A Shin Min journalist asked me to comment on a survey finding that many low income and elderly people do not have adequate health insurance, and that they distrust insurance agents.
My comments are:
1. The low income and elderly persons should be insured under Medishield, which is low cost and can be paid from Medisave.
2. They should be treated in subsidised B2 or C wards to avoid large medical bills.
3. They do not need to buy additional medical insurance or to have unnecessary, duplicate cover
4. The government should open a window period for the uninsured persons to be accepted into Medishield now, without the need for health declaration.
For those who distrust insurance agents due to bad personal experience, they should read my book, Practical Guide on Financial Planning to be educated about health and life insurance, or should attend the educational talk organised by FISCA.
I suggested to the Shin Ming journalist to translate topics from my book into Chinese and print it in a series in their newspaper.
Tan Kin Lian
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Large medical bill
My friend's wife suffered from last stage cancer. The private specialist recommended a treatment with an estimated cost of $50,000. Eventually, the total cost increased to $200,000 and the wife passed away. Apart from losing his wife, who was in the mid 50s, he also spent a large sum of money.
I asked him if the doctor had given him an assessment of the chance of recovery after spending such a large sum. He was not well advised. He trusted the doctor to do his best, but it failed.
My observation
It is better to get a second opinion from another doctor, who is not earning the large fee from the treatment. The second specialist does not have any vested interested to recommend a costly treatment that has a low chance of success. The second opinion may cost some money, but is worth spending, to get a better decision.
Tan Kin Lian
I asked him if the doctor had given him an assessment of the chance of recovery after spending such a large sum. He was not well advised. He trusted the doctor to do his best, but it failed.
My observation
It is better to get a second opinion from another doctor, who is not earning the large fee from the treatment. The second specialist does not have any vested interested to recommend a costly treatment that has a low chance of success. The second opinion may cost some money, but is worth spending, to get a better decision.
Tan Kin Lian
Wisdom on how to live life (book 2) - Review
By A. J. Bray "Adrian Bray" (lowestoft, suffolk)
This book is a follow on from the author's first book 'Wisdom on How to live life: Transforming Earth into Heaven. I gave that a 5 star rating and I have done also for this Bk2 with the same title.
Over several years I have bought and read 10's of self help and psychology books in the hope that I could get to understand about how life and human interactions work; I was also interested in reading about our afterlife when we die. To be fair, several have been excellant, for example Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, even though it took much concentration to fully understand his message. However, I consider Author Wong's books to be much easier to comprehend and I am a changed person for having read them, such is the impact they have had on me.
I have come to the conclusion that most humans start from the wrong place because 'the world' values happiness through materialism which, in turn, demands economic growth. The first is short term, whilst the latter is not sustainable through finite resources. As this author points out we are spiritual beings and part of the divine; we manifest through the divine and shall return to the divine when we complete each incarnation. He explains reincarnation in a way that makes so much sense. All the points are made in a great conversational style between Guru Harry and Tom. Several overlap from BK1, but that only serves to reinforce the message that we are eternal beings who are interconnected with each other which means the end of competition to be replaced with co-operation, making for a fairer, more satisfying life during our time here on earth.
I consider that everthing written in these books has brought me to the end of my search for the meaning of life and death in a way that no other book(s) has and if I put its teachings into practice it will inevitably lead me to a more peaceful existence. It is my hope that after reading these two books they will do likewise for you too!
Available here.
This book is a follow on from the author's first book 'Wisdom on How to live life: Transforming Earth into Heaven. I gave that a 5 star rating and I have done also for this Bk2 with the same title.
Over several years I have bought and read 10's of self help and psychology books in the hope that I could get to understand about how life and human interactions work; I was also interested in reading about our afterlife when we die. To be fair, several have been excellant, for example Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, even though it took much concentration to fully understand his message. However, I consider Author Wong's books to be much easier to comprehend and I am a changed person for having read them, such is the impact they have had on me.
I have come to the conclusion that most humans start from the wrong place because 'the world' values happiness through materialism which, in turn, demands economic growth. The first is short term, whilst the latter is not sustainable through finite resources. As this author points out we are spiritual beings and part of the divine; we manifest through the divine and shall return to the divine when we complete each incarnation. He explains reincarnation in a way that makes so much sense. All the points are made in a great conversational style between Guru Harry and Tom. Several overlap from BK1, but that only serves to reinforce the message that we are eternal beings who are interconnected with each other which means the end of competition to be replaced with co-operation, making for a fairer, more satisfying life during our time here on earth.
I consider that everthing written in these books has brought me to the end of my search for the meaning of life and death in a way that no other book(s) has and if I put its teachings into practice it will inevitably lead me to a more peaceful existence. It is my hope that after reading these two books they will do likewise for you too!
Available here.
Poor service from agent
Hi Mr Tan,
My sister-in-law recently wrote in to X to feedback and complain about one of their agents. However, the response from the company was not quite what we expected. Is there anything that you could advise us to do? Or would you be able to post our letter on your website?
COMPLAINT
1. It took X 2 weeks to give me a written reply
2. The reply has not sufficiently given us the assurance that the next agent will be any different from the one that gave us an appalling experience.
3. It still does not answer the questions posed with regard to how your agents are trained, and what kind of action you will be taking.
4. X did not take this feedback seriously and did not call to verify what happened
5. The agent did not bother to call the policyholder to apologize.
6. It seems that this sort of behaviour by the agent is encouraged by X.
My sister-in-law recently wrote in to X to feedback and complain about one of their agents. However, the response from the company was not quite what we expected. Is there anything that you could advise us to do? Or would you be able to post our letter on your website?
COMPLAINT
1. It took X 2 weeks to give me a written reply
2. The reply has not sufficiently given us the assurance that the next agent will be any different from the one that gave us an appalling experience.
3. It still does not answer the questions posed with regard to how your agents are trained, and what kind of action you will be taking.
4. X did not take this feedback seriously and did not call to verify what happened
5. The agent did not bother to call the policyholder to apologize.
6. It seems that this sort of behaviour by the agent is encouraged by X.
Flood in Singapore
The problem
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_548906.html
Invest in water management to avoid flooding
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_548916.html
Public has role in preventing floods
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_548824.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_548906.html
Invest in water management to avoid flooding
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_548916.html
Public has role in preventing floods
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_548824.html
MRT service
Frequency of trains
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_548915.html
Removal of seats
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_548905.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_548915.html
Removal of seats
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_548905.html
Promotion on sale of books
Please check the books that are on promotion here. The promotions are for a short period and may be withdrawn without notice.
Book a taxi by SMS
Cheques
Printed in Straits Times Forum page on 3 July (with some editing)
I wrote my first cheque 40 years ago. The rules were to write the amount in figures and words, to write the date and spell the name of the payee correctly. Any alteration to the cheque has to be signed. This was at a time when computers were not widely used.
This archaic rules remain the practice today. It has always been tedious to write a cheque and to avoid making any spelling or other mistake mistake. If the payor makes any small mistake, regardless of how minor or inconsequential, the bank will return the cheque for correction. The bank staff is not prepared to exercise any discretion and common sense.
Recently, I was asked my my lawyer to write a cheque in favor of "The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank account No 1234567 in the name of XYZ development company". There was insufficient space on the cheque to write the payee’s name.
Many countries have done away with cheques. My friend told me that cheques are hardly used in China.
In many countries, the payor can make a payment by a direct transfer through the internet or a bank counter. The payor only needs to write down the account number of the payee and the amount in figures (i.e. no need to be in words).
Singapore continues the archaic practice of making most payments by using cheques, instead of a simpler mode of payment. While payment can now be made through internet banking, it requires a troublesome process of registering and authenticating the recipient’s bank account and is not suitable for once-off payments.
I hope that the Monetary Authority of Singapore to take the lead in this change to introduce a simple system of direct banking transfer. It will save the tedious process of processing cheques through the banking system. The private sector cannot take the lead in making this change, as they do not have the regulatory powers.
Tan Kin Lian
I wrote my first cheque 40 years ago. The rules were to write the amount in figures and words, to write the date and spell the name of the payee correctly. Any alteration to the cheque has to be signed. This was at a time when computers were not widely used.
This archaic rules remain the practice today. It has always been tedious to write a cheque and to avoid making any spelling or other mistake mistake. If the payor makes any small mistake, regardless of how minor or inconsequential, the bank will return the cheque for correction. The bank staff is not prepared to exercise any discretion and common sense.
Recently, I was asked my my lawyer to write a cheque in favor of "The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank account No 1234567 in the name of XYZ development company". There was insufficient space on the cheque to write the payee’s name.
Many countries have done away with cheques. My friend told me that cheques are hardly used in China.
In many countries, the payor can make a payment by a direct transfer through the internet or a bank counter. The payor only needs to write down the account number of the payee and the amount in figures (i.e. no need to be in words).
Singapore continues the archaic practice of making most payments by using cheques, instead of a simpler mode of payment. While payment can now be made through internet banking, it requires a troublesome process of registering and authenticating the recipient’s bank account and is not suitable for once-off payments.
I hope that the Monetary Authority of Singapore to take the lead in this change to introduce a simple system of direct banking transfer. It will save the tedious process of processing cheques through the banking system. The private sector cannot take the lead in making this change, as they do not have the regulatory powers.
Tan Kin Lian
Friday, July 02, 2010
Survey: Flood in Singapore
Dear Mr. Tan,
Please put this link in your blog:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/66SCMBR
Alex
Update
Alex gave me the results of the survey (100 respondents) as folows:
What is the reason for the flooding in Singapore
a) vegetation in culvert 11%
b) global warming 18%
c) unbridled urbanisation 63%
d) litter in drain 35%
According to the creator of this survey (not Alex), the correct answer is (d) as this is the only reason that you can blame the Singaporeans. Apparently the survey is to determine if you have the quality to be a government leader!
Please put this link in your blog:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/66SCMBR
Alex
Update
Alex gave me the results of the survey (100 respondents) as folows:
What is the reason for the flooding in Singapore
a) vegetation in culvert 11%
b) global warming 18%
c) unbridled urbanisation 63%
d) litter in drain 35%
According to the creator of this survey (not Alex), the correct answer is (d) as this is the only reason that you can blame the Singaporeans. Apparently the survey is to determine if you have the quality to be a government leader!
Relevance of Tommy Wong’s books “Wisdom on How to Live Life”
Tommy Wong uses an amusing dialogue format, in the first part of Book 1. He shares his insights on why there are so many negative events happening in the world today leading to a life of struggle and sufferng for many.
In the second part of Book 1 and in Book 2, Tommy shares concepts which can change the world for the better leading to a life of peace, love, joy and harmony. I like his writing style as it is easy to read and clear.
For those who are interested in living a better life and in a better world, Tommy Wong’s books can be ordered here.
Tan Kin Lian
In the second part of Book 1 and in Book 2, Tommy shares concepts which can change the world for the better leading to a life of peace, love, joy and harmony. I like his writing style as it is easy to read and clear.
For those who are interested in living a better life and in a better world, Tommy Wong’s books can be ordered here.
Tan Kin Lian
Promotion - Intelligence Quiz and Shape Quiz
Enjoy a reduced price of $6.90 (usual $7.90) when you buy Intelligence Quiz Vol 1, 2 OR 3. Get the tips on how to solve the puzzle and win the weekly Quiz prize. Available here.
Shape Quiz mini-pak -10 paks for $15.00 (UP $20). Suitable for children party and ice-breaker at workshops.
Shape Quiz mini-pak -10 paks for $15.00 (UP $20). Suitable for children party and ice-breaker at workshops.
Display panels on MRT trains (2)
On 22 June, I posted a blog on the display panel in MRT trains which has not been working for more than a month. During the past few days, I saw that the display panels and the lights are working correctly. SMRT has corrected the faults. I wonder if they are monitoring my blog? Perhaps someone gave them the feedback.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Wisdom on How to Live Life - Book Review
Book Review of "Wisdom on How to Live Life" on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Best spiritual book I have ever read, June 26, 2010
By A. J. Bray "Adrian Bray" (lowestoft, suffolk)
It has been several years since I came across the concept of 'living in the now'; it appealed to me because I wanted to live a contented life and not continually worry about the future. So when I read of the book 'Wisdom on how to live life - transforming Earth into heaven' by Dr. Tommy Wong, I was hooked!
In my early days I used to attend church upto three times on a Sunday where it was drummed into me that heaven was something you went to after dying and everything would be alright once you got there. Somehow, this translated into my mind that living on the earth was, at best, extremely difficult or at worst, horrible. God was something 'out there', cut off from us. This author proposes the concept that God is really a 'Great Spirit' that is in everything in and beyond our universe, yet smaller than an atom, in fact, everything that is. He goes on to say about divine, physical and man-made laws and gives great examples of each. 'Success' in life is defined through conversations Tom has with Guru's Dick and Harry. One reflects the way things are today in modern life, whilst the other suggests a better, fairer, more satisfying way. This book is easy to read, will challenge you to think about how you are living your life. It is a life changer and one to keep. Meanwhile, I can not wait to read Bk2. In my opinion, 5 stars are not enough to rate Bk1.
"Wisdom on how to live life" can be purchased here.
5.0 out of 5 stars Best spiritual book I have ever read, June 26, 2010
By A. J. Bray "Adrian Bray" (lowestoft, suffolk)
It has been several years since I came across the concept of 'living in the now'; it appealed to me because I wanted to live a contented life and not continually worry about the future. So when I read of the book 'Wisdom on how to live life - transforming Earth into heaven' by Dr. Tommy Wong, I was hooked!
In my early days I used to attend church upto three times on a Sunday where it was drummed into me that heaven was something you went to after dying and everything would be alright once you got there. Somehow, this translated into my mind that living on the earth was, at best, extremely difficult or at worst, horrible. God was something 'out there', cut off from us. This author proposes the concept that God is really a 'Great Spirit' that is in everything in and beyond our universe, yet smaller than an atom, in fact, everything that is. He goes on to say about divine, physical and man-made laws and gives great examples of each. 'Success' in life is defined through conversations Tom has with Guru's Dick and Harry. One reflects the way things are today in modern life, whilst the other suggests a better, fairer, more satisfying way. This book is easy to read, will challenge you to think about how you are living your life. It is a life changer and one to keep. Meanwhile, I can not wait to read Bk2. In my opinion, 5 stars are not enough to rate Bk1.
"Wisdom on how to live life" can be purchased here.
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