A happy marriage is worth waiting for.

Something I have blogged about from time to time is how people who plan to get married and have children should be financially prepared first. 

Have a strong financial foundation and we would have less money problems in future.


I can understand why those who have children on the way must get married in a hurry. Oops.

Bad AK! Bad AK!

Otherwise, why should anyone be in a hurry to get married and have children? Hmmm.








I have blogged about how some people borrow money in order to have a wedding or to renovate their matrimonial homes. 

I have also blogged about how people ran out of money and had to borrow money from friends to pay the monthly installments on their matrimonial homes.


"I was told of a person in his early 30s who is married and has two children.

"He is regularly borrowing money from his family and friends.

"In fact, he would borrow from friends to pay the installments on the mortgage of his 5 room HDB flat as well.

"Amount? S$800 a month."

From: Not enough money to be married.





It is quite mind boggling and I wonder why some people just become stupid when they fall in love. 

Can being in love generate income to pay for everything? Hmm...

Of course, one thing that so many in Singapore complain about is how they cannot hope to ever retire because they don't have enough money. 

For some, if they are honest with themselves, they might not have enough money because they got married (and had children) too early in life.






Wealth needs a base and this base takes time to grow. 

If we spend all our money as soon as we make them, a base can never form and our wealth will never grow.

"... the sooner we realise the benefit of delaying gratification and the sooner we start investing for a more secure future, the better."


From: Delaying gratification and getting stuff for free. 

So, if we have a choice, it isn't so terrible a thing to push back marriage plans by a few years or is it?





"I transferred much of my CPF-OA money into my CPF-SA in the first 4 years of my working life. 

"Then, I let the magic of compounding do the rest. 


"This is something that anyone, especially those in their 20s, should seriously consider doing.

"It might mean putting off marriage plans by four years for some but it would be worth it."

From: How to upsize $100K to $225K in 20 years? 

Regular readers know that I do not believe in being overly pessimistic or optimistic. 

I believe in being pragmatic. 





In a world like ours, financial security must be of paramount importance. 

The pragmatic me tells me that this is a hard truth.

Certain decisions in life have very long term or, indeed, life long consequences. 

They are not to be taken lightly or we might not ever see the light of day.

"A Happy Marriage is Worth Waiting for."
Taken during one of my visits to the National Museum.

A happy marriage is worth waiting for.

Not I say one hor.

Our government say one hor.

Yes, I know.

Bad AK! Bad AK!






Related posts:
1. What is our attitude towards having children?
2. Financially prepared to be married?
3. How to have children and retire comfortably?

1Q 2016 income from S-REITs.

This is the first time I am blogging about income received from S-REITs in the first quarter of the year. So, what did I do in the S-REITs space in 1Q 2016?

Honestly? Nothing.

The last time I did anything was in December 2015 when I added to my position in Soilbuild REIT at 73c a unit which I thought was a fair price to pay.

In 1Q 2016, I received income from the following S-REITs:

1. AIMS AMP Capital Ind. REIT
2. First REIT
3. Saizen REIT
4. K-REIT
5. Suntec REIT
6. FCOT
7. Cambridge Ind. Trust
8. Cache Logistics Trust
9. Sabana REIT
10. IREIT
11. LMIR
12. Soilbuild REIT

Total received in 1Q 2016: 

S$ 379,630.94

This is really due to a bumper payout from Saizen REIT which will not be repeated.

Am I pleased that my patience has been rewarded or am I sad that I will no longer be receiving a regular income from a portfolio of freehold residential properties in Japan? 

Well, a bit of both, really. 

Yes, I have mixed feelings.

Now, what am I going to do with the money that came in? 

Start a few fixed deposits. I know that a 9 months fixed deposit at CIMB will pay 1.8% per annum and a 12 months fixed deposit in BOC will pay 1.9% per annum. UOB is offering 1.7% per annum for a 13 months fixed deposit. Yes, I know.

To fellow shareholders of Saizen REIT who are wondering what to do with the money, although it is important to have a war chest ready, remember to reduce the cost of holding cash while waiting for the next investment opportunity to come along.

Congratulations and good luck!

Related posts:
1. 2015 full year income from S-REITs.
2. A lesson on the right prices and luck.

Tea with FunShine: Crystal Ball Predictions.

Diary of an Investor
Funshine's Crystal Ball Predictions

I lost count of how many hours have I invested into reading or watching articles on the subprime crises or more commonly referred to the Bear followed by the the Leman Brothers collapse or 07/08 financial crisis.

If I was to estimate at least 20 to 30 hours watching the video version of such movies related to it or documentaries. Lost count of how many articles I read relating to it.

I just watched the movie, the Big Shot. And is reflecting on the current market conditions. One of my friends bought bonds last year and lost some money. Sounds familiar.

My portfolio due to my experience and believes has always consisted of:
20% Cash/FD/Bonds
20% Precious Metal/Oil
60% Stocks of which:
35% Dividend Stocks
20% Growth Stocks
05% Trading Stocks

I have stuck with this portfolio mix since 2012 July.

I started investing in Oct 2011, the returns has fluctuate per year from positive 17% to negative 15%. Average out to around 5-7% returns per year only. 7% is considered an average investor. So in a way, I am merely average. However, if I remove Precious Metal/Oil from the mix, the returns is a lot more juicy since I start buying Gold from 1700 to 1500 to 1450 to 1320 to 1250 and most recently trading it.

My financial period is from July to June. Think I will stick on to the current portfolio allocation till end June 2016.

On 1st July 2016, I should be changing the portfolio allocation which I have not done so since 2011 to:
25% Cash
05% FD, 3 months rolling
20% Precious Metal/Oil
30% Dividend Stocks
15% Growth Stocks
05% Trading

Looking at the crystal balls this is my market predictions, of cos I am no different from the weather man.

My next five years forecast, FY16/17 to FY20/21:

2016 to 2018:
STI should bounce back to 3200-3400.
If it hit 3600 sell 30% of all stocks.
If it hit 3800 sell 50% of all remaining stocks and rotate the money to rolling 3 months FD.

2016 Sept to Early 2018:
Market will be very volatile
Cash is King and Key
Stick to the portfolio mix and react appropriately.

Mid 2018:
Time to consider buying a property

End 2018 to Mid 2019:
Acquisition of a property

2019 to 2021:
Market should recover.
Back to buying dividend generating stock

FY16/17:
25% Cash
05% FD, 3 months rolling
20% Precious Metal/Oil
30% Dividend Stocks
15% Growth Stocks
05% Trading

FY17/18 to 18/19:
20% Cash
12% Precious Metal/Oil
08% Property(Hold Cash if no Opp)
60% Stocks of which:
40% Dividend Stocks
15% Growth Stocks
05% Trading Stocks

FY19/20 to 20/21:
20% Cash
10% Precious Metal/Oil
10% Property
60% Stocks of which:
45% Dividend Stocks
10% Growth Stocks
05% Trading Stocks

My savings and emergency fund does not form my portfolio. My SRS is considered as the portfolio under cash but CPF is not included.

SRS and CPF(SA) are considered as war chests.
SRS is open when STI ETF give a 4% yield.
CPF(SA) is open when STI ETF give a 5% yield.

I am turning 36 in July. May draw out some savings to give myself a present, either to upgrade myself or buy into a friend's company.

Once April ends, my 6 months break from work will end. Meanwhile, I am going to apply for a subject in Master of Gerontology which will starts in July. I am also taking M5, M9 and M9A in April if I choose to switch from Social Service to Financial Advisor.

Market will be very bad. Not wise to be a Financial Advisor during this climate. Study first, think later. End April will have time to think about it as I will be in reservist.

Meanwhile, glad to have visited Facebook, Google and Apple in Silicon Valley. Glad to have seen the economy of Canada too as part of my cash holding may be in Canadian dollar if it is still so low.

On my flight back to Singapore from San Fransisco one week holiday after being in Canada, Toronto and Edmonton for nearly two months.

Can't wait to eat a good bowl of BCM, Mee Pok dry with lots of lard.

Diary of an Investor
Funshine's Crystal Ball Predictions
---------------------------------------------

AK's comment:

"It is important for all of us to have a plan, our own plan, so that we know what to do in different scenarios and not freeze into inaction when action is required. It has to be our own plan, one that we are comfortable and familiar with, one that allows us to sleep well at night."

Related posts:
1. Have a plan, your own plan.

2. Revisiting AK's plan with Charlie Munger.

Climb stairs and learn to be better investors?

Although somewhat tardy, I still reply to emails, messages and comments from readers even as I blog less frequently in recent months. So, since I blog less often, what have I been up to?

I have been paying more attention to my diet and I have also been spending more time on other hobbies such as gardening. Something else I have been doing is to engage in more physical exercise.

Almost daily, I would be doing some form of physical exercise, taking a break only once or twice a week. One physical exercise I have engaged in since the start of the Chinese New Year is stair climbing.

Why stair climbing?

I was looking for a cardio vascular exercise that would better strengthen muscles, burn more calories and which has lower impact on the knees compared to jogging. Stair climbing is all of these.

Stair climbing has another advantage. It saves time.

Most of us live in high rise buildings in Singapore. So, we have easy access to stairs. We don't have to spend time travelling to a gym to work out. 

Oh, yes, we save on paying for a gym membership too. Sorry, I couldn't resist saying this.

Today, I am inspired to blog about stair climbing because of an email I received from a reader and one of the sentences towards the end was:

"I will work to be as successful as you are although I feel that it would be an impossible task..."

I decided to tell him a story about stair climbing.

When I first started to climb stairs on the first day of Chinese New Year, I climbed 54 floors and almost died. OK, I exaggerate but it really did feel like I was on the brink of death. It took me a rather long time to complete and I took a step at a time.

After a few days, I took two steps per stride which is more effective in strengthening the muscles because it creates a bigger mechanical disadvantage, making the exercise more demanding. I was able to climb 54 floors taking two steps per stride before long.

I gradually pushed myself to complete 90 floors, taking 1 step at a time for the last 36 floors. Then, I pushed myself to take two steps per stride for all 90 floors. It was obvious that I was growing physically stronger.

However, just like how share prices don't move up in a straight line, there were days when I just felt less energetic. On those days, I would cut myself some slack and climb only 54 floors. On some days, I would feel more energetic and climb 108 floors. 

Today, I felt really good and climbed 126 floors, taking 2 steps per stride. This is the first time I have ever climbed 126 floors since I started stair climbing.

What is the message here? 

When the conditions are right, we should do more. When the conditions are not in our favour, we should do less.

If I did not push myself to climb 126 floors today although I felt good, I would not grow stronger. However, in a bid to grow stronger, if I tried to push myself to do more when I really should be doing less, I could end up hurting myself.

Regular readers would know that this is not just a blog post about physical exercise. There is a message for investors embedded somewhere.

All of us have different circumstances and we have to be pragmatic. External conditions are also ever changing. 

Sometimes, we should invest more. Sometimes, we should invest less. The important thing is to stay the course. Don't stray and don't stop.

What we should stop doing is comparing and want to be as successful as someone else. What we should do is to ensure that we are better off financially, year after year. 

It is about being as successful as our circumstances and external conditions would allow and this is definitely not an impossible task.

Be a successful investor but you don't have to be as successful as AK or anyone else.

Other blog posts on what AK has been up to:
1. Investing or gardening, be ready for war.
2. Being fallible in dieting and investing.
3. Who make the best investors for income?

How to make a cucumber fish cake burger? Is Vitasoy Less Sugar really healthier than the regular version and Yeo's?

If I can avoid leaving the comfort of home, I will. So, if I can do a bit of cooking at home and avoid crowds at food centres, why not?

However, I am not a chef extraordinaire. I also don't want to have to do a lot of cleaning up after cooking. So, it is only light weight cooking for me but I try to be imaginative.

Recently, I made a couple of fish cake burgers!

What do they look like?

Tadah! Yummy? You bet!

So, how did I make these?

Get some fish cakes and cucumber. Cheap, cheap.

800 watts and 2 minutes in the microwave oven does the job.

Use a sharp knife and dissect the fish cake.

Stuffed with cucumber, dusted with turmeric and black pepper.

Easy, right? It satisfies my craving for hawker food but in a healthier way. Cheap too at less than a dollar.

Going, going, gone!

Recently, I stop consuming soya bean but I used to drink lots of soya bean milk.

I would usually buy Yeo's because it is less expensive but I would occasionally indulge in Vitasoy too when they had special offers.

The "healthier" less sugar pack has more saturated fat and sodium.

Yeo's has the highest sugar level!

So, which version of soya bean milk would you choose to consume?

Well, there is quite a bit of discussion as to whether soya bean is even good for us. I believe we might only have a problem if we take too much of it which was what I was doing. Now, I am avoiding it.

"Soy contain protease inhibitors which interfere with the digestion of protein. Also, in order to prevent germination, phytates tie up minerals like calcium, zinc, and iron. Both protease inhibitors and phytates are reduced by the traditional, time-consuming fermentation processes developed in the orient, but not by modern quick methods.

"Lectins are proteins found in beans, grains, and other foods. They bite into carbohydrates, particularly sugars, often causing immune system reactions and blood clotting. Soybean lectins react with the carbohydrate component of cell membranes, causing cell injuries and deaths. As this damage accumulates, it adversely affects the gastrointestinal, immune, and other systems."

(Taken from: American Nutrition Association.)

On that note, I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post as much as I did writing it.

Bon appetit!

Related post:
Food bill grew but weight shrank.
Update on my progress:
I have lost 9 kgs to date and 4 inches around my waist.

Tea with TheMinimalist: How I Made 300%+ Returns (US$1,930) On One Trade In Less Than 24 Hours (Part 1).

After a long break, here is another guest blog by a regular reader, TheMinimalist:

How I Made 300%+ Returns (US$1,930) On One Trade In Less Than 24 Hours (Part 1)

 

I was scrolling through Facebook on Sunday morning when I saw AK sharing an article I wrote in 2014 (http://singaporeanstocksinvestor.blogspot.sg/2014/09/tea-with-theminimalist-financial.html). Curiously, one of the readers remarked on how I am doing now.

 

To the reader (Raymond Ng), rest assured I am doing fine. Due to some personal life issues (Nope, it’s not infidelity. This writer is actually still single ^^), I decided to take some time off to work on myself.

 

Ah…but let’s cut to the chase shall we. How in the world did I make 300%+ ROI in less than one day?

 

I know what you are thinking. “Bullshit. Impossible. Must be using AK’s platform to sell his super discounted *$8,888* trading course.” 

 

Nah. I have far better things to do in life. Really. Don’t believe me? By the way, here’s a screenshot of my trade:

 

 

Here’s what the above screenshot means. I opened a trade on ULTA on 10^th March, 3:16am for $640 and closed my trade on 11^th March, 2:07am for $2,570 for a total profit of $1,930 (302% ROI).

 

You must be asking “Why am I so nice to share ah. The Minimalist must have some hidden agenda.” And yeah, I certainly do. Before I bare my soul to you, let me ask you this “How much $$$ are you making on your investment portfolio? +7%? +20%? +100%? Oh my god, it’s negative! Oops!” The second question is “Are you taking responsibility for your investment results?” Refer: http://singaporeanstocksinvestor.blogspot.sg/2016/02/reader-is-disappointed-and-ak-tries-to.html?showComment=1456064964691#c1110078454901096323

 

You see. We win, we (think we) are geniuses. We lose, must be AK’s fault. No wonder AK is blogging less these days. Tsk tsk!

 

I look at my investment results. I am not happy. What did I do? I decided to pick up a skill set (options trading) to boost my investment returns. And I am reaping the benefits today. J

 

My message is this “Be responsible. Stop blaming others for your failures. Stop envying others’ successes. Analyse why you failed. Then change. Success is just a few steps away.”

 

If I were intending to sell you my super discounted *$8,888* trading course, I would have stopped here. If I want to be an ego-manic and brag about my trading results, I would simply post it on Facebook and feel exponentially good about myself with each like. Sad huh. We both know plenty of people in our lives that do this.

 

But you know I am not like that. I am a nice guy. J

 

Before I start talking to myself and share with you my trading “secrets”, I have to be upfront and tell you that such a result is atypical. This means that the opportunity to generate >100% ROI in less than one day comes by once in a blue moon. Like once every two months if you are lucky.

 

In addition, such a trade is extremely risky. It means that instead of making 300% returns, I could have easily suffered a 100% loss.

 

The trade that I made is based on a trading strategy called “Earnings Play” and there are four parameters that I use to shortlist and identify such stocks.    

 

The detailing of my trading strategy will be revealed in Part 2 of this article. J

 

P.S Ah, disappointed? Tell you what, if this article can garner more than 88 likes on Facebook, I’ll be more than happy to pen out my trading strategy in Part 2 of this article and share it in like 8 days time? Come on, at least you are not paying $8,888!    

 

Who make the best investors for income?

I am glad to hear that there are many more people who are now interested in learning about investing for income for a financially more secure future. 

Consistently investing for income improved my financial health steadily over the years and I am sure it will do the same for others.





I have received quite a few messages and emails from readers who are impressed by what I have achieved but I have to remind them that it didn't happen in a short period of time. 

Improving our financial health by investing for income is a slow and steady process. 

I know some readers who have been following my blog for a long time would agree with me.

So, to reap bigger benefits from income investing, we have to be patient. 





If we are not the patient type, then, investing for income might not be for us or it might not work as well for us (because of our expectations).

Don't laugh but I know people who want to grow their money 10x in a year, for example. 

Don't ask me how but it is possibly doable for some. 





I am more of a plodder and have been following a well trodden path.

If you have some time to spare, read this: 

The "secret" to AK's success as an investor.

I am rather happy to have more companions as I walk down this well trodden path.




Related posts:
1. The mystical art of wealth accumulation.
2. Financial freedom is a family affair.
3. Avoid the instant gratification of yield.

Tea with FunShine: Diary of an investor.

This is a well written guest blog by FunShine who is another good example of prudence in personal finance and discipline in investing for income:

Diary of an Investor

1. Ever since I have become more open with my portfolio, you get different friends asking or commenting on me for different things.

2. There are those that are surprised as some always thought that I am poor as I worked in social services for the past 11 years. I openly shared that my first job, the pay was only 1.6k after CPF. Plus I do not drive and live a frugal and prudent life other than my toy collecting hobby and my MTG hobby.

3. There is another group that asked how did you do it? I just say when my salary increase, I still live like how I will live based on my first job's pay. I invest and save the difference from my first job pay and last pay cheque.

4. My first job has taught me a lot on financial education and to always save for a rainy day. My first job is almost the same as those officers you see working in SSO that helps the poor and needy in SG.

5. There will be another group that will ask what to buy. To this group I say, go do your homework. And tell them I lost 30k by asking this kind of question.

6. Another group will come borrow money. To this group I say, I myself have good debt and I borrow money too at 2.5% to 4% interest backed by my asserts on loan to those that lend me money. What I do is take the money and invest it and generate a higher return. In the event if I fail, they can keep the assert I "pawn" to them which is more expensive then the money I borrow from them.

7. So if they ask again and still do not get it, I say can I charge you an interest of 5% if I lend you money? They understand and leave.

8. Of cos, there are my friends that is going through real hardship. I normally lend them up to $500 to help them tide through. There is a very firm and fixed pay date. No interest charge. If they go missing on me, I will just write off the $500 and be thankful that $500 can see the true colour of my friend that have questionable integrity. I am thankful as I will save lots of hours in my life with this friend since I will never see them again. So far I have lend more than 20 plus times and all the money has been returned.

9. Then you have another group. The friends that ask you to invest in them. My question is, is your "company" able to generate 5% to 20% ROI per year or on a long run? If no, it's better I place my money in the stock market or Oil/Gold/Silver ETF.

10. If they still pressed on, they will be bombarded by a tons of question from me:
A) Your current cash flow and Capex
B) Why are you raising funds
C) Future potential
D) SWOT
E) ROI in the next 5 years, 12 years
F) Succession planning

11. So far no one has passed this stage. I give to charities but I must know that is money well spend.

12. My this year's tax for my 10 months of work is only going to be $88. So you can probably work backward to think how much I give or put in SA or SRS if you bother to calculate.

13. Portfolio with the recent stocks bound up has been good. I am now just 40k short of being a priority banking customer, two months ago when the "sky was falling" and I got numerous messages on what to do, I was short of 50k. Normally I will just tell the "Sky is falling" group, why do you invest and why do you buy this company in the first place? If nothing change, just ignore the noise.

14. However, I will be selling 1/3 of my stocks in Mid April. As have a feeling that cash on hand will be good to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities.

15. My war chest consisting of OA-SA and SRS is still untouched. Market has not dropped to the point where I felt the need to open them. Will rather have good debt at 2.5% to 4% to buy them, then to tap on my war chest.

16. Preparing my heart now for quiet time. Just want to do a bit of sharing. Hope that what I share will help you in considering to live a prudent life and give more to others in need.

17. We need to be good stewards in all aspect of our lives. Thanks for reading.

Related post:
Tea with FunShine: Investment Philosophy.

Tea with FunShine: Investment Philosophy.

This is a guest blog by Funshine:

My Investment Philosophy

1. Bought OCBC 2 years ago before the rights issue. Traded it a little during that time 😊

2. Been buying all the way from $9+ till $7.69. Haven't booked my losses yet as I closed my books during June 2016.

3. Sitting on 15% lost on OCBC. To me there is no such thing as paper lost. Paper lost is only for people that wants to make themselves feel better so that they can wallow in self-pity.

4. Rather than indulge yourself in self-pity, might as well sell if you see no potential in the stock and transfer the funds to a better assert.

5. 23 April 2015 is the first day of operation for OCBC in Yangon. I hoped it will be a catalyst of growth in 5 years time.

6. Great Eastern results have not been too good from the last I read. OCBC is the parent company of Great Eastern.

7. Will increase till I have a 5% stake in SG banks based on my current portfolio.

8. Meanwhile been thinking for almost one quarter now to whether push one of my holding to 3.33% of my portfolio on a company that is investing in Ghana.

9. Pushing and confirmed going to increased my position to 6.67% of my portfolio on a country that is vested in Russia. That one, my time horizon will be 24 years if the company fundamentals does not change.

10. The Russia decision I at least ponder for 1.5 years, can't remember reading how many articles on it and I have been trying to speak to Russia people.

11. Investing is a lot of hard work. Although timing and luck plays a very big part. However, you can't be lucky and have perfect timing all the time if the duration is 20 years. I have friends that were so confident and one bad trade, they turn around and need to borrow money from me.

12. If you want quick money, go to a Casino or visit Singapore Pools. I spend $6 last week at Canada Lottery. The prize money is $60 million and one person won it.

13. If you can't afford to take the risk, please put in FD or buy Endowment. Even better just put in CPF.

14. When friends ask me what to buy, my opening statement is that this is not a good question. They will be stunned as suddenly I am rebuking them. I do that so that I can protect my friends.

15. My second response is I lost $30k from asking that question.

16. My next question to them is:
A) Why do you want to invest?
B) Why not just put in the bank?
C) Is this your spare cash?
D) What companies do you know?
E) Can you wait 20 years if we have a very weird and prolong bear market?

17. If I am pleased with the answer and the person have a bit of knowledge on Mr Market, my next question will be, are you an:
A) Dividend Income Investor
B) Growth Investor
C) Trader

18. As all three requires very different skill set.
A) Needs to plow through tons of reading and Fundamental Analysis
B) Macro Econs view, Govt Policy, Consumer taste and competitors need to be considered
C) Technical Analysis

19. However the most important skill to have which I am a firm believer of is IP. Investor psychology.

20. I have seen people with above normal IQ level but they lose big time in stocks market.

21. You are fighting with yourself as you embrace Mr Market. Mr Market may be your best friend at times. However, the next day, he can slapped you silly.

22. Do you have the temperaments for it?

23. I am very glad that my studies in Psychology and Management have given me a better footing.

24. Working for more than 10 years in social services has increased my mental resilient level and I got to know myself a lot more.

25. Lastly I believe in two things for investing or trading. Nothing is easy for the unwilling. What you do in your free time will determine how successful you will be.

26. If you have below average returns or worst then FD and you do not self reflect and ask why?

27. Please... Put your money is FD, CPF or Endowment. It will be better for you. You are responsible for your own money. Not someone else.

28. Thanks for reading. Going off to my Taiji class now to quieten my mind.

29. Keeping pace with Mr Market is not easy. On a 6 months break from work, living prudently and strangely I am traveling round the world. It's a oxymoron as traveling round the world and living prudently does not match. Oh well...

30. Best of luck or God bless as you continue your journey with Mr Market.

----------------------------

A bit about the writer - FunShine

The writer hopes that his personal account will be a good read for people hoping to take small steps towards different degree of financial freedom.

FunShine has been working in the Community and Social Service Sector for over 10 years. It has always been an interesting sector to work in.

He has decided to take a 6 months break and live prudently, surviving on his dividends and interests for his personal expenses.

FunShine does not want to compete with the Joneses and is contented with his lifestyle.

Financial prudence at any age.

Is there anything I would do differently if I could turn back the clock?

A letter from a reader:

Hi AK,

My husband just passed his 31st birthday last month and mine is coming up soon.

We are curious...

Turning back time, what would you have done differently for your personal finance at age 31?

What were the things you wished people had told you when you were 31?

What would you tell the people who are at age 31 now?

:)

Cheers.
A

AK's reply:

Hi A,

For me, it was always about being financially prudent and investing (mostly for income) for greater financial security. Delay gratification, do the right things and we will have plenty of stuff for free many years down the road. ;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Best wishes,
AK

If we consume more now, we will have less later. If we consume less now, we will have more later. Of course, even if we understand this, what we do would depend on our circumstances.

Simply put, it is not about emulating AK or anyone else, it is about improving our own financial health in a meaningful way, year after year.

As long as we are making progress, stay the course and we will thank ourselves in future.

Related posts:
1. AK is showing off his CPF numbers.
2. Dividend Machines for greater financial security.
3. So, you want to be financially free?
4. Delaying gratication and getting stuff we want for free.