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Where to see the sunset in Singapore

There are few better free sights in life than that of a beautiful sunset in Singapore. For a few minutes, the sky is a medley of orange, pink and purple, and then it’s over. Yet the psychological effects of admiring the sunset are believed to persist long after the shade has faded. Research by the National Library of Medicine shows that sunsets enhance feelings of life satisfaction and have been proven to relieve stress. Oh, and they give you a great reason to go outside. Here’s where to watch a red dot, on the red dot.

URBAN VIEWS

The Pinnacle@DuxtonThe Pinnacle@Duxton

The Pinnacle@Duxton has long been the pinnacle of where to catch sunset in Singapore from a HDB block. Despite being a public housing building, the 50th storey skybridge is open to both residents and the public to take in the panoramic views from its manicured 500-metre-long sky garden. We recommend watching with one eye on Chinatown as it lights up and prepares for a bustling night. The skybridge opened up again in July this year and allows up to 200 people per day at $6 per person payable via EZ-link or cash at the guardhouse.
Pinnacle@Duxton, 1G Cantonment Rd, 085301. pinnacleduxton.com.sg

Skyville@Dawson

Standing 47-storeys above ground, the rooftop garden at Skyville@Dawson towers over every other building in Queenstown. Unlike Pinnacle@Duxton, there’s no entrance fee at this HDB block, and plenty of seating and sheltered spots allow you to take it all in without breaking into a sweat. While you stroll around the property, look out for extra eye-candy in the shape of wall murals depicting Queenstown’s heritage by comic artist Troy Chin.
Skyville@Dawson, 86 Dawson Road, 141086. woha.net/project/skyville-dawson/

Esplanade Roof Garden
Photo by Triston Yeo, Courtesy of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Esplanade Roof Garden

In contrast to the modern domes that house Esplanade’s Concert Hall and Theatre, this building’s rooftop boasts gorgeous greenery and super-romantic views of Marina Bay. It comes complete with landscaped with manicured lawns, shrub planting, small shade trees, and plenty of spots for photo opps. Position yourself correctly and you can see the Fullerton Hotel in the backdrop. The rooftop is accessible by elevator or escalator from Esplanade Mall.
1 Esplanade Drive, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 038981. esplanade.com

NATURE’S BEST 

Pearl’s Hill Terrace Park

Tucked away in a corner of Chinatown, Pearl’s Hill City Park, on top of Pearl’s Hill Terrace, is one of our favourite secret spots in the city. After a short stroll from Outram Park MRT Station and a little bit of legwork, you reach the top of the hill where you can relax, feed the terrapins in the pond, and immerse yourself in a calm and wooded ambience. While not offering as vast views as building vantage points, it’s a tranquil space to say goodnight to the city. Picnic optional.
Along Chin Swee Road, Pearl’s Hill Rd, 169879

Ulu Pandan Reservoir

A relatively less well-known reservoir in Singapore, this sunset-watching spot is popular with local residents in the west, but may not be so well known to those who live more centrally. Head here for a feeling of space in a natural and serene environment as you stroll the promenade and boardwalk. It’s also a winning destination for birdwatching and a bike ride.
11 Penjuru Road, 609191

Yishun DamYishun Dam

Never been to Yishun? Despite the swathes of stunning skyline available, this wouldn’t be everyone’s first choice for some sunset spotting, which is why it’s so special. Less crowds, a peaceful silence, and the feeling that you’ve stumbled upon a bit of a gem will add to the magic. Watching planes taking off and landing from the nearby Seletar Airport is an added bonus.
Yishun Ave 1, 769130

SIP & SEE

Mr StorkMr Stork

Perched on top of Andaz Singapore, Mr Stork offers 360 degree sweeping views of the cityscape along with an observatory corner made just for viewing sunsets. You’ll find a lovely garden space with a brass pavilion bar and seats right along the edges for the best vistas. If you’re looking for a little more privacy, book one of the teepee huts and hunker down with a cocktail in hand.
Mr Stork, 5 Fraser Street Level 39, Andaz, 189354. Tel: 9008 7707

Sky Garden at CapitaSpring

The new Sky Garden on the 51st floor of the CapitaSpring building is Singapore’s tallest publicly accessible observatory deck. Watch the sun say sayonara in this veritable oasis with a side order of urban farm featuring the likes of  turmeric, radish and spinach. Afterwards, nip next door to Kaarla for a meal of Aussie-inspired fare.
88 Market St, 048948, kaarla-oumi.sg/kaarla 

“Why do I make the wrong timing decisions on investing?”

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Select Investors SepOct 2022

Almost everyone has heard the phrase “Buy Low, Sell High”.  Yet studies tell us that in most circumstances we “Buy High, Sell Low”. Why does this occur, and what hinders our ability to follow one simple rule? This diagram reveals where the emotion takes over from logic and affects our decisions.

Downturn ChartIn the downturn at the end of 2018/2019, I had clients wanting to ‘sell out now to cash’. The market was down and in the zone of  ‘Maximum Opportunity’. Some clients ignored the guidance, others saw the opportunity to add to their investments. The difference in their portfolios 12 months later was astonishing: the clients that had sold out were still on the side-lines, whilst the market was at an all-time high. 

Check your attitude to risk

If you’ve ever said “I’m adventurous” in a rising market and “I’m cautious” in a falling market, then you’re neither. You’re in between. It’s vital you understand your tolerance for risk before you invest. Here’s some points to bear in mind:

  • Turn off the news
    Bad news and dramatic hype sells news stories. What happens today, tomorrow, or next week won’t affect your goals. Turn off the noise when it comes to your investments. Your goals are about decades, not days, so watch the tide, not the waves!
  • Focus on what matters
    People worry a lot about what they can control. Focus on what matters to you and be influenced by your behaviour. Forget the rest. 
  •  Avoid the doomsayers
    Naysayers will wait for an eternity to say, “I told you so.”  If you wait long enough, there will be a bear market, but in doing so you often miss out more from the returns of simply staying invested.
  •  Emotional attachment
    Our feelings can cause us to keep investments for longer than we should. An example can be shares in the company you work for. Fundamentally, you believe in the company, but you need to develop a strategy to manage your exposure. Exposure will cause emotions to conflict. By receiving new allocations every year, you’ll still want the shares to rise in value. It’s the de-risking and divesting that is so important.
  •  Fear of loss
    If you’re holding on to an investment that, if you cleared all your holdings today, you wouldn’t add to your portfolio tomorrow, why are you holding it? Loss aversion with investments means people are often too scared to crystalise a loss, even though the ‘overnight rule’ would suggest that the money could work harder elsewhere.

Our attitudes to risk may be different, but we each have inherent behavioural patterns that lead us to make similar investment mistakes. You won’t always make perfect decisions, but what’s important is to focus on your long-term goals. They will change too, and you need planning to allow for that.

It may be helpful to engage professionals who can focus on future outcomes, remove emotion from decision making, and build sensible plans that fit your goals and your appetite for risk. 

David Reynolds David Reynolds, Senior Partner at Select Investors, a Partner Practice of St. James’s Place, works closely with and supports expatriates with their financial wellbeing, through integrated tax and wealth planning during their time in Singapore and beyond. 

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. 

Contact David on david.reynolds@sjpp.asia or +65 9101 4814 to arrange a consultation and discuss your planning needs for your financial future.

The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Members of the St. James’s Place Partnership in Singapore represent St. James’s Place (Singapore) Private Limited, which is part of the St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group, and it is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and is a member of the Investment Management Association of Singapore and Association of Financial Advisers (Singapore).Company Registration No. 200406398R. Capital Markets Services Licence No. CMS100851. St. James’s Place Wealth Management Group Ltd Registered Office: St. James’s Place House, 1 Tetbury Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1FP, United Kingdom. Registered in England Number 02627518.

Singapore Grand Prix 2022: Even more F1 fun!

​​After a two-year hiatus, Singapore is gearing up (geddit?!) for an epic night race for the Singapore Grand Prix 2022. But the F1 fun doesn’t stop at fast cars and – um – Westlife. Along with the race are a host of dining experiences and dancing (remember that?) opportunities throughout the weekend. Here’s where to be in Singapore from 30 September – 2 October 2022. 

Glamboyant – Kampong Gelam

A ten-day festival in happening Kampong Gelam is taking place from now until 2 October in hounor of the F1. Join the revellers around Aliwal Street Carpark,Baghdad Street, Haji Lane, Sultan Gate and Sultan Gate Park for enjoy an exciting schedule of activities involving food, culture, music and sports. Look out for Grafitti Crash Course Workshops, live DJs, pop-up F1 trucks and live cinema. Being of a certain age, we’re loving the sound of the BMX Street Battle 2022. Those wanting in on the action can also register for BMX Freestyle Workshops and Freestyle Skate sessions guided by experts. Find out more about Galmboyant here

Mandala Weekender

Mandala Club welcomes the F1 shenanigans back to Singapore with their inaugural Mandala Weekender party. From 30 September to 2 October expect a state-of-the-art 30-metre LED screen showcasing the race, as well as next-level partying! They’ll be hosting iternational artists including Rae Sremmurd, Kelis, Armand van Helden, Louie Vega with Anané, Basement Jaxx (above) and Rudimental. Screeeam! For more details, click here

1-Arden

Located on the 51st floor of the CapitaSpring skyscraper and overlooking the Marina Bay Circuit, 1-Arden kickstarts the Singapore Grand Prix season with the lavish “PR1X” Party on 29 September 2022. Joining forces with Heineken Silver, it’s the place to be as the sun goes down and the world’s greatest racing heroes speed through the track. Setting the ambience for an electrifying evening are house and electronic tunes by a stellar line-up of international and local DJs. kaarla-oumi.sg/whats-on

Thirty Six Brewlab & Smokehouse

This stylish bar at the bottom of Club Street is all set for three days of fast and furious action with a free-flow drinks package and live screenings of races from 30 September to 2 October 2022. All through the race weekend from 6pm onwards, the bar will offer a four-hour free-flow package at $98++, featuring endless pints of Lion Brewery Co. beers, house wines, and signature cocktails. From Lion Brewery Co.’s Island Lager to its New England Session IPA, the beers are all freshly brewed on-site at the microbrewery. Food is also available 0 if you can eat through all that excitement! Click here for more

Sugarhall

Sugarhall, Jigger & Pony’s rum-focused cocktail pub is celebrating Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix from 29 September – 1 October. Located steps away from the circuit, rev up the excitement with a special set meal experience. For three days, guests can enjoy the combination of Sticky Pork Ribs (coated in rice flour, fried till crispy and brushed generously with a honeyed Korean chilli glaze), along with the cocktail bar’s signature serve, Dark & Stormy, for just S$50++. Head to Sugarhall for more

Wildseed Cafe

Make a weekend family pit stop at Wildseed Café at both The Summerhouse and Alkaff Mansion who are serving up all-day specials starting at breakfast and continuing throughout the day. Enjoy a side order of speed (kind of!) at the Kids Race Circuit at Alkaff Mansion on the weekend 1 – 2 October, 10am – 5pm. The inflatable race track comes with battery vehicles for parents and children. From $5 per ride. Find out more

Mr Stork 

Keep the adrenaline flowing with Mr Stork’s race party in collaboration with Red Bull, Grey Goose, Auchentoshan and Peroni. The party starts at 5pm, and a rotation of DJs will keep the crowd going with ‘live’ performances from 6pm – 1am. Alongside the usual food menu, there’ll be a specially curated platter (SGD 70) featuring the likes of Sanchoku Wagyu Short Ribs Baos, Truffle Brie de Meaux Toast, and Aburi Tuna Tartare. For reservations head here

Marquee

Singapore’s largest nightclub is the pit-stop for those looking to dance the weekend away. International DJs Steve Aoki and Afrojack will be at helm, along with a few special guests taking on the decks. On 1 October, Dutch DJ and music producer Afrojack takes to the stage working the nigh with electronic hip-hop and pop music. Here’s where to go for tickets

Botanico

Get set for a special 4-course lunch inspired by the Singapore Grand Prix race track at Botanico. The menu includes a selection of dishes for the “Main Race” such as Herbal Chicken of sous-vide Chicken Breast on a bed of “Chicken Rice” couscous. For the “Post Race” Dessert, you can’t go wrong with Chocolate Merlot Cake of Dark Chocolate Mousse and Feuiletine. $58++ per person. reservation@thegarage.sg

Atico Lounge at 1-Atico

Head to the top of ION Orchard where Atico Lounge is partnering with Johnnie Walker to showcase specially curated cocktails to celebrate the race season. At $18++ each, opt for the mixologist’s twist on the Whiskey Sour with Mr. Gold, or sip on the heady Spice It Johnnie with Johnnie Walker Gold, Ginger, Apple Spiced Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice and Honey Water. Thirsty? Click here 

CÉ LA VI 

The iconic rooftop destination is all hosting a four-day futuristic race-themed celebration from 28 September 2022. Prepare to get revved up in immersive LED, kaleidoscopic installations, exciting culinary experiences and exhilarating all-day parties across the venue’s three social spaces. For hardcore revellers, The Brunch Club Launch Party with DJ Danny Tenaglia on 1 October won’t disappoint. Click here for reservations.

Da Paolo Dempsey Restaurant & Bar 

At Dempsey Hill, Da Paolo Dempsey Restaurant & Bar amps up the festivities with a Ferrari Free Flow Beverage Package ($68++ per person for 1.5 hours). Alternatively, slow it down with a ‘Night at the Races’ ($24++) cocktail or specially curated meal and snack bundles of gourmet Italian fare and drinks (from $36 for 1 pax to $348 for 6 to 8 pax). dapaolo.com.sg

Moving house essentials: How to do it as a single dad

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Moving as a single parent comes with its unique set of obstacles, which compounds the already overwhelming project. As a single mum or dad you must consider the responsibilities of looking after your child, alongside making sure you can move to your new home without hassles.

As one of the best house movers in Singapore, we’ve created this survival guide for single dads to make their move as easy, affordable, and less stressful as possible.

1.      Effective planning

Planning before your actual international relocation day makes sure you stay on track every step of the way. We recommend creating a checklist and writing every little aspect down to guide you through the sorting, packing, and other essential activities that will influence your moving. Get your checklist here.

2.      Engage professional movers

Getting the full-service of an international mover in Singapore makes sure you can pack, load, transport, and unload your items as cost-effectively as possible. If you cannot afford the full service, consider hiring only moving labor, professional packers, transportation, or a full-service mover for that purpose.

3.      Get your kids involved

You need to prepare your kids physically and mentally to move into the new environment. Consider involving them as early as possible, especially in the planning stage. Therefore, by the time you are ready to make the actual move, they will be half-way convinced about the new move.

4.      Give away things you don’t need

It is always better never to move unwanted items. Sort through items in your home by their long-term value and whether you will use them in your new home. Categorise the pile of things you want to get rid of into items for sale, recycling, donating, and trashing. Read our declutter tips here.

5.      Engage a babysitter on moving day

Supervising your kids and movers at the same time is a herculean task. Save yourself the stress and trauma by getting a babysitter to watch your kids. If you also have pets, you also need to engage a pet sitter to take care of them. Plan for your pet move. Read more here.

6.     Keep costs low

Be careful with the actual moving day schedule. Reputable moving companies in Singapore have much traffic during the summer periods. Therefore, it’s important to schedule your moving day well in advance.

7.      Labelling

Having too many boxes and bags around can be overwhelming. Consider attaching labels to each piece of luggage. These labels should be as descriptive as possible to feature purposes and categories. Also, consider including the destination for everything you pack. This will help your movers place those boxes in the fitting room. It can also help them get started on re-assembling intricate furniture as fast as possible.

8.      Get settled and protected

The safety of you and your kids is also essential. Therefore, when you finally move into your new home, take note of the valves, gas, and other critical aspects of your office. This will help you prepare for any accidental issues that arise such as fire. Don’t also forget to change all locks, exterior light bulbs, alarm codes, and batteries.

9.      Turn on/turn-off your utilities

Ensure that you have effectively transferred utilities to your new home. Utilities may range from gas, internet, to electricity and water. Talk to the appropriate companies about your intentions to move and the exact time you wish to turn off those appliances.  Also, ensure that you have these services turned on, on the precise day you move into your new home.

About SIR MOVE

Established in Singapore in and Malaysia since 2006, SIR Move Services is a Singapore/British brand, and it is a moving company that continues to build a business based on integrity and trust. SIR provides Complete Move Solutions for International, Commercial and Domestic Relocations inclusive of storage and insurance. We move pets too. Moove My Box (MMB) is the newest addition to our suite of services allowing customers to ship small shipments faster. Similar to Air Express Delivery with the addition of packing and collection services.  SIR Move is a qualified FIDI/FAIM Quality Mover.

SIR Move Services

Email talk2us@sirmove.com

Visit www.sirmove.com

Call 65 65347345

Follow us on Facebook

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Hotspots: Heart of Darkness new menu & party invite

In honour of its third anniversary, Heart of Darkness is having a party! Get set for a free flow of award-winning beer and /or food from an all-new menu featuring bestsellers from Saigon. The two offerings consist of free flow of Heart of Darkness craft beer for SGD 88++ on Saturday 24 September, and four beer pairings for SGD 30++ as an add-on to food bookings on Sunday 25 September. The second option is free flow of food for SGD 58 ++ on Sunday from the all-new modern Tex-Mex-inspired menu including bestsellers from Heart of Darkness flagship restaurant in Saigon.  

Tex-Mex twist

We were lucky enough to be at the presentation of some of these delicious best sellers along with the award-winning craft beers. Heart of Darkness’ latest menu is inspired by the popular and hearty “Tex-Mex” cuisine but with a great Asian twist, using local farm fresh ingredients. According to HoD GM, “the menu aims to thrill the palettes of globetrotting Singaporeans and expats and introduce  American-inspired comfort food with a modern Asian twist in terms of preparation and cooking techniques as well as visual vibrancy.” 

We tried several of the dishes featured in this new menu that were paired with some of award winning brews. First up were the nachos, the quintessential Tex-Mex classic. Crispy tortilla chips topped with nice creamy guacamole, sour cream, cheese sauce, jalapeños, pico de gallo and cilantro. 

Along the way, we were presented with two glasses of the Dream Alone Pale Ale and Kurtz’s Insane IPA. The Dream Alone Pale Ale was citrusy and light, and probably my favourite of the two. It had pleasant notes of peach, citrus and berries. The Kurtz’s Insane IPA is fruity with hints of grapefruit with a nice bitterness at the end. I’m not a big IPA fan, but I actually enjoyed this one given the lightness and soft hops. These two brews were perfect with the citrus in the Ceviche and the spiciness of the Grilled Calamari

The Ceviche dish, an Asian interpretation of the Peruvian dish, featured barramundi as the base with the fish  first in-house cured for two-hours with lime juice, lime leaves and coconut water. The cured fish is then dressed vibrantly with red onion, pineapples, jalapeños and cilantro; a splash of coconut cream for added texture and comes with squid ink tortilla chips. A great Asia-Peruvian combo, it was a winner at the table. 

We stuck to fresh seafood for our next dish with the Chargrilled Fresh Calamari.  A great dish of chargrilled whole fresh squid presented with pico de gallo, fresh cucumber and mango. A deliciously spicy Thai chimichurri added another layer of familiar flavours across cultures, but be warned, the chimichurri ranks high on the heat scale.

Asian wings

Whilst in Asia, wings are a must so we tried the Wing Selection with five different marinades: Banana Mango Jalapeno Sauce, Caramelised Fish Sauce, Curry Tomato Sauce, Ginger Teriyaki Miso Sauce and Spicy Buffalo Sauce. We couldn’t decide on which one was the tastiest. However, I would say the spicy buffalo sauce was nowhere near close to the original American recipe. But all the wings are deep-fried to perfection, crispy and succulent packing a punch of deep flavours. 

Between the wings and the beef, the next round of beers arrived. This time we had Director’s Chocolate Stout, the Excited Magpie Dry Irish Stout and another round of the Kurtz’s Insane IPA. The Magpie Irish Stout did not try to replicate the other famous Irish stout, but the Irish Stout moniker is well-earned; it had a nice roast and pleasant bitterness and contrasted the creamy mouthfeel. The Director’s Chocolate Stout was the perfect companion for both the Char Siew Beef Ribs and the Churros. However, my absolute favourite was the Irish Stout 

For our final dish we had the Chargrilled Char Siew Beef Short Rib. A superb hearty dish that is a well-deserved key highlight of the new menu: 750g bone-in beef short ribs is sous vide for 14 hours in a special Heart of Darkness BBQ marinade. Flavours of the marinade melded with fat and natural juices of the meat to make the dish an unmistakable must-order.

With our short ribs we had the Okonomiyaki Fries. Fries are always a good idea and this version does not disappoint.  East meets West, fluffy and crunchy fries are dressed with Okonomiyaki Sauce, Japanese Aioli, Bonito Flakes, Nori, Green Onion and Sesame Seeds. Perfect companion to the Char Siew beef short- ribs 

The final touch was the Churros for dessert. Little can be said about crispy fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and thick luscious dark chocolate on the side. We had to ask for another round of the Director’s Chocolate Stout to go along with the dessert. 

Verdict: Heart of Darkness delivers once again with consistently delicious food and great craft beers. These two celebratory offerings is a great excuse to return to this fun venue.

3rd Anniversary Party @ Heart of Darkness
Date: 24 (Saturday) and 25 (Sunday) September 2022
Address: 1 Keong Saik Rd, 089109
Tel: +65 6208 7940
Reservation:heartofdarknessbrewery.com.sg/pages/reservation

ANZA Netball: It’s time to carnival!

ANZA NetballWe love starting our netball players young, so it was exciting when some of the youngest ANZA Netball players were offered the chance to enter a competition over the summer. Centaurs Netball hosted a carnival and invited Singapore Netball Academy, Sport Ready and ANZA to participate, and there was no way we were saying no!

The Mini Netball Carnival was arranged for U8-U11 age groups with the goal of having fun and learning the spirit of competitive matches. The rules and regulations were adjusted according to the player age group which led to no scoring and a relaxed format for the youngest age groups. The matches were short with seven-minute halves, and each age group playing multiple matches in a round robin format, which allowed participants to play in a variety of court positions.

Quotes from ANZA netballers

Opposition clubs

ANZA Netball sent along teams from the 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 cohorts. The girls had an awesome time playing against opposition clubs, many for the first time. Everyone was also lucky enough to receive some surprise cool treats and snacks to keep them going on the warm Sunday morning. Thank you to Centaurs for organising the carnival and to all the ANZA parents (aka the cheerleaders!) for coming along and providing support. A big shout out also goes to the ANZA coaches, team managers and umpires without whom it would have been difficult (or impossible!) to participate.

It was particularly heart-warming watching the two youngest age groups enjoying matches as it was a new experience for them. All the skill training from the last two years combined with the communication, teamwork and camaraderie of our girls all came together on court. Well done ANZA players!

Sign-up for ANZA Netball’s Term 2 here

Learn about the Australian property market for expats at this webinar

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Should we believe the Australian property market news? You can read so many negative stories, including the terrifying possibility of a recession. Thankfully, if you listen to the experts to learn what will change for expats, you won’t have to panic. At Odin Mortage, we think understanding the real issues in the property market is paramount to enable expats to make better decisions about whether you should buy an Australian property in the current climate.

What is the webinar?

This exclusive webinar is designed to answer your urgent questions about property. It will provide real insights into the property market for expats and delve into your many questions.

The speakers include:

  • Ben Wong, Co-founder of Odin Mortgage, Australian expat mortgage specialists
  • Michael Judge, Head of Australia & New Zealand with OFX
  • Matthew Marcarian, Principal at CST Tax Advisors, a property tax and residency expert

What topics will the webinar include?

The webinar will discuss the biggest changes in mortgages, finance, currency, and tax so far in 2022. But, more importantly, this webinar focuses on you! An Australian expat living abroad.

The webinar will focus on real-life examples in the property market and delve deeper into the proposed 45-day tax residency, plus the key factors to consider when purchasing Australian property (for example, capital gains tax for expats). Our skilled experts will answer all the questions you are desperate to ask, including:

  • Is now a good time to buy or refinance a property in Australia as an expat?
  • How can Aussie expats obtain finance in the current environment?
  • What’s the deal with rising interest rates? How are they affecting the property market?
  • How does FX volatility affect your buying power?
  • What’s the best way to transfer money to Australia from overseas?
  • What are the latest property tax and residency requirements for expats?
Sign up for the webinar for detailed property market information for expats

If you’re an Australian expat and worry about what you read and listen to in the news, our experts can help you put your mind at ease. So for peace of mind and the most accurate information you can get on the critical property market changes for expats, we welcome you to join us.

To sign up for this webinar by Odin Mortgage, click here.

 

 

Let’s Talk: Why a broker is best

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Odin Mortgage

Securing or refinancing a mortgage in Australia as an expat can be an overwhelming task. From loan structuring, tax residency considerations, maximising borrowing capacity and foreign income bank policies, it’s important to have an expert mortgage broker on your side to guide you through the process. Read on for some reasons why.

Matt Hooper Head of Business Development
Matt Hooper, Head of Business Development

Independent & impartial advice 

Mortgage brokers are not tied to any bank or lender, or to a limited range of products. Their goal is to ensure you get the best deal for your individual situation. You can receive options from different lenders available and then decide what’s right for you.

Hassle-free info

What might take you weeks of research, appointments, and shopping around can be easily discovered through your advisor. Mortgage brokers work with dozens of lenders, big and small, and can quickly narrow down a list of the most suitable for your individual situation.

Greater choice 

With access to a large network of lenders, a mortgage broker will ensure you get the best rate possible. What a lot of people don’t realise is that a broker can often obtain a lower rate than advertised, and better than you can get if you were to deal with the lender directly. Lenders know that when using a mortgage broker, they must compete harder for your business. You will often also have access to special deals and add-ons to secure your business.

Everything runs smoothly

If you’ve already found a property, the settlement date comes around very quickly. Having a mortgage broker on your side to ensure everything runs smoothly is what they’re there for. They have strong relationships with all of the lenders they deal with to ensure everything is taken care of in a timely manner. 

$0 cost to you

There is absolutely no charge when using mortgage broker services. How is this possible? Like many other professional services, mortgage brokers are paid a fee when introducing a new customer to a lender. These fees are quite standard across the board, which ensures that the focus remains on you, the customer.

Ongoing support

Even once you’ve signed the paperwork and settled on the property, your mortgage broker will be there when you need them, ensuring you always have the best deal, and the loan that’s right for you. 

Odin Mortgage QR code

Ensure you have an expert you can trust when buying or refinancing property in Australia while overseas. Contact the team at Odin Mortgage today odinmortgage.com

Mindful self-compassion: Navigating storms in life

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In the last three years, it feels like we have been caught up in a heavy storm that threatens to drown us. We have faced Covid, war, racial violence, environmental disasters and more. There has been so much fear, loss and change. Besides facing this collective trauma together, we also have a common human experience: our inner critic is frequently belittling or attacking us for the mistakes we have made, or dictating what we should, or have to do.

“You should be more careful, why did you make this stupid mistake?!”

For most of us, we are our own harshest critics. Our inner critics can be the voice of a punitive caregiver or authority figure. While facing both internal and external threats, we can feel anxious, depressed and confused on how to navigate to a state of safety and stability.

Mindful Self-compassion: help yourself and others through the storms. Image supplied by Alliance Councelling

Navigating internal and external storms 

What if mindful self-compassion can anchor us during destabilising times to find the strength to go forward? There are more than 1000 published, peer-reviewed studies on impact of self-compassion in people’s lives. This is what the data tell us: practicing simple, self-compassion techniques in daily life can:

– Increase our wellbeing, resilience, motivation and persistence
– Reduce our self-criticism, self-doubt and worry
– Improve our relationships with others
– Improve our relationship with ourselves

Here is a curated selection of research articles.

What is mindful self-compassion?

Let us illustrate it with a scenario: imagine your close friend has done poorly in a project that is really important to him/her. How would you respond to your friend? Now, consider if you have similarly done poorly in a project. How would you treat yourself? Do you notice any discrepancy between the way that you treat your friend and yourself in times of struggle?

Chances are you would be kinder to your friend. You might give them a hug and would support them. Research found that 78% of people are more compassionate towards others than themselves, only 6% are more compassionate to themselves than others, and 16% are about equal. This means that most of us are very hard on ourselves.

We usually encourage and motivate our friends in nourishing ways, with good intentions that they will achieve their goals. However, we tend to whip ourselves to reach our desired outcomes. If we have the same wish for ourselves and our friends to do well, can we similarly motivate ourselves with love instead of fear? In essence, Mindful self-compassion is the ability to be present in the face of life’s challenges while supporting and motivating ourselves in the same way we would do for a friend: taking action to protect ourselves during a storm

What is the Mindful Self-Compassion course?

Self-compassion is a skill that can be learnt. The Mindful Self-Compassion course by Alliance Councelling is a cutting-edge, applied mindfulness course that will help us discover and tap into our powerful inner strengths. It empowers us to respond to the stresses and difficulties of our lives with a kind, engaged presence. The 8-session Mindful Self-Compassion course is scientifically-supported and based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Nef and Christopher Germer. It is experiential and provides specific and practical skills for different contexts in daily life. You can think of them as exercises for your mindfulness and compassion muscles.

You can now access the Mindful Self-Compassion course online here from the comfort and convenience of your own home with two experienced guides who have made their own journey into self-compassion and helped many others to do the same. The next course begins in October 2022. As you navigate stormy situations in life, may you anchor yourself, go within to find out what you truly need and give yourself permission to access that. This may give you the strength, courage and wisdom to tide through the storms and go the distance.

Alliance Councelling has three locations in Singapore (two in Cluny Court and one in the Upper East Coast), and a team of 30 multilingual, multi-cultural counsellors and psychologists. Since 2009, they’ve provided counselling for children and families, teens, adults and couples. Methodologies include Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Marathon Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy, Pre-postnatal Therapy, Walk and Talk Therapy, mindfulness-based practices and psychological assessments. They also curate corporate employee assistance programmes and training workshops.

Register for the Mindful Self-Compassion course at admin@alliancecounselling.com.sg or +65 6466 8120 | alliancecounselling.com.sg | Discover more about Dr Karen Pooh here 

 

Negroni Week Singapore on now!

This is not just a usual week in Singapore. Yesterday kicked off iconic Negroni Week, which is back for another round of drinking for a good cause from 12 – 18 September.

In 2013, Campari and Imbibe Magazine launched this global philanthropic initiative to raise money for charitable causes around the world. Now in its 10th year, the 2022 version involves 10 bars across Singapore whipping up their own interpretation of the Handshake Negroni, and over 60 venues paying homage to the classic cocktail. That’s a lot of drinking opportunities!

Creations & classics

The 10 bars recreating the “Handshake Negroni” will take inspiration from the “Bartender’s Handshake” – a ritual known in the industry as a way to greet friends, colleagues and familiar customers by offering small serve cocktails or shots on the house. These creations, along with the classic Negroni, will not just pay homage to each bar’s hospitality and creativity, but also work as a symbol of some post-Covid normalcy at last.

What’s more, for every Negroni purchased, a donation will be made to a charity of the bar’s choice, so it’s the perfcet excuse to get gulping the perfect mix of gin, sweet red vermouth and Campari. Some of the 10 bars tasked with showcasing their experimental flair include:

28 HONG KONG STREET – BLACK FOREST NEGRONI (S$25++)

By Bartender, Akmal Haqim. Charity: Slow Food

Featuring rum, sweet vermouth and Campari, the addition of ruby port adds an exuberant red fruit sweetness that mellows the bitterness. Garnished with dark cherry and cacao nibs, this cocktail is best enjoyed with bites in between for a reminder of famous Black Forest cake.

ATLAS – COUNT OLIVIER (S$25++)

By Head Bartender, Lidyanah K. Charity: Animal Concerns Research & Education Society

Fascinated as a quirky, fictional character of the gilded age, Count Olivier boasts an intricate mix of gin, mezcal, vermouth, Campari and dashes of chocolate bitters that brings forth a curious eccentricity of floral, tropical and classic bitterness with chocolate notes.

SOUTHBRIDGE – ROSMARINO NEGRONI (S$24++)

By Senior Bar Supervisor, Alfred Roxas. Charity: Singapore Red Cross

Those with a penchant for botanical-forward renditions of the Negroni will love this. Utilising smoked rosemary-infused gin with hibiscus-infused Campari and Rosso vermouth, this bright red tipple carries a woodsy, aromatic profile with a tinge of tartness that complements herbal bitterness.

Special Negroni events

In addition, special events will take place in the days to come to mark Negroni Week. Don’t miss the Italian brunch at Publico Ristorante on Saturday 17 September, where Smoke & Mirrors’ bartenders Edu Zamora and Mel John Chavez will be producing Negroni specials along with their representing Handshake Negroni for those craving a bittersweet hit. From 12 – 25 September, guests can also participate in the ‘Table 10’ experience – an intimate, Campari-branded space, featuring a selection of Negroni specials.

Also, the Campari Table Photo Booth at Opus Bar & Grill is the place to be from now until 24 September. Get a pic here and upload your shot to Instagram tagging @opusbarandgrill and #NegroniWeekOpusBarandGrill, and you could win complimentary full serves of Negroni for every subsequent visit throughout the year. Thirsty work, but somebody’s got to do it!

For the full list of participating bars and charities visit https://www.negroniweek.com/find

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