buy VUAA if you want lower cost for S&P 500. ETF managed by Vanguard and it is growing fast. Irish Domiciled and dividend reinvesting also.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 10 2022, 09:42 AM

Bonds are for old age people to buy.. they grow slow and steady.
I prefer dividend investing if I’m an old 60-70 yr old dude one day.. pick a bunch of safe dividend stocks in SG and MY and keep DCA into them will do. Or if lazy just put some money into FD or EPF.

When younger better to go for growth stocks or ETFs. We still have time on our side. VWRA is a good choice. I personally prefer CSPX/VUAA more (S&P 500). Some would invest in SWRD and EIMI as this would cover both developed and developing markets.

What bond to buy that are good? So far I see the bond ETFs not doing so well also. Might as well just continue DCA in good stocks or ETFs.

So means buying bonds is to reduce chance of drawdown for overall portfolio? Since I notice they don’t fluctuate much. While earning steady dividends at the same time?

I notice bond related still get taxed 30% on dividends if buy US domiciled. Need to hunt for Irish domiciled to reduce tax down to 15%

I’m in late 30s but feel I can stomach the risk. I set aside 2-3 months of my savings in case if anything happens. One day if I retired will definitely look into bonds.

Thanks.. good info there.

Found this article that explain more on difference of individual bond vs bond ETF:
https://www.etf.com/etf-education-center/et...its%20portfolio.

No idea how to buy individual bond.. have not tried. Really that difficult? Individual bond can ensure capital return.. as long wait for its maturity.

Found a thread on Reddit saying AGGU etf is better due to longer in the market:
https://www.reddit.com/r/eupersonalfinance/...utm_name=iossmf

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 13 2022, 11:33 AM

Thanks will consider either bond etf once I research further.

Yea tried to search for individual bonds to buy some US gov bond could cost usd3k just for one bond. Also need to have willing buyer if wanna sell a bond. Some like SG bond need to wait gov to issue a bond after a few mths. Everything so complicated about them. I think to simplify things just leave it to a bond ETF.

Found some good videos today as this topic now pique my interest:





The first video more reliable. Second video Kelvin feels he don’t need bonds due to SG retirement fund, but shows an important part which is suggested bond ratio in one’s portfolio.. in Reddit someone else mention is your age -10 = how much percent of bonds one should have.



This couple instead forgo bonds completely due to some research they quote. The comments below the video are interesting to read. Many disagree and say bonds have a role to play.
So in the end depends what you’re comfortable with, and stick with the plan.

I’m thinking locally to substitute bond we could buy fixed deposit since those are guaranteed returns? If a FD is offering good rate would be wise to go ahead? But yea downside is we’re using MYR which any day might plunge lower.

Will look into SG to see if got any good dividend distributing type bond etf.. since SG don’t charge taxes on dividends.
Edit: best SG bond etf is - ABF SG bond etf. Performance is similar to AGGU etf so depends which u prefer or can just get both.

Found an article that mentioned that it is better to invest in short term bonds when interest rates are expected to rise:
https://www.im.natixis.com/us/portfolio-con...-term-bond-etfs

Found a good short term bond etf which is IBTU or IB01. One is accumulating another distributing. Reason for price difference of USD 5 vs USD 100 per etf: https://www.reddit.com/r/eupersonalfinance/...utm_name=iossmf

Other list of good short term bonds here (need to ownself search for UCITS Irish domiciled counterpart): https://seekingalpha.com/article/4379128-be...1hoCproQAvD_BwE

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 14 2022, 02:05 AM

Yea true also if focus too much on US treasuries alone. Will have more risk if something bad happens to US debt (such as a default).

Will buy some AGGG. At least will get dividend semi annually even if ETF price goes down.

I notice bond ETF prices could end up having negative growth (even when they drop it's a small % usually). So rather have some dividend in my broker account when its price drop.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 14 2022, 10:31 PM

Staples ETFs and REITs right now many in the red also. We just need to hodl through this tough time.. things will get better later. Treat it as a discount to get the stocks or ETFs that you like.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 14 2022, 07:57 PM

this Reddit thread has given me an inspiration on how to utilize bonds:
https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/co...y_bonds_at_all/








This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 14 2022, 10:34 PM

just found out Malaysia's own popular MMF (money market fund) is Versa.. interest payment being bi-weekly and able to withdraw next day (if submit before 2.30pm business day) is great! It is also SC approved launched just last year in Malaysia.
downside is they invest using MYR it seems.

Stashaway simple would be using USD. However withdrawal part then really slow usually 3 days at least. And interest payment only done once a month. Both Versa and Stashaway Simple has a projected return of 2.4% per annum.



Just tested Versa with some small funds. Interface really clean. Find some referral code via google so that will get RM10 on first 100.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 15 2022, 09:09 AM

Likely he sold it coz he already made from the REITs from prev growth.

So right now use the money from the sale to buy more good stocks or ETF. They are on a discount now. Since these has a higher chance to grow and shoot to the moon once this downturn is over.

Once Fed stop increasing interest rates, that’s when you’ll see market return to normal. Maybe not as good as 2 years ago but definitely some growth that time.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 15 2022, 09:51 AM

yea bond ETFs dividends are around 1-2%.
there's a chance to grow the investment, though really small even after many years.
also a risk to lose some % of original capital if it goes down.
Plus side is the ETFs we buy are in USD.. so can hedge against MYR if somehow our Ringgit drops in value further.

If invest in Stashaway Simple or Versa, plus side is there's no such risk of losing capital.
Downside of Versa is it is denominated in MYR
SS in MYR also, but downside is 3-5days to withdraw.

In the end really depends on one's preference.

For now with so many stocks and ETFs on discount.. I rather put money in those first.
Once they start going up a lot then it is time we start putting more money in these bonds / MMF.

If older 60 yrs old + then good to focus more on FD, MMF, Bonds etc (at least 60% or so of portfolio) since we can't take as much risk to see market drop 30% or more in a month. REITs, good dividend stocks will then be the focus.. those defensive type stocks or ETFs (for remaining 40%). For older people keep add more FD, MMF, Bonds etc according to age.

If sick about to die then just sell everything and put in bank, ready the will to distribute to kids/charity etc. Can't bring money to grave.
(Just a suggestion I'm no financial expert here.)

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 16 2022, 08:39 AM

Yea i checked again and it mentioned denomination is in MYR. Might as well choose Versa.

Let's see the new one by Kenanga is better or not.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 16 2022, 06:41 AM

I'd prefer overseas.. my portfolio has SG and US stocks / Irish Domiciled ETFs denominated in USD (such as VUAA/CSPX, VWRA, etc).
SG focusing on good REITs.
Looking at bonds ETFs also in the future (USD denominated Irish domiciled such as AGGG/AGGU)
Our MYR keep going down so better to put in USD or SGD. (just my preference, I don't know the future if somehow MYR become stronger one day)

Bursa can have some also la, for me only Maybank stock and a few REITs just to earn high interest and ease of withdrawal.
Then local MMF fund (stashway simple, versa etc) in MYR denomination.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Feb 16 2022, 08:57 AM

myself I will put some money into good stocks too. Good stocks has higher growth/returns than ETFs.

But mainly still focus ETFs such as VWRA, CSPX/VUAA to minimize my risk and ensure steady growth.

Also as I'm heading to late 30s now will put more money into lower risk income and inflation hedge investments such as bonds, reits, FD, etc. Some say ratio would be your age = low risk investment or -10 for low risk.

coz US so far performing well. It's your money so up to you. If don't believe in US then choose VWRA for all world ETF.

Fund manager will help you rebalance and more options for them if VWRA.

If we got crystal ball can see future, then we can safely choose what to invest in.. in reality we don't have that power. So all of us taking some risks here and there too when it involves the stock market.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Mar 31 2022, 10:41 AM

VUAA is for poorer ppl like me to buy.. since cost wise cheaper. CSPX cost of entry is high.. if got some spare change after converting also hard to buy.

VUAA one day will catch up to CSPX liquidity trust me. Vanguard is more popular than iShares.

The difference now is liquidity.. which CSPX is more liquid since longer time in market. If you don’t sell often don’t have to worry. As for buy wise don’t rush when buying.. set at reasonable price and willing to wait. If see current price too high (high spike) then wait a few more hours come back.. likely it will drop down to cheaper price for VUAA.

If true boglehead don’t wanna time then set it to market price and just get in. TradingView is a good free tool to see current market price for ETF or stock.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Apr 1 2022, 08:09 PM

Crypto is the most volatile asset, even more so than Forex.

Also staking has chance of the underlying fund doing a rugpull, disappear, get hacked etc and your cryptos lost with it since they are the custodian.

I bought crypto end of last year at their all time high. Lost 50% of value and have not recovered since then (after China ban). Any big news like China’s ban will trigger another sell off.. most ppl can’t take such losses in such a short time. Also crypto trading is 24/7. Even weekends can’t rip esp if own a lot of them.

Most ppl say don’t own more than 10% crypto of your entire portfolio.. I can see why.

In 50 years crypto might be very valuable.. or just fail and most cryptos disappear. Nobody knows since they are pure speculative. So would also suggest if wanna buy also go for famous ones like BTC, ETH good enough. At least they have higher value. Going for less known ones is high risk.. you’ll need to monitor them often.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Apr 1 2022, 08:29 PM

I would not convert all my crypto to Stablecoins. Never know when the next spike would have increasing BTC value by double? Hence I’d want to be ready for that.

Right now I converted my ETH and LTC to BTC and store them at Nexo. Then lock in one month each time earning in Nexo. After one mth convert just enough Nexo to BTC to still keep that platinum membership for higher interest.
That is my plan on keeping BTC now. Till I manage to recover or profit from my previous investment.

For new ppl buying into staking. If they don’t mind the high risk then go ahead. Many other articles warning ppl about dangers of staking.

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Apr 1 2022, 08:47 PM