Monthly Archives: August 2021

Make Your Money Green As Well As Your Lifestyle!

Posted on by
4

I think it’s safe to say that a lot of people are concerned about climate change; over the past few years we’ve seen very obvious and drastic changes to our ecosystems that it almost too blatant to ignore…flooding, wildfires, mass extinctions…all of these have a negative impact on our environment.

Many of us try to do our part (recycling, using less plastic, swapping disposable for reusable), but what about our money? Money is green in colour, but is it by nature? If you have read my previous articles about cryptocurrency, you know that I am a bit apprehensive of investing in this type of asset because of the environmental implications. According to Digiconomist, a single Bitcoin transaction has, on average, a carbon footprint of 549.74 kgCO2 – the equivalent to 91,624 hours of watching YouTube. And of course, people are also concerned with industries such as gas, coal and oil, and would prefer not to invest their money in these kinds of industries.

 Companies themselves seem to be moving further away from unsustainable processes. Singapore was the first South-East Asian country to introduce carbon tax in 2019. The country has plans to increase the levy at faster rates, to tackle Singapore’s growing concern with climate change.

“We think it’s necessary so as to put the right incentive for industries and for companies to look at the way they’re making things and the way they’re producing things,”, Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, commented.

This is all great news, and is an exciting future for Singapore on its journey to become greener. Companies and industries are sure to follow suit, so how can we ensure that our money and investments do so also, whilst still maintaining a positive portfolio?

The first thing you can do is invest in green power investments; there are plenty of industries utilising wind power, hydro power and even solar power, which you can invest in. Water energy seems to be the go-to for sustainability, so why not invest in energy producers with notable hydropower in their portfolios, such as PG&E and Brookfield Renewable Partners. Today, projects such as China’s massive Three Gorges Dam can supply electricity to between 70 million and 80 million households. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hydropower is the most cost-efficient means of generating electricity, so this is a lucrative and exciting tech to invest in. China is also the leader in wind energy right now, so if this kind of renewable energy interests you, check out General Electric or Vestas Wind Systems.

Prevention is also key when moving forward to create a greener world, so you may want to look at companies in waste management, green transportation or even pollution controls. These companies aim to minimise the affect humans’ inevitable impact have on the environment, and are going to be around for a long time. We are always looking for new ways to minimise our carbon footprint, be it minimising car emissions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants or improving recycling facilities.

So We Should Stop Investing In Oil And Gas?

This is not a black and white topic, there are many things to take note of with oil and gas industries. While oil and gas is not sustainable, environmental policies, like the tax I mentioned before, it has pushed large oil and gas companies to move further in this direction. Many investment managers prioritise green funds, causing oil and gas companies to improve their business models to be greener. Look at their business models, it is easy to see that some are greener than others. In fact, several large oil companies are among the global leaders in promoting a tax on greenhouse gases and investing in energy sources that will help the world transition away from oil. Choosing the firms with the best environmental records and practices is another way of looking at green investments.

I’m not the biggest expert when it comes to green energy, but I would like to think that I am doing my part for the environment. It’s very simple to make small changes in your portfolio to make it greener, and I wouldn’t even rush to withdraw anything in oil and gas, and these companies offer sustainable investment returns, and are improving their business models to be more environmentally friendly.

How To Staycay On A Budget!

Posted on by
Reply

Even though the lockdown rules have eased a bit here in Singapore, it still looks like we won’t be able to travel out the country for a while. So why not go on a staycation! There are loads of options here in Singapore, so if you want to plan a staycay that isn’t going to break the bank…this is the right article for you! Here are 5 top tips to plan a Staycay on a Budget!

  1. Determine Your Budget

You can’t work around a budget if you don’t have a budget, right? But how much should you set aside for your staycation? Well, for those that read by budgeting articles before, you will already know that you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your monthly income on your ‘wants’ (going out, drinks, food, hobbies etc.). So work with this figure- if you are planning on splurging out on your staycation, you may have to tighten the rest of the things you do for that month. If you want to calculate a figure, a quarter of this 30% should be your max. That way, you still have cash left over for the rest of the month.

2. Pick Off-Peak Times

Once you’ve determined your budget, it’s time to maximise your budget as much as possible. Try not to pick your staycation on expensive dates, such as National Day, CNY, Hari Raya etc. Pick off-peak timings. Not only will this be cheaper for you, but it will also be easier when booking, as public holidays sell out fast! If you can book during the week instead of the weekend, due to your schedule- then even better for you!

3. Plan Free Activities

Depending on where you’re staying in Singapore, you can find lots of different free things to do! Say for example you’re staying at Marina Bay Sands, you can walk around Gardens By The Bay for free, check out The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple or walk round Henderson Waves!

 If you’re staying in Sentosa, there’s a tonne of fun, cheap or even free stuff to do! Have a picnic on the beach, check out the Sentosa Trails or explore the Southernmost Tip of Asia!

4. BYOB

Everyone knows that alcoholic drinks are really expensive in Singapore. I almost can’t wait to visit the UK just so I can order a glass of wine that doesn’t break the bank! So, instead of splurging at MBS or the Fullerton, why not bring your own bottles? Last time I stayed at Marina Bay Sands; I brought my own bottle of red wine to enjoy in the room.

5. Make The Most Of The Facilities

This may not seem like a budgeting tip per say, but, hear me out. If you don’t have a pool at your place, or a gym, or a sauna, make the most of it! It’s included in your staycation, so you may as well use it while you can, especially if you normally have to pay for gym or pool access when you’re not on staycay! Not only that, if you can get a hotel that has breakfast included, make sure you don’t miss it! That’s one more meal out you don’t have to pay for.

I hope these tips show that you can plan a successful staycation without having to spends lots of going out, meals, drinks and activities. I’m not saying don’t spend at all! But there are definitely ways to cut costs…enjoy and stay safe!