First posted on Vox.
I am doing 20 min daily on the crosstrainer now, and plan to increase it to 25 next week. It can get quite boring, so besides varying the programme, I also do a combination of forward, backward and handsfree "riding". I find it best to do it in the morning, but when I start work I don't know if I can motivate myself to do it after work.
I realise that I can't do the Fast-5 thing while lunching with family. Aside from the fact that I might freak my folks out, it really does inconvenience them. Must restart in July.
This week I finally have all the log-in info I need to make my virgin investments. Using CPF, I bought a lot each of STI ETF, A-REIT and PLife REIT. I can buy more, but I prefer to spread my money out and there's nothing else I can buy with my CPF money that I want. With cash, I bought 60 shares of Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF and 110 shares of iShares MSCI Europe ETF. Can't really afford anything more for now, so will buy the others on my list as my paycheques come in in the next couple of months.
Even though I have an investment strategy all planned out, the whys and wherefores didn't really crystalise until I started reading Tim Hale's Smarter Investing, which came in the post this week. I think this should be the very first investment book anybody reads, before they buy any insurance or bank product or shares or unit trusts. It's a very sobering read - who knew what a giant scam financial institutions run? Even with the recent crisis, I don't think people really understand where their money is going when they invest. This book isn't about making your fortune on the stock market, like the previous investment "classics" I bought, but about staying ahead of the game. It's not about developing an eye for winners, or for analysing charts to time the market. It's about working out a strategy based on historical data, so that you beat the odds. A very scientific, systematic way of going about it, but written for the newbie investor. I highly recommend this book for anybody who wants to ensure a comfortable retirement despite volatile markets.
Insurance plans I applied for this week are AIA Critical Protector Plus ($100k CI), AIA Glow of Life ($50k early-payout CI plan for women) and TM AsiaLife CancerCare ($200k early-payout for cancer-only CI). If they go through successfully, this gives me $350k CI coverage in addition to the $20k from my AIA WL plan. Due to strict underwriting, I have yet to settle the more urgent matter of an integrated shield plan. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks.
My Basic Theory Test is in late June, and I've already booked my first month of practical lessons in anticipation of passing it (fingers crossed). The lessons are costing me a small fortune, so I've reluctantly decided to put aside my plan to buy the HTC Desire. I also spent quite a bit on my Forex course and an IPL package at Regina. Fortunately, I do have pay coming in from UniSIM and Curtin in June.
Health and money matters aside, I'm trying to rev up my social life. This is actually harder work! It's so hard to find interest groups that allow you to meet new people. Last night, I attended a meetup for folks who want to speak or learn Cantonese, and it was actually quite fun, but active groups like these are on the rare side. Or maybe my interests are just too limited. I welcome all suggestions as long as they don't include SDN and similar. The thought of attending an event expressly to find a potential mate is just too scary!
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