Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Happiness and wealth
There is an article in the international media that happiness does not increase with the wealth of a country. This article has relevance to Singapore. SGEP
Taxi service in Singapore
The taxi service has deteriorated in recent years. It is now costly and the quality of service is unsatisfactory. Here are some suggestions to improve the taxi service.
www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx
http://tankinlian.com/admin/file.aspx?id=319
www.tankinlian.com/latest.aspx
http://tankinlian.com/admin/file.aspx?id=319
Talk by Dr. Jacques Attali (13 January 2011)
One reader of my blog decided to attend the talk by Dr. Jacques Attali (more details here). He sent this message to me.
Dear Mr. Tan
1) Political system need to be opened up further. Singapore's future looks glim if we continue to live in a state of "virtual democracy".
2) Public education need to be enhanced further in the area of politics, finance and economy. The goal is not to train everyone to be an expert but to expose the people to what they don't know. Otherwise they'll forever be in the state of "don't know what they don't know". For example, I've never been exposed to socialism till I start reading your blog. Previously I've always thought there's only democracy and communism. I'm reading more on socialism but have not formed my conviction.
3) Due to my belief and profession, I've always believed that globalization is inevitable and no point resisting it, just be ready for it.
4) I'm not interested to run in politics but always interested to cast my vote responsibly that's why Singapore's media frustrated me greatly.
5) The global recovery from the crisis is faked, US is trying to inflate themselves out of debt despite Tim and Obama denying it. What they've done is just temporary prop up the US economy so that there won't be major, immediate social unrest. Give as many investor as possible a time to exit. The subprime issue (root) that's been causing the pain is still not solved yet.
Dear Mr. Tan
I'm educated in the field of technology and economy, politics and finance are all very foreign subject to me, Singapore had been my "sky" till I started to travel due to job requirement.
A few things Singapore need to improve:
1) Political system need to be opened up further. Singapore's future looks glim if we continue to live in a state of "virtual democracy".
2) Public education need to be enhanced further in the area of politics, finance and economy. The goal is not to train everyone to be an expert but to expose the people to what they don't know. Otherwise they'll forever be in the state of "don't know what they don't know". For example, I've never been exposed to socialism till I start reading your blog. Previously I've always thought there's only democracy and communism. I'm reading more on socialism but have not formed my conviction.
3) Due to my belief and profession, I've always believed that globalization is inevitable and no point resisting it, just be ready for it.
4) I'm not interested to run in politics but always interested to cast my vote responsibly that's why Singapore's media frustrated me greatly.
5) The global recovery from the crisis is faked, US is trying to inflate themselves out of debt despite Tim and Obama denying it. What they've done is just temporary prop up the US economy so that there won't be major, immediate social unrest. Give as many investor as possible a time to exit. The subprime issue (root) that's been causing the pain is still not solved yet.
FISCA financial planning talk
There were many young people, including couples, who attended by financial planning talk on 4 December. Most of them found the talk to be useful.
Some were shocked to learn that the life insurance policy, which required them to save a large part of their earnings each month, gave a poor yield. They also learned that they can get a much better return by buying term insurance for 25 years and investing their savings in a low cost investment fund, such as the STI exchange traded fund that can be bought through the Singapore Exchange.
A few attendees told me that they will be recommending their friends to attend the talk, as it will benefit them as well. A couple said that they have asked their nephew and niece to attend my next talk.
Those who are interested to learn about investing in ETF and REITS can attend another FISCA talk. The details can be found here. The talk was previously called "Invest for the Long Term". The new title is "Invest in shares, REITs and ETFs" but it is essentially the same talk. This talk is sponsored by SGX, so the cost is only $10.
Tan Kin Lian
Some were shocked to learn that the life insurance policy, which required them to save a large part of their earnings each month, gave a poor yield. They also learned that they can get a much better return by buying term insurance for 25 years and investing their savings in a low cost investment fund, such as the STI exchange traded fund that can be bought through the Singapore Exchange.
A few attendees told me that they will be recommending their friends to attend the talk, as it will benefit them as well. A couple said that they have asked their nephew and niece to attend my next talk.
Those who are interested to learn about investing in ETF and REITS can attend another FISCA talk. The details can be found here. The talk was previously called "Invest for the Long Term". The new title is "Invest in shares, REITs and ETFs" but it is essentially the same talk. This talk is sponsored by SGX, so the cost is only $10.
Tan Kin Lian
FISCA insurance talk
I will be giving an exercise at the end of the talk. It will help you to learn the topics better. The exercise will be simple and some questions can be answered by applying common sense. You can try this exercise. If you like what is the questions and find them to be useful to improve your understanding, you can register now for the talk, which will be held at 2 pm this Saturday.
WikiLeaks and Negative Views
WikiLeaks reviewed the negative views that were purported to be conveyed by senior Singapore diplomats about some of our neighbors. This has caused Malaysia to lodge a protest and has temporarily soured relations.
The trouble is that the leaks revealed the negative views. It would be quite different if the leaks revealed the positive views that were expressed about some of our neighbors, such as the the positive qualities of their leaders and the progress that they are making to solve their problems.
Two decades ago, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew said a few positive views about President Suharto's leadership. This was followed by a long period of extremely warm relations between the two countries. Some foreign observers had commented on the negative aspects of the Suharto regime, but it does not really matter. It has its positive aspects as well - which is more important.
Our leaders and Singaporeans in general have to learn how to look at the positive side, and to express positive views of other people. We have to learn to see "what is right" and not focus too much on "what is wrong". If we have to point out what is wrong, it can be done in an objective manner, without attributing any negative qualities to specific people. We do not need to be judgemental.
I hope that future leaks can help to build relations with our neighbors.
Tan Kin Lian
The trouble is that the leaks revealed the negative views. It would be quite different if the leaks revealed the positive views that were expressed about some of our neighbors, such as the the positive qualities of their leaders and the progress that they are making to solve their problems.
Two decades ago, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew said a few positive views about President Suharto's leadership. This was followed by a long period of extremely warm relations between the two countries. Some foreign observers had commented on the negative aspects of the Suharto regime, but it does not really matter. It has its positive aspects as well - which is more important.
Our leaders and Singaporeans in general have to learn how to look at the positive side, and to express positive views of other people. We have to learn to see "what is right" and not focus too much on "what is wrong". If we have to point out what is wrong, it can be done in an objective manner, without attributing any negative qualities to specific people. We do not need to be judgemental.
I hope that future leaks can help to build relations with our neighbors.
Tan Kin Lian
Test your knowledge of insurance
Do you want to test your knowledge of insurance? Try this test.
If you find it difficult, you should attend the FISCA talk on insurance (www.fisca.sg/events) or your can read this powerpoint.
If you find it difficult, you should attend the FISCA talk on insurance (www.fisca.sg/events) or your can read this powerpoint.
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