Purchase of SGS T-Bills ( TB-080403-0018 )

My purchase of SGS T-Bills

The bid done for today is for the auction next week :

Issue Code - BQ08113X
Issue Date - 3 April 2008
Tenor - 91 days
Maturity Date - 3 July 2008

a 10% downpayment was made ( = $100.00 ) which will be refunded when the transaction is performed next week.

I made a bid of S$1000.00

The yield will be known next week through the auction result.

yield = %
total paid = $
gain = $

CPF changes in 2008

Increasing CPF returns

From 1 Jan 2008, all CPF members will earn an extra 1% interest on the first $60k in their CPF accounts. This includes up to $20k from the Ord account and $40 from the Special, Medisave and Retirement Accounts (SMRA). Or, up to $60k from the SMRA, ir the OA has less than $20k. The additional interest will go into the SMRA to add to retirement or Medisave savings.

Because of the extra interest, restrictions will be placed on funds in the Ordinary and Special accounts. From 1 April 2008, the first $20k in these accounts will not be allowed for use in CPF investment Schemes (CPFIS). They can however still be used for housing and education. Money that has already been invested under the CPFIS will not be affected.

Also from 1 Jan 2008, the interest rate formula for the SMRA will be changed to the yield (or effective rate of interest) of the 10 yr Singapore Government Securities (SGS) plus 1%. If the new SMRA formula had been in place since 1999, the SMRA rate would have average 4.5%. To help members adjust to the floating SMRA rate, the minimum interest rate for the SMRA will remain at 4% for two yrs.

( from www.cpf.gov.sg )
The first $60,000 in your combined CPF balances, with up to $20,000 from your OA, will earn an extra 1% interest. So, leave your money in your CPF accounts to enjoy this extra interest!


http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_219566.html?vgnmr=1

http://www.moneysense.gov.sg/resource/publications/quick_tips/MoneySENSE_column_CPF%20Statement1of2.pdf

http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/general/Enhancing_Retirement_Adequacy.html

Key CPF Reforms At A Glance

The Central Provident Fund Board has announced a series of changes to the existing CPF scheme come January 2008

- From 1 january 2008, the CPF Board will be paying an additional 1% interest on the first $60,000 of the member's combined CPF balances, with up to S$20,000 from the Ordinary Account (OA).

- The SMRA ( Special, Medisave and Retirement Accounts ) interest rate will be pegged to the yield of the 10-year SGS ( Singapore Government Bonds ) plus 1%. SMRA money in the extra-interest tier will earn 5%.

- By 1 january 2012, employers will be required by law to offer reemployment to workers reaching age 62, to work up to age 65 and eventually to age 67.

- The Minimum Sum DDA ( Draw Down Age ) will be raised progressively from the current 62 years to 65 years in 2018.


http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/columnists/story/0,4136,144298,00.html?

http://sgfundinvestor.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/latest-cpf-reforms/

Recommended blogs from panzer

1. Get Rich Slowly
( http://www.foldedspace.org/weblog/2005/04/get_rich_slowly.html )
2. Million Dollar Journey
3. Lifehacker
4. Life hack
5. Del.icio.us

Environment Friendly

Extract from Pulses, March 2008, page 16

Global warming, simplyput, is the increase in temperature of the earth's atmosphere caused by the burning of fossil fuels and industrial pollutants.

Fossil fuels - coals, natural gas and oil - area non-renewable source of energy. The buring of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and leads to global warming. Effects of global warming include the disappearance of glaciers, rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions such as unpredictable hurricances.

The global warming process can be slowed if carbon emissions decrease. One way of limiting levels of carbon emissions into the atmosphere would be to use fossil fuel by shifting to renewable energy.

Renewable energy essentially refers to energy resoces that are naturally replenishing such as wind, solar and biomass. Currently, renewable technologies are relatively new and expensive, hence making them less competitive than fossil-based sources of energy. However, analysts believe that as more companies and countries begin to shift to renewable energy sources, the cost of these technologies will drop.

Below is an explanation of key renewable energy sources and terms:

SOLAR:Solar energy can converted into other forms of energy such as electrictiy. Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells directly convert sunlight into electricity.
In our daily lives, common gadgets such as watches and calculators use such solar cells to power the devices. Solar energyh has also been used for heating and cooking devices. Larger amounts of power generation are produced at multi-megawatt PV plants.

WIND:Strong and constant airflows can run power turbines and in the process generate electricity. Wind farms are becoming increasing prevalent in countries like Germany, Spain, the US, China and India. The intermittency of wind and the amount of land needed to set up these wind farms have been cited as some downsides to wind power.

BIOMASS: Biomass energy is harvested by burning agricultural, human and animal wastes. Agricultural waste is essentially the unwanted or leftover material from agricultural farming - wheat chaff, corn cob or leaves and branches. When biomass is burned, it releases heat.

HYDRO: The energy in a flowing stream of water can be tapped and used. Hydropower can be harnessed through hydroelectric dams, wave power or tidal energy.


KYOTO PROTOCOL: This accord - which came into effect in 2005 - aims to reduce the world's greenhouse emissions that cause global warming. To date, more than 170 countries, including China, India, Brazil and, more recently, Australia, have ratified the protocol. Among countries that have agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, some are oblighed to lower carbon emissions to specific target levels.

Late last year, the Bli climate change talks brought together more than 10,000 scientists, bureaucrats and politicians from over 180 countries. Delegates there discussed further ways to reduc greenhouse emissions beyond 2012 hen the Kyoto Protocol expires.

CARBON TRADING: This is a market-driven mechanism that stems from the Kyoto Protocol, which allows a country - in faliing to meet its emission targets - to buy available credits from other greener countries through the carbon credits market.

Purchase of SGS T-Bills ( TB-080327-0017 )

My purchase of SGS T-Bills

The bid done for today is for the auction next week :

Issue Code - BQ08112H
Issue Date - 27 March 2008
Tenor - 91 days
Maturity Date - 26 June 2008

a 10% downpayment was made ( = $100.00 ) which will be refunded when the transaction is performed next week.

I made a bid of S$1000.00

The yield will be known next week through the auction result.
yield = %
total paid = $
gain = $

Purchase of SGS T-Bills ( TB-080320-0016 )

My purchase of SGS T-Bills

The bid done for today is for the auction next week :

Issue Code - BQ08111H
Issue Date - 20 March 2008
Tenor - 91 days
Maturity Date - 19 June 2008

a 10% downpayment was made ( = $100.00 ) which will be refunded when the transaction is performed next week.

I made a bid of S$1000.00

The yield will be known next week through the auction result.
yield = %
total paid = $
gain = $

Home - Bills for March 08

Bills for the month of March 08

1. Singtel residential phone fixed line - $25.00 ( paid for quarter jan to apr 2008 )
2. SP Services - $23.87 ( 26 march )
3. S&CC - $18.75 ( 12 march )
4. SCV - no subscription yet.
5. Broadband Singtel - $45.01 ( 14 march)
6. Property Tax - no need due to rebates.
7. TV licence - $110 per year ( paid for 2008 )

black - not paid, blue - paid

Oilpods Investment - Biamante project

I received my 1st monthly income from my ownership of the Biamante project= $52.23

Biamante project monthly income breakdown
Mar 08 = $52.23 ( 1.3929 )

Total Sum to date = $52.23
Total Holding Yield = 52.23/7586.50 = 0.688%

Oilpods Investment - BSD project

I received my 7th monthly income from my ownership of the Brookshire Salt Dome project= $104.47

Brookshire Salt Dome project monthly income breakdown
Mar 08 = $104.47 ( 1.3929 )
Feb 08 = $107.18 ( 1.429 )
Jan 08 = $108.75 ( 1.45 )
Dec 07 = $108.38 ( 1.445 )
Nov 07 = $108.84 ( 1.4512 )
Oct 07 = $110.89 ( 1.4785 )
Sept 07 = $114.49 ( 1.5265 )

Total Sum to date = $763.00
Total Holding Yield = 763.00/15,210 = 5.02%

Portfolio Update - February 2008

Top Ten Holdings ( by market value )

1. ST Engineering
2. Noble Grp
3. SIA
4. UOB
5. SingTel
6. OCBC
7. Swiber
8. Comfort Delgro
9. Allgreen
10. Semb. Marine

Dividend for the month of February = $365.05

From 05 year 2007-02 year2008 ( over 9 months ), my total dividend is $16,006.52

Market Value of equity = $392,817.59
Market Value of trust fund ( fundsupermart ) = $-
Market Value of trust fund ( finatiq ) = $-

Overall this month has been volatile too... though my total MV is better than last month.

Everything is still pretty uncertain. I will continue to do invest bit by bit each month.