Your Life, Your Money.
Your Life, Your Money.
Tips, tricks and uncommon wisdom to help you get more out of your money.
Buying a house is now a process of filtration. Buyers don’t lack information any more; if anything, they’re flooded with it. Notable features, projected rental yields, resale figures, architect names, they all lead to the same thing: A stunned buyer staring into the headlights of an oncoming truck. Property professionals know better: They stick to the simple basics of location, and don’t get distracted by:
Hey there, Singapore. Houses! That’s right: Despite five rounds of insane cooling measures, private home sales still managed to rise in April. While the local authorities double their order of aspirin, let’s look at why it might be happening:
You’ve seen the ads: You dig out your credit card, buy a Forex bot, and by this time next month you’re picking out your Porsche. Except in the 20 odd years since they appeared, only one group of people have gotten rich with Forex bots (hint: not the end users). In this article, I discussed Forex bots with some veteran investors. The outlook isn’t optimistic. Here’s why:
In this article, property expert Mr. Propwise looks at the growing trend of short-term rentals. This (technically) underhanded practice has been going on five years. And where property owners see an opportunity for side-income, the government seems to see crazed hobos and serial killers in HDB wardrobes. Come on, what are they thinking? Crazed hobos would never lurk in a wardrobe. Not with the serial killer next to me.
There were SO many problems writing this, because apparently, “money waster” is a subjective term. Some people think newspapers are a waste of money. Some people think cars are a waste of money. Some people think toilet paper is a waste of money* (true story; don’t shake their hands). But after annoying everyone in my block with stupid questions, I’ve picked out the things Singaporeans love to buy, but don’t really need:
Every office has them: Colleagues who contribute less to a project than bent paperclips. You know the sort; if you asked them to staple documents, they’d find a way to cause a plane crash doing it. Then there’s the tears, premature hair loss, and raised blood pressure they bring to your work week. Under those circumstances, how do you stay productive without becoming the feature of a Crimewatch episode? Let’s find out:
Signs you should quit your job? They usually aren’t subtle. For most of my career, for example, those signs have been a finger on each of my bosses’ hands. But for those of you who don’t have words like “venomous” and “reptile” on your performance reports, it’s hard to decide when to leave. The demon of insecurity keeps yelling in your ear hole, even when your prospects have shrunk. Well, ignore it and look for these signs:
This is about the tactics that convince you to buy anything. Let’s pretend I write for consumers only, and not the MoneySmart readers with a sales job. Yes, that’s right, I’d never advise you on how to manipulate buyers. Just like I’ve never told a lie since the day I was born. Now, for those consumers who have the self-control of an addict in CNB’s confiscated narcotics room, I present you with a limited defence. Learn to dodge these sales methods:
Before you’re 35, most of your life changing decisions are still being made. With your assets still accumulating, any financial evaluation is as imaginary as Donald Trump’s leadership. But there’s no harm in setting goals to shoot for eh? Here’s a speculative list, based on a typically Singaporean way of life. It’s not hard and fast, but keep it in mind:
This question has started more flame wars than a “Twilight sucks” comment on a teenage forum. Some people insist the answer is yes, renovations raise property value. But those people tend to have job titles like “Interior Decorator”, or something that involves making money from renovation. Other people, like property investors, say they don’t care. Which is funny, because when they’re selling you a house, the expensive flooring is a big issue to them. In this article, I look at the half-truth behind this question:
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