Monday, December 23, 2013

Reflections for 2013

In a few days time, 2013 will come to a close. It is time to reflect on this year before setting resolutions for next year. So here goes.

Finances
I've finished paying the school fees for my part time degree course. It has been tough juggling with work and school but i'm glad i've survived another year. Total school fees paid was about $15000. After paying for school fees, i'm still able to have savings from my salary which is a good thing. Without a huge chunk of my money going towards paying for school fees from now onwards, my savings rate will increase too. This lets me have more money to buy stocks.

Salary Increment and Bonus
The work year has been good. I've received a salary increment of more than 10% and an above average bonus in total of about 4.5 months. This in my opinion is already very good as i'm only a junior executive now in a diploma level job. In case you didn't know, diploma holders on average are not paid highly in Singapore. An average person receives about $2200 per month with 2-3 years of work experience. This is also one of the reason why i continued to further my studies to get a degree. It is simply too little to live comfortably in Singapore if you want to start a family.

Family Life
Talking about family, i'm still single and living a carefree life. However, i'm already preparing myself in case i would get married one day. Wedding, honeymoon, getting a house are all major expenses which need to be prepared for. Good that other financial bloggers share their expenditures of their life after marriage. This gives me a rough gauge of how much is actually needed. Thanks to you guys! (You know who you are.)

Investments
The Singapore stock market has been flat this year with a rally in the first few months of the year and a drop in later half of the year. I've added in more stocks which i feel is undervalued and has the potential for growth.

Some of the counters are Marco Polo Marine and HPH trust for shipping and exports related growth. Croesus retail trust for Japanese economic growth which i believe will happen as Japan embark on its own QE program. Yongnam for investment into the construction sector which will benefit from the various projects such as the new marina bay CBD which they have recently clinched the contract to fabricate and construct structural steelwork.

Miscellaneous
I've managed to clear my annual IPPT  for the second time this year. For those who do not know what IPPT is, it is actually an annual fitness test that is required for every Singaporean National Service Men. For me, i'll still have to serve the army for the next 7 years. Next year will be my 3rd reservist.

This is also a year where i started my blog in June. Blogging has enabled me to know other financial bloggers and also the readers who have been reading what i write. Thanks to all of you who have supported my blog which motivates me to continue writing more articles. My Facebook page is reaching 100 Likes soon and my blog will also reach 100000 views soon. This is a small humble beginning of my journey. I hope to provide all of you with more quality articles as we continue this journey. Feel free to comment or email me if you got any topic suggestions or request.

Lastly, here's wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year. Let's celebrate and finish this year with a grateful and happy spirit.

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8 comments:

  1. Hi SGYI,

    I know who I am? LOL

    Glad that my monthly updates is perceived as useful to some.

    I agree that a degree is pretty important for a person who is going to embark on a long-term career. It's not entirely useful on its own, but it's essential as a signalling tool.

    All the best to your studies, plans for marriage and investments!

    Glad to have 'known" you in 2013!

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  2. Hi 15HWW,

    Yes its useful. At least to me. :)

    A degree is important for the career advancement. Diploma holders really have limited career movements.

    All the best to you and your family too. May you achieve your 15 hour work week soon just as your name represents. Glad to have known you through the blogging world too.

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  3. Hello SGYI,

    First of all, it's nice to see 2 young guys encouraging each other on their journeys.

    So that's what on young warriors' minds nowadays. Thanks for the sharing ;)

    That's the beauty of youth - so much to look forward to!

    Have fun!

    Cheers and Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi SMOL,

      Its better to have friends then foes along on the journey. :p

      It makes the journey more worthwhile also. I'm really glad to have known fellow bloggers both young and not so young.

      Well, I've been reading your blog too. You're not too old yet. Still got much more to look forward to.

      All the best to you and your family! Merry Christmas :)

      Delete
  4. Hi SG YI

    Aha.. it seems that we are both still officially a student in the making fightingfor the same ultimate goal in mind. With fees out of the way now for you, im sure you will be able to focus well on your investment. Having a degree and monster increment and bonuses (wish my company is that well) will boost up your portfolio greatly in 2014.

    But across all that, its been nice to learn from one another the path of life beyond investment from you. Hope to see more great posts from you and wish you and your family best of everything in this festive season :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi B,

      It has definitely been great to learn from each other. I'm always amazed at your portfolio. Haha.

      Wishing you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year! On to a greater year ahead :)

      Delete
  5. Hi SGYI,

    Hey! 10% increment and 4 months bonus is obscene! Seriously! Congratulations. :)

    I didn't get any increment nor bonus. Sad life. :(

    Your war chest will be growing at a faster clip now. Huat ah. :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi AK,

    My basic pay is not a lot so the bonus makes up for it. :)

    Your bonus comes from dividends. Not so bad afterall. ;)

    I'm at accumulation stage now. Have to say I'm at a very early stage of investment compared to many others. Got much more to learn.

    ReplyDelete