How To Maximise Your Returns Investing In Gold With Everest Gold

The arguments of having gold in your investment portfolio have already been well articulated by scholars, but do you know how to go about doing it in Singapore in a cost-efficient manner?

The traditional way of buying gold jewellery and passing it down to the next generation is highly cumbersome and costly. Purchasing gold bars from a bank and storing them in a vault will not be cheap either. Fret not, your chance to start building your own dream gold portfolio is finally here with the launch of Everest Gold in Singapore.

Traditional Ways Of Investing In Gold

The most traditional way of investing in gold is to purchase and store gold jewellery at home while waiting for capital appreciation. However, this is a costly way of investing in gold because of leakages such as workmanship costs and 7% GST on the purchase price.

The other way of investing in gold is to purchase gold from the banks. However, there is often a minimum quantity to purchase which may put it beyond the reach of retail investors who do not have a significant amount of money to set aside in the first place.

Purchasing gold directly from the banks is also not a cost-effective way of investing in gold because of the significant bid-ask spread and storage fee charged by the bank. Bid-ask spread at the bank could go as high as 30% while storage fees are often levied as a separate service charge at 0.25% of the current portfolio. All these fees significantly dilute the returns investors can potentially make from gold.

An Elegant and Tech-savvy Solution To Own And Trade Gold

To maximise your returns from investing in gold, you should own and trade gold on Everest Gold. Everest Gold is a fintech company working to make gold trading and investment accessible and affordable for retail investors on a secure online platform. Everest Gold uses 999.9 pure investment-grade gold. Its 1kg gold bars are obtained from Metalor Technologies Singapore Pte. Ltd, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metalor Technologies International SA, the leading worldwide precious metals refiners based in Switzerland.

Everest Gold employs advanced technology which allows clients to track real-time gold prices as they seamlessly build, invest, trade and sell their gold portfolios. Here are the key cost advantages of using Everest Gold to invest in gold:

  • Affordable: No minimum amount required such that the capital investment is low. Start trading gold from as low as 0.01g of gold!
  • Trade with peace of mind: Your investment assets are fully insured.
  • Lower gold price: Benchmarked against international gold price, price of gold sold on Everest Gold is significantly lower than banks (USD$0.558 vs USD$0.783 per 0.01 of gold) during its Gold Subscription Event
  • Maximise Returns: No transaction fees mean all your principal are invested in the possible capital appreciation of gold
  • Accessible: 24/7 trade for instantaneous liquidity, something which the banks cannot provide

Additionally, investors do not need any specialised trading experience to yield higher profits when investing in gold via Everest Gold. Everest Gold is truly the most affordable and accessible platform for retail investors to start investing in gold today. Say no to workmanship cost, GST, high bid-ask spread and storage fees once you start investing in gold via Everest Gold.

Everest Gold is available for download on Android, iOS and desktop. 

For more information, visit https://everestgold.sg 

Enter referral code “WAVTW” when you register your Everest Gold account. Be rewarded with 300,000 reward points (worth US$30) for each successful account verification. Promotion valid till 31 July 2020.

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Sign your kids up for these useful enrichment classes to teach them about money management

Money management for kids

According to the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) mathematics syllabus, your child would begin learning more about money from primary one. To be more specific, they will start learning how to count in cents up to a dollar, and in dollars up to 100 SGD.

By the end of their primary one academic year, they should be able to solve one-step problems like the addition and subtraction of money in dollars or in cents. But learning how to count is vastly different from money management. While it is part of the learning process, not every child grows up to be a financially literate adult.

If that’s your concern, skip the usual piano lessons and sign your kids up for enrichment classes that can groom them to be better money managers. We think this is an important life lesson that MOE schools may not have placed enough emphasis on. Hence, we’ve sourced out three platforms that offer such classes.

#1: STAR HORIZON
Financial literacy for teens

Image Credits: Star Horizon

Star Horizon offers financial literacy courses for kids, teens, and adults. For the sake of this article, we will focus on their kids and teens syllabus. Feel free to head to their website if you’re keen to learn more about the course for adults.

Kids syllabus (for 9 to 12 year-olds)

Targeting upper primary school students, their kids’ workshop will teach your children about the forms and history of money. They will also learn about how money is earned. In addition, there will be exposure to the importance of savings. Your little ones will be able to differentiate their needs from wants and set their own budget.

Teens syllabus (for 13 to 18 year-olds)

Their teens’ syllabus will target secondary school to junior college students. They will learn about cash-debt management including types of loans, credit card problems, and even bankruptcy. 

The syllabus has also included investment-related topics like shares, unit trusts, and property. Furthermore, your teenager will be able to learn in-depth about risk management and insurance too. To put the icing on the cake, there will be field visits to corporate companies. Talk about positive exposures!

#2: CIVIL SERVICE CLUB
ways-to-make-saving-fun-for-your-child

Image Credits: DBS

Civil Service Club is also another avenue to look out for. They have a course named ‘Introduction to Financial Awareness for Children’. Aimed at children aged 7 to 12, it will provide kids with basic financial awareness. They will also understand how money decisions are influenced and learn to develop wise money management habits.

#3: MONEYTREE
learn about money through play

Image Credits: MoneyTree

Founded in 2008, MoneyTree claims to be the leading financial literacy education provider in the region. To prove their credibility and give you peace of mind, they have had partnerships with MayBank in 2009 and 2016.

Their programs are specially catered for children and youth aged from 7 to 22. However, they work a little differently from the average enrichment schools in the market. They are currently only partnering schools to offer their Financial Literacy in School (FLIP) program.

However, parents or caregivers can look forward to their Financial Literacy Pack launching soon. Instead of sending your kids for enrichment classes, you will get resources from their online learning portal to equip you with lifetime skills to coach your kids on money matters. How cool is that?

Money management is important and it’s good to start them from young. As the famous Chinese proverb goes, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life.” Over to you to decide!

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Should you merge finances with your partner after getting married?

Merging finances

After saying ‘I do’, there are now more things to consider past the courting phase. As you begin preparing for your special day, take time to think about what happens after that. As I’ve heard many married couples say, the real deal begins after exchanging your wedding vows.

One of the most touchy issues is that of finances. While there are couples out there who manage their finances separately and successfully, some of you out there are wondering if you should do a merge. If that is so, you will need some fast advice to get you going. 

#1: SET DATES
Calendar

Image Credits: unsplash.com

To decide if you should do a merge, full disclosure is needed. This means hiding nothing and having an honest discussion. Laying everything out on the table helps you and your partner to see where both of you are at in terms of money management.

The most obvious thing to discuss is the shared expenses for the house. We’re talking about things like the mortgage, various monthly bills, and even weekly spending groceries. A 50-50 might do the trick if both of you guys are receiving the same paycheck. But that’s usually not the case. Thus, maybe a monthly contribution of a fixed percentage of your income might work?

There’s also the question of raising kids in the future. An extra person or two will cost and this is another major topic on its own. We know one sit-down session won’t work with so much to decide. Thus, set dates. Make sure you allocate enough time to go through the nitty-gritty. Rushing through the conversations will only hurt later.

#2: SHARE YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATIONS
Couple conversations

Image Credits: unsplash.com

‘For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.’ That’s one of the common marriage vows exchanged on the most important day. To do so, you will need to walk the talk and get down and dirty with your financial situations.

Apart from salaries and bonuses, there’s also the topic of debt and other large expenses unknown to your partner. Now’s the best time to share your financial plans and future goals as well. What are the steps you or your partner are taking to pay off the debt? Will this affect your early years of marriage? Can either of you make compromises?

Let’s not forget routines! Is an annual trip to Europe feasible? Or can you two only afford a staycation at the moment? Talk about habits like the frequency of dining out per week and any expensive hobbies you might have.

#3: COME UP WITH A STRATEGY
Writing

Image Credits: unsplash.com

This is the final stage should you decide to merge your finances with your partner. After the sharing sessions and much pondering, it’s time to come up with a long-term strategy.

How will the merge be like? Are we talking about shared bank accounts and credit cards? If that’s the case, you may consider having one shared bank account. This account can be a place for crediting an agreed percentage of your salary and also withdrawals for shared expenses for the family.

After reviewing your strategy and realizing you guys have enough money for investment? Go ahead and discuss if the both of you should open up an investment account. Also, decide upfront who will be the main person managing the funds for investment. It’s also important to do a yearly review of your strategy.

We’re honestly just scratching the surface with some of these questions. As each couple is unique, there may be other unique issues that need to be brought up. Also, you and your partner must be aware that bickering might arise while going through this entire process. If required, allow yourself some ‘time-out’. Nothing said in the heat of the moment is rational.

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You can now have a cup of teh peng cocktail at Zouk

Zouk Capital Kitchen

The idea of dressing up and walking into a club seems far away. No one knows what can happen in the next minute amid the pandemic. But there’s good news for peeps who miss the club vibes. You can now step back onto the dance floor at Zouk. But this time around, with a slightly different twist.

Zouk has decided to evolve with the times and turn their empty dance floor into a revenue opportunity. If you’ve been a die-hard clubber over the years, Capital lounge would ring a bell. The lounge space has been transformed into a pop-up restaurant named Capital Kitchen. You can find it on the second floor of the Zouk complex. It is open on Wednesdays to Saturdays, from 5pm to 11pm.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU

Eager to place a reservation and dine in with your fellow clubbers? First up, you need to know what’s on the menu at Capital Kitchen. You can expect both Asian and Western cuisines. As you’ve probably clicked in to read from the title, we will start off by introducing the cocktails.

Cocktails

Apart from teh peng cocktails, Zouk has also come up with other locally-inspired flavours like milo gao and assam guava. Honestly, we’re really curious about the taste. If you’re heading there before we do, please let us know your verdict.

zouk-capital-kitchen-teh-peng

Image Credits: Zouk

Highlights of the menu

Some of the highlights from Capital Kitchen include – the Signature Battered Fish & Chips (25 SGD), the Signature Royal Broth Congee (15 SGD), and the Australian Ribeye Strips (48 SGD). Here’s how the fish & chips and congee look like to whet your appetite:

Signature Battered Fish & Chips

Image Credits: Zouk

Signature Royal Broth Congee

Image Credits: Zouk

Sharing platters

Other than ala carte items, there’re also sharing platters. If you’re dining in a group of five, the Feasting Platter (108 SGD) would be an excellent choice. The platter consists of yummy Ebi Chilli Flatbread, Mala Chicken Skin, Chicken Wings, Truffle Fries, Squid Pong, and Australian Ribeye Strips.

And of course, if you do not like everything from the platter, you may place individual orders and snack on the ones you like. There’s the Ebi Chilli Flatbread, Mala Chicken Skin, and Truffle Fries each at 20 SGD. Chicken Wings are also available at 18 SGD.

FOOD COLLABORATIONS

Diners can also look forward to limited-edition food menu items Zouk has with other local food providers.

For a start, they have partnered home-bakery, Paparch. If it sounds familiar, that’s because it has recently gained popularity for its Burnt Cheesecake (15 SGD). With its burnt caramelised exterior and molten centre, it’s simply irresistible. However, it’s only available in limited quantities daily so act fast if you want a taste.

Paparch's Burnt Cheesecake

Image Credits: Zouk

If you weren’t able to get your hands on the cheesecake, that’s fine. There are other desserts like Churros and Chocolate and Caramel Tarts. It’s an equally sweet deal!

For reservations, you may email them at [email protected] or call/WhatsApp the team at 9006 8793.

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5 must-watch movies showing in cinemas this week (from 13 July)

Movie Release July 2020

With a long wait of over three months, Singapore residents can finally step into their favourite theatres to catch a new release from 13 July (Monday). Cinemas are reopening! But of course, not without stringent measures.

A maximum of only 50 people will be allowed into the cinema halls. There will also be a 1m safe-distancing seat configuration. If you’re visiting with a group of more than five persons, you may be able to sit together. But mask-wearing will still apply – except when you’re munching on your snacks or slurping on your soda.

These are the new releases this week (from 13 July) a movie fan should not miss:

#1: LOW SEASON
Low Season

Image Credits: GV

They say two’s a company, three’s a crowd. We’re kicking off our list of movies with a Thai horror special. There’s something about Thai horror movies that scare the hell out of us. But we go back to it because it’s strangely addictive.

This slightly over two-hour movie revolves around Lin, a girl who can see ghosts. After a breakup, she leaves the city alone to a faraway resort during the low (tourist) season. Put, a young screenwriter seeking inspiration for his horror story will join Lin on her getaway. What will unfold between the two? Will love find them or something else? Watch to find out.

#2: THE BRIDGE CURSE 女鬼桥
The Bridge Curse

Image Credits: GV

We’re still not done with horror. Adding to the horror genre is this 1.5-hour movie in mandarin. The highlight of this movie is the spooky happenings at the ghost bridge. Rumour has it that the ghost bridge was a forbidden spot on the Tunghu University because of a girl who jumped off the bridge and drowned herself.

Determined to test out their courage, six students who were running a camp filmed a live stream on the bridge late at night. They caught the female ghost on camera and the video went viral. But… the group of students went missing soon after. Only after four years later, an investigative journalist Lien Shu-yu (played by Summer Meng, 孟耿如) starts to uncover the truth. What will she find? The spirits await her.

#3: MY HERO ACADEMIA: HEROES RISING
My Hero Academia

Image Credits: GV

Let’s give horror a break and turn our gaze to a Japanese animation. My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising is an exclusive release for Golden Village cinemas. Directed by Kenji Nagasaki, it will run for about 1 hour 40 minutes.

A visit to Nabu Island got class 1-A attacked by a villain with an incomprehensible eccentricity. The villain’s powers are scarily familiar as if Shigaraki had an influence on the plan. Being the only hope on Nabu island, Deku and his friends will be the next generation of heroes. Will they get to save the day?

#4: ESCAPE FROM PRETORIA
Escape From Pretoria

Image Credits: GV

This approximately two-hour movie is based on a true story. Tim Jenkin (played by Daniel Radcliffe) and Stephen Lee (played by Daniel Webber) are two young and white South Africans branded ‘terrorists’. They were imprisoned in 1978 for working covert operations for Nelson Mandela’s banned ANC.

Jailed in Pretoria Maximum Security Prison, this film will be their attempt to escape. Be wowed by their creativity, ultra-careful surveillance, and be impressed by their wooden-crafted keys for 10 steel doors as they make a quest for freedom. But beyond the breathtaking action, it demonstrates the oppressed’s struggle and their pursuit of equality for all.

#5: TRAIN TO BUSAN: PENINSULA
Train to Busan - Peninsula

Image Credits: GV

As if I’m saving the best for the last, it’s the long-awaited Train to Busan: Peninsula. This is a continuation of the 2016 zombie horror movie – Train to Busan. If you have yet to watch it, I highly recommend it.

It tells the story of Jung-suk, the protagonist who escaped the zombie disaster in Korea four years ago. While living in exile in Hong Kong, he is tasked to return to Korea to bring back huge amounts of cash stranded in the streets of Seoul. The attacks by a militia and flesh-thirsty zombies will be the climax of the show to look out for.

Will they be able to leave the peninsula for good? We will only find out in cinemas from 15 July.

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