In Singapore the official inflation rate is 7.5 % p.a. With your bank deposit earning 1 % or less, your networth is eroded at a rate of 6.5 % p.a. Essentially, what this means is that in about 11 years, if nothing else happens, your networth or savings will be halved in value. Certainly, for those of you in my age group, ie above 50 years of age, you are facing a retirement time when your purchasing power and the value of your savings would be declining. The higher the inflation rate the faster the value of your savings will be eroded.
What options do we have to mitigate the rot?
Ask a financial planner today, and he/she will be challenged to offer you solutions which would be effective. At best, recommendations to invest would be resorted to. However, in the investment climate, we are moving towards a period of low certainty of returns and high volatilities for loss. Ask the financial planner, for returns greater than the inflation rate of 7.5 % p.a. and he/she probably cannot come up with a "feel good and sleep good" solution.
Let's look at what you CAN do. Energy and food ranks high in the contribution to inflationary costs. And the solution to slow the rate of value erosion lies here, somewhat.
In today's blog, I offer you 2 common lifestyle choices which you can exercise some power over.
If you own a car, then high oil prices will impact you. And each time you go to the pump kiosks, you can feel the pain of this. So the less frequent you need to go get a refill, the less frequent this feeling of pain. Other alternative modes of transportation will get you to your destinations, I am sure:
a. MRT
b. Buses
c. Taxis- although the fares and ERP charges would impact you nearly as much as driving your own car. However, you do not need to worry about car maintenance and depreciation costs. And so I have added this mode as a viable option.
d. motor cycle
e. bicycle
f. walk
g. various combinations of the above.
In short, what I want to convey is there are ample alternatives to cut down the impact of oil prices on the value of your hard earned savings.
On the home front, keep an eye on the use of electricity. The hidden spenders are to be found in the
a. refrigerators
b. air conditioners
c. TV
d. fish ponds and pumps
e. washing machines and dryers
f. water heaters
g. iron
h. hair dryers
i. ovens
These are heavy users of electricity and the more you have them and put them to use each day, you are spending more and you can see this in your power bill. Electricity in Singapore is affected directly by oil prices and it should come as no surprise to you, that with the rising oil prices, your electricity bill has also gone up. Perhaps, seeing the bill once a month, the hit is not as obvious. Track this on a month on month and realise.
What I am saying is that we do have some control over how much we use oil dependent vehicles and appliances. And thus, directly control how much oil price driven inflation affects you.
The other high costs relate to commodity prices including food e.g. rice, wheat, meat and vegetables. The difference between eating out and eating in (ie home cooked meals)is getting higher. That is because, the vendor is able to pass on the increased food costs to you the customer. In these type of cost plus pricing, be sure that the profit markups are there and you do pay more than the increased rate of food price rises. However, eating-in more often, reduces the impact and this period is as good as any to do more home-cooking and eating ie at Mother's or Father's.
Today's blog seeks to have you review your lifestyle and know what is eating up your wages. Saving for tomorrow becomes more difficult as more of your pay goes towards paying more for the things which you are accustomed to having. Rather than giving up, be empowered to do more.
It would be nice to hear from you, on your ideas on how better to win this fight.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Christian Meditation - A Prayer of the Heart.
Have you heard of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM)?
Why not Google it then to learn more?
I first came across meditation some 20 years ago. This was when Fr Laurence Freeman, a Benedictine monk, was visiting Singapore and gave an introductory talk at the Holy Family Church.
Today, WCCM has a Singapore chapter and will find practitioners in over 21 parishes!
What is meditation and what is Christian Meditation?
The Advanced Oxford dictionary defines meditation as:
1. the practice of thinking deeply in silence, especially for religious reasons or in order to make your mind calm.
2. serious thoughts on a particular subject that somebody writes down or speaks.
I prefer this one : Meditation is the process by which one goes about stilling of the mind and body. It means coming to the middle (medi or mid) of one's self. Meditation consists of 2 simultaneous processess which are paying attention and letting go. At first read, it would seem like an oxymoron. How does one pay attention and let go at the same time. And yet that is what is required, to pay attention to the one thing and to let go of one's attachement to the arising thoughts. If there be an objective, it is this: to cut free of the mind.
When your time of earth is done, the mind which is your ego, personal beliefs, history and identity will come to an end in death. What survives then? Its the Consciousness in which we are. Contrary to popular belief, we are not what we think. Because we are not our mind. And our mind is not separate from the body, although we think it. Although we think it, it does not make it so.
The confusion which arises from the statements is deliberate and intended for you to come to the stillness of mind and body and to cut free of the mind. An analogy : Stand a glass full of murky muddy water and in time the sediment and the water separate.
In Christian Meditation we say a few quick ideas:
a. meditation is prayer
b. prayer is communion with God
c. the God who resides in the heart and center of each of us is the Spirit
d. and the Spirit,prays unceasingly
e. and the Spirit of God is Love because God is Love.
f. and the meditation is a prayer of the Heart not the mind.
The various groups who do meditate in and around Singapore, practise the Sitting Meditation.It begins as a discipline,to practise balance, attention and detachment. To focus on the one thing that matters, the NOW, the present moment.
The technique is simple enough to learn in 5- 10 minutes and the cautionary disclaimer, a lifetime to master. And yet that is what we seek, eventually to meditate in our every action in our daily life e.g. walking, eating, sitting and yes even thinking.
1. Sit still.
Comfortably and aware of your body and the environment that it is in.
This begins the process of stilling the body.
2. Say a mantra.
A mantra is a prayer word. The mind is often likened to a forest of jumping monkeys and is difficult to still. To want to do so requires the mind to pay attention to one thing.
This paying attention to the one thing focusses the mind. Another analogy : the watch repair man, holding the time piece in one hand or grip, and the other hand with a tool. He is sitting as still as he could be, yet relaxed and yet working. The mantra is that tool to help you stay attentive to the task at hand. And the task at hand is all about being still, now in both mind and body, as you become increasingly more aware of the present moment.
The recommended mantra is one which is easy to repeat and does not lend itself to imagination and distracting thoughts. In the John Main tradition, we recommend MARANATHA. (John Main is the founder of WCCM). The word is Aramaic and the language of Jesus Christ. It is a four syllable word and lends itself to splitting it into Ma-Ra-Na-Tha, which we could time with our breathing e.g. Ma-Ra on the intake and Na-Tha on the out-take. A little practice will help you find your own rhythm.
We ask that you say this mantra in a loving manner and faithfully. Surrender to the internal listening of the saying of this word. We ask you to say the mantra for the entire duration of your meditation. And when you catch yourself no longer saying the mantra, to simply pick it up again and continue.
3. Meditate twice a day for about 20-30 minutes.
The recommendation to do this at dawn (beginning of the day) and dusk (beginning of the night. To bring you into the awareness of the period of the day. To remind you of the presence of the Living God, in you, and in the present moment.
These 3 steps are all that is required for this journey, which I hope you will begin with me today.
What makes Meditation Christian?
A simple question requires a simple answer, your Christian faith.
Write me if you would like to know more.
Why not Google it then to learn more?
I first came across meditation some 20 years ago. This was when Fr Laurence Freeman, a Benedictine monk, was visiting Singapore and gave an introductory talk at the Holy Family Church.
Today, WCCM has a Singapore chapter and will find practitioners in over 21 parishes!
What is meditation and what is Christian Meditation?
The Advanced Oxford dictionary defines meditation as:
1. the practice of thinking deeply in silence, especially for religious reasons or in order to make your mind calm.
2. serious thoughts on a particular subject that somebody writes down or speaks.
I prefer this one : Meditation is the process by which one goes about stilling of the mind and body. It means coming to the middle (medi or mid) of one's self. Meditation consists of 2 simultaneous processess which are paying attention and letting go. At first read, it would seem like an oxymoron. How does one pay attention and let go at the same time. And yet that is what is required, to pay attention to the one thing and to let go of one's attachement to the arising thoughts. If there be an objective, it is this: to cut free of the mind.
When your time of earth is done, the mind which is your ego, personal beliefs, history and identity will come to an end in death. What survives then? Its the Consciousness in which we are. Contrary to popular belief, we are not what we think. Because we are not our mind. And our mind is not separate from the body, although we think it. Although we think it, it does not make it so.
The confusion which arises from the statements is deliberate and intended for you to come to the stillness of mind and body and to cut free of the mind. An analogy : Stand a glass full of murky muddy water and in time the sediment and the water separate.
In Christian Meditation we say a few quick ideas:
a. meditation is prayer
b. prayer is communion with God
c. the God who resides in the heart and center of each of us is the Spirit
d. and the Spirit,prays unceasingly
e. and the Spirit of God is Love because God is Love.
f. and the meditation is a prayer of the Heart not the mind.
The various groups who do meditate in and around Singapore, practise the Sitting Meditation.It begins as a discipline,to practise balance, attention and detachment. To focus on the one thing that matters, the NOW, the present moment.
The technique is simple enough to learn in 5- 10 minutes and the cautionary disclaimer, a lifetime to master. And yet that is what we seek, eventually to meditate in our every action in our daily life e.g. walking, eating, sitting and yes even thinking.
1. Sit still.
Comfortably and aware of your body and the environment that it is in.
This begins the process of stilling the body.
2. Say a mantra.
A mantra is a prayer word. The mind is often likened to a forest of jumping monkeys and is difficult to still. To want to do so requires the mind to pay attention to one thing.
This paying attention to the one thing focusses the mind. Another analogy : the watch repair man, holding the time piece in one hand or grip, and the other hand with a tool. He is sitting as still as he could be, yet relaxed and yet working. The mantra is that tool to help you stay attentive to the task at hand. And the task at hand is all about being still, now in both mind and body, as you become increasingly more aware of the present moment.
The recommended mantra is one which is easy to repeat and does not lend itself to imagination and distracting thoughts. In the John Main tradition, we recommend MARANATHA. (John Main is the founder of WCCM). The word is Aramaic and the language of Jesus Christ. It is a four syllable word and lends itself to splitting it into Ma-Ra-Na-Tha, which we could time with our breathing e.g. Ma-Ra on the intake and Na-Tha on the out-take. A little practice will help you find your own rhythm.
We ask that you say this mantra in a loving manner and faithfully. Surrender to the internal listening of the saying of this word. We ask you to say the mantra for the entire duration of your meditation. And when you catch yourself no longer saying the mantra, to simply pick it up again and continue.
3. Meditate twice a day for about 20-30 minutes.
The recommendation to do this at dawn (beginning of the day) and dusk (beginning of the night. To bring you into the awareness of the period of the day. To remind you of the presence of the Living God, in you, and in the present moment.
These 3 steps are all that is required for this journey, which I hope you will begin with me today.
What makes Meditation Christian?
A simple question requires a simple answer, your Christian faith.
Write me if you would like to know more.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Singapore's ERP - a sense of Helplessness!
With oil prices now soaring to new highs of USD 145 per barrel and no indication of a reversal anytime soon, car ownership and transportation costs, become issues to be given serious time for re-evaluation.
Then comes the decision by the government, to increase the number of ERP gantries and also to increase the rates for passing through these. Tonight, many Singapore motorists must be having some of these questions on their minds as they prepare to begin a new week.
It is always a good base to start from facts. And the Sunday Times of 13th July 2008, provides plenty:
1. 65 ERP gantries
2. 16 more ERP gantries by Sept 2008
3. Each costs a S$ 1.5 mio to build
4. annual revenues of S$ 70 mio
A quick check with LTA website would advise that at the end of December 2007, there were 870,441 vehicles of various types on the road. If we just pooled cars (505,987), taxis (24,446), goods vehicles (150,979) we have 681,412 vehicles on the road. So S$ 70 mio divided by 52 weeks and 5 days per week, we get a $269,230.76 revenues per day collected by the 65 gantries and if we further divide that amount by the number of vehicles ie 681,412, then on average, $0.40 cents is collected per vehicle per day. This is less than the $0.50 minimum chargeable rate.
The number does not look right.
From the Sunday Times, a recent survey would advise:
1. 71 % of polled motorists would not change their route
2. 87 % goes through 1 or 2 ERP per day
3. 85% pays less than $5 per day
So unless there are many vehicles which do not pass through ERP gantries when they are in operation, the average looks underestimated. Perhaps the revenue of S$ 70 mio is understated instead. Looking forward to the LTA to provide more information before these numbers can be reconciled.
Unless you are one of the lucky few who only pays $0.40 cents on average per day, you may have to consider adjustments to your current lifestyle.
To discover the Hero in You what is it that you CAN do to mitigate the higher costs of driving in Singapore:
1. Grin and Bear it or
2. Avoid the ERP operational hours or avoid the higher tariffs times
3. Consider car pooling to share costs
4. Consider giving up car ownership and take the Taxis
5. There is always the alternative of the Bus or the MRT when Taxis become expensive
Don't waste precious emotional energies to fight the events that we have no control over e.g. ERP gantries and payable tariffs or rising oil prices.
Indeed there are positives to consider as well:
1. cost savings to be had and therefore available for other expenditure e.g. an extra holiday treat, more eatouts, a gift for a loved one etc..
2. a change of scene - a different route - a different time of travel could offer a different perspective from routine. Change how you look at the world, and you change the world.Sometimes, this is an advocated stress therapy. It could work for you too.
3. do your part to lower the CO2 footprint - a better world citizen.
Lesson take-away :
A. Do What you Can not what you Cannot
B. Look at the Positives
Then comes the decision by the government, to increase the number of ERP gantries and also to increase the rates for passing through these. Tonight, many Singapore motorists must be having some of these questions on their minds as they prepare to begin a new week.
It is always a good base to start from facts. And the Sunday Times of 13th July 2008, provides plenty:
1. 65 ERP gantries
2. 16 more ERP gantries by Sept 2008
3. Each costs a S$ 1.5 mio to build
4. annual revenues of S$ 70 mio
A quick check with LTA website would advise that at the end of December 2007, there were 870,441 vehicles of various types on the road. If we just pooled cars (505,987), taxis (24,446), goods vehicles (150,979) we have 681,412 vehicles on the road. So S$ 70 mio divided by 52 weeks and 5 days per week, we get a $269,230.76 revenues per day collected by the 65 gantries and if we further divide that amount by the number of vehicles ie 681,412, then on average, $0.40 cents is collected per vehicle per day. This is less than the $0.50 minimum chargeable rate.
The number does not look right.
From the Sunday Times, a recent survey would advise:
1. 71 % of polled motorists would not change their route
2. 87 % goes through 1 or 2 ERP per day
3. 85% pays less than $5 per day
So unless there are many vehicles which do not pass through ERP gantries when they are in operation, the average looks underestimated. Perhaps the revenue of S$ 70 mio is understated instead. Looking forward to the LTA to provide more information before these numbers can be reconciled.
Unless you are one of the lucky few who only pays $0.40 cents on average per day, you may have to consider adjustments to your current lifestyle.
To discover the Hero in You what is it that you CAN do to mitigate the higher costs of driving in Singapore:
1. Grin and Bear it or
2. Avoid the ERP operational hours or avoid the higher tariffs times
3. Consider car pooling to share costs
4. Consider giving up car ownership and take the Taxis
5. There is always the alternative of the Bus or the MRT when Taxis become expensive
Don't waste precious emotional energies to fight the events that we have no control over e.g. ERP gantries and payable tariffs or rising oil prices.
Indeed there are positives to consider as well:
1. cost savings to be had and therefore available for other expenditure e.g. an extra holiday treat, more eatouts, a gift for a loved one etc..
2. a change of scene - a different route - a different time of travel could offer a different perspective from routine. Change how you look at the world, and you change the world.Sometimes, this is an advocated stress therapy. It could work for you too.
3. do your part to lower the CO2 footprint - a better world citizen.
Lesson take-away :
A. Do What you Can not what you Cannot
B. Look at the Positives
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Stress Management
No one is without stress. Yet some are able to manage better than another in the same situation. What is their formula? What is yours?
Also not all stress is bad. Consider the athlete who trains for health and fitness and who works out regularly. There is a higher positive objective to seek and they recognise the need to put in effort because the objective is a worthwhile one. Its likely to be a need(s) satisfier(s). These needs according to William Glasser would fall into the following:
1. Biological - Survival
2. Psychological - Love and Belonging
3. Psychological - Power or Self Esteem
4. Psychological - Fun
5. Psychological - Freedom
Typically, stress can come from so many sources:
a. the work or effort in the workplace, school, office, factory etc.
b.people e.g. friends, colleagues and family
Typically the stress that is associated with negative energy involves activity which does not fulfill a want or satisfy a need. So it goes against our desires and our intentions and the analogy is like one swimming against the current, going against the flow. To do so requires extra effort and extra effort means stress.
And Stress has to be managed.
How one manages stress?:
1. Mitigation - to look for ways to lessen the stress source.
2. Adaptation - changing the way of doing things
Lets use health and fitness training as a case study.
The objective is to participate in a triathlon.
And what is the end in mind: to complete a triathlon event swimming 3.8 km, cycle 180km and run 42 km sometime in the latter half of 2009.
1. Mitigation
Each one of us can take a level of stress. This is unique to your person i.e. what is my level is not the same as for you. Mine may be higher or lower than yours. Management is deciding what level that you can handle at this time.
And so we begin with a specific aim e.g to begin with a 5km run, 2 km swim and 10km cycle if that is what you can handle. You may give yourself improvement targets to beat but important here is " to build" not "to hurt". To do this over a longer period of time if you require a longer lead time to get to where you want.
Rule : to do what you can manage.
2. Adaptation
Refers to finding different ways to doing these activities. One could do this either on the road or in a controlled environment of a gym. To build the same muscles but with different apparatus e.g. a static cycle, a treadmill, playing water polo. Using other ways to develop and achieve the same end results of strength and stamina. These alternative may prove to be more fun too and breaks the monotony of routine.
Rule : there are alternatives that one can apply.
There is a key word in Stress Management. It is the word "CAN".
Really, we can only DO WHAT YOU CAN AND NOT WHAT YOU CANNOT. At first read, it sounds very logical and yet there are so many of us who do not so do. Why? Simply because they CHOSE NOT TO.
Are you choosing to stress and choosing not to do anything about it?
What about you?
Also not all stress is bad. Consider the athlete who trains for health and fitness and who works out regularly. There is a higher positive objective to seek and they recognise the need to put in effort because the objective is a worthwhile one. Its likely to be a need(s) satisfier(s). These needs according to William Glasser would fall into the following:
1. Biological - Survival
2. Psychological - Love and Belonging
3. Psychological - Power or Self Esteem
4. Psychological - Fun
5. Psychological - Freedom
Typically, stress can come from so many sources:
a. the work or effort in the workplace, school, office, factory etc.
b.people e.g. friends, colleagues and family
Typically the stress that is associated with negative energy involves activity which does not fulfill a want or satisfy a need. So it goes against our desires and our intentions and the analogy is like one swimming against the current, going against the flow. To do so requires extra effort and extra effort means stress.
And Stress has to be managed.
How one manages stress?:
1. Mitigation - to look for ways to lessen the stress source.
2. Adaptation - changing the way of doing things
Lets use health and fitness training as a case study.
The objective is to participate in a triathlon.
And what is the end in mind: to complete a triathlon event swimming 3.8 km, cycle 180km and run 42 km sometime in the latter half of 2009.
1. Mitigation
Each one of us can take a level of stress. This is unique to your person i.e. what is my level is not the same as for you. Mine may be higher or lower than yours. Management is deciding what level that you can handle at this time.
And so we begin with a specific aim e.g to begin with a 5km run, 2 km swim and 10km cycle if that is what you can handle. You may give yourself improvement targets to beat but important here is " to build" not "to hurt". To do this over a longer period of time if you require a longer lead time to get to where you want.
Rule : to do what you can manage.
2. Adaptation
Refers to finding different ways to doing these activities. One could do this either on the road or in a controlled environment of a gym. To build the same muscles but with different apparatus e.g. a static cycle, a treadmill, playing water polo. Using other ways to develop and achieve the same end results of strength and stamina. These alternative may prove to be more fun too and breaks the monotony of routine.
Rule : there are alternatives that one can apply.
There is a key word in Stress Management. It is the word "CAN".
Really, we can only DO WHAT YOU CAN AND NOT WHAT YOU CANNOT. At first read, it sounds very logical and yet there are so many of us who do not so do. Why? Simply because they CHOSE NOT TO.
Are you choosing to stress and choosing not to do anything about it?
What about you?
Positive Psychology
There simply isn't another way to view life.
How do you explain to yourself, the events which happens to you especially when the event is a problem or a disadvantaged situation? Do you catch yourself saying something like this?
"Why do bad things always happen to me? I feel so stupid. I never learn. The whole world is set against me."
In Martin Seligman's book "Learned Optimism", you too, will discover the above sentences could be be characterised as being:
a. permanent - always, never
b. pervasive - always happen, whole world
c. personal - to me, I.... against me.
The way forward then becomes immediately obvious. Change the way you explain matters to yourself guarding against the words which would convey a permanent, pervasive and personal negative message.
For example, I would do differently :
a. be specific - it is this one matter and not all matters
b. avoid the use of these words: always, never
c. be nice to yourself, its easier than you think
You can do this too. In fact, you can CHOOSE to do this right now.
Then just watch how the world then becomes a better place, simply because you have changed the way you would look at it. Look at how problems seem easier to solve, simply because you are looking at it differently, more objectively, not self blaming, not self judging.
All behaviours are chosen. In another sense, I could say, it is up to you to choose being positive and you could choose to be negative. You could reply, its absurd that one would choose to be negative, miserable and unhappy. The unfortunate truth is simply there for you to see.
ALL our Behaviours ARE Chosen.
Choose Rightly !
How do you explain to yourself, the events which happens to you especially when the event is a problem or a disadvantaged situation? Do you catch yourself saying something like this?
"Why do bad things always happen to me? I feel so stupid. I never learn. The whole world is set against me."
In Martin Seligman's book "Learned Optimism", you too, will discover the above sentences could be be characterised as being:
a. permanent - always, never
b. pervasive - always happen, whole world
c. personal - to me, I.... against me.
The way forward then becomes immediately obvious. Change the way you explain matters to yourself guarding against the words which would convey a permanent, pervasive and personal negative message.
For example, I would do differently :
a. be specific - it is this one matter and not all matters
b. avoid the use of these words: always, never
c. be nice to yourself, its easier than you think
You can do this too. In fact, you can CHOOSE to do this right now.
Then just watch how the world then becomes a better place, simply because you have changed the way you would look at it. Look at how problems seem easier to solve, simply because you are looking at it differently, more objectively, not self blaming, not self judging.
All behaviours are chosen. In another sense, I could say, it is up to you to choose being positive and you could choose to be negative. You could reply, its absurd that one would choose to be negative, miserable and unhappy. The unfortunate truth is simply there for you to see.
ALL our Behaviours ARE Chosen.
Choose Rightly !
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Relationship is Everything
It has been said by many psychiatrists and psychologists that many a problem faced in life concerns a problem relationship.
A problem relationship with your father or your mother or your teacher, if unresolved carries over into adult life. And this could mean having difficulties forming new relationships with significant others e.g. friends and loved ones. A good thing to remember here is that what has happened in the past, one cannot undo. However, we can decide to choose what to do today, from this very moment on.
Look into your own life and write down what are significant relationships you have today. Do an evaluation into these. An assessment could take the following framework:
a. what do I really Want from the relationship?
b. what am I Doing to get what I want from this relationship?
c. how Effective are my actions in getting what I want from this relationship?
d. what will I Plan to do differently to achieve a higher level of effectiveness from this relationship?
This is WDEP assessment.And has applications in all that we do, at home and in the workplace. The focus begins on your evaluation of the importance of the relationship and what that means to you personally.
A problem relationship with your father or your mother or your teacher, if unresolved carries over into adult life. And this could mean having difficulties forming new relationships with significant others e.g. friends and loved ones. A good thing to remember here is that what has happened in the past, one cannot undo. However, we can decide to choose what to do today, from this very moment on.
Look into your own life and write down what are significant relationships you have today. Do an evaluation into these. An assessment could take the following framework:
a. what do I really Want from the relationship?
b. what am I Doing to get what I want from this relationship?
c. how Effective are my actions in getting what I want from this relationship?
d. what will I Plan to do differently to achieve a higher level of effectiveness from this relationship?
This is WDEP assessment.And has applications in all that we do, at home and in the workplace. The focus begins on your evaluation of the importance of the relationship and what that means to you personally.
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