Business Times published a property feature yesterday that highlights ‘the seven year itch’ of Singaporeans to invest in properties. The property itch is in the DNA of Singaporeans who like new launches and equate owning properties with being rich. Properties represent a significant portion in the wealth of Singaporeans. The performance of the local property market is a … [Read more...]
When the housing market collapses
Remember the infamous Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that kick-started the last financial crisis? Last month hedge fund Bayview Financial bundled their junk securities into $118 million new bonds. Fitch Rating immediately stamped it with A- for investment grade. Didn't they do the same for subprime mortgage bonds that were once top-rated AAA debts before the US housing … [Read more...]
3 investment lessons from the movie Me Before You
I was watching the movie Me Before You on a flight. There was a heartbreaking scene when Will Traynor insisted on ending his life despite all the efforts of Louisa Clark to show him that there were still reasons to continue living. “But...I need it to end here. No more chair. No more pneumonia. No more burning limbs. No more pain and tiredness and waking up every morning … [Read more...]
How far will you go for your Olympic Gold?
Singapore is in celebration mood when Joseph Schooling made history after winning Singapore's first Olympic gold medal. The significance of Schooling’s success is much more than bagging the first gold for Singapore. It is the touching story of a young boy who met and inspired by his idol, the reward after his hard work to compete in the same contest as him, and the happy … [Read more...]
Should we give properties to our children?
Time flies. My younger girl just turned five today. Still remember my old blog post "A letter to my new born baby"? I thought I just wrote that yesterday? Five years on, when her little hand reaches for mine; when she holds me tight and plants a big kiss on my lips; when she looks me in the eyes and says ‘Mommy I love you’, I realize I must have done something really … [Read more...]