Financial aptitude

We often hear people complaining that the young today do not know what is hardship and therefore do not appreciate the value of money.  To a great extent, it is true.  Hence it is important for our teens and tweens to be financially literate.

The school only teaches mathematics but does not focus on financial aptitude.  The end result?  They will end up like most of us who will work hard all our lives for money and never know how to let the money work for us.  Furthermore gone are the days of pension schemes.  Job security is almost non existent.

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Emotional quotient

What is emotional quotient?

Simply put, EQ is the ability to manage oneself and others.  In this Internet age, nearly everything is just a click away.  The huge challenge is to teach our young about the value of delayed gratification and exercising self control.  EQ deals with both intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.  For example, a teenager may have a creative idea within him but lack the self confidence to express himself or not know how to communicate in a succinct manner.  This will impede his ability to succeed and will minimise instead of maximising his potential.

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Character building

Abraham Lincoln said `Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it, the tree is the real thing.'

Our character is much more than just what we try to display for others to see, it is who we are even when no one is watching. The statement carries weight and good character is doing the right thing because it is right to do what is right.  Solid character starts with us, being a good role model.

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Budget 2014

Budget 2014 has been unveiled.  It saw the complete removal of sugar subsidy and we understand the rationale behind this as this is long overdue.

However with the removal of sugar subsidy does it mean an increase in prices of food and drinks. Owners of food outlets may seize this opportunity to increase the price of drinks and food.  We strongly believe that the removal of sugar subsidy is manageable and there is no need to increase the price. Food owners should know what's dear to them are their valued customers, including yours truly who may `abandon ship' should they unnecessarily raise the prices of food and drinks at the slightest opportunity that comes.

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Moment of Truth

Benjamin Franklin once remarked, `Half the truth is often a great lie.'

Consider a situation whereby during high school when your mum asked you over dinner what you had been doing at a friend's place after school that day. You would have told her we were studying for exams, but you conveniently left out the part about how long you had actually studied and that, you had in fact spent the rest of the afternoon watching IV.

This got me wondering how much about truthfulness is really about negotiating with our fears.  Like the fear of being out for not having anything significant to say, or adding anything substantial to the conversation; the fear of contradicting myself while claiming to be neutral on a stance.

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Retirement Plan II

  When is the best time to have a retirement plan?
   There is no best time, anytime is best time.
   You may have to work out with your Agent as to your suitability of the plan.
  For example if you have a cash flow problem find out what you can live without.  Look through your monthly expenses as to what you can give up.  Then have a plan that suits your financial standing and ability.


 

Retirement Plan

If you have never really made your nest egg grow all these years, it is also never too late to create the retirement life you want. Take the first step to carve out a small portfolio that suits your lifestyle. Look through your previous investments - have you been a short term trader nad have not stayed the course on your investments?  Can you turn short term profts into longer term returns<

It is time for action.  It is never too late to do something especially when it comes to your finances.

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