Nowaday steamboat 6.90 can eat what? veggies + a couple of meat balls??     

No more girlish-looking?

Seriously, during my company annual dinner that year when I wore makeup with that long hair, an ang moh thought that I'm a girl

For me not enough to eat lo....

Usually i go to all you can eat steamboat near sunway one.. RM 26.90++ We can do LYN gathering there...

Ok back to topic...

Many investment bank including WB predict that this budget standoff will last max until 16th October, because by 17th October debt ceiling already reach, however bad also maximum by 30th October. Now see who blink first only...

By 1st November is still no solution, US of A will default on it's loans. Once that happen, US debt will be downgraded to D, US dollar will plunge in value & US stocks will crash, uS ecomony will straight away go to recession. Don't think any politician willing to take the risk of killing the mighty US of A. 

As the deadline getting nearer, investor will be more nervous... so it is stock picking opportunity

I believe the politicians will fight until the last minutes, near mid October a lot of people will be scared, as Obama has vowed NOT to give in.

But, I think they are highly unlikely to make USA default.. in fact this happen once in October 2011.. caused the market to crash 20% that time, but at 10 minutes before midnight of deadline deal was struck... looks like this time people more confident.

Since Obama lost once in 2011, if he will not lose again no matter what is the cost.... then 

So you gonna trust a chart and sell everything? 

Wait for settle too late already loh....

Now it is either you take bet, settle or not settle in time only...

Remember the opposition to Obama is republicans which is heavily supported by Wall St, so Obama is delaying this to force their hand as wall street is the most worried when stock market crash... 

Wonder if the good folks here can give me some pointers.

I'm about to purchase my first home. Do you guys think it's wise to take a loan for the biggest amount possible and invest my leftover income and savings in mutual funds? Or would it be wiser to take as small a loan as possible and pay it off sooner by forgoing investing?

Yeah this is what I've been thinking. I'm also worried that I may be doubling down on my risk because if my investments tank I might lose the house as well.
Advice noted. It's true that our current home loan rates are pretty cheap. Under what conditions would the interest rate go up?

I can afford to service an 80% 20 year loan. I'm wondering if it makes more sense to take a 90% 30 year loan and throw the balance into mutual funds.

Ajinomoto?

FooGray,

i think 1 MAJOR item to worry about (other than interest rate/this/that may go up/down):
When U buy into a mutual fund - U LOSE x% to x.x% straight away
Thus, if U use LEVERAGE (ie. borrowings) to execute mutual fund purchases... wouldn't the initial loss be amplified?

Then in addition, how ar if it's stagnant OR go down OR go up a bit only per annum?
Your probability of winning is higher only in the long run (ie. more than 5 years).

Thus, in the short run - if U can cover and are ok, no probs (ie. can hold and service the payments WITHOUT selling or getting any dividends for 10 years or more)
Keep in mind - if/when kaka hits the fan, are U sure U can hold?

Problem / Q solved? 
Just a thought 

That one also good dividend stock... got buy? 

Not yet come down to my buying price.. 

You know what they mix to produce MSG? later tell you all scared.. hahahahaa

I been to the factory before, not gonna shift anytime soon...  Ajinomoto has >80% of Malaysia's market so is dominant company.

Most of MSG sold to prepared food makers (sauce, flavoring, fast food, noodles,  etc) in 25 kg or 1000 kg bags or sold retail to food restaurant/hawker in 1kg and 5 kg bags.

Direct consumers rarely buys MSG, but do consume unknowingly it in prepared foods & restaurant 

Want to know how they produce MSG?

MSG is actually no smell but the ingredients added do... 

So far no competitor Ajinomoto is 'lao jui pai'.

MY TP to buy is 3.90 to 4.00