What is Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a type of digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (like the US Dollar or the Euro), cryptocurrencies are typically decentralized and operate on a technology called blockchain. Here are some key points to understand about cryptocurrency:

Key Features of Cryptocurrencies

1. Decentralization: Most cryptocurrencies are decentralized networks based on blockchain technology—a distributed ledger enforced by a network of computers, often called nodes. This means no central authority, like a bank or government, controls the currency.

2. Blockchain Technology: A blockchain is a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptographic hashes. Each block contains transaction data, a timestamp, and a reference to the previous block, creating a chain.

3. Cryptography: Cryptocurrencies use cryptographic techniques to secure transactions and control the creation of new units. This security feature ensures that transactions are genuine and prevents double-spending.

4. Digital and Global: Cryptocurrencies exist only in digital form and can be accessed from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. They are not tied to any physical form or geographic location.

5. Pseudonymity: Transactions made with cryptocurrencies can be relatively anonymous, as users are often identified by their digital addresses rather than personal information.

Popular Cryptocurrencies

• Bitcoin (BTC): The first and most well-known cryptocurrency, created by an anonymous person (or group) using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin was introduced in 2008 and remains the most valuable cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

• Ethereum (ETH): Known for its smart contract functionality, Ethereum is a platform that allows developers to build decentralized applications (dApps). Ether is the cryptocurrency used on the Ethereum network.

• Ripple (XRP): A digital payment protocol and cryptocurrency designed for fast and low-cost international money transfers.

• Litecoin (LTC): Created as a "lighter" version of Bitcoin, offering faster transaction times and a different hashing algorithm.

Uses of Cryptocurrencies

• Transactions: Cryptocurrencies can be used for peer-to-peer transactions, eliminating the need for intermediaries like banks.

• Investment: Many people buy cryptocurrencies as an investment, hoping that their value will increase over time.

• Smart Contracts: On platforms like Ethereum, cryptocurrencies enable smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code.

• Decentralized Finance (DeFi): This refers to financial services using cryptocurrencies to recreate traditional financial systems such as lending and borrowing, but in a decentralized manner.

Advantages and Challenges

Advantages:

• Lower Transaction Costs: Often cheaper than traditional banking and remittance services.
• Speed: Transactions can be processed quickly, even across international borders.
• Security: Cryptographic security can make transactions very secure.
• Accessibility: Can be used by anyone with internet access, potentially reaching unbanked populations.

Challenges:

• Volatility: Cryptocurrency prices can be extremely volatile, which can be a barrier to widespread adoption.
• Regulation: Regulatory environments vary significantly across countries, with some places banning or heavily regulating the use of cryptocurrencies.
• Security Risks: While the underlying blockchain technology is secure, exchanges and wallets can be vulnerable to hacking.
• Scalability: Some cryptocurrencies face challenges in scaling to handle a large number of transactions efficiently.

In summary, cryptocurrency represents a significant innovation in digital finance, offering both opportunities and challenges as it continues to evolve and integrate into the global financial system.

Tracking Expenses Weekly, Monthly, Yearly.

Tracking expenses on a regular basis is a smart financial habit that can help you manage your finances effectively. Here's how you can track your expenses on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis:

1. **Weekly Expense Tracking**:

- Keep a dedicated notebook, spreadsheet, or use an expense tracking app to record all your expenses throughout the week.

- Categorize your expenses such as groceries, utilities, transportation, dining out, entertainment, etc.

- At the end of each week, review your expenses and calculate the total spent in each category.

- Identify any areas where you may have overspent and look for ways to adjust your budget for the following week.

- Personally i use excel / libreOffice to track my expenses weekly. It is easy to split and do sum of the expenses. For a single person living in a hdb 3 room / 4 room flat. The typical fixed expenses will be Food / Town Council Charges / Electricity / Water / Gas (if you cook) / Handphone / Broadband / Transportation. Considering all these, it is estimated to be around $1,200 per month whereby it will be around $300 weekly. From the weekly tracking, you will be able to determine the monthly spending.

2. **Monthly Expense Tracking**:

- Compile all the weekly expense data into a monthly summary.

- Calculate the total expenses for each category for the entire month.

- Compare your actual spending against your budgeted amounts to see if you stayed within your financial goals.

- Analyze any trends or patterns in your spending habits, such as recurring expenses or areas where you consistently overspend.

- Adjust your budget for the upcoming month based on your findings.

- The reason why you need to track monthly where you already have weekly as taxes (property tax, income tax), insurance premiums will only be deducted certain times in the year. For taxes it is good to repay by monthly instead of yearly as it is interest free. For insurance premiums it will be better to pay yearly than monthly as you save on the transaction fees and you have savings. For netflix, disney, amazon, apple subscription, if you would like to have some savings, it make sense to pay yearly than monthly. But if you are trying out the subscription, it make sense to do monthly to see whether you like the shows enought for a yearly subscription.  

3. **Yearly Expense Tracking**:

- Aggregate the monthly expense summaries to create a comprehensive overview of your spending for the year.

- Identify major expenses that occurred throughout the year, such as annual subscriptions, insurance premiums, or tax payments.

- Review your overall financial health by comparing your total expenses to your total income for the year.

Tools like budgeting apps, spreadsheets, or even just a pen and paper can be useful for tracking expenses at each interval. The key is consistency and regular review to ensure you're staying on track with your financial objectives.

How to Sleep better in the night and wake up feeling refresh.

Improving sleep quality involves a combination of lifestyle changes, sleep hygiene practices, and creating a conducive sleep environment. Here are some tips to help you sleep better at night: I gain insights from the you tube video from the below from the diary of the CEO.

The Secret To A Good Nights Sleep with Stephanie Romiszewski | E64 (youtube.com)

1. Stick to a sleep schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body's internal clock. The key is the time to wake up not the number of hours in bed. Minimum hours based from the video is 5 hours + 

2. Create a bedtime routine: Develop a relaxing routine before bedtime to signal to your body that it's time to wind down. This could include activities like reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. The key if you do not feel sleepy, do not go to bed yet. 

3. Make your bedroom comfortable: Ensure that your bedroom is conducive to sleep by keeping it cool, dark, and quiet. Consider using blackout curtains, earplugs, or a white noise machine if necessary.

4. Limit exposure to screens before bedtime: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with your body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Try to avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers for at least an hour before bedtime.

5. Watch your caffeine intake: Avoid consuming caffeine late in the day, as it can interfere with your ability to fall asleep. Be mindful of hidden sources of caffeine, such as chocolate and certain medications.

6. Limit naps: While short naps can be beneficial, especially if you're sleep deprived, avoid taking long or late afternoon naps, as they can disrupt your nighttime sleep.

7. Exercise regularly: Engaging in regular physical activity can help improve sleep quality. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, but try to avoid vigorous exercise too close to bedtime.

8. Watch your diet: Avoid heavy meals, spicy foods, and excessive fluid intake close to bedtime, as they can cause discomfort and disrupt sleep. Opt for light, easily digestible snacks if you're hungry before bed.

9. Manage stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga to help calm your mind and prepare for sleep.

10. Seek professional help if needed: If you continue to experience difficulty sleeping despite trying these strategies, consider consulting a healthcare professional. They can help identify any underlying issues and provide guidance on appropriate treatment options. It could be sleep Apnea. Which i was being diagnosed 1 year + ago. I have been sleeping with Cpap machine and it has really assist me in my sleep quality. I've been more alert since i've been on the Cpap machine. Though it takes some time to get use to it. Cpap machine is not cheap. I bought mine at $1,500. Assuming the machine can last 6-7 years. The payback will be around $200+ per year. The mask is separate. It cost under $300 and the replacement of the parts that worn off is less than $100. 

There are several CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines available in Singapore, and they are typically supplied by medical equipment suppliers, respiratory therapy clinics, and online retailers. Some of the common CPAP machines and suppliers in Singapore include:

1. ResMed AirSense 10: ResMed is a leading manufacturer of CPAP machines, and the AirSense 10 series is popular for its advanced features and user-friendly design. You can find ResMed products at various medical equipment suppliers and respiratory therapy clinics in Singapore.

2. Philips Respironics DreamStation: Philips Respironics is another reputable manufacturer of CPAP machines, and the DreamStation series offers a range of options to meet different needs. These machines are available through medical equipment suppliers and respiratory therapy clinics.

3. Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is known for its innovative CPAP technology, and the SleepStyle series is designed for comfort and ease of use. You can find Fisher & Paykel CPAP machines at authorized distributors and healthcare providers in Singapore.

4. DeVilbiss IntelliPAP: DeVilbiss Healthcare offers the IntelliPAP series, which includes CPAP machines with various features to suit individual preferences. These machines may be available through selected medical equipment suppliers in Singapore.

5. BMC CPAP Machines: BMC Medical Co., Ltd. manufactures a range of CPAP machines, including the RESmart series, which are known for their affordability and reliability. BMC CPAP machines may be available through online retailers and selected medical equipment suppliers.

It's important to consult with a healthcare provider or sleep specialist to determine the most suitable CPAP machine for your specific needs and to receive proper guidance on its use. Additionally, you can inquire about available CPAP machines and suppliers at hospitals, respiratory therapy clinics, or medical equipment stores in Singapore for more personalized recommendations and assistance.

Consistency and patience are key when implementing these changes. It may take some time to establish new habits and see improvements in your sleep quality, but making these adjustments can lead to more restful nights and better overall health.

Websites that Determine Intrinsic Value of Stocks

Several websites provide tools and resources to help investors estimate the intrinsic value of companies. Here are some popular ones:

1. **Yahoo Finance**: Yahoo Finance offers a range of financial data and analysis tools, including stock screeners and historical financial information. While it doesn't directly calculate intrinsic value, you can use the data provided to perform your own valuation analysis. Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News (Will need to pay)

2. **Morningstar**: Morningstar provides comprehensive stock analysis, including fair value estimates for individual stocks. Their analysts evaluate companies based on various factors and assign a fair value estimate, which investors can use as a reference for intrinsic value.Morningstar | Empowering Investor Success Great information to check

3. **GuruFocus**: GuruFocus offers a variety of valuation tools, including discounted cash flow (DCF) and discounted earnings models, to estimate the intrinsic value of stocks. Users can input their own assumptions and parameters to perform customized valuations.

4. **Value Line**: Value Line provides investment research and analysis, including proprietary stock ratings and estimates of fair value. They offer historical and projected financial data, as well as analysis tools to help investors assess the intrinsic value of companies.

5. **Simply Wall St**: Simply Wall St is a platform that provides visual analysis of stocks, including valuation metrics and estimates of intrinsic value. Users can access detailed company reports and perform scenario analysis to understand the factors influencing a stock's valuation. I've been using the simply wall st 2 years + ago. It shows revenue, net profit/loss and also the fair value of the company. (5 reports per month free) 

6. **Stock Rover**: Stock Rover offers stock screening and analysis tools, including valuation metrics and discounted cash flow (DCF) models to estimate intrinsic value. Users can customize their analysis and track multiple stocks in their portfolio.

7. **MarketWatch**: MarketWatch provides financial news, data, and analysis tools, including stock screeners and company profiles. While it doesn't offer intrinsic value estimates directly, investors can use the information provided to conduct their own valuation analysis.

From MorningStar Article. 

What gives a company an economic moat?
Companies with moats have one or more of the following characteristics:

• Network Effect. Lots of people are using the service, which then makes the service more valuable to the people who use it.

• Intangible Assets. Patents, brands, regulatory licenses, and other intangible assets can prevent competitors from duplicating a company's products or allow the company to charge a significant price premium.

• Cost Advantage. Firms with a structural cost advantage can either undercut competitors on price while earning similar margins, or they can charge market-level prices while earning relatively high margins.

• Switching Costs. When it would be too expensive or troublesome to stop using a company's products, the company often has pricing power.

• Efficient Scale. When a niche market is effectively served by one or a small handful of companies, there is no room or incentive for potential competitors to enter the market.

It's important to note that estimating intrinsic value involves making assumptions and projections about future cash flows and earnings, which can be subjective and uncertain. Therefore, it's advisable to use multiple valuation methods and consider the opinions of analysts and experts to arrive at a well-informed assessment of a company's intrinsic value.