Not really. If it is first time withdrawal, it is possible to get the amount issued in a cheque (I think, not very sure) to your friend's name. In that case he can do whatever he wished with the money.
If the amount is paid to the bank by EPF, it would be considered a partial settlement of the homeloan and the amount is separate from the normal flexi advanced payment. So the EPF withdrawal amount cannot be taken out from the flexi account. This would be the case for withdrawals other than first time withdrawal.

Account 1 investment in approved unit trust cannot be taken out as cash. Even if you sell the unit trust the money goes back to EPF account 1

Would be more than happy to hear how you can get around the rules though

You need to strike a balance to pull this off. When it worked, it's very rewarding like cybermaster's case. Worked out well for many during 2009-2014. Now would be a bit risky, but not saying it can't be done. Leveraging is a powerful tool when used right.

You need to have a plan, emergency funds to address the cashflow risk if you lose your job or something; and be very selective with the properties you choose. Don't get greedy and start buying 10 if you cannot afford

I don't know why you bother to explain so much to someone who clearly is not going to accept a different way of looking at things

It's like trying to explain the cons of capital protected/guaranteed investments to most people. Waste saliva

Nah, I'm not even talking about your fav ASx fixed priced fund. If you, or anyone else vested, bother to read their master prospectus, you would have read that the prospectus clearly states that the fund value is not in anyway guaranteed. Of course you could argue the fund price does not change; but if ever the sh*t hits the fan, the truth is BSN, Bank Rakyat, PTPTN and Tabung Haji depositors have a bigger chance of recovering their money than ASx funds....

But I was told it's not going to happen wor

Now, for the benefit of the rest (although I seriously doubt anyone would change their mind by just reading what I write) what I'm talking about are those insurance savings plan; or those structured product with 95% capital protected etc. If you study those products, the likelihood of your earning significantly higher than FD interest is close to none. The concept is simple, in order to guarantee/protect your capital, the risk that can be taken has to be limited, and therefore there would be limited upside as well.

So if like that, with a long investment timeframe, why don't I accept some risk and create a diversified portfolio which would unlikely return me less than 100% of my capital and yet have a lot higher chance of getting higher returns. Yes, I may lose money on foreign equities, but I should make some money off local equities and bonds or vice versa

Funny we had 2 renovators who came to challenge all the finance threads taikors claiming they know better than everyone else; supersound first and kengyan now....

They seem to be active in different renovation traits though, else I would think they are just alter-egos
Both likes to call names which makes them stand out from everyone else

Minimum investment RM100,000
Big shark spotted

LOL-ed at the last sentence
You would be surprised my other half is the one not saving enough and shopping too much

It really depends la, and upbringing is very very important

I save reasonably well, and at the same time I do enjoy some finer things in life. So perhaps I can advise better than those who are on the other end of the spectrum.

Sounds to me like you need a budget, how much can you save sustainably. There is no point trying to live frugally while feeling very miserable. In no time you would go back to the same old bad habit

You need to first want to do it - decide how much is your saving target, how much is your 'fun' budget. You can even set a annual performance based bonus for yourself, if you achieve your annual savings target, take out a portion for a real splurge like a fine dining experience or something you really wanted. But to do that your savings target has to be a stretch target la

U sound like you are still quite young. The first advice I always dish out to those who just started working is, focus on your career, and the money would come naturally. And when you have higher income, you get to enjoy finer things in life too. Personally I don't aspire to retiring early. I secretly believe that I contribute positively to the society doing what I do, so it's a loss to the society if I leave the work force while I can still work