KT Wealth

Look around you. There may be money-making opportunities. But the environment is cluttered with various schemes – some are dubious and raise suspicion. Flip the papers and you see an advertisement promising you double-digit returns with an investment that needs little effort. Surf the internet and there are many online link-ups informing that you can earn a 4 digit income within a few days by working from home. I prefer to pursue something that’s credible and pragmatic. In 2015, the chances are here! Do note that the options regarding investment are purely recommendations. Every individual has their personal risk appetite. Please assess the disadvantages and advantages carefully. 1. Stock market Not many will agree this approach - I will focus on companies in cyclical trade. In the past weeks, the share prices of property-related, oil & gas firms are beaten down due to weak macroeconomic conditions such as declining oil prices, slower demand in China and the fear ...

I begin to think about how “the man in the street” is able to save money yet gain something meaningful. So, I churn out a list of activities that anyone can do, minus off the wallet. 1. Visit the Library Take a walk into our National Libraries without flipping out a coin. Spend a day browsing through magazines or pick up your favorite book to read. Not only you can enhance your knowledge, you may also learn something beyond your imagination. Maybe, you may also know a friend next to you because of common reading genre. And who knows, sparks may fly? There are educational sessions held in the library. I used to host my career development and management workshops across the National Libraries in Singapore. Completely free and benefit people from all walks of life. 2. Check out free historic attractions We have some educational learning that is beyond any classroom learning. One of them is Sun Yat Sen Villa. If you are Singaporean, you enter for free. More details can be foun...

When I first heard about Starburst IPO, I thought this business is unique. Starburst specialises in the design and engineering of firearms-training facilities. Starburst designs, fabricates, installs and maintains anti-ricochet ballistic protection systems for firearm shooting ranges and tactical training mock-ups. Their clients include law enforcement, military and security agencies, as well as civil authorities in Southeast Asia and Middle East. There are several positive takeaways why one should consider Starburst. The industry has high barriers of entry that many can’t imitate due to the intricate technical expertise. Starburst has the patented “Searls” trademark – anti-ricochet ballistic protection materials protect military lives during peacetime firearms training. I shan’t talk about the advantages but focus on risks and challenges: 1) Operating cash flow is lumpy Project fee is based on “percentage of-completion” recognition. The contracting party is able to retain 10%-...

I read many articles that talk about prudence and frugality. The message across is a timely reminder as an individual should not spend beyond their means, especially the high inflationary pressures in Singapore. In other words, think about saving first (paying oneself) before paying off your bills, much least spending the extra cash. Think about your emergency fund first. Think about delayed gratification, so that you can build your cash flow. However, being superbly obsessed with every dollar and cent may bring you to the point of over practicality, such that you get upset if you spend twenty cents more over a cup of coffee. What I mean is, you hold the reign of money in such tight control that you forget the essence of life’s little pleasures - your wishlists, hobbies or self-gratification pursuits. These activities need money, no matter how less or more it is, to fulfill your desired life's journey. It can be a backpacking trip, a dance workshop, a craftsmanship apprentice ...

Let's move on to Part 2 of my Store Visit in Parkson, Kuala Lumpur. For my readers who miss part one, you can find the information here: http://www.ktwealth.blogspot.sg/2014/01/my-store-visit-parkson-kuala-lumpur.html In-store Promotion, Marketing and Branding There are some catalog and booklets available that showcase the latest deals. During the Chinese New Year, Parkson launches hamper sets to mark the auspicious Year of the Horse. There are also discounted offers for various merchandises. The problem is, the promotional materials are placed at the Customer Service Centre. One whole stack. It's not distributed to potential customers or placed in prominent points of attraction in the department store. For example, the decorated entrance of Parkson where you can have a table to place them or get Promoters to give out and talk about it. This is in consideration of the festive mood. The advertising visuals are printed in attractive designs and colors. Sadly, in my humb...

I was on a business trip in Kuala Lumpur about two weeks ago. Part of my agenda was to make a store visit to Parkson. I have brought my self-made store survey sheet with me and narrowed down to two Parkson outlets for sampling – The Pavilion at Jalan Bukit Bintang and Suria KLCC. It made perfect sense since one was centrally located and the other a popular shopping street. I would use Parkson, The Pavilion, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Considering the festive season during this month, I was expecting a sizeable dose of crowd in the department store, buzzing in-store promotions, aggressive promotion and enthusiastic staff. My brief analysis is found below. Part one: External Layout and Location, Store Appeal @ Entrance, Atmospherics, Displays, Lighting, Fixtures and Fittings Part two: In-store Marketing and Branding, Service Staff, Merchandise Mix and Final Conclusion Please note that I am not a store expert. I used my intuition and observation, taking the perspective o...

I just returned back to Singapore from the Scandinavian islands not long ago. It has been a wonderful trip personally, culturally and historically. As I marvelled over the great natural wonders of Iceland, I am completely intrigued by the formation of the lava fields, hot springs, hot mud, gorges, glaciers, icebergs to waterfalls over the years. There are no words to describe the stunning landscape. Just like the rush of the waterfalls, the financial stock market is filled with quick opportunities for us to capitalize. So, I will like to write about 3 trends to watch out for in 2014 and beyond. Do kindly note that the information is consolidated in a nutshell. It is based on my personal observation only. (a) 3D Technology Forget about 4D, 5D for now. Let’s look at 3D. 3D LED TV has been disappointing although it has been launched in the market for quite some time. This does not mean other 3D equipment, hardware and software will falter. In fact, a deeper look into some o...