Rolf 2020 (H2F3) in Review

Year 2020 will definitely be remembered as one of the weirdest years in history with Covid altering the way we live. The first locked down took place in China Wuhan, followed by several other countries including our very own Circuit Breaker locked down in Singapore for close to two months from April to June .

International traveling is restricted with planes grounded. Video conferences, Work from home (WFH) and home based learning becoming part of our lives. While the lock down is horrible, it provides ample time for family members to stay as close as possible.

(Click here for what does H2F3 (Health, Hobbies, Family, Finance and Friends) means. Refer here for my last H2F3 update in 2020Q3.)

HEALTH, FAMILY, FRIENDS 

For me, everyone in the family ended the year healthy, and no addition of new family member this year, unlike in the past trio sets of three years, last being 2017, where we expanded our family! My health got a scare in the last quarter or so with bad gastric. However, after a minor procedure and medications, my latest test result this month shows that my health is back to normal.

Family relationships is still good, but the increased time together mainly at home, inevitably led to more friction compared to previous years.  Family dinners outside and us visiting friends had been drastically cut due to the 5 pax rule. Nonetheless, we often had my best friends and kids invited into the house for dinner.

FINANCE 

This year, yet another restructuring took place in our company, and yet another survival of career for me, having survived the 2009 GFC and the 2015-2016 Oil Crisis layoffs in my career.

My wife resigned from her job after 12 years, after her firm asked her to take a big pay cut being in the MICE industry. We praise God that she managed to find a new job almost instantly, and it was one with better company culture, better salary, lesser workload, and above all, a very profitable company. As good as a dream job come true considering the circumstances.

My investment portfolio (excl. CPF linked investment) grew 27% this year, compared to 12% last year. The increase come mainly from higher household income, and lower expenses due to mortgage freeze, lower car expenses as I paid off my car COE last year, and no vacation this year, resulted in higher net cashflow savings.

Excluding savings, my investment return grew 14.5% yoy, as a result of crypto, precious metals and stocks returns. In terms of absolute value, it is not shy from last year’s return.

My portfolio is greatly revamped this year.  I took profit off my precious metals and unleased my cash war-chest to increase my stock portfolio. As the year closes, I am 70% shares, 15% cash and 15% precious metals (8% gold and 7% silver)

HOBBIES

I am back blogging again this year, due to the comparatively less hectic work this year. Workout intensified during circuit breaker as I got my slight 4-6 packs, but lost it again after that. Urggghhh… My table tennis games with friends this year reduced greatly due to the Covid restrictions, while Netflix screen time increased a little tad too much. Not as ideal!

For now,

We are looking forward to Phase 3 for the 8 pax rule to have our entire family dinner in restaurants and visiting friends again. And of course, the hope and prayers for the effectiveness of the vaccines bringing the world back to normal again.

I also wish everyone a Merry and Healthy  X’mas and a Happy New Year 2021 ahead.