Actress Nicole Kidman is pregnant, according to reports which said she and singer husband, Keith Urban are expecting their first child.
London's Daily Mail said last Saturday that Kidman & Urban, both 40, married in June last year, broke the news to their families over the Christmas holiday.
Kidman, adopted Conor, 12, and Isabella, 14, during her first marriage to actor Tom Cruise.
If the rumours are true, the baby will be her first natural child. She has encountered 2 failed pregnancies & miscarriage at the end of the marriage. We really hope that this rumour are true, so that Kidman will be able to spend more time with Urban.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Money & parents - 12 tips for managing your parents' finances
We tend to put off the subject of financial planning with our parents for whatever reasons.
However, by discussing these issues with our parents early will have greater benefit and enjoy greater peace of mind.
1) Living expenses
Parents need to feel comfortable about their situation and assurance that whatever money worries they have, their children are there to help them.
2) Medical history
Educate yourself about your family 's medical history. Make plan to take up medical insurance for your parents.
3) Medical Fund
For older parents who might not be in the pink of health or who might be too old to buy health nsurance, will be more practical to start a 'Medical sinking fun" This will also minimise potential disputes among siblings who should foot the bills.
4) Annuities
An annuity helps to ensure that one does not outlive one's resources as it pays out a regulare sum of money for as long as the policyholder lives.
5) Long-term care
Do your parents want to live in their own home, with you, or in a home for the elderly ?
6) Investment portfolio
For parents who do not need the money. children can help them start a regular savings plan and put this money on a monthly basis into an investment instrument such as a unit trust or relatively conservative portfolio, such as bond.
7) Sublet parents' home or opt for reverse mortgage.
For those who are unable to give the amount their parents need, one way to raise funds is for the parents to sublet a spare room for additional income.
A reverse mortgage on the parents' house is another option. Howver, the parents wil need to decide whether to release the equity in their home or not. And it is important that they understand the overall value of their home will diminish if they opt for a reverse martgage.
This has an impact on your parents' estate, it is vital for the whole family to be in the picture.
8) Downgrade or live with children
9) Power of attorney
This gives one or more people the legal right to manage your parents' financial affairs, in case of they become ill or mentally incapable.
10) Will
Review wills with a solicitor at least once every five years to have the latest updates, such as any new born, relatives might have died and marriages might have been dissolved.
11) Legal documents
They are kept in safe place known to the executors of your parents' estate.
12) Estate planning
Broach this subject by asking your parents' what they want to happen to their estate when they are no longer around.
However, by discussing these issues with our parents early will have greater benefit and enjoy greater peace of mind.
1) Living expenses
Parents need to feel comfortable about their situation and assurance that whatever money worries they have, their children are there to help them.
2) Medical history
Educate yourself about your family 's medical history. Make plan to take up medical insurance for your parents.
3) Medical Fund
For older parents who might not be in the pink of health or who might be too old to buy health nsurance, will be more practical to start a 'Medical sinking fun" This will also minimise potential disputes among siblings who should foot the bills.
4) Annuities
An annuity helps to ensure that one does not outlive one's resources as it pays out a regulare sum of money for as long as the policyholder lives.
5) Long-term care
Do your parents want to live in their own home, with you, or in a home for the elderly ?
6) Investment portfolio
For parents who do not need the money. children can help them start a regular savings plan and put this money on a monthly basis into an investment instrument such as a unit trust or relatively conservative portfolio, such as bond.
7) Sublet parents' home or opt for reverse mortgage.
For those who are unable to give the amount their parents need, one way to raise funds is for the parents to sublet a spare room for additional income.
A reverse mortgage on the parents' house is another option. Howver, the parents wil need to decide whether to release the equity in their home or not. And it is important that they understand the overall value of their home will diminish if they opt for a reverse martgage.
This has an impact on your parents' estate, it is vital for the whole family to be in the picture.
8) Downgrade or live with children
9) Power of attorney
This gives one or more people the legal right to manage your parents' financial affairs, in case of they become ill or mentally incapable.
10) Will
Review wills with a solicitor at least once every five years to have the latest updates, such as any new born, relatives might have died and marriages might have been dissolved.
11) Legal documents
They are kept in safe place known to the executors of your parents' estate.
12) Estate planning
Broach this subject by asking your parents' what they want to happen to their estate when they are no longer around.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
How much to give mum and dad ?
Isn't this a touchy issue ?
Give too much and the children might suffer financially. Give too little and their parents might not be able to maintain their current lifestyle.
Filial piety to some is about the commitment to take care of their parents when they need you and should not be measured by the amount of money you give them.
Another suggestion offer is that if parents are working and can comfortably support themselves, " the gesture of giving is more important than the amount itself".
We have another group, the "sandwich generation" - those who have one source of income but two sets of dependants' financial commitments to be fulfilled - aging parents and growing children.
Before one decides what amount to give your parents, one should have a clear idea of your own financial situation. Only then would you know how much you had in excess to meet various other financial commitments.
Other factors that affect your financial capacity to give an allowance to your parents include : income, expenses, the number of dependants that you have, and other financial goals such as housing, education and retirement.
In my next discussion, I have gathered some tips for managing your parents' finances
Give too much and the children might suffer financially. Give too little and their parents might not be able to maintain their current lifestyle.
Filial piety to some is about the commitment to take care of their parents when they need you and should not be measured by the amount of money you give them.
Another suggestion offer is that if parents are working and can comfortably support themselves, " the gesture of giving is more important than the amount itself".
We have another group, the "sandwich generation" - those who have one source of income but two sets of dependants' financial commitments to be fulfilled - aging parents and growing children.
Before one decides what amount to give your parents, one should have a clear idea of your own financial situation. Only then would you know how much you had in excess to meet various other financial commitments.
Other factors that affect your financial capacity to give an allowance to your parents include : income, expenses, the number of dependants that you have, and other financial goals such as housing, education and retirement.
In my next discussion, I have gathered some tips for managing your parents' finances
Singapore - Big Events for Year 2008
The world's media will converge on Singapore. It is a city-state they have heard so much about - of how it can organise mega conferences without much fuss, problems or hiccups.
Just to put on records our Eventful Years of 2006 & 2007. This year - Asean Summit & last year we had The International Monetary Fund and World Banks's annual meetings in September ( representatives from 180 countries) .
Maria Sharapova, the world's most marketable tennis player, makes her Singapore debut next Sunday. It would signal the start of more than just a tennis match.
In September, the world's eyes will again be on the Republic, as its streets host Formula One's first night race. Come December, the Volvo Ocean race will make a pit-stop in Singapore, with Sentosa playing host to one of the world's most prestigious yacht races
With next year's action-packed sports calendar, Singaporeans, event organisers and promoters will look forward to benefit from it.
Outside of the sporting arena, the retail and hospitality industries and ordinary Singaporean can help to make the overall experience of the guests pleasant. With next Sunday's Sharapova-Chakvetadze match, let's take this as our first test of how wonderful hosts we can be.
I am sure Russian media will be keeping a close eye on how the Republic organises the event. After all, Moscow and Singapore are the favourites going into the last leg of the race to host the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympics. Let's hope that they will return home with nice things to say about how efficient a nation we are and how Singaporeans can go out of their way to host a successful sports events.
With Dubai, Shanghai and Doha trying to establish themselves as Asia's sports hub. Singapore should not fall behind in that race.
Let's us make a Christmas Wish that Singapore will emerge as a choice destination for major sporting events, for the top sports and stars to continue wanting to come to Singapore.
So, in order for that to happen, everyone has to do his part. Be a generous giver and an excellent receiver.
Just to put on records our Eventful Years of 2006 & 2007. This year - Asean Summit & last year we had The International Monetary Fund and World Banks's annual meetings in September ( representatives from 180 countries) .
Maria Sharapova, the world's most marketable tennis player, makes her Singapore debut next Sunday. It would signal the start of more than just a tennis match.
In September, the world's eyes will again be on the Republic, as its streets host Formula One's first night race. Come December, the Volvo Ocean race will make a pit-stop in Singapore, with Sentosa playing host to one of the world's most prestigious yacht races
With next year's action-packed sports calendar, Singaporeans, event organisers and promoters will look forward to benefit from it.
Outside of the sporting arena, the retail and hospitality industries and ordinary Singaporean can help to make the overall experience of the guests pleasant. With next Sunday's Sharapova-Chakvetadze match, let's take this as our first test of how wonderful hosts we can be.
I am sure Russian media will be keeping a close eye on how the Republic organises the event. After all, Moscow and Singapore are the favourites going into the last leg of the race to host the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympics. Let's hope that they will return home with nice things to say about how efficient a nation we are and how Singaporeans can go out of their way to host a successful sports events.
With Dubai, Shanghai and Doha trying to establish themselves as Asia's sports hub. Singapore should not fall behind in that race.
Let's us make a Christmas Wish that Singapore will emerge as a choice destination for major sporting events, for the top sports and stars to continue wanting to come to Singapore.
So, in order for that to happen, everyone has to do his part. Be a generous giver and an excellent receiver.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
1 in five working adults in Singapore unsured about their retirement plan
When can you afford to retire ? 1 in 5 unsure.
Take a look at this survey.
More than half do not plan. 30s think it's too early, 50s think it's too late.
Most tend to get more serious about the issue when they cross the age of 4o. Money is not something that comes overnight. You've to prepare at least 10 years in advance.
Where are you & what is plan ? Is this a wake-up call ? Feel free to comment.
An extract from ST dd 20 Dec 2007 - Thursday
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Japanese blogging top, compared to English-speaking
According to Technorati, the internet search engine that monitors the blogsphere, that although English speakers outnumber Japanese speakers by more athan five to one, slightly more blogs posting are written in Japanese than in English. Also as much as 40% of Japanese blogging is done on mobile phones. This is often contributed by commuters riding the world's most extensive network of subways and commuter trains.
Japanese bloggers shy away from polities and barbed language. They rarely trumpet their expertise. Americans blog to stand out, the Japanese do it to fit in, blogging about small stuff, cats and flowers, bicycles, breakfast, etc.
Technorati found that of all recorded blog postings in the fourth quarter of last year, 37 % were written in Japanese, 36% in English and 8% in Chinese.
According to a survey on Japanese blogging behaviour, the Japanese normally blog awfully quiet about it. In Japan, it is not socially acceptable to pursue fame. To keep their profile low, they blog anonymously. They have this interesting remarks : There is no question that in this culture the nail that sticks out gets hammered in.
Japanese bloggers shy away from polities and barbed language. They rarely trumpet their expertise. Americans blog to stand out, the Japanese do it to fit in, blogging about small stuff, cats and flowers, bicycles, breakfast, etc.
Technorati found that of all recorded blog postings in the fourth quarter of last year, 37 % were written in Japanese, 36% in English and 8% in Chinese.
According to a survey on Japanese blogging behaviour, the Japanese normally blog awfully quiet about it. In Japan, it is not socially acceptable to pursue fame. To keep their profile low, they blog anonymously. They have this interesting remarks : There is no question that in this culture the nail that sticks out gets hammered in.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Looking back ' 07 and looking ahead ' 08
So much have been happening in the year 2007, such as the shaking news on Sub-prime crisis which does have some moving factors to the financial sectors for the West & East.
Big names of global finance such as German Banks Sachsen and IKB Deutsche Industriebank, Citi of America and UBS of Switzerland are some of the big news appearing in the year 2007.
On the sub-prime crisis, into its 6-month, has caused many avalanches & getting Federal Reserves to consciously adjusting the rates, at least 3 rounds, is some big issue of concerned for the West as well as the East.
According to reports, between April last and this April, when it began to develop, this translated into US$34 billion of soured high-risk loans. That was enough to rock the roughly US$60 trillion American financial system its core.
At the recent news, the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, estimates that losses from the sub-prime fiasco could total US$300 billion.
We, a faraway country, Singapore, felt its rumble too. The MAS, said on Sept 17 , 2007 that the three local banks hold S$2.3 billion of collateralised debt obligations, of which 28% contain some US sub-prime loans.
All these making a very interesting year ahead for Asian financial markets.
So how do we look forward to the year 2008 ?
The US Treasury's recent rescue plans - to save the funds as well as to intervene in the mortgage rate-setting process - indicate that Washington thinks all these BIG firms are too significant to be allowed to fail.
What other indicators affecting the financial sector for consideration for looking forward to year 2008 ?
Will talk about it with the next follow-up...
Till then, if any comments to share, most welcome.
Big names of global finance such as German Banks Sachsen and IKB Deutsche Industriebank, Citi of America and UBS of Switzerland are some of the big news appearing in the year 2007.
On the sub-prime crisis, into its 6-month, has caused many avalanches & getting Federal Reserves to consciously adjusting the rates, at least 3 rounds, is some big issue of concerned for the West as well as the East.
According to reports, between April last and this April, when it began to develop, this translated into US$34 billion of soured high-risk loans. That was enough to rock the roughly US$60 trillion American financial system its core.
At the recent news, the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, estimates that losses from the sub-prime fiasco could total US$300 billion.
We, a faraway country, Singapore, felt its rumble too. The MAS, said on Sept 17 , 2007 that the three local banks hold S$2.3 billion of collateralised debt obligations, of which 28% contain some US sub-prime loans.
All these making a very interesting year ahead for Asian financial markets.
So how do we look forward to the year 2008 ?
The US Treasury's recent rescue plans - to save the funds as well as to intervene in the mortgage rate-setting process - indicate that Washington thinks all these BIG firms are too significant to be allowed to fail.
What other indicators affecting the financial sector for consideration for looking forward to year 2008 ?
Will talk about it with the next follow-up...
Till then, if any comments to share, most welcome.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Singapore's bid to host for Youth Olykpic Games-2010
Let the world see Singapore's bid, ie to host the inaugural games - Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2010. Businesses have been encouraged to pledge their support for Singapore for the bidding. That was the message from our country's YOG committee at a corporate engagement session.
Elim Chew, our Youth-oriented fashion chain 77th Street president & founder is one of the first to act. Car decals designed and produced by her company were handed out to representatives from the corporations supporting Singapore's YOG bid. Managing Director of McDonald's Singapore, Mr Kenneth Chan, showing support by way of putting a decal on his car's windscreen.
Our 10-member Singapore delegation presented to an hour-long video conference with the Internatinal Olympic Committee (IOC) evaluation commission chaired by former pole vault champion Sergei Bubka on 13 Dec 2007.
Our bid committee, corporations and the media, all working to put up the bid as a nation's mission, as Team Singapore for the IOC to assess us as a nation. The committee conveyed two messages to the commission, safety and the opportunity to create a fresh legacy. We, as Team Singapore, re-affirmed our ability to execute our plans for YOG efficiently, cost-effectively and on time.
We, Team Singapore is one of the front-runners to host the YOG. Ahead of Athens, Turin and Bangkok, but second behind Moscow, as per a shortlist released by IOC.
The IOC official made a low-key visit in early Dec 2007 to access Singapore's credentials and the feasibility of our Games Village. According to the reports, the official did not ask any questions, which is a very positive sign.
The big day- IOC will announce the winning host city in February 2008. Until then, the bid committe is urging Singaporeans and corporations to support the committee's effort, like our curry puffs King - Old Chang Kee has produced 35,000 pieces of packaging daily for their curry puffs bearing slogans to support the country's YOG bid.
I have also contributed a little bit, hopefully, is effective enough, by putting this article here to mark this event, to put more awareness , to bring in more support in any form, will be great.
Are you ready to give your support. Do drop your comment or support here, if any. You are most welcome.
l
Elim Chew, our Youth-oriented fashion chain 77th Street president & founder is one of the first to act. Car decals designed and produced by her company were handed out to representatives from the corporations supporting Singapore's YOG bid. Managing Director of McDonald's Singapore, Mr Kenneth Chan, showing support by way of putting a decal on his car's windscreen.
Our 10-member Singapore delegation presented to an hour-long video conference with the Internatinal Olympic Committee (IOC) evaluation commission chaired by former pole vault champion Sergei Bubka on 13 Dec 2007.
Our bid committee, corporations and the media, all working to put up the bid as a nation's mission, as Team Singapore for the IOC to assess us as a nation. The committee conveyed two messages to the commission, safety and the opportunity to create a fresh legacy. We, as Team Singapore, re-affirmed our ability to execute our plans for YOG efficiently, cost-effectively and on time.
We, Team Singapore is one of the front-runners to host the YOG. Ahead of Athens, Turin and Bangkok, but second behind Moscow, as per a shortlist released by IOC.
The IOC official made a low-key visit in early Dec 2007 to access Singapore's credentials and the feasibility of our Games Village. According to the reports, the official did not ask any questions, which is a very positive sign.
The big day- IOC will announce the winning host city in February 2008. Until then, the bid committe is urging Singaporeans and corporations to support the committee's effort, like our curry puffs King - Old Chang Kee has produced 35,000 pieces of packaging daily for their curry puffs bearing slogans to support the country's YOG bid.
I have also contributed a little bit, hopefully, is effective enough, by putting this article here to mark this event, to put more awareness , to bring in more support in any form, will be great.
Are you ready to give your support. Do drop your comment or support here, if any. You are most welcome.
l
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Master Watchmaker Kurt Klaus in Singapore
Mr Kurt klaus, 73, is known as the Einstein from Schaffhausen ( a city in northern Switzerland) is widely regarded as the father of technical watchmaking. He invented a revolutionary perpetual calendar module, in 1985, which was then used in IWC's ( Swiss-based International Watch Company) mechanical Da Vinci watches.
A perpetual calendar is a device in a watch which automatically gives the exact date taking into account the different number of days in a month and leap years. It can include other details such as moon phases. He worked without computers, replying instead on drawings and detailed calculations, making his feats more remarkable.
The watchmaster was in Singapore last month - November 2007 - to conduct workshops and promote the three variants of the Da Vinci released by IWC : the limited edition released in tribute to Klaus, a chronograph edition and an automatic edition. The Da Vinci Automatic and the Da Vinci Chronograph starts at $9,300 and $20,600 respectively.
The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus was launched last month and is priced from $53,000 to $96,000. There are only 6oo pieces available worldwide.
Any watch lover out there to share & comment, you are most welcome.
A perpetual calendar is a device in a watch which automatically gives the exact date taking into account the different number of days in a month and leap years. It can include other details such as moon phases. He worked without computers, replying instead on drawings and detailed calculations, making his feats more remarkable.
The watchmaster was in Singapore last month - November 2007 - to conduct workshops and promote the three variants of the Da Vinci released by IWC : the limited edition released in tribute to Klaus, a chronograph edition and an automatic edition. The Da Vinci Automatic and the Da Vinci Chronograph starts at $9,300 and $20,600 respectively.
The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Edition Kurt Klaus was launched last month and is priced from $53,000 to $96,000. There are only 6oo pieces available worldwide.
Any watch lover out there to share & comment, you are most welcome.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Singapore Government searching a fair annuities scheme
Professor Lim Pin, 71 , and his commitee members - ranging from unionists to bankers - were appointed after the August 2007 announcement of the CPF changes, which included the controversial longevity insurance plan.
Professor Lim personally believes that annuities are a good idea. Annuities are "a much needed piece that fills in the gap" for when people live beyond 85. However, the committee tasked with designing the national annuity scheme is finding itself in a thicket of questions.
How will they come up with a one-size-fits-all annuity plan for the 1.5 million active CPF members, of varying income and needs ? To be affordable for all yet not have to dole out miserable payouts. The questions about inflation and returning capital, are some of the issues need to be considered. To resolve a problem that will rear its head 20 or 30 years later, when long lives are not matched by adequate income.
The implication of the scheme also has its social impact. If imagine a situation where out of our active 1.5 million members - just 10% will, in the future, run out of money and not have any family support. That 150,000 members will strain what we have now, and which the committee felt that they have to fix it now.
Is really an issue of concerned, will follow-up on this again for updating.
Professor Lim personally believes that annuities are a good idea. Annuities are "a much needed piece that fills in the gap" for when people live beyond 85. However, the committee tasked with designing the national annuity scheme is finding itself in a thicket of questions.
How will they come up with a one-size-fits-all annuity plan for the 1.5 million active CPF members, of varying income and needs ? To be affordable for all yet not have to dole out miserable payouts. The questions about inflation and returning capital, are some of the issues need to be considered. To resolve a problem that will rear its head 20 or 30 years later, when long lives are not matched by adequate income.
The implication of the scheme also has its social impact. If imagine a situation where out of our active 1.5 million members - just 10% will, in the future, run out of money and not have any family support. That 150,000 members will strain what we have now, and which the committee felt that they have to fix it now.
Is really an issue of concerned, will follow-up on this again for updating.
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