Hectic short weekend

Last weekend was a short one, ended my work at around 5pm Saturday, had some issues with my site and had to coordinate people around.

Miss J did some home cooking although she had some problems with her arms as she somehow had infections with her joints.We had soup and macaroni for that night.

Sunday Morning, we had breakfast at home, cereals, milk and Eggs. We then went to a Australia property seminar in key point which we were invited by Victor.

This time is about a property in Melbourne called Australia 108. As usual, we spent about 5 hours there and went off around 3pm. We learned about australia taxes, negative gearing and how to invest with other people's money. It is amazing to see a huge crowd of property agents attended the seminar as well.

I then went to Takashimaya to meet up with Angela and Kenny, as she recommended me a jeweller from Hong Kong which could get me a better stones. On the spot, we managed to get around 5% cheaper than those local jeweller could do.

I am so glad to be able to meet up with a well known Jeweller from Hong Kong and could do a proper discount for me.

After that, we went off for a short hong kong style tea break in Imperial Treasure Nan Bei Restaurant. I shared a meal with Jenny for about 16.80. We had French Toast, pork fried rice.

After the high tea in Imperial Treasure, we went to walk around orchard to look for some bargains, we parted with Angela and Kenny, and we tend walk towards somerset to check the new ice cream parlour, Honey Creme next to the taxi stand in  313 Somerset.
We didn't buy the ice cream The queue was too long and we gave up after waiting for about 15minutes.

We went to another place for ice cream in orchard central and after our meal there, we went straight to home. Upon reaching home, we had a swim, volleyball session and some light reading before heading to sleep.

It was indeed a short weekend.

DEBRIEF-Quick trip back home 17/10-19/10/2014

it is the time of the year again where I will be able to go home. Kota Kinabalu. The best place on earth. Although it seems that a two nights and two days trip seems to be too short for list which I need to accomplished by end of the trip. 

• To attend Victor wedding
•  Met up with some of my secondary school mates
• To discuss with my parents about my own wedding plan
• My parents will further discussed among themselves and let me know the outcome.
• My mum told me about travel wedding, and I was rather shock to hear that. 
• Been visualizing how my wedding would be during my trip back to Sabah. 
• Family catch up and updates
• it has been good to spent a few nights with my family and catch up. 
• There are some critical issues which we need to deal with immediately. 
• My aunty is coming to Singapore in November 2014. Will be catching up with here again when she is around. 
• To check Malaysia properties
• We went to check 4 properties. two in api api centre which were rather disappointing and two in university condominium near one Borneo. 
• As long as we can cover the repayment to bank, create positive cashflow it should be alright.
• Credit card payment to collect points
• There are several payments which we could use credit card to pay to collect points and travel into asia miles or krisflyer.

Personal Checklist 20141013

1. Health
1. Diet
2. Myself
1. Apply driving license by end of October 2014. Convert my driving license.
2. To read at least one book a month
1. Book of the month of October- Cashflow Quadrant by Robert. Kiyosaki
3. Finance/Investment
1. Property investment in US. Check three areas mentioned in the magazine. I checked with the property agent about financing. 
2. To check on videos about investment banking, trader, proprietary trading and life as a trader.
4. Career
1. Write down to do list for everyday, and priorities them. 
5. Relationship
1. Wedding plan
1. Prepare a budget sheet for wedding by end of 2014
6. Family
1. To discuss more about moving to somewhere else. So far we got Singapore and Australia on the list. 
2. We also discussed about property investment together and also how the business will be handed over soon. 
7. Business
1. To search for Dell laptop at around $249 by end of October
2. To check into digital nomad, watch videos about their lifestyle and prepare myself to work on the web or from home. 
8. Travel
1. Will have to plan for Jenny's birthday trip for 2015 by October 2014

People are dreaming after a long holiday

We just got back from our long weekend in Thailand, after our one day work, we decided to have a meal together at a Japanese Restaurant in Novena to catch up with each other. We ordered the following:

• Shoyu Ramen, 
• Karaage, 
• Hot pot rice 
• Additional eggs. 

We then got

• Chasu Ramen (which is 3 dollar extra)
• Karaage
• Gyoza 
• Additional Eggs

I know it is just a small issue, but getting 50 % of the order wrong shows that our waitress is dreaming and writing what she wants to eat instead what the customer ordered. 

After our meal, went back home, cleared some of our stuff at home and went to Gym which I have made an appointment with my trainer last week. Upon arrival, he told me he got another client and could not train with me for that night...... 

I guess after a long weekend, people would just go haywire. 

Bangkok Trip 3/10-6/10/2014

There are a few life lessons learned during this trip, and would like to pen it down

1. 30 Baht lesson- It is less than SGD 2.00 and RM 5.00 but because I was managing the money for the entire group and I received the change back from cashier after paying meals without noticing how much I have been returned. When one of my friends asked me about the bills I somehow couldn't answer them.
1.  Lesson learned: Make sure to check the bills with everybody, especially when the bills are written in a different language. 
2. Check the change given back to me and remember how much we have paid the cashier. I am not just a pocket, I am more than a pocket and I need to be vigilant and sensitive with numbers. 
3. People always remember how they felt, as a finance officer for the trip, I need to know and ask for funds when the our fund is insufficient. Instead of not having any sufficient money when I reach the point of paying the bills. It makes people feel embarrassed. 
4. I need to understand my roles (finance officer) and communicate clearly with all my team members during the trip.
2. I dislike to take advantage of others, be thoughtful and I don't like others to take advantages of me.
3. it is not about how much money we earn, it is about the mindset/habit and culture. 
1. Despite they all earn a lot more than I do, but they just don't spend money on unnecessary stuff. 
4. Don't let people to make a fool of you.
1. Clever people they use their mouth and brain, while for those less clever ones, they use actions. 
5. Ask for confirmation and make everyone agree with the schedule and cost.
1. Think the right question and be loud enough is very important. This is to synchronize people's thoughts. 
6. Showing the waiting place to all our travel mates is crucial
1. People may get confused with the location to wait especially when we are all in a new place
7. Learn how to ask critical question to nail the facts
8. Understand a person preference/habit
1. One of my travel mates couldn't decide whether to eat or not to eat until she sees the condition of the meal. 
2. Some couples would have thousands of reasons when they are late
9. We also discussed about friend selection and how it would assist us in our future. we have to target people on the higher floors and learn from their experience. They are there for a reasons and they can guide me there. There are a few criteria to look into when it comes to choosing a friends. Being kind-heart, generous, traveled a lot, keen to share, considerate and loving. 

A long weekend with Miss J post world Trip

It was a weekend after Miss J 2 and half months long world trip. She traveled to Bali, Hong Kong, Singapore, America, Canada, China, Singapore and Australia.

So it is a good time for me to catch up with her for a weekend. Spent almost 6 solid hours looking into a property in Australia with a Australia based company called central equity called Australis. This is not the first time I spent my time there as a potential buyer and would like to look into more opportunities to do more about

I would like to take note all the thoughts that went through us ( Jenny and I) yesterday and we came out with some conclusions

• How much can we afford? 
• Where are we looking at now? Singapore, Malaysia or Australia
• Why do we want to buy one in Australia? For education? Migration or for future

We went to a seminar together about property in Melbourne which is called australis, two bedroom in little lonsdale road in Melbourne which is very near to main train station in Melbourne. The property is about AUD509K and we booked it o

So basically, I had a long chat with my mum about this purchase, and she told me to hold it first before putting my money in Melbourne. It is good to catch up with my mum and also discussed with her about my future plans. I don't want to be a Mama boy but I would like to hear from my parents about my plans.

I spoken with my mum for hours and we discussed a few points about buying property in Melbourne

• High tax in Australia property zone 1
• Generate little cash flow
• People move there to Melbourne for their children's education
• I am not married yet

We will be monitoring a few properties nowadays and work towards it as Miss J like Melbourne a lot. I guess settling down in Singapore seems to not a good one for Miss J. 

Personal Mission Statement

The following points are my personal mission statement for my life from today on wards. These mission statements are to make myself working towards someone I wanted to be in the long run. 

• I will be loving and proactive in building and maintaining my relationships with family and friends. 

• I will always act with integrity and never compromise with honesty, so that it may be said that I am a person who stands for what is just and right. 

• I will look after my health by regularly exercising and eating well. 

• I will treat money as my servant, not as my master. I will seek financial independence over time. My wants will be subject to my needs and means. I will spend less than I earn and regularly save and invest part of my income.

• When times are tough, I will remember there are still countless reasons I have to be thankful. As such, I will give something back to the community, via donation and volunteering, so that those less fortunate receive a helping hand.

Typical work day schedule

0500-0545- Wake up and get ready.

0545-0745- Commute/Read/Email/Text

0745-0830- Breakfast/Strategy (Setting goals, plan for the day/week/month/year)

0830-1000- Work on the most brain consuming task

1000-1200- Meeting/Site walk

1200-1300- Lunch

1300-1500- Meeting and team work

1500-1700- Personal tasks and project

1700-1830- Commute back to Novena

1830-2000- Personal time/dinner

2000-2200- Work on personal project and strategy

2200-2230- Personal development

2230-0500- Sleep

Trip Planning

Pre trip

• Planning and budgeting
• Check air ticket via sky scanner
• Check airbnb for accommodation, or bookings for hotel.
• Check credit card points and air miles
• Plan all activities by creating a spread sheet to capture all the expenses and places to see and things to do. 
• Check youtube video for the places and things to do. ( there are so many vlog nowadays)
• Visa requirement- Check with the embassy
• Leave Application- which is critical 
• Travel insurance- Check if is applicable
• Check passport expiry date
• Power adapter

Pre Flight

• Packing for the trip- http://www.tripresource.com/beforeyougo.htm
• Prepare extra luggage/clothes
• Book transportation to Airport
• Print all confirmation for flight ticket, hotel accommodation
• Map to be printed out
• Download Ulmon, Navigation and Google Map
• Download Trip Advisor city guide
• Download itinerary
• Make sure all address of POI are saved in google map or navigation

During Trip

• Ensure all devices are charged
• Petty cash 

Post Trip

• Photo to be compiled
• Write a journal of what we have learned and seen
• Check our budget and compile the itinerary. 

Personal Trainer at California Fitness at a bargain

After my trip from US, I gained a few kilos and decided to engage a personal trainer to assist me to boost my ever low metabolism rate.

 I managed to get a SGD90++/hour personal trainer at SGD70++ /hour.

On top of that, with my negotiation skills I have learned in the past, I also managed to get one free lesson.

Although this course is expensive, but I hope with proper guidance and training, this would become a lifelong education for me for my health. It will be parked under self improvement and better living cost in my budget.

After a brief analysis of my body conditions, my PT explained to me that I need to improve my metabolism rate which is currently at around 1600++. This is way below the normal men should have and is contributing to my weight gain recently after stop working out for a while.

I will have twice a week training for the coming four months. First 2 months will be body conditioning, meaning to prepare my muscle for the fat burning which will be in the second phase of the training.

My ultimate goal:

1. To burn away 16kg of fats
2. Body fat at around 12%
3. Metabolism rate to reach 2300
4. Lose 10kg of water
5. Hip-waist ratio of 0.86

September goal setting and review

I need a system to be more organised in my monthly posting. To track my goals and things I have done. This will be the format below. 

1. Health
1. Diet
1. Eat less carbohydrates, no more soda, half the portion during dinner. 
2. No more food after 8pm
3. Less sugary drink and food.
2. Exercise
1. Going to badminton session with serene this coming 21/9/2014.
3. To go gym
1. Pack my gym wear and trainers to work at least twice a week
2. Myself
1. Apply PR
2. Apply driving license
3. To be more focus and organised
4. To settle my Singpass by end of September
5. Book a date with MOM for my PR application by End of September 2014.
6. To be more organised
1. To write things down
2. To have schedule and goals
3. Don't procrastinate
4. Label your storage area, sort all the storage area
5. De-clutter regularly
6. Keep only what I need
7. Delegate responsibilities
8. Work Hard
7. To read at least one book a month
1. Book of the month- 7 habits of highly
3. Finance
1. Invest in technology companies- Dig into Baidu, Alibaba and Google
2. Property investment in US. Check three areas mentioned in the magazine
3. To monitor property in Sabah. Contact more sales person
4. To keep track of my credit card bills. 
4. Career
1. Ended spiting art project
2. To search for more jobs
3. To have 5 minutes for planning work
4. Write down to do list for everyday
5. Relationship
1. Wedding plan
1. Start searching for the engagement ring, got contact from Angela, will contact him by end of September
2. Research into photo shoot session by end of September
3. Prepare a budget sheet for wedding by end of September
4. Jenny will be looking into the wedding cost in Hong Kong while I will look into the one in KK
5. To search for a photo shoot session in KK. Photographer in KK. 
6. Search for areas suitable or common for couples for photo shooting.
7. Understand more about travelling and also photo shooting. 
2. To spend quality time together.
3. To set a common goal with Jenny.
6. Family
1. Visit home in Mid October.
2. Spent more time with family
3. Call parents at least once a week
4. To discuss more about moving to somewhere else. So far we got Singapore, Australia and Canada.
7. Business
1. To study airbnb. Spend two hours a week
2. To search for Dell laptop at around $249 by end of October
3. To update website and promote website
4. To search for property in US from realty trac.com
8. Travel
1. Going to Bangkok 1st week of October 2014.
2. To prepare an itinerary for my Trip to US. list down all the goods and bad stuff happened during the trip, and create a system for travelling in the future. From packing, things to bring, places to go, sheets to have, apps to have before the trip, during and after the trip. I need a system to be organised accordingly. 
3. To be more creative
4. To travel to Philippines by 2016
5. To move away from my comfort zone.

US Trip 30/8/2014- 5/9/2014 Simplified

Day 1 (30/8/2014) Los Angeles

Arrived Los Angeles-

Took a bus to downtown and checked in to our Airbnb apartment

After checking in, took a shower,

We walked around the down town area and travel by bus to Hollywood Boulevard,

Took a 2 hours guided tour to Beverley Hills and Hollywood for about 30 dollar for two.

Had dinner in Woodfire restaurant BBQ at Hollywood Boulevard. 

Day 2 (31/8/2014) Grand Canyon

Woke up early in the morning and catch our tour bus from china town to our 3 days 2 night trip in Las Vegas and Grand Canyon.

We had lunch at in and out burger, a typical American burger chain store.

Upon arriving to hualaipai Ranch, we was checked into a cosy hut, and went to Grand Canyon, eagle point to take some photos.

After our photo shooting session, we then went back to the Ranch and have our dinner. It was yummy bbq ribs.

After our dinner, we all went back to our hut, and joined back the crowd for the camp fire

We saw a few shooting stars that night. 

Day 3 (Grand Canyon and Las Vegas)

We woke up at about 6am and watched the Sunrise

Helicopter trip

River cruise

Buffet Chinese

Las Vegas

                Bellagio

                Venetian

                Bally

Jubilee show

Night tour, Fremont street

Harrah’s, Mirage Volcano

Chipotle

Day 4 Las Vegas and Los Angeles

Macdonald’s Brekfast,

Pictu and selfie.

Slot machine

M & M Cactus garden

Outlet, in and out burge

Chow Mein, Mexican Rise

Walmart

Day 5 LA- San Francisco

LA- SFO,

Pick up car/Breakfast @ local table

Santa Monica Beach

Fish & Chip surf beach lunch

Santa Barbara

Los Olivos-Wine tasting, Mountain and Lake

Vineyard, Stole a grape and took pictures

Sanluis

San Jose Italian dinner, gas and is rough

Checked in SFO, bought Shampoo

  

Day 6 4/9/2014, SFO

Twin Peak, Park and Golden gate bridge

Macdonald Breakfast

Wholefood market

Golden gate bridge park

Lombert Street

Coit Tower

Mo’s Grill (Angus burger and Huge salad)

China Town

Pier 39

Fisherman’s wharf

Bay Bridge

Beverley Marina- Walked the pier.

Stanford University and had dinner at starbucks

Museum at Stanford university

Visited google campus and linked-in

Day 7 (5/9/2014, SFO)

Fly back to Singapore via SIA

Milestone as of 28/8/2014 and my Future plan with action list

Milestone:

1. Investment
1. Invested in stock, done research extensively on Technologies and some Commodities
2. Search and monitor properties in KK, Singapore and Philippines. 
3. Read more about Singapore rates- CPF, and down payment for properties.
4. Looked into rental properties in Karambunai pool vila- RM800k
2. Work/Project
1. Updated my CV, Linked in
2. Learnt how to work smart instead of just work hard. 
3. Ended Spitting Art project- Project takeaway, make sure we are engaged with the guy started it instead of just jumping into conclusion without any black and white.
4. Started to explore more about home based work. Travel agent, Data entry or Airbnb
5. Research into Automated income. Airbnb system?
3. Lifestyle
1. Moved in with Jenny. Could spent more time together and work together as a team.
2. Change my diet- Eat less carbohydrates, no more soda, half the portion during dinner. 
3. Plan for a trip to Kinabalu this coming 13/5/2014 with jenny. OS
4. Trip to Philippines this coming July 2014. Pending
5. No more food after 8pm
6. No canned drink
7. No fast food
8. Plan my finance for the coming years, from property, engagement ring, children expenses, family expenses. It would be a great challenge for me this year. OS
9. Set up a common goal with Miss J. This would be a priority this month. OS
4. Family
1. Started website for Summit Kinabalu, maintaining it
2. Spent more time with parents. 
3. Made a trip back to KK on 6/8/2014 and spent quality time with them.
5. Travel
1. Osaka and Kyoto in February 2014
2. Malacca in March 2014
3. Hong Kong in June 2014
4. Penang in July 2014
5. Kota Kinabalu and United states in August 2014

Future Plan/action plan

1. Wedding plan-
1. Start searching for the engagement ring, got contact from Angela, will contact him by end of September
2. Research into photo shoot session by end of September
3. Prepare a budget sheet for wedding by end of September
4. Jenny will be looking into the wedding cost in Hong Kong while I will look into the one in KK
5. To search for a photo shoot session in KK. Photographer in KK. 
6. Search for areas suitable or common for couples for photo shooting.
7. Understand more about travelling and also photo shooting. 
2. Buy a computer by end of October
1. To enable us do research faster and also work from home.
2. Dell laptop at around $249
3. Airbnb
1. Look into how the system work and if it could be applied to Sabah
2. To check on holiday properties in KK/Sabah. 
4. PR Application
1. Book a date with MOM for my PR application by End of September 2014
2. To settle my Singpass by end of September
5. Automated income
1. Brainstorm for more ideas
2. So far, property investment has been the best option. Will search into more internet based automated income.

Ting Ting in Singapore and Angela's wedding dress second fit weekend

Sunday Morning, we had some hoo ha at home with our "happy French housemate" . He took our bottle of liquor without asking us and used up all our oil. We reported to our landlord and let him settle it. Good to have a good landlord. 

After that, I make some breakfast of omelette with mozzarella cheese (with no oil) for ourselves which is our new love for breakfast recently. Simple and quick and healthy. 

After our breakfast, we started to spring clean our room, carpet while jenny is doing laundry for me. We also discussed about thinking to share a property in Jurong East. There were a few points which we would like to take note: 

1. Landlord and tenants should be separated
2. Too many variables for sharing a flat/condo with friends
3. Visitors
4. Sharing of the utilities bills, as one would never get to share fairly
5. Room divisions- we set the rate according to the market rates, if we live in the condo, we will have to pay market rate to the landlord, and if we are the landlord too, every month we could rebate back to our owner. This is to make it consistent and let people have a choice to live in or just to rent out.

 We found a few properties that is below 700K, which is one of the cheaper ones in Singapore. Although it is around Geylang city. We also found out a few critical questions to be answered. 

Our conclusion is that it would be too many variables to have 4 people sharing one flat. Unless we all don't live in. 

On top of that we also found a few questions which we need to look for. 

1. How many percentage of our CPF can be used to contribute to our mortgage in Singapore? 23 percent is the answer for those below 35 Years old
2. What is the interest rates in Singapore and what is the mortgage like

After all these discussion it is about time to catch Ting Ting in 136 Hong Kong Street fish head steam boat at North bridge road. We took a cab there due to our long discussion at home, which clearly makes us a bit late. Upon arrival, we met a few new friends, Theresia whom is Ting Ting's secondary friend and Yumeng whom is from Nottingham. The food is good, and I had good time with them. 

After our meal, we went a cafe nearby and sat down to continue our chat. 

After our drinks, we then move on to a nearby bridal shop, Isle Bridge at Tanjong pagar, Angela was there trying her white wedding dress with a few of her friends, suzie and also eva around. We learned a bit about planning for wedding and everything. I asked about the price of some of their packages and manage to get a bit of discount as Angela was their customer. The budget for taking pictures are around 2188 for about 30 pictures. So this figure will be inserted into my budget list soon for my wedding plan.

After that, we then went to Maxwell food center to have Tau Fu Far with Eva and also Angela. From there, we started to talk more about wedding, dealing with friends and relatives. On top of that, we also discussed about managing a wedding. It was good to have Eva which is a mother of one and also Angela who is in the progress now to learn from. It was rather an eye opening session. 

Conclusion for our second round are

•  My parents want me to own a property in Malaysia first before I get married. I guess it is part of their requirement for it. I guess from today onward, I will be starting to look for property in KK now. 
• Jenny wanted to have two photo shooting session
• There will be one ceremony in Hong Kong and also another one in Sabah
• Their friends are excited to go Sabah for a wedding ceremony. 
• There is one contact from Angela to buy diamond ring- To approach him after our US trip. 

10 tips for buy-to-let success

1 You are in the business to make money, not to help people

Property is an investment and a commodity. Don't get emotionally involved with your tenants. "You may have to reject them if they don't have the deposit or a guarantor. Don't let your heart rule your mind," says Fergus. Decide whether you are a professional landlord looking to earn income from your rent, or – as most people are, including the Wilsons – a property investor expecting the rent to cover the outgoings while the house rises in value.

2 Buy two or three-bedroom houses – and never flats

Except if you're in London, where flats will be in greater demand than in suburban areas. "One-bedroom starter homes are no good as people want to move on within six months," Fergus says. There is also limited demand for four-bedroom houses. "Why would anyone pay £1,300 a month in rent when they could get a mortgage for less?" he asks. "Rock-bottom rates have shifted the balance, but generally it should be cheaper to rent than buy."

3 Buy new or nearly new

Avoid the cost and time spent doing DIY. "You don't want the hassle of having to fit a new bathroom and kitchen. Most people with about £200,000 to spend are older and not the DIY type," Fergus says. New-build properties have the added benefit of a NHBC warranty, boiler guarantees, double glazing and tend to attract more professional tenants.

4 Choose your tenants carefully

"I had no trouble [with tenants] for 19 years, then four people inviting me to a punch-up in a year – luckily I'm a big man," says Fergus, a former rugby prop-forward. "You'll see all sorts if you do it as long as we have, but generally it's a bed of roses."

Do checks to ensure they are creditworthy and have a guarantor who is a home-owner. And the best tenants? "Middle age couples who have recently got together from previous relationships," Fergus says. "They won't be moving for promotion so are likely to stay a long time."

5 Leverage your money

If you have £200,000 to invest, don't buy one £200,000 property, buy two and put £100,000 down on each house, says Fergus. He then recommends getting a 50 per cent interest-only mortgage on each. "If you can find interest rates under five per cent, the rent will cover your outgoings," he says.

6 Magnolia wins every time

"Don't impose your tastes on others by painting your house lots of colours. Stick to bread and butter houses. A two-bedroom mid-terrace house painted in magnolia and white is what most people want to rent," Fergus says.

7 Avoid ex-council houses or bungalows

"In ex-council houses, rents will be lower as you will only get as much as the rents office will pay. Ask yourself: 'Who will want to buy it?' " Fergus says. "[With bungalows] you can pay 65 per cent more and receive only 15 per cent more rent than you would for a two or three-bedroom house on the same size plot."

8 Buy close to home

All of the Wilsons' properties are within 30 miles of their home, mainly concentrated on new-build estates in Maidstone, Ashford and Hawkinge. "Go for an area such as the M20 corridor, where there is rental demand and rising prices. The prices of our houses returned to July 2008 levels by July 2009 and have risen since," Fergus says. Don't, on the other hand, buy in an area with a big retirement community. "You don't want economically inactive tenants."

9 No smokers or mechanics – but dog owners welcome

These are personal preferences of the Wilsons, "but generally dog and cat owners tend to keep the house in better condition as they are always hoovering up the hair," Fergus says.

10 Enjoy the experience of being a landlord

Ah yes, enjoyment, easily forgotten for those who have spent the past year watching property values fall and then rents plummet when too much unsold stock came on the rental market. "If people find themselves in trouble, it's because they didn't use their common sense. Otherwise, it's like real life Monopoly. What could be better than watching the money roll in?" Fergus says. You get the feeling he'll know just what that windfall feels like soon enough.

By Zoe Dare Hall

End of August

So I copied what I have written down in my previous post just to tick off some of the goals I have done for July and also August.

Below are all the outstanding ones from July and some of the new goals to achieve by end of August

1) to update my cv
2) to update linked in3) to get my holiday sorted
4) Book a pr application date
5) target 60k investment fund by end if 2014
6) research auctioned property in Sabah
7) US visa
8) CPF Research
9) Singapore driving license
10) Insurance plan
11) Check if CPF can pay for housing mortgage
12) Check singapore loan and also malaysia loan
13) Check foreigner stamp duty

As for item 5. it will be very challenging. I have got 3 more months to go. 

Back to Kota Kinabalu 8/8/2014-10/8/2014

It was a short and random trip back home. It cost me SGD 400 just to travel back to Kota Kinabalu. Although it was short but it was rather meaningful. It has been more than a year since I am back to my home town. There are so many familiar faces and places. I also had a good chance to try those lovely seafood immediately I touched down Kota Kinabalu. 

Somehow, the air there is slight different, a lot lighter. Life is so much more relaxing. I guess the pace in Kota Kinabalu is nowhere near Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. It is a place with resources.e.g. cheap labour, materials and also properties. 

My trip back this round is mainly to catch up with my family. Haven't met them for ages already, I guess it is time to really have a good round of bonding session with them before I do another trip to other places. 

Having spent 2 days and 2 nights with them, I returned to Singapore on the Sunday. I felt it was a bit short but sweet. Just nice to cover some of the important conversation with my family. 

Looking forward for another round back to home again in October. 

Coffee with Kenny

It always been a pleasure to be able to catch up with Kenny over a coffee, we somehow managed to share our views and opinions.

I guess our similarity is that we are both dating someone from Hong Kong. So it somehow makes us have the same perspective in every thing. We had burger king together at the newly renovated burger king in Velocity in Novena. I ordered a tender grilled chicken and a few chicken wings for share. I have been craving for fast food recently. We both sat down in one of the corners of Burger King and started our conversation away.

If I remember correctly, we started off with how to negotiate more in life. We both agreed that it is one of the key skills which is necessary for us to have a better forms in life. Perhaps, we both do treasure this skill as much. Kenny then gave me a few real life experience he encountered in negotiation skills. It seems that he would want to negotiate for almost everything. Perhaps, this is why Angela would fall for him. On the other hand, he also mentioned that as a businessman, he cannot afford to let his money not work hard enough for him. Therefore, whenever there is a transactions involved, Kenny would be rather cautious about it. He is someone who had done all sorts of calculations for almost everything.

He prefer to work for himself instead of working for others. That is why is interesting about him. I guess there are still a lot to learn from him to be a true entrepreneur.

Looking forward to meet him again.

Before end of July 2014

So this is the start of miss j holiday, she will be in home for the first two weeks preparing for her trips in the coming months. She will be going Australia, Bali, America and Hong Kong.

On my side, I will be starting my project in Tuas south which is really far from civilization,

What I need to settle by the end of this months are

1) to update my cv
2) to update linked in
3) to get my holiday sorted
4) Book a pr application date
5) target 60k investment fund by end if 2014
6) research auctioned property in Sabah
7) US visa
8) CPF Research
9) Singapore driving license


Also to note, I have been attending a few property seminars recently and found a few deals in Singapore. For Australia three is the this order to build in Melbourne area called point cook. The down payment cost about 125k and will generate about 3k a year net.

As for the american property is about 40k usd and get about 700 return a month. That is buying distress property and renovate it and rent it out,

These will be useful when money is available.

Why I need money

1) To feel secure.

2) To travel around, to see more things and experience more.
3) To have more time on my own.
4) To add value to other people's life.