Simple Budget, Simple Life

1.5 years ago, I signed up for the FWD 2.02% "savings" plan  and parked $15k. I've always been in search for low risk decent yield alternatives on top of my savings account which I've shared in my tips on how I save >$150k before 28 . While browsing the net, I came across Etiqa's latest whole life insurance savings plan which offers guaranteed 2.02% p.a for the first 3 years. The minimum savings premium is at $5k. So, I thought why not? Since this $5k is something that I do not need atm, it's better for me to park the money here vs keeping it in my CIMB fastsaver earning just 1%. Furthermore, you are able to withdraw money after 90 days - just take note that a service fee is charged if your average daily balance falls below $5k.  I've just applied for the plan and parked $5k. I may be withdrawing this 3 years later and am expected to cash out $325 more interest. The whole process took me less than 10 minutes. Take note that pa...

I was scrolling through FB recently when I saw an ad that attracted my attention. Reminded me of the FWD 2.02% plan one year ago - which I applied for. Now Singlife is offering a 3% GUARANTEED plan which last till 30 Nov, at up to $6k: This Single Premium Endowment product’s availability is based on a first-come-first-served basis and is only available for purchase while the acceptance tranche is still open. Singapore Life reserves the right to decline any application that does not fulfil the requirement of a complete application without prior notice, including the invalidity of payment received. (1) The guaranteed maturity yield is 2.20% p.a. and 2.50% p.a. for 3-year-term and 5-year-term respectively. The 5-year-term is only available through our financial adviser partners. During the period between 26 Nov and 30 November 2018, there is a special campaign that gives 3% p.a. guaranteed maturity yield for the 3-year-term and this offer is strictly applicable for one poli...

I am always on the look out for the best place to park my money. This is one of ways I accumulated $100k cash savings before 28 .  So when I came across the Feb 2018 Savings Bond, my eye popped. The SSB is not new to me. I've subscribed it twice - one in Oct 2015 (the first SSB), and the next in May 2017 - at $5k each. The interest rates are pasted below for reference: Oct 2015: May 2017: Both bonds gives me decent interest rate. However, the con is to hold it out for 10 years before I receive an effective interest of above 2%. Imagine my delight when I realised that the Feb 2018 SSB gives me 1.55% just after 1 year. That beats any fixed deposits out there. Furthermore, I can redeem my Savings Bonds in any month before the bond matures, with no penalty for exiting early!  Year from issue date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Interest, % 1.55 1.59 1.67 1.77 1.91 2.07 2.26 2.44 2.61 2.75 Average return pe...

I've gotten lazy. I should have joined the hype like everyone else talking about my 2017 achievements and setting 2018 goals, but no, I felt like there wasn't a need to. Who would be interested in my 2017 achievements anyway? But I figured, tracking these down are not for you, it's for me. It's for me to document down bits and pieces of my thoughts so that one day I can look back and recall what I went through. So hey, it's the 2nd week of 2018. Work has drained the hell out of my soul and I've only worked barely 1 week this year, although I've had a sucky end to 2017. When others were celebrating, I was buried with work. While others were chit chatting casually, I was stuck in meetings and meetings taking notes and doing loads of useless nonsensical stuff that does nothing to improve my life. The only thing I gained out of these was my salary. I am trading my time, my soul, for money. 2017 Review Ok, enough of complains. Here's a throwback on what ...

I'm contemplating on this endowment plan from FWD which gives 2.02% interest p.a. It guarantees return when the plan matures after 3 years. This is the best "savings" plan I've seen. I'm thinking of putting $15k for this, which will mature to $15,927 after 3 years. That is, if you don't terminate your policy early. What are your thoughts to this offer? --- After thinking for half a day and seeing some comments, I've decided to go ahead with this offer. Looking forward to my $927 gain in 3 years' time! Would you be joining me? :)

I blogged about my achievement of having $100k savings before age 28 some time back. One way I could achieve this was to make sure my money grows through FDs. However, in recent months, the interest rates have been dropping. I used to see CIMB offering 1.8% p.a for a $10,000 fresh funds deposit, now it's 1.2% p.a for a 6 months tenure with a minimum $20k deposit. One year ago, I chanced upon the State Bank of India  offering a 1.6% interest p.a on minimum $10k deposit. It was the best deal I've seen then. I was contemplating about putting my money into a foreign bank but went ahead thinking that the Deposit Insurance Scheme would insure me. Prior to making my deposit, I popped into the bank to enquire on the FD rate, just to be sure it was 1.6%. The bank teller looked at me and asked, "Do you have $10k?", "Are you a Singaporean?". When I told her I'd be withdrawing my money nearby and am a Singaporean, she gave this insouciant expression and cont...

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.