Numbers, Wealth & Creativity

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.

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Food & Drinks, Jibber Jabber, Numbers

Two Hundred

This Thursday afternoon, D and I did our bulk purchase for June. Our shopping cart was filled to the brim with a variety of food, drinks and toiletries. The balance of more than two hundred euros did not surprise me because our purchase was mostly consisted of long-lasting items.

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Numbers, Wealth & Creativity

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…

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Numbers, Wealth & Creativity

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.

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Belgium, Events, Numbers

Paasfoor Timing

Yesterday afternoon, D and I went to Kortrijk to check out the paasfoor (Easter fun fair). Because it was a Friday, we have avoided the weekend crowd, but still get to be amongst people who were out from school and work. Dark clouds, cold wind, and the occasional light rain did not help cheer things up. But that’s that, D and I saw the paasfoor and even rewarded ourselves with some oliebollen at the end of our little outing.

While in Kortrijk, I did some currency exchange at an ATM. My exchange rate yesterday was 1.099, today the rate is at 1.106.

When we reached home, it started to rain heavily!

Yep, we have good timing.

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Food & Drinks, Health, Jibber Jabber, Numbers

Intermittent Fasting

This morning, D and I went to the container park (recycling park) to get rid of the styrofoam that came with the new television. We also got rid of an old water filter, a broken shaver, and a bag of garden trimmings. I almost ‘recycled away’ a new LED tube. Yikes!

We then went to a local butcher to load up on our carnivorous cravings. Meat for the weeks ahead. Right now, eighty percent of this purchase is already in the freezer.

Today’s lunch was a simple home-made pizza, put together using a dough I made and froze a month ago. I do think that the yeast would have woken up more, giving me a more bread-like pizza crust, if I would have left it out longer at room temperature. An experiment worth repeating.

Now that Lent is over, I will no longer be having meatless Wednesdays and Fridays. Instead, I am going to try out a milder and adjusted form of 16:8 intermittent fasting. I do not eat breakfasts anyway. So now, I just have to stop myself from snacking after half past eight in the evening. Good protein intake is essential when practising intermittent fasting at my age, hence the visit to the butcher was sort of a win-win step?

In life’s long journey, tedious or otherwise, one needs to do the occasional and necessary course corrections.

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Health, Jibber Jabber, Numbers

All In Good Time

Yesterday, D and I did our bulk grocery shopping at two locations. Colruyt and Jumbo.

Today, we went to buy a replacement television. Our old TV lasted for thirteen years before the display died on us.

My days this past week have been filled with weird on-and-off dizzy spells and numbing headaches. But I guess that is not unexpected, considering the bad fall I had. The important thing is that I am recovering gradually. I do feel better today compared to yesterday. Fingers crossed!

All in good time…

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Belgium, Health, Numbers

Dry February

Last day of Tournée Minérale today. Twenty eight days without a drop of alcohol was not difficult at all. For the entire month of February, I probably craved for a glass of cold beer once. It was a fleeting moment, which I managed to wave away instantly.

I shall continue not drinking if there is no need to do so. Good for health, good for my wallet, good for the environment. Same goes for meat… and it is Lent.

It is literally a dry February in terms of the weather as well. We have not seen much rain in this part of the world. Not good.

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Numbers, Wealth & Creativity

The Thing About Inflation

I am not buying into the inflation panic that has been going on for months. Most of us are not really affected by it in the short run. Higher food price – consume less. Higher utility bills – use less. New clothes cost too much – wear that outfit which you have only worn twice since you bought it, buy second hand. The majority of us in this part of the world are very wasteful and mostly overweight. Maybe it is time to cut down on our mindless consumptions?

I am also not convinced of the idea of putting most of your earnings in the stock markets, properties or cryptos. What is wrong with traditional (old fashion) financial tools? Without the proper know-how, investing is actually gambling, whereas owning multiple properties comes with a long list of headaches…

On the other hand, strategically placing and diversifying a sum in reliable and insured savings products is like owning an invisible property and receiving rental income from an invisible renter. The best part is, there is no unwanted maintenance costs, no unforeseen people issues, no lame-ass taxes, and high liquidity.

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Jibber Jabber, Numbers, Simplify

Cheese Crackers, Endive Soup & Books

I made cheese crackers from some of the parmesan and cheddar cheese that I have in the fridge. These taste good, but next time I shall add more cheese and increase the baking time.

At lunch, I consumed one of my four containers of endive soup. The ingredients in the soup are ‘second growth’ endives, potato, pumpkin and onion. Home-made and healthy…

In the past couple of days, I have been going through and gathering books that I am willing to part with (sell, donate or re-gift) eventually. I already have a pile of a dozen books and have many more to sort through. One can really collect a lot in a decade.

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