Invest your SRS

Dear Mr. Tan,
I am 47 yrs old and have been contributing regularly in cash to my SRS account so as to lower my income tax. I have been using the money to buy NTUC Income Growth policies for 15 to 17 years' term. The projected return is about 4 %. Do you think I am making a wise investment decision? Are there better ways to invest the cash in my SRS account?

REPLY
Read this FAQ:
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/savings.html

Poor value from USD policies

Dear Mr. Tan,
I have been a regular reader of your blog since recent months. and found it is very informative and helpful. Thank you so much for your invaluable sharing.

I understand more about how insurance works, but start to struggle about the policies bought for my families now. We bought the whole life plan for my husband and myself since 2004. The coverage is US $50,000. The premiums total USD 2000 for both policies. The breakeven is 12 years in USD, but we are also losing on the depreciation of USD.

What will be your advice on these policies? Stop? Reduce the coverages? I know the current value of them should be very poor.

REPLY
I am sorry that I do not have the time to give specific advice of this kind.
I suggest that you read the FAQ in my blog and see if you can get any answers from there.
www.tankinlian.com/faq

Set a realistic goal

Dear Mr. Tan
What ETF should I be looking at if I would like to achieve a return of 10-15% p.a. Thanks.

REPLY
I am not able to advice on any product that can offer 10% to 15% p.a. I only aim for 5% to 6% p.a. for my personal investments.

Read this FAQ about investing for the long term:
http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/savings.html

If you wish to invest in the STI ETF, you have to approach a stockbroker.
Wish you all the best.

Defamatory comments

I have blocked defamatory comments posted by visitors. These defamatory comments are directed at specific persons or organisations. They attack a person's character.

I allow comments that are fair and substantiated by facts.

Honesty is the best policy

Dear Mr. Tan,

I would like to extend my warm thanks for your honest insights into the insurance sector. Your advice correlates with what I have personally experienced and discovered through readings.

I'm afraid that while many agents state that they have the interests of the consumer at heart, in reality, they're more concerned about the commission.

I'll be recommending your blog to all of my friends. I hope more insurance agents will realise that "honesty is the best policy".

Thank you for your honesty. It is much appreciated in present times.

Stamp duty on purchase of property

I hope that the government will remove the stamp duty on purchase of property. The removal of this cost will encourage some people to change their homes to be closer to their place of work. This will reduce the number of people that have to commute long distance to work and reduce the congestion on the road.

If there is a loss of revenue, it can be compensated by an adjustment to the property tax. (In my opinion, this is not necessary).

The government has removed estate duty. It is time to take the next step, in the interest of reducing road congestion and travelling time and cost.

Mall of Asia, Manila

I visited the SM Mall of Asia in Manila. My host said that it is the largest mall in Asia.

It has an ice skating rink, cinemas, entertainment outlets, many stores, restaurants, a large department store and a hypermart.

Although the mall is large, it is easy to move around. The signage are excellent. In contrast, I often get lost in many of the smaller shopping malls in Singapore.

The mall is across a park and beach at the side of Manila bay. Here is a picture of sunset at the bay.