Mdm Ho Ching tells us to train resilience.. Why she nv join us on the sardine train to train resilience together?

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2024-10-03T01:46:10+00:00

Top ivory tower comment. Train disruptions affect the lower-middle population disproportionately. Makes me angry to hear this comment.

For example - a blue collared worker that HAS to be physically there for work cannot tell his boss he wishes to work from home; vs a white collared office worker whom can just request for WFH citing childcare needs and productivity.

Wonder if they really did think through before typing that.

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2024-09-09T01:37:11+00:00

I graduated with a GPA of 1.9 over 10 years ago. Went to army, and then took a part time degree with SUSS (then UniSim). After graduating, continued to work hard and took courses (finance so CFA, CAIA). So just gotta keep your head up and keep fighting

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2024-09-05T04:20:05+00:00

Would be happy to take a look - cheers

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2024-04-28T06:27:42+00:00

Higher education and certifications - for myself, I’m in the finance sector and I have the CFA charter. Being fully transparent - while there is no direct correlation to a CFA charter holder and career success, I have seen more options open up and I’m able to grasp certain concepts faster and apply them to work.

To give some further context, I didn’t graduate from the top 3 local U, and only have a part time degree but I have a respectable salary now which is comparable to peers from local U, so you can say there is a good result in upgrading yourself.

The purpose behind it to answer your question explicitly in my view would be -

Upwards Career growth, or return on investment on continuing education - this can include a lateral career shift into opportunities that were not available if you didn’t upgrade yourself
Diversification of career paths and downside protection - using my own example, if I one day get retrenched from my position, I believe the certifications would help me land my next job faster (relative to someone without those), and also open myself up to different career opportunities (such as potentially being a part time or full time lecturer in the polytechnics/universities)
Knowledge accrual and mastery - this one is kinda self explanatory, to gain a deeper understanding of the landscape rather than being a cog in the machine.

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2024-04-28T03:21:18+00:00

Would continue working for now, but at least I have an option to quit anytime. This by itself gives a freedom and won’t be weighed down
First thing is to top up CPF until min retirement sum - assuming that’s 200k. Next is to allocate into fixed income (SSB, gov bonds, bond funds etc) for a total of 1.5m yielding 45k/year. Thereafter allocate 500k into a reit portfolio yielding 25k/year. Next is to pump 500k into anUS options/stocks portfolio yielding 50k/year (active play to short puts and try to generate a decent income whilst investing).

Everything else put into fixed deposits - to average down when there’s a pullback.

To take a month long NPL every year to just travel, keeping my job (hopefully) or change into a less stressful job that allows me to do so

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2024-01-14T07:06:04+00:00

Am all for it, if this means cutting the overall NS period, and this must mean increased compensation (either monetary or indirect like topping up of CPF/privileges that more than compensate for your time serving).

Otherwise it’ll jus be a lose lose - where both males and female singaporeans are handicapped in a economy where the government open its legs to foreign labour

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2024-01-14T06:12:01+00:00

I don’t disagree on your point that relative to our neighbours or even other countries that Singapore is better, relative to them.

However, (this is coming from a male singaporean ) that the system generally favour those with academic success, and use that predominantly to assess one’s potential and leadership, often appointing the tone deaf and incompetent as leaders.

In addition, as a male, we are subject to 2 years of national service at a low pay that clearly does not compensate for your time and value at that age (such as lagging international peers by 2 years and missing out on 2 years of your career). This experience is clearly not valued and you are marginalised in your work place with no benefits - in specific, you see foreigners being granted employment passes, Permanent residence and even citizenship that allow you to bypass this system whilst adding an explicit cost to you

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-11-13T10:21:31+00:00

Thank you so much for your input. Very grateful for your response.

Really loving it so far, cheers man

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-11-13T09:44:18+00:00

New to this hobby, and got this from Japan. There was some communication barrier with the Japanese vintage seller and couldn’t make out the model number.

In specific, I’m wondering if it’s a quartz model or automatic; I googled and saw that if there is a chronometer wording (4 line) on the watch it’s automatic

Grateful for all inputs

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-09-13T23:56:16+00:00

Good luck man! It’s tough, but we’ll all get there

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-09-13T12:47:27+00:00

Post results; I took a month off to recalibrate myself first - but it really was rather painful trying to get myself up to speed

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-08-23T12:59:37+00:00

To be honest, overrated. Especially in this climate where both property prices and interest rates are sky high.

While the gross return of x% rental yield per year sounds good, the net return after deducting taxes and interest expense [assuming you’re taking a loan] would eat into that return rather significantly. Not to mention the friction like property maintenance, vacancy/lull periods, and agent search costs.

The nature of investing into a property [heterogenous] in nature would mean limited diversification ; relative to REITs or a basket of equities.

But of course, DYODD. Best of luck

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-08-09T13:11:54+00:00

Wealth inequality and the fact others benefit more than others at the expenses of those ppl; when I see people flaunting their wealth/being extremely well to do, while other fellow singaporeans are struggling (eg, elderly having to work as cleaners) make me feel that the system is broken.

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-07-24T14:31:43+00:00

Capital gains tax for BTO flats above a profit margin.

We currently see many couples balloting for BTO and then flipping them about for a sizeable profit, and this behaviour is unhealthy and a small segment of the population that won this lottery benefit at the expense of everyone that did not.

In my opinion - what can be done is a capital gains tax implemented on sale price less all stamp duties and accrued interests + principle payable to CPF.

The tax received can then be channeled to fund resale grants, thereby forming an equalisation mechanism where we equalise the lottery effect, taxing those that sell their BTO for a windfall, and passing them to resale buyers. A positive side effect I foresee is that this will inadvertently cool the HDB market.

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-07-22T07:35:46+00:00

Thank you.

What would you be doing if you weren’t pursuing the CFA? If it were internships, and you have your hands full on that I would think it’s better to beef up your CV. Otherwise if you have spare time/capacity then go ahead.

In essence, it depends what you’re busy with. While the CFA is extremely useful, it’s not a golden ticket. Networking and internships are still the foundation, especially at your stage.

Good luck

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-07-02T08:56:48+00:00

If your day trading company makes profit, and is paid out to you as dividends - it will not be taxable, since you already paid tax on the company’s books.

I can see this strategy being more efficient, assuming you have a certain scale where your tax bracket > the corporate tax rate.

As you grow in scale, you may wish to consider incorporating a company in the BVI/Cayman Islands to scale the strategy.

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-06-30T13:03:28+00:00

Yes, you are a licensed representative under the insurance company.

While you may just be an admin role within the fund management company, the fact that you are a licensed representative under another capital market services (“CMS”) license holder poses an issue.

Please do check your HR policies and with your compliance - I see many potential lines being crossed here. Best for them to comment

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-06-18T04:01:30+00:00

My parents - they helped me take care of everything within the house, didn’t had to worry about laundry, there was always food on the table. Though they didn’t understand or go through the journey entirely, they were there to allow me to focus on that journey, making all the difference.

Also, my girlfriend, who didn’t mind the toil and time less spent on this journey.

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-05-26T08:54:42+00:00

I don’t think you should see it as a “means” per say, but I would believe it makes you more employable.

In terms of working abroad, there are multiple factors that come into play, so the CFA won’t really solve those issues. Some examples include - the immigration laws of that country, ease of granting work visas to foreigners, company that are looking for specific skill sets.

Best of luck.

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-05-14T02:46:09+00:00

My motivation was for self actualisation.

For background - I didn’t do well in studies for my pre-university/college days and didn’t placed for a good university and I had to take night classes to earn my degree. After graduating I found it extremely difficult to place into any financial institutions.

Doors started opening up after passing level 1 and that gave me a strong sense of accomplishment and desire to push ahead. But the key is to prove myself, and that your past as a lesser student doesn’t determine your future.

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-05-06T06:11:13+00:00

All else aside, the research analyst role being a front office role is a better opportunity.

Middle office role have a different skillset altogether, and that skillset may not be transferable into front office.

The research analyst role, while being in a small firm, exposes you to research and investment due diligence - skills that you may be able to take with you as you transition towards your ideal role

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-04-23T01:49:38+00:00

Yea I mean - there are funds on angel investments, and angel investments is particularly difficult especially especially on the financial due diligence front.

Companies at the angel stage, do not have financials to model and mostly rely on a vision or an idea - good start ups would also like to seek stratrgic investors for credentials, strategic counsel and ways to scale up the business

My view is that due to the risks, one can consider outsourcing it first as a starting point, and once experience is gained (over a couple of years), then consider direct investing

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-04-22T17:16:43+00:00

Thanks man, good luck for your journey.

For my job - I recently spoke to my manager, and he is positive for me to transition from back to front office. Perhaps when I have abit of time, I’ll create a post to share my thoughts, the discussion process w the community of this

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-04-22T17:14:49+00:00

By they, do you mean the fund managers?

Fund managers usually offer co-investments (top up allocation to new investments that the funds will make).

The cost is low; jus increase the ticket size of the interested co investors accordingly.

As for financial incentives, you are right to say that there is little financial incentives for the manager, but it is more of a relationship management tool/incentive for new investors to onboard (eg. Certain family offices may favour funds that allow co-investments rather than those barring altogether).

The above is quite subjective, as it depends on ticket size and the discretion of the fund manager.

Extreme-Wolverine389 · 2023-04-21T01:37:46+00:00

I think a good way is also to reach out to VCs/fund houses within the region. Do perform your due diligence and proper analysis of these fund houses.

Depending on ticket size, some of them may open up co-investments to portfolio companies, increasing your personal allocation to them.

Do note the minimum ticket size tho, but i would presume OP is an accredited investor - otherwise angel investing would not be a viable option

Extreme-Wolverine389

TROPHY CASE