The Importance of Your Family Wealth Structuring: What You Need to Know

As the head of a family or household you’ll understand just how important your finances are. The money you have is what keeps your home – and indeed your personal lives – in order, and without properly managing this you run the risk of getting into monetary troubles.

Knowing exactly what to look out for and how to effectively manage money is quite a challenge – especially if you lack experience in handing your finances. There are a variety of different aspects to consider such as where you should invest your money, how to ensure you have enough money and what’s the best course of action for your financial future – certainly a headache for many of us.

Luckily though, there are alternatives and also ways you can ensure you have a solid family wealth structure. In this post then, you’ll find a number of different examples of financial concerns and expenses and why you need to manage these. Then we’ll discuss what you can do to prevent any problems and offer some useful tips for making the right choices with your money.

Family Expenses

In our day to day lives, we have plenty of different things we need to spend money on each month in order to maintain a decent standard of living. Naturally, this is increased depending on if you have more than one child, and ultimately without keeping these in check you may run into debts. Here is a breakdown of some the main expenses you’re likely to encounter:

  • Rent or Mortgage Payments – regardless of whether or not you own or rent a property, the chances are you’ll have some form of payment to make each month. These are often a significant part of your monthly costs.
  • Food bills – the food you eat is another necessity which can again become more and more expensive over the years with a growing family.
  • Utilities – the bills you have to pay can be spread in different payment plans, but the reality is that every day you’ll be adding to your expenses with your use of gas, electricity and water.
  • Taxes – you’ll also have to pay taxes which more often than not will be taken from your monthly salary, what’s more you can also pay council tax on your home or accommodation.
  • Travel – another typical expense is for your travel. From your commutes to work, to taxiing your family around you’ll have to pay for fuel, tickets and/or fares.

Additional Expenses

These are just the basics though, the wealth management of your family can also cover additional costs like:

  • Leisure – the time you spend enjoying your life or socialising can add up over the month.
  • Clothing – you’ll need to buy new clothes fairly regularly, especially if you have a growing family.
  • Maintenance – there may be unexpected issues with your home or your appliances which need to be fixed.
  • Childcare – if you work full time and have a young family there’s also childcare costs that you’ll need to factor in each month.

All of these are aspects you should be budgeting for on a monthly basis.

Savings and Investments

With the money you have left over, you also need to consider what you’re going to do with it. The most obvious step is to open a savings account, but there are also real investment opportunities you should look at.

Heading to the stock markets is one avenue you might want to go down, but another popular choice is to buy additional properties as lets, or to renovate and sell for a profit. With this though you’ll need a decent understanding of finance and how the markets work to ensure you see a positive return.

The Simple Solution

While you can simply look into the markets yourself, or budget each month to manage your investments, if you feel you lack the expertise needed to keep your money secure there are other simple solutions. A sensible choice then is to put your trust into a financial expert to take care of the responsibilities for you.

There are plenty of companies and firms such as Withersworldwide who offer a variety of financial management services, from offering advice on investments to simply helping you look after your money more effectively. It’s also worth choosing an established company with a long history of success, that way you know they’re obviously doing something right with their services.

The Bottom Line

As aforementioned, the last thing you’ll want is to put your family’s welfare at risk by making poor decisions with your money. Consider the above options with investments, or make the smart move and search for expert advice and leave your finances in safe hands. This way you can count on a more secure future, not just in the present but for many years to come.

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Practical Ways To Ease Your Stress On Financial Responsibilities

DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE 0% INSTALLMENT PLANS

There are an array of goods that you can buy through 0% installment plans such as furniture, designer bags, electronic devices and appliances. Without control, you can potentially pile up your installment plans to the point that you can no longer afford paying for credit card bill.

Say you are strolling around the mall in the lazy weekend when you suddenly saw a shiny sign that says:

“FULL HD FLATSCREEN TV FOR SALE

    S$1,400 (U.P. S$1,600)

0% INSTALLMENT THRU UOB & OCBC CREDIT CARDS.”

It sounds tempting, right? But do you really need that telly when you have a functional one at home? Do you need another burden to add on your credit card bill? Well, it is time to live within your means!

UTILIZE YOUR CPF ACCOUNT WISELY

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is a compulsory savings scheme for Singaporeans that is automatically deducted from the wages. Your CPF account can be used to support crucial financial commitments such as retirement, healthcare, and property purchases. While it is sitting there passively, you can maximize its use by utilizing it wisely. For instance, if you are using your account to purchase a new flat or refinance your current one, examine the situation every few years to see which is the better economical option.

And if you are not touching your CPF savings for a long period of time, consider putting it to the CPF Investment Scheme. It is a way to invest your CPF savings to various banks such as OCBC, DBS, or UOB. The money you will generate from your investments will eventually go to your CPF account and not your pockets. Compare the investment options and their charges. Instead of complaining about your “useless” account, why don’t you start investing?

FOR MARRIED COUPLES, SUPPORT EACH OTHER

Alongside merging two souls, marriage merges two finances together. Having another person to run to for support, opinion, and advice can help you make better financial decisions. For instance, if you are searching for a space at an Executive Condominium (EC), consult your spouse first. Are your incomes enough to suffice the payment of the EC? You do not want to end up working took hard for an EC when what your spouse just wanted an HDB all along.

Setting long-term and short-term financial goals such as purchasing a house or establishing realistic budget should be done together. Along with the goals, you must assign financial responsibilities to each other. Encourage and support each other throughout the process.

ALWAYS COMPARE PRICES

Almost every shopping hack includes a section about comparing prices so that your money would not go to waste. True enough; reading reviews and shopping around helps you get the best deal. Since comparing prices in physical stores is a troublesome and time-consuming activity, people have turned to technology. For example, browse at PricePanda if you are camera shopping. PricePanda.com.sg, the leading price comparison website for emerging markets worldwide, provides its users with prices, technical details and other information about the latest gadgets.

And if you are looking for an affordable wedding banquet, turn to SingaporeBrides.com.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

SingaporeBrides.com is your one-stop portal for your local wedding festivity needs. Here you will see that the cheapest banquet venue for lunch and dinner costs S$501 at LingZhi Vegetarian.

Sources: 1 & 2

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4 Don’ts Of Real Estate Investing

Since land is scarce in our country, properties had always been a go-to investment option for many. The majority of these investors have strategies limited to purchasing, reselling, and renting flats or condominiums. While others consider other options such as the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

REITs allow the investor to have a professionally managed portfolio of properties by purchasing a publicly traded investment product. Investors of REITs purchase units of the trust similar to shares of a common stock.

But no matter what type of property you purchase, here are 4 Don’ts Of Real Estate Investing to help you on your journey…

1. DO NOT FORGET TO IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS

Before committing to a property or even a property visit, it is important to understand what you want to achieve from investing on real estate. Be on a peaceful place where you can think carefully about your goals for the long-run.

You must have a transparent idea of your existing income, current expenses, and outstanding loans before diving into another complex route. Also, you must identify your budget and type of risk you are comfortable with.

2. DO NOT GO WITHOUT RESEARCHING

After identifying your financial circumstance and your investment goals, you must do your research on real estate investments in order to be sure that it is worth your money. For example, a two-bedroom HDB flat can cost about S$250,000. That is a huge sum of money you may be willing to risk if you are serious in property investing. The risks only increase when the investor does not understand how the property market works or when and where to invest. Hurrying up without analyzing the situation thoroughly can only bring about more damage (e.g., bankruptcy) than good.

So if you lack sufficient knowledge, seek advice from a financial consultant or other professional advisers. And when you find the “right property”, ensure that you keep your expectations realistic and keep your finances in tact.

3. DO NOT EXPECT TO BE A MILLIONAIRE QUICKLY

Do not fall into the trap that some real estate investors set – offering you properties for small amounts of cash with higher returns. These “undervalued assets or profitable investment opportunities” are mostly likely unsold overseas property projects. You see, real estate investors usually do not offer “jackpot” properties to complete strangers. They only invest with the people they know well.

There are no shortcuts to success on real estate investments! In fact, you must allot a long period of time on finding a property in a decent location, building a good relationship with the tenants, and maintaining the condition of the property. Time that may not be in the good side of most.

 

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

4. DO NOT PURCHASE A PROPERTY WITHOUT VISITING IT

In support of your in-depth research, you must drive to the property itself before signing any contracts. There are a number of reputable realtors and agents who can give you feedback about certain properties but you must follow your own instinct in the end.
There are no shortcuts to success on real estate investments! In fact, you must allot a long period of time on finding a property in a decent location, building a good relationship with the tenants, and maintaining the condition of the property. Time that may not be in the good side of most.

Sources: 1, 23, & 4

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Is Property A Viable Investment Tool?

A place where you can securely reside with your loving family – that is what you call a home.

Since land is scarce in Singapore, properties had always been a go-to investment tool for many. The majority of these investors have strategies limited to purchasing, reselling, and renting flats or condominiums. But, in order for higher returns to generate, one must consider investing to a range of other properties such as using the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

And for a beginner with merely S$10,000 on hand, is property a viable and smart investment tool?

PROS

1. GETTING MORE LEVERAGE

With the banks help, you can have the ability to leverage your capital, make a down payment, and increase your overall return. Simply, more leverage enables you to pay less money upfront (e.g., 30% down payment and 70% from the bank) while making more money in the process.

2. CAN BE A SHIELD AGAINST INFLATION

Inflation occurs when there is a spike in prices and fall in the purchasing value of the dollar. As the miscellaneous for the property increases, the rent, and its value also increases. This is why property investing can be a good shield against inflation.

Image Credits: .Martin. via Flickr

Image Credits: .Martin. via Flickr

CONS

1. CAN BE TIME CONSUMING

Finding a property in a decent location, building a good relationship with the tenants, and maintaining the condition of the property can be time consuming. Time that may not be in the good side of most.

2. THE RISKS ARE HIGH

A two-bedroom HDB flat can cost about S$250,000. That is a huge sum of money you may be willing to risk if you are serious in property investing. The risks only increase when the investor does not understand how the property market works or when and where to invest. Hurrying up without analyzing the situation thoroughly can only bring about more damage (e.g., bankruptcy) than good.

ULTIMATELY

You can lower the risk of property investing by diligently researching and analyzing reports, tests, and the current situation. Furthermore, investing in below market value properties backed up with insurance can help manage the risk. You would not know all these things unless you are well informed!

A buyer with an in-depth financial knowledge is important to the success of a property investment. So, if you lack sufficient knowledge, seek advice from a financial consultant or other professional advisers. And, when you find the “right property”, ensure that you keep your expectations realistic and keep your finances in tact.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Image Credits: Mark Moz via Flickr

Image Credits: Mark Moz via Flickr

 DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT FORM PART OF ANY OFFER OR RECOMMENDATION, OR HAVE ANY REGARD TO THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, FINANCIAL SITUATION, OR NEEDS OF ANY SPECIFIC PERSON. BEFORE COMMITTING TO AN INVESTMENT, PLEASE SEEK ADVICE FROM A FINANCIAL CONSULTANT OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISER.

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4 essential economic relationships Singaporeans need to know

Featured Image Economy

We frequently hear of the word “economics” in papers or conversations, but how useful or applicable is this course of study to the real world?

Understanding economics is in reality fundamental to understanding the price movements of every single good and service in our economy. It is the aggregation of the demand and supply forces.  Indeed, when we see the airfare skyrockets after the end of school term, it is economics at work. Huge travel demand outweighing limited supply of passenger seats leads to propped up prices. As such, appreciating and capitalising on economic knowledge could end you up in deeper pockets.

While it may be too time consuming and superfluous to master all the economic theories, knowing a few essential concepts may come in handy in guiding our financial and behavioral decisions.

  1. Inflation and savings
Inflation and Interest

(Image credit: http://inflationdata.com)

Thanks to the prudent policies administered by MAS,  Singapore enjoys a low inflation rate of 2.8% on average since 1962. However, a simple comparison between the interest rates offered by various banks indicates a mere 1.3% as the most competitive rate for 1-year fixed deposits.

What this means: The fund sitting in your bank is losing 1.5% of its value to be exchanged into goods and services annually. Given that you have $100 in your bank today, you can afford to buy 50 McChicken burgers. But one year down the road, you can only afford to purchase 49.25 of them.

Course of actions to be taken: Since the saving rate is not commensurate with the inflation rate, we may be better off investing in alternative assets  that provide higher yields. However, if every rational and irrational soul is doing that, risks abound as illustrated below.

  1. Stock investment
Stock Investing

(Image credit: thenest.com)

Investing in stocks can yield 2 kinds of returns, namely dividend yield and capital gains yield. The former tends to be more predictable than the latter, especially if the company holds a long term track record of constant or growing dividend stream.

How to value stocks: Dividend yield is an objective measure in guiding investment decisions since they are realised returns and a better indicator of future returns. On the other hand, be extra cautious during stock encounters with historically impressive capital appreciation. Gullible investors may be tempted to buy these shares as they often fail to realise  the high variability of capital gains yield could be complicated by the problem of information asymmetry where insiders possess and exploit private information to the disadvantage of outsiders.

Course of actions to be taken: Both insiders and outsiders have to keep abreast of news and developments in the macroeconomy and international economies as they affect stock returns systemically.

Specifically for outsiders, it is crucial to have a good grasp of the economic fundamentals (such as the consistency of dividend payouts and growth potential) of the company that helps to steer towards a proper valuation. A long term investment horizon is more favourable as it puts them on a more level ground with the insiders. If the outsiders were to invest in the short term, speculation is usually involved since by definition, the fact that they do not possess the superior private knowledge is prejudicial to them.

  1. Property investment

 

For more well-heeled investors looking to diversify their portfolio, real estate investment seems the way to go. Similarly, real estate assets provide 2 types of returns, specifically rental yield and capital gains yield. Best of all, a residential property provides its owner(s) a physical shelter to live in. Despite these benefits though, investors should be wary of overpaying for homes.

How to value property: Rental yield is an objective measure in guiding investment decisions since it measures the payback period of the hefty mortgage loan that homebuyers commit to. The URA Masterplan and a concise understanding of demographics are vital tools in predicting the capital gains yield.

Course of actions to be taken: Beware of one-off anomalous sale transactions that are not reflective of the true market forces. Stay out of homes in which the overinflated prices are not underpinned by strong economic fundamentals  (such as location, amenities and size). Buy during a recessionary period instead of an inflationary period. Timing the market makes an enormous difference in your bank account.

  1. Employment

Investments aside, most of us contribute to the economy through our employment. But to maximise the return on our faculties and time,  insights have to be drawn from the demand and supply forces.

Some simple mathematics to gauge how financially rewarding is a particular industry: If the staff turnover is high (due to long working hours, poor welfare, unchallenging job roles etc.), companies should offer higher wages to attract or retain workers.

However, this is not happening. Reason being a ready supply of potential (local and foreign) employees provides  virtually no impetus for corporations to raise salaries. Does this plight sound familiar?

Course of actions to be taken: Instead of complaining about meagre wages, pursue a career in an alternative industry with market dynamics (i.e. less competition) working in your favour. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, you actually build greater wealth bucking the norm and doing what others don’t do.  Better still, venture into a new industry and gain the first mover advantage.

Now you see, having a good understanding of economics is useful in our day-to-day living as it forms an integral basis for making financially sound decisions.

 

 

 

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