Tag: digital

Endowus Performance March 2021 & YTD + New ESG Portfolio

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

Time in March 2021 seem to just go by in a quick frenzy. Stock markets have retraced and between Tech and Cyclical equities, it seems to sway from side to side. There isn’t seem to be any clear signs for any particular trend. The slightest event such as the cargo tanker remained jammed up in the Suez Canal seem to have caught commodities in a stir for a week or two.

I’ve been talking about Endowus for a while now. I think there is something that attracts me to them. Perhaps it is the way they present themselves or maybe it is their mindset of investing that struck a chord with me. I would actually recommend them to anyone I know to be honest and I know that my investments will be safe with them. Further, they raised their first ever Serie A fund raising for expansion. It does sounds like a great step forward. Whatever was private, we don’t know but their first fund raising after being around for sometime does spark some confidence about how prudent they are and how much the founders value their own equity in the company. To me that is a plus when the founders want to keep stock value mainly because they see value in their own company.

ESG Portfolio (New)

I am quite intrigued in their new ESG portfolio that was constructed through the different fund houses. To a certain extent, I do want to put more into it but I am unsure since I’ve not read up on this but I do know that ESG have performed relatively well in the European zone. This segment would serve me well for a long term portfolio because I do see the value in investing in sustainable companies an practices. After all, we are saving this earth for our next generation – a little step goes a long way.

This is at +1.97% since inception some time in Mid March 2021. I like what I am seeing. Of course this is a 80%/20% Equity/Bond portfolio allocation so there will be more movement on the equity side. This is long term so, just leave it in there.

SRS Portfolio

Overall, portfolio is up 18.51% since May 2020 in SGD. As usual, in USD terms, due to no FX impact as the portfolio is USD ETFs, the performance will definitely be better especially when USD becomes stronger. Of course, the reference will be SGD since I use SGD. This is the SRS/Cash portfolio which consists of my favourite Dimension Funds in a 40% bonds/60% equity. Overall from May 2020 to 5 Apr 2021, it is a 18.51% increase in absolute terms – Fantastic. From Jan 2021 to 5 Apr 2021, the fund was stable and rising more  at 4.86%+ increase in portfolio. Not too bad really.

In Terms of YTD returns in 2021, I’m looking at 4.86%. I’m happy. Definitely topping up if there are any corrections (By definition a correction is more than 10% drop in a single day)

CPF Portfolio

For the CPF portfolio, it is also doing pretty well though not as well as my Dimension Fund portfolio. I’m still looking at 12.23% returns from May 2020 through to 5 Apr 2021.

In Terms of YTD returns in 2021, I’m looking at 1.68%. This is quite expected so not much of a surprise. I have no requirement to login daily to view my portfolio performance. Just a monthly review will be sufficient.

Similar to the previous months, cash management accounts have started to report a decline. This is also expected since LOW interest rate environment is here to stay for the long term.

I have been procrastinating about the Cash Smart Portfolio. Perhaps I will take a plunge to do it in April 2021. Takes a bit of courage to do that.

Like a broken recorder, the pros once more:

  • Endowus is the first and only robo-advisor to be approved by the CPF board.
  • 100% trailer fees back to the consumer, not the fund management fee. This is really one of a kind I’ve seen so far.
  • They do have a decent team who makes sense when introducing their platform in my personal opinion.
  • I believe all retail investor should try them out because of how they are trying to disrupt investing and make investing work for everyone.

Thank you all in advance for using my referral code.

Last point is to do your own diligence. What works for me may not work for you. Investing in traditional portfolios is about risk management, it isn’t Cryptocurrency. Super high risk = Potentially Super high returns. Fair enough in economic terms. Just remember that = Potentially Super high decrease in portfolio as well.

I’m not ruling cryptocurrency as an asset class here. What I do see is that they will be a disrupter in traditional currency in the future. What I am saying is traditional investments brings stable, slow and disciplined returns. I do have a portion of my funds in cryptocurrency and the latest trend of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). I deal with these two investments separately and realistically.

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 Referral and Recommendations

These pictures were taken off Endowus website for reference.

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.

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.

Christmas Dash

On By RistrettzIn Personal Finance SeriesLeave a comment

I’m not a big fan of Singtel but as usual, don’t go against anyone or anything that gives you a decent deal. Dash is basically a digital payment App. They have developed the interface to include deals and a rewards scheme if you use their app to buy, remit or top up SIM card or international air time. Basically, like a grabpay app but suited to fit in their own services.

If you use Singtel Dash to shop, dine and spend this festive period, Dash users will earn a bonus chance to shake the Dash snow globe within the app and win a sure-win prize so long they meet any of the criteria from now till 31 Dec 2020:

  • Make a min $20 hi! SIM card top-up / Make an international air time top-up of $10
  • Make a purchase of minimum $10
  • Remitting $400

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 Dash referral code and both you and I will get up to $2 cashback for your first Singtel Dash transaction. Sign up with the referral code DASH-RYJKN or tap on this link SingTel Dash now

This picture image was taken off Singtel Dash for illustration purpose only.