Living in JB [Archive] - Page 22 - Sam's Alfresco Coffee

cathylmg

26-05-2011, 02:58 AM

Just got lucky about 20 times in a row, i made some mistakes but somehow managed to recover in the end through other stocks. Gold coins were good though.

There are lots actually, more than what we realise as rules are more relaxed here and more conducive to business. Eateries or reowned restaurants especially from Singapore for one would be well received here.

I had a few gold coins from the Iran and Iraq war era. Was like S$700 per ounce. Still not selling. When it was US$800k an old women said she wanna sell all her jewelleries but I advice her to keep until more then US$1k. I wonder she sold it already.

Robert Kiyosaki predicts that it could go up to US$5-6k in future. :D

Chillout

26-05-2011, 03:05 AM

Thats weird, most are wired to do something when you get strong vibration. Likely the alarm itself wasn't working as the alarm plus solar film combination would have taken the robber some time unless they know how to bypass both. I normally try to park at those spots facing the road or directly where i can see the car. There are so many makan places here so if i can't find a good parking spot, i will just go over to the next one as its so close. :)

I don't know how the crook did it. Someone heard just one loud bang and that's it. I will have to speak with the rental company why the alarm didn't go off.

I did park within sight of the eatery next to where I was patronising and both eateries were full of diners but I was sitting right inside. No diners was aware of the breakin. Only regret was I should have send the car for washing nearby but thought otherwise as the car was due for servicing in a day time and it will be washed.

aangsc

26-05-2011, 03:07 AM

I had a few gold coins from the Iran and Iraq war era. Was like S$700 per ounce. Still not selling. When it was US$800k an old women said she wanna sell all her jewelleries but I advice her to keep until more then US$1k. I wonder she sold it already.

Robert Kiyosaki predicts that it could go up to US$5-6k in future. :D

By then US$ would have depreciated a hell lot as well !!!
I don't own any gold coins but has some silver coins (poor man gold !) but I don't think there is a ready mkt for such item in SG as gold in coin form is usually worth more the gold ingot.

Chillout

26-05-2011, 03:09 AM

Hi Cathy/Aangsc, do PM me as we want to avoid too many competition. There are many types of business possible, it opened up my eyes when she did it.
Do stay away from any MLM though.

I am also thinking of opening an eatery . European fare. Spoke with restaurant owners and the problem they are facing is difficulty in getting kitchen help.

cathylmg

26-05-2011, 03:16 AM

I am also thinking of opening an eatery . European fare. Spoke with restaurant owners and the problem they are facing is difficulty in getting kitchen help.

True lor. I spoken to the vegetarian store at my taman. They are also facing difficulty in getting kitchen help. So they rope in their relatives. Even Indonesian helpers. The boss is like running around too.

Chillout

26-05-2011, 03:26 AM

Wow ! That is quite a lot , they probably know most resident can afford if compare to those in Singapore. What is the amount like ? I check HH monthly maintenance for terrace start at RM90

I am not too happy with the 20% increase effective 1 July 2011. Reason for increase is to upgrade existing damaged roads, repair and add 335 nos of new drain traps, upgrade & increase existing lightings, upgrade landscape, replace gate sensors and motors and replace security vehicles.

To effect the improvement, 40% is required but to make it sweet, only 20%!!! Then they pre-empt that future increase will be a nominal 5% increase annually!!!!

This is daylight robbery. LF has been adding and selling more units, ie more maintenance funds collected and those that wasn't sold yet, the developer should be paying for their share too and yet such exorbitant fee. Have to demand they show us the book.

Currently paying about RM455 per month. Come July, it will be RM546, which is equivalent to what I am paying in Singapore for my condo.

Oh, LF also states that their maintenance charges are generally still lower when compared to other surrounding developments!! How true???

cathylmg

26-05-2011, 03:29 AM

I am not too happy with the 20% increase effective 1 July 2011. Reason for increase is to upgrade existing damaged roads, repair and add 335 nos of new drain traps, upgrade & increase existing lightings, upgrade landscape, replace gate sensors and motors and replace security vehicles.

To effect the improvement, 40% is required but to make it sweet, only 20%!!! Then they pre-empt that future increase will be a nominal 5% increase annually!!!!

This is daylight robbery. LF has been adding and selling more units, ie more maintenance funds collected and those that wasn't sold yet, the developer should be paying for their share too and yet such exorbitant fee. Have to demand they show us the book.

Currently paying about RM455 per month. Come July, it will be RM546, which is equivalent to what I am paying in Singapore for my condo.

Wow! $546 is really high. Did you send in an objection?

Chillout

26-05-2011, 03:47 AM

Wow! $546 is really high. Did you send in an objection?

Not yet. Need to speak with some of my neighbours to see how we can protest against the increase. I believe all these improvement work is to entice the sale of their new precinct and don't see why I should subsidise the cost or improve the developer's profit.

LF also mentioned that the Malaysian govt has imposed a new policy of increasing the minimum wage of guards from RM300 to RM750 per month. I am confident that the Ghurka guards are paid more than a thousand per month, so how does this minimum wage affects them as I doubted anyone working for RM750 not to mention RM300. Even a maid is paid more than that in Malaysia.

cathylmg

26-05-2011, 03:59 AM

Not yet. Need to speak with some of my neighbours to see how we can protest against the increase. I believe all these improvement work is to entice the sale of their new precinct and don't see why I should subsidise the cost or improve the developer's profit.

LF also mentioned that the Malaysian govt has imposed a new policy of increasing the minimum wage of guards from RM300 to RM750 per month. I am confident that the Ghurka guards are paid more than a thousand per month, so how does this minimum wage affects them as I doubted anyone working for RM750 not to mention RM300. Even a maid is paid more than that in Malaysia.

Setia gives 2 yrs free maintainance for every sale in a precinct. Its about the time it takes to finish all the work within 1 precinct. So I think you all should gang up to send in your objection. Don't wanna put more money into irresponsible developers pocket. Spoils the whole market.

euphony

26-05-2011, 04:25 AM

Hi Euphony, sources asked me not to share too much.
Lets just say there will be some more investment from the big boys.

no worries it's ok. i am at least vested so anything more than that is good news to me nonetheless. =)

euphony

26-05-2011, 04:28 AM

Not yet. Need to speak with some of my neighbours to see how we can protest against the increase. I believe all these improvement work is to entice the sale of their new precinct and don't see why I should subsidise the cost or improve the developer's profit.

LF also mentioned that the Malaysian govt has imposed a new policy of increasing the minimum wage of guards from RM300 to RM750 per month. I am confident that the Ghurka guards are paid more than a thousand per month, so how does this minimum wage affects them as I doubted anyone working for RM750 not to mention RM300. Even a maid is paid more than that in Malaysia.

oh dear! that is very high in JB standards and the current is already quite high. am shifting in, in the near future, i wonder how will it be adjusted for my place? hmmm...

Chillout

26-05-2011, 05:29 AM

oh dear! that is very high in JB standards and the current is already quite high. am shifting in, in the near future, i wonder how will it be adjusted for my place? hmmm...

Whatever you are paying now, expect at least 20% more. Wouldn't be in the least surprise if more for smaller units

jasonjst

26-05-2011, 08:28 AM

I am also thinking of opening an eatery . European fare. Spoke with restaurant owners and the problem they are facing is difficulty in getting kitchen help.

Hi,
How much is capital requirement to setup a eatery ? Anyone got lobang for some kind of francise ?
Got a shophouse at bestari , near the 24hrs Habbis Roti Prata . I am thinking of renting out , any taker ?

nusajayaphile

26-05-2011, 09:22 AM

Setia gives 2 yrs free maintainance for every sale in a precinct. Its about the time it takes to finish all the work within 1 precinct. So I think you all should gang up to send in your objection. Don't wanna put more money into irresponsible developers pocket. Spoils the whole market.

Hi, does anyone know whether if you purchase a house in Horizon Hills, the developer will pay for all the stamp and legal fees as well as State Levy?

I asked the developer's sales agent, and one said all legal fees on the SPA and loan will be absorbed, but not the stamp fees and levy. Another said, they will pay for everything, so not too sure which is correct.

Is The Hills terrace worth investing in at RM750K? Anyone can advise?

Chillout

26-05-2011, 10:24 AM

Hi,
How much is capital requirement to setup a eatery ? Anyone got lobang for some kind of francise ?
Got a shophouse at bestari , near the 24hrs Habbis Roti Prata . I am thinking of renting out , any taker ?

Would need Wuqi to help answer the capital requirement part.

My desire for restaurant/cafe would not be in the near future. Completing the building of my house takes priority.

Anyway, what is the rental like for the shophouse?

jasonjst

26-05-2011, 11:46 AM

Would need Wuqi to help answer the capital requirement part.

My desire for restaurant/cafe would not be in the near future. Completing the building of my house takes priority.

Anyway, what is the rental like for the shophouse?

I guess it depend very much on location and cost of the shophouse , those earlier lots before 2008 can be as cheap as 2.5K since they bought the shop at around 450K . My shophouse is around 700K and I think rental at 3,600 to 3,800 /= should yield 5.8% P.A which I think is very reasonable . Anyway is quite a big risk investing in shophouse , not many people make money actually , hope that the Bestari area can be "WANG" enough to rent out easily for a long run.
For people who love to run a family eatery , shophouse is good as your family can stay upstair and your eatery shop downstair , save lots of money renting a house for 2K plus .
This might be my plan B if I can learn to run a eatery profitably .

Analytical Professor

26-05-2011, 12:52 PM

Analytical Professor

26-05-2011, 12:57 PM

Analytical Professor

26-05-2011, 01:02 PM

Analytical Professor

26-05-2011, 01:34 PM

My two and a half cents:

1) Gold is one of the safest investments to date. Yes it may not give you fancy stock market returns. But it still gives you decent returns in the long term. My Gold investments have more than doubled in value. I dun have any plans to see them either.

2) Real Estate. Now for this location is key. To me Johor Bahru does not stand out as a great investment destination. Couple of forummers have already mentioned that.

My mum had a great entrepreneurial streak. She owned a primary school, had lots of landed properties. This is how they have appreciated.
-- Bungalow 177 times the original investment
-- Land 300 times the original ivestment in a 20 yr horizon

In Spore you can possibly get returns of 5 times or maybe a little more than that.

-- My investments in Franklin Templeton MFs have yielded a 33% returns on original investment in 3 years despite the Lehman Meltdown in between.
However i am not a supporter of MFs which have a high management fee and expense ratio. Saner research tells me to opt for ETFs which mirror the basket of shares that make up the composite index.

Invest wisely. Do your research. Its painful. But when you see your money grow your joy will know no bounds.

Dun follow blindly what the Insurance agents/brokers/financial advisers in any part of the world tell you. In fact most financial advisers do not like me since i do not make investments that make their pockets swell.

All these investments were in emerging markets. I plan to continue to do the same.

Im not talking about speculation. I dun speculate. Singapore has loads of speculators. I am not one of them.

Another important aspect regarding investments is where we try to be smarter than the analysts who invest in the markets by "Timing the Market"

Unless you are a PRO (which most of us are not) its never good to time the market.

DCA is a much better. You can grow your wealth slowly. There are those who argue that the associated costs are high. Yet the pros outweigh the cons and its a systematic and steady way to grow your nest egg.

Singapore is now offering DCA for past few years. However emerging markets have offered this and other creative investment methods for a much longer time.

I am no financial adviser. However what ever i have said is true.

Critics abound! Ofcourse!!

Oh my JB -->> Investments.
:o:o

jasonjst

26-05-2011, 01:37 PM

Are shop houses really the way to go if you wanna invest in JB?

I see so many shop houses vacant.

Those that are taken up the turnover rate is really very high.

Some eateries change hands so many times.

If low rentals there are ready takers. But then where are the returns?

Well, " theoretically " shop houses are productive economics drivers, it help create jobs, generate sales which are the real drivers it any economies. But in JB, developer simply built too many shop houses that create an imbalance of supply and demand. Ask any retailers , they will tell you it is good investment for shophouses . My shop in SG can fetch a rental of SGD 6.5K to 8K for the last 15yrs without a single month unoccupy. Sometime can be a real cash -cow , if you managed to hit the right location.

ginfreely

26-05-2011, 03:14 PM

Have you ever thought of setting up shop in JB? I did toy with the idea not long ago. Still thinking.

Have not thought of that, think I better stick to dividend income and rental income.. but never say never, who knows may be open a kiosk or something like that in JB next time? Anyway must be very low rental and no overhead type (ownself man the stall) then can, won't want to take much risk. You thinking of starting business that need to hire staff or those business that you do everything yourself type?

ginfreely

26-05-2011, 03:19 PM

Good for you Avalon, not many people would even bother to think of their kids. Kudos.

No leh, almost all parents I meet want to leave inheritance to their kids, may be not to their wife/husband but certainly to their children :D

ginfreely

26-05-2011, 03:27 PM

thanks for the info, that is absolutely helpful

You're welcome...oh just a note of caution, don't remit too big amount even if you can, just remit small sum in case anything happen to the money changer.

ginfreely

26-05-2011, 03:49 PM

I am not too happy with the 20% increase effective 1 July 2011. Reason for increase is to upgrade existing damaged roads, repair and add 335 nos of new drain traps, upgrade & increase existing lightings, upgrade landscape, replace gate sensors and motors and replace security vehicles.

To effect the improvement, 40% is required but to make it sweet, only 20%!!! Then they pre-empt that future increase will be a nominal 5% increase annually!!!!

This is daylight robbery. LF has been adding and selling more units, ie more maintenance funds collected and those that wasn't sold yet, the developer should be paying for their share too and yet such exorbitant fee. Have to demand they show us the book.

Currently paying about RM455 per month. Come July, it will be RM546, which is equivalent to what I am paying in Singapore for my condo.

Oh, LF also states that their maintenance charges are generally still lower when compared to other surrounding developments!! How true???

20% increase is alot! Thought LF is quite a few years already, how come maintenance still handled by developer and not the MSCT committee formed by owners?

ginfreely

26-05-2011, 04:07 PM

The Maintenance fee looks ok based on whats promised.

Especially if you signed up that you will have to pay a maintenance fee regularly.

ANd ofcourse maintenance fees are subject to increase.

You wanna live in a great place. You gotta pay.:D:D

There are luxury condos in KL charging upwards of Rm 1000.

I just spoke to my friend who is very well connected and knows the MD of UEM land. He said Sporean's love to complain despite knowing fully well what they get into.

No offence to anyone here.

But you surely should not compare a condo with what you get in Malaysia.

I have seen lots of condos in Singapore. I must tell you that quite a few of them are poorly maintained. I think the HDBs are better maintained in that sense.

I find it strange that condo maintenance fee in Malaysia seems to be not much cheaper than the condo maintenance fees in Singapore, whereas their condo prices are much cheaper. I have seen one old condo in JB with units asking RM250k to RM370k (depending on condition) and yet their maintenance fee is like 25 ct per sq ft and the condo unit size is about 2200 sq ft.

Condo maintenance in Singapore? I think generally quite ok leh except may be the really old or waiting for en-bloc ones? But one thing is the HDBs are very diligent at painting every 5 years while may not be that frequent for condos.

ginfreely

26-05-2011, 04:13 PM

Chillout

26-05-2011, 04:42 PM

The Maintenance fee looks ok based on whats promised.

Especially if you signed up that you will have to pay a maintenance fee regularly.

ANd ofcourse maintenance fees are subject to increase.

You wanna live in a great place. You gotta pay.:D:D

There are luxury condos in KL charging upwards of Rm 1000.

I just spoke to my friend who is very well connected and knows the MD of UEM land. He said Sporean's love to complain despite knowing fully well what they get into.

No offence to anyone here.

But you surely should not compare a condo with what you get in Malaysia.

I have seen lots of condos in Singapore. I must tell you that quite a few of them are poorly maintained. I think the HDBs are better maintained in that sense.

I may have signed up to paying maintenance fee regularly (which I paid a lump sum annually), but that does not mean I am willing to pay whatever fee increase developer asked for. Developer does not equal government. I didn't venture out of singland to the same crap here. Might as well open my bank book to developer based on your argument.

Of course the MD of UEM wouldn't like complaint coz that means more work for him. Therefore cheap comment like 'Singaporean likes to complain'. My personal take is if feedback, suggestions, accountability & responsibility are interpreted as complaints, then I welcome it. Call me complain queen.

Why shouldn't I compare condo in Singapore with landed in Malaysia. Cost of running a condo is much higher than running landed property as there are no pools, facilities and painting of buildings every 5 years. I had run my condo for a couple of years, so i know. Labour cost, utilities, motor vehicle, fuel etc are much lower than Singapore.

I have seen many condos too and I do agree a few are not well run (mainly those put for enbloc) but mine is not one of them.

Chillout

26-05-2011, 05:03 PM

Yeah at Setia Tropika we have 2 years of free maintenance. My free maintenance is due to end in November this year.

But i guess this may be extended since my precint is not complete yet.

The new tenants too need 2 years of free maintenance right?

So i may end up getting 4 years.

Not bad i guess.

Keeping my fingers crossed now hoping for an additional 2 years of free security.

Just because the precinct is not complete, is no excuse to waive maintenance fee. My precinct is also not complete and we pay maintenance the moment title transfers.

Reason for maintenance fee is also to built up the sinking fund, which will be used for future improvement or additional work. Don't know what is the law here, but in Singapore, developer has to pay towards the maintenance/sinking fund for all unsold properties. So if developer waives your fee, the developer has to make up the shortfall for you coz it is not fair to others who are paying as they will bear the burden for the upkeep of the estate.

I will demand to see the book as I don't intend to pay towards the improvement work, so that the developer can sell their next project well. The wear and tear is due to heavy usage of the roads from construction of new precincts, therefore the cost should go towards the developer not residents. Transparency is the name of the game.

Chillout

26-05-2011, 05:20 PM

I find it strange that condo maintenance fee in Malaysia seems to be not much cheaper than the condo maintenance fees in Singapore, whereas their condo prices are much cheaper. I have seen one old condo in JB with units asking RM250k to RM370k (depending on condition) and yet their maintenance fee is like 25 ct per sq ft and the condo unit size is about 2200 sq ft.

Condo maintenance in Singapore? I think generally quite ok leh except may be the really old or waiting for en-bloc ones? But one thing is the HDBs are very diligent at painting every 5 years while may not be that frequent for condos.

My sentiment exactly. My believe is nobody bothers to check out the accounts and it is left to the MCST/developer to do what they please. The fee we pay is for service rendered but one do not just quietly accept whatever is thrown your way and kowtow with a thank you for fear of being labelled complaint queen/Singaporean. This is nonsense as we are not living in public housing run by town council.

In LF, Mulpha will not hand over the running of the estate to the residents which has its pro and cons. It would be ideal if we get to vet the accounts and make sure that they do not conveniently pass some of the construction cost for new precincts to us.

Not true that condo does not need to be diligent with painting every 5 years. All buildings are required by law to paint every 5 years. Can stretch another year or so if the condition is still good.

contra

26-05-2011, 05:55 PM

We went through a period of darkness afterwards, then strange thing happened, businesses picked up, my hubby worked very hard on his business. I didn't had go back to work since then. I think he also felt the same calling as you do. That is to provide. We are better off now, although still poor.... :)

Hi cathy,
your postings have been raw and real and touching. you have a good family, life partner and survived the tough life challenges. for those, you are one of the richest persons around...

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:03 PM

I hope you have read through and realised that most people here in Johore can afford a lot more than what you can afford in your Pigeon hole.

Ur not welcome here.

We do not need people who want us to insult their intelligence. We are not that bad.

If however you try this stunt again or try and be rude to us watch it.

I am the self appointed gate keeper here.

There are business men here apart from investors like Wuqi, Cathy and jason amonst others.

Watch your tongue before you get scalded.:mad::mad::mad::mad:

Many thanks Avalon, for a minute I felt like I walked into a lion's den. Your welcoming reply is very much appreciated.

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:05 PM

Thanks Wuqi. You are the only one out here who has analysed and replied to pleb well.

Most others have helped him reinforce his dumb brain cells that Singaporeans living across the causeway are a bunch of twits.

Hey guys,

Been down with really bad flu recently. Didn't feel well when i was back in SG and must have caught the flu bug.

Ok Pleb, as some of the folks here have already indicated, there is a wide range of people and different circumstances have made them make their move here.

There are people who are moving out here because of frustration living in a cooped up place with too many people. There are also lots who are escaping escalating costs in SG. Yet others who are here because they want to enjoy themselves with the clean air.

Amongst my neighbours, i have retired doctors, lawyers and an architect, all from Singapore. I also have a couple of divers who are living here. All of them still either have condos, HDB and/or landed property in Singapore. All can make it anytime they need to back in SG.

Take one of my closest friends here for example, he has 5 properties here plus his HDB back in SG. He recently sold off a private apartment back in SG. His HDB and cars are fully paid up. 2 of his properties here are fully paid up. He pays our SG government about 30k tax a year. His properties here are all rented out except for the one he stays in. His cars here are fully paid up. He is in his early 30s and have the same desire to be here as well.

So its not only the push factor that is part of the equation but the pull factor as well.

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:06 PM

That is really nice. Horizon Hills is the place to be.

Yes they do, the specialists and doctors are all staying in Nusa Idaman and surronding properties. Had a tenant whose child was very sick and they were attended by specialist who arrived within 15 minutes.

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:07 PM

Malaysia boleh

bro, you win liao lor.... go back Singapore only get sick... while in Malaysia, healthy all the way... haha

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:08 PM

Sorry wuqi, i was annoyed with his "if you could afford to live in Singapore statement". Annoyed me no end.

Bro InformedHH, i think pleb was just analyzing the factors that made us came out to JB and wanted to discuss.
Wishing all a great week and coming weekend. :)

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:11 PM

Belated!!!

But better late than never.

You had sufficient time to ponder.

So well... Welcome to the forum.:)

Dear all,

apologies as I am under moderation so there is a lag in my posts.

To those who have replied to my question thus far, I really appreciate the candid replies.

The first chap who replied (other than the toto winner! - nice one btw), I rubbed him the wrong way so was taken aback with the barrage that ensued that I thought I entered a lion's den smeared with butcher juice, but subsequent replies have been really telling, constructive and definitely useful.

Well, the reason why I am asking is because I think I fall into the category where if all goes to plan, I should be able to achieve my goals within a reasonable time frame and probably still be able to live (survive?) in Sg , cost-wise. I'm not one to compare who has more or who spends more (we all have different needs and wants), etc, but my needs are fairly modest, and I am so lucky that my spouse's approach is congruent to mine. So, if I complete the execution of my plans well, we should be ok, not wealthy, but everything will be paid up in a few years.

Someone asked a bit about me. I'm middle aged, I run a small business. Very small. I used to be a corporate guy but left because I didn't feel the lifestyle was sustainable, earn more, somehow spend more, easy to get sucked into the "keeping up with joneses" syndrome - perhaps it was my industry, and weakness of my character at that time. I earn much less now, but am infinitely happier. Striking out on my own has taught me a number of very useful lessons, especially how to live well within one's means.

There has been a strong desire or maybe a feeling of restlessness, which prompted me to look beyond our shores. I have lived abroad before, in a number of countries, but I have been back in Sg permanently for 15 years already.

So I looked around, and it looks like Johor is the logical choice (I too like Camerons but it's a bit remote).

So as I go in and out while exploring etc, one of the questions I asked myself was well, if money wasn't a consideration, would I still be thinking of this move?

And that prompted my initial post.

Someone asked about my views on this, I am still undecided, but I think there is a tipping point. And perhaps, I am not beyond that point to make the stay in SG compelling. In other words, everything will be so much more manageable if I made the move, therefore the scale tips in the direction of change.

Well, as it stands, it looks like me and the mrs will take the plunge, and to Wuqi et al, many thanks for the constructive replies, prior and subsequent to this post.

We all have a different story, I for one, consider myself very lucky to have had the experiences I've had thus far.

And oh yes, very important: To some others who say those who reply "yes, if I had enough money, I wouldn't move", I do not think it suggests "loser" as someone crudely put. I don't think anyone mature enough would suggest this.

Anyone who's made the move out of choice, has the respect of many for the courage displayed for stepping into unchartered territory.

I hope that the original aggravated poster will be able to accept my conciliatory approach, as no angst was intended on my part.

The consideration to move, is not only one of logistics, but also whether or not emotional well-being, health, stress levels, etc improve over time. In this regard, it is not about the money...

Once again, thanks to all.

Pleb.

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:14 PM

nice posting

Hi Pleb, I have not move in to Johor yet but it's a confirmed decision to do so as i have been looking for a place for a few mths nw. & I just sold my HDB a few days back so it's a matter of time before I move in to Johor. I would like to share with u my decision to do so. It is not a matter of $$$ since I m single, no family commitment & quite comfortable with my own lifestyle. Not for retirement too, I m only 35 tis year.....long way from it. For investment? Nah. IMHO, I believe Singapore properties still yield beta returns. So nw if u add it all up, why would a young single middle class Singaporean move in to Johor?......For Quality of Life.....I have stayed & worked in Seoul for six mths, had a house in Bkk, working in Singapore & travel bac every mth for 5-7days stay for 3 years. & I come to realized that Singapore is really one of the most undesirable place to live in these past few years. Working is still quite ok here. I stay in a HDB where there are alot of ppl arnd but when compared to a similar place I have in Bkk, the warmth, friendliness & the simplicity of the neighborhood, u can call it the "kampung" feel, Singapore pales in comparison. Compared with a big metropolitan lifestyle in Seoul, Singapore is like no where near it. Tho there are traffics jams, crowded public transports, dirty places in Bkk, high cost of living in Seoul etc but in general, the ppl are happier there & I can feel it cos I m human. With this said, I too can feel that the ppl in Singapore are mostly unhappy or have alot of problems with human relationships. Examples like estranged relationships, affairs & divorces are so common in Singapore. Look at the statistics of the things I mentioned & u will be surprise at where we rank. The constant rat race, the measure of one's worth by the car we drive, the house we stay, the clothes wear etc is stressful. And when all these are achieved, the new cycle starts again. The measure of one's wealth by Hw many cars we have, Hw many properties we have, on & on. Singapore has become a very superficial society. I am not impress by this type of life. Cos life is not just abt these to me at least. I m still young & single. Do I want to live the rest of my life measuring up to a society's expectations? Hell no. Do I want my children to grow up to be obsess with material gains, forgetting how to be happy with just what we are, where we are, who we are & who we are with? Hell no.....i m not saying Singapore is a bad place to live in for all of us. It is a country with many merits. But sadly, after living in it for 35 years, I felt that the country for the past few years went thru much drastic changes......I can go on & on abt the many reasons why I made this decision to move to Johor. Affordability is the least of it cos when I made the decision to sell my HDB, I was planning to buy a condo in Singapore. But eversince I went in to Nusajaya, I have not look bac since. Thanks to those who took time to view my humble posting.

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:16 PM

Intime to come one of the universities there or the other will offer all the courses that rake in the bucks including computers and IT.

If im not wrong its RM 90k for one year. But you dun need good academic grades to go in.

So as long as you satisfy the basic eligibility criteria you are in.

I just checked the rates in Spore are S$ 20k a year for Singaporeans. But ofcourse its a gruelling admission process.

rm90k is for how many year huh? May I know? Am also thinking of send my kids to Nusajaya for their University educations. But proberly Computer related. Don't know whether got these kind of courses.

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:17 PM

Better faster come out of computer and IT line. You cant beat the cost competitiveness of the IT folks from China, Philippines and India.

aiyo cathy... I was so eager to come out of computer line... :-P

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:21 PM

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:27 PM

Thats creative.

My son is so interested in fixing gadgets that he wanna open his very own computer repair store at Sim Lim Square. He even save up to by his own toy securities gadgets like line traps and is asking to buy a laser beams....I bet he thought its so be fun! LOL!

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:34 PM

You can call me damn rude for all i care.

But you are definitely not poor.

If you were... you would be living in a one room flat and taking up assistance from the Spore Govt. You would not be buying a property here.

Remember the welfare measures are really suited for the poor in Spore. However they may not suit the sandwiched class.

So chill off and remember you are not poor.

Dun try and act as one.

There is no free lunch nor free sympathy.

Tell Pleb that as well.

I don't know what is the reason for your move to JB, whether alternative lifestyle or whatever, but what gives you the right to call people who are looking for lower cost alternative for retirement as LOSERS? You are so damn rude! :mad:

InformedHH

26-05-2011, 06:38 PM

Based on current hdb rules he cant buy hdb. So he gotta sell both and buy a property in spore if he wants to.

I only have 1 kid so one Sg property & one JB property shd be enuff as my legacy for the next generation..

Charlie258

26-05-2011, 11:06 PM

My two and a half cents:

[-/abbreviated/]

Dun follow blindly what the Insurance agents/brokers/financial advisers in any

Im not talking about speculation. I dun speculate. Singapore has loads of speculators. I am not one of them.

Another important aspect regarding investments is where we try to be smarter than the analysts who invest in the markets by "Timing the Market"

Unless you are a PRO (which most of us are not) its never good to time the market.

DCA is a much better. You can grow your wealth slowly. There are those who argue that the associated costs are high. Yet the pros outweigh the cons and its a systematic and steady way to grow your nest egg.

Singapore is now offering DCA for past few years. However emerging markets have offered this and other creative investment methods for a much longer time.

I am no financial adviser. However what ever i have said is true.

Critics abound! Ofcourse!!

Oh my JB -->> Investments.
:o:o

Firstly let me just say I agree completely with your comments about the financial advisors/insurance agents/brokers/relationship managers/etc. These guys are a real piece of work, aren't they? No money and struggling along, and yet have the nerve and the gall to give "advice" to people far wiser, far more sophisticated, and far richer than they can ever hope to become in their pathetic lifetimes.

May I ask what you mean when you say DCA? Do you mean dollar cost averaging?

cathylmg

27-05-2011, 12:16 AM

No leh, almost all parents I meet want to leave inheritance to their kids, may be not to their wife/husband but certainly to their children :D

My in-laws don't. And still aren't now.

cathylmg

27-05-2011, 12:35 AM

Better faster come out of computer and IT line. You cant beat the cost competitiveness of the IT folks from China, Philippines and India.

Do you think a computer repair shop can be profitable? Its my son's ambition and I don't wanna dampen it.... :(

cathylmg

27-05-2011, 12:39 AM

Intime to come one of the universities there or the other will offer all the courses that rake in the bucks including computers and IT.

If im not wrong its RM 90k for one year. But you dun need good academic grades to go in.

So as long as you satisfy the basic eligibility criteria you are in.

I just checked the rates in Spore are S$ 20k a year for Singaporeans. But ofcourse its a gruelling admission process.

Wow! Its about S$20K difference. And also can use our CPF if study in Singapore. I wonder if they will allow us to use our CPF for University education over that. If it comes true, it will be great!

cathylmg

27-05-2011, 12:57 AM

Dear Cathy, teachers dun earn a lot these days. Last time even worse.

http://www.moe.edu.sg/careers/teach/career-info/salary/

For so little money you want them to work like dogs is it?

Come on lah. Give them a break.

Handling a bunch of 30 idiots who have been pampered by their parents no end is no joke. And that too for such a measly pay.

Would you do their job for this pay?

The teachers themselves spoiled and pampered these days. They shove their responsibilities to us parents. Don't make sure that the children understand what they are teaching. Expect parents to suppliment the children with extra tuitions so as to cover for their incompetancy, expect children to have a attain a certain standards before joining the primary schools. Prune out remedial lessons to outside individuals. Don't mark worksheets so the children have the chance to copy answers when they go through in class instead of doing it themselves...etc

Just what are teachers doing? They concentrate on the better students so that the better ones could do the school proud by producing good grades in their PSLE. The weaker classes are given less attention. HODs are all in classes with weak students and you know why? They are always absent. They go for frequent meetings, and trainings after trainings. They don't teach composition lesson that frequently and expect you to sign up for extra enrichments which the school arrange with outside private schools which serve non other purpose than to use up all the money in your's children's edusave account.......

I can go on and on about the difference between teachers of yester-years and now. Its all boils down to one thing, are they really passionate about teaching or are they just there to hide themselves from their incompetancy in the private industries?

Sigh! :(

aangsc

27-05-2011, 01:05 AM

Do you think a computer repair shop can be profitable? Its my son's ambition and I don't wanna dampen it.... :(

can be profitable but cannot be rich. I also don't want to dampen it but it is better to point him the the right direction now then to make u-turn later. You only need to be a ITE grad or poly grad to repair PC , even self -taught is possible, but if he has the inquisitive mind like Bill Gate or even Sim , by all mean.

cathylmg

27-05-2011, 01:12 AM

Professor,

1) Gold is one of the safest investments to date. Yes it may not give you fancy stock market returns. But it still gives you decent returns in the long term. My Gold investments have more than doubled in value. I dun have any plans to see them either.

Professor, same here. Non other safest investments then good old goldie. :D

2) Real Estate. Now for this location is key. To me Johor Bahru does not stand out as a great investment destination. Couple of forummers have already mentioned that.

Agreed on that, but it has potential....

My mum had a great entrepreneurial streak. She owned a primary school, had lots of landed properties. This is how they have appreciated.
-- Bungalow 177 times the original investment
-- Land 300 times the original ivestment in a 20 yr horizon

Wow! May I know where are the location? Just curious... ;)

In Spore you can possibly get returns of 5 times or maybe a little more than that.

True lor. But then prices also fluctuates and its gonna fluctuate more frequently if it gets higher. Good for speculating...

-- My investments in Franklin Templeton MFs have yielded a 33% returns on original investment in 3 years despite the Lehman Meltdown in between.
However i am not a supporter of MFs which have a high management fee and expense ratio. Saner research tells me to opt for ETFs which mirror the basket of shares that make up the composite index.

Yep. Agreed with you. Never touch MFs. They anyhow buy and charge your admin fee and management fees. I also can do it myself. Don't need them. ETFs is the way to go....

Invest wisely. Do your research. Its painful. But when you see your money grow your joy will know no bounds.

Dun follow blindly what the Insurance agents/brokers/financial advisers in any part of the world tell you. In fact most financial advisers do not like me since i do not make investments that make their pockets swell.

All these investments were in emerging markets. I plan to continue to do the same.

Im not talking about speculation. I dun speculate. Singapore has loads of speculators. I am not one of them.

Insurance agents/brokers/financial advisers will bring you go 'holland'. :D

Another important aspect regarding investments is where we try to be smarter than the analysts who invest in the markets by "Timing the Market"

Unless you are a PRO (which most of us are not) its never good to time the market.

DCA is a much better. You can grow your wealth slowly. There are those who argue that the associated costs are high. Yet the pros outweigh the cons and its a systematic and steady way to grow your nest egg.

Singapore is now offering DCA for past few years. However emerging markets have offered this and other creative investment methods for a much longer time.

I am no financial adviser. However what ever i have said is true.

Sound advise by the professor. Echoing.... :D

Oh my JB -->> Investments.
:o:o

Can also be a form of insurances.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 01:21 AM

Do you think a computer repair shop can be profitable? Its my son's ambition and I don't wanna dampen it.... :(

Yes he can but concentrate mainly on laptop repair as there is an ever growing market for it. Even smartphone repair will be good. Sorry about the mailbox aangsc and Cathylmg, trying to clear asap.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 01:23 AM

A learned friend of mine told me that there are seminars now about going to JB where they teach you what to do, sell or rent out your HDB flat. Getting MM2H, etc. Buying MY car and staying in JB. Seems quite a lot of folks keen now as the seminars are almost always full, the one he went to had 30 plus folks.

Kind of tempted to go and listen myself as i might learn new things. :)

toyohon

27-05-2011, 01:24 AM

I see quite a number of you guys talking about inheritance. Has anyone done their will? Any lawyers to recommend?

cathylmg

27-05-2011, 01:28 AM

can be profitable but cannot be rich. I also don't want to dampen it but it is better to poin him the the right direction now then to make u-turn later. You only need to be a ITE grad or poly grad to repair PC , even self -taught is possible, but if he has the inquisitive mind like Bill Gate, by all mean.

aangsc, it does not have to make him rich to be happy. So long as he is happy with what he is doing, I am happy for him. Any how many of us become rich by our own occupations?

Anyway, got one guy in Sim Lim Square had 6 repair shops under his belt. As for ds, his is just too good at fixing and dismantling things. His eye opened wide when I brought him there to repair my laptop.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 01:32 AM

Sorry wuqi, i was annoyed with his "if you could afford to live in Singapore statement". Annoyed me no end.

Live and let live. I think he meant no harm and didn't mean to annoy anyone.
There are lots of people out there who still thinks only the poor will go to JB.
It takes a while for mindsets to change and its always easier making turns in
a small boat versus in a larger vessel where different opinions can sway a
person.

People who discourages you actually meant well but they will not be responsible
for any opportunity loss or gains. Whatever you decide based on the best information
available at that time is your own call.

Don't blame the naysayers or detractors as they know not what they do.
If i could chose attributes of my offspring, the first and most important one is for him
to always keep an open mind.

Its the single quality most rare and lacking everywhere these days unfortunately.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 01:38 AM

Better faster come out of computer and IT line. You cant beat the cost competitiveness of the IT folks from China, Philippines and India.

Agreed, not much one can do unless one goes in niche market.
There is always a way, beat them at their game by either being a specialist in a niche market that they are unable to penetrate but not so niche that you risk becoming irrelevant if the technology becomes obsolete.

The only reason people in HK, SG can still survive in IT line is more often than not, quite a few of the foreign IT folks cannot really make it.
(Those who can make it are already in US, etc)

Saw one guy with certs almost a ream of paper thick. He tried to bluff his way past interviews and then had a lot of headaches and left abruptly after being unable to answer both simple and difificult questions. There is a reason why a lot of companies these days implement technical questions or have requirement for sample demonstration of work in front of them during the interview. People like them spoil the market for their own countrymen.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 01:39 AM

I see quite a number of you guys talking about inheritance. Has anyone done their will? Any lawyers to recommend?

Lots here, expect to pay no more than 500-1000 RM for simple one.

hangyong

27-05-2011, 01:45 AM

Hi, does anyone know whether if you purchase a house in Horizon Hills, the developer will pay for all the stamp and legal fees as well as State Levy?

I asked the developer's sales agent, and one said all legal fees on the SPA and loan will be absorbed, but not the stamp fees and levy. Another said, they will pay for everything, so not too sure which is correct.

Is The Hills terrace worth investing in at RM750K? Anyone can advise?

it depends on the property that you buy.

Current launch:
Horizon Suites: Lawyer's conveyance taken care (both ways), stamp duty, state consent on your own
Terrace at Hills: everything taken care (cannot remember about the state levy though)

Currently left with inbetween unit at the Hills. I wun take it because I would prefer a corner unit with more land. But price is there abouts lah

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 01:55 AM

aangsc, it does not have to make him rich to be happy. So long as he is happy with what he is doing, I am happy for him. Any how many of us become rich by our own occupations?

Anyway, got one guy in Sim Lim Square had 6 repair shops under his belt. As for ds, his is just too good at fixing and dismantling things. His eye opened wide when I brought him there to repair my laptop.

You are truly wise, much wiser than those pushing their kids ever harder, not realising they are the ones pushing their kids over the edge. Either in the end, they jump or become mad with the great expectations required of them. Sometimes what they want is not equal to what we want for them. I would rather my sons be happy than become unhappy with their permanently head damaged. As i said once to astonished relatives and friends, i do not need my son to be no. 1, i just want him to be happy. I do not need him to study doubly hard, take extra lessons, go NS and still to be put on an uneven footing with foreigners despite him having to do so much more. All of our PMET jobs can be done cheaper, better and faster by foreigners so what happens then, everyone becomes entrepreuneurs or civil service?? (By the way, remembered one of my lecturers used to say this, if you are jobless before 35 and can quickly get a degree before that, go into civil service, i will not respect you any less)

What are we really chasing for in life? One of it is to be happy.

I even had an ex manager telling me, life is not about happiness, its about work, commitment and being hardworking and true to his religion. I said more power to you, as long as you are happy doing it. He clammed up and a few months later, he left the company and started his own biz in his own country (He is an FT) When he left, he told me, now he is finally happy as he found what he wanted instead of what is available.

singaporeplebian

27-05-2011, 02:13 AM

Live and let live. I think he meant no harm and didn't mean to annoy anyone.
There are lots of people out there who still thinks only the poor will go to JB.
It takes a while for mindsets to change and its always easier making turns in
a small boat versus in a larger vessel where different opinions can sway a
person.

People who discourages you actually meant well but they will not be responsible
for any opportunity loss or gains. Whatever you decide based on the best information
available at that time is your own call.

Don't blame the naysayers or detractors as they know not what they do.
If i could chose attributes of my offspring, the first and most important one is for him
to always keep an open mind.

Its the single quality most rare and lacking everywhere these days unfortunately.

Wuqi,

appreciate your reply, and also that is was polite and non-threatening. Yes, I most certainly did not mean any harm and also would like to clarify that I do not think "only the poor" move to JB. I merely was curious as to whether or not the financial aspect was the main factor or not.

I understand from your substantial earlier reply, and from others as well, that many who can well afford the high cost of living in Sg, still made the choice to move over. This speaks volumes that the motivation to make such a move comes down to so much more than money.

Some other have replied that yes, it helps balance the books, and allows one to better plan and achieve financial independence status on/ahead of time. I don't think anyone who is mature enough would suggest or imply that those who chose to move to achieve financial independence are losers. In fact, the way things are going with respect to the CPF mechanism, it is good that more and more people do not rely solely on this as their retirement plan.

I agree that having an open mind is probably one of the most critical factors in being successful (and I am not talking just about financial success). I think another critical factor is also being non-judgmental. Which is why the power of observation can be so invaluable. In this thread, there is much knowledge being shared, and I think this is a positive thing as many people are at various stages of their personal journey. Some like yourself, have advanced beyond others, some others like myself, are just getting our feet wet.

Well, as mentioned before by other posters, most people here are friendly and unconditionally helpful and I think this bodes well for the level of graciousness most of us aspire to for ourselves and our loved ones.

Thanks again to all, and peace be with you.

Pleb

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 02:16 AM

it depends on the property that you buy.

Current launch:
Horizon Suites: Lawyer's conveyance taken care (both ways), stamp duty, state consent on your own
Terrace at Hills: everything taken care (cannot remember about the state levy though)

Currently left with inbetween unit at the Hills. I wun take it because I would prefer a corner unit with more land. But price is there abouts lah

Hi Nusajayaphile,
Agree with Hang Yong, if its to buy and stay though. 750k is ok. If its to buy to invest, there is still some upside but if its to buy and rent out, i would advise you to go for other options.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 02:17 AM

Hi Mr Bean, i have replied to your PM, apologies.

For all others who have PMed me as well, my apologies
for the delay. My inbox is now cleared.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 02:21 AM

Well, " theoretically " shop houses are productive economics drivers, it help create jobs, generate sales which are the real drivers it any economies. But in JB, developer simply built too many shop houses that create an imbalance of supply and demand. Ask any retailers , they will tell you it is good investment for shophouses . My shop in SG can fetch a rental of SGD 6.5K to 8K for the last 15yrs without a single month unoccupy. Sometime can be a real cash -cow , if you managed to hit the right location.

Prof is right but i would say shops are still worth looking into, provided that they are in a local that would have lots of traffic GOING INTO your SHOP actual area or at least passing directly with an easy way/road to get to your shop. Lots of shoplots languishing in areas where although its next to the highway, there is no easy or convenient way to get to your shop. Always assume people are too busy/lazy to go to a place where accessibility is harder as they will just go somewhere else easier/faster.

aangsc

27-05-2011, 02:27 AM

Agreed, not much one can do unless one goes in niche market.
There is always a way, beat them at their game by either being a specialist in a niche market that they are unable to penetrate but not so niche that you risk becoming irrelevant if the technology becomes obsolete.

The only reason people in HK, SG can still survive in IT line is more often than not, quite a few of the foreign IT folks cannot really make it.
(Those who can make it are already in US, etc)

Saw one guy with certs almost a ream of paper thick. He tried to bluff his way past interviews and then had a lot of headaches and left abruptly after being unable to answer both simple and difificult questions. There is a reason why a lot of companies these days implement technical questions or have requirement for sample demonstration of work in front of them during the interview. People like them spoil the market for their own countrymen.

I deal with many computer related people. More than 10 years back, I see repairmen from Singapore for computer and printer repair, now I hardly see them except for high end hardware. I usually see PRC and Indian . Now even cablemen are not the usual Singaporean/M'sia, I see Pinoy foremen, PRC and Indian. This is why I have lesser faith for fellow countrymen going into this trade.

I remember there was a time when govt were asking retrench people over 35+ to go for computer repairs course and many did not get a job in those line eventually. Are they not good enough or are there more young men that can do it better at lower price ?

If parents are wealthy, they can afford to let kids try out career that fit them nicely but for those who are not, job security would be 1st priority. Unfortunately, I belong to second category ! When I asked my son what he would like to be ? He said to be pay playing computer game everyday and he will truely be happy. I am dumbfounded. I have yet to find any such job for youngster today. Professional gamers , does it pay enough to pay bills ?

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 02:28 AM

No leh, almost all parents I meet want to leave inheritance to their kids, may be not to their wife/husband but certainly to their children :D

Then you are lucky to meet the good ones. I know of many who leave nothing but debts to their kids. The best inheritance one can leave to ones scion are not houses, not stocks no gold but good and sound education.

29ers

27-05-2011, 02:30 AM

Wah the post in this thread is really something to read about, we have gone from Living in JB to How to lead a Happy life and Life's goal. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the different views posted by various ppl from all sorts of Walks.

I have friends who teach in school, a few of them. Infact their passion is to teach and they like to be around kids. Their concern is that they don't have time for all this, they are busy with marking, meetings, mini projects....they told me if they could just teach, a lot of them would be happier. They highlighted that some of these full time teachers turn to part time and just concentrate on teaching, which is what they like. So not all the teachers are bad, i guess it's the system.

The "system" which is another topic altogether. ........ well lucky some of the brave ones voted for CHANGE...if not i don't know what to expect. To some it up , the "system" should operate like a NPO, ppl who run the system should just have the passion to serve, they should not be there for the money...guess no fame that comes along so they can't be in it for fame. Right now the "system" is milking the hard earned money from the hardworking ppl which is why most ppl are fed up with. Overall the culture is just going from BAD to Worse. .. .. . ppl flare up so easily in SG over simple things like a HIGH BEAM..

Ok to answer some of the ??? posted....if i was well off would i still move to JB. If i had a 10 Billion SGD, yes u are right, i wouldn't make the move to JB. I would have gotten my house in Nassim area, not working, living of dividends from my extensive portfolio of shares....etc. i would prob be sending my kids to school in the morning and back home to read the papers, meetup friends for lunch, pick up kids from school, have some family time, back home for dinner.....watch a movie in my home theater or play bowling at home.....etc

Well i belong to the not so well off, but i did not choose to live in JB cos it was cheaper, actually it's about the same for me, as most meals i have them in SG, the distance traveled to my work place is doubled from where i used to live, so i don't save on petrol. I just love the tranquility of my place, the ppl around my estate are great they help look out for one another. There's a possibility that i could send my kids to school here in future and not be in the Gangster infested schools.....etc Basically it's the Kampong feel where everyone has one goal, TO BE HAPPY....

Cheers

u only have 1 life, live it ....pursue happiness n not fame. If u r happy cos u have fame, what happens when u don't have fame? Nobody is Happy 100% of the time but if we can just get 65% of it to be happy, i think u are in the right path.

PEACE

aangsc

27-05-2011, 02:30 AM

Then you are lucky to meet the good ones. I know of many who leave nothing but debts to their kids. The best inheritance one can leave to ones scion are not houses, not stocks no gold but good and sound education.

That is exactly what I hope the kids will get...something within that no one can snatch away from you. The ability to survive on their own no matter where they evetually settle down !

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 02:34 AM

If parents are wealthy, they can afford to let kids try out career that fit them nicely but for those who are not, job security would be 1st priority. Unfortunately, I belong to second category ! When I asked my son what he would like to be ? He said to be pay playing computer game everyday and he will truely be happy. I am dumbfounded. I have yet to find any such job for youngster today. Professional gamers , does it pay enough to pay bills ?[/QUOTE]

Hi Aangsc, i actually started in the IT line and got keen by playing computer games and then when new games come out that required more powerful hardware, then learnt to upgrade when i encountered expensive, bad and surly service. Games was actually what led me to my line as i got keen not only in hardware but in networks due to the onset of lan gaming at that time. It fired up the imagination like nothing else. Aside from interest, passion is the other main difference between those who gave up and those who stuck it through and found success.

There are professional gamers in Korea (Korea is one of the most IT connected countries in the world) who do nothing every day but play games. It pays their bills as they have enough sponsors for them. Not sure about SG but so far other than Korea, i know of folks in other countries who are able to live and live reasonably well just by playing games. The world keeps changing, what is seen as actions done by a wastrel son today may turn out to be the main money "engine" of the family in the future.

When the guys first created the game "Pong", everyone of the naysayers said it was a waste of time. When Bill Gates wanted to first build his version of a GUI based OS (of course based on what is already available, people even said it will flop. People even laughed when the first sound card came out. Where are they now???

For every visionary, there are 10,000 naysayers. The naysayers keep society on track, the visionary or the fool improves the world, one foolish step at a time.

Mindsets (not just character) are harder to change than dynasties - Words from my grandfather.

hangyong

27-05-2011, 02:35 AM

Not true that condo does not need to be diligent with painting every 5 years. All buildings are required by law to paint every 5 years. Can stretch another year or so if the condition is still good.

seriously???? then I have to go complain to HDB or town council liao....

euphony

27-05-2011, 02:36 AM

Firstly let me just say I agree completely with your comments about the financial advisors/insurance agents/brokers/relationship managers/etc. These guys are a real piece of work, aren't they? No money and struggling along, and yet have the nerve and the gall to give "advice" to people far wiser, far more sophisticated, and far richer than they can ever hope to become in their pathetic lifetimes.

May I ask what you mean when you say DCA? Do you mean dollar cost averaging?

DCA is very good instrument because it takes the guess work out of the equation. but to see very good returns the best time to start DCA'ing is actually in the worst times and be flexible in making purchases more in bad times, less in good haha my small 2 cents.

ETFs are amazing tools I agree because they trade like stocks and are very low on fees, but SG has very limited ones. Beware some ETFs are actually UTs in disguise with UT's high maintenance fees that financiers are trying to sell.

The US has very broad range of ETFs which are useful if you do sectorial investing. They have shorting ETFs as well which is good allowing you to profit in good and bad times. especially eince it is more difficult to get shorting privileges on the SGX. Short positions have to be closed within the day if you 'accidentally' open them...

euphony

27-05-2011, 02:39 AM

I see quite a number of you guys talking about inheritance. Has anyone done their will? Any lawyers to recommend?

i first got to my lawyer when i got to know them through property purchase asked them about wills and one thing lead to another. =)

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 02:39 AM

Agreed.

Physical stuff, people can steal from you, rob from you, cheat/fool you.

All physical and material stuff will degrade over time with the only possible
exception of gold(but thats another matter as it can still be taken away)

The only thing people cannot take from you is what you know and who you
are.(know thyself)

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 02:41 AM

i first got to my lawyer when i got to know them through property purchase asked them about wills and one thing lead to another. =)

Yes, easiest place to start is through the same one handling your purchase. Note that not all handle wills though.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 02:44 AM

There is actually a growing community of experts here who are big time investors, got introduced to some guys recently
so hoping to learn more from the experts.

Amakusa Kourin

27-05-2011, 02:44 AM

If parents are wealthy, they can afford to let kids try out career that fit them nicely but for those who are not, job security would be 1st priority. Unfortunately, I belong to second category ! When I asked my son what he would like to be ? He said to be pay playing computer game everyday and he will truely be happy. I am dumbfounded. I have yet to find any such job for youngster today. Professional gamers , does it pay enough to pay bills ?

Hi Aangsc, i actually started in the IT line and got keen by playing computer games and then when new games come out that required more powerful hardware, then learnt to upgrade when i encountered expensive, bad and surly service. Games was actually what led me to my line as i got keen not only in hardware but in networks due to the onset of lan gaming at that time. It fired up the imagination like nothing else. Aside from interest, passion is the other main difference between those who gave up and those who stuck it through and found success.

There are professional gamers in Korea (Korea is one of the most IT connected countries in the world) who do nothing every day but play games. It pays their bills as they have enough sponsors for them. Not sure about SG but so far other than Korea, i know of folks in other countries who are able to live and live reasonably well just by playing games. The world keeps changing, what is seen as actions done by a wastrel son today may turn out to be the main money "engine" of the family in the future.

When the guys first created the game "Pong", everyone of the naysayers said it was a waste of time. When Bill Gates wanted to first build his version of a GUI based OS (of course based on what is already available, people even said it will flop. People even laughed when the first sound card came out. Where are they now???

For every visionary, there are 10,000 naysayers. The naysayers keep society on track, the visionary or the fool improves the world, one foolish step at a time.

Mindsets (not just character) are harder to change than dynasties - Words from my grandfather.

Spoken like a true matured man. Go for what you want ultimately in career and you will succeed. Live where you want, even though it is proclaimed to be unsafe or no-hope. You happy, good enough.

euphony

27-05-2011, 02:45 AM

I am dumbfounded. I have yet to find any such job for youngster today. Professional gamers , does it pay enough to pay bills ?

in certain places quite big actually like south korea, where they 'prolific' gamers battle in front of live TV with screaming fans. they test games and seek endorsements etc... dunno about Sg though. Got a friend's bro who left SG and found himself a job in game development in japan. that's the other side of where gamers eventually end up? i hear there is a big games studio coming to SG or already in SG?? but as in so far nothing big yet in SG unless we come up with localized games where enemies swear at each other in Singlish for example? =p

hangyong

27-05-2011, 02:56 AM

Better faster come out of computer and IT line. You cant beat the cost competitiveness of the IT folks from China, Philippines and India.

ya... realised that about 10 years back and left...

aangsc

27-05-2011, 03:01 AM

in certain places quite big actually like south korea, where they 'prolific' gamers battle in front of live TV with screaming fans. they test games and seek endorsements etc... dunno about Sg though. Got a friend's bro who left SG and found himself a job in game development in japan. that's the other side of where gamers eventually end up? i hear there is a big games studio coming to SG or already in SG?? but as in so far nothing big yet in SG unless we come up with localized games where enemies swear at each other in Singlish for example? =p

I am alright if game testing and development is where the gaming interest lead to but if it only end at gaming everyday , then I worry. I would really like to know what price do a gamer paid to achieve top spot in tournament ? Price as in $ and time spent. My second worry is their thought of living in virtual world. I am no gamer myself as I always think it is a great waste of time playing with a computer esp when it becomes a habit with at least 4 hrs a day. Actually I was happy that my son past thru the 4 hrs gaming but now he is into facebook 4 hrs a day ? :-(

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:37 AM

Yes i agree with you that "Shop houses are productive drivers of the economy".

Agreed.

As you have rightly pointed out the developers in their great haste to make loads of cash have just built too many shop houses apart from houses. This has caused the oversupply and therefore has had a dampening effect.

If the developers were not so greedy definitely shop houses would have been a sound investment.

The problem with too many shop houses is that Johor does not have the critical mass to support so many busineses.

Most of the people spend their time at Jusco/Sutera Mall/Tesco/Giant/Carrefour etc. A cursory glance at the carparks would indicate that this is true.

Congrats bro. You make a helluva lot money on your shophouse in Spore.

During the SARS crisis your shophouse was not affected ah? Lucky you. Cause many people i know at that time told me that shophouses had not many takers then and rents had dropped to real lows.

But lucky you dude.

Well, " theoretically " shop houses are productive economics drivers, it help create jobs, generate sales which are the real drivers it any economies. But in JB, developer simply built too many shop houses that create an imbalance of supply and demand. Ask any retailers , they will tell you it is good investment for shophouses . My shop in SG can fetch a rental of SGD 6.5K to 8K for the last 15yrs without a single month unoccupy. Sometime can be a real cash -cow , if you managed to hit the right location.

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:39 AM

Aiyo i just told my wife yday that she could take everything.

Cause she also cant take it and go anywhere what? Right? Being the mum surely she would leave it for her kids!:D:D

may be not to their wife/husband but certainly to their children :D

hangyong

27-05-2011, 04:01 AM

can someone enlighten me about this DCA lah... ETF lah.. UT lah... blurr...

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 04:02 AM

Yes DCA is one of the best methods for ordinary and normal people like us to grow our nest egg.

Most importantly do reasonable research and find a fund that you would wanna invest in. Check out the basket of stocks/index the fund wants to replicate. Do your research well. Painful but productive.

A lot of investors follow herd mentality. Many others follow what people say.

But to me its like this "Invest in a business you understand and believe" Cause when you understand you should not generally make mistakes. One great person mentioned this before.. He does this regularly and is one of "6 SIGMA statistics" a rare occurence in a population.

MFs are painful cause fund managers may make mistakes apart from having high expenses. Again i repeat financial advisers sell what makes their profits swell.

So for us its best to read up well and invest.

Larry Haverkamp writes reasonably well on Money and so does Tan Kin Lian for the uninitiated.

My friend working in fund management company also said DCA is the best, she follows it herself and made very good gains over the last few years. I never follow her advice though. Now I stick to dividend stocks only, no more unit trust after the painful technology unit trust experience, am still holding to it...now half price only :(

euphony

27-05-2011, 04:05 AM

can someone enlighten me about this DCA lah... ETF lah.. UT lah... blurr...

one thing to make it a bit clearer.

DCA is an investment strategy

ETF is an investment instrument/tool

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 04:17 AM

Even Condos not marked for en-bloc are not very well maintained. A look at Condos at Tanjhong Rhu/Orchard Road belt/Bukit Timah/Upper Bukit Timah will reveal that. Your condo maybe different though.

Yes ofcourse there are those few that are in pristine condition. But those are amongst the few.

I have seen the condos there having tiles popping out, lifts taking ages to be maintained, toilets not in great shape with lots of unwanted visitors running around the toilets.

"I did not venture out of singland to the same crap here". So why are you complaining now? Signed with your eyes closed? OR do you think if you make a lot of noise the Township authorities will care?

Singaporeans are complaint kings and queens. Everyone knows that.

My argument = Opening bank book.

Where from does this logic initiate?

In the same coin as you called a comment "Cheap" can i also then effectively say your logic My argument = opening bank book cheap? Worse still your posts are cheap? What is Rm 546? About S$ 200 in a private township. You dun wan lights/nice roads etc? They have clearly indicated what the increase is for. And you know the cost of raw materials has been going up.

People pay upwards of Rm 1000 for condo maintenance in KL. Condo is a much smaller area compared to a large private township spread over acres and acres.

Maybe ur right... If they reveal their book to you ..... you would be wiser.

I may have signed up to paying maintenance fee regularly (which I paid a lump sum annually), but that does not mean I am willing to pay whatever fee increase developer asked for. Developer does not equal government. I didn't venture out of singland to the same crap here. Might as well open my bank book to developer based on your argument.

Of course the MD of UEM wouldn't like complaint coz that means more work for him. Therefore cheap comment like 'Singaporean likes to complain'. My personal take is if feedback, suggestions, accountability & responsibility are interpreted as complaints, then I welcome it. Call me complain queen.

Why shouldn't I compare condo in Singapore with landed in Malaysia. Cost of running a condo is much higher than running landed property as there are no pools, facilities and painting of buildings every 5 years. I had run my condo for a couple of years, so i know. Labour cost, utilities, motor vehicle, fuel etc are much lower than Singapore.

I have seen many condos too and I do agree a few are not well run (mainly those put for enbloc) but mine is not one of them.

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 04:21 AM

Thank you so much Charlie258. I feel vindicated.

I have had couple of these FMs looking down on me just because i challenged their knowledgebase. I am not going to be another chicken on the chopping board ready for their picking right?

So i had to challenge them. And when i did that they gave me the "You got no money" to invest in attitude...

Yes Dollar Cost Averaging .

Another method is called systematic investing. Both are the same.

Firstly let me just say I agree completely with your comments about the financial advisors/insurance agents/brokers/relationship managers/etc. These guys are a real piece of work, aren't they? No money and struggling along, and yet have the nerve and the gall to give "advice" to people far wiser, far more sophisticated, and far richer than they can ever hope to become in their pathetic lifetimes.

May I ask what you mean when you say DCA? Do you mean dollar cost averaging?

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 04:22 AM

In time to come they may allow CPF to be used in NUSAJAYA.

But remember Singapore admission is very difficult. But Nusajaya admission easy. So for those who dun wanna stress their kids NJ is the way to go

Wow! Its about S$20K difference. And also can use our CPF if study in Singapore. I wonder if they will allow us to use our CPF for University education over that. If it comes true, it will be great!

hangyong

27-05-2011, 04:28 AM

one thing to make it a bit clearer.

DCA is an investment strategy

ETF is an investment instrument/tool

not your language problem... its just that layman like me dun understand nuts about all these investment thing...

searching Wikipedia:

DCA is DOllar Cost Averaging
basically find a fund you like, invest fixed amount monthly.
This way, when price is low, you buy more parts of the fund, and when expensive, you buy less part of the fund, and the total investment is the average of everything.

This one, can find easily in Singapore... and on your own easily...

ETF is Exchange Traded Fund
How does this work? Where can I buy such Funds in Singapore?
Or is this totally different from what you guys are talking about (since its mentioned that its a tool)...

euphony

27-05-2011, 04:42 AM

Even Condos not marked for en-bloc are not very well maintained. A look at Condos at Tanjhong Rhu/Orchard Road belt/Bukit Timah/Upper Bukit Timah will reveal that. Your condo maybe different though.

Yes ofcourse there are those few that are in pristine condition. But those are amongst the few.

I have seen the condos there having tiles popping out, lifts taking ages to be maintained, toilets not in great shape with lots of unwanted visitors running around the toilets.

"I did not venture out of singland to the same crap here". So why are you complaining now? Signed with your eyes closed? OR do you think if you make a lot of noise the Township authorities will care?

Singaporeans are complaint kings and queens. Everyone knows that.

My argument = Opening bank book.

Where from does this logic initiate?

In the same coin as you called a comment "Cheap" can i also then effectively say your logic My argument = opening bank book cheap? Worse still your posts are cheap? What is Rm 546? About S$ 200 in a private township. You dun wan lights/nice roads etc? They have clearly indicated what the increase is for. And you know the cost of raw materials has been going up.

People pay upwards of Rm 1000 for condo maintenance in KL. Condo is a much smaller area compared to a large private township spread over acres and acres.

Maybe ur right... If they reveal their book to you ..... you would be wiser.

am almost neutral party here. Me thinks we all know maintenance is a component of monthly payout we are definitely committed to. I guess what Chillout is trying to say is the increase must be justified. Cannot swipe everything under the convenient excuse of increased costs. End of day transparency is the key. I have heard about some problems of title deed transfers in LF perhaps that sets of a alarm to be more cautious of the developer in general. Whether big money or small money, money is money. If the bank returns you only 99% of what you own even if its 100 dollars in 1 million, it is still money.

having said that I am also glad the developer is committed in making sure the overall feel of the whole area is not compromised and holds a certain air of dignity when one enters. i am very happy about the true double gating as well as segregation in the masterplan making sure the density is really low comparatively speaking. and am plenty hopeful about the future accessibility points and potential. have also made a very good friend out of one of the sales rep who's got a first class service all the way through and after.

Still I would take the developer to task if the money is taken and the promised does not materialize as I think it is only fair. =)

euphony

27-05-2011, 04:48 AM

not your language problem... its just that layman like me dun understand nuts about all these investment thing...

searching Wikipedia:

DCA is DOllar Cost Averaging
basically find a fund you like, invest fixed amount monthly.
This way, when price is low, you buy more parts of the fund, and when expensive, you buy less part of the fund, and the total investment is the average of everything.

This one, can find easily in Singapore... and on your own easily...

ETF is Exchange Traded Fund
How does this work? Where can I buy such Funds in Singapore?
Or is this totally different from what you guys are talking about (since its mentioned that its a tool)...

Hangyong:

Just like buying stock. you buy/sell the fund on the exchange no middle man. ETFs tend to mirror whichever sectorial indices and are not actively managed therefore cheaper and faster to dispose or buy since no middle man. SGX main board lists some of these ETFs (e.g. from lyxor sectors in india, china etc). hope i got in correct, any person with professional training correct me if I am wrong =p

Chillout

27-05-2011, 05:17 AM

"I did not venture out of singland to the same crap here". So why are you complaining now? Signed with your eyes closed? OR do you think if you make a lot of noise the Township authorities will care?

Singaporeans are complaint kings and queens. Everyone knows that.

My argument = Opening bank book.

Where from does this logic initiate?

In the same coin as you called a comment "Cheap" can i also then effectively say your logic My argument = opening bank book cheap? Worse still your posts are cheap? What is Rm 546? About S$ 200 in a private township. You dun wan lights/nice roads etc? They have clearly indicated what the increase is for. And you know the cost of raw materials has been going up.

People pay upwards of Rm 1000 for condo maintenance in KL. Condo is a much smaller area compared to a large private township spread over acres and acres.

Maybe ur right... If they reveal their book to you ..... you would be wiser.

Hello, we are not dealing with town council here but a service provider. A MCST do not just inform the residents of fee increase without going thru an AGM to justify and seek approval for the increase.

Since LF does not do the above, then it is a service provider and I have every right not to agree to the increase. If not agreeing means I am complaining, then are you suggesting that I should accept and just present my bankbook.

The area of a condo may be smaller but for landed property, all you need is cleaner to sweep the road, gardener to do the landscape, lightings etc. No painting (cost more than S$500k for 13 blocks of 14 storey), lifts , pools, etc to pay. Besides LF does not have a clubhouse. Yes material cost has gone up quiet a bit but it is only one factor.

Within my precinct, we don't have our own guards, no sewage to maintain as all owners have to built their own. Though LF has clearly stated the improvement work to be done but most of the improvement work is not within my precinct.

When we took over the running of my condo from developer, we went thru the accounts and found many cost charged to us that belongs to developer.

Opening the book to residents does not make us wiser but informed!!! I do not claim to be wise but I do claim the right not to be a SUCKER. If you choose to, then that is your prerogative but don't use MD of UEM to tell me I am a complain queen. You have your right not to agree with us that the fee increase is unjustified but that statement is irrelevant in your posting.

You love to go marketing and shopping, do you suck up whatever is thrown at you. So along the way in the future, your massage increases by another 20%, you will quietly accept when others did not increase?

My purpose of putting up the information about the increase is to let other forumers know what is happening in my estates and to find out if other estates are also increasing fee.

I do expect different views but not to be told what to do and being labelled!

People pay upwards of RM1000 in KL condo!! Are you saying no one pay lesser than that in KL?? For RM1000, do expect highend condo with top notch facilities.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 05:25 AM

Ginfreely, the petrol kiosk thing was one of the first things i thought of but was quickly put down by a local friend. Its one of the racial restriction thingy from what i understand.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 05:37 AM

Lemans, don't get me wrong. We are super tolerant and we love animals. I used to have a golden retriever too, only, ours was a real gem of a dog.
He never barks unless we told him to, he never go to areas that we told him are off limits and one time we told him to stand attending at the door.
From the security cameras, he only moved once to our garden area to do his business and came right back. He could have signed up as an RP any
day. Bless his soul. Our nearest neighbours didn't know we had a dog for more than 5 months until one day a silly flyer distribution guy startled him.
He got the shock of his life. I managed to record my dear dogs voice before he passed on and used it in my security cameras warning sound. Its as
if he is still with us, always. Even in my old luggage, we can still find strands of his golden locks, he (his fur) actually travelled the world with me and
my family.

My issue is not with dogs(or cat for that matter), its the attitude owner that can or cannot be bothered. Some just let their dogs do their business and couldn't care less, i spoke politely to a neighbour who let his dog poo and pee near by every day on my next doors neighbour walls. Thats not very neighbourly especially
if you don't remove it. Ceaseless barking, running around, these can all be alleviated if the owner bothered to send his dog for training, when i bought
a dog, the first thing i did was to sent it to school to educate it.

The more well behaved he is, the less of a trouble he is to my neighbours and ourselves as well. He came neutered which was fine in the scheme of
things but later on in life, his temperament, his behaviour and obedience (never threw tantrum) made me wish he could have passed on his genes, i
would have bought 5 golden retriever dames for him anytime to reward him. Not so much to have babies but just to make him a happy dog. If there really
is a next life, i hope he becomes a person and have a good life. We still kept his picture around, he even had a passport size picture taken, sitting so seriously
and not moving a dog muscle throughout.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 05:41 AM

Bro Chillout,

Peace to onto you brother and like your avatar namesake,do chillout. As i type this, the cool air this afternoon is really very calming, i love the rustling of the tree leaves. My dad gave me a slice of papaya today from our own garden. Man, sometimes the simple things in life are the most enjoyable.
Bro AP is always very helpful so i think he meant well. Thanks for sharing about that though. My maintenance fees ranges from 100 plus(low) to ,hmm 100 plus(higher part) RM.

wuqi256

27-05-2011, 05:44 AM

Chillout

27-05-2011, 06:05 AM

Bro Chillout,

Peace to onto you brother and like your avatar namesake,do chillout.

No worry Wuqi. Decided to the moment I last post my comment.

Will ignore all future comments with regards to the subject. No energy to deal with such stuff.

Chillout

27-05-2011, 06:15 AM

Bro Chillout,

Thanks for sharing about that though. My maintenance fees ranges from 100 plus(low) to ,hmm 100 plus(higher part) RM.

Bro Wuqi, the RM100 if for terrace or SD? Mind me asking the sft of the land?

Any idea how much is the maintenance fee for bungalow in HH?

cathylmg

27-05-2011, 06:51 AM

Prof is right but i would say shops are still worth looking into, provided that they are in a local that would have lots of traffic GOING INTO your SHOP actual area or at least passing directly with an easy way/road to get to your shop. Lots of shoplots languishing in areas where although its next to the highway, there is no easy or convenient way to get to your shop. Always assume people are too busy/lazy to go to a place where accessibility is harder as they will just go somewhere else easier/faster.

For shop lots, it is not easy to access whether there will be traffic or not before it is fully up and functioning. It is more like a gamble. Either people go there or people don't. Take for example the shop lots at Sutera Utama. The road leading to it is so cramped. With the difficulty in access the place, contrary to the shoplots at Nusa Bestari area, which faces the main road, who would have thought it to become a success? I think the surrounding developments may be able to give you a clue of how it is going to turn out. But then still no guarantee.

hangyong

27-05-2011, 07:11 AM

alamak.... another news of gun shot case in JB in the news... :-(

why this kind of news always make headlines in local papers one???

nusajayaphile

27-05-2011, 07:57 AM

it depends on the property that you buy.

Current launch:
Horizon Suites: Lawyer's conveyance taken care (both ways), stamp duty, state consent on your own
Terrace at Hills: everything taken care (cannot remember about the state levy though)

Currently left with inbetween unit at the Hills. I wun take it because I would prefer a corner unit with more land. But price is there abouts lah

Hangyong, many thanks for your reply.

Looks like for landed houses, they absorb the costs. You are right about inbetween units left at The Hills precinct. Maybe should wiat for the next Precinct to be launched.

nusajayaphile

27-05-2011, 08:04 AM

Hi Nusajayaphile,
Agree with Hang Yong, if its to buy and stay though. 750k is ok. If its to buy to invest, there is still some upside but if its to buy and rent out, i would advise you to go for other options.

Hi Wuqi

Thanks for your valuable insight. I'm planning to buy for 3 purposes

1. Investment - so if there is upside on completion, hold on and rent out - option 2.
2. Rent Out for 5 years
3. For retirement home eventually.

What would you suggest are the other better options available? Care to share?

How about 1 Medini apartments or the Puteri Harbour marina facing apartments to be launched in July? 1 is 99 years, the other freehold, though.

aangsc

27-05-2011, 08:10 AM

alamak.... another news of gun shot case in JB in the news... :-(

why this kind of news always make headlines in local papers one???

yeah, on sg tabloid sensationalism. I thought the news on new President candidate is more relevant as front page.

cathylmg

27-05-2011, 08:20 AM

Agree with this, integration is on the way. :)

Which reminds me of what our Old PM once said, that Singapore my rejoin Malaysia one day. :)

abugumgum

27-05-2011, 08:35 AM

He said to be pay playing computer game everyday and he will truely be happy. I am dumbfounded. I have yet to find any such job for youngster today. Professional gamers , does it pay enough to pay bills ?

Game tester's job, but does not pay bills. But it can be a start into the Game Industry.

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 10:05 AM

You can call me damn rude for all i care.

But you are definitely not poor.

If you were... you would be living in a one room flat and taking up assistance from the Spore Govt. You would not be buying a property here.

Remember the welfare measures are really suited for the poor in Spore. However they may not suit the sandwiched class.

So chill off and remember you are not poor.

Dun try and act as one.

There is no free lunch nor free sympathy.

Tell Pleb that as well.

First you called people LOSERS and now you accuse me of asking for welfare and free lunch! You are like PAP who kept calling citizen names and brushed off our concerns as asking for welfare. Such government deserved to be thrown out by the people. Even PAP realised this and apologised to appease the citizens. It is high time you get off your high horse and stop acting high and mighty towards others who are moving for reasons other than your own.

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 10:15 AM

Not true that condo does not need to be diligent with painting every 5 years. All buildings are required by law to paint every 5 years. Can stretch another year or so if the condition is still good.

Oic, thanks for clarifying that...didn't know got such law, no wonder mine repainted in 6th or 7th year, thought HDBs are more diligent :p

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 10:22 AM

My in-laws don't. And still aren't now.

Hmm if they have no money then can't help it, if they have money also nothing wrong becos it is their money and they can do as they please....but if they have money and children are struggling then very easy to create tension and resentment lor...

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 10:48 AM

All of our PMET jobs can be done cheaper, better and faster by foreigners so what happens then, everyone becomes entrepreuneurs or civil service??

Well said...there must be level playing field (don't even talk about preference for citizens like in other countries, although there should be preference), citizens who are not able to be cheaper, faster and better than FT should not be simply ignored and leave them to be unemployed or work in menial jobs. Everyone knows that entrepreneurs can enjoy big success (and of course failure) but not everyone is cut out to be entrepreneurs or for that matter, not all want to be entrepreneurs!

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 10:59 AM

I deal with many computer related people. More than 10 years back, I see repairmen from Singapore for computer and printer repair, now I hardly see them except for high end hardware. I usually see PRC and Indian . Now even cablemen are not the usual Singaporean/M'sia, I see Pinoy foremen, PRC and Indian. This is why I have lesser faith for fellow countrymen going into this trade.

I remember there was a time when govt were asking retrench people over 35+ to go for computer repairs course and many did not get a job in those line eventually. Are they not good enough or are there more young men that can do it better at lower price ?

If parents are wealthy, they can afford to let kids try out career that fit them nicely but for those who are not, job security would be 1st priority. Unfortunately, I belong to second category ! When I asked my son what he would like to be ? He said to be pay playing computer game everyday and he will truely be happy. I am dumbfounded. I have yet to find any such job for youngster today. Professional gamers , does it pay enough to pay bills ?

Yeah last week my maintenance office hired a contractor to check the TV signal and three Filipinos turned up. Don't know why need three persons to check a cable though...

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 11:06 AM

Then you are lucky to meet the good ones. I know of many who leave nothing but debts to their kids. The best inheritance one can leave to ones scion are not houses, not stocks no gold but good and sound education.

Hmm leave debts to their kids..you mean loan shark debts? thought legal debts will be written off if not enough to deduct from inheritance left behind...

cathylmg

27-05-2011, 11:11 AM

Hmm leave debts to their kids..you mean loan shark debts? thought legal debts will be written off if not enough to deduct from inheritance left behind...

Gigantic medical bills to name one.... :(

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 11:24 AM

There is actually a growing community of experts here who are big time investors, got introduced to some guys recently
so hoping to learn more from the experts.

Hi wuqi or anyone can advise what is the estate duty like in JB? Like how much they'll deduct when one passes away in JB and the house is given to someone as inheritance... Do they recognise a will made in Singapore?

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 11:26 AM

Gigantic medical bills to name one.... :(

haha yeah forgot about this...one bill can wipe out all savings...

cathylmg

27-05-2011, 11:30 AM

haha yeah forgot about this...one bill can wipe out all savings...

This is my personal experience. :(

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 11:35 AM

Aiyo i just told my wife yday that she could take everything.

Cause she also cant take it and go anywhere what? Right? Being the mum surely she would leave it for her kids!:D:D

Wow your wife must have felt very happy...oh I'm neutral on this, some people might have misgivings of spouse remarrying (especially widower) and the kids are disadvantaged, especially when there are kids from the new marriage, anyway this is what i hear from people i come across and not meant to be representive hor...

LeMans2011

27-05-2011, 11:54 AM

Regarding the high maintenance charge at Leisure Farm, this is what they explained to me:

Strata-titled - expect to be expensive due to the need to maintain common properties.. for the case of Bayou Water Village i presume that would include maintaining that man-made canal
Individual titled - cheap, about RM200 plus for Bayou Creek

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 12:02 PM

Ginfreely, the petrol kiosk thing was one of the first things i thought of but was quickly put down by a local friend. Its one of the racial restriction thingy from what i understand.

Wow wuqi bro, you see me so up...not petrol kiosk lah, i was just thinking aloud and the kiosk i mean a stall in shopping centre lah..that time i saw one woman man a stall selling guess what just a plate of snacks placed on a tray and she seems quite happy SMSing although in the more than half an hour that i sit around there resting, saw she only had one customer...may be she is the staff only or if she is the owner of business, the rental must be really low there and she is not worried....

oh petrol kiosk is not small but big business leh, remember decades ago as a secondary student i did temp job at a market research agency as counter counting the number of cars going into the petrol kiosk in the whole day...there were a few petrol kiosks at that area and one of them assigned the agency to check out the competition...may be people doing eatery business also can do that to check out the traffic before renting? of course i no expert lah, just sharing my layman views..

ginfreely

27-05-2011, 12:04 PM

This is my personal experience. :(

can share more what happened?

avalon74

27-05-2011, 01:35 PM

avalon74

27-05-2011, 01:40 PM

No leh, almost all parents I meet want to leave inheritance to their kids, may be not to their wife/husband but certainly to their children :D

That's true.. however the caution is that the children shd not be brought up with the idea that all is being provided for them, leading to complacency..
Else they may turn up to be bummers.. relying on parents.. (Reminds me of George in Seinfeld)

avalon74

27-05-2011, 01:53 PM

My friend working in fund management company also said DCA is the best, she follows it herself and made very good gains over the last few years. I never follow her advice though. Now I stick to dividend stocks only, no more unit trust after the painful technology unit trust experience, am still holding to it...now half price only :(

Heard of a saying
Unit trust = You Need Trust..

iamapseudoneem

27-05-2011, 02:21 PM

Hi all

Allow me to share my brief story. Have been going in and out of JB for makan/shopping/holiday for as long as I can remember. When got hitched in 2002 already planned to get a property in JB (can u imagine how cheeep that can be at that time?). Alas my missus was not for it for all the negative reasons that all bros/sis have mentioned in this forum.

We r both professionals. Have cleared my 5 rm HDB loan within that time and with 3 lovely kids fr P3 to Pre-sch. Took almost 10 yrs to convince the other better half.. during which from no restrictions by msian govt to min 500k rule imposed. Well it is better late than never right :).

I do not regret for it is no use if I were to buy earlier and my missus neva wanna stay or step inside the hse. But now she is the one who kept planning what to buy or put in the new hse in 1+ yrs time. Plan to clear the loan in 10-12yrs..

Although we are not immediate neighbours, it is still good to know of fellow sporeans from different developments.

Btw i am taking the plunge at NI.

Wish me luck =)

Welcome neighbor! :) Which precinct did you get? Is it the semi-D at Precinct 4 or the new launch at 7?
I'm at Precinct 8. Good luck!

avalon74

27-05-2011, 02:36 PM

Hangyong:

Just like buying stock. you buy/sell the fund on the exchange no middle man. ETFs tend to mirror whichever sectorial indices and are not actively managed therefore cheaper and faster to dispose or buy since no middle man. SGX main board lists some of these ETFs (e.g. from lyxor sectors in india, china etc). hope i got in correct, any person with professional training correct me if I am wrong =p

ETF are low expense ratio funds as contrast to Unit Trust/Mutual Trust..
Whether faster to dispose depends on volume being traded.. similar to common stocks in sgx..

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:00 PM

Definitely support that its fully relevant.

I thought the news on new President candidate is more relevant as front page.

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:03 PM

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:05 PM

I think for the amount of money we pay the Town Councils do a reasonable job.

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:06 PM

What you said is quite possible! Very much possible especially in the new age that we live in.

In my case, my wife is lucky lah.

Wow your wife must have felt very happy...oh I'm neutral on this, some people might have misgivings of spouse remarrying (especially widower) and the kids are disadvantaged, especially when there are kids from the new marriage, anyway this is what i hear from people i come across and not meant to be representive hor...

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:12 PM

Nicely written and explained.

You stay at LF too?

Regarding the high maintenance charge at Leisure Farm, this is what they explained to me:

Strata-titled - expect to be expensive due to the need to maintain common properties.. for the case of Bayou Water Village i presume that would include maintaining that man-made canal
Individual titled - cheap, about RM200 plus for Bayou Creek

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:19 PM

Huat Ah to all.

Strong fundamentals are a must be it for a Company.

So focus on good stocks with strong fundamentals.

Yes for the medium to long term stocks give you the best returns!

Key points to remember:
1) No guesswork
2) No following peoples advice
3) Buy into a business you understand and believe

China is still a great place to invest and will remain a great place to invest for a long time to come.:):)

Bro,
Good for you, my stock picks are far from accurate & still had 1 china stock under suspension.
Made me learn the importance of picking right stocks with proper corporate governance..

However I am sticking with stock over the mid/long term..

To all investors, regardless of the instruments.. huat ah!

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:21 PM

I have the energy but i just dun have the time. Appropriate reply/ies will be presented in time.

Will ignore all future comments with regards to the subject. No energy to deal with such stuff.

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:22 PM

Yeah disposing ETFs is similar to disposing stocks.

Its safer than stocks surely and low on expenses compared to UT/MF

ETF are low expense ratio funds as contrast to Unit Trust/Mutual Trust..
Whether faster to dispose depends on volume being traded.. similar to common stocks in sgx..

Analytical Professor

27-05-2011, 03:23 PM

Agree with you. Hence i told my kids that they have to work for their own homes and cars.

A good education is all that I can provide

Possibly a memorable childhood too.:)

That's true.. however the caution is that the children shd not be brought up with the idea that all is being provided for them, leading to complacency..
Else they may turn up to be bummers.. relying on parents.. (Reminds me of George in Seinfeld)

LeMans2011

27-05-2011, 05:21 PM

Nicely written and explained. You stay at LF too?

Nope, i was looking at Bayou Creek at LF which is not strata-titled... the Sales called me up inform about the soft-launch so i conveniently asked them about this 20% increase in maintenance charge, to which she conveniently replied strata-titled are more ex compared to individual-titled. She further claimed they have kept the costs there for 5 years, hence the need to increase... disclaimer: i have not verified her statement

jasonjst

27-05-2011, 06:48 PM

I deal with many computer related people. More than 10 years back, I see repairmen from Singapore for computer and printer repair, now I hardly see them except for high end hardware. I usually see PRC and Indian . Now even cablemen are not the usual Singaporean/M'sia, I see Pinoy foremen, PRC and Indian. This is why I have lesser faith for fellow countrymen going into this trade.

I remember there was a time when govt were asking retrench people over 35+ to go for computer repairs course and many did not get a job in those line eventually. Are they not good enough or are there more young men that can do it better at lower price ?

If parents are wealthy, they can afford to let kids try out career that fit them nicely but for those who are not, job security would be 1st priority. Unfortunately, I belong to second category ! When I asked my son what he would like to be ? He said to be pay playing computer game everyday and he will truely be happy. I am dumbfounded. I have yet to find any such job for youngster today. Professional gamers , does it pay enough to pay bills ?

I have lost faith in PAP system ... look at what people say :-

http://moolahoooh.blogspot.com/2011/03/fake-talents-in-singapore.html

http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/03/05/proof-of-mom-being-hoodwinked-by-fts-fake-degrees/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_Singapore

Why push our children so hard to get a place in NUS /NTI or oversea top uni when our gov simply can accept any fake talent from all over the world ? These FTs pay 5K to 7K ? True or not ?
Our local grad from NTU / NUS cant event get 2.5K ..

abugumgum

28-05-2011, 01:22 AM

Gigantic medical bills to name one.... :(

True, although can minimise with some insurance, live healthy lifestyle etc. Still feel unpredictable like lottery.

aangsc

28-05-2011, 03:22 AM

Agree with you. Hence i told my kids that they have to work for their own homes and cars.

A good education is all that I can provide

Possibly a memorable childhood too.:)

Same view here. No promise of house or wealth from the old man/dame. We provide them with every opportunity to accumulate knowledge within our mean. If we do decided and able to leave something for them, that would be bonus. For me , inheritance is a privilege not an entitlement.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 04:34 AM

Nicely said.

I planned my life without expecting anything from my parents.

Whatever i got from my parents is and will remain a bonus. Ofcourse grateful to my parents.

Same view here. No promise of house or wealth from the old man/dame. We provide them with every opportunity to accumulate knowledge within our mean. If we do decided and able to leave something for them, that would be bonus. For me , inheritance is a privilege not an entitlement.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 04:39 AM

Causeway massively jammed.

I think its the pay day syndrome.

After everyday same story unfolds.

mallow

28-05-2011, 04:44 AM

We may not rejoin Malaysia (out of selfish interests ofcourse of the powers that be!) but surely there will be greater cooperation between the 2 neighbours out of mutual benefit. In one word SYMBIOSIS. I believe NJ will succeed although the gestation period may not be to our liking!
Hey AP and flens, it occurred to me a short while back and this seems confirmed after reading this and the other post about whatgoeson in Singapore, that there are many rightful advantages and perks available to us, even though we have chosen to spend most of our time in Johor. With this in mind, there are free cancer screenings for women etc. Then there is useful information on what needs to be done [e.g. if you did not vote and wish to be reinstated on the Electoral Rolls] and even sales and special offers.
With this in mind, I have added such to my weblog that was originally meant to inform those who have come here about Johor, info that keeps Singaporeans informed of the good stuff that becomes available in Singapore.
What do you think?
If you think so too, please feed me stuff to share with those of us who are here so we might be able to enjoy or take advantage of what is ours too?
Thanks! Drop a quick note to puterim@puterim.com

Chillout

28-05-2011, 04:51 AM

Hi wuqi or anyone can advise what is the estate duty like in JB? Like how much they'll deduct when one passes away in JB and the house is given to someone as inheritance... Do they recognise a will made in Singapore?

From discussion with my M'sia lawyer with regards to our estate, estate duty was also abolished and the will from Singapore will be recognised. This is very important for us.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 04:53 AM

Im surprised Digi has not improved their signal in the HH area.

HH area and NJ are sought after areas.

Digi should ramp up coverage n signal strength in the area.

Helps me as well when i use second link

Chillout

28-05-2011, 05:01 AM

haha yeah forgot about this...one bill can wipe out all savings...

The irony is as long as we are working, we don't need to use/activate Medishield as we have our company's insurance to cover us. However, once we retire at 65, the Medishield stops coverage too. So in another word, we are paying for something we won't need as long as we are working and when you need it the most, we don't have it unlike civil servants and family are covered till death. This is so unfair.

Chillout

28-05-2011, 05:12 AM

That's true.. however the caution is that the children shd not be brought up with the idea that all is being provided for them, leading to complacency..
Else they may turn up to be bummers.. relying on parents.. (Reminds me of George in Seinfeld)

Totally agree with you on this. Always told my kids that we will provide them with all the education they want and nothing else, No need for them to repay us with monthly allowance in future (don't want to burden them) and the best they can do for their parents is to live a life where their parents don't have to worry.

Whatever gifts we are planning, we don't want them to know.

Seen a few rich kids growing up not driven with the mentality of 'extending their hands out' when they go out even though they are already working or not at all. Sitting around waiting for inheritance. So sad.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 05:23 AM

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 05:26 AM

Nice

Tuas free flowing

No jam

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 05:42 AM

I think i spoke too soon.

Massive jam at Tuas at the malaysia side of immigration

cathylmg

28-05-2011, 06:02 AM

can share more what happened?

Its my parents. They are selling salted eggs now. Long story. :)

cathylmg

28-05-2011, 06:17 AM

Huat Ah to all.

Strong fundamentals are a must be it for a Company.

So focus on good stocks with strong fundamentals.

Yes for the medium to long term stocks give you the best returns!

Key points to remember:
1) No guesswork
2) No following peoples advice
3) Buy into a business you understand and believe

China is still a great place to invest and will remain a great place to invest for a long time to come.:):)

Rental property is still the best investment instrument. Think of it. You can buy a $200k property with just $40k cash. Then collect money from rent to pay for loan and eventually get the full $200k back. Not taking into considerations of capital appreciation. Neat huh?

cathylmg

28-05-2011, 06:31 AM

The irony is as long as we are working, we don't need to use/activate Medishield as we have our company's insurance to cover us. However, once we retire at 65, the Medishield stops coverage too. So in another word, we are paying for something we won't need as long as we are working and when you need it the most, we don't have it unlike civil servants and family are covered till death. This is so unfair.

Also, medisheild covers you up to the age of 80. After 80 year old, you are on your own. Just when you need it most. And a lot of things are not covered under it. Like kidney dialysis, eye operations, cancer treatments...etc which are most commonly needed.

Getting extra coverage for yourself is also very very expensive. The premiums will deplete all your medisave funds as the years goes by because it gets more expensive as you age. And not 100% covered too. Only up to a maximum of 90% of your permitted claim. You gotta pay another extra which I feel it is sky high just to cover another 10% of the balance.

Thats why to be frugal and save up as much as you could during your healthy years is very important so as not to be caught off guard when you are old and needs money for medical treatments.

There a the saying of 'Can die but cannot fall sick!'

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 06:51 AM

Jam at Tuas super long.

Getting royally toasted in the scorching sun

abugumgum

28-05-2011, 08:15 AM

Yes surely we will be chop and chop until become lamb chop. They wont get aggressive. But surely will chop us la....

Even i buy vegetables i kena chop...

Even i buy meat i also chop

Er, can buy from fixed price places such as hypermart. Just one option.

Chillout

28-05-2011, 09:29 AM

Also, medisheild covers you up to the age of 80. After 80 year old, you are on your own. Just when you need it most. And a lot of things are not covered under it. Like kidney dialysis, eye operations, cancer treatments...etc which are most commonly needed.

Getting extra coverage for yourself is also very very expensive. The premiums will deplete all your medisave funds as the years goes by because it gets more expensive as you age. And not 100% covered too. Only up to a maximum of 90% of your permitted claim. You gotta pay another extra which I feel it is sky high just to cover another 10% of the balance.

Thats why to be frugal and save up as much as you could during your healthy years is very important so as not to be caught off guard when you are old and needs money for medical treatments.

There a the saying of 'Can die but cannot fall sick!'

The website AP directed to states coverage upto 85 years old.

At the rate health cost is moving up, it would be difficult for majority of S'porean/SPR to save for retirement and medical for 2 person after paying off mortgage & kids education.

Though we are considered above average income earners, it is scary just to think of it. Keeping my fingers cross that an apportunity would pan out. Then I can stop worrying.

Don't understand how our ex-MOH pays only $8.80 for heart operation?

Had never used medishield so far. Based on your explaination it is clearly not enough and lifetime claim is only S$200,000.

On a separate note, have anyone of you opted out of eldershield?

cathylmg

28-05-2011, 10:55 AM

The website AP directed to states coverage upto 85 years old.

At the rate health cost is moving up, it would be difficult for majority of S'porean/SPR to save for retirement and medical for 2 person after paying off mortgage & kids education.

Though we are considered above average income earners, it is scary just to think of it. Keeping my fingers cross that an apportunity would pan out. Then I can stop worrying.

Don't understand how our ex-MOH pays only $8.80 for heart operation?

Had never used medishield so far. Based on your explaination it is clearly not enough and lifetime claim is only S$200,000.

On a separate note, have anyone of you opted out of eldershield?

You forgotten that he has a fat pay cheque and he can just cover himself with as much insurance as he wants for himself. :)

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 12:29 PM

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 12:32 PM

Did my bit for nature again.

I was watering the plants in my garden and then went on to water the pine trees on the lil grass patch outside my home.

Could not help notice that my neighbour next dour had planted four sapplings on his little green patch.

It was yesterday once more.

My neighbour not at home.

so i watered the plants for him.

Remembered my childhood.

cathylmg

28-05-2011, 01:09 PM

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 01:21 PM

Thanks Cathy.

I hope my neighbour appreciates me as much as you do.

I saw the sapplings my neighbour had planted (4 coconut and 1 mango)

My neighbour is nowhere in sight.

Worse he has no electic lightings done yet or any furniture in the house.

No reno either.

so from the looks of it, its gonna be a long time before he makes this place his home.

I was watering my plants.

I could not bear to see the 4 sapplings suffer. Water does not cost. Just a bit of time and the job is done.

so i did it.

I told my maid also to water my neighbours plants unless he tells us specifically not to.

Professor, you are a great neighbour! Giving you a pat on your shoulder! :)

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 01:22 PM

BTW i have lovely little humming birds visiting my home. The kids love them.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 01:25 PM

This thread is jumping too fast.

Just cant keep track.

So many posts sometimes are missed out.

cathylmg

28-05-2011, 01:31 PM

BTW i have lovely little humming birds visiting my home. The kids love them.

Wow! I wish I have birds visiting my house. Home in Tampines, I also have birds of different types coming into my house. Sometime they fly in from the left side of the living room, and fly out from the right. Haven't seen any birds flying into my house in ST yet.

Now I'm going back to ST liao.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 01:44 PM

They should visit your home too unless someone disturbs them.

Nice to hear them chirp.

Actually quite a few birds out here. Different types i have noticed. But i dunno their names.

Wow! I wish I have birds visiting my house. Home in Tampines, I also have birds of different types coming into my house. Sometime they fly in from the left side of the living room, and fly out from the right. Haven't seen any birds flying into my house in ST yet.

Now I'm going back to ST liao.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 01:46 PM

Lucky i never cut down the MBJB tree or whoever planted that tree.

It started flowering already.

Surprisingly only my tree is flowering though all of us around here in my precint have the same tree (or atleast most of us)

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 01:48 PM

Finally the construction work behind my home is coming to an end. Hopefully there will be lesser mozzies from now on due to the abscence of water logging.

Now the roads behind my home (as in the next precint) are all tarred, just paint works and fitting works remain.

So life will get more peaceful

and it will be brighter and livelier too with more neighbours.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 01:50 PM

Now School holidays already Cathy from today.

So one month you can relax until so shiok.

Enjoy the peace, quiet and tranquility of your home.

No need to wake up, get kids ready and rush.

Enjoy the holidays.

Wow! I wish I have birds visiting my house. Home in Tampines, I also have birds of different types coming into my house. Sometime they fly in from the left side of the living room, and fly out from the right. Haven't seen any birds flying into my house in ST yet.

Now I'm going back to ST liao.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 01:51 PM

Cathy which internet are you using? The one i am using is good for normal browsing. Not for high end.

But good enough for me and my wife to work.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 04:00 PM

Sitting at Monsta Cafe now.

Wanted to visit Station One. But my kids juz wont allow me

euphony

28-05-2011, 04:03 PM

i was monitoring the skycam earlier trying to find the right time to get home. damn the heavy traffic so i switched to 2nd link instead. breezed home pretty promptly within 1 hour despite the much longer journey. the causeway is still bumper to bumper traffic for now. urgh i cannot wait to shift over closer to the 2nd link.

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 04:19 PM

Was careful about parkin my car

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 04:22 PM

Was checkin the camera as well.

The jam at Causeway was horrifying

Strong feeling its the pay day syndrome

so here i am sittin at Monsta Cafe

in a while il leave via 2nd link as well

i was monitoring the skycam earlier trying to find the right time to get home. damn the heavy traffic so i switched to 2nd link instead. breezed home pretty promptly within 1 hour despite the much longer journey. the causeway is still bumper to bumper traffic for now. urgh i cannot wait to shift over closer to the 2nd link.

euphony

28-05-2011, 04:28 PM

Was checkin the camera as well.

The jam at Causeway was horrifying

Strong feeling its the pay day syndrome

so here i am sittin at Monsta Cafe

in a while il leave via 2nd link as well

Ap whoa so late?! have a good weekend ahead, same to all forummers here =)

Analytical Professor

28-05-2011, 04:36 PM

Yea mate really late.

Would have stayed over here at Setia Tropika but the kids going Universal Studios tomorrow.

So no choice must return now.

But im not a fan of disneyland/universal etc

so my wifey bringin them

im gonna rest

Ap whoa so late?! have a good weekend ahead, same to all forummers here =)

avalon74

29-05-2011, 12:52 AM

Im surprised Digi has not improved their signal in the HH area.

HH area and NJ are sought after areas.
Digi should ramp up coverage n signal strength in the area.
Helps me as well when i use second link
So will not be useful for me in SEG? was thinking of signing up in future..

avalon74

29-05-2011, 12:55 AM

avalon74

29-05-2011, 01:01 AM

Totally agree with you on this. Always told my kids that we will provide them with all the education they want and nothing else, No need for them to repay us with monthly allowance in future (don't want to burden them) and the best they can do for their parents is to live a life where their parents don't have to worry.

Whatever gifts we are planning, we don't want them to know.

Seen a few rich kids growing up not driven with the mentality of 'extending their hands out' when they go out even though they are already working or not at all. Sitting around waiting for inheritance. So sad.

Actually, its good to let them know its expected for them to provide a nominal allowance to parents when they start working so it builds on the concept of filial piety.. parents can always save up or invest, at later stage if they need to get married or buy housing, can reaching into this "sinking fund" haha

avalon74

29-05-2011, 01:10 AM

I hope i am not wrong. But medishield details are at the link below.

My honest opinion medishield offers basic coverage.

Insufficient and basic tied to class b2/c within additional limits imposed ob policy annuallimits and lifetime limits.

http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/hcfinancing.aspx?id=334

Bro, basic medishield is insufficient for most pple expectations..
Top up with private insurrers product..
AIA - Healthshield
Prudential- PruShield
GE- SupremeShield
Aviva - MyShield
NTUC- Incomeshield etc..

Me did quite some research in past so gotta know them.. currently with Aviva myshield as it provides free coverage for the children up to age 20 if both parents covered.. Only downside is that even with the myshield plus rider, the annual deductible capped at 3k still has to be paid the issured.

However bot NTUC enhanced shield for my mum & premium has increased twice over last 3 yrs. (similar to motor insurrance case where claims resulting in increasing premiums)

avalon74

29-05-2011, 01:15 AM

You forgotten that he has a fat pay cheque and he can just cover himself with as much insurance as he wants for himself. :)

Shd be covered by civil service medical scheme.. similar for companies where staff has a "medical card" to relief out oif pocket payments..

mallow

29-05-2011, 01:54 AM

For a friend living in LH: Free baby rabbits to a loving home

Contact Mrs Kok: powwaicheng@msn.com
We have 4 baby rabbits, just 4 weeks old now, that should be ready for adoption in a couple of weeks' time.
Owner must be committed to daily care-giving ;)

horizonhills

29-05-2011, 07:45 AM

U sure Tuas no jam on Sat which is the first day of holidays? When i entered Singapore from tuas around 12pm, the other direction heading to jb custom was jamed packed for at least 1 km.. when i returned to jb at night, around 9pm, the jam was about 500m long!!

Nice

Tuas free flowing

No jam

horizonhills

29-05-2011, 07:56 AM

alamak.... another news of gun shot case in JB in the news... :-(

why this kind of news always make headlines in local papers one???

The gun shot incident happened about 5-7km from Horizon Hills and about 1-2km from Sutera Utama. I know that place well as I often makan my breakfast at the mama shop. Its actually a place in Tun Aminah and car-jacking is quite prevalent when I cheong there about 5 years ago. Its quite common to have car-jacking and the culprits simply drove away the car. Usually happens at night after 12mn but it dont make front page news.. Most of the times not even in the news as its quite a common occurence in JB then.

Was quite disappointed about this shooting incident. My friend who was there at 10am told me the body is still there and the floor is full of blood. JB is never safe, please be aware of your surroundings at all time

horizonhills

29-05-2011, 08:27 AM

Hi Sorry I havent been here for many weeks. Let me offer my inputs. Even though I have a few units in Horizon Hills etc, and I seriously dislike the finishing which is damn low-standard, I love it here for the peace, huge space. Price is not a factor as I need to spend about S$300 on petrol a month, about S$300 on toll and another S$300 on phone bills, which are extra bills for me. I have stayed in my condo in Singapore for a few years and my petrol is never that expensive and I pay no toll except for ERP but I seldom enter the city. I cant say I am very rich, nor rich, as I have seen lambos, A6, 7 series, S-class, etc in Horizon Hills and East Ledang houses.

I also dont believe that those people who stay here cannot make it in Singapore, esp those who stay in Nusa where the prices are easily S$400,000 paid not in CPF.

Hi,

I am sorry my question provoked such a response, no disrespect was meant, sincerely. The last thing on my mind was to insinuate that those who made the move, could not make it in Sg. On hindsight, I realise my post may have come across that way. I apologise.

The question was really hypothetical in nature, and worded very badly. In essence, it should have been worded something like "given the choice, without any financial considerations, where would you prefer to live?"

With due respect the chap who I aggravated with my post, I actually have read every page, as I've followed the thread from the beginning, and I did not recall anyone discussing the move from this perspective, and I was genuinely curious. Perhaps too much so.

Again, I apologise for my insensitivity.

Pleb.

Analytical Professor

29-05-2011, 08:58 AM

That is the only choice.

Sometimes its just the kick of visiting the market.

But then the pro about hypermarket is that you generally get everything under one roof.

Hence i love to shop at the Bukit Indah area cause you have TESCO, Jusco and Giant in close proximity.

I first head to TESCO (my fav) and then onwards to Jusco if necessary.

Giant a last resort.

Er, can buy from fixed price places such as hypermart. Just one option.

Analytical Professor

29-05-2011, 09:09 AM

You have to use *116# to get the promotional rate of Rm3.

If however the signal strength is good in your area go for it.

Buy a prepaid line and try it out to test the signal strength.

I think as mentioned by Wuqi Celcom/Maxis are best for NJ side atleast for the moment

So will not be useful for me in SEG? was thinking of signing up in future..

Analytical Professor

29-05-2011, 02:12 PM

Agree with you guys on this one.

Medishield from what i know is tied to class B2/C wards. I am not sure how many of us are comfortable visiting B2/C wards. Secondly the annual limit for Medisave is about 50k and lifetime limit 200k.

In B2/C wards generally you get trainee doctors operating on you. They can make a hash of the whole process as well since they do not have the experience.

You will be extremely lucky to get a Senior Consultant/Consultant to operate on you at these charges.

The other disastrous issue is whereby the premiums are capped at S$ 800 for CPF usage. The anamoly with this is if you have an elderly person at home then this entire amount is sometimes insufficient to cover the elderly person. Which means then, to cover yourself and your family including your kids you gotta do a cash top up.

Since Medishield is really insufficient, many years back i read up on all the service providers out there in the market and figured that the one offered by Income is still the cheapest with wide coverage.

So i got my kids onto the Preferred plan of Enhanced Incomeshield.

http://www.income.com.sg/insurance/EnhancedShield/coverage.asp

Remember one ailment is all it takes before the insurance guys make that an exclusion.

1) Eg if you are taking amlodipine you will have all conditions related to heart and circulation excluded.

Hence its best to subscribe to insurance when you are fully fit. Children do not realise the importance of insurance in their prime 20-35 and so when problems arise later on the insurance providers begin to make exclusions making your policy virtually useless.

So get on it as soon as possible.

Now i dun work for INCOME/nor am i a sales agent for Income.

From my limited knowledge and understanding this is possibly the best in terms of coverage and price.

OFcourse its good for most of us out here though some may still argue that annual limit/lifetime limits are not sufficient.

In such cases judicious use of ward/class will help extend your annual limit/lifetime limit.

If anyone has information of better service providers in terms of coverage/premiums i would love to make a comparison.

But I guess we can continue the enhanced medishield products from private insurrers though its premiums are escalated with increasing age bands.
The other issue is payments from medisave capped at 800 per policy per yr so need cash top up..

toyohon

29-05-2011, 02:50 PM

Since we are on the subject of medical insurance, it will be good to check if the policies cover costs of medical treatment and hospitalisation incurred overseas.

Analytical Professor

29-05-2011, 03:43 PM

Rental + accumulation of asset.

Definitely neat. But how to find a decent place to invest?

That is why my wife does not allow me to make a second investment in Johore.

Rental property is still the best investment instrument. Think of it. You can buy a $200k property with just $40k cash. Then collect money from rent to pay for loan and eventually get the full $200k back. Not taking into considerations of capital appreciation. Neat huh?

Analytical Professor

29-05-2011, 03:54 PM

Yeah bro that was my earlier post. Later i corrected myself to the huge jam.

We were stuck for more than 2 hours.

Freakin annoying. Pay so much. still have to get roasted at the Immigration.

Atleast the jam at CIQ moves. At Tuas it just remains clogged up....

Despite bumper-bumper traffic at CIQ my wife and I are usually able to clear it in less than an hour.

But at TUAS it just seems impossible when there is a huge jam.

U sure Tuas no jam on Sat which is the first day of holidays? When i entered Singapore from tuas around 12pm, the other direction heading to jb custom was jamed packed for at least 1 km.. when i returned to jb at night, around 9pm, the jam was about 500m long!!

Analytical Professor

29-05-2011, 04:00 PM

Thank you for highlighting this.

I think we must always high light crime.

When we do not highlight crime people assume that either there is no crime or that its a way of life.

The gun shot incident happened about 5-7km from Horizon Hills and about 1-2km from Sutera Utama. I know that place well as I often makan my breakfast at the mama shop. Its actually a place in Tun Aminah and car-jacking is quite prevalent when I cheong there about 5 years ago. Its quite common to have car-jacking and the culprits simply drove away the car. Usually happens at night after 12mn but it dont make front page news.. Most of the times not even in the news as its quite a common occurence in JB then.

Was quite disappointed about this shooting incident. My friend who was there at 10am told me the body is still there and the floor is full of blood. JB is never safe, please be aware of your surroundings at all time

Analytical Professor

29-05-2011, 04:09 PM

From my limited knowledge:

1) Incomeshield offers medical treatment overseas under the emergency conditions
wherein you unexpectedly require medical treatment overseas.
2) Overseas medical insurance plans are available.
3) Integrated medical plans (local + overseas ) are available too albiet at higher price.

Since we are on the subject of medical insurance, it will be good to check if the policies cover costs of medical treatment and hospitalisation incurred overseas.

horizonhills

30-05-2011, 12:13 AM

I hate it when there are jams at Tuas. Cos the jams are usually so serious that my car literally WOULD not move sometimes for 5 minutes and imagine there are 200 cars in front of you. A few times I was caught in the Tsunami jams at 2nd link, it took me 4 hours to clear. Serious. No joke. Now with the school holidays, I expect more jams to follow for another 1 month at least! This is one of the reason why I am not staying in JB after my kid is of schooling-going age, as I dont want to stress them with the horrific traffic. The bottomline is: Is there a need? For me, no need as I can simply rent out my units at Nusajaya, take the money and live in Singapore. Afterall, my objective when I enter JB is to buy and invest in properties.
Yeah bro that was my earlier post. Later i corrected myself to the huge jam.

We were stuck for more than 2 hours.

Freakin annoying. Pay so much. still have to get roasted at the Immigration.

Atleast the jam at CIQ moves. At Tuas it just remains clogged up....

Despite bumper-bumper traffic at CIQ my wife and I are usually able to clear it in less than an hour.

But at TUAS it just seems impossible when there is a huge jam.

horizonhills

30-05-2011, 12:17 AM

Not many people discuss about East Ledang here. I was there on a visit on Sunday. Talked to a few residents who are currently living there. Saw one Mit Outlander parked outside a completed Twin villas and found that the owner is an ang mo engineer from Legoland. New castle professors are moving in as well and I was told the average rental for Semis is easily RM 8000.

Imagine they buy semi ds at RM 700+K and now they can sell at RM 1.2 million or rent at rm8000. No wonder East Ledang is ALWAYS SELL OUT!!!

toyohon

30-05-2011, 12:45 AM

From my limited knowledge:

1) Incomeshield offers medical treatment overseas under the emergency conditions
wherein you unexpectedly require medical treatment overseas.
2) Overseas medical insurance plans are available.
3) Integrated medical plans (local + overseas ) are available too albiet at higher price.

Since most of us here are in JB for a good part of the time, perhaps its time to re-look at this option as I understand that certain insurance co/polices do extend the coverage for overseas treatment. With the promising medical facilities coming up in Iskandar, this should be a very important option.

horizonhills

30-05-2011, 12:53 AM

Thank you for highlighting this.

I think we must always high light crime.

When we do not highlight crime people assume that either there is no crime or that its a way of life.

we must keep highlighting crimes in JB so that we can help one another from becoming the target of crimes. Seriously, ever since the 6am Bukit Indah Jusco kidnapping and robbery, I was quite afraid when driving past at 6am in the morning as now I know that anyone ( not only those rich car owners ) can be kidnapped or robbed. The victim is just an admin girl working in Singapore driving a normal sedan.. Really makes me wonder if I am that safe driving a Singapore-registered car at 5-6am in the morning sometimes.

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 01:00 AM

Now School holidays already Cathy from today.

So one month you can relax until so shiok.

Enjoy the peace, quiet and tranquility of your home.

No need to wake up, get kids ready and rush.

Enjoy the holidays.

Not really Professor. This week whole week son having remedial lessons. Last week whole week daughter having remedial lesson. Half day gone. Still gotta cross the boarder daily due to red plated car.

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 01:04 AM

Cathy which internet are you using? The one i am using is good for normal browsing. Not for high end.

But good enough for me and my wife to work.

Professor, not intending to apply for any internet connection yet. I have Starhub mobile currently and am mostly in Singapore on weekday. So have to do with not having any internet connection on weekend until son finishes his PSLE. He is a facebook game addict. Good to make him go cold turkey for a while.

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 01:06 AM

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 01:11 AM

Sitting at Monsta Cafe now.

Wanted to visit Station One. But my kids juz wont allow me

By the, do you know when is the McDonald at ST opening? Care to check it out? Thanks in advance.

Btw, Professor, I saw something like a bus-stop being build in front of the government building. Opposite the shop houses. Hopefully it will bring in the much needed human traffic. Madam Leong vegetarian will be the main benefector. Yay! :)

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 01:38 AM

Since most of us here are in JB for a good part of the time, perhaps its time to re-look at this option as I understand that certain insurance co/polices do extend the coverage for overseas treatment. With the promising medical facilities coming up in Iskandar, this should be a very important option.

Yes, its about time we relook into our insurance coverage. Especially those of us who are thinking of retiring in JB. Insurance should include coverage for oversea hospital too.

Will appreciate if you could post your findings here. Thanks in advance for sharing with us. ;)

abugumgum

30-05-2011, 02:25 AM

Hmmm.....

The Rm 3 Plan from Digi works fantastic for me. Again i am no Digi Sales man. Huhu.

I am just enjoying this cheap service.

I am using my Galaxy tab as a modem and ofcourse now i have some sort of a Wi Fi at home.

So my wife and I can log in and use the Rm 3??

Sounds cool eh.

Tell you honestly the Digi Rm 3 service is better than my M1 postpaid 3g data plan.

I was with Maxis Wireless Broadband for 1.5mth and decided to switch to Digi Discover Day Plan for Rm 38 /mth 3GB. Still trying out the speed. It is more for use when running about.
At home, I use the P1 plan.

aangsc

30-05-2011, 02:29 AM

Sat jam was bad at Tuas, stuck about 2+ hours around 6pm,
Sun also jam badly at causeway , another 2+ hours around 5pm .
Both occasions it is Malaysia side, they ought to improve this condition if they are serious about investment from Singapore side.
Whatever peace and relaxation plan was dashed after sitting throught a 2 hours plus of jam! :-(

In this condition, Nusajaya is only good for retirees.

aangsc

30-05-2011, 02:34 AM

Wow! I wish I have birds visiting my house. Home in Tampines, I also have birds of different types coming into my house. Sometime they fly in from the left side of the living room, and fly out from the right. Haven't seen any birds flying into my house in ST yet.

Now I'm going back to ST liao.

Yes, I also enjoyed watching the butterflies when flowers bloom and birds that visit after weeds are pulled in HH. In fact I once saw a hornbill flew across my hse in HH. Such simple nature simply therapeutic to the mind.

abugumgum

30-05-2011, 02:38 AM

That is the only choice.

Sometimes its just the kick of visiting the market.

But then the pro about hypermarket is that you generally get everything under one roof.

Hence i love to shop at the Bukit Indah area cause you have TESCO, Jusco and Giant in close proximity.

I first head to TESCO (my fav) and then onwards to Jusco if necessary.

Giant a last resort.

Tesco is currently my fav, followed by Carrefour. Less of Giant and Jusco.

Visiting market for the buzz and for a change too.

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 03:01 AM

I still have not settle down well in ST. There are tonnes of things to pack and unpack. Not enough cabinets and cupboards to store my things. For the pass Sundays I have be washing cleaning packing. My tenents have not fully moved out of my flats. So weekdays I'm here to clean and clean, weekends I'm in ST to clean and clean too. I'm so tired!

I planted 1 onion on my gardening patch. It feels nice to know that I will have spring onions ready for cooking next week. :P I also planted a potato yesterday. Wondering how many potatos I will get in the end. Anyone into organic planting? Am also thinking of planting ginger, carrots and some sweet potatos. Can share with me how many of those will I get if I planted 1 of them each? Or is it plant 1 get 1? How about its time frame?

Thanks in advance for sharing.

wuqi256

30-05-2011, 03:30 AM

we must keep highlighting crimes in JB so that we can help one another from becoming the target of crimes. Seriously, ever since the 6am Bukit Indah Jusco kidnapping and robbery, I was quite afraid when driving past at 6am in the morning as now I know that anyone ( not only those rich car owners ) can be kidnapped or robbed. The victim is just an admin girl working in Singapore driving a normal sedan.. Really makes me wonder if I am that safe driving a Singapore-registered car at 5-6am in the morning sometimes.

Agreed though we shouldn't dwell on it to the extent that we get controlled by fear. The gunman shooting was clearly a hit crime, hit crimes can happen everywhere, the one eye dragon guy was one and he escaped to Malaysia and was apprehended there. There was even a contractor caught in SG with a loaded .45 colt pistol in Ang Mo Kio, i am not going to avoid Ang Mo Kio because of that. I will be more careful and take extra care but thats about it.

There are facts about the 6am case that i found strange, if this can happen at Bukit Indah area, it points to something more planned rather than something done at the spur of the moment. The actual amount drew out at the atm may be played down to avoid drawing "further attention" Like a learned friend of mine who has both houses in EL and HH told me, if this can happen in busy Bukit Indah, Gelang Patah and even areas around EL he will be more careful as there was an Indian businessman who was shot there and robbed of his suitcase a couple of years back.

wuqi256

30-05-2011, 03:33 AM

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:03 AM

I agree with you bro. The Jams at 2nd link are horrendous to say the least. That is on those occassions they occur.

I avoid CIQ to escape the Jams and then i get stuck at Tuas. Apart from travelling the longer distance, have to get roasted out there in the hot sun.

The jams at CIQ are tolerable in the sense they atleast move. My wife and i are able to get past the bumper-bumper traffic at CIQ in about an hours time.

At TUAS its unpredictable, even if there are only 50 cars ahead of you. To put it differently at Tuas "IF there are 2 lanes its fine. If there are 3 lanes as you approach and you see a 4th lane forming in the lorry/bus lane you are doomed for 2+ hours"

Thats what happened to me on Saturday last. I was stuck there for more than 2 hours.

Ur absolutely right in calling them Tsunami jam(s).

School holidays got more jams ah? I thought long school hols the jams would be muted!

The traffic snarls at the Linkways is what prevents me from shifting to Johore completely. I would love to shift to Johore as i really am in love with the place. But they really need to do something about the disastrous traffic situations.

Other bros here may wanna use more diplomatic/polite words. To me id rather express it the way i face it.

You have a nice objective regarding JB purely to invest.

I hate it when there are jams at Tuas. Cos the jams are usually so serious that my car literally WOULD not move sometimes for 5 minutes and imagine there are 200 cars in front of you. A few times I was caught in the Tsunami jams at 2nd link, it took me 4 hours to clear. Serious. No joke. Now with the school holidays, I expect more jams to follow for another 1 month at least! This is one of the reason why I am not staying in JB after my kid is of schooling-going age, as I dont want to stress them with the horrific traffic. The bottomline is: Is there a need? For me, no need as I can simply rent out my units at Nusajaya, take the money and live in Singapore. Afterall, my objective when I enter JB is to buy and invest in properties.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:09 AM

Yes bro ia gree that we must constantly highlight crimes even if they are small. For the moment the Johor economy (closer to Spore) thrives essentially on Spore investments. So they definitely need to realise that they need to make us feel welcome and safe. OFcourse we came here with our eyes wide open. With our eyes wide open we also travel to "
"Vietnam/Thailand/Philippines/Cambodia/Laos/Indonesia" etc.

But atleast in these countries we are not sitting ducks waiting to be brutally shot at right?

Unfortunately in Johor there are people waiting to target us whoever they may be. It is the problem of the Johor State Government and the local district administration to make Johor a safe place for all.

U r definitely not safe in Johor cause these guys are waiting out there to mug you. Forummers have asked for restraint. The way i look at it is "Restraint is fine since it did not happen to you but happened to others" This is typical singaporean mentality.

Its your life and your limbs. We gotta do something about it.

we must keep highlighting crimes in JB so that we can help one another from becoming the target of crimes. Seriously, ever since the 6am Bukit Indah Jusco kidnapping and robbery, I was quite afraid when driving past at 6am in the morning as now I know that anyone ( not only those rich car owners ) can be kidnapped or robbed. The victim is just an admin girl working in Singapore driving a normal sedan.. Really makes me wonder if I am that safe driving a Singapore-registered car at 5-6am in the morning sometimes.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:13 AM

East Ledang = Mouth watering investment !

Not many people discuss about East Ledang here. I was there on a visit on Sunday. Talked to a few residents who are currently living there. Saw one Mit Outlander parked outside a completed Twin villas and found that the owner is an ang mo engineer from Legoland. New castle professors are moving in as well and I was told the average rental for Semis is easily RM 8000.

Imagine they buy semi ds at RM 700+K and now they can sell at RM 1.2 million or rent at rm8000. No wonder East Ledang is ALWAYS SELL OUT!!!

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:15 AM

No la no green finger.:o:o

But definitely i am better than my maid. I asked my maid to replant a papaya sappling. You know what she did? She yanked out the sappling with brute force.

My goodness.

I then had to nurse it back. Its still in a vegetative state.

Fortunately i am not a fan of papaya.

Wow! Professor, it must have been due to your extra care? You really have green finger. :D

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:16 AM

Though a tad expensive it would be a great idea to have a singapore local insurance and another malaysia local insurance.

Yes, its about time we relook into our insurance coverage. Especially those of us who are thinking of retiring in JB. Insurance should include coverage for oversea hospital too.

Will appreciate if you could post your findings here. Thanks in advance for sharing with us. ;)

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:21 AM

For starters this is not bad

http://www.income.com.sg/insurance/Travel/premium.asp

However look forward to other suggestions as well example exclusive medical coverage overseas Maybe dun need the other frills offered.

Yes, its about time we relook into our insurance coverage. Especially those of us who are thinking of retiring in JB. Insurance should include coverage for oversea hospital too.

Will appreciate if you could post your findings here. Thanks in advance for sharing with us. ;)

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:28 AM

I dislike it when the school arranges activities on holidays be it remedial or camps or whatever.

To me holidays are meant to be just that "holidays". During this period its for the parents to decide how productively they want their children to spend their holidays.

I am planning to exclude my kids from remedials and CCAs. Pure waste of time and its so difficult to plan their time.

I think in Singapore we have taken CCAs to ridiculous levels. In secondary school children come back so late on 3 out of 5 days. What kind of CCA is that? CCA turns into active pursuit of competition.

I dun need the additional 2 points for my child for O levels. i rather my kid stay at home and rest those extra hours. So that my child can still study a lil bit on those 3 out of 5 days.

If however you have exceptional talent please pursue your CCA by all means otherwise dun just follow what MOE says and waste 3 days out of 5 days in a week. Thats a lot of productive time wasted.

Remedials are another waste of time where the teachers do not spend time with individual kids. So the child still does not improve. So whats the point with the remedials?

Not really Professor. This week whole week son having remedial lessons. Last week whole week daughter having remedial lesson. Half day gone. Still gotta cross the boarder daily due to red plated car.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:29 AM

The P1 claims to be 4G right.

Is it really 4G?

Which area do you stay in?

The Discover Day Plan is only for the day right?

I was with Maxis Wireless Broadband for 1.5mth and decided to switch to Digi Discover Day Plan for Rm 38 /mth 3GB. Still trying out the speed. It is more for use when running about.
At home, I use the P1 plan.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:30 AM

You have described it aptly bro!

Well said!!

Sat jam was bad at Tuas, stuck about 2+ hours around 6pm,
Sun also jam badly at causeway , another 2+ hours around 5pm .
Both occasions it is Malaysia side, they ought to improve this condition if they are serious about investment from Singapore side.
Whatever peace and relaxation plan was dashed after sitting throught a 2 hours plus of jam! :-(

In this condition, Nusajaya is only good for retirees.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:36 AM

I was trying to figure out the "birds will visit after weeds are pulled". I am not a great Bio student. I hated Bio more because of my teachers.

So i asked my wife to explain the above within quotes. Now i understand.

No butterflies yet. Still waiting.

My bio sucks... I dun even know the names of insects/birds. My kids are better than me.

Yes, I also enjoyed watching the butterflies when flowers bloom and birds that visit after weeds are pulled in HH. In fact I once saw a hornbill flew across my hse in HH. Such simple nature simply therapeutic to the mind.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:41 AM

TESCO good right? Rarely crowded.

And they quickly open additional counters when there is more traffic at the checkout counters.

The price is reasonable too.

Yeah market is for the buzz. I agree.

Tesco is currently my fav, followed by Carrefour. Less of Giant and Jusco.

Visiting market for the buzz and for a change too.

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 04:46 AM

I was trying to figure out the "birds will visit after weeds are pulled". I am not a great Bio student. I hated Bio more because of my teachers.

So i asked my wife to explain the above within quotes. Now i understand.

No butterflies yet. Still waiting.

My bio sucks... I dun even know the names of insects/birds. My kids are better than me.

Don't understand why birds will come after weeds are pulled. I pulled out all the weeds but didn't see any birds coming this way?

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:47 AM

Cathy hire me leh on weekends.

I am a bit expensive.

You can then sit down and relax...

I still have not settle down well in ST. There are tonnes of things to pack and unpack. Not enough cabinets and cupboards to store my things. For the pass Sundays I have be washing cleaning packing. My tenents have not fully moved out of my flats. So weekdays I'm here to clean and clean, weekends I'm in ST to clean and clean too. I'm so tired!

I planted 1 onion on my gardening patch. It feels nice to know that I will have spring onions ready for cooking next week. :P I also planted a potato yesterday. Wondering how many potatos I will get in the end. Anyone into organic planting? Am also thinking of planting ginger, carrots and some sweet potatos. Can share with me how many of those will I get if I planted 1 of them each? Or is it plant 1 get 1? How about its time frame?

Thanks in advance for sharing.

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 04:48 AM

Professor, is it necessary to wear a pair of gloves when you are pulling out the weeds?

Thanks again for the advise.:o

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:49 AM

Yeah bro. Hit Crimes or targetted crimes as part of syndicates i am fine with that.

I am just cheezed of when we are looked upon as lame ducks waiting to be massacred and savoured.

Agreed though we shouldn't dwell on it to the extent that we get controlled by fear. The gunman shooting was clearly a hit crime, hit crimes can happen everywhere, the one eye dragon guy was one and he escaped to Malaysia and was apprehended there.

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 04:51 AM

Cathy hire me leh on weekends.

I am a bit expensive.

You can then sit down and relax...

Can't afford to hire a professor to do the works. LOL!

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:52 AM

Not necessary Cathy. My grandmother (landlord) last time would do them bare handed. And oh my !! How much of weed she would pull out you know? I dun think i can ever come close.

But for us city breds i think gloves are essential. Cause even minute nicks and cuts are painful to us.

So better wear gloves i presume.

Professor, is it necessary to wear a pair of gloves when you are pulling out the weeds?

Thanks again for the advise.:o

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 04:54 AM

No la i retired ah peh already.

Can't afford to hire a professor to do the works. LOL!

pockaroo

30-05-2011, 05:01 AM

Don't understand why birds will come after weeds are pulled. I pulled out all the weeds but didn't see any birds coming this way?

Do you have flowering plants around your place? Birds are attracted to the flowers and pollen.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 05:11 AM

Wuqi you are right.

The house in Johore must be a joy.

It should be a WIP with no deadlines.

Then its easier to enjoy.

If we push ourselves to meet deadlines we end up stressing ourselves up no end.

To be honest my home is only now nearing completion.

Still many things to do. But id rather just leave it as it is.

No need to be perfect though opionions may differ here.

Even for gardening i notice my neighbours got deadlines.

No need one...

Do it yourself. If you got money get the landscapers to do it.

Else do it yourself... A little at a time.

That should be fine.

Hey Cathylmg, i suspect AP would be better equipped to advise on growing stuff. It would take a while to settle down, do it slowly and as a work in progress rather than put a firm date on it. If you must, give yourself 6 months as a target(if you don't have a fixed deadline), things will slowly and surely fall in place.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 05:22 AM

The top soil in my garden was very clayey.

Initially i did not understand this nor did i realise it.

So i was aghast when i noticed my plants were not growing in most parts of the garden.

To add to it my maid who is a farmer was none the wiser.

Finally when i spoke to one of the landscapers we discovered the top soil as too clayey which makes it difficult for the roots to penetrate through them causing the plants to wilt, turn yellowish and die.

So the gardener asked me to change about 6-8 inches of the top soil or even a foot if possible.

But then i realised that Setia had not disturbed much of the soil ... just the top soil....

So i realised that i could change the top soil myself in those areas where i am planting new plants or replanting the old ones.

So you see i solved this problem myself. No need to waste money on the landscapers.

Imagine my bittergourd which should be green came out white... I had no courage to eat it. He he...

So during this hols i will tend to all my plants.

I will try to take them out one by one and replant them by adding gardening soil/black soil.

Still trying to figure out which is better garden soil or black soil?

My gut says garden soil because of its aeration abilities though i know black soil is rich in nutrients too.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 05:24 AM

I think when you pull out the grass the seeds that remain is food for birds.

Am i right?:confused::confused::o:o

Don't understand why birds will come after weeds are pulled. I pulled out all the weeds but didn't see any birds coming this way?

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 05:42 AM

I think when you pull out the grass the seeds that remain is food for birds.

Am i right?:confused::confused::o:o

Someone gave me a packet of chye sim seeds. Still don't know how to start planting it. If I just put it on the soil will it be cooked under the hot blazing sun?

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 05:42 AM

Currently i got chilly, mint, lemongrass, guava, holy basil and some flowers.

Onion plant grew nicely and died.

So a lot of disappointments are involved.

But if you keep to a steady pace of tending to them over time you will be pleased with the results.

I guess the lack of time and therefore the lack of watering and nurturing causes the plants to fail.

I planted 1 onion on my gardening patch. It feels nice to know that I will have spring onions ready for cooking next week. :P I also planted a potato yesterday. Wondering how many potatos I will get in the end. Anyone into organic planting? Am also thinking of planting ginger, carrots and some sweet potatos. Can share with me how many of those will I get if I planted 1 of them each? Or is it plant 1 get 1? How about its time frame?

Thanks in advance for sharing.

euphony

30-05-2011, 06:20 AM

In this condition, Nusajaya is only good for retirees.

Your post made me think a bit. Can I also add for the financial minimalists as I am too =) JB suits me perfect, of cos it helps me to save and the quality of life is improved. but to make the most out of it, one just have to find arrangements like the retirees. Going to sg on my own terms and timing always outside peak hours or against the direction of heavy traffic (except for the rare occasion where off peak also jam thankfully the alternative 2nd link is ok in such situations). Which means identifying a job that allows you to creatively play with your time. Otherwise in situations like you mentioned would only bring more stress into life.

I also think retirement should be spread around our lives rather than concentrated in 1 block right at the end. I would imagine myself being bored to death and getting senile as soon as my work ends for good. And we will not be physically equipped to enjoy what hardwork has afforded us then.

As for children, Hangyong you mentioned about creating stress for them if they commute, well some see it as character molding but I say alternatives could be had to. Marlborough is coming up soon and with it I suspect a whole plethora of international schools in the niche developments. This in collaboration with Universities setting up shop could well mean your child would never need to go back to sg!

A lot of people think SG offers a good education. But there are much demerits to the system based on merits as some of you have rightly pointed out. One of which is extreme detest of academic work plus the dragging of feet to go to school stealing every last interest to study. This is where the foreign brand of education may work as I myself have realized when I left the shores in pursuit of a university education previously. i never knew class could be so fun and exciting even at higher tertiary level!

So in conclusion, take charge of your life and find clever elegant alternatives. Don't be bound by rules and regulations. Form your own rule and get the best out of living in JB =)

Meng968

30-05-2011, 06:22 AM

Just went in to Austin Height last Sunday. The house there is very nice and the security seem quite good. The fencing is brick wall rather than Wire fence. We try enter the compound and the 1st guard told us that the showflat is over.
But when we go to another guard house, told him we wanted to visit the sales office. The guard ask for my driving license in exchange for a security pass to enter to their sales office beside their club house.

But too bad, all the houses are fully sold. They say they will be launching new unit around July/august and ask me to fill up a form so that they can inform me when there is a new launch.

euphony

30-05-2011, 06:29 AM

also i just found out over the weekend that it is very beneficial to establish good relationships with whichever service providers you use. I went back to a furniture shop in Molek the sales lady remembered me. I told her I'll be getting furniture from there again and she worked out a fair bit of goodies for me even I dropped my jaws. giving me steep discounts as well as free delivery as far as LF/EL/LH however far I need it sent to! (and this is no discount store)

aangsc

30-05-2011, 06:48 AM

I hope those people spearheading nusajaya project will also work hand in hand with immigration to make traffic jam less painful than now. Most of the time it is on M'sia ends, so it is good to regulate with increase lane and clearing stations on peak holiday season. Yesterday jam at causeway is due mostly the design on roads leading to custom, merging traffics from more lanes to less lanes is bound to cause frustration. It was a good 2 hours from Pelangi to m'sia custom and a 5 mins thru Singapore custom.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 07:10 AM

It will be roasted well.

He he....

I think for germination you need water, air and warmth if i am not wrong.

So you may wanna dig up in some place put in some garden soil place the seeds in and then cover it up with some garden soil and water it once-twice a day depending on how much sun scorches your garden patch.

You will also notice thru trial and error some parts of ur garden will have better foliage compared to other parts.

Someone gave me a packet of chye sim seeds. Still don't know how to start planting it. If I just put it on the soil will it be cooked under the hot blazing sun?

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 07:13 AM

Also fresh seeds work better than the packet seeds from supermarkets/nurseries

Someone gave me a packet of chye sim seeds. Still don't know how to start planting it. If I just put it on the soil will it be cooked under the hot blazing sun?

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 07:15 AM

Wah nice post.

Wanna see more posts highlighting real issues we face.

Ofcourse we are not making it a Spore vs Malaysia thing. We will never make it such. We are not fools. Our money is invested as well.

We just are looking to help make things better for everyone.

I hope those people spearheading nusajaya project will also work hand in hand with immigration to make traffic jam less painful than now. Most of the time it is on M'sia ends, so it is good to regulate with increase lane and clearing stations on peak holiday season. Yesterday jam at causeway is due mostly the design on roads leading to custom, merging traffics from more lanes to less lanes is bound to cause frustration. It was a good 2 hours from Pelangi to m'sia custom and a 5 mins thru Singapore custom.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 07:28 AM

Nice Thought for the day!:):)

So in conclusion, take charge of your life and find clever elegant alternatives. Don't be bound by rules and regulations. Form your own rule and get the best out of living in JB =)

cathylmg

30-05-2011, 07:30 AM

It will be roasted well.

He he....

I think for germination you need water, air and warmth if i am not wrong.

So you may wanna dig up in some place put in some garden soil place the seeds in and then cover it up with some garden soil and water it once-twice a day depending on how much sun scorches your garden patch.

You will also notice thru trial and error some parts of ur garden will have better foliage compared to other parts.

I don't have a garden. Just a small patch for planting. Anyway, my onion have grown well. Am trying to plant somemore others. Professor, if I plant 1 potatos or 1 carrots, will I get multiples of them? Can I eat the leafs of carrots and sweet potatos?

geritan

30-05-2011, 08:00 AM

Meng968

30-05-2011, 08:11 AM

For Digi Rm3 internet plan, you can only subscribe to a maximum of 6 times a year. subscribe by dialing *116#.

From June 2011. the lowest 3G internet plan is RM8/day.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 10:07 AM

Thanks for the info.

Where did you get this info from?

Rm 8/day for digi or any service provider?

The hotlink plan is rm 5/day.from maxis

For Digi Rm3 internet plan, you can only subscribe to a maximum of 6 times a year. subscribe by dialing *116#.

From June 2011. the lowest 3G internet plan is RM8/day.

Investor

30-05-2011, 10:36 AM

MB: Iskandar a place for all 25 MAY 2011 , BY NEW STRAITS TIMES
The well-being of people in lower-income group will not be neglected as the government pushes for the development of Iskandar Malaysia.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, who gave this assurance, said various initiatives had been taken to increase the stake of the lower income group in property assets so that they could also be part of the rapid growth and expansion of the development corridor.

"After all, for development to be meaningful, its objective must include prosperity for all, and the benefit of progress must cascade down to all levels of society such that no one will be excluded or displaced," said in his speech at the Wealth of Iskandar Malaysia Conference at Persada Johor yesterday.

Our ruling party wouldn't have lost so many votes if they had such passion for the poorer Singaporeans.

Investor

30-05-2011, 10:41 AM

Ghani said the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda), and federal and state agencies had initiated various initiatives, including those aimed at the eradication of hardcore poverty through the 1Azam programme.

Eradication of hardcore poverty is one of the important steps to reduce crime rate. Lets hope for a better Malaysia, especially Johor, in the coming years.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 11:39 AM

Agreed.

But as pointed by mallow the crimes are largely committed by the Indonesians.

:confused:

So they will still have to do something about the crime.

[I][B]

Eradication of hardcore poverty is one of the important steps to reduce crime rate. Lets hope for a better Malaysia, especially Johor, in the coming years.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 11:51 AM

I did not manage to locate the information you have posted.

Links:
http://www.digi.com.my/internet/3g/pricing_iu3.html

For Digi Rm3 internet plan, you can only subscribe to a maximum of 6 times a year. subscribe by dialing *116#.

From June 2011. the lowest 3G internet plan is RM8/day.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 12:04 PM

Simple method to attract birds is by scattering grains in your car porch.

Worked really well for us. My mum did that.

Not sure if it works for everyone.

I pulled out all the weeds but didn't see any birds coming this way?

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 01:01 PM

With all the high end smartphones and tablets coming in every 6 months if he keeps pace with technology surely way to go...

Yes he can but concentrate mainly on laptop repair as there is an ever growing market for it. Even smartphone repair will be good. Sorry about the mailbox aangsc and Cathylmg, trying to clear asap.

Analytical Professor

30-05-2011, 01:16 PM

Sorry mallow missed this out in the myriad posts that have since come up.

What exactly were you trying to get at?

Hey AP and flens, it occurred to me a short while back and this seems confirmed after reading this and the other post about whatgoeson in Singapore, that there are many rightful advantages and perks available to us, even though we have chosen to spend most of our time in Johor. With this in mind, there are free cancer screenings for women etc. Then there is useful information on what needs to be done [e.g. if you did not vote and wish to be reinstated on the Electoral Rolls] and even sales and special offers.
With this in mind, I have added such to my weblog that was originally meant to inform those who have come here about Johor, info that keeps Singaporeans informed of the good stuff that becomes available in Singapore.
What do you think?
If you think so too, please feed me stuff to share with those of us who are here so we might be able to enjoy or take advantage of what is ours too?
Thanks! Drop a quick note to puterim@puterim.com