I'm not sure if it really matters much if you only have 25% in stocks anyway. Stock markets are highly correlated nowadays and most domestic companies are operating globally. But I still think it's a good idea for US-investors to diversify beyond the US-stock market. You don't want to get stuck in ...

I can relate to catacomb somewhat. When I started my PP in March/April last year 2012, portfolio had max -3% drawdown for 1st 3 months - I was quite anxious about the initial loss until long bond suddenly popup in late June 2012. Finally ended 2012 with few percent gains. Right now my portfolio is a...

Hi, below are my views on supporting that Japanese PP works for Japan. Any comments? -------------------------- Japan is interesting example on whether PP works for Japan. I refer to Japan PP chart here: http://europeanpermanentportfolio.blogspot.sg/p/permanent-portfolio.html My observation is to co...

I really wouldn't sweat the 15% limit. It's not the end of the world and to be honest it's 15% more than 99% of the other investors out there have. One thing I would suggest to compensate for currency risk is to utilize a cap weighted (low cost obviously) global stock market index fund instead of a...

Thanks for your replies. I was thinking answer was no to both... @D1984: When a Singapore permanent resident or citizen makes first contribution to CPF (retirement account), he/she is automatically enrolled in an optional term life insurance for S$46k payable by CPF. Premium starts from S$48/yr. htt...

Hi, I am curious about 401(K) and if there is compulsory life insurance (if any) in U.S, for a Green Card holder. 1. For a foreigner with U.S. Green Card who work as employee in U.S., will this person have compulsory regular contribution to a 401(K) or similar? 2. Will this Green Card holder have to...

Great. Thanks for your info guys 

I have a noob question  :P. I live in Singapore, and I wish to order something in Amazon.com and send it to a friend's house in U.S. Will it work well if I order and pay for it here via paypal, then ask Amazon.com to send the thing to my friend's house? Is Amazon.com reliable for online purchase and...

My previous month to month analysis of local PP shows that it takes at least one to 3 months before the portfolio shows profit, after starting the portfolio. I started my portfolio with stocks and gold in Feb this year at the height of gold price, then added the local long bonds in April (waiting fo...

Thanks all for the enlightenmet. Now I can have better sense of what is going on when i see U.S. news mention about Tea Party :) @FarmerD: Thanks for your appreciation of my blog. I am kind of out of ideas already about what else to write about PP in the context of my local market. Most PP informati...

Hi guys. I have a vague idea that the U.S. Tea Party movement is about anti-government spending. Can someone enlighten me why this group of people is called 'Tea Party' (sounds like a cute name), and what is the purpose of their movement? Just curious 

A few quick thoughts, since I'm in the same boat as you, except in Canada.  I would advise against a currency hedge since this means you are now betting against the USD, rather than betting against your local currency.  Plus currency hedging is expensive and can create a 1% drag. You want to look a...

Woot..i figured out the answer about gold's currency neutrality, with some help: The short answer is that Gold is not a 'fiat currency denominated asset'! E.g. Gold is not a USD denominated asset. Gold's value as a medium for trading of goods does not depend presence or survival of any currency syst...

I was trying to explain about gold's currency neutrality - and i don't quite know how to explain it directly though. I attach my reasoning below. Would appreciate help on how to explain about gold's 'currency neutrality', and whether my conclusions about how gold investment should be viewed and cond...

How do I go about buying the individual PP pieces...while still keeping a really good, all-in-one-place easy visual on what's up and what's down and how everything is doing, big picture wise? Some sort of funky software that includes graph capabilities or whatever (also: I have a Mac)? I use Androi...

Please remember that if your bond investment has dropped 6% and if all of your other components have remained flat (which they haven't), then your overall loss would be 1.5%. Always look at your PP in it's entirety. The loss of 1.5%, instead of 6%, is something to feel relieved about from that poin...

@coearth: You say "25% Gold: UOB Gold Savings Account. Alternatively buy physical gold bullion or coins." Can you give us some more details about this UOB account such as safety, costs, insurance, and bank stability over there? How do you buy coins in Singapore? What are the choices and w...

@D1984: It was a discussion to voice our thoughts. No hard feelings here. I also apologize to you if my replies may have accidently offended you in any way. I am agreeable to leave our previous discussions as it is now. It is not really my intention to discuss those topics here. I look forward to mo...

@D1984: Just as a rough guess, what percentage do you think would agree with me and what percent would agree with you (in the US I'd say that at least 65-70% would agree with me that conscription is worse than an army paid at a market rate). I would say 80% of voting Singaporean males will agree wit...

Only 12 deaths out of an entire movie theater is actually a pretty miraculous result when you consider the tight quarters and the fact that the shooter deployed gas and wore armor. Arson and bomb attacks are usually much, much more deadly than gun attacks, and fire and bombs are very easy to create...

@Lone Wolf: Had I owned USD bonds/TLT before 2012, I would have converted all to Singapore 30 year bonds as soon as possible. Reason being, U.S. bonds are popular and quite possibly trading at a higher premium now, whereas Singapore 30 year bond is rated AAA, possibly less well know, and could be t...

In other words, the reason traffic jams exist is because government builds the roads but private industry builds the cars. Interesting observation, either all government control or all private sector control of both roads and car availability leads to better traffic conditions. This could be true. ...

I agree with that.  It is a socio-economic/cultural issue.  Take Japan, where guns are also outlawed.  Over time the criminal gang underclass has more and more spead its deadly consequences onto mainstream Japanese society that has no protection.  Or consider the USA in the late 80's/early 90's dur...

@MediumTex: Thank you for your comments. I am taking these posts to test and apply my social and economic knowledge also, as understanding these well helps with investments. Yes do take what I said with a grain of salt and come to your own conclusion. I try to write objectively and the words are my ...

@AdamA : I am glad its an interesting read for you. @smurff I remember reading that Singapore at one time was trying to convince its educated population to marry and have children. They even set up singles parties to make it easier for men and women to make dates!  I am curious if they are still doi...