to experimentations, I've discovered singing techniques like vibrato and falsetto on my own.

Now I'm trying to sing like those Japanese enka or Taiwanese hokkien song singers. I tell you, those voice transitions are damn hard man! 

But that's what makes it fun and challenging! No?

When was the last time you felt proud doing something that anyone and everyone can do?



Its good to have hobbies and other interests. 

Danger signs should be flashing if you have no interests or hobbies outside of work. Especially if you are nearing your retirement.

Double-confirmed if you are one of those who often question what to do after retirement or achieving financial independence, early retirement (FIRE)?



Seeking FIRE without hobbies and interests is like setting a goal to have landed property or private condominium.

Contrast this with someone having a cherished dream of having a home of their own.

If you can't tell the difference, never mind.



Oh! Why do I sing?

Because I feel good doing it!

Wink.