The Journey Of A Thousand Mile Begins With A Single Step

There has been much talk on retirement on the news papers recently. It seems that everybody knows its going to be expensive to retire here but none has done much about it. A quick calculation will tell you that you will need about $1.3 million if your expenses are $2,000 and you intend to retire in 20 years time and your years of retirement is 20 years. The calculations has taken an inflation of 3% into consideration. 

So if $1.3 million is what you will need to retire then what are you doing today to achieve it? Many have told me that they are saving every month. That's great! But too many did not consider the effects of inflation on their monies when they save. Lets take for example a savings instrument that gives us 0.5%, we save $1,000 for the next 20 years. You will get $253,000 after 20 years. 

Save in an instrument that gives you 2% for the next 20 years, $297,400. That is $44,400 more just by increasing your rate of return. 

The above assumes that whatever goods and services you pay for $1,000 today does not change in 20 years time. But if we take inflation into consideration, the value of your money, if you save in an instrument of 0.5% will be $185,942 and the value of your money in the the instrument that gives 2% will be $216,326.

Huh? Tang .. cheem leh! Ok, lets use an example which I have used in a previous post. Kopi o. 10 years ago, kopi o, $0.60. Today kopi o $1.00. So if we know that in 20 years time the cost of goods will also be increasing then we know that the same $253,000 that is saved will not buy us $253,000 worth of good in 20 years time. It will only get us $185,942 worth of goods and services in 20 years time. 

So how should we accumulate wealth so that we can buy the same amount of goods and services in 20 years time as we are spending today? There are few solutions:

1. Spend less

2. Save more

3. Save in a higher rate rate of return instrument

1. Spend Less

If you think you can sacrifice your lifestyle and not spend as much as what you are spending now during your retirement then, make a plan so you are sure of the expenses you want to cut at retirement. 

2. Save more

Lets use the example above, if you put $1,000 in the instrument that gives you 0.5% and get $253,000 in 20 years time. You want the same value in 20 years time, you will have to save $1,360 per month for the next 20 years in the same instrument. The extra $360 saved will offset the increase in the price of goods and service caused by inflation in 20 years time.

3. Save in higher rate of return instrument

You can also start saving in an instrument that will offset the inflation of 3% or invest in instruments that give you more than 3%. So depending on your risk profile, if you put the same $1,000 in an instrument that gives 5%, you will get $416,631 in 20 years time! An increase of about 60% from $253,000 with just an increase in 4.5% rate of return over 20 years!

There are many other strategies like delaying retirement, not retiring, ask children to support, work part time, collect tin can to sell, but importantly, whatever strategy you decide to take, talk to your financial consultant first. Your financial consultant can do up a retirement plan for you. He/She can calculate the figures for you so that you have a clearer picture of what to aim for. With that figure then you can make Specific and Measurable plans to achieve it. We will help you make Achievable and Relevant financial decision so that we will be in Time for your retirement.

So make a SMART choice today. Call your financial consultant if not email me for a no obligation consultation. tngjinyau@gmail.com Like they say, nobody plans to fail, but many fail to plan. Start your journey to your retirement with me today! The journey of a thousand mile begins with a single step.

The 20 Year Holiday!

September holidays for the schools are just over. Where did you go with your kids? What did you plan to make the holidays memorable for your kids. Well then again, the September school holidays are about studying for the upcoming exams and for those parents with kids taking the PSLE... its an intensive bootcamp to get them ready. 

We probably have started planning for the December holidays. And for those lucky few without kids planning for the holidays will always happen outside the school holiday periods so its less crowded and cheaper!

With the onslaught of travel promotions, we are constantly tempted to go travelling! But being Singaporeans, we always have to plan for our trips. Even for a 3 days trip we want to be able to make the most of the days as much as possible. We may even take up to 3 months planning for a 3 days trip. 

So how long should we be planning if we intend to take a 20 year holiday? What will you want to do if you have to take a 20 year holiday? What will your itinerary look like? How much money will you need for the 20 years holiday? But Tang who goes for a 20 years holiday??? Well everyone! Its called retirement.. like it or not, you will have to retire sooner or later. Now you can choose how your retirement looks like, or you can just live it up to fate. 

But if you were planning your dream getaway, will you leave it up to fate? Will you not even do a small budgetting to ascertain how long you can not work yet still enjoy your holiday? Most of us know that if we take a short holiday our job will still be around when we get back. So if we happen to overspend during a holiday, no problem, just be good, stay in Singapore and the next few months pay will settle the extra budget. But if you hit retirement and you overspend.... that should not happen if you take the effort to speak to me now. 

Many of us assume that retirement is long way off, we do not have to worry about it so soon. But if we took a week long holiday and we use one month to plan, then how long should a 20 years holiday take to plan? 

Please emal me tngjinyau@gmail.com for a no obligations discussion on your retirement plan. I will be happy to assist. 

Why So Serious?

A colleague commented that my blog is very serious. But financial planning and people's future is serious business. But yes, as financial planners we have fun too. So today I will like to touch on the topic of 'Ah Lians'. We have a colleague named B (just for ease of writing, not naming anybody in particular), we teased her about being ah lian. She insist that she is not, to a point where she actually wiki-ed the definition of ah lian. This is wiki's definition of Ah Lian.

It seems that the definition of ah lian in Wiki is more physical in appearance. Wiki defines them as uneducated and mix English with Chinese and dialect. Those people that may say tomorrow as tomolo. But with the education system in Singapore, there will be less and less ah lians on the street. Really?

This is my personal opinion, any likeness to anyone is strictly coincidental. There... disclaimer. I feel that ah lian is not a physical attribute as defined by Wiki. I feel that being lian is an attitude, a mannerism, a character, not just because of dyed hair and clothings. Talking loudly is also a physical attribute. But more importantly what are emotions and thoughts when they do that? 

I think that there is a beng or a lian in all of us. Just like some research on cancer has shown that all of us has the potential to contract cancer but some are just more prone to it. So there is a beng and a lian in all of us. We just fear coming out of the closet. Some will be more prone to have the lian/ beng syndrome with some symptoms showing, while some are more conscious.

I have walked down Raffles Place with clients during lunch time and they have admitted they just wish sometimes they want to push through all those people that seems to be walking too slowly taking up most of the sidewalk. But most people wouldn't because of social norms and what is expected as a normal human being. 

Lets imagine, you have a few people walking in front of you and blocking your normal walking speed. You shove those people aside and when they stare at you, you can loudly exclaim that they are blocking and if you want to walk so slowly, walk on the side! Those people blocking you will cower in fear or respect as you walk by. Come on, you have not fantasized about doing something like this before? Don't lie, I know you have.

I will confess to you now that I have dreamt of being a Godfather. Not the kind that dotes on little children. But the Mafia kind. The kind that my ring will be kissed by everyone in the 'familia'. I will also confess that I am an 'executive beng'. The kind that wears a tie, speaks good English and feels the urge to push people aside. But no I will never do it. I can start talking loudly if I know I have strength in numbers. Same rationale why ah bengs are in gangs. 

We all NEED to belong. It is a need of humans as identified in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. After the basic and safety needs are taken care of, people need to belong. They feel good once they are accepted.

Wiki also mentioned that ah bengs are usually involved in criminal activity, but aren't we all? We try and cheat on our parking coupon by tearing the 15 mins later than the time we arrive, we sometimes don't even want to put then revel in the joy we did not get a ticket for it. Sure we know that jaywalking is illegal but we also jaywalk just to save time. We also hate to be conforming and we want to be unique. We want to be different and this manifest into dyed hair for ah bengs and ah lians. For me, it manifest into a I-don't-care-what-you-think-I-like-to-wear-shorts-in-orchard-road attitude.

So my theory is that the same needs that drives us also drives the ah lians and ah bengs. So we have a lian or beng in all of us, we want to be different, we hope to be loud, we all have needs that have to be fulfilled, it just is fulfilled in different ways, either socially acceptable or socially unacceptable. So in summary, B you are LIAN.

First Death Claim

The inevitability of this job is having to do claims for clients, but never will I expect the first death claim to come from somebody who was relatively close to me, and cause of death was unnatural. He was somebody I had met last year. 

We had coffee almost every morning learning from each other for about 6 months. We talked about anything under the sun. He told me about how beautiful a family he had. He was the kind of guy that calls a male a 'bro' and female a 'sister'.

He is someone you will warm up to really quickly as he was a cheerful guy with a happy go lucky attitude, but I guess there are things about people you never really understand.

Few months ago, it was almost impossible to reach him. No more text, no more phone calls... nothing. All communication with him practically stopped. he never kept to his promse of staying in contact. We were suppose to have coffee. We were suppose to meet up but his phone was off. Now he is gone...

Why?

I have been asking this question ever since I heard the news last week. Why? Something I will bring to my grave as well. 

Wake Me Up When September Ends

Somewhere in the world its the start or Autumn and somewhere in the world it is the start of Spring. It is also the start of an academic year after summer break in some countries. National Anthem of the USA is written this month. In Australia, Rugby League Grand Final and the AFL Grand Final is played on the last Sunday and Saturday respectively in September.

In Brazil Independence Day is celebrated. In USA and Canada Labour Day is also observed. For the Chinese, Mid Autumn Festival is celebrated in September. In Munich, Germany Oktoberfest is celebrated in the end of September. Vietnam also celebrates its National Day in September.

For the full list of what's happening in September click here.

So sorry Green Day, you will be missing alot in September if you were to sleep. Yes I know its a song title and I love it! Basket Case and all too!

So September is the beginning for many new things for many individuals and countries, is it for you? Is the month of September be an exciting one for you? Are you contemplating to do something new with our live? Are you looking at having a new start to you career and your personal life? 

If you are contemplating, then there is something for you if you are here in sunny Singapore! There is a career discovery event happening on the 11th of September. Register here!

Drop me an email to find out more or just register your interest and I will get back to you! 

My Backside Itchy

I dare say I am a relatively adventurous and spontaneous person. I and a friend have planned a trip to Malaysia one Chinese New Year over a coffee on CNY eve. He was lamenting how CNY is always so boring as he does not go visit his relatives. I told him I will be free after visiting relatives in the morning. We arranged very tentatively that we will go to KL the next day after visiting.

Chinese New Year came and after the usual 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' and collection of ang pow. I waited at home for this friend to call to leave for KL. 3pm, no call. 5pm, no call. 7pm, no call. Finally at 11pm, I called him. 'Eh! Thought we going KL?!'. He said 'Gia la!' (Let's go in hokkien). Hopped into my car, went and picked him up and realized in between us we had less than RM$10. We couldn't go to KL, at least not on the north south highway. We did not have enough to pay for toll. We changed plans and decided to go to Kuantan using route 3, so the only toll we have to pay is the one at Woodlands.

Off we went entering Malaysia just past midnight. We figured we can just try and find a resort in Kuantan and since it's CNY there should be rooms. As we got onto route 3, me being relatively familiar with the roads because of my frequent dive trips to Tioman, I told my friend that he has got a very important job: look out for cows. Those were the days when cows still roamed freely along route 3, they have since installed electric fence along the route to prevent stray cows getting onto the highway. I knew it is going to be at least 5 hours to get to Kuantan. 

About 2 hours into the drive, we were chatting when over the hill coming from the opposite direction another vehicle with its full high beam on, we were blinded. 'This fella so inconsiderate' (language used was far more colourful, adjusted for the purpose of this blog post) 'never mind, we high beam him back!'. Just as I flicked my high beam on, my lights caught the silhouette of a cow, it's ass taking up half the lane I am on. Instinctively, I swerved into the path of the oncoming vehicle and swerved back into my lane to avoid a head on collision with the vehicle and successfully avoiding the cow. 

We were silent for awhile, knowing that we were so close to getting into an accident either with the car or cow. Both would not have ended nicely. But as the initial shock faded we joked about it nervously and carried on our way, but at a relatively slower speed. 

We got to Kuantan at 5am plus, went into some more decent looking resort just to find out they are mostly full too! We forgot that it's Chinese New Year, the other non Chinese holiday too! Oh no! We are in Kuantan at 5 plus in the morning and no resort! My friend said :' bro, I've got friends in KL at the moment, we can bunk in the hotel room till we get a room tomorrow.' Ok, I said. KL then. I know that from Kuantan to KL we have no need to pay toll and therefore the lack of Ringgit will not cause any problem. But little did I know I will get a shock when I reach the highway.

I kept thinking that Kuantan and KL is on the same plane on the map. It should be a short drive from the east side to central Malaysia, when I got to the highway the road sign read: Kuala Lumpur, 270km. OMG! It's another 3 hours of driving! We have not slept at all and I know I am feeling sleepy. I looked at my friend and he was nodding off to sleep. I told him to sleep first, I will rest when I cannot take it. I drove for another one and a half hour and saw a petrol station along the highway and told myself that I better not push it, rest so that we can go further. So at 7.30am I parked the car in the petrol station and slept. 

Woke up at about 9am and continued our journey. We arrived safely in KL.

I took up diving in 1994 and have not looked back since. Diving is a great sport accept that it is still dangerous if not practiced properly. You may get decompression sickness, you may get lost at sea, you may be compromised if the boat you are on sinks. But if done properly all is good.

Got my driving license in 1994 and got my motorbike license in 1996. Upgraded to class 2 in 2002. Bought my BMW and eventually my Harley Davidson 5 years ago. Met my wife in 2004 and made frequent trips back to her hometown in Malaysia. Took my bike up to Melaka, KL, Cameron Highlands numerous times. Flew to Vietnam twice to rent Motorbikes to go up their mountains. 

Visited the Demilitarized Zone in South Korea on the day North Korea said they had missiles that can hit US. 

There are so many things that I have done and still doing that increases the chance of a hospitalisation. But never was I hospitalized for 38 years of my life till 24th July 2014. And the reason I was hospitalized: an infection on my left butt cheek......

In the course of my career as a financial planner, I have seen and heard many that have told me that it is not going to happen to them. I admit that I am guilty of that thought too. I never thought I will ever be hospitalized for an infection on my left butt cheek. I should be hospitalized for a collision with a cow on north south highway or falling asleep over the wheel. Maybe a diving encounter with a shark or poisonous creature. Or maybe an over ambitious attempt at a corner on my bike. Or maybe a food poisoning from an over adventurous try out at some Bangkok food street stall. But no... An infection on my left butt cheek.

And I will tell you my left butt cheek now cost $8,000 after a 2 night stay. Almost $1,000 from daily dressing change. And all I can say: thank God for insurance!

So I urge you that if you have not re-looked your financial portfolio recently especially your insurance, please email me tngjinyau@gmail.com. Even if it's just to ask me out for coffee to find out more.

Because I'm Worth It!

L'oreal's advertisement has a slogan 'Because I am worth it'. What does that mean to you? L'oreal had the intention to target females to embrace feminism, embrace independence, embrace confidence, self esteem, decisions, style and probably embracing lifestyle as a whole. 

But if we tell ourself that I am worth it, how much are you worth? How much does your success worth, how much does your job worth, how much does your life worth? Most of us will probably will never be able to quantify it because it is suppose to be priceless!

But if, unfortunately, a premature death was to happen, your loved ones will really know how much you really worth. Your $10,000 a month job is worthless when you are not around, your high flying career belongs to somebody else if you are not around, your priceless life means nothing if you are not there to enjoy it.

So how much are you worth? Do you even know how much life insurance cover do you have? So if you are supposedly priceless, then your life insurance should reflect that right?

So if you are priceless then will a minimum $1,000* per year premium for a $1,000,000 coverage on your life be of value to you? If it is, please drop me an email tngjinyau@gmail.com to request a quote. 

Live life to the fullest, but make sure somebody pays for it when you die.

* Based on Male, age 37, non smoker for 10 years. Terms and conditions apply.