A step towards achieving ZEN as an investor.

We are probably familiar with a similarity between fishing as a hobby and investing in stocks which is  that both require patience. 

What about gardening? 

I believe it requires plenty of patience too especially if we decide to grow plants from seeds.

I decided to grow Sunflowers from seeds recently and here are some photos taken over the last one week with the last one being the most recent:

Gardening not only requires patience but also understanding and accepting that some seeds are bad and will never germinate. 

No matter how good a gardener we are, this is something we have to accept.

As long as we have more good seeds than bad ones, we should be happy.

How does this tie in with investing in stocks?

Hint:

"In this business, if you're good, you're right six times out of ten. 

"You're never going to be right nine times out of ten." - Peter Lynch





Related posts:
1. Investing or gardening...?
2. Know our goals...
3. How to have peace of mind as investors?

A reader's insights into AK the investor.

An email from a reader:

There are many articles - both new and old - recently that you've been sharing recently on saving money that I feel are definitely useful to the general public. 

With regards to investing, I now understand not only how to screen stocks better but also why you stop blogging about your nibbles and what you have invested in.

Entry and exit points are partly dependent on each person's financial capabilities because we don't know how Mr Market is gonna swing the next second. 

Also, maybe, you don't wanna be held accountable for other people's orders (but really though, why are they following your steps when they probably can't tank the next drop and average down; a good stock on the slide = greater value = higher dividend yield). 

After all, it's their own money and not AK's. So, they should really take care of the downside for I always believe the upside will take care of itself.

But having said that, I also understand why some are not investing or give up investing altogether after a while. The incremental numbers they see are probably smaller due to the fact that they are not hugely invested.

Whenever you blog about your quarterly dividends from REITs, I'm sure your blog's traffic spikes because everyone must be thinking, 

"Wow, if only I had that kinda money for me!" 

A fantasy?

But do they have the temperament to act like AK when everyone is looking away from a gloomy market?

The more important but sensitive question is, what did AK do to amass such amounts at the start and yet not spend it but invest it instead? 

Related posts:
1. How did AK create a 6 digits passive income?
2. Buffett and Munger don't like to pay full prices.
"... bet heavily when the odds are extremely favourable, using resources available as a result of prudence and patience in the past," Charlie Munger.

Have a genie and even children can enjoy passive income.

OMG! -.-"





Child:
"I want that car!"

Mom:
"No. You have many toys at home already."

Child:
"I want!!!"

Dad:
"OK, OK. Daddy buy for you later."

Mom:
"No means no! You don't spoil him."

Child started to cry.




Grandpa:
"Aiyoh, simi lah. He wants, just buy for him lah."

Mom:
"Pa, no lah. He has many toys at home already."

Child sat on the floor, kicking his legs, his cries grew louder.

Grandpa:
"Aiyoh! See lah! Now like that! Come, Ah Boy, don't cry liao. Ah Gong bring you go next door and buy the car."

Crying ceased abruptly. Boy smiling happily took his grandpa's hand and skipped out of the restaurant.





Mom:
"URGH!!! I really hate it. Your father is always interfering with the way I bring up our kid."

Dad:
"Er... Dear, let's order the BBQ pork ribs. You like it, right?"

Sigh...

The mother probably felt angry having her authority undermined. 

However, I would worry more about how the kid would grow up thinking that whatever he wants, he only needs to ask for it. If he doesn't get it, just throw a tantrum and increase his chances. Simple!





A strong feeling of entitlement? 

You think so? 

I think so too.





Now, it is a toy car. When he becomes a young adult, what then? A Mercedes Benz?

"We are seeing more kids bringing their parents to the showroom to book a CLA-Class or A-Class," said a senior executive at Mercedes Benz. 
See: First time car buyer? Get a Mercedes Benz.

Genies in magic lamps are supposed to be immortal. However, human beings are not. 

Don't be a genie to your children or grandchildren. You are not doing them a favour acting like one.




Related posts:
1. Your children will become what you are.

2. How to have children and retire comfortably?

3. Make CPF a part of your child's savings plan.

4. Teaching young children financial literacy.

5. At what age to start investing?

AK shares 5 reasons to buy a diesel car.

By now, many readers have found out that AK bought an "inexpensive expensive" car.  Why the peculiar phrase?

Well, the car might be from an "atas" brand but it is rather inexpensive to run and it is also less costly to the environment. Yup, the car runs on diesel.


I love my new car and if you are wondering what is so good about a car that runs on diesel, here are 5 reasons to consider one:

1. Diesel cars are less expensive to buy than their equivalent petrol versions with the CEVS. What is CEVS? Carbon Emission-Based Vehicle Scheme. Cars that produce less CO2 will enjoy subsidies and it could be a big $XX,XXX deal!

2. Amazing fuel economy! I could get as much as 20km per litre with relatively smooth traffic on the expressways. What about driving about town? If not caught in a traffic jam, I could get as much as 15km per litre.

3. Diesel is much cheaper to buy compared to petrol. When the time comes to refuel, remember that 95 Octane petrol costs about 80% more than diesel here in Singapore! After all the discounts at the pump, I pay about 82 cents a litre for diesel only. Yes, I know, only.

4. Diesel cars are cleaner these days. Hey, Euro 5 standard, ok? Don't refuel with cheaper diesel from across the Causeway. Those have higher sulphur content. They are still stuck at a lower standard. Later, your diesel car "poon orh yen" (i.e. spew black smoke) like those J.B. trucks, don't say diesel cars no good hor.

5. More torque! I really love this! You must experience this for yourself. My car flies and I thought my old car was good! I am still learning to be very gentle on the accelerator.

Although I have already granted ROFR (i.e. right of first refusal) for this car to a friend who bought my last car, I might just drive this one for the full 10 years. 

I am in love.

Related posts:
1. My new car's fuel consumption.
2. My passive income all gone...
In the comments section, a reader shared with me that diesel cars give off other types of pollutants. Cham. How like that?
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/05/the-truth-about-londons-air-pollution