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Hey Dudes!! It's me again! My car will be due for it's first vicom car inspection. I've got some worries here and hope brothers here can give me some useful advices. My ride : Honda Civic ES5 Auto, 2003 (Pre-facelift Civic) My engine, muffler, intake manifold, extractor, cat converter, exhaust.....all stock and original. However, I have a pair of Angel Eye, which is a dual halo projector headlights with 6000K HID installed. I'm worried that the inspector will fail becoz of my headlights and my HID as they're after-market accessories. How?? What should I do......it's really a big hassle to change everything back to original prior my inspection....

hi guys, i got my first annual inspection for my truck coming up soon. What do they look for? Previously in my stock lancer it was pretty smooth ( no mods or anything) My truck i'll be changing back to my stock rims + tyres and also taping up my side mirror lights ( blue light there). I'll be getting a hose to blast my exhaust pipe b4 going down. Just curious, how do they inspect the speed warning thingy? by pressing the button or driving up to 70km/h on the machine or anything? Thanks in advance. Cheers

Gathering feedback now lai lai....watch this thread if there are any goodies. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-government-seeking-public-feedback-ahead-of-budget-2020-071207073.html

https://www.businessinsider.sg/singapore-has-the-worlds-worst-annual-leave-and-it-could-actually-be-shortening-peoples-lives/?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1535970560 Singaporeans have the world’s least holiday leave, which researchers say could be lowing citizens’ life expectancy. Pixabay If you’ve ever felt you’re practically working till you die, you might be right – according to science. A recent research report from online home rental company Spotahome ranked 89 global cities by key health factors such as life expectancy, work life balance, and days of annual leave. And while Singapore came out as the city with the world’s second highest life expectancy, researchers explained that it lost the top spot to Tokyo solely because of its poor annual leave numbers. The country came in dead last out of 89 cities for vacation leave, meaning people from every other city – including Hong Kong, New York and Seoul – had more vacation days on average. While statistics were generally taken from the UBS Global Cities Ranking 2018, a spokesman explained to Business Insider that Spotahome used Singapore’s state-mandated 7 days minimum annual leave as its data point. The researchers acknowledged that Singaporeans get between 7 to 14 days annual leave – depending on an employee’s years of experience – but this number was still “low compared to other countries” and could have a “negative impact on overall life expectancy”. The highest scorer for annual leave was the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, with 37 vacation days.

Hi, kind of sick of calling the credit card company every year to ask for a waiver and threaten to cancel. Also, I can never charge enough $$$ to get the automatic waiver for the year. Recently applied for ABN-AMRO which is free forever, but it's MASTER card. Is there any credit card that is VISA and have many years or forever fees waiver? Topics merged.... new post today starts here: http://www.mycarforum.com/topic/2085531-visa-credit-cards-with-annual-fees-waiver/?p=5662317

SYDNEY—BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s No. 1 miner by market value, recorded its worst-ever annual loss as US$7.7 billion in charges exacerbated a deep slump in commodity prices. Melbourne, Australia-based BHP reported a net loss of $6.39 billion for the 12 months through June, compared with a year-earlier net profit of $1.91 billion. Underlying profit, stripping out one-time charges, slumped 81% to $1.22 billion. HEARD ON THE STREET Heard on the Street: BHP Billiton Mines Cash for Uncertain Future As recently as 2011, annual profits topped $20 billion. The loss deepens the gloom in the global mining sector, which has responded to global economic uncertainty and low prices for commodities from copper to iron ore by closing mines, laying off workers and slashing returns for investors. BHP’s earnings also took hits from problems not shared by many of its mining peers: a deadly disaster at an iron-ore mine in Brazil and weak oil and natural-gas markets. Those enormous charges were largely against the Brazilian venture and U.S. onshore energy assets—$2.2 billion and $4.9 billion, respectively. BHP’s petroleum business, intended to help it through bad times in metals markets, lost $7.72 billion after its write-downs. BHP Billiton’s annual loss was the first at group level since it was formed in 2001 through a merger of Australia’s BHP Ltd. and U.K.-based Billiton PLC. Prior to that, BHP last posted a full-year loss in 1999, also a time of weak prices. ENLARGE “We are clearly very disappointed with this result. However the underlying performance of our business... remains and is getting stronger,” Chief Executive Andrew Mackenzie said. The company, which in February abandoned a policy of stable or rising capital returns, cut its final dividend by 77%. Still, at 14 U.S. cents a share, it was higher than the 8-cent minimum required under its policy, which BHP said reflected confidence in the health of its balance sheet. BHP didn’t signal a recovery in commodity prices was imminent, instead saying that abundant supplies of crude oil and metals such as copper are likely to persist. Also, it sees the economy of China—top consumer of most of BHP’s commodities, including iron ore—as merely stabilizing rather than rebounding. Advertisement In response, BHP said it continues to seek $2.2 billion in savings over the two years ending next June by making its operations more productive, while cautiously advancing new projects such as a U.S. Gulf of Mexico deep-water oil field that can boost revenue. “We are starting to open up at long last a decent margin and therefore strong cash-generating capacity,” Mr. Mackenzie said. The company’s London-listed shares were up 3.5% in midday trading, helped by forecasts BHP could double free cash flow in the year ahead if commodity prices remain stable. Last year, BHP shifted assets in several niche commodities such as manganese and alumina into a new company called South32 Ltd. that was listed in Australia, London and South Africa. Mr. Mackenzie has justified the overhaul—one of the biggest attempted by global miners in the current downturn—as a way to boost BHP’s profits by focusing only on its biggest assets. The strategy hasn’t paid off yet: While South32 shares are up by a quarter over the past year, BHP’s are down 20%. Mr. Mackenzie insists BHP would be worse off now if it hadn’t restructured, and calls the company’s current portfolio “pretty close to what I would say is ideal for BHP Billiton right now.” Credit Suisse said the 2016 financial year should be the low point in the cycle for BHP’s earnings, despite global uncertainty that includes China’s economic slowdown and the U.K.’s vote on June 23 to leave the European Union. Other analysts think BHP may also need to set aside more money due to last year’s deadly dam failure at the Brazilian iron-ore mining operation it jointly owns with Vale SA. To be sure, BHP isn’t alone in grappling with tough commodity markets. In July, Anglo American PLC reported a first-half loss of $813 million as it recorded a $1.2 billion impairment for some Australian coal assets. However, BHP’s purchase of energy assets near the peak of oil and gas prices have compounded its mining woes. The company plowed about $20 billion into U.S.shale assets in 2011, becoming one of the biggest petroleum producers outside of large integrated oil companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp. The oil-price slump has made that unit “a problem child,” Credit Suisse said in an Aug. 9 note. Still, Mr. Mackenzie on Wednesday stood by the energy business for what he called its damping effect on long-range volatility. “Our petroleum business is a better business by being inside a minerals business; our minerals business is a better business by being alongside our petroleum business,” he said.

Time to plan those annual leave wisely, starting from Chinese New Year. *Posted the Malaysia one. Please refer to below calendar for SG Calendar. Whoops.

So I was thinking, what is a reasonable amount to spend on a car? Let's take as a percentage of household income to standardise. If a household combined monthly income is $10,000, annual income $120,000, and they buy a Honda Jazz with annual depreciation $10,000 (http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_overview.php?CarCode=11531), it means they are spending 10/120 = 8% of their income on the car, excluding petrol etc. Do you think this is reasonable? How much would you spend on a car?

Wah. If I pass means I'm outstanding sibo? http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/7-10-nsmen-their-30s-fail-annual-ippt-training-expert 7 in 10 NSmen in their 30s fail annual IPPT: Training expert Operationally Ready National Servicemen taking the Individual Physical Proficiency Test. Photo: MINDEF By Leong Wai Kit Published: 8:50 PM, July 21, 2014 SINGAPORE — Seven in 10 National Servicemen in their 30s fail their annual Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), and this failure rate rises as the NSmen age. This is based on the experience of a former head of physical training in the army, Mr Edwin Ong, who spoke to Channel NewsAsia following the news that the IPPT will be made simpler. It is unclear what changes will be announced, and when they will be announced. Currently, said Mr Ong, IPPT problem areas for NSmen are chin-ups, the standing broad jump, and the 2.4km stations. There are specific reasons the current IPPT stations are part of a serviceman’s training regime. The 2.4km run, for example, tests one’s cardiovascular fitness, said Mr Ong. “It tests how fit you are in terms of stamina, because your heart really needs to cope with the stress — and so it is a very good gauge of your overall fitness level.” This station is reportedly a problem for around seven in 10 servicemen. The shuttle run is a station where the aim is to sprint a total of 40m in two loops, bending and touching the ground (or picking up a block) at each turning point. “The reason is we’re simulating a fire movement,” said Mr Ong, ex-Head of Physical Training, School of Physical Training. “So when you get into a position of cover, you need to really place one hand in front and get yourself down, and prone yourself down to get yourself in a firing position.” Sit-ups, meanwhile, focus on another aspect. “It is important for NSmen because when we put on our uniform and our SBO (Skeletal Battle Order) or now the load-bearing vest, this will help us keep everything in hold,” said Mr Ong. As for chin-ups, National Serviceman Mohd Azfar feels they are still relevant because “when you have to do FIBUA (fighting in built-up areas) exercises, you will have to scale walls, which requires upper body strength. So I feel there’s no need to tweak this station, as it is very relevant”. One of the toughest stations is the standing broad jump station — fitness experts say about six in 10 NSmen have problems passing this station. “There are a lot of people who can’t really jump,” said Mr Ong. “One is that they do not have the strength and the power, and the second issue is their jumping technique.” Indeed, while it takes only about an hour to go through all the current stations, it takes about six weeks to get ready for the IPPT as it stands now. CHANNEL NEWSASIA

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/...223-329594.html News @ AsiaOne Legoland tickets go on sale in Singapore There's even better news: the annual passes are being sold at a promotional price. -myp Joy Fang Thu, Feb 23, 2012 my paper Mr Siegfried Boerst, general manager of Legoland Malaysia, sees Singapore as an "important resident market" for Asia's first Legoland, to open later this year. Lego enthusiasts here can now get tickets to the upcoming Legoland Malaysia more easily, as the theme park's annual passes go on sale at Sistic from today. The tickets were previously available only on Malaysia's AirAsia RedTix website. There's even better news: the annual passes are being sold at a promotional price. An adult (those aged 12 and up) ticket is going at RM195 (S$80) per ticket, while tickets for children (ages three to 11) are going at RM150 each. The promotional prices will last till March 31, and the tickets will be valid from the park's opening day to Dec 31 next year. After March 31, the annual passes will cost RM275 for an adult and RM210 for a child. The park - located in Johor's Iskandar development - will announce its official opening date in April. It will likely be in September or October, depending on the speed of construction, Legoland Malaysia's general manager, Mr Siegfried Boerst, told my paper. The theme park will have an exhibit at the Natas fair from tomorrow to Sunday. "The park is not just for children but also for the adults. We hope they will have a fun family day out that is also educational and interactive," said Mr Boerst. Once the opening date is announced, day passes - at RM140 for an adult, and RM110 for a child - will go on sale, he added. Legoland Malaysia's highlights will include Lego reproductions of landmarks from Asean countries, built with 25 million Lego pieces. Singaporeans can look forward to a mini-Singapore featuring everyday street life such as moving SMRT buses and people, said Mr Boerst. Reproduced landmarks include the Merlion, the Singapore Flyer and the Singapore Zoo, in an area of 10m by 50m. About two to three million pieces will be used to build the Singapore models. Mr Boerst sees Singapore as an "important resident market" and he is working with the Singapore Tourism Board to develop marketing for the park. Tickets to Legoland Malaysia are available through Sistic (www.sistic.com.sg or tel: 6348-5555). http://www.legoland.com.my/

Dear Members, Everything is going HD lately. For the benefit of our readers, I have re-created a new poll in HD to better clarify the results as mentioned by a few brothers in the old thread. In view of the blatant odometre tampering in Singapore, I hope that this poll will give used car buyers a feel of the distance covered by a car in a year to make a better decision. Don't think there will be a third one as I am not planning a trilogy. If it is, it will be in 3D. The numbers will have to jump at you.

In view of the problem of odo tweaking of used cars, I hope that this poll will provide a feel of the kind of distance covered by a car in a year for buyers. So if you see a 5 year old car with too low mileage, chances are it is too good to be true.

I always wonder what is a comfortable annual income for a person to own a condo and a car (not full cash, monthly loan repayments for both) to support in Singapore.. What's your take?

my company adopts earn as you work scheme. eg if you are entitled 12 days/year. in March, you wish to take 8 days leave. as your earned leave for the year only 3 days till March, the balance 5 days you are forced to take unpaid leave. do your company adopts the same system? what are the advantages of this system?

it will be calculated based on how much u will earn if u actually prostitute your body at Geylang even though you do not prositute and is a faithful man and woman. 2012 IRAS All one- and two-room owner-occupiers of HDB flats will continue to pay zero property tax in 2012, while those in three room flats will on average pay roughly the same tax as last year. Four- to five-room flats will pay $5 to $29 more for the year. This comes after the Annual Values (AV) of HDB flats are revised upwards with effect from 1 January 2012, reflecting the rise in market values. To mitigate the increase in the property tax payable by lower and middle income households as a result of the AV revision, the Government will give a one-off rebate of $55 to Owner-Occupied HDB flats. This will enable three room flat owners to see little change in property tax payable despite higher flat values. It will also reduce the increase in tax payable for four- and five- room flat owners. AV increase for HDB flats The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) reviews the AVs of all properties including HDB flats annually. The AV is used as a basis to compute the property tax payable. Property tax is calculated at 10% of the AV for non Owner-Occupied homes. For Owner-Occupied homes, property tax payable is calculated at the concessionary tax rates as follows: The AVs of all HDB flats were last revised on 1 January 2010, taking into account the changes in market rents in 2009. They were not revised in 2011 as the increase in HDB market rents in the preceding year was small. Taking 2010 and 2011 together, market rents have risen by around 20 - 28%. Accordingly, the AVs of all HDB flats will be revised from 1 January 2012. One-time Owner-Occupied HDB Flat Rebate for 2012 6 A rebate will be given to all Owner-Occupied HDB Flats to help them offset some of the increase in property tax. The rebate is a fixed amount of $55 or the property tax based on the 2012 AV, whichever is the lower. The rebate will automatically be given to all Owner-Occupied HDB flats. 7 The rebate will not apply to HDB flats that are not owner-occupied, which are currently being taxed at 10%. 8 94% of all HDB flats owners would receive the rebate. Property Tax Changes for Owner-Occupied HDB Homes 9 All one- and two-room owner-occupiers will continue to pay zero property tax in 2012. Owner-occupiers of three-room flats will see no increase on average, while those in four and five room flats and above will see increases in property tax of between $5 and $29 after taking into account the property tax rebate, as shown below: Combined Valuation Notice and Property Tax Bill 10 Most HDB flat owners should receive their property tax notices and bills by the end of this year, enclosed with an explanatory guide on “Property Tax on HDB Flats for 2012” – the guide explains how the property tax payable is calculated and how payment can be made. Property Tax for 2012 is payable by 31 January 2012 11 Property tax has to be paid by 31 January 2012. IRAS encourages property owners to join the GIRO payment scheme to enjoy up to 12 interest-free monthly instalments. Customers of DBS/POSB and OCBC can apply for GIRO via Internet Banking and receive instant approval. 12 Owners can e-file an objection to IRAS if they do not agree with the revised AVs of their properties. Information on payment modes and details of property tax and AV revision are available at www.iras.gov.sg. Taxpayers with enquiries may call 1800-356

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/gov%E2%80%99t-loo...care-leave.html wrong logic again. no point having leave but no money to foot e bills... In a bid to provide more support to caregivers, the government is considering giving Singaporeans additional annual leave days to take care of their elderly parents Health Minister Gan Kim Yong told Parliament on Monday the Ministerial Committee on Ageing is looking into ideas such as giving caregivers temporary relief through certain services or providing them with additional leave days so they have more time to look after the elderly and the frail at home, reported The Straits Times. He was responding to Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade GRC Tin Pei Ling

my road tax and insurance is going to expire today (12march), but i have yet to renew it... is it true that if i have yet to renew my insurance, i cant renew my road tax as well?

my first credit card, no bad debt since day one, been using it very often local and overseas... now time for renewal, ask for renewal and they say my request been rejected wow ... now credit card company trying to reduce their customer base or want to feed their big fat pocket thru membership fees?

Hi Guys, Was running through my 2009 handphone bills. More than 1K in total. Motorist are complaining our road tax is high, but have we compared it with handphone billings. TalkingCok cost higher.

hi all, came across on on ST, pg C18 "Pioneer Annual festive sale" i went to the website and cannot find anything on it. called them up and they said it is not uploaded yet?!! ( and they dare to publish on a national paper) Then i checked what is the offer/discount as it was stated both house and in-car entertainment selections. The reply was that there are only free gifts and not discounts?!!( so why was it called a sale in the first place?) AND only house entertainment available in this "sale" !?!? So i was kind of disappointed by all these from a major player. I guess only when the actual thing is "uploaded" then we can judge further.

http://www.proton.com/public/media/mediace...Report_2009.pdf

As above, any bank that offer cards for minimum requirement of annual income > $100K ? thanks

if you received ur annual review increment and you are not satisfy. will u tell ur superior of ur unhappiness knowing he cant do much to improve the situation? will this gives hind dat i am seeking for new job... anyone experiences this...? share ur view

Hi, 1. For the salaried men, do you 1st decide how much to buy a car by not spending more than 70-80% of your annual income? For example, if your annual income is $168,000, you will not buy a car that cost beyond $134K. With this bracket of $134K, you then decide on those cars that you can afford. 2. Alternatively, do you work on the basis that monthly instalemnt should not exceed 10% of your monthly income? For example, if you earn $10K, you will only spend at most $1K for monthly car instalment? Thank you. Regards,

OK here's the story ... 1) Last year guy got promoted, now works normal office hours, can't claim OT; no more allowances. Annual pay $40K-50K. 2) BEFORE promotion, same guy work shift, can claim allowances + OT; annual pay $60K-$70K. Stress after promotion doubled as more responsibility and expectation. Now this guy, already thinking of qutting and move to another job. But new job is purely commission based but income potential is double or more. Should he quit or stay??