Simple Budget, Simple Life

Half a year gone. I still have not gotten my keys to my new home and am still childless. Ok, TMI. On financial front, I've been seeing a steady increase in my net worth. As at my last update in end 2018, my net worth was at $372k. Half a year later, I've successfully crossed $200k cash savings (previously it dropped as I topped up my MA) and exceeded $400k in networth. I may be able to hit $450k by end year but will just need to carve out some money for renovation and home stuff. Most gains came from employment. While I lament how sick I am of work, it is my main source of $. I've not added any stocks and can never not live off my portfolio for passive income. It is with salary crediting that I've received 1.85-2% interest on my DBS multiplier anyway. I've been thinking if I'm making my money work hard enough. I occasionally browse the SGX hoping to see some stocks to purchase, but am not comfortable enough to make the move. Since Jan till date, my...

As usual, good things don't last. First was BOC Family card , now it seems like the temporary-attractive CIMB cards are going the same way too... Before Both CIMB Visa and Platinum requires min $600 spend and gives 10% rebate ($50 cashback per category, up to $100 cashback) on: Visa Signature Dining Online spend Grocery Platinum Travel Health, Beauty & Wellness Transport & Petrol W.e.f 5 Jun 2019 Both CIMB Visa and Platinum requires min $800 spend and gives 10% rebate ( $20 cashback per category, up to $100 cashback) on: Visa Signature Dining (now reflected under Platinum) Online spend   shopping ("This excludes all other online websites, not limited to movies, food & beverage, travel, airline, government, brokerages/securities, insurance, tuition and online gambling websites")... wth ? Grocery Beauty & Wellness (new) Pets Shops and Veterinary Services (not applicable to me) Cruise Platinum Travel (only in for...

Aloha.  Some updates on what's going on with my life.... A. I accepted the job offer Ever since I received the job offer, I've been feeling jittery. I kept playing the angel and devil's advocate and in the end, decided to take up the offer. I still worry about the instability in the new place, but at worst, I'll just find another job if I can't survive there. The new salary, although not a lot, is also better than if I stay put. I figured I might only get this salary 2 years later. So, hopefully, things pan out well.... B. Transferred $7k to my CPF SA Next, I've transferred $7,000 cash to my own CPF SA. This is the 3rd time I'm doing so. You can read more about it here and here . I probably should have transferred the amount in Jan, instead of waiting till now...but well, better late than never.  My CPF SA now stands at $46,000.  C. Parking $40k with CIMB F.D at 1.8% and 1.6% Also, good lobang must share! I've done some house...

I know I've loads of credit cards. But it scares me a little to know that I've a total of 10 cards after tabulating the below. Guess it's timely to do a review of the cards I have so I know which to use and which to say byebye to! Here's the summary of my 10 credit cards and which to say goodbye to: To keep 1. SC Manhattan - to keep for big ticket items (note: card is no longer available for application) 2. SC Unlimited cashback - no min. spend to keep for 1.5% cashback on all spends 3. SC Spree - to use for contactless spends (2%); no min spend, max spend $3000 No minimum spend and up to $60 rebate. Earn 2% cashback on all online spends in local currency, all contactless and mobile payments. Earn 1% cashback on all other retail spends. 4. BOC Sheng Siong - to use for Sheng Siong spends (no min spend, 7% rebate, max spend: $700) Cash Rebate Spend Category Condition 7% Sheng Siong Spend • No minimum spend • Cash rebate capped...

Just applied for the CIMB FD at 1.2% for 6 months with $20k. I have been thinking if I should apply for this or park my money into shares. Guess I'm not that stocks-savvy to take the plunge. Regardless, this FD will earn me an interest of around $120.  With my BOC Smartsaver max out at $60k, this 1.2% interest is slightly better than me leaving the remaining money in my Fastsaver. Will keep a look out for other deals to park my extra cash. Btw, the FDs promotions this year have been disappointing. If you wish to apply for the CIMB F.D, do note that promotion ends on 13 February 2017.