Universal payment system for small retailers

 I propose this concept for Singapore to promote a universal payment system for retailers. It does not require the customer to have a mobile phone or credit card.

The approach can be used for other countries as well.

https://s3.tklcloud.com/T99/220626150317144_Payment%20using%20NFC%20card.pdf

Life insurance agent sold an unsuitable policy

 My friend asked my advice on the following case.

a) His relative, aged 50, bought a life insurance policy. The annual premium represents more than 20% of the annual income. The policy has a 50 year term

b) The policy projected a return of 8% per annum. The policyholder signed a declaration that she was aware of the high risk. But in actual fact, she did not understand what she was signing. She trusted the agent and signed blindly.

c) The policyholder would not be able to pay the premium after retirement. How could the agent sell such an unsuitable policy?

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1226

WOTC - Install CCTV at home

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 90% of the respondents prefer to work in the office rather than install a CCTV for the manager to monitor their work at home.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2635

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Should America have a national law that protects the right for an abortion?
2. Should abortion be allowed?
3. Is adoption a solution to babies born to poor parents?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Constitutional right to abortion

 There is a strong controversy in America over the Supreme Court ruling that overturns the constitutional right to an abortion. The new ruling will allow the states to pass laws to ban abortion.

I give my view over this controversy.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5461

Use stored value cards for small payments

 https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5460

WOTC - No massacre in Tiananmen Square in 1989

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 59% of the respondents said that there was no massacre in Tiananmen Square in 1989.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2631

WOTC - Foreign navy ships in the South China Sea

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 58% of the respondents said that the navy ships passing through the South China Sea are moving too close to China's borders and are a threat to China's security.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2632

WOTC - Will Ukraine win back the Donbas?

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 77% of the respondents said that Russia will win and retain control of the Donbas region of Ukraine.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2633

WOTC - Low cost wristband

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 71% of the respondents prefer a low cost wristband that cost $2 or less.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2630

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Should HDB offer a replacement flat for an owner affected by SERS?
2. What is a fair compensation to an owner of a repossessed HDB flat
3. Should the owner of a repossessed HDB flat pay a levy on the current flat

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Wristband with emergency contact number

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 83% of the respondents said that they will use a wristband with an emergency contact number for elderly people or young children.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2629

WOTC - Govt is adding to cost of living

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 90% of the respondents said that the government is adding to the cost of living by raising prices, charges and GST.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2627

WOTC - Favorite colors for wristband

 The favorite colors for the silicone wristband containing the telephone contact are blue, red, yellow, black.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2628

How to live with high inflation

I will make a statement that will not be well received by most people.

The world is facing high inflation. Singapore is also facing high inflation.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5459

My investment in China tech stocks

 I invested $475,000 SGD in 3 China tech stocks, namely Alibaba, Baidu and SMIC. They show a loss of 22.2% or $105.000.

These stocks are on average about 50% down from their peak prices during the past 52 weeks.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1224

Get higher occupancy for buses

I often see buses passing a stop with 20% occupancy or less. This is wasteful and costly.

How can we achieve better occupancy without overcrowding?

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5458

My investment in New Oriental Education

 I was quite lucky. I could have lost $128,000 SGD in New Oriental Education if I sold off at the worst point.

I held on to the stock and sold all of the stock at a higher price and realized a gain of $59,000.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1223

Excellent customer service from Air SIM

 I congratulate AIR SIM for their excellent customer service. It is among the best that I had encountered.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5457

WOTC - Which party will you vote

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 89% of the respondents said that they will vote for more opposition MPs at the next general election.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2626

WOTC - Price controls on essential commodities

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 55% of the respondents said that the government should implement supply or price controls on essential commodities for an extended period to combat inflation.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2625

Provide an alternative 2FA

 Organizations that require 2FA should provide an alternative 2FA in case the user loses the mobile phone.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5455

Risk of cyber security

 I share this message with cyber security experts. Consider the risks that your protocols impose on the ordinary users.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5454

WOTC - How to help elderly people financially

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 68% of the respondents said that we should allow an elderly person to have suitable work (e.g. 4 hours a day) that is not strenuous and pay a modest wage.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2624

My investment in New Oriental Education

 I have good experience on my investment in New Oriental Education (EDU, 9901.HK). My loss of 50% has turned into a gain of 10% over the past three months.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1221&Name=My-investment-in-New-Oriental-Education&View=A

Bad telephone service from large organizations

Many large organizations in Singapore have bad telephone service. The customer takes a long time (sometimes up to 30 minutes) for a call to be answered.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5453

WOTC - Give every person a suitable job

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 71% of the respondents prefer an economic strategy that goes every person a suitable job that pays an adequate wage.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2623

Stay invested in a bear market

 When the stock market drops sharply, do not sell your stocks (if you have invested in cash and are not on margin). The stock prices are undervalued. They will rebound when the squeezed investors have sold their stocks.

Here is an explanation that I gave a few weeks ago.

I have invested in cash, so I do not sell at the depressed prices.

Instead, I have some spare cash that I will invest in this bear market. But I will choose the stocks that are undervalued.

I will not choose the US stocks that have PE ratios above 20 times.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1210

Bad experience with an employee who WFH

 I share an example of a bad experience with an employee who Work From Home.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5451

Why are bosses reluctant to embrace work from home?

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5450

Work from home - install a CCTV

 In this post, I explain why it is essential to have a CCTV to monitor a staffer working from home. If the staffer does not agree to this arrangement, it is likely that the boss will insist that the staffer work in the office.

There will be exceptions. But the exceptions will be few. My remark applies to the majority of workers.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5449

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. How can the manager monitor the performance of a staffer who work from home?

Vote in

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Are you willing to have a CCTV installed to work at home?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Return to work in the office

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 50% of the respondents said that it is necessary to get workers to return to the office to ensure productivity and discipline. The other 50% considered Elon Musk to be old fashioned.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2621

WOTC - Casual work for older workers

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 61% of the respondents said that older workers should be given the opportunity to work for 4 hours a day and earn $15 an hour.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2620

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Will Ukraine win back the Donbas region?
2. Will Ukraine agree to Russia's terms for peace?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Locals become bus drivers

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 73% of the respondents said that more locals will take up jobs as bus drivers, if they are allowed to work on shorter shifts and are paid at hourly rates.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2619

WOTC - work arrangements

 Wisdom of the Crowd: On work arrangements, 53% of the respondents prefer more flexible hours, 29% prefer higher wages and 18% prefer shorter working hours.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2618

Difficult to submit a return (Form P1) to IRAS

 Dear Smart Nation Office

I wish to share with you the trouble that I have to face in submitting a return (Form P1, Body of Persons) to IRAS.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5446

WOTC - UN human rights commissioner visit Xinjiang

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 84% of the respondents said that the US is unjustified in its criticism of the visit of UN human rights commissioner to Xinjiang, as they asked for it in the first place.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2617

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. What color do you prefer for an wristband (for emergency call)
2. Will you buy a wristband to have an emergency contact number?
3. Which type of wristband (emergency number) do you prefer

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Should Singapore voters choose PAP in the next general election?

2. Has the govt taken the necessary steps to reduce the cost of living?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Censorship of criticism

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 73% of the respondents agree with the China govt's action to censor criticism of its covid zero policy.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2615

Tesla's stock price

 I share my short term view on Tesla's stock price. I expect a rebound next week.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1220

WOTC - Visit of UN human rights commissioner to Xinjiang

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 60% of the respondents said that it is good for the UN human rights commissioner to visit Xinjiang to find out the actual situation concerning the allegations of abuses.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2614

NFT (non fungible token)

 Non fungible token (NFT) uses blockchain technology to create a unique record.

Someone asked for my view about NFT. I said that it is another scam.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5445

WOTC - Ban on food exports

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 53% of the respondents said that a country that ban its food exports will lose its customers as they will find an alternative source of supply.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2613

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Elon Musk wants all Tesla staff to return to work in the office.
2. Should employees be allowed to work from home?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Action against loan scammers

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 83% of the respondents said that the police is not acting effectively against the loan scammers.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2612

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. What do you prefer?
2. If bus drivers have shorter shifts, will more locals take up the job?
3. How we jobs be arranged for older people?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Labor shortage

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 53% of the respondents said that employers should pay higher wages to get locals to do the work, instead of relying on foreign workers to meet the labor shortage.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2611

WOTC - Rent control

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 59% of the respondents support a policy of rental control, e.g. a cap on rental increases that follows an index.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2610

My investing strategy

 My approach towards investing can be summarized by one key principle - to invest in undervalued stocks.

They fall in the following categories:
https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1217

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Did the UN human rights commissioner has unsupervised access to Xinjiang?
2. Was the US fair in criticizing the Xinjiang visit by the UN commissioner?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Return trays at food centers

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 69% of the respondents agree with the policy to get customers to return trays after a meal at a food center.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2609

My investment in Alibaba, Baidu

 I made an analysis of my investment in Alibaba and Baidu.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1213

Cashless payment with NFC Card

I am developing a proof of concept system to allow cashless payment using any NFC card, such as the transit card.

http://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5440

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Is it a good strategy for a country to impose an ban on its food exports?
2. Should the UN human rights commissioner visit Xinjiang to study the allegations of abuses?
3. Should China censor criticism of its covid zero policy?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Covid zero policy

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 53% of the respondents expect China to change its covid zero policy in the near future.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2608

WOTC - Tesla phone

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 78% of the respondents said that Tesla should not develop a mobile phone.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2607

Analysis of China stocks

 I have a large investment in China stocks. Here is my analysis of these stocks.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1209

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Is the new policy to get customers to return trays working well?
2. Should there be a policy to control rentals?
3. Should the govt allow entry of foreign workers to meet the labor shortage?
4. Is the police acting effective against loan scammers?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Authentication of users

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 72% of the respondents said that social media should require their users to be authenticated. This will avoid abuse of social media to spread misinformation, fabrication and hate speech.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2606

WOTC - Buy Twitter

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 58% of the respondents said that it is better for Elon Musk to buy Twitter rather than build a new platform.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2605

WOTC - Online petition platform

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 81% of the respondents said that it is useful to have an online petition platform for the public to give feedback to the government on their policies.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2604

WOTC - Lockdown in Shanghai

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 67% of the respondents said that China locks down Shanghai for more than a month to avoid many deaths from covid.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2603

Gro Capital Ease

 Dear Mr Tan

I would like to seek your advice on this 3 yrs saving plan. Is this a good plan?

REPLY

Can you ask the insurance adviser, who earns a large commission, to explain this plan to you.

Do not invest in the plan unless you are clear about the plan and understand that it is better than other alternative way to invest your money.

You can also buy these books and understand what to look for.

https://tankinlian.com/cart.aspx?ID=66

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1207&Name=NTUC-Income-Gro-Capital-Ease&View=A

WOTC - Ukraine war

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 58% of the respondents said that the Ukraine war will involve the neighboring countries.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2602

WOTC - US sanctions

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 63% of the respondents said that America dare not sanction China for supporting Russia, as it will hit their own economy badly.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2601

Medishield plan - basic cover and rider

 Why is the premium for a rider more expensive than the premium for the basic cover under a Medishield plan?

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1206

Downgrade to Medishield Life

 Dear Mr. Tan

I have bought NTUC Income`s Enhanced Incomeshield Preferred Plan for years. After age 55, the yearly premium is SGD1834, but the rider Premium is SGD2077.

I think the rider premium is quite expensive, may consider to downgrade the plan. May I have your advice? Next birthday I will be 56, although our employer buy a quite good hospitalization insurance, I think I have to retire from the existing employer.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1205

Additional premium to cover trip cancellation

 Should you pay an additional premium to obtain compensation in case you are not allowed to board the plane due to a positive covid test and have to forfeit the fare?

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1203

WOTC - Best foreign minister

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 67% of the respondents said that Wang Yi of China is the best foreign minister, among those who are listed in the survey.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2598

WOTC - Which world leader do you like best

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 73% of the respondents chose Xi Jinping as the world leader that they liked best.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2597

WOTC - A new road map

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 64% of the respondents said that it is good for the PM designate to prepare a road map to take account of the current economic conditions.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2596

Is it a good time to buy bitcoin?

 Bitcoin reached a high of $67,000 on 5 Nov 2021. It has dropped by 53% over a period of six months to the current price of $31,700 on 11 May 2022.

The current level is at the bottom of the range for the past 12 months.

Will it rebound from from this bottom?

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1202

WOTC - Subsidize oil price

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 84% of the respondents said that energy price should be subsidized for the immediate future, until the oil market returns to normal.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2595

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Will Tesla develop a Tesla phone?
2. When will China change its covid zero policy?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Case study - continue an existing life policy?

 A policyholder bought a participating policy 36 years ago and paid an annual premium of $800. The surrender value is now $57,389.

He is now age 65 yo. Should be continue the participating policy?

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1200

Industrial stocks in Singapore

 I analyzed the industrial stocks in Singapore.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1199

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Did Elon Musk make the right choice in buying Twitter for $44 billion?
2. Should social media require their users to be authenticated?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Weakness of democratic systems

 I believe that a country should have an authoritarian govt. It should not be "democratic". Here are my reasons.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5428

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Should the president pardon be used more actively in Singapore?
2. Will America sanction China for supporting Russia?
3. Will the Ukraine war widen to involve other nations?

4. Why does China lock down Shanghai for over a month?

5. Should Singapore implement the online petition platform?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - HDB flats for rental

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 53% of the respondents said that HDB should continue to encourage home ownership, instead of building flats for rental.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2592

HDB - Built to Order (BTO)

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 82% of the respondents said that HDB should move away from the Build to Order (BTO) system and build flats in advance of demand to reduce the waiting time.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2591

Hari Raya package

 he Hari Raya package is available at a special price of $6 (usual price $12) for 3 days only (May 2 to 4).

Enjoy 50% discount.

https://tankinlian.com/cart.aspx?ID=82

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Which world leader do you like best?
2. Which foreign minister do you like best?
3. Should China allow Taiwan to become independent?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Asean summit in Washington

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 53% of the respondents expect 3 countries or less to attend the Asean summit called by President Biden in Washington.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2590

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Is NTUC doing a good job in looking after the interest of workers?
2. Should wages of workers be increased?
3. Should energy price be subsidized for the immediate future?
4. Is it good for the PM designate to prepare a new road map for Singapore.

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Is LW ready to take over as PM?

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 77% of the respondents said that LW is not ready to take over the office of PM. He is untested and will find the challenges to be beyond his competence.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2589