Three months into the year and I have already hit my portfolio improvement target. It's peeking out at 5.6% after being boosted by rise in ST Eng and cash savings. If not for the drop in crypto prices, the result would have looked even better. So is it time to rejoice and set higher target? No, because from April onwards, the triple payments of income tax, renovation and travel will start to kick in. Good thing is the household expenses kept in line. Income from high yield accounts is nearly exhausted due to falling interest rates. There's a bunch of Tbills, invested via SRS, reaching maturity and I'm not sure what to do.
There's a series of videos produced by CNA that can be found under "Singapore's Public Housing Revealed". In them, subject matter experts and ministers articulate their thoughts to address the concerns of many people who view housing as becoming unaffordable. I liked the presentation feel and visual cues to give instant snapshots of the current status. The underlying message is, HDB tries its best to balance needs of first time buyers, retirees, singles, large households etc while incurring growing deficits. It's no easy task. During the developmental years of Singapore, HDB is seen as walking side by side with the average citizen. Today, opinions have shifted, depending on where one stands. Because we are experiencing something that's never been felt before; aging flats with a lease decay. On principle, the government needs to retain control over land use through recycling for future generations. It was stated by PM Wong that land would be returned to the state upon lease expiry. He probably played it safe by not clearly saying that it's zero flat value and also not alarm people over the likelihood of falling valuation when the time comes. This leaves open the idea of compensation. Along with sketchy details of Vers, that indicates the government is not ready for discussion on those flats due to be returned in about thirty years. One issue the government finds itself in a bind is due to the CPF and other funds stored under the flat's value. I wonder in the future, how many people can have the situation of having a fully paid HDB flat, reach retirement age and able to depend on CPF payout for a comfortable remaining years. Much complaints relate to having to work a lifetime to repay home loan and left with barely something. In my opinion, the best hope is for Singapore to progress well economically which then anchors the land value and people's lifestyle. We have performed the first miracle when no one gave us a chance, now we need to produce another.
Dividends as of March 2025: $2008.62 (avg $669.54 per month)
Tip: Black Stallion Napa Chardonnay 2021, apple crumble, brownie, good oak density and mouthfeel
