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Hi All, accidently scratch my car, now need to respray portion of it might have some knocking to do. Also thinking to touch part other area that have some minor scratches. Any cheap / reasonable workshop to recommend?? Preferbably do not take more than 1 days. I can send in the morning and collect it back in the evening. Can post here or email to me at [email protected] Preferbably with contact number and address. I will go down on thursday 22nd feb for a quote. Need to get it done fast.

Hope this is not a repeated thread.. Let me start first... http://m.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=677748 Caveat emptor applies.. For short term usage very reasonable..Depre : 6.6k/ yr Powerful n spacious Teana 2.5V6

What it means to be a successful investor in 2016 can be summed up in four words: bigger gambles, lower returns. Thanks to rock-bottom interest rates in the U.S., negative rates in other parts of the world, and lackluster growth, investors are becoming increasingly creative—and embracing increasing risk—to bolster their performances. To even come close these days to what is considered a reasonably strong return of 7.5%, pension funds and other large endowments are reaching ever further into riskier investments: adding big dollops of global stocks, real estate and private-equity investments to the once-standard investment of high-grade bonds. Two decades ago, it was possible to make that kind of return just by buying and holding investment-grade bonds, according to new research. In 1995, a portfolio made up wholly of bonds would return 7.5% a year with a likelihood that returns could vary by about 6%, according to research by Callan Associates Inc., which advises large investors. To make a 7.5% return in 2015, Callan found, investors needed to spread money across risky assets, shrinking bonds to just 12% of the portfolio. Private equity and stocks needed to take up some three-quarters of the entire investment pool. But with the added risk, returns could vary by more than 17%. Nominal returns were used for the projections, but substituting in assumptions about real returns, adjusted for inflation, would have produced similar findings, said Jay Kloepfer, Callan’s head of capital markets research. The amplified bets carry potential pitfalls and heftier management fees. Global stocks and private equity represent among the riskiest bets investors can make today, Mr. Kloepfer said. “Stocks are just ownership, and they can go to zero. Private equity can also go to zero,” said Mr. Kloepfer, noting bonds will almost always pay back what was borrowed, plus a coupon. “The perverse result is you need more of that to get the extra oomph.” Bonds historically produced a source of safe, good-enough streams of profit that allowed long-term, risk-averse investors to hit annual targets. The era of low rates has all but erased that buffer. The absence of a few extra percentage points of yield means investors must now compensate by embracing unsafe bets that could strike big—or flop. The Callan report highlights how risky an endeavor that is. “Not nearly enough attention has been paid to the toll these low rates—and now negative rates—are taking on the ability of investors to save and plan for the future,” BlackRock Inc. Chief Executive Officer Laurence Fink said in a recent letter to shareholders. Some investors such as David Villa of the $100 billion State of Wisconsin Investment Board argue that at near zero, rates are artificially suppressed, and it’s creating bubbles in asset prices. Advertisement “We know the Federal Reserve is trying to trick us—we’re dealing with distortions,” said Mr. Villa, referring to how low rates have historically encouraged investors to take on more risk. “They want us to invest in building new things, but what [investors are] doing is trading existing assets at higher and higher prices.” Many large investors aren’t gambling that big—and their returns are lagging well behind internal targets. The nation’s largest public pension fund, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, has one-fifth of its assets in bonds and is down 1.3% since July 1, according to public documents. The system, known by its abbreviation Calpers, also has 53.1% of its assets in stocks, 9% in real estate and 9.4% in private equity. In 2015, Calpers posted a return of 2.4%, below its target rate of 7.5%. The risk dilemma for investors has real-life consequences. Retirement plans, including Calpers and the New York State Common Retirement Fund, are lowering what they predict they can earn on their investments, a move that means workers and cities likely face higher contributions and taxes. For insurers, lower bond returns mean life-insurance policyholders pay more for coverage. It wasn’t always this complex. Two decades ago big investors had their money sitting primarily in U.S. stocks and bonds. Inflation was 4% and yields on investment-grade bonds roared upward at double that rate. After the 2008 financial crisis, central bankers pushed down rates to stimulate growth, dropping real returns close to zero for higher-quality debt. Government bonds in Japan and Europe now have nominal yields below zero. Cheaper borrowing costs generally spur new investments from companies or consumers. But instead, global production is flat or declining, and consumers face stagnant wages that crimp their ability to spend. That has pushed down the “neutral rate,” or the real rate of interest that neither accelerates nor decelerates the economy. It is now basically flat, compared with 4% or 5% in prior decades, said Roberto Perli, a partner at Cornerstone Macro, a macroeconomic research firm. While some investors are loading up on traditionally risky assets as a way of hitting ambitious targets, others—concerned about a slowing global economy—are wrestling with how to reduce risk without piling into bonds. ‘I can’t just reach out and grab a high-quality bond that’s yielding 6% or 7%. They don’t exist.’ —Tom Girard, New York Life Insurance Co. The nation’s second-largest public pension plan, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, has shifted a significant amount of money away from some stocks and bonds to protect against a downturn. It moved assets into U.S. Treasurys and so-called liquid-alternative funds, which mimic hedge-fund strategies. Calstrs, as the pension is called, reported gains of 1.5% during a choppy 2015, with returns on its fixed-income investments up just 0.6%. “We used to say bonds would be that risk protection,” saidChristopher Ailman, chief investment officer at Calstrs. “Now we can’t.” For instance, in 2002, safer corporate bonds returned about 11%, while U.S. stocks fell roughly 22%, according to a Segal Rogerscasey analysis of the Russell 3000 stock index, plus historical bond returns tracked by Barclays and Citigroup. But during the 2008 crisis, stocks fell more than 37% and higher-quality bonds declined 3.3%, according to the Segal Rogerscasey analysis. More recently, those types of bonds fell during stock-market tumbles in August and December, Segal Rogerscasey said. Others are willing to accept lower returns for now and wait for better days ahead. The Wisconsin pension sold off trophy real-estate and private-equity holdings when it believed prices were high over the past two years and switched into publicly traded stocks and bonds that can be sold quickly, Mr. Villa said. Not all investors have the luxury of avoiding bonds. New York Life Insurance Co., which has about 89% of its $220 billion in assets in bonds, once could find what it needed among well-known, plain-vanilla securities. Insurers typically have large holdings of high-quality government and corporate bonds, because of state-regulatory guidelines encouraging safe investments. But now the insurer has to scour the globe for suitable bets in assets in which it had never before dabbled—such as complex bond deals involving railcar leases, shipping containers and legal-settlement payouts. The insurer has “looked under rocks, far and wide” to find suitable fixed-income investments, said Tom Girard, who leads New York Life’s fixed-income team. “I can’t just reach out and grab a high-quality bond that’s yielding 6% or 7%.” he added. “They don’t exist.”

My mechanics quote me for $40-50 per arm. Any comments? Thank you.

Is $400 reasonable for a pair of new brake pads plus rotor skimming due to uneven wear ?

Hi, Bros I need your recommendation for an good deal for ply wood cutting for my panel van floor board (Especially to have 2 x rectangle boxes to cover the rear wheel arches)

Dear all, Need to pay the dentist a visit .... just wondering any of you know anyone near in the west that is good with reasonable charge.

Hi All, I have just changed to Amaron batt at $110. I was given Globatt or omolite and finally chosen amaron. any advice? thks!

Hi everyone, I was quoted $135/pc for 4 pieces of Yokohama DNA DB ES501 205/60/16 tyres. Inclusive of balancing and installation, GST not included yet. Is this price reasonable? Or will I be able to secure a better price elsewhere? thank you,

Hi Guys, As title, I have been looking for car accessories shop in singapore for quite some time but unsure which shop have more varieties and with reasonable prices. So far I have been looking in E-Rev Motor Sports LLPwebsite and found that they have varieties of stocks. Any bros been to there before?

My friend and I starting up a small business, looking for designer to help us create logo, name cards, flyers i.e Prices quoted all damn high, $500 for logo? If you know of any designers that charge reasonably, please let me know. Thanks in advance! :)

Workshop quote me to replace clutch (plate, bearing, cover) $390 and engine mounting $360 labour inclusive. Total charge me $750. Is this reasonable? I drive picanto

my car suffered from power steering mulfunctioning, the shop charged me SGD550 for the installation of steering rack...issit reasonable...?

My Electrolux washing machine spoilt this morning. Lasted 1.5 years. The previous Samsung model also lasted 1.5years. Both cost around $599 each. Both out of warranty period then breakdown. Tough luck. Does washing machine breakdown at 1.5 years considered normal? Anyone who got lobang to get a good model washing macine please recommend me or PM me. I need it one by end of today, at at least Saturday....because one whole week of clothes and bed sheets are still unwashed. Is the price same at HN,Courts? Or cheaper to go to those neighborhood shops? Anyone? Thanks.

Am looking for the above who can deliver to sg for some long term print projects worth approx 5K at each print, anyone got any lobang. thanks in advance

Any recommendation for CNY dinner for 8 adults, reasonable priced. I no need Peach Garden standard. Jumbo seafood standard can already. Jumbo CNY menu is $488++ for 8 adults.

Mass market home prices average $1mil 23 Sept 2011 Straits Times AVERAGE prices for mass market flats in suburban areas have surpassed the psychological threshold of $1 million, according to a new study. Values for new and resale private homes in the three months to June 30 averaged $1 million, up from about $970,000 in the same quarter last year, according to data compiled by Mr Ku Swee Yong, chief executive of International Property Advisor, and the Singapore Condo agency. There were 3,931 sales made in that period with sizes averaging 1,157 sq ft, making the average price of about $880 psf, the report said. Mr Colin Tan, head of research at Chesterton Suntec International, noted that the $1 million mark is a psychological threshold - developers have been reluctant to price their projects above that limit because they believe it is difficult to push homes at that price. However, with prices of suburban properties inching up in recent quarters, Mr Ku said, crossing $1 million was a 'foregone conclusion'. He added that with prices of Housing Board (HDB) flats continuing to rise, upgraders, who make up a sizeable portion of private home-buyers, are more willing to spend on their new flats. Senior manager for Asia Pacific research at Cushman and Wakefield, Mr Ong Kah Seng, noted: 'One factor could be that developers have already paid out a certain amount for land and that's why they are pegging their prices at that level. Also, the new homes could be built with more premium features to justify the increased price.' Singaporeans typically make up a large percentage of suburban home-buyers, but Chesterton's Mr Tan said foreigners are increasingly keen on units on the city outskirts. 'Singapore is becoming a well-established safe haven for people looking to invest their money. 'But with the strengthening of the Sing dollar, it could mean that foreign investors who would typically have their eye on mid-market homes are now also considering mass market suburban homes too,' he said. The other psychological barrier - $1,000 psf - is one of the final frontiers left to cross for suburban properties, say analysts. Several new suburban projects, including euHabitat at Eunos and The Luxurie at Sengkang, have already inched up to or past that psf threshold. But experts say those are outliers and it is unlikely $1,000 will be the new average psf price seen across the board. Cushman's Mr Ong said that while buyers will still be interested in projects with distinctive selling points, there may be a mismatch between sellers' expectations and home-buyers' willingness to pay such prices. Economic uncertainty is keeping some home-buyers at bay, but Mr Ku pointed out that if Singapore's economy keeps growing and the global situation remains stable, then average psf prices could rise. Suburban neighbourhoods of Punggol, Sengkang and Pasir Ris will see about 28,000 new homes, public and private, over the next five years, according to Mr Ku. But market experts do not expect prices to soften much in response. 'I don't think we will see the average transaction price and average psf prices come down, especially when interest rates are so low and there's still liquidity in the market,' he said. Cushman's Mr Ong also noted that even in the event of a slight price correction, opportunistic buyers will be quick to snap up flats, taking prices back to previous levels. He added that suburban mass market units are generally considered the most affordable private homes, so crossing the $1 million barrier could raise concerns about affordability among buyers ineligible for public housing or executive condominiums. WHAT WILL AFFECT DEMAND 1. Increased supply in areas of Punggol, Sengkang and Pasir Ris 2. Economic uncertainty 3. Continued interest from foreigners

Hi bro, I am think to buy a Sony CD player for my car, those with the USB or iPod port want, I am just wondering, do you guys has any good car audio shop can reconmend? I find Autobacs is quite good,any feedback? Thanks in advance.

Just returned home after getting 2 quotes for some paint rectification works on my car. The first workshop (quite big and established) quoted me $785 and the second workshop (small OMO in a small industrial estate) quoted me $430. I forgot to ask the type of paint that the first workshop uses, but the second workshop is using DuPont Centari paint. My question now is, is $430 a reasonable price to pay? Some pictures below to show the things that need to be rectified, including some small bodywork repairs. All comments are welcome Rear bumper (heat back to shape and respray entire bumper) Rear left door (respray entire door) Front left door (respray entire door, including fixing that mean dent!) Front bumper (spot respray only) Front bumper (spot respray only)

say for example my current pay in singapore is SGD X wat shd be the reasonable pay in china considering the following: 1. increment of y% 2. china income tax of z% 3. singapore employer CPF of 12% ( currently cap at 5K) the final pay in RMB will be = X + (X * y%) + (X * z%) + (5000 * 12%) any other things to consider? or are the above considerations valid?

Cadidate particular: Education: Postgraduate diploma from NUS Experience: 12 years Expertise: Control & Automation (advanced in PLC, DCS, SCADA, Instrumentation plus intermediate electrical panel design) Nationality: Singapore PR Ind Area: HVAC, Water treatment, food/beverage, marine, transport, pharmaceutical etc, except Oil&Gas. Requested pay: S$6000/mth but no one wanted to offer this pay based on current market rate, kindly advise what is the reasonable pay for this position?

Just wana find out what do u guys think of the amount of reasonable assets an average 35 year old guy would have in Singapore? Can list in format such as follows: Cash - eg $200k Hdb - eg $600k as $800k mkt value but outstanding loan $200k Car - eg $80k mkt value Pte pty - eg $1.3m and so on

Hi All, I just did 110k servicing in outside workshop for my Hyundai 1.5L accent MT, item as, Change Engine oil--Full Synthetic 5W-40 Change Oil filter Change Air filter Change Spark plugs That all, costed S$120 it's Reasonable or

Hi all, i think my ride(toyota wish 2009) is abt 15 mths.. maybe soon due to change the batt. Any recommendations for reliable and lasting and reasonably priced. Please give an indicative price . Thanks

4 arc 160 Firewall 100 We recommend 4 arcs n 4 fenders at 320 instead of just 4 arcs Best Regards, Shan Sng Silent Pte Ltd CW - 15 Commonwealth Lane, Lot 27/28/31/45/46/47/48 Commonwealth Car Mall Singapore 149544 Tel: 6475 8500 / 6779 6383 Fax: 6475 7900 Ubi - 320 Ubi Road 3 ComfortDelGro Building Level 2 S408649 Tel: 68441180 Fax: 68445518 Penjuru Factory: 2 Penjuru Place Email: [email protected] Website: www.silent.com.sg Thanks Shan Sng for your reply. May you quote me a price base on 4 wheel arc + firewall first. As I haven't install my ICE system, I leave the 4 doors and floorplan after that. Thanks Dear Sir, Thanks for your interest we are quite aware of the noise you are hearing We strongly recommend using V1 Ultimate. to effectively reduce them, doing up the arcs, floor pan and doors are essential. These areas are critical to reduce road, wind, noise and vibrations. We will need to take out your tyres and protector to expose the panel connecting to the interior of yr car. By sealing up this area, the noise will be blocked from coming into your car. The tyres are actually the area with the most noise. To achieve a even better effect, doing up the floor pan is also essential. Sound proofing your wheel arcs alone can block the noise from coming in from the wheels area, however, the noise will still be able to enter through the floor pan. We will need to take out your seats and carpets to lay the material on the exposed panel for you all the way from the point losest to the firewall to the back seats area. Lastly your doors should also be sound proofed to block off the irritating rattles and vibrations. This will greatly enhanced your car audio system and at the same time block off the wind noise that is entering your car. This is the most impt area to do up. Please note that all are quoted based on our double layer V-1 Material. Our unique feature of SILENT acoustic material is: 1 layer of sound damping and 1 layer of concealing. Dampen is to block the noise from entering your car. Conceal is to conceal the music and quietness of your car within your car without letting it escape out of your car. To install all this 3 areas will take up around 6 hrs of yr precious time. however, the after effect will be significant by reducing road, wind and vibrations. Package Price for front 2 door, front arcs and fenders and floorpan: Door - $70 each 4 arcs - $160 Floor pan - $400 (4 layer infront and 2 layer behind) Whole package is $1500. which includes the following: 4 doors 4 layer floorpan 4 layer boot fenders arcs bonnet boot lid Other material ranges from $700 to $1500. It will definitely help to resolve the noises you are hearing at the moment. We have done up many many satisfied customers! No body knows your car more then us! We will need one day to do up the whole car. 8 hours. Can cut off at least 50