Month of July 2025

Home was perpetually dusty as the renovation works continued. We walked around in slippers and stayed within the rooms that were untouched. After a month of eating takeaways, I craved for home cooked food. Finally that happened, after the kitchen was done and the refrigerator could be restored and restocked. Due to a lack of physical activities and unhealthy diet, I gained 2kg, undoing my efforts over the past year. A health check up is also due so I better go back to being disciplined on the workouts.

There's a disturbing trend that I noticed. More and more, I hear/read of seemingly healthy people falling seriously ill out of nowhere. For example, I'm sure most would have heard about people who suffered cardiac arrests while exercising. Within my second degree contacts, there were four occurrences over the past few months. They ranged from teens to early fifties. Some were unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer and three have since departed. Theories related to diet, vaccination and pollution had been suggested. How about climate change? The excessive use of earth's resources caused a vicious cycle of environmental degradation and now, we struggle to adapt. An unbalanced ecosystem creates new diseases, changes weather patterns and tweaks the unseen atmospheric conditions such that the human body can’t cope. Just look up the record breaking temperatures and its consequences. Even in clean Singapore, my nose is mostly irritated whatever time of the day. This month reminded me to stay focused on good financial outcomes so as to leave the working world before an unfortunate event strikes.

Tip: Saffredi 2015, purple ink, well rounded body, sleek execution

Finance Investment Movement 59

The portfolio is experiencing a big test of its resiliency at the half year mark. Markets had not been kind amid a growing unease and major battles occurring on the ground and online space. Something major appears to be gathering for a breakthrough but the question is whether it's going up or down. Investors are undecided. Hence, as the T-bill and SSB yields continued to decline, my cash hoard stayed idle while waiting for better investment opportunities. Little perks like credit card cashbacks and promotions also dried up as interest rates drift lower. Yet, cost of living issues persist. My expenses for the month increased with food spending being the main factor.

After waiting for so long, the URA Masterplan 2025 had finally been unveiled. One point stood out for me. There's a noticeable provision of land for residential use and quite evenly spread out across the island. That translates to more built up areas, more people and less nature. Is the 10 million population rumor becoming reality? Let's look at some trends. Birth rates are low and schools are merging in response. Life expectancy has improved, therefore more medical facilities are coming up. People are encouraged to work longer so the retirement age gets raised, thereby also instituting increased CPF contribution. COE prices are high and more MRT lines, cycling paths are being planned. Hawker centres and integrated community spaces are sprouting all over the place. By building amenities near residential units, the government hopes people can work from a convenient location, stay healthy and perhaps raise a small family. No coincidence that unit sizes are shrinking once it's accepted that births will not make a U-turn in time, so better to prepare for more immigrants by getting infrastructure in place. To support these, the government secured long term electricity supply deals and diversified food sources. With such good planning, fortunately or not, home prices will be propped up. These measures ensure sustained economic growth and make Singapore an attractive destination for tourists, businesses and migrants. In time to come, we can proclaim the little red dot to be a mega city state.

Dividends as of June 2025: $4744.89 (avg $790.82 per month)

Tip: Amabuki Tokubetsu Junmai, punchy dry, pairs well with heavy food