After a hectic July monitoring the markets closely, I sort of went into refuge for August.
I barely kept myself updated, checking on my shortlist and portfolio like once a week? A part of it was self-imposed but as national exams draw closer (PSLE, O Levels & A Levels), I am spending much more time on work. The 25 hour work week has vanished and I am clocking closer to 40 hours again.
But guess what?
I feel that my life is much more satisfying and peaceful when I am less attached to the market.
In the past two years, I have been a little schizo, veering from “believing that I could be a great stock picker” to “I should just stick to indexes” and then back to the former again.
In my defence, this behaviour can partly be explained by some of the drastic changes in my life. Quitting my first job, taking a six month sabbatical, becoming a teacher, and then now as a freelancer.
However, as my freelancing work gets more and more stable and predictable, I am whittling down my options and is much clearer on a more sustainable investment strategy going forward.
Let’s see how things pan out for the rest of the year and meanwhile, the market did not miss my absence as things are more or less stagnant.
1. Core Portfolio
No additions on this front.
The increasingly frothy US market is making it psychologically harder for me to add on to my existing position in Berkshire B. Anchoring bias sucks, but could it save me from buying at a high?
The value of this portfolio declined by about $700, which in the grand scheme of things, is nothing much, a movement less than 1%.
| Asset | Avg Bought | Amount | Price | Valuation | Allocation |
| STI ETF | $2.92 | 12,800 | $2.88 | $36,864 | 31.8% |
| Berkshire B | $134.50* | 120 | $149.08 | $23,972 | 20.7% |
| SSBs | $1.00 | 15,000 | $1.00 | $15,000 | 12.9% |
| Cash (SGD) | $1.00 | 40,000 | $1.00 | $40,000 | 34.5% |
| Total | $115,836 | 100.0% |
2. Local Stock Portfolio
No changes to the portfolio. However, I did subscribe to the right issue from MCT. Let’s see if I can get a good allocation from the excess rights I applied.
Month-to-month, the portfolio declined in value by about $2,000 as the Singapore equity market continues to be lacklustre.
| Stock | Amount | Price | Valuation | Allocation |
| ST Engg | 6,500 | $3.250 | $21,125 | 17.89% |
| Kingsmen | 27,700 | $0.650 | $18,005 | 15.24% |
| CCT | 6,000 | $1.570 | $9,420 | 7.98% |
| MCT | 6,000 | $1.550 | $9,300 | 7.87% |
| HK Land | 1,000 | $8.540 | $8,540 | 7.23% |
| UOL | 1,500 | $5.650 | $8,475 | 7.18% |
| Semb Corp | 3,000 | $2.680 | $8,040 | 6.81% |
| SingPost | 5,500 | $1.400 | $7,700 | 6.52% |
| Boustead | 9,000 | $0.765 | $6,885 | 5.83% |
| Genting | 8,000 | $0.750 | $6,000 | 5.08% |
| M1 | 2,000 | $2.760 | $5,520 | 4.67% |
| MTQ | 10,000 | $0.420 | $4,200 | 3.56% |
| Super Grp | 4,000 | $0.760 | $3,040 | 2.57% |
| Bou Proj | 2,700 | $0.690 | $1,863 | 1.58% |
| Total | $118,113 | 100.00% |
3. Emergency Funds
I bought a little bit more of gold bullion from UOB in late July and these emergency funds have officially exceeded $100K.
| Asset | Amount |
| CPF OA | $38,000 |
| Cash (SGD) | $20,000 |
| FCL Bonds | $21,000 |
| Alternative Currencies | $23,000 |
| Total | $102,000 |
Hi 15HWW, this is my first time commenting ever as i’ve just been stalking haha and i just
wanna say that your posts are really interesting and inspiring. I’ve become interested in investing thanks to you and sgyounginvestment. I too have my own site based on finding ones passion and i admire you striving to achieve that 15 hour work week to be able to spend time with your family and do what you truly love. Keep on writing!! P.S. i think you and your wife is really sweet altho i’ve never seen you guys in person hahaha.
Hi Ryhandle,
Thanks for your kind words!
From your rant as an intern, it seems that you have not taken kindly to work.
All the best in your investing journey!
I like the way u allocate ur funds – Core, Local Stocks & Emergency.
Just a question. What does the ‘Alternative Currencies’ under emergency funds mean? Do u have savings account in foreign currecies?
Cheers! 🙂
Hi Dividend Knight,
I guess presenting it this way would probably be helpful to readers just in case some incorrectly assume that I am 100% in stocks.
With regards to foreign currencies, they are more or less in “cash”. They are part of my “insurance” for a “doomsday scenario” for Spore. Most of the time, I am just saving up for a holiday to these countries though. =)
Hi 15HWW,
Yes the experience was fine but i disliked the admin job as i studied for 3 years on a whole different thing!
At least i know now my that job is not for me hais no passion nor interest there..
Thank you so much! Hopefully i will be able to start properly investing soon and not just placing a few hundreds in index funds 🙂
Hi Ryhandle,
Hope you find something you like soon!
Anyway, putting a few hundreds in index funds is definitely a great way to start investing!
Hi 15HHW
Thank you so much and i wish you all the best too!