Month: December 2020

Happy Holidays -Merry Christmas

On By RistrettzIn Personal Finance SeriesLeave a comment

Season Greetings

Christmas is finally here. Truth be told, I didn’t really feel that it is festive but it is here and personally I just love Christmas. Perhaps it is because of religion but most of all, what i like is the warm fuzzy feeling of the celebration to the year and also in preparation to the upcoming one.

Finance Blogging

Maintaining a blog isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do but it is one of the more handy things to do since you generally just write what you like and what you feel. Different people have differing views, hence why we have different opinions and how one react to certain things will be unique as well. Some of our actions are determined by the culture, the attitude and the way we were brought up so none of these are wrong. However, in my opinion it is wrong to shout or scream in public no matter what unless you are slightly deranged.

Media

I also learned that social media is an extremely negative arena. One wrong move and you will be victimised or CSI-ed by people. People take no responsibility for mistakes if they found the wrong person. Can you imagine the stress the family members have to endure to only find out that they got the wrong person. I’m not a big fan of naming and shaming. After all, no one knows their side of the story. Everyone would think that they are right in their own manner of reasoning. That’s why there are still lawyers in the country.

2020 – The year that the impossible happened

Not everyone had a good year. For those who had a good one, plenty to shout out about given how tough a year it has been mentally, physically and monetary wise. Anyone who had an okay year, I guess it isn’t that bad given the circumstances. For those who were impacted this year and you have struggles which will bring through the next year don’t feel bad. Remember that positive vibes will bring you positivity. Don’t forget to always help other regardless of your situation.

Conclusion

Regardless, life must still go so. We are resilient. Life is tough but so are we as Singaporeans. Saving for a rainy day is something we do best. Different people have different levels of savings. The most important thing is to accept that you need a rainy day fund. Start today.

Disclaimer

Whatever I blog about is purely my own opinion. If you like what you are seeing, do remember to check they out and do your diligence. For me, it is always about the whole package. Like minded people can flock together to create good and powerful things.

If you like what I am sharing or if it resonates with you, do check out my shop or drop me a note here at https://lifejourney.blog/contact/

The pictures were taken from the websites for this article.

2020 – The Year in Review

On By RistrettzIn Personal Finance Series, Wealth & HealthLeave a comment

2020 is going on by quickly as with any other year. Especially this  year, with the Covid-19 announced as a pandemic. The world went into a global communism, shutting off the doors everywhere quickly. It feels like Industrial Revolution version 0.0 but yet you have technology that kind of connects you with the rest of the world as well. What makes it different is that some industry do well, some medium, some would benefit in the longer term. Irrelevant businesses would eventually shut down while new ideas continue to grow in the market.

Looking back there have been some hits and misses and while things didn’t shape up nicely. The year ended off with a small little cheer that can light up our faces.

There are some segments I would like to focus on in review. That would help me to understand what I have done right, do better or not to do at all. This very blog started on the basis of money matters and personal finance – This shall be the basis of the review. Christmas and the New Year is coming and so I would also like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays. I am for once looking forward to the coming year and for a great 2021!

Thank you everyone who reads my blog or thinks that it is worth looking at. I am humbled by anyone who actually stumble or read what I have penned down online. Hopefully, the coming year would see some interesting moments for my blog or perhaps even more interesting concepts.

Money Decision

The Good

  • The decision to enter the market during the market dips in March 2020.
  • The decision to divest funds into StashAway, Endowus, Syfe, MoneyOwl and Autowealth. This has proven to be an asset for the long term.
  • Full contribution to the SA account for both Tax Rebate and Retirement Fund in CPF.
  • Usual contribution to SRS account which supplements the Retirement Funds.

The Bad

  • Didn’t save as much as I wanted due to a lot expenses. Staying at home also meant that there were more expenses for food deliveries.
  • Celebrations were a little more elaborate due to the covid. More shopping and gifting at home since there wasn’t any travelling that can be done in the next year or so. Which I kind of miss and it has been taken granted for.
  • Not too sure if it is actually is a good or bad thing that Covid hits the business. We are actually pretty resilient to the situation.

Mental Health

The Good

  • It has been pretty refreshing to work from home. After 3 months of working from home, things have been turning rather boring but it is family bonding indeed.
  • It is actually better to avoid a lot of negativity in some offices. Luckily for me, I don’t have that issue but it kind of helped for the family mentally.
  • Work has more flexibility and there isn’t that much of a rush so it helps me generally.

The Bad

  • It became kind of stressful with the wife and kids and in laws.
  • Working from Home became both good and bad because it has become rather boring where I miss the hustle and bustle of communicating with colleagues and networking with new friends.
  • There are no limits to when working hours end so I can keep on working throughout which isn’t that great. My place of relax now becomes a place where I need to focus and work.

Fitness

The Good

  • Definitely more time to do more crunches and jogs.
  • A change in lifestyle and a change in diet.
  • Exercising is actually an individual sport. Group exercising are sometimes counter intuitive.

The Bad

  • The diet and exercising kind of slowly died off and I see myself seeking more new ideas to be more active.
  • The holiday weight doesn’t help so I need to work harder to stay focus.
  • Group games are pretty impossible now so less options to stay in better shape.

Summary

The Good

  • Finally, after procrastination for years. I decided to put in the effort to pen down and build a personal finance blog. How far will I go? I don’t know but due to the Covid situation, I took some time during the wee-hours of the morning when I could not sleep to build in some hosting, webpage, WordPress setup and finally writing articles which I think people might like to read about.
  • I would like to thank those readers who picked up my codes for the services that I use. Hopefully, these services will bring the same level of expectation that I already have since I have been using them for a while now.

The Bad

  • I am still deciding whether I should attempt to write a book. A simple and funny one. It’s just to figure new projects to work out on.
  • A long-term objective is to explore alternative income/passive income
  • I’m still in the infant stage of this personal finance blog. The growth rate isn’t quite what i expected but hey I’m still learning and exploring so I’ll keep trying.

Conclusion

I decided against looking at winners and losers in the equity markets as time and again I have traded, won and lost. At least 3 or 4 cycles it happened. Using the right services to not let my emotions go wild or make irrational decision only to regret it later on. The focus of investing money should not just be money but also investing in yourself. There should also be time taken to upgrade ourselves, improve our own health and find out what matters to every individual.

Disclaimer

This is not a sponsored post. This is purely my own opinion after using their service and/or products. If you like what you are seeing, do remember to check they out and do your diligence. There is no one size fits all investment strategy.

If you like what I am sharing or if it resonates with you, do use my referral codes here at https://atomic-temporary-178675883.wpcomstaging.com/contact/ for the services.

The pictures were taken from the websites for this article.

Being Angry for the things you have no control over. Does it help?

On By RistrettzIn Macroeconomic, Personal Finance Series, Robo Advisors, Wealth & HealthLeave a comment

There are many times when we are angry. Be it for the right or wrong reasons, there will be times where our own limits are being tested. Some people just cannot take it that they are wrong, that’s just more Alpha kind of folks. Some people are just generally angsty all the time. The slightest thing piss them off. However, when you are angry, who is it that is really affected? Are you venting to the person beside you though you are not angry at them? Or are you just shouting to yourself for someone else you are upset about?

The person whom you are shouting and angry about probably don’t even know. So, what is the point in getting angry. I get it, sometimes i need to let off some steam too but not all the time though. The other day, there was an angsty driver who couldn’t get on the main road because there were just too many cars. The other day, I heard someone banging the table downstairs while working from home. Shouting eventually came on and I could hear someone else shouting back.

Deep Thinking

That made me think a little deeper. When you are angry, the person who do not know you are angry at them. Should you really express it? Eventually, the question to ask is that if one can control their emotions. Not me I would say. I am human and I cannot control over worrying, being angry and also overthinking. I’ll say most of us tend to think that we are right but is that really true? Truth be told, that little arrogance sometime annoys me a little. All we need is just to keep our heads down, be humble and learn along the way. There will always be someone or something that is better than you.

Investing the same?

Similarly, your investment style differs. Emotions run wild in those events and each time you think that markets are coming off, you actually risk missing a chance to recover more than what you should have if you would have chose to do nothing.

The thing about personal finance is that whether one has just starting building your finances, middle stage of building your fund or at a late stage of taking on your retirement funds. Young, old, poor or rich in all categories – There is really no one size fits all and regardless if you are famous or not. There will be emotions involved in all situation.

Recently, I also fell ill and because of that I had to take some matters off my hand. At the same time, markets doesn’t care if you are ill or well and that kind of struck a chord that I need to do less of trading and more of passive investing. Looking back at some of the portfolios for 2020. All 4 robo-advisors returned double digits which is by far the best I have seen. Of course, trading returns have been the best returns for me but those are super high risks.

Robotic in Nature

The idea in letting someone trustworthy to manage your funds are hard to come by. Banks are driven by profits and their pockets matter more than what money you have. Even if they did, they would have another agenda. Nonetheless, the idea – You get it! Only services make revenues.

Convincing Strategy

I’ve been convinced by the way Endowus and StashAway have been working for me as a portfolio:

  • Fee wise it is always all inclusive.
  • ETFs or Fund investing has always been the way to invest regularly. They track index and replace those companies who underperform along the way.
  • In particular, Endowus provides that 100% trailer fee rebates. It is the best one I’ve seen so far to not take a dime that is not transparent to the consumer. On a side note, your funds are in your own name (invest and managed via UOB Kay Hian but through your own channel) If anything happens to Endowus, your money is safe in that sense.
  • Such portfolios are not timing the market and look further into the long term. You need to be disciplined in that manner.
  • I mean especially for Endowus, they charge you a small fee which keeps them running. They invest into some fund types which are institutional in nature. Layman, it means as a normal consumer – you probably could not access these funds.
    • Usually but not always, the so called “hidden fees” are reduced due to economies of scale (Institutional class – Imagine Sovereign wealth funds)
    • Special corporate classes which have a minimum to invest. By using Endowus, collectively as retail investors normal retailer investors can put their money in at a fraction of the cost.

Agree to Disagree

Some points I kind of read and agree but disagree:

  • Yes, I read and heard that you can mimic trades and portfolios but my question is that if you have the economies of scale. How big are your trades?
  • Forex Exchanges rates especially in USD. Can you really accept using another channel to make the exchange or accept the market rate in your brokerage?
  • Replacing and re-balancing your portfolio. I think time matters more to me than doing these stuff which is time consuming. There are people who love doing this and do not mind doing so. So, leave it to those who does the best in their jobs.

This image was taken off Seedly and taken as a reference. Frankly, minimal investment amount should be the last thing on your mind. Fees, rebates and what is the company trying to achieve should be the top priority.

Disclaimer

If you like what I am sharing or if it resonates with you, do use my referral codes for other services at https://atomic-temporary-178675883.wpcomstaging.com/contact/

a. Use my Endowus referral link and both you and I will get $20 credit to our account: Endowus Robo-Advisor to sign up now.

b. Use my Stash Away referral code and both of us are entitled to a 6-month management fee waiver, for up to $10,000 SGD of assets invested. Visit Stash Away Referral here to sign up now.

Razer Pay – Digital Wallet and Card Beta

On By RistrettzIn Personal Finance SeriesLeave a comment

Yet another Payment wallet once more. This is known as Razor Pay. This is also The Singaporean son, Tan Min Liang who famously wrote to our PM to suggest a proposal to unify payment solutions. It sounds more gimmick than ideal strategy when it was first published. Who doesn’t know him right? Then again, the speed at which solution was launched was so much slower than GovTech.

To get the Razer Pay app, apply through here: https://pay.razer.com/ and you may use my referral code 9iog2G. Both of us will receive a $1 credit to our wallets. In addition, that allow us to stand a chance to win a Razer Gaming Chair (worth $749.90).

After completing the Razer application and profile, you will probably get a Razer mask for free at the Razer Store. Not too sure if there is a delivery fee.

Razer Card (Beta)

For using the card beta, you will get:

a) 1% cashback on all purchases.

b) 10% cashback on purchases from Razer Store.

There is no minimum spend and no cashback cap during Card Beta. After Beta, we shall see how it goes.

Some perks here that includes getting the credit card rewards:

  • Using specific miles card, you can also get miles (If that still matters given the current situation

  • For now, you can still use the Razer card to top up YouTrip card so far. Shall use that to try to top up the BigPay card as well.

Rewards

From now till 31 Dec 2020, Razer is running attractive reward tasks and some of them are so easy to achieve that it is almost free money/gift. The value you see in getting these gifts depends on how you view these items are actually worth the time and money for. The four categories are Getting Started, Pay, Spend and Influence.

The final ultimate gifting is completing everything is that you will be rewarded with a Razer Iskur Gaming Chair (worth $749.90)

Conclusion

The Pros:

  • Works with some prepaid cards so you get the credit card rewards as well.
  • Withdrawal cannot be done. No ATM withdrawals at the moment.
  • For payments that doesn’t give a cashback, I guess this card comes in handy.
  • Rewards is based on the Razer Store and limited to the gamers. I’ll say it is both pro and cons.
  • The spend and fund limits seems like what many other wallets are providing (e.g. Grab Pay) so that sits on the fence as well.

The Cons:

  • Feels just like another Pay Service and wallet.
  • Rewards seems pretty and limited so I probably will use sparingly.

Disclaimer

This is not a sponsored post. This is just a tool and exploration to find out discounts and deals. It is never too much to learn and know more about.

If you like what I am sharing, to get the Razer Pay app, apply through here: Razer Pay and you may use my referral code 9iog2G. Both of us will receive a $1 credit to our wallets. In addition, that allow us to stand a chance to win a Razer Gaming Chair (worth $749.90).

This picture image was taken off Razer Pay website for illustration purpose only.

Autoweath – Performance Nov 2020

On By RistrettzIn Personal Finance SeriesLeave a comment

Investing especially in spot market is a tough business. Most people cannot accept fluctuations in their portfolio. Autowealth is yet another solution for me. Just that this time around, this is for my kid to start out her investment journey when she can. Teaching financial literacy is something I would recommend to anyone.

Summary on my review on Autowealth:

(a) try out different more robo advisors to understand more about them and how they invest and

(b) segregate this fund for any other purpose other than the kid’s investment journey.

My take about the investing journey has been the same since day one. Don’t sweat the small things, the costs of robo are so low. We are talking about a 15-20 year horizon here so heck those low costs. You need to pay them to keep their lights running. For companies like Endowus and StashAway, these guys have the experience and passion and these translate into actions. I am satisfied on how they are prudent and still maintain the low fees.

In my previous performance to compare the performance, I discussed about the historical S&P 500 chart for the last 50 and 100 years. Markets will go up and each time it drops, just pick some up and let the robots do the work on balancing and re-balancing. As long as fees remains low, the portfolio will grow over time and over a longer period. It should remain in the black based on some backtesting.

Performance

Looking at the portfolio again in November, it still looks pretty nice ahead of the 15-20 years horizon. This is a portfolio which is set at roughly 40% equities and 60% bonds. The investment vehicles will be through ETFs. It does look like it can withstand long term peaks and troughs. What i really like is that i can switch between the SGD and USD currency performance portfolio as well as the impact on USD SGD forex on performance. I wouldn’t say this does as well as the portfolios but to be fair, markets were already slightly upwards and I would like to deploy funds out into the market in tranches over time.

As compared to October 2020, +5.66% absolute is decent in my view (that is +2.66% comparing to October) and this is as at 11 Dec 2020. If markets drop, the rule is to fund the account more. Do note that all of these will have USD exposure. Time versus DIY – it is really about what is important. I usually will want to see the ultimate end goal whenever I start anything.

 

For this month, I also tried to look at the impact of FX and without the weakening USD, performance in USD is actually 8.56% year to date. That is on course to double digits returns once more.

The impact of the USD FX exchange is actually affecting the performance by -3.1%. These FX risks are part and parcel of investing unless I just intend to invest into the Singapore Markets. However, it is just too boring to do so.

Disclaimer

This is not a sponsored post. This is purely my own opinion after using their service and/or products. If you like what you are seeing, do remember to check they out and do your diligence. There is no one size fits all investment strategy.

If you like what I am sharing or if it resonates with you, do use my referral codes here at https://atomic-temporary-178675883.wpcomstaging.com/contact/ for the services.

The pictures were taken from Auto Wealth website for this article. If you need a referral code, drop me a message and you can indicate my full name during registration. From there, both of us will  get $20 each to supplement the fees.

Big Pay (Digital Payment)

On By RistrettzIn Personal Finance SeriesLeave a comment

Another payment service has come into the picture. More apps, more interface and more complexity is added into the whole scheme of things now. It feels abit like delivery and food services in the yesteryears. I don’t know about you but I do feel like many of these are popping up as if they are the next super app. I choose to believe that they want the users in order to sell more marketing money to another sucker. But well, as long as there are benefits to consumers and data is kept confidential. Why not?

What or who owns BigPay?

As defined from the website, AirAsia founder and CEO Tony Fernandes officially unveiled BigPay, the budget airline new digital payments platform, at the Money 2020 conference in Singapore

BigPay offers a mobile wallet which can store up to 10 credit and debit cards, and has partnered with MasterCard to offer its own top-up cash card that can be used for payments and withdrawals worldwide. Users can view transactions in real-time on the app to keep track of their daily spending.

What set them apart? As they have claimed

BigPay allows you to spend in 150 supported currencies without transaction fees at Visa’s exchange rate, and also allows you to withdraw money from overseas Via, Maestro, or Cirrus ATMs. It also allows you to make international bank transfers. I’m not too sure if this is the best way to do this as there are so many other options that can also do this.

Rewards

The app has a interface that would reflect spending categories and that separation would be suitable for someone who appreciate such stuff to track their monthly expenses.

Of course, all wallets would have their rewards to keep you using their app for a pro-longed period until you are dependant on it. t

The reward: 1 BIG points for every $5 spent on payments only. I think that for now, they have not figured out the main touch points that people want for rewards other than implementing their own services. This will come unless the app decided that they do not wish to invest more money on this. So this is a very good way to measure how serious a company is when they start expanding their business.

The Deal – $5 for referrer and referee

The key benefits now: We’ll both get $5 credited to our BigPay wallet when you complete the sign-up process by activating the physical card that’d arrive in your mail. After that, you can refer your friends and so on and so forth. It doesn’t seem like there is any cap at the moment since they are new.

Easy transfer back to account

BigPay allows you to withdraw your balance in cash to your bank account. The thing to note is that it’s limited to $100 a day, $300 a month, and you have to pay $1 fee each time you withdraw as a transaction fee. Okay, that isn’t too great a news. Most people don’t even want to pay $0.01 for anything.

That being said, as my philosophy, don’t sweat the small stuff. Smaller or new companies need to pay their overheads and salaries so this mindset would take a least a decade for people to understand.

Sidetrack a little to those who think that saving every cent is considered thrifty. Don’t blame companies for raising prices or dropping interests.

  1. No one owes you anything
  2. It is a free world. Anyone is free to choose – Do not use what you determine as best to define good.
  3. Treat customer service with respect.
  4. Companies have overheads and salaries to pay. Directly or indirectly it saves someone a job and income so increased costs have to be translated back to consumers.
  5. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Able to stack with other cards

BigPay can double stack with prepaid cards, which is also something that is virtually impossible. For now, you can still use your Grab Card to top up your BigPay wallet. Nice.

It also seems like the Razer Card (which is still in beta) works with BigPay for now.

Delivery

It takes about 4-7 business days for the card to transit and reach you via a registered courier. From there, you will then receive your card.

Conclusion

The Pros:

  • Works with some prepaid cards
  • Withdrawal can be done but at a cost.
  • Hard to find more

The Cons:

  • Low and limited withdrawal amount of $100 per day; $300 per month.
  • Rewards seems pretty and limited so I probably will not use it.

Disclaimer

This is not a sponsored post. This is just a tool and exploration to find out discounts and deals. It is never too much to learn and know more about.

If you like what I am sharing, use my BigPay referral code and both you and I will get $5 sign up bonus. Sign up with the referral code CQDU0PRU7X or tap on this link BigPay Referral now

This picture image was taken off BigPay website for illustration purpose only.

Season of Giving – Tab for a cause

On By RistrettzIn PsychologyLeave a comment

The season of Christmas is coming. Many people are still trying to get in the mood of celebrating Christmas and it is a nice feeling to do so. In doing so, have anyone wondered if anyone out there needs a helping hug. Other than those meaningless gift exchanges that generates more dumpster waste and creating a new cycle of recycling habits, perhaps it is time to sit down and think about what Christmas is all about.

A Giving Christmas? Really?

All of us want to find a reason to celebrate. In doing so, indirectly I’ve seen people using Christmas for meaningless boasts. At the same time, I have also encountered many people who dread the Christmas habits of gifting. Maybe I am skeptical but I refuse to budge over these futile attempts to gift and receive gifts. Advent is a time of giving but not giving to people who already have enough.

The Exercise or the Process

Not to mention that it burns a tiny hole in your pocket, the efforts to search, deliver, wrap and store these presents seem to have slowly lost its meaning. Looking back at the spiritual aspect of Christmas, it is a time to celebrate but humbly. Helping others along the way seem to be well forgotten. Yeah, I hear people saying tax season is coming so it is time to donate but really, is that the only driver of donation? The 2.5x that caps at 2.5k per year? Our conscience are better than that and I believe the beings still have hope. Despite all that inner angst and money worries and more talk about money, giving shall prevail over all during this season.

Tab for a cause

Tab for a cause is a simple tool that you can add on via your chrome browser.

You can raise money for charity with every tab you open in Chrome just by surfing the web. I was introduced to this by a friend just one week back.

Each time you open a tab, you will be greeted with an incredible new tab page filled with custom widgets, pictures, and a couple banner ads. Tab for a cause collect ad revenue from the page and use it to donate to the cause you are supporting and like minded people have raised over $1M for charity just by surfing the web.Anyone can join in by adding that chrome extension to their own browser device.

I wouldn’t say this is the most friendly user app or extension but if it is for a good cause. Why not for that effort. For every successful link that I refer, I will get additional 350 hearts that goes to the charity organisation that I choose to give to. There is no benefit on my end. I hope that if you do have any sources of referral, you can do the same to pass it on and get it going.

Disclaimer

I do not own or get any benefits from this. In this digital age, if raising funds need to be done this way – It is worth every effort to do so. Please spread that on if you can. After all, we have to live life meaningfully whether we are subject to any hardship or luxury. We start out as equal so there shouldn’t be any class differentiation.

Use the link below to donate and spread the word: Tab for a cause (Add Chrome Extension)

StashAway – Performance Nov 2020

On By RistrettzIn Performance, Personal Finance Series, Robo AdvisorsLeave a comment

Here comes another Robo-advisor experience from my end. To re-iterate the risk level, I am still at the risk index to below 20% as I felt that there isn’t a need to go all out Risk On going into November. I still think that having calculated risk per $ makes more sense in my opinion as news and information goes on a random rampage.

As I have always preached, the important thing is that I am not left on the sidelines. If Mr Market decides to go either way, it would matter that much to me in my opinion.

Retirement Portfolio A (risk-14%)

The SRS account since deposit is currently at +2.07% as on 11 Dec 2020. Pretty stagnant I would say but I’m not too worried about this long term portfolio. Performance wise, I went into this knowing it was pretty high end of Jan 2020.

 

Education Portfolio B (risk-16%)

This is something I set on a 15-18 year horizon. It is at 5.78% on 11 Dec 2020 and I think that is okay going at around 6-7%p.a. that I assume going into the end of 2020. I have been averaging in whenever there are market dips. The risk index is at 16% and I will adjust from time to time but try not to touch any of those if you don’t quite understand how that works.

 

Education Portfolio C (risk-20%)

This portfolio has a shorter horizon of 12-15 years so I feel that I need to take on some risk to achieve my goals. This SA risk index is currently at 20% and will take on to be one of my riskiest portfolio. Return is at 10.14% at inception which I find it fantastic to reach double digits. More funds will be added over time to achieve my targeted invested goals.

 

Conclusion

So far StashAway has not failed me in a sense that it fits in to my investing style and logic. I wish to put more into the accounts but I can’t bring myself to invest when prices are going higher. However, this is a pretty good supplement in my opinion.

I shall re-look into how I present the performance. Perhaps a more systematic approach so that it is more of a reference instead of just a monthly update.

a. Month on Month

b. Quarter on Quarter

c. Year on Year

To sign up or try out Stash Away, visit the website and use my referral code at Stash Away Referral

We’ll both get up to $10,000 SGD managed for free for 6 months which is a good deal.

Disclaimer

If you like what I am sharing or if it resonates with you, do use my referral codes for other services at https://atomic-temporary-178675883.wpcomstaging.com/contact/

The pictures were taken from the Stash Away website for this article.

Endowus – Performance Nov 2020

On By RistrettzIn Performance, Personal Finance Series, Robo AdvisorsLeave a comment

It is the time of the month again. I must say I have been really satisfied with the way it Endowus has been working out well for me thus far.

November has been a quiet month. The portfolio makes diversification much more important. As I have always said, being systematic about investing is quite important. Month on month and it still fulfills what I am seeing so far. This is going to be one of my core robo-advisors that I would like to be on for the long term.

SRS Portfolio

Overall, portfolio is up 4-5% month on month in terms of SGD. In USD terms, due to no FX impact as the portfolio is USD ETFs, the performance will definitely be better. We are spending Singapore dollars so this is our reference currency. This is the SRS/Cash portfolio which consists of my favourite Dimension Funds in a 40% bonds/60% equity. Overall from May 2020 to 11 Dec 2020, it is a 11.30% increase in absolute terms.

 

CPF Portfolio

For the CPF portfolio, it does not come with the Dimension Funds due to the restrictive nature in what you can invest in but I think this is excellent performance compared with the 2.5% in CPF.

Month comparison from Oct to 11 Dec 2020, that is 9.32% in absolute returns ever since investments were made in May 2020. and comparing the previous month, that is estimated to be around 3% higher.

This is very good in my own opinion that I have not been doing anything to this portfolio.

Recently they came up with a SmartFund DIY portfolio which looks really interesting. I would definitely be looking this up when there is a market pullback like i mentioned last month.

A quick review once more:

  • Endowus is the first and only robo-advisor to be approved by the CPF board to use your CPF OA excess funds to invest.
  • 100% trailer fees back to the consumer, not the fund management fee.
  • Content and education still remains relevant at least in my opinion.
  • At least they are one of the robo I trust that wants to help retail investors.

Thank you for using my referral code.

Disclaimer

If you decide to sign up with Endowus, do remember to use my referral code: https://endowus.com/invite?code=EDZ8M

If you like what I am sharing or if it resonates with you, do use my referral codes for other services at https://atomic-temporary-178675883.wpcomstaging.com/contact/

These pictures were taken off Endowus website for reference.

SGfindex – The all in one consolidated banking view

On By RistrettzIn Personal Finance Series, Wealth & HealthLeave a comment

This is really a nice initiative from MAS to combine all the bank data but I do have some gripe over it and there are nuances which I find myself complaining all over it. Before I do, I shall not and since this is something interesting to see, I would suggest everyone to try it.

Due to the technology involved in this, I wouldn’t suggest those who are not too savvy to attempt. You will get more frustrated from this. Technology do help us but also complicate our lives so much more. It’s just removing a a middle man to reduce pricing but then re-introducing the middle man as  multiple stores and having different shop fronts and products which differs a little from one another.

What is Findex?

If you give your consent to the platform, you can share your personal financial data across Citibank, POSB/DBS, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and UOB, plus government agencies like CPF, HDB and IRAS

This system is jointly developed by GovTech and I suppose SingPass is the security gateway to this capability. It is also stated that personal data is not stored.

I find that this is really in the infant stage of the launch and the applications can be developed into something more. That’s more GovTech and the merchants to find out.

What is the buzz about?

Consolidated bank accounts into one app. Let’s put it this way.

If you have a Standard Chartered bank account, choose the sgfindex option, login to Singpass and link your other bank accounts.

And if you have a OCBC bank account, choose the sgfindex option, login to Singpass and link your other bank accounts.

If you have a DBS bank account, choose the sgfindex option, login to Singpass and link your other bank accounts.

Okay, I think you get it. It is manual and you will need to endure with the lag, error 404, missed linked, etc….

I mean yeah, you get to see all your accounts in one app. All your credit cards, loans, selected government related accounts will be on it and that’s that.

Meanwhile, if you manage to come to this part of the reading – Thank you. If you are keen on getting $5 from Standard Chartered Bank. Do run through their exercise and also read their T&Cs at https://www.sc.com/sg/bank-with-us/sgfindex/

Don’t expect too much though.

Disclaimer

This is purely my own opinion after using their service and/or products. If you like what you are seeing, do remember to check they out and do your diligence. There is no one size fits all investment strategy.

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The pictures were taken from website solely for the purpose of illustration. Remember not to be a slave of money but make as much as you can.