Dividends for April 2014

Finally took time to compile the cheques that have been coming in through my mailbox and calculated the dividends received for the month of April 2014.

Received a total of S$237.

This comprises dividends from Armour Residential REIT, Gamco Global Gold, Linn Energy and a host of other unit trusts like FAHY, Schroder, John Hancock.

The interests from my bank account (DBS multiplier) also contributed quite a fair bit and I have set up the OCBC 360 account for a similar purpose since it offers higher interest rates compared to a normal savings account.

Engineers Surely Can Relate to This - The Expert (Short Comedy Sketch)

A very funny short clip on what happens when an engineer is put in a room with a group of people who don't seem to be making any sense.  I am sure everyone can relate to this video at some level - especially engineers.

OCBC 360 Account Offers Incredible Interest Rates of over 3%

Recently, I posted about opening a DBS multiplier account that offered interest rates of over 2% depending on your cashflow with the bank.

It now seems that OCBC has up the competition by offering a similar account that offers interest rates up to 3.05% . OCBC 360 account seems attractive as the bonus interest rates are also much more achievable.

To get the bonus interest rates, I will just need to credit my salary, carry out 3 bill payments, and charge $400 to an OCBC credit card. Each of the above gives a bonus interest of 1%. Together with the base interest of 0.05%, it adds up to 3.05%.

I think the offer from OCBC seems to be too good to be missed. Opening my account with them definitely.

Dividends for March 2014

Haven't had much time to blog lately.  Have been busy with work.  Everything has been same old same old.  Nothing much has changed and I have been feeling pretty contented lately with everything that I have been blessed immensely with.  Good job, health, family, etc, etc.

Anyway, I just managed to consolidate the dividends/interests/etc received for March 2014.

The total amount is around $360.  Not too bad but I guess it can always be higher if I had been a little more disciplined with my savings and investing.

Perhaps it is time to take a fundamental re-look at all my expenditure and savings and to see if I am channelling my savings in the best manner into my various investments.

Dividends for February 2014

Finally got down to compiling my dividends received for the month of February 2014.

Total dividends received was $255.75.

The dividends came from a total of 8 different "sources".  This includes stocks, unit trusts as well as the DBS multiplier account that I had signed up for.

I am glad that I have managed to diversify my sources of dividends.  However, the amount is still quite low as compared to my targets.  It looks like I have to start saving a lot more.

Hilarious George Bush Bloopers!

Some funny bloopers from Ex U.S. President George Bush.  Don't really blame him though.  One can only imagine how hard it is to string words together when facing a large crowd or the cameras.

Holidays and Travel Insurance

The first two months of 2014 are already past.  And it seems like the school March holidays are almost here again.  How fast a term flies!  Most people are probably gearing up for short holidays here and there before the June holidays.

However, the haze is back in Indonesia and Malaysia.  Who knows when it might hit Singapore (another good reason to start planning a holiday especially if the haze situation worsens).  Most people are avoiding Bangkok due to the ongoing political unrest there.  So that leaves quite few options for those who just want a short getaway.

On a related note, I realised that I have been very inconsistent in the purchasing of travel insurance.  There are times when I purchase travel insurance when I go for holidays and there are also times when I do not.

So I would like to hear your thoughts:

• Given the current situation (haze, political unrest, etc) in neighbouring countries, where is good place to go travelling (not too far away from Singapore)?
• Do you usually buy travel insurance?  If so which is the best plan around?