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Category Archives: Grow wealth

Starting on a New Slate for Investments 2012


The start of the calendar year brings with it the risks and opportunities as I seek to achieve a return beating inflation for 2012. In 2011, total inflation hovers around the 5.7% figure so if my investible net worth portfolio was to beat this 5.7% figure, I would have to rely on dividend income plus some tactical punts to achieve that returns.

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My net realised returns for 2011 was about 4.7% which barely kept up with total inflation. However, it did beat my internal benchmark of 2 x fixed deposits (12 months banks FD rate) interest rate of 0.4%.

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Beginning 2012 with a Bang!


2012~~HAPPY NEW YEAR~~2012

The 1st of January 2012 started with a bang for me as I was woken to the sound of a car crashing into the road divider/barrier along PIE around 7 something in the morning.

Based on what I could see, there were no serious injuries though the car was severly damaged as it had hit the barrier whilst likely travelling on the extreme right lane. Fortunately, both occupants of the car could walk out of the car without help although the ambulance and police arrived not long after the accident.

What does an early morning traffic accident have to do with financial freedom?

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Singapore Press Holdings Annual General Meeting on 1 Dec 2011


SPH Annual Report 2011

I attended my second annual general meeting (AGM) of Singapore Press Holdings Limited (SPH) which constitutes 70% of my equity portfolio. It is the single largest shareholding in the basket of shares that I own. Attending a company’s AGM is one of the rare occasions where you as a shareholder can ask questions to board and management of its performance for the year as well as other related topics.

On a more practical level, attending SPH’s AGM allows you to get complimentary copies of the daily newspapers such as Straits Times, Lian He Zao Bao, New Paper and Business Times as well as have a free bento lunch after the AGM. :-)

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Mastermind Group Towards Financial Freedom


Human Brain Evolution

When I was reading “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, I recall the concept of having a mastermind group. I don’t remember the specifics now as it’s been sometime since I’ve read the book but it revolves around surrounding yourself with like-minded people who share you goals and aspirations to come together to fellowship, learn from and support one another towards the common goal or aspiration.

It sounds a lot like networking and mentoring doesn’t it?

In your own journey towards financial freedom, it’s helpful to identify which group can function as a form of mastermind group. People who have the interest and passion for all things related to financial freedom and the willingness to explore the principles of living within your means, to save and invest as well as to grow and protect your means.

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The Fourth Quarter of Calendar Year 2011


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It’s the last three months for calendar year 2011. For some if your organisations have hit substantially the key performance indicators set at the beginning of the year, it’s time for staff to clear leave and set aside some down time to recharge, rejunvenate and to refresh.

For others, they may have to push harder at work, business or personal lives to achieve the goals they set out at the start of 2011.

Whatever is the reason, the coming of the end of year in the next 1-2 months heralds the mood for retrospection and reflection.

What have we achieved in 2011?

What do we want to pursue in 2012?

What will the future hold for us and how have we managed our time on the present and the past?

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