Investment - Value of Investment (29 Jan 2010)

Cambridge         : $0.460 ($2300) (5 lots)
Digiland             : $0.005 ($500) (100 lots)
GIL                   : $0.200 ($2800) (14 lots)
Starhub             : $2.170 ($2170) (1 lots)
Thakral              : $0.75 ($750) (10 lots)
Transpac           : $1.420 ($4260) (3 lots)

Cash : $84.32
Total Dividend : $ 138.85 /-
Total Value : $13003.17/-
Total Capital : $13500/-

Profit/Loss : -$496.86
Profit/Loss in % : -3.68%

Investment - Global Investment Limited

Today, I decided to load some counters as the price of the share went down a lot due to the recently correction. I decided to load 7 lots of Global Investment Limited (GIL) at $0.20 ea today. I decided to increase my holdings in GIL as it has good records of giving dividend.

Last year, it has given a total dividend of 3 cents for each share which compute to be around 15% based on the present price of 20 cents. I believe with the economy improving, this will be a good counter to hold for long term due to the potential in capital gain as well as dividend yield.

Investment - Cambrigde Announced Dividend

Cambridge Industrial Trust announced a distribution of 1.377 cents per unit for Cambridge Unit for the period of 1 Oct to 31 Dec 2009.

This time the unitholders can determine whether want to receive the dividend in cash or join the DRP ( Distribution Reinvestment Plan), due to the additional processing time need for the DRP, the distribution payment date will be push from end of February to 25 March 2010

Please visit SGX website for more information

Ex Date :  3 Feb 2010
Date Paid/Payable : 25 March 2010

Saving Tips - Free Shuttle Bus

Below is the list of free shuttles services that travels to and from some of the shopping centres in Singapore.  I will continue to update this list so if you have know any free shuttle service going to shopping centres that is not in this list, please feel free to leave a comment to this post.

Anchorpoint
Free Shuttle Service to and from Queenstown MRT
12pm to 8pm (15 minutes interval)
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays
http://www.fraserscentrepointmalls.com/cp_promo/
AP_weekend_shuttle/index.html

Free Shuttle Service to and from PSA Building bus-stop/Alexandra Point bus-stop
12pm  to 2pm (10 minutes interval)
Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays)
http://www.fraserscentrepointmalls.com/cp_promo/shuttle-bus/index.htm

IMM
Free Shuttle Service to and from International Business Park
11:45am to 1:45pm (15 minutes intervals)
Mondays to Fridays

Free Shuttle Service to and from Jurong East MRT
10:30am to 10:30pm (10 minutes intervals)
Daily
http://www.imm.sg/find.htm

Suntec City
Free Shuttle Service to and from Hotels (For detail listing please refer to the link below
11:00am to 9:00pm (Hourly intervals)
Daily
Information Website

West Coast Plaza
Free Shuttle Service to and from Clementi MRT
10:00am to 10:00pm (30 minutes intervals)
Daily
http://www.westcoastplaza.com.sg/home/index.aspx?key=shuttlebus

Free Shuttles Service to and from Science Park II
11:30am to 2pm (30 minutes intervals)
Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays)
http://www.westcoastplaza.com.sg/home/index.aspx?key=shuttlebus-science

Free Shuttles Service  to and from Kent Ridges (NUS) Routes
-2:30pm to 10:00pm (14 trips/day)
Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays)
-11:30am to 10:00pm (21 trips/day)
Sat, Sun and PH
http://www.westcoastplaza.com.sg/home/index.aspx?key=shuttlebus-nus

Great World City
-Free Shuttle Services to and from Marriott Hotel
20-30 minutes interval.
-Free Shuttle Services to and from Chinatown MRT (Upper Cross Street)
40-60 minutes interval.
-Free Shuttle Services to and from City Hall MRT (Next to Aldephi Building)
40-60 minutes interval.
http://www.allgreen.com.sg/project_details.cfm?project_uin=34

Saving Tips - Travelling to Bugdet Terminal

If you are going to Changi Airport, you will be able to take the MRT or buses.  But if you are going to Budget terminal, you will have a little bit of trouble due to the fact the MRT/Buses does not go to Budget terminal.  So normally, you will have to take a taxi from your home to the budget terminal to take a flight out which will be quite expensive. 

A cheaper way to go to the budget terminal will be taking a bus or MRT to Changi Airport Terminal 2, then take the free shuttle bus service that travel between Changi Airport T2 to the Budget terminal.  This bus service operates 24 hours everyday.  And also the interval between buses is only 10 minutes (30 minutes interval during the midnight).

Investment - Value of Investment (19 Jan 2010)

Cambridge : $0.460 ($2300) -0.005
Digiland : $0.005 ($500) +0.000
GIL: $0.235 ($1645) +0.000
Starhub : $2.170 ($2170) +0.010
Thakral : $0.08 ($800) +0.000
Transpac : $1.470 ($4410) -0.020

Cash : $11.79
Total Dividend Collected : $ 70.00 /-

Total Value : $11906.79/- -$45
Profit/Loss : -$93.21
Profit/Loss in % : -0.77%

From next weeks onwards, I will be updating the porfolio only once a week instead of once a day..... 

Saving Tips - Going around Singapore

I have been going around Singapore this few days, and have visited a few places of interests such as the underwater world, etc.......... I have noticed by paying with credit card, you will have a good discount to the entrance fees... Also do get the “Singapore Attraction Guide” by the Association of Singapore Attractions; in this booklet you will have 3 pages of discount coupons that let you a wide range of discounts in those places of interest. The following is the list of discounts that I have found and hopefully those can help you to save a bit when visiting those place of interest....

Singapore Flyer
20% Discount for HSBC Card Holders (Adult: $29.50 Child $20.65 (3-12 yrs)
15% Discount coupons can be found in the Singapore Attraction Guide

Underwater World
10% Discount for UOB Card Holders

Chinatown Heritage Centre
20% Discount coupons can be found in the Singapore Attraction Guide

Investment - Value of Investment (15 Jan 2010)

Cambridge : $0.465 ($2325) -0.005
Digiland : $0.005 ($500) +0.000
GIL: $0.235 ($1645) +0.000
Starhub : $2.160 ($2160) +0.010
Thakral : $0.08 ($800) +0.000
Transpac : $1.480 ($4440) -0.020

Cash : $11.79

Total Dividend Collected : $ 70.00 /-

Total Value : $11951.79/- -$60
Profit/Loss : -$48.21
Profit/Loss in % : -0.4%

Investment - Value of Investment (13 Jan 2010)

Cambridge : $0.470 ($2350) -0.005
Digiland : $0.005 ($500) +0.000
GIL: $0.235 ($1645) +0.000
Starhub : $2.130 ($2130) +0.000
Thakral : $0.08 ($800) +0.000
Transpac : $1.480 ($44400) -0.030

Cash : $11.79
Total Dividend Collected : $ 70.00 /-

Total Value : $11946.79/- -$115

Profit/Loss : $53.21

Profit/Loss in % : -0.443%

Investment - Value of Investment (12 Jan 2010)

Thakral have announced that it will be holding the extraordinary general meeting on 4 Feb 2010 regarding the capital reduction and cash distribution

Cambridge : $0.475 ($2375) +0.005
Digiland : $0.005 ($500) +0.000
GIL: $0.235 ($1645) -0.005
Starhub : $2.130 ($2130) +0.000
Thakral : $0.08 ($800) +0.005
Transpac : $1.510 ($4530) +0.000
Cash : $11.79
Total Dividend Collected : $ 70.00 /-
Total Value : $12061.79/- +$40.00
Profit/Loss : $61.79
Profit/Loss in % : 0.515%

Investment - Value of Investment (11 Jan 2010)

Cambridge : $0.470 ($2350) +0.005
Digiland : $0.005 ($500) +0.000
GIL (CD): $0.240 ($1680) +0.000
Starhub : $2.130 ($2130) +0.000
Thakral : $0.075 ($750) +0.000
Transpac : $1.510 ($4530) +0.000

Cash : $11.79

Total Dividend Collected : $ 70.00 /-

Total Value : $12021.79/-  +$25.00

Profit/Loss : $21.79

Profit/Loss in % : 0.208%

Saving Tips - Petrol

I personally don't own a car because I normally spend around 3 to 6 months overseas every year due to my job nature. And also it is much cheaper for me to take public transportation then to own a car.

One of the major cost of driving a car is the cost of the fuel - Petrolum. I know they are a lot different discount package around using membership cards and credit cards. I recently come across the SAFRA Card. Using this cards, you will be able to enjoy 7% off petrol at Caltex. Together with the current site discount of 5%, it means that by using the SAFRA card you will be able to enjoy 12% off. For example, if your monthly spending on petrol is around $300/- before any discount, it will make that you will have a saving of $36 per month.

Please visit the following website for more details
http://www.safra.sg/page.aspx?pageid=41

You can also get 12% discount by using HSBC credit at Caltex Petrol Station.  The discount comprises of the 5% prevailing site discount, the 5% HSBC card discount plus the 2% off discount voucher which can be used in the next visit purchase.

Please visit the following website for more details
http://www.hsbc.com.sg/1/2/personal/cards/petrol-benefits-at-caltex

For SPC, you can get a discount of 12.70% to 15.61% by using the POSB everyday Card and SPC&U Card.

Please visit the following websie for more details
http://www.dbs.com/posb/cards/everyday/promotions/spc/default.aspx



Hope that the above information helps. Also maybe you guys can share the discount rates that you are using when topping up the petrol.

Hobby - 2008 Chinese Panda Gold 1/10 oz

In the below picture shows a 1/10 Oz gold coin from the People's Republic of China Panda Series 2008. The China Panda Gold Coin was first launched in 1982 and is being issued by the People’s Bank of China. The Prayer Hall in the Temple of Heaven is featured on the obverse side of the coin, and the mother panda with her frisky cub is featured on the reverse side of the coin. Athought it is a bullion but the finishing is proof-like....

2008 China Panda 1/10 oz Gold Coin.
Mintage: 150000 pc
Net Weight (g): 3.11
Diameter (mm): 18.00

Investment - List of Good Dividend Stock for your reference

The following is the list of counters which have a good history of giving good dividends... I will like to thanks all the guys from Channelnewsasia Forum who have contribute to the list


The month in () are the expected dividend payout date for those counters that provides regular dividend.
If you have any other counters that gives good dividend, please feel free to leave a comments in this blog or reply the to following thread in Channelnewsasia Forum

http://forum.channelnewsasia.com/viewtopic.php?t=295645&highlight=


1 ) GRP (Mar/Nov)
2 ) Hwa Hong (May/Oct)
3 ) FSL (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct)
4 ) PST (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct)
5 ) Rickmers
6 ) Omega Navigation
7 ) Singpost (Feb/Jul/Aug/Nov)
8 ) Adampak (May/Sept)
9 ) Neratel (Apr)
10) SPH (Apr/Dec)
11) SingTel (Aug/Dec)
12) ST Engrg
13) OCBC
14) SingMarine
15) KSH hlding (Aug/Nov)
16) K-Reit
17) Suntec REIT (Jan/May/Aug/Nov)
18) Technics oil & gas
19) Transpac
20) Hyflux Water Trust (Mar/Sept)
21) Advanced Holdings (May/Sept)

Investment - Value of Investment (8 Jan 2010)

Cambridge : $0.465 ($2325) +0.005
Digiland : $0.005 ($500) +0.000
GIL (CD): $0.240 ($1680) -0.005
Starhub : $2.130 ($2130) -0.010
Thakral : $0.075 ($750) -0.005
Transpac : $1.510 ($4530) +0.000

Cash : $11.79
Total Dividend Collected : $ 70.00 /-

Total Value : $11996.79/-  -$70.00

Profit/Loss : -$3.21

Profit/Loss in % : 0.027%

Investment - Value of Investment (7 Jan 2010)

Cambridge have announced that it will be releasing the fourth quarter and full year unaudited financial results on 27th Jan 2010, Wednesday

Cambridge : $0.460 ($2300) -0.005
Digiland : $0.005 ($500) +0.000
GIL (CD): $0.245 ($1715) -0.005
Starhub : $2.140 ($2140) +0.000
Thakral : $0.080 ($800) +0.005
Transpac : $1.510 ($4530) +0.010

Cash : $11.79
Total Dividend Collected : $ 70.00 /-

Total Value : $12066.79/- +20.00

Profit/Loss : $66.79

Profit/Loss in % : 0.55%

Investment - Value of Investment (6 Jan 2010)

Cambridge continues the upwards trend to up 1 cents and close at 46.5 cents today. The last quarter report and dividend announcement should be out around end of Jan 2010. At the present pricing, the dividend yield is around 11.5% based on the last quarter dividend payout.  Another thing to note is that the NAV for this counter is around 60 cents, thus I believe it still have a lot of room to rise. My target selling price is around 70 cents to 75 cents. At this price the approx. dividend yield will be around 7% which is not longer attractive taking into account the high gearing. So meanwhile I will just sit back and collect my dividend at the moment and wait for it to reach my target selling price.

Tomorrow is the xD date for GIL, I have expected the price to go down slightly in the afternoon trading. I have decided to hold on to this counter for the moment as it is giving good dividend and I see the potential in this counter for capital gain. I will expect the price to fall further tomorrow to around 23.5 cents to 24.5 cents and hopefully it can stay around there...

Another counter I wish to talk about it Transpac.  Today the price of Transpac raised by 6 cents, the NAV for this counter is around $2.45.  It should be releasing the last year report soon, hopefully we can see another round of dividend when this report comes out
.
The whole the portfolio went up $240 dollars (2.03%) to $12046.79/-. I have recovered the loss due to previous contra within this new portfolio. I will continue to maintain this cautious way of trading and hopeful to continue to make some profit in SGX... Good Night for now....

Cambridge Industrial Trust : $0.465 ($2325) +0.010
Digiland : $0.005 ($500) +0.000
GIL (CD): $0.250 ($1750) -0.010
Starhub : $2.140 ($2140) +0.000
Thakral : $0.075 ($750) -0.005
Transpac : $1.500 ($4500) +0.060

Cash : $11.79
Total Dividend Collected : $ 70.00 /-
Total Value : $12046.79/- +240.00

Investment - Value of Investment (5 Jan 2010)

Today, Cambrigde Industrial Trust went up by 1 cents as I think people are loading before the dividend announcement which will come at the end of the month.  Thakral is another counter in which I am waiting for it to announce the details of the capital reduction exercise which it will pay back 5 cent per share to the share holder.  I am targeting to sell it off at 11 cents if the capital reduction exercise go through.

Cambridge Industrial Trust : $0.455 ($2275) +0.010
Digiland : $0.005 ($500) +0.000
GIL (CD): $0.260 ($1820) +0.000
Starhub : $2.140 ($2140) -0.030
Thakral : $0.075 ($750) -0.005
Transpac : $1.440 ($4320) +0.010

Cash : $11.79
Total Value : $11816.79/- +0.00

Total Dividend Collected : $ 0.00 /-

Investment - Value of Investment (4 Jan 2010)

Today is a pretty good day for me as most of my counter have raised except for Cambridge Industrial Trust which have drop by half a cent.  One thing to note is that GIL will be xD on 7th Jan 2010, I am still considering whether to hold on to the counter or take profit now.

Cambridge Industrial Trust : $0.445 ($2225) -0.005
Digiland : $0.005 ($500) -
GIL (CD): $0.260 ($1820) +0.005
Starhub : $2.170 ($2170) +0.020
Thakral : $0.08 ($800) +0.005
Transpac : $1.430 ($4290) +0.030
Cash : $11.79


Total Value : $11816.79/- +170.00

Total Dividend Collected : $ 0.00 /-

Saving Tips - Calling back from Overseas

I travel overseas very often and I know it is quite expensive to call back to Singapore from overseas using a Singapore mobile line. I normally will get a local pre-paid line and then call back to Singapore using the local line. It is much cheaper this way. For example in Thailand, TrueMove(one of the mobile phone service provider) have a special inter sim which you can call back to Singapore at 1 baht/min (Around 4 cents per minute). Even if you are in countries like Vietnam or China, the local pre-paid line normally give very good rates when coming overseas. So keep a look out for them, if you are going overseas for a certain period of time.

Hobby - Numismatics (Coins and Paper Notes)

I came to know this hobby around 9 months ago when I am investing in gold/silver. Initally, I kept only normal bullion coins.  After I come in contact with the proof version of those coins, I decided to start collecting those proof coins.  For me, I feel that this is a very interesting hobby and I must say, it feel good to have some real silver/gold in your hand.  To me, I treat coin collecting as a hobby as well as an investment.  The price of the coins will increased with the spot value of gold/silver.

I also keep some old paper notes of Singapore such as the bird series and orchid series.  It is quite interesting to see those old paper notes as it can trigger your memories of the past.

I normally get my coins and paper notes from the following source;-

1) ebay
2) Forum
3) Flea Market

I will post some picture of the coins and paper notes in my collection later.  Hope it will encourage more people to join this interesting hobby.

Saving Tips - Market Place in this blog

I have started a new section in the blog called Market Place.  In this new section, I will be placing used item that I wish to sell as I no longer need them.  I believe a lot of you have the same problem as me, especially during  the new year period when you are doing spring cleaning.  You will a lot of things that are in good condition but you no longer need.  Instead of throwing it aways or selling it away to second hand shop at a very low price, you may as well post it on the internet to sell it at a much better price.  If any reader wish  to sell anything, you can email to me at saveforbetterlife@yahoo.com.sg and I will placed the item that you wish to sell in the market place for 1 week.  Please email me the following detail to me if you want to place your item for sales

Description of Item :
Selling Price :
Way of Communication :

Hope this new feature of this blog can help you guys........

Saving Tips - Choosing the right air-conditioner

Recently, the air-conditioner at my house has just broken down. It has served our family well for nearly eight years. So now I have to go and scout for another air-conditioner unit. There are several things that we have to consider when buying an air-conditioner such as
1) The cost of the air-conditioner

2) The operating cost of the air-conditioner

3) Warranty Cost of the air-conditioner
The cost and the operating cost will depend on the type of air-conditioner that you are buying (non-inverter or inverter). For non-inverter, the cost of the air-conditioner is much lower than that of the inverter type. But for non-inverter, the operating cost of the air-conditioner will be much higher. Before you decide whether to buy the inverter or non-inverter type, you must first understand your needs. Do you switch on the air-conditioner on everyday? How long a day does the air-conditioner run. If you switch on the air-conditioner on a daily basis, it will must cheaper to buy the inverter type as the operating cost will be lower and in long run, you will save more. Especially with the raising electricity tariff, it will be a much better bet to buy a more energy saving air-conditioner.
I think everybody will be quite confused regarding the extended warranty and servicing package being offer by the merchant when you purchase the air-conditioner. For most air-conditioner, the warranty of the unit comes with two parts
1) Compressor Unit

2) Others Misc. Parts
Normally the manufacturer gives a 5 year warranty for the Compressor Unit and a year warranty for the other parts. You can take up the extended warranty package (4 year for the other parts) from the agent. If you take up the extended warranty package, you will have 5 year warranty for the whole air-conditioner unit. But whether to take up the extended warranty will greatly depend on individual.
As for the servicing package, each servicing will cost around $75 to $120 depending on the agent that you purchase from. How often you want to service your air-conditioner will also depend on individual. But do take note that regular servicing will improve the efficiency of the air-conditioner thus saving on the energy consumptions.

Hobby - 2000 Proof American Eagle Silver 1 oz PF69

The next piece of coin added to my collection is this American Eagle Silver 1 oz 2000 Proof coin, graded PF69 by NGC.

American Eagle Silver 1 Oz Proof

Graded by NGC : PF69

Investment - Value of Investment (31 Jan 2009)

I will updated the value of my inital investment of SGD12K here in my blog daily...  I am present making a loss due to my previous contra trading.  I have stop to do contra trading and I am slowly recovering back my losses....

Cambridge Industrial Trust : $0.450 ($2250)
Digiland : $0.005 ($500)
GIL (CD): $0.255 ($1785)
Starhub : $2.150 ($2150)
Thakral : $0.075 ($750)
Transpac : $1.400 ($4200)
Cash : $11.79
Total Value : $11646.79/-


Total Dividend Collected : $ 0.00 /-

Investment - GIL Dividend Details

I will update any detail regarding dividend payout on the counters that I am holding at the moment.

Dividend = 1 cent per share

Ex-Date : 7 Jan 2010
Buy-in Last Cum Date : 11 Jan 2010
Record Date : 11 Jan 2010
Date Paid/Payable : 25 Feb 2010

General - Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all.... It had been an interested 2009 and let's hope 2010 will be a better year for Singapore and its citizen.

Investment - Cambrigde Industrial Trust

Cambridge Industrial Trust is a REIT that invested in real estate which is mainly for industrial (including warehouse) purposes. It was one of the first few counters that I have invested. I have selected to invest in this counter for the following few reasons

1) Good Regular Dividend payout
2) Stable Income
3) High portfolio occupancy
4) Majority of the lease expires after 2013+

When I first bought this counter, the price is at $0.28 which is really a good buy since the approx. dividend per year is around $0.05. Since then I have increased my holdings from 2 lots to 5 lots. This counter have so far never failed me and continue to be performing very well in term of yield and capital gain.

The only downside that I see in this counter is its high gearing ratio. But I believe with the economy continues to improve in 2010; this counter will be able to continue to do well.


Present Price : $0.45
NTA : S0.60
Approx Yield : 10.7%

http://www.cambridge-itrust.com/

Saving Tips - Currency Exchange

If you are going to overseas for holiday or work, one of the things that you cannot avoid doing is to go the money changer to change to the currency of the country that you are going.

For most of the case, you will most likely to go to the local money exchange in your country to do the exchanging before you go overseas. But what I found out is that for most cases, the local money exchange in the country that you are entering normally offer a better rate of exchange. It will be a good idea to seach in the internet the offical rate of exchange that is being offer by the local bank of the country that you are entering and compare the exchange rate. You will be surprised of the better exchange that you will get in there.

(P.S : I am only refering to the authorised money exchanger rate)