To celebrate its 1-year anniversary, Citi Plus customers can now enjoy increased interest rates of up to 4.0% interest per annum (p.a.)^ for the Citi Interest Booster Account. This boost (pardon the pun) is much welcomed as it allows Citi Plus to stay competitive during an environment of high interest rates. Hence, when viewed in […]
Significant personal finance milestone- I Achieved CPF Full Retirement Sum in 2023
It was 9 years ago that I set out to grow my Central Provident Fund (‘CPF’) as part of my FIRE journey. Back then, I was thinking that having monthly payouts from the government is a good fall-back plan to have, in case my own financial plans do not work out. Last month, when I […]
Our family holiday in Bali, a destination for beach and nature lovers
Earlier this year when Olympia was still taking swimming lessons, her swim school organised a holiday camp to Maldives. We couldn’t make it because it was scheduled right after Lenora’s delivery date. Besides, I also baulked at the high costs involved. Nevertheless, she was intrigued by the snorkelling videos that her coach showed to the […]
My Parents’ Palpitating Experience To Buy A HDB Sale of Balance Flat
Earlier last year, I wrote that my parents successfully obtained Singapore Citizenship status. Since then, I have been monitoring the quarterly HDB sales launch to look for a suitable new home for them. I consider it to be silly if I do not help them take advantage of one of the greatest privileges afforded to […]
Singapore Savings Bonds November 2023 Interest Rate Reaches Record High This Year
After waiting for 3 long quarters, retail investors can finally rejoice at what is a new year-to-date high interest rate for the Singapore Savings Bonds (‘SSB’). For SSB to be issued in the month of November 2023, the average return over 10 years is 3.32% which is the 2nd highest ever in its history. With […]
How We Celebrated Lenora’s 100-Day Baby Shower In 2023
In a sure sign of how much I plan ahead, Lenora’s 100-day baby shower was more or less finalised weeks before she was even delivered. This idiosyncrasy of mine might have upset the wife time and again, but I assured her that this was about taking care of all things possible before the baby came […]
Getting down to some common misconceptions CPF LIFE
Several months ago, I wrote an article about my mum reaching the CPF withdrawal age of 65. As with any Central Provident Board (‘CPF’) topic, it generated plenty of interest amongst my readers. In fact, I received plenty of messages (both private and public) and I attribute this phenomenon to 2 key reasons – (1) […]
New HDB BTO Classification Framework, What Are The Possible Consequences?
At National Day Rally (‘NDR’) 2023, Prime Minister Lee announced a seismic shift in how HDB is going to classify its flats for sale from 2H 2024. The framework of classifying estates as either mature or non-mature will be replaced by one that is either Standard, Plus or Prime. When I first heard it live […]
Is GXS 3.48% Interest Rate Promotion The Shortest Ever In Singapore?
If you are plugged into the personal finance community, you would have heard by now that GXS was offering 3.48% interest rate for up to $75,000 of your savings. This move came immediately after the Monetary Authority of Singapore (‘MAS’) purportedly lifted the SGD $50 million cap imposed on digital banks. Since 19 July 2023, […]
At What Share Price Would I Be A Buyer Of AIMS APAC REIT?
AIMS APAC REIT (‘AA REIT’) invests in a diversified portfolio of income-producing industrial, logistics and business park investment properties across Singapore and Australia. The Manager of the REIT, AIMS APAC REIT Management Limited, is wholly-owned by the sponsor, AIMS Financial Group. Interestingly, the largest unitholder is not the sponsor but ESR Cayman, which holds 12.8% […]
