I will to share with my readers on the need to remain calm in the face of adversity.
Read this "The calm and balanced mind is the strong and great mind; the hurried and agitated mind is the weak one. Hurry is a manifestation of fear. Fear turns strength to weakness."
My hubby is my idol. He has been telling to keep cool. When I also pick up this trait only a few years ago, I feel that I have better control of my life. That is also when I realise I too have good memory.
Deciding to be great is a habit. Greatness is only attained by constant thinking of great thoughts.
I cannot agree more with what Wallace Wattles had written hundred years ago. But then it is only when the disciple is ready that the teacher appears. With maturity of age, the meaning of life has also become so much clearer to me.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
What to look out for when buying a property
With so much hype about the Singapore property market, I will like to share with my readers on what to look out for in buying a property. I will like to add a logical dimension when one decides to sign the dotted line.
Why is property investment an attractive proposition?
Singapore is an attractive place for foreigners to buy property for investment. One key reason is that there is currently no capital gain tax (CGT)*. However, Singapore used to have CGT on gains which individuals made from selling properties within three years of purchase in 1996 as a measure to curb speculation in the property market then. The government lifted the rule in 2001.
Another reason that adds to the attractiveness of Singapore is the political stability and legal protection a buyer would enjoy when he purchases a property here.
From wikipedia: "CGT is a tax charged on capital gains, the profit realized on the sale of a non-inventory asset that was purchased at a lower price. The most common capital gains are realized from the sale of stocks, bonds, precious metals and property. Not all countries implement a capital gains tax and most have different rates of taxation for individuals and corporations."
In general, people are also drawn to property purchase as they could have passive income through rental. In addition, they could also leave behind the property as a legacy to their children.
In terms of the amount of money to fork out, it is typically around 20% of the purchase price for the downpayment. Buyers will have to take a loan from financial institution to finance up to 80% of the purchase price with effect from 17 Feb 2010 as the government limits the LTV ratio to 80% (i.e. Loan-to-value from 90% to 80%). They would need to cough out more if the bank decides to offer a lesser loan. As a rule of thumb, a buyer should ensure that his debt-to-service ratio (DSR) is 35% or lower.
Why is property investment an attractive proposition?
Singapore is an attractive place for foreigners to buy property for investment. One key reason is that there is currently no capital gain tax (CGT)*. However, Singapore used to have CGT on gains which individuals made from selling properties within three years of purchase in 1996 as a measure to curb speculation in the property market then. The government lifted the rule in 2001.
Another reason that adds to the attractiveness of Singapore is the political stability and legal protection a buyer would enjoy when he purchases a property here.
From wikipedia: "CGT is a tax charged on capital gains, the profit realized on the sale of a non-inventory asset that was purchased at a lower price. The most common capital gains are realized from the sale of stocks, bonds, precious metals and property. Not all countries implement a capital gains tax and most have different rates of taxation for individuals and corporations."
In general, people are also drawn to property purchase as they could have passive income through rental. In addition, they could also leave behind the property as a legacy to their children.
In terms of the amount of money to fork out, it is typically around 20% of the purchase price for the downpayment. Buyers will have to take a loan from financial institution to finance up to 80% of the purchase price with effect from 17 Feb 2010 as the government limits the LTV ratio to 80% (i.e. Loan-to-value from 90% to 80%). They would need to cough out more if the bank decides to offer a lesser loan. As a rule of thumb, a buyer should ensure that his debt-to-service ratio (DSR) is 35% or lower.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
My Wonderful Team
My Wonderful Team, by Aileen Chua
Bright and beaming.
A bubbling cauldron of good spirits.
In diversity we thrive, teeming with synergy.
In unity we stand, scaling new heights.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Good Writing
I have written a number of posts on good writing. This is yet another. The posts share a common thread that is writer's thought must be coherent. I will usually demand myself to write clearly - meaning, my readers can understand my writing in a single rapid reading.
Of course, having a good command of English will ease the process. So step one is to have clarity in what you want to say. I cannot help you here, but I could share with you some tools to help your ideas flow together logically. These tools are words and phrases which will help you connect your ideas that establish the relationships from one sentence to another. They are also known as transitional markers.
To show:
Addition
- again, also, and then, besides, equally important, finally, first/second/third/etc, further, furthermore, in additin, last, likewise, moreover, next, too
Cause and Effect
- accordingly, consequently, hence, in short, then, therefore, thus, truly
Comparision
- in a like manner, likewise, similarly
Concession
- after all, although this may be true, at the same time, even though, I admit, natually, of course
Contrast
- after all, although true, and yet, at the same time, but, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of , nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand, still yet
Time relationships
- after a short time, at length, immediately, later, temporarily, afterwards, at that time, lately, presently, thereafter, as long as, before, meanwhile, shortly, thereupon, as soon as, at last, earlier, at the same time, of late, in the meantime, since, soon, until, when, while
Of course, having a good command of English will ease the process. So step one is to have clarity in what you want to say. I cannot help you here, but I could share with you some tools to help your ideas flow together logically. These tools are words and phrases which will help you connect your ideas that establish the relationships from one sentence to another. They are also known as transitional markers.
To show:
Addition
- again, also, and then, besides, equally important, finally, first/second/third/etc, further, furthermore, in additin, last, likewise, moreover, next, too
Cause and Effect
- accordingly, consequently, hence, in short, then, therefore, thus, truly
Comparision
- in a like manner, likewise, similarly
Concession
- after all, although this may be true, at the same time, even though, I admit, natually, of course
Contrast
- after all, although true, and yet, at the same time, but, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of , nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand, still yet
Time relationships
- after a short time, at length, immediately, later, temporarily, afterwards, at that time, lately, presently, thereafter, as long as, before, meanwhile, shortly, thereupon, as soon as, at last, earlier, at the same time, of late, in the meantime, since, soon, until, when, while
Monday, March 12, 2012
Wide Expanse, by Aileen Chua
A wide expanse, opens my mind to new possibilities.
A book in hand, opens the door to new knowledge.
A coffee in hand, preps the mind to welcome a new perspective.
A loved one besides, brings a familiar warmth that goads one forward.
A wide expanse, unlimited possibilities if we just embrace and explore.
A book in hand, opens the door to new knowledge.
A coffee in hand, preps the mind to welcome a new perspective.
A loved one besides, brings a familiar warmth that goads one forward.
A wide expanse, unlimited possibilities if we just embrace and explore.
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