Hello 2014, Goodbye 2013!

Wow wow wow! How fast 2013 has actually gone by.

It's been a pretty good year for me and hopefully 2014 will be even better!

Here's last year's review.

Here this year's review of 2013 resolutions:

1) Trade Less PASS
You know if you looked at my first half of the year activity, it sure looked like this was not going end well. However, I think I had a change in mindset somewhere along the way and this was actually achieved with relative ease, so much so that we can look forward to even less trading activity in 2014! The purpose of this resolution was to ensure that I lost less money trading speculatively, so I'm really glad this was actually well fulfilled.

2) Exercise More PASS
Hmm, I would say this was a borderline pass. I have several exercise options even though the kids keep me and the wifey uber busy. There is the gym membership, and then there are the football games on Mondays and Saturdays. Hopefully this can continue even though it wasn't as intense during the first half of the year (what was I up to?!).

3) Spend More Time With Friends FAIL
Ok this one I must say I failed miserably. My social circle is shrinking by the day and if I don't do something about it, my only friends will soon be my immediately family only. I can't even find kaki to go out to cheong anymore these days.

4) Spend More Time With Family PASS
This one was achieved with relative ease. Families like mine without helpers/maids have a greater reliance on the immediate family for sharing of childcare workload. From looking after the kids for a day to picking them up from school, they are just so important for me and the wifey. Sometimes there is not enough ways to express our gratitude for all the help rendered. At times like these, it does show that love is truly unconditional, lasting generations and generations.

5) Save More Money PASS
This was also achieved in large part from efforts that begun in the second half of the year. This is what it will take to make me a next door millionaire in time to come, hopefully. Will have to aggressively keep this up.

Four out of five is really good! Hopefully I will keep this trend up for years to come.

Ok, time to think about my resolutions in 2014!

Meanwhile, here's a look back at the Hello/Goodbyes of years gone:
Hello 2013, Goodbye 2012
Hello 2012, Good Riddance 2011!
Hello 2011, Goodbye 2010!
Farewell 2009, And Good Riddance!
A Look Back At Resolutions 2008
A Look Back At Resolutions For 2007

True Fitness Session XIV This Season

Clocked another tough session this afternoon.

Managed to cycle more than a half hour today but didn't manage to achieve my target of 45min on the bike :(

Clocked 17km in 38min of cycling on Level 11 normal and Level 12 sprints (sprinting at this level for 20 counts). This works out to 26.84km/h for my second cycling training session.

Hopefully can push on for a longer time on the bike next session!

3D Printing Is The Future

I guess the whole 3D speculative thingy didn't exactly cause an investing tsunami in our parts of the globe yet, so looking into 2014, it might be when it all starts for Asia to take note. Also will it herald the end of China as a manufacturing behemoth? Or any other manufacturing-reliant countries?

Here are the two most current articles if this is the stuff you're looking at in 2014:
What to look out for when investing in this industry?
How to invest in this industry?

I looked at 3D Systems and Stratasys recently and they're so so so overpriced! So much so that I had to think twice about going in, AFTER getting all set to go in!

Bubble or rational fundamental rise?

I guess for now, either I have to bide my time and wait for a correction or look for the 2nd or 3rd-tier options.

Trade safe.

Timeshare Scam V2.0?

Timeshares selling have always been viewed as scams because of the way they do their highly aggressive and pressurizing selling tactics. And that's only the sales bit. Once their victims sign on the dotted line and part with their money, that's only when their nightmares begin. Without boring you lot with the stuff they're capable of just to weed money off their victims, simply go Google "Timeshare" and "Scam" and read up if you will.

It has also been extensively reported in the news:
Here's one as recent as half a year ago
Here's another in March 2013

Anyway I got a call today claiming to be from the National Sign Up Center or the International Recovery Center stating that they could help me recover my money from timeshares.

Sad to say I didn't have any and so I Googled and read up and lo and behold, this is the new version of scamming your money apparently! They ask you to pay a deposit for their services and there you immediately part with even more money, and things get messy all over again until you give up chasing, just like Timeshare Scam V1.0.

Don't have much time to type it all out here, but you can read various forums such as here, or over here, to get a pretty good idea about what's going on. In some cases, they even claim to be calling from lawfirms! But a further check reveals that they are either imposters or using defunct lawfirm names to sound credible.

Also, if you've been a timeshare victim before, please don't be a victim again. Go report your situation to CASE or CAD immediately. It appears they may be finally doing something about these timeshare scammers.

I was abit shocked to read that there are people out there who still pay monthly instalments in the hope of getting their lump sum payments back some day!

Be safe!

Of Colours And Dinosaurs

I drew them dinos while the boy coloured them.

Hull City 2 Manchester United 3

Wow. Our 5th consecutive win. And winning ugly too. That's the true mark of champions.

1) Where Was The Defence Early On?

Beats me. How Hull managed to score 2 quick goals to go 2-0 up early on still baffles me. We really shouldn't be losing goals so early. Lapse in concentration. Luckily we were able to recover.

2) And Recover We Did

Unlike early in the season when we played very negatively, Moyes looked set to attack the Hull defence into submission today. It was really a joy to watch knowing we were able to comeback. These things you just believed simply based on the overall team play on the tv. How weird.

3) Rooney For MOTM

Quite undisputed, this one. He was everywhere, at one point playing as last man while the rest of the team was in front attacking even. He scored that wonderful volley to equalize, and then set up the winning own goal. The boy is unplayable right now when his head is right. Passing was also really good especially to the wings.

4) Carrick And Fletcher

Was a good sight to see Fletcher start his first game after so long. Nonetheless he tired and was substituted on 60min. Carrick's been out quite long too, so it's nice to see him get eased back into the game. We need our midfield linchpins to be fit and on form asap and these two could be our answer.

5) The Bad

Well there was the needless two goals we gave to Hull. Then Rafael got injured. Hopefully he won't be out for too long. Welbeck was also playing through injury. Phil Jones is out for two weeks and therefore couldn't start the game. With Fellaini out as well, we need other midfielders back to their best asap. Then there was Tony V's very needless red card. There's an injury crisis right now and we need to cope best as we can.

Bring on Norwich!

GGMU!!!

True Fitness Session XIII This Season

Whooo!

Pumped.

Managed to cycle for more than a half hour today.

Clocked 15km in 33min of cycling on Level 11 on the stationary bike. This works out to 27.27km/h for my first training session. Not bad.

Will try to log more cycling stats as the Athelete Lab (Jan) and OCBC (Mar) Cycling events near.

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

Been awhile since I last watched a movie with the wifey.

Today we managed to catch the above at GV Katong.

1) Good Rotten Tomatoes Rating
Considering our first choice being The Hunger Games 2, this alternative wasn't a bad one. Since The Hunger Games was not showing in cinemas anymore, we chose the show with the highest Rotten Tomatoes rating. At 78% approval, this movie definitely did not disappoint.

2) A Bloody Long Movie That Flew By
As with any Peter Jackson movie, this instalment was 2hr 45min long. By the time we left the cinema, we had to rush the rest of our planned errands. That being said, the pace of the movie and its exciting storyline meant it literally flew by. Did not feel like a drag at all.

3) LOTR Background Helps
Having an LOTR Trilogy background will certainly help. I didn't catch the first instalment of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, because I had read that it was not good at all. My fears that I couldn't catch on to the gyst of the movie proved unfounded as many characters were easily recognizable. There was Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins (far younger), and of course, Legolas. The Hobbit Trilogy is a prelude to the LOTR Trilogy so it was good to see bits and pieces familiar.

4) A Real Dragon
Any scene with Smaug the fire-breathing dragon was, IMHO, one of the most fascinating scenes of the movie. Or maybe I'm just a sucker for those flying lizards.

5) Elf-Dwarf Relationship Steals The Show
The relationship between the Dwarf, Kili and the Elf, Tauriel, wins my vote of most underrated subplot. Unlikely as it seems, the pair makes such a weird romance possible. It's abit like thinking that a pig and a horse could be in a relationship with each other perhaps? Oh and the she-elf looked gorgeous too! She is Evangeline Lilly, who also acted in Real Steel, The Hurt Locker, and most famously, as Kate in Lost (no wonder she looked so familiar!).

All's well and I can't wait for the 3rd instalment, The Hobbit: There And Back Again. Even the wifey stayed awake the whole movie!

Merry Christmas 2013!

Merry Christmas everyone!

May all readers have a very blessed 2014 ahead!

It's been abit of a blah Christmas so far, quite a nice Christmas feel, and yet not feeling it too intimately.

Was going through my old posts and I realise that next year is the 10th year of this blog's existence! Wow!

Anyway, here are some things I've written over the last few years. How things have changed!

2012: December
2011: Merry Christmas Everyone
2010: 22 Points
2009: Merry Christmas Everyone!
2008: Merry Christmas Everyone!
2007: Merry Christmas Everyone!
2006: Merry Christmas 2006!
2005: Merry X'mas Y'all!
2004: Merry Christmas Everyone!

So nostalgic, reading those posts after so long.

I guess it is good to keep memories in a blog. Since it helps you remember the past.

Merry X'mas once again!!!

Is Copper The Next Big Thing?

Just go read this.

Perhaps the right thing to do now is to hunt for a good Copper ETF.

Downtown Line 1

Is finally open for business! 

So convenient to get to office now!

In fact from door to door, home to office, I will now need only exactly 30min.

How's that for efficiency?!

It's no wonder why Sengkang and Punggol are so popular with young executives working in town!

Manchester United 3 West Ham 1

Wah! 4th win on the trot!

1) Best Formation So Far

It must be said our best formation has appeared in the recent run of wins. DDG in GK, Evans and Smalling/Jones at CB, Rafael and Valencia on the right, Evra and Januzaj/Young on the left, Rooney in CM with Cleverly/Giggs/Jones as a triangle midfield. Enterprising and forward moving, Moyes may have found abit of identity at last.

2) Welbeck/Young Are Coming Into Form

Danny Welbeck scored his 3rd goal in two games after quite a long drought. He also had an assist today. Unfortunately an injury forced him out. Hopefully he will be fine and keep up his fine scoring run. Young I've slated for the past few seasons but lately he is really starting to win me over. His goal last night was one of the sweetest struck curlers I've seen in a long while.

3) Phil Jones DA MONSTER

I love calling him that! SAF knows his stuff and calling his the next Duncan Edwards may be unnecessary because he's already making a name for his own self. Whether in MF or CB, he plays with so much passion and confidence that he inspires his teammates. Always strong and piah, his simple muscling and cutting out of opponent simply pumps the rest of the team up.

4) Rafael/Valencia Connection

The most exciting combo we've been missing all season is back! And it's why we've had so many scoring opportunities of late. Both Rafa and Tony V have this telepathy when they play together on the right. Tony V also plays with far more confidence knowing Rafa always covers his defensive duties (and offensive ones even!). This combo wins us games, period.

5) The Small Blots

It's not all fine and dandy though and we can be better than this. Welbeck and Evans look to have picked up injuries which is a concern. Januzaj, for all his talent, has to blot his copybook by diving (gotta cut that out) unnecessarily. Worst of all is the LB position being exposed. Evra is getting older and needs more rest. Alex Buttner is not a United player by any measure and shouldn't be playing games at all. Unfortunately it seems he's better than Fabio even? Last night West Ham goal was solely his fault. Bloody amateur.

All in all a good game and long may this streak continue!

GGMU!!!

True Fitness Session XII This Season

Managed to clock a session in the gym today after such a long time.

The last time I went to the gym was on the 9th of September!

Got through a Spinning II session today. Didn't find it that tough though.

Will be participating on some race held at the Athlete Lab next month. So need to trade very hard. I probably weakest in the line-up.

Cheong ah!!!

Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 3

It's been awhile since I enjoyed a Manchester United game. 

1) Fringe Players Finally Playing Above Average

Perhaps the biggest problem we've had all season was that SAF was able to make a mediocre team champions while DM, being new, wasn't able to do the same. Tonight though, saw the likes of Welbz, Cleverly, Tony V all having very good games for once. Hopefully they can keep this up.

2) Stars Play Better Too

Even the stars all turned up with quality performances. Rooney, Rafael, Jones, DDG all had a good game. Probably enhanced by the fringe players' performances.

3) Rafael & Tony V Combo

It has to be said that whenever Rafael at RB and Tony V at RMF play in the same game, they turn the right field entirely theirs. Their combined chemistry and work rate it second to none. Wasn't a surprise that so many chances came from their flank, including both of Welbz's goals.

4) Evra Is Going Downhill

If there were one player (aside from Young) last night who didn't do well, Evra would be it. Poor in defence and staying to far upfront many a time, it may be time for him to be replaced. I love Evra for his commitment and love for the club, but this season simply hasn't been up to the mark for him. We definitely need a new LB.

5) Fletcher Surprise

Who would have thought Darren Fletcher would make it back to the first team. In fact he even played quite well when he came on for Giggs. Hope he continues to improve as the team really needs a player like him this season.

All in all a good performance.

Hope this can continue.

GGMU!!!

Thailand Golf Championship 2013

Great event won by Sergio Garcia with a -22 overall score.

Here he is putting at the 9th.

Must Learn To Laugh At Ourselves I

Ouch the pain...

Asiasons Divestment

Following my purchase quite a few weeks back, I have decided to bite the bullet and cut my losses.

My divestment decision stems from the further revelations that the directors of Asiasons, Blumont, LionGold and perhaps even more counters, have likely been involved in upward pyramid buying. This is the process of using a small existing collateral to borrow and leverage higher sums, to buy even more of a stock and thereby driving its price higher and higher. It all works fine and dandy when the rest of the world jumps on the bandwagon, but once the house of cards crumble, there will be nothing left.

Previously when I did a quick analysis of Asiasons, my calculation came down to an NAV of about 5.8c. So that actually makes today's price of 11.3 c still over-inflated! But aside from feeling abit of heartache for not taking profit when the counter bounced up to 27c when the suspension was first lifted, I am not feeling too much pain from this divestment. In fact, it could be quite alot of money saved.

The Singapore Property Downcycle Is Here

Previously I covered why I thought property prices were going to come down in the next few years.

Over the weekend, my dad shared his own analysis of the current situation. Here's one man who's been through at least 2 full cycles already and should be pretty well placed to see the highs and lows before they happen. He had been been previously talking about the downward trend arriving shortly, and this time around he was fairly certain it has begun.

We are at the beginning of the downward trend after the high's of early 2013. From here on, all the property measures the gahmen had earlier imposed will exhibit its combined impact. From the TDSR, stamp duties, property curbs, foreigner curbs, MOPs, increased housing development and other related factors, it will all contribute to the first gradual downfall of prices in 2014.

One thing that struck me was that he said that property investors were akin to cattle. There was a herd mentality to investing in property at all times. When times are good, the whole market will dive in and drive prices up, but once the market turns the dark corner, the whole market simply disappears. Soon there will be hardly anymore buyers and infinite sellers. People will just be unable to let go of their property. And the downward spiral begins.

The firm advice is that while the market is still fairly liquid (already the drying out signs are there) right now, one should sell or cash in on all the investment properties they have except for the one they live in. For unless they are prepared to wait for the next cycle to cash out, or sit tight and collect dwindling rental yields, once the tsunami hits, there will be no exit (or at least a very painful one).

Here's the kicker. When are all the buyers really going to disappear? Your guess is as good as mine. But I do suspect that 2014 will be the year we will see it, as more and more units come out into the market, more and more units exceed their MOP limits, and less and less foreigners come here to live. Add to that macro factors like the US Fed tapering, interest rates heading upwards, regional instability.

Be safe out there.

The SingTel MioTV Problem Solved

After deliberating for so long about whether to renew my contract with SingTel MioTV or make the switch to Starhub, I finally made the tough decision to succumb to Mio's more extensive but also more extensive plan.

Then i go call them up to upgrade, and their cuckoo operator (I should thank her for that!) reveals that actually my plan is not due for the mandatory price increase yet (not with this batch of November increments) and I will still enjoy my current cheaper pricing. I am of course encouraged to upgrade nonetheless. Of course not, I say!

Haha.

And that's my story of how I'm still paying only $85/mth for internet, football and misc cable.

Tottenham Hotspurs 2 Manchester United 2

Can't review much since I only managed to catch the final 25min of the game, by which time all goals had been scored.

Ultimately a draw away from home against a top six team (well on paper at least!) isn't too bad.

This leaves us in 8th place however and we could be in danger of missing out on the UCL spots. And yet it seems as though David Moyes keeps thinking our performances are very good. He has to change his mindset now that's he's in his new club.

The following run of fixtures is not easy with Everton and Newcastle at home up next. We really have to win these games if we're to sniff at top 4.

GGMU!!!

Happy Anniversary Dear Wifey

An unexpected pressie from the wifey!

Love!

Movember 01/12/13

The final cut.

I'm finally cutting it today.