Yup, STI backbone still strong

 

A tale of two cities.

Hang Seng down -1.9%

STI up 1.9%

But we are not alone today.

With the exception of the FTSE, the rest of Europe are green like STI.

All these despite the US futures very solid in the red.

Most of us are used to taking our trading cues from the US markets.

So how?

Throw away top-down monkey see, monkey do - risk on; risk off?

Time to embrace bottom-up and trade the individual fundamentals of each and different market?

Stacked Homes - Revisited

 

I've always admired the energy and fire whenever I met young entrepreneurs.

I had coffee with one of my sponsors yesterday. It's nice to see how they have evolved and grown since they first appeared at this watering hole in 2017...

Its Stacked Homes.

Now they even have YouTube videos. Just search Stacked Homes in YouTube. 

You might want to check out that video on the Dawson HDB (DBSS) flats  which I consider the most beautiful in Singapore. That's if you are into architecture and design that sort of thingy...

If property is your poison, you might want to checkout their platform.

 

Paul Immigrations Reviews: Becoming a SPR!

During my 3 years in Athens, Greece, I am so glad my company hired a consultant to coach me in my annual employment pass rituals. 

Talk about administrative bureaucracy! I had to visit 3 to 4 offices to get rubber stamps. Yes, literally!

These offices had mountains of files and papers stacked on top of one another. I do wonder what were the computers for? Minesweeper?

But I should not be complaining. I was chauffeured and escorted to these offices all the time. My experience was a breeze compared to the hapless applicants trying to figure out which queues to join. Imagine waiting in line for more than an hour to only be told to go queue at another counter!

No. We always ended up in the express line or appointments only counters. There is a simple reason for it – TIP.

It stands for – To Insure Performance.

It is not free, but the money paid was well worth it. 

My company paid for the professionalism and competency of the consultant to ensure a smooth, efficient, and painless process. 

It won’t be like my application would be delayed or rejected due to me forgetting to dot an “i” here; or cross that “t” there. You get the picture.

Want To Become A Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR)?

Of course I don’t have to spell out to you what are the benefits of becoming a SPR. This you knew or you won’t be interested to become a SPR in the first place.

If you are already working or studying here, you can see the benefits with your own eyes.

And if you are the aged parent; spouse; or child of a Singapore citizen or PR, you just want to be with the person that matters most to you, what other benefits can beat that?

That’s not the struggle you face.

Common Struggles Face By DIY PR Applicants

First time applicants

Tedious paperwork with a strict time frame

Unfamiliarity with the application process

Difficulty navigating the e-Service

May not fulfil all criteria required by ICA

Lack knowledge on how to make their application stand out

Reapplicants

Face multiple times of rejections

Tedious amounts of paperwork

Difficulty navigating the new e-Service

Unsure where to upload the additional documents

Unaware of the reasons for the past applicant’s rejection

Do You Need A Professional?

This is where you exercise your TIP – To Insure Performance.

Paul Immigrations is a professional immigration consultant that specialises in the application of SPR.

What sets them apart from other immigration consultants?

1. Professional knowledge and professional care management

2. Strong complete documents package

3. Minimise hassle and time wastage

4. Strategic approach in handling complex issues

This Is How They Can Help

Offer expert guidance

I don’t know about you, but I would welcome the edge over other SPR applicants by gaining access to their team of specialists.

The tips and insights I can glean from them would make the complicated and tedious SPR process a lot more palatable.

Documentation

When you submit your SPR application yourself using the online portal of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA), if you mess up on any steps of the process, or miss any essential documents, this will render your application invalid.

Argh!!! Delays and have to start all over again!

Why do this to yourself when you can leverage on other people’s talent (OPT) by using their team of professionals to ensure everything is in order from the very get go?

Essential document preparation

Beyond the necessary documents required by ICA, their team of specialists – with their years of experience in securing SPR for other successful applicants – can and will recommend other documents that will bring out your best qualities and contributions.

For eg, by including a letter of recommendation from your employer, it will make your application stand out a lot more!

Specially crafted cover letters

Remember that time you had to draft your own cover letters for multiple job applications?

Let’s be honest. Are you a wordsmith? Is English your mother tongue?

I suspect as much. Better let the pros do it.

Guidance throughout the process

How was the experience buying your first home? Especially when it came to the dreaded paperwork for conveyancing, applying for bank loan, fire insurance, etc…

Aren’t you glad you had a property agent to guide you through the whole process?

The same logic applies here.

Less hassle and minimal time wastage

As an IT dinosaur, I hate it whenever I have to fill in forms on any online portals.

Make any mistakes have to click back-page and redo. Especially when they only prompt me I have missing fields not entered after I’ve clicked the “submit” button.

Where did I do wrong now? Talk about time wasting!

Similarly, the ICA e-Service portal can be daunting if you are not familiar with it.

Yup, you know what I’m going to say…

Let the pros do it! 

What Some Happy Clients Have To Say

“The consultants at Paul Immigrations were very patient. They provided detailed explanations to my queries too. I’m so happy to have them handle my submission & even more so now that it is approved!”

Priya Darshini, 27

India, Accountant (LTVP to PR), PR approved in 6 months

“So glad that I finally got my approval in 5 months! Thanks to the consultant and team of Paul Immigrations, the troublesome applying process is so much less stressful for me! Kudos to the team!”

Yap Khai Wen, 32

Malaysia, Corporate Communications Executive

“Booked a consultation with Paul Immigrations after knowing about them from a friend who engaged their professional service. The process was so much easier than trying to do it on my own!”

Sandra Liu Hua, 35

China, Lead Engineer, PR approved in 6 months

Free Resources To Your Questions

You can access your eligibility now to find out more.

I find the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of the webpage has a ton of useful information. 

And if you scroll up, you will find a tab under “Free Tips”. That’s super helpful too. 

Oh! And welcome to Singapore!

SleepWiz - Plushopedic Memory Fluff Pillow

Remember last year's advertorial on Memory Foam Mattress Topper?

Well, the folks at my fine sponsor have come up with a new product this year!


What is it?

Its Memory Foam Pillow.


Ai yeah. Got already! Not new leh you say?

Wait. This one differerent!


Remember when phones came with the camera function for the first time? Horrible quality right?

Now?

The quality of the cameras on phones are so good today that nobody buys compact cameras anymore...

Evolution.


The same applies here.

Existing memory foam pillows come in one big block with that funny, funny, unnatural contours. 

That shape is supposedly to "support" the neck. But that's "optimised" sleeping position only if you sleep like you have gone to sell salted duck eggs - back flat on the bed, hands by your sides, face looking up at ceiling. 

That's not how most people sleep. 

We toss and turn all night. Sleep on our sides, face down, and I heard some even do advance Yoga positions in their sleep!? (Or is that copulation?)


This is where the new improved Plushopedic Memory Fluff Pillow comes in!

If you have sat in a bean bag before, you'll know what I mean,

Instead of one ungainly block, the memory foam comes in little fluffs - just like in a bean bag.

So the pillow can mould itself to your head and neck, constantly adjusting to support our necks and heads to give us a well deserved good night's rest.

You can fluff your pillow up like the roti-prata man.

Or karate chop the pillow in the middle to carve out the ideal indentation.


If you have never tried a memory foam pillow before, what better time than now?

Check out Plushopedic Memory Fluff Pillow.

Especially when now got offer price and free delivery!

Free Credit Card Consultation For Maximum Rewards

I would like to take a break from regular blogging to insert this fine advertorial...

Eh!? 

Wau lau! Don't run to the toilet leh!



This advertorial is definitely not for me. 

I am the EARN MORE kind of guy.



However, just because I'm like that, I don't expect everyone else must be like me. You know, the "If you believe me, folllow me!" kind of "wah kali gong" blogger. Wink, wink.



OK, for the sake of diversity (yup, I can speak politician), here's something for those of you SAVE MORE people who gets titillated whenever you see - free miles, free points, cashbacks, discounts, offers, etc...  

Now you can search and query which credit cards have the best bang for the buck at which popular retail outlets.  

So go hack yourself till you get to credit card Nirvana! (No alcohol or drugs needed)



This is the website to check it out:

Whatcard



Its beta version. So you don't CB when you hit some chinks and flaws in their user interface.

Do remember its FREE. 

Do your part by giving them feedback to improve on. I'm sure they will appreciate it!







This endeavour is started by 3 young men. Go to the "About Us" and "Community" page.

As usual, there's a front man - the face of the team and website. 

Then there's another but I not clear what he does... (Consider this a feedback to him. Create a "role" or "character" in the team so people will remember. Unless he is OK with people assuming he is Robin or Tonto)

Finally, there's the shy guy who wears a brown paper bag over his head. However, with a bit of rudimentary CSI, I found his Facebook page. He is the workhorse who does the actual programming or coding. 



Although their product is about "saving more", I am very glad these 3 young men have dreams of "earning more". That's cool! 

And right up my alley.

How else would  I agree to do this advertorial?

LOL!

SleepWiz - ErgoLush Gel-infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Some of you may have just returned from your CNY vacations.

I myself went for a 4 days 3 nights staycation at Jens Orchardgateway, the week prior to CNY.


Ever noticed the beds at the 4 stars and above hotels are very comfortable?

Next time, lift up the bedsheets and take a look at the mattress. 

Good (and atas) mattresses usually have 2 sections - the main bulky and thick part for the support, and a thinner part on top to provide the plushness and "sinking-in" feeling.

This part can be attached and sewn to the main mattress, or come as a separate topper that's laid on top.

I prefer the removable version.


I don't know what you do in bed, but we can spill, soil, and squirt quite a bit of mess in bed when we're having fun!

Of course when mom or mom-in-law came visiting, we act all innocent and sing song its because we like to have breakfast in bed. 

Its just coffee stains. 

Yeah, right.... 


With a removable mattress topper, its a lot cheaper to throw away the evidence than changing the whole mattress. Wink.


Memory foam used to be expensive. Now the price has come down by quite a bit. 

Some of you may have memory foam insoles from the new walking shoes you've bought. Comfy right?


Take a look at this website from my kind sponsor:


SleepWiz - ErgoLush Gel-infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper



At the low price of $87.90, how's that to enhance your sleep quality at night?


Don't say got lobang bo jio! 

Printcious - Your Precious Gifts

Its amazing what technology and a dash of entrepreneurial dreams can achieve.

Now we can design and order our own gifts online too!



Check out this interesting company from Malaysia:



printcious - your precious gifts 




Can print your favourite photos on T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, and even phone cases!? 

Or personalise your thoughtful gifts to people that matter in your lives.



Ikan bilis retail order boleh no problem. Sedikit-sedikit lama-lama jiadi bukit!

Ikan besar bulk orders for corporate events also can! HR, you taking note?




For those of you "young-at-hearts" who still have dreams, I find the founders' story - a pair of twin brothers - most interesting.



Printcious is about never giving up.




Valentine's Day coming soon next month. 

Go knock yourself out!


Parents with newborns? Want to immortalise your baby's pictures on their bedroom walls?

Yoga and Meditation - SunUp Yoga

What do you know? Its been a year since I've finished my Zen Drumming lessons at Bright Hill Temple!?

Talk about how time flies!

During the lessons, I've met some interesting jie-meis (ladies) which I may share more, when the "feel" is right, at a later time...

One such "mei-mei" is Elaine.



We need to do warm up exercises before our Zen drumming lessons. Guess what? Elaine volunteered to conduct yoga and meditation exercises for those of us who were willing to come 20-25 minutues early for FREE!

That's how I got to know her.

OK, I lied. 

I noticed her on the first day.

I have a thing for dimples...  (Both hands cover face. What? I very shy one!) 



Elaine is the founder of SunUp Yoga.



Go to the "About the Teacher" tab to check her credentials. Verify whether she studied a few lessons in Singapore, got a piece of paper from a degree mill, and then turn around and start teaching others!?

Don't laugh. Majority of the "trainers" in the financial education industry are like that!

For those of you into Meditation, you would know the euphemism "travelled to the forests of Myanmar, Malaysia, and Thailand meant.

I got some training in Meditation, most of it self-taught. But I must say, I dare not go where Elaine has gone... Its definitely not some "3 minutes passion thing" she endured!



I came to know Elaine had left her Corporate job to pursue yoga and meditation fulltime over coffee after lessons (don't think naughty now).

In my heart, I knew there had to be a "catalyst" for her decision. Just like I had mine at 44 when I decided to return back to Singapore. She didn't shared; I didn't pry.



I highly recommend you go to the "Live to Shine" tab. 

I am pleasantly surprised Elaine had opened up so much of herself here.



I'm not going to talk Phoenixes and Dragons about the benefits of Yoga and Meditation.

Only "crash got sound" first hand experience will you know for yourself.  

How can you learn anything about Yoga and Meditation from reading? 



Eh! Don't just sign up just like that! (You didn't read my previous post on I almost joined the Life Insurance Industry, did you?)

I would encourage you to talk or write to Elaine first through her website's "Contact". Even better over coffee! (You pay OK?)



And for those who prefer to use Facebook messanger, here's Elaine's Facebook link.



I know. You ladies out there must be aghast when you saw the pictures!

Next time I see Elaine I'll give her a gentle poke.

No makeup before filming is OK. But there's such a thing called blotting paper to remove excess oil and shine lah!

Well, at least we know Elaine is all natural!

LOL!

Do you have a plumbing emergency?

Do we still teach Technical studies at our secondary schools? 

I wonder why during my time they "teach" us Metal and Wood works? Its not as if we are going to be blacksmiths or carpenters later on in life...

I think it would be better if they taught us simple DIY electrical and plumbing instead!

At least I won't feel so helpless at home compared to my Swedish colleagues - they can install their own plumbing and electrical wirings at their summer homes!?

Well, it least I know how to change the light bulb in the toilet!

So I'm not totally useless...



Have you ever had a bad experience with your husband or dad when he tried to do plumbing repairs at home?

The more he tries to "help", the more costly and messier it gets! 

Especially when he "capitulates" and finally calls in the pros to "undo" the damage he has made worse...



So next time you have a plumbing emergency, call an experienced plumber in Singapore instead:


Plumbers-singapore.com



You don't even have to say Singapore Man of Leisure sent you. Wink.

Call Levels - Free Price Monitoring Alerts

First of all, I use Stops, but that's because I am trading full time.

Amateurs Part time traders and retail "investors" use Price Alerts.

What?

Ah ber then?

Most brokers do provide FREE price alerts service for equity traders/investors.

Even that cheapo stocks platform also got price alert service - albeit they will charge you for each SMS sent...

Don't look surprised; its like flying budget airlines - they'll nickel and dime you for everything!

How about price alerts for forex, commodities, stock indices?

Don't have right?

Want to have it for FREE?

Don't say bo jio!

You may want to check out Call Levels.

This one power.

Can track 10,000 assets in forex, commodities, stocks, and indices! You win liao!

Also check out the co-founders. (Don't ogle too long; screen break oredi)

And their backers. (Love the Lippo building in HK with the cute cute Koala bears)

If you like it, you may want to upgrade to the paid version. (Hello, its a business; not a charity)

Saphir Renovateur Leather Cleaner & Conditioner (ShoeTree Project)

During my retail selling days at Metro and Robinsons, we do get rotated amongst the various departments.

And one of them was the shoes department.

No, I'm not going to share with you the unexpected perks of "downblouse" moments!

Then there were my IMM leather sofas selling days with Melandas Casa Mobili (Closed shop liao... Don't look at me! Not my fault!)

So I guess I know something about leather care. Wink.

Often while taking long MRT rides, I like to look at the footwear of the passengers.

OK, I think I got a shoe fetish of sorts...

Whether they were colour matching and well co-ordinated with what the person was wearing?

Were they scruffy and worn out; or were they well taken care of and polished shining?

All these can tell a lot about the person wearing them.

Two weeks ago, I received a complimentary sample of this 2-in-1 leather cleaner and conditioner.

Tried it on my leather shoes, belts, wallet, and satchel bag.

It worked well. I'm impressed.

You can check-it out here:

Saphir Renovateur Leather Cleaner & Conditioner

Also, they have other shoe care accessories that you may want to explore.

Own time; own target.

Stacked Homes - DIY Property Platform

Some people just love to assemble and pimp-put their own furniture or PC.

It gives them a sense of accomplishment.

While some just love the cost savings that goes with Do-It-Yourself.


Same for investments.

Most of us would prefer to do it online ourselves than dealing with a remisier or private banker.


It seems more and more HDB transactions are being transacted by owners and buyers themselves nowadays without the engagement of property agents!?

Not I say one hor.

You can verify yourself with our nation building press:

More buying, selling flats the DIY way



Come checkout this DIY property platform:

Stacked Homes



Is it me or what?

But do you find the 3D thing very cool and smooth?

Even not buying or selling, I don't mind browsing around to get some "inspiration" on home decorations.

Or maybe to be precise, what NOT to do when it comes to home renovations...

LOL!








P.S.  I am surprised to see condo and private properties listed there. One would assume rich people can afford a property agent...

I guess when you can save $10-30K, money is still money!

How to check how much CPF housing grant you eligible for

Confuse as to what CPF grants you eligible for?

Now here's a simple quiz to help you find out in a breeze!



Stacked Homes CPF grant quiz







Mind you! Its just for CPF grants only.

It does not tell you whether you eligible for HDB flats or not.


OK, own time, own target.

Carry on!

Seedly - Personal Finance Management App for Millenials

This morning, 2 young guys showed an IT dinosaur (that would be me) what a Personal Finance Management App is all about.

Quite cool.

You can consolidate all your banking and credit card accounts into a single mobile platform and have a clear overview on your liquid net worth in your palm.

Remember some bloggers were talking about personal Cash Flows recently?

Well, this app is oredi one step ahead!

Got pie-charts and bar graphs that would please our Mr fisherman qian-bei, you cannot lie to yourself any longer...

Whether you are cash flow positive or negative every month, which spending category you have spent your money on (wine, women, or song), its all there!


Warning: Those who can't handle the truth better don't download this app. 


I don't think you need me to remind you only use this app in the sanctuary of the toilet if you are married. If your wife sees you spending a lot of $$$ at Orchard Towers... Hey! Don't look at me! 

Wait.

Talk so much forgot to introduce this app.

Its called Seedly.

Go ahead. Click on the link and it will take you directly to their website. From there, own time; own target.


Its a young start-up run by 4.5 persons. That 0.5 person is a part-timer; not a hobbit.

You want to know the magic word?

It's totally FREE!!!

What have you got to lose?


Download.

Try.

Like - continue using.

Don't like - delete.

No harm no foul.

See? So simple!

Want to STANDOUT from the male office crowd?

If you take a walk down Raffles Place MRT during lunch time, look at the male office crowd there.

Everyone wearing the same boring business shirt, pants, and tie right?

Notice some do stand out and attract your gaze?

Bow ties and suspenders right?

But they are not suitable for everyone... Its hard to pull this look off if you don't look the part. And if not careful, you'll appear to be "trying too hard"...

Look again. There's another more subtle trick used by corporate warriors to set them apart from the rest of the worker ant hoard.

Yes.

French cuffs. And cuff links.

If you do not already own business shirts with French cuffs, why don't you take some of your Ang Bao money and check them out during the post Lunar New Year sales at the department stores?

Of course you need to pair them with cufflinks.

Check out this website: Eminence Cufflinks.

On top of the existing online discount, if you enter the below discount code, you'll get an additional 10% off!

The discount code is: sgmanofleisure

Ladies, Valentine is coming. If the man in your life is already into cufflinks, you might want to surprise him (or her)?

Who will like this SGX APAC Dividend Leaders REIT ETF?

Japan yield hunters

Top of my mind, I think Mr and Mrs Watanabe will like this ETF!

I mean Mrs Watanabe is famous for being conversant with forex trading as a side income. So foreign exchange risk is not an issue since they are not "bei kambings" (white little lambs).

With negative interest rates back home, Japanese insurers and pension funds have been piling into Australian bonds as they continue their search for yield.

Currently, the Australia 10 year bond yield is around 2.25%.

Those Japanese investors who are more "garang" (aggressive) may want to spread some love into this REIT ETF as they can get double the yield at 4.5%.

Nothing ventured; nothing gained!

Emerging Markets Hedgies

The next group of investors who may be interested could be our neighbouring investors from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia; etc.

I mean those investors with home currencies that fall super fast whenever there's a risk off environment.

No need to look far. Just look how their currencies tanked during beginning of this year, taper tantrum 2013, and fiscal cliff end 2011, 2008/09 Great Financial Crisis, and of course the mother of all currency crashes - the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis!

Notice this ETF is also listed in USD? Make a wild guess why is this so?

Normally you have to "pay" to put hedges on; but this REIT ETF vehicle pays you a dividend instead!

Good, better, best or what? 

Singaporeans not the main target group lah

First, competent retail investors won't bite. Not when we are already spoilt for choice with SGX listed REITs that yield more than 4.5%. Duh!

Secondly, those Panda and Koala bear Singapore stocks only "specialists" would lose their home-base advantage or edge.

I mean with 59% weighting in Australian REITs, unless you tell me you read the Australian press or economic news daily, tell me how you'll have an edge over that Australian investor who takes the opposite side of your position?

Who from Singapore will bite then?

Probably those Singaporean retail investors who salivate whenever they hear the word REITs. And when they hear ETF, they immediately associate it with "low cost".

Put both words REIT and ETF together, its "Buy!", "Buy!", "Buy!".

They can't help themselves. It's a Pavlovian response.

How to verify me

Come next week, when this SGX APAC Dividend Leaders REIT will start trading, look at the trading volume for both the USD and SGD tranches.

You can throw eggs at me if the SGD side has bigger trading volumes!

P.S  This post is labelled as "Advertorial" since the kind folks at Phillip Capital Management treated some of us bloggers to free dinner last night.

Just give me a drink and I'll sing like a canary for you!