All my life, I am constantly and actively building and maintaining pillars. Pillars that support and sustain important aspects of life such as: knowledge, health, relationships, finance, growth, travels and so on.
Category Archives: Wealth & Creativity
In Search Of Money
I have been watching a new Flemish TV program called Geld Gezocht. The following are my takeaways from each episode so far:
- Rethink and optimise one’s job. Cut out bad and unhealthy habits. Rethink conveniences that cost. Cook at home.
- Be aware of what you still have in the pantry. Make a food budget. Do grocery with a shopping list. Plan your meals. Do not spoil your children too much.
- Recognise and re-organise your large spendings. Reaccess your relationships with ‘trusted’ brands. Always read the fine lines!
- Compare price and quality of items you need. White goods are usually worth it. Be timely and organised with paperwork. There are usually ‘cheaper’ options with regards to holiday trips and expensive hobbies.
Liquidity Is Key
Bij aandelen kan je snel verkopen en heb je je geld terug. Bij vastgoed kan dat niet. Vastgoed is goed om in te wonen of in te werken, niet om in te investeren. Dat laat ik aan andere beleggers over.
– Terry Smith, de Europese Warren Buffett
Partitioned
Yesterday, I emailed the city hall with enquiries. I will probably not hear back from them anytime soon and need to follow up on the matter next week. Administration stuck in quicksand. *sigh*
This morning, I received a forwarded email from my mother regarding one of the properties in Malaysia. *sigh*
But first thing first. I need to live the here and now…
At noon, D and I got on our bicycles and cycled to a restaurant nearby to celebrate his father’s belated birthday lunch. The four of us enjoyed our food and then continued the get-together at our home with coffee. That was my afternoon in short.
In the evening, I contacted my mother and we discussed what to do with the paperwork concerning the Malaysian property.
My brain is (and has been for decades) partitioned into different time-zones, continents, and administrative styles.
Selling
A month ago, I placed ‘limit sell orders’ on a few stocks I have in my portfolio. Yesterday, my Nexgen shares were sold. I did not make a profit with these. It is the stock market – you win some, you lose some.
Today, I sold off a mutual fund which I bought years ago. This was part of the process of ending a business relationship with a particular bank. I have done no wrong. What else can I say? So, I am just going close up shop with this business and move my funds somewhere else. This mutual fund, which I jokingly called my invisible car, has earned me quite a nice profit.
Term Account
This afternoon, I opened a 5-year term account that promises a modest interest income. The account is funded with money from my 20-year old life insurance, which matured when I turned 50. This way, I modified my birthday gift into one of my several financial support pillars.
Three Currencies
Dollar to Euro exchange is getting more expensive, whereas Ringgit to Dollar is becoming more favourable. Time to strategize, adapt, and execute my financial moves according to the latest exchange trends.
Restrategize
Taking care of finances that spans three continents is not an easy endeavour. This morning, I encountered some rather annoying problems while trying to create fixed deposits, which promises high interest income. My gadgets are too ancient to install the latest banking applications. I have multiple accounts to maintain and these may not be managed from one device. In short, I lack the tools.
I need to change my tactics in dealing with the ever-changing financial and banking world. I need to restrategize.
AI-Generated
Two days ago, a fake image of an explosion near the Pentagon caused the US stock market to dip briefly. According to reliable news sources, this is possibly the first instance that an AI-generated image has managed to move the market.
There is no reason to panic, but I must say that this is rather dis-concerning news.
Today, the European stock markets are not looking too great. BEL20 is completely in the red. I know there can be many factors affecting market movements, but the domino-effect is a very real thing…
Deposit Protection
Money deposited in most banks are protected by deposit insurance.
In the United States, the protected amount is $250,000 per depositor per insured bank. In Belgium, it is €100,000 per depositor per institution. In Malaysia, funds are protected at RM250,000 per account per member bank.
Diversification is key.