So my portfolio chugged along to barely eke above the target at 5.05%, helped by rising values in Singapore stocks and crypto. Renovation expense has been fully paid so the cash account feels a little light, giving a slight uneasy feeling although there's still enough room for an opportunistic snag. I have also found an interim solution for SRS funds doing nothing i.e it's now invested into Fullerton SGD Income Fund. The expectation is for a close to 4% steady dividend yield. Let's see what the performance is like after six months.
My company decided not to give an increment this year, citing uncertain economic forces. It's now consecutive years where the employees got their hopes dashed. What were they expecting? Admittedly, the signs were clear. Revenue fell, margins squeezed and decreased forward orders. Thus, there could have been less disappointment if employees were realistic. In my conversation with some colleagues, what worries most is that they do not have much savings. I was also surprised to hear many of them do not invest, even in a simpler product like T-bill. Yet, some consoled themselves, saying they looked forward to the next round of CDC vouchers. That gave me an uncomfortable feeling. Cost of living issues are persistent and becoming entrenched. We risk getting caught in an inflationary cost environment along with stagnant wages. This is turning out to be a tough year.
Dividends as of July 2025: $5346.01 (avg $763.71 per month)
Tip: Santa Maria Valpolicelia 2019, pinot like, blueberries, a light lunch companion
