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.