SBSEP21 GX21090S is 1.43%

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SBSEP21 GX21090S is 1.43%

The effective interest rate for September 2021 Singapore Savings Bonds (SBSEP21 GX21090S) is 1.43% if you held it for 10 years. The minimum amount you can purchase is S$500. If you decide to hold and sell the current issue (SBSEP21 GX21090S) after 1 year, the effective interest rate is 0.35%.

Despite the low interest rate, Singapore Savings Bonds complement your other savings and investments as a safe way to save for the long term. It is basically near to zero risks.

Singapore Savings Bonds Alternatives

For higher returns, you can consider Dash EasyEarn or Dash PET.

When Dash EasyEarn was launched, it offered 2.00% p.a. for the first year. Recently, it has announced the reduction of its return from 2.00% p.a. to 1.20% p.a.. This will be effective from 30th July 2021 onwards.

Similarly, Dash PET had reduced its rate of return from 1.70% p.a. to 1.3% p.a. for the first S$10,000.

Both plans still beat Singapore Savings Bonds 1 year return of 0.35% p.a.

Higher Returns Higher Risk

If you are a risk taker, you can try purchasing Crypto and depositing with Hodlnaut to earn higher interest.

Cryto is definitely not for the faint hearted. If you are looking for safe haven, stick to Singapore Savings Bonds.

Is Singapore Savings Bonds still Useful?

Most of the financial products out there require you to invest using cold hard cash. This is where the Singapore Savings Bonds outshine them. You can purchase the Singapore Savings Bonds using your Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) funds.

The interest rate for Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) fund is only 0.05% per annum. You can top up your SRS account to offset your annual taxes and then use the funds from your SRS account to purchase Singapore Savings Bonds to earn a higher interest rate.

Tracking Singapore Savings Bonds via Stocks Café

My favourite website, Stocks Café has allows adding of Singapore Savings Bonds into your portfolio. If you didn’t know, I signed up as a Friend of Stocks Café as my most favourite feature of Stocks Café is the automated tracking of dividends payout.

This is the third year that I continue to use Stocks Café to track my dividends.

Tracking Singapore Savings Bonds via My Savings Bonds Portal

MAS has launched My Savings Bonds Portal where you can track your Singapore Savings Bonds purchases separately from your stock purchases. I have done up a simple guide here. (Read more: Guide to My Savings Bonds Portal)

Financial Goals Progress July 2021

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Financial Goals Progress July 2021

Above is the progress of me reaching my targeted financial goals for July 2021. The total value of my financial assets continue to increase from 57.98% to 59.30%.

The increase was largely attributed to the continued performance of my stock portfolio and Forex.

What does my financial assets comprise of? The total value of my financial assets comprised of the following:

In May, I have start a Core Growth portfolio with Syfe. Let us see how it performed below.

Insurance Savings

This month, the revised crediting rate on the Singlife Account takes effect.

From 1 July 2021, the base return (crediting rates) on the Singlife Account will be revised to 1.0% p.a. on the first S$10,000 and 0.5% p.a. on the next S$90,000.

Last month, I have withdrawn most of my cash and deposit into Dash EasyEarn which earns me 2.0% for the first S$20,000. As such, I have maxed out my Dash EasyEarn account.

Singapore Savings Bonds

There is no Wow factor with Singapore Savings Bonds as I collect my monthly “kopi” money.

In July, I have collected the following interest payout from the Singapore Savings Bonds that I have bought every month over the years.

  • January 2020 (GX20010T)
  • July 2019 (GX19070W)
  • January 2019 (GX19010T)
  • July 2018 (GX18070N)

The effective interest rate of this month’s issue of Singapore Savings Bond (SBAUG21) is giving 1.50% per annum. Readers who wanted safe haven or place for emergency funds should consider.

My Stock Portfolio

I use Stocks Café to keep track of the total value worth of my stocks.

I have been rather busy recently and thus did not monitor the stock market that much. Recently, I find it hard to find a good stock in the Singapore stock market. The current dividend yield of REITs are still not attractive and the payout can go both ways depending on whether there is a possible COVID-19 outbreak.

Auto Investing with Syfe

In May, I started the Core Growth portfolio with Syfe which has provided me a time weighted return of 3.34%.

This is quite amazing given the fact that my Core Growth portfolio is only two months old. I shall continue my strategy of topping my Core Growth portfolio monthly.

Dividends

This is a dry month for me. No dividends were collected this month.

You can check out My Stock Portfolio for the allocation of stocks in my portfolio.

Forex

In July, the Return On Investment (“ROI”) was 28.34%. This was a fantastic months with awesome gains!

Financial Goals Progress July 2021

Summary of Financial Goals Progress July 2021

At this point of writing, we are back at Phase 2 lock down as part of the measures for containing the COVID-19 outbreak. Malls and eateries took another beating and many shops decided to close their shutters for good.

The KTV and Jurong Fishery Port outbreak was  a disaster. It has taught us a lesson that we should not let our alert down.

With such prolonged measures such as no dining out, I believe this will have a significant impact on the retail, food and beverage sector.

Stay safe, stay calm!