I happened to glance at the New Paper and realised that there is actually an opt out service for the advertisement mail (Admail) we get through out mailbox. I will paste this section which I got from Singpost website:
Residents who do not wish to receive unaddressed promotional mail through SingPost’s Admail service, can call our hotline number 6845-6210 to inform us.
Our operating hours are
Monday to Friday: 0830am to 0500pm (but closed for lunch from 1230pm to 0130pm)
Saturdays: 0830am to 1230pm
Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays
For me, I still find the Admail useful. Sometimes they do have interesting offers, and the fastfood coupons are useful too. :p
Friday, July 25, 2008
$80psf?? Ridiculous!
Topic(s):
Rants,
Singapore Ramblings
Read that the Ion Orchard is selling retail space for $80psf?!?!?! That is ridiculous. As far as I know, the highest rental is only like at the very most $50psf at Wisma. Ion Orchard is just next to it, and its like almost double the rental??
The management of Ion Orchard must be living in some other world... It'll be interesting to see how much of a "ghost mall"Ion Orchard will be when it opens.
The management of Ion Orchard must be living in some other world... It'll be interesting to see how much of a "ghost mall"Ion Orchard will be when it opens.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Inflation is up 7.5%
Topic(s):
Economic Ramblings,
Singapore Ramblings
These are the Singapore inflation rates for 2008:
January: 6.6%
February: 6.5%
March: 6.7%
April: 7.5%
May: 7.5%
June: 7.5%
Food and Housing is leading the charge, rising by 9.2% and 13.4% respectively year on year. Singapore seems to be controlling the inflation quite well. The currency has been growing stronger almost every month.
Everyone is expecting July inflation rate to be much lower. However, did they know that inflation only jumped 1.3% from June to July, and not the 2% everyone is talking about? I think the inflation rate will still hover at around 6+% before moderating downwards in September.
January: 6.6%
February: 6.5%
March: 6.7%
April: 7.5%
May: 7.5%
June: 7.5%
Food and Housing is leading the charge, rising by 9.2% and 13.4% respectively year on year. Singapore seems to be controlling the inflation quite well. The currency has been growing stronger almost every month.
Everyone is expecting July inflation rate to be much lower. However, did they know that inflation only jumped 1.3% from June to July, and not the 2% everyone is talking about? I think the inflation rate will still hover at around 6+% before moderating downwards in September.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Believe in yourself II
Topic(s):
Self Improvement
I quote from Bertrand Russell:
The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd.
Sometimes I get very frustrated with people who keeps quoting from this so and so book, or this so and so person, and just because it/he/she is famous/popular, whatever that it/he/she says is correct.
This quote pretty sums up my feelings. If I'm wrong, prove it to me I'm wrong. Don't tell me that just because so and so said it, I'm wrong. Likewise, if it can be done, prove to me that it can be done with the current resources available. Just because someone has done it doesn't mean that anyone can do it at anytime.
Believe in yourself, and believe in what you can achieve. Let no one tell you otherwise because guess what? Only you know yourself best.
The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd.
Sometimes I get very frustrated with people who keeps quoting from this so and so book, or this so and so person, and just because it/he/she is famous/popular, whatever that it/he/she says is correct.
This quote pretty sums up my feelings. If I'm wrong, prove it to me I'm wrong. Don't tell me that just because so and so said it, I'm wrong. Likewise, if it can be done, prove to me that it can be done with the current resources available. Just because someone has done it doesn't mean that anyone can do it at anytime.
Believe in yourself, and believe in what you can achieve. Let no one tell you otherwise because guess what? Only you know yourself best.
DL reviews of phones below standard!!
Topic(s):
Singapore Ramblings,
Technology Ramblings
I almost wanted to laugh out when I read Digital's Life (DL) review of some phones. I believe they might have misunderstood something. I'm interested in buying a phone, not a camera. So what on earth are they harping on that stupid 5MP camera that the phone has???
There was no mention of:
All those that's important about the phone, there was not even a mention of it. Instead they kept harping on how grainy the photo is in indoors. Hello!! If I'm interested in a camera, I will buy a camera, not a phone!
Sometimes I do wonder why I bother to read the phone reviews in DL... Maybe just to get a few laughs.
There was no mention of:
- Battery life
- Talk time hours (real)
- Standby hours (real)
- Clarity of conversation
- WAP/3G performance
- Phone accessories
All those that's important about the phone, there was not even a mention of it. Instead they kept harping on how grainy the photo is in indoors. Hello!! If I'm interested in a camera, I will buy a camera, not a phone!
Sometimes I do wonder why I bother to read the phone reviews in DL... Maybe just to get a few laughs.
Stock exchanges only benefit themselves
Topic(s):
Rants
The harsh reality of the real world. Every "exchange" for itself. Just read an article by a formal securities and exchange chairman (SEC). This is a quote from a few sections:
"Short sellers borrow shares they think are poised to drop in price and then sell them, hoping the stock will fall and can be repurchased at a profit. A "naked" short occurs when an investor sells stock that has not yet been borrowed.
.
.
Short selling provides extra liquidity in the market," he said. "The goal isn't to prevent short selling. The goal is to make sure that people who sell short will have the means to settle their trades when they are supposed to be settled."
This is ridiculous! That means a "naked short" can bypass the usual process of borrowing the shares before selling it.
This is already violating the fundamentals of shares investing. It is based on the concept of a limited number of shares in a general market. With this stupid loophole, this is no longer the case. No wonder nowadays no one cares about PTB, DCF, DDM, etc. One can just sell away the shares even though one does not even own it, even for a while (borrowing).
There is going to come a time that all successful companies will only want to be private, and not publicly listed due to these kind of actions. The wave is already coming, all because of these loopholes. If I'm a boss, I would not even want to list in this kind of exchange!
"Short sellers borrow shares they think are poised to drop in price and then sell them, hoping the stock will fall and can be repurchased at a profit. A "naked" short occurs when an investor sells stock that has not yet been borrowed.
.
.
Short selling provides extra liquidity in the market," he said. "The goal isn't to prevent short selling. The goal is to make sure that people who sell short will have the means to settle their trades when they are supposed to be settled."
This is ridiculous! That means a "naked short" can bypass the usual process of borrowing the shares before selling it.
This is already violating the fundamentals of shares investing. It is based on the concept of a limited number of shares in a general market. With this stupid loophole, this is no longer the case. No wonder nowadays no one cares about PTB, DCF, DDM, etc. One can just sell away the shares even though one does not even own it, even for a while (borrowing).
There is going to come a time that all successful companies will only want to be private, and not publicly listed due to these kind of actions. The wave is already coming, all because of these loopholes. If I'm a boss, I would not even want to list in this kind of exchange!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Choose to be happy
Topic(s):
Self Improvement
Abaraham Lincoln once said:
People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
No one will be able to make you unhappy if you choose not to. There are many ways to perk yourself up:
Boils down that everyone has their own unique way of making themselves happy. The choice is always within your power. Choose to be happy, and you'll be.
People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
No one will be able to make you unhappy if you choose not to. There are many ways to perk yourself up:
- Do something that you like
- Think of happy memories or look through your holiday photos
- Be grateful to everything that happens around you
Boils down that everyone has their own unique way of making themselves happy. The choice is always within your power. Choose to be happy, and you'll be.
Park Central @ AMK
Topic(s):
Singapore Ramblings
Updated 21 Jul 2008: Added the ballot website link
Updated 6 Aug 2008: Number of applications
Updated 16 Apr 2009: Update about balconies and planters
Long ago I've mentioned that I prefer the AMK DBSS to Boon Keng because its more centrally located. Just today, there was an update on it. Apparently, they are going to launch it this coming Wednesday. However, up to now, I'm unable to find the link for this DBSS registration. Anyway, just a short write up to close the loop. :)
DBSS @ AMK will be named Park Central. It is located at Ang Mo Kio Street 52. Click here for the map of the area from HDB. What I like about this area is that:
I've previously written a post about CityView here. Now for a comparison between CityView and Park Central prices:
True to their word, Park Central @ AMK has priced the flats at an average of $490 to $500 psf. I like the 4 room pricing though. The range of the prices for Park Central is also comparable to a unit at the central area, like Toa Payoh. It will also have condo-style fittings such as built-in wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, air-conditioning systems, timber flooring and planter boxes. There are also jogging paths and BBQ pits on the roof-top garden above the carpark. Using this as a comparison, it would seem that Park Central will be more value for money than the HDB flats built by HDB.
What's also different from the other DBSS is that they have 20 loft units which have higher ceilings of 3.6m, compared with the typical 2.6m height. I wonder if they are copying the idea from the Loft @ Punggol.
Like all other DBSS, the $8,000 household income limit will still be there. With regards to my own affordability calculation, you can refer back to my Boon Keng post. I don't think I can afford it though, unless I change to a more stable job.
I wonder if this is the future of DBSS. Renovated HDB flats that will allow you pay for the cost of renovations through CPF. If this is so, then I would say Park Central is setting a good example of affordable HDB flats with acceptabe furnishings for the higher end of the $8,000 household income households.
However, its too early for me to say that its a real good deal because up to now, I have no access to any information regarding Park Central. Even a visit to United Engineers website here reveals nothing about it. For those who are interested in emailing them, you can refer to the DBSS website here.
I would keep my eye open, just for the fun of it. :)
Update 1: I've found the link to the official balloting website for Park Central here. Happy balloting... :)
Update 2: Over 2300 applications were made, which is about 4 times unsubscribed. The applicants have already been screened for their eligibility before they apply. There were also over 23000 visitors to their showflats. I see a high take-up rate for this DBSS, especially their 4 room flats.
Update 3: Realised from The Peak that there seems to be a trend of balconies and planters. I've double checked the floor map for Park Central and it seems like they have it too. Personally to me, that's a big minus. That means I'm playing for space that I can hardly use. For a 4 room flat, it's not really worth it because your small space will be further restricted.
Updated 6 Aug 2008: Number of applications
Updated 16 Apr 2009: Update about balconies and planters
Long ago I've mentioned that I prefer the AMK DBSS to Boon Keng because its more centrally located. Just today, there was an update on it. Apparently, they are going to launch it this coming Wednesday. However, up to now, I'm unable to find the link for this DBSS registration. Anyway, just a short write up to close the loop. :)
DBSS @ AMK will be named Park Central. It is located at Ang Mo Kio Street 52. Click here for the map of the area from HDB. What I like about this area is that:
- It's near the AMK Central. Plenty of stuff there which is value for money
- It's near the Ang Mo Kio Town Garden and AMK MRT.
- Ang Mo Kio Town Garden should block off the noise from the MRT so you will not be affected by the sounds from an overhead MRT station.
I've previously written a post about CityView here. Now for a comparison between CityView and Park Central prices:
| City View | Park Central |
|---|---|
| 3 room: $349,000 to 394,000 4 room: $523,000 to 597,000 5 room: $536,000 to $727,000 | 4 room: $400,000 to $500,000 5 room: $600,000 to $670,000 Loft: $580,000 to below $700,000 |
True to their word, Park Central @ AMK has priced the flats at an average of $490 to $500 psf. I like the 4 room pricing though. The range of the prices for Park Central is also comparable to a unit at the central area, like Toa Payoh. It will also have condo-style fittings such as built-in wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, air-conditioning systems, timber flooring and planter boxes. There are also jogging paths and BBQ pits on the roof-top garden above the carpark. Using this as a comparison, it would seem that Park Central will be more value for money than the HDB flats built by HDB.
What's also different from the other DBSS is that they have 20 loft units which have higher ceilings of 3.6m, compared with the typical 2.6m height. I wonder if they are copying the idea from the Loft @ Punggol.
Like all other DBSS, the $8,000 household income limit will still be there. With regards to my own affordability calculation, you can refer back to my Boon Keng post. I don't think I can afford it though, unless I change to a more stable job.
I wonder if this is the future of DBSS. Renovated HDB flats that will allow you pay for the cost of renovations through CPF. If this is so, then I would say Park Central is setting a good example of affordable HDB flats with acceptabe furnishings for the higher end of the $8,000 household income households.
However, its too early for me to say that its a real good deal because up to now, I have no access to any information regarding Park Central. Even a visit to United Engineers website here reveals nothing about it. For those who are interested in emailing them, you can refer to the DBSS website here.
I would keep my eye open, just for the fun of it. :)
Update 1: I've found the link to the official balloting website for Park Central here. Happy balloting... :)
Update 2: Over 2300 applications were made, which is about 4 times unsubscribed. The applicants have already been screened for their eligibility before they apply. There were also over 23000 visitors to their showflats. I see a high take-up rate for this DBSS, especially their 4 room flats.
Update 3: Realised from The Peak that there seems to be a trend of balconies and planters. I've double checked the floor map for Park Central and it seems like they have it too. Personally to me, that's a big minus. That means I'm playing for space that I can hardly use. For a 4 room flat, it's not really worth it because your small space will be further restricted.
JB 24hrs Crime hotline
Topic(s):
Thoughts
For those who frequent JB, take note of this hotline: 07-2212999
This crime hotline is manned 24 hours by staff conversant in English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. Johor police chief assured that all complaints will be responded to within 15mins.
I would feel is a very useful number to call if you meet "bogus" police. It never hurts to be safe...
This crime hotline is manned 24 hours by staff conversant in English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. Johor police chief assured that all complaints will be responded to within 15mins.
I would feel is a very useful number to call if you meet "bogus" police. It never hurts to be safe...
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Eating in California
Topic(s):
Travel,
Travel (USA - California)
Updated 29 Jul 2008: The steak house I went to is Ruth's Chris, not Roth's.
Just a couple of places I thought worth mentioning during my recent US trip. :)
Just a couple of places I thought worth mentioning during my recent US trip. :)
- IN-N-OUT Burger
Everytime I see it, it seems to be near a MacDonald. :) Anyway, its popular for its Double Double burger. The burger, and the fries are fresh and tasty. Fast food pricing... Click here for the menu. - Fish Market
I love the grilled red snapper. Tasty and affordable, with a very good view of the area too. Refer to my post on the iPhone rant with a picture. That picture was taken at the back of the restaurant. If I recall correctly, we ate somewhere near Santa Clara. The service is not bad too. Click here for the menu. - Amardillo Willys
If you're a ribs person, go for it. I'm not really into ribs but I would say I pretty much enjoyed the Famous Baby Back Ribs. Delicious, and affordable too. If I recall correctly, we ate somewhere near Santa Clara. The service is great! Click here for the menu. - Shalimar Indian & Pakistan Food
If you like Indian food, this is the place to go. Affordable, and it tastes real good. The tandoori chop and boti. Yum yum... :) There are a few shops around. One is in San Francisco, and another that I know of is at Sunnyvale. Good Indian food, and frequented by many Indians too. Click here for the menu. - Ruth's Chris
Okay, this is a rather expensive place. I was told that you need to reserve way in advance to be able to get a seat. You will get first class service here, with good recommendations on what to drink and eat. I shared a Porterhouse for Two with a colleague. The meat was tender and juicy. So far I think it's one of the best steaks I've eaten. Click here for the menu.
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