Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Blog Posted by Singapore's Youngest Millionaire (By Adam Khoo)

This gave me real insight:

1. no wonder I am not rich....no matter how much I earn
2. thats why the rick are a real stingy bunch

Well....this is what Adam Khoo believes.....read on...

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Some of you may already know that I travel around the region pretty frequently, having to visit and conduct seminars at my offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Suzhou (China). I am in the airport almost every other week so I get to bump into many people who have attended my seminars or have read my books.

Recently, someone came up to me on a plane to KL and looked rather shocked. He asked, 'How come a millionaire like you is travelling economy?' My reply was, 'That's why I am a millionaire.' He still looked pretty confused. This again confirms that greatest lie ever told about wealth (which I wrote about in my latest book 'Secrets of Self Made Millionaires'). Many people have been brainwashed to think that millionaires have to wear Gucci, Hugo Boss, Rolex, and sit on first class in air travel. This is why so many people never become rich because the moment that earn more money, they think that it is only natural that they spend more, putting them back to square one.

The truth is that most self-made millionaires are frugal and only spend on what is necessary and of value. That is why they are able to accumulate and multiply their wealth so much faster. Over the last 7 years, I have saved about 80% of my income while today I save only about 60% (because I have my wife, mother in law, 2 maids, 2 kids, etc. to support). Still, it is way above most people who save 10% of their income (if they are lucky). I refuse to buy a first class ticket or to buy a $300 shirt because I think that it is a complete waste of money. However, I happily pay $1,300 to send my 2-year old daughter to Julia Gabriel Speech and Drama without thinking twice.

When I joined the YEO (Young Entrepreneur's Organization) a few years back (YEO is an exclusive club open to those who are under 40 and make over $1m a year in their own business) I discovered that those who were self-made thought like me. Many of them with net worths well over $5m, travelled economy class and some even drove Toyota's and Nissans (not Audis, Mercs, BMWs).

I noticed that it was only those who never had to work hard to build their own wealth (there were also a few ministers' and tycoons' sons in the club) who spent like there was no tomorrow. Somehow, when you did not have to build everything from scratch, you do not really value money. This is precisely the reason why a family's wealth (no matter how much) rarely lasts past the third generation. Thank God my rich dad (oh no! I sound like Kiyosaki) foresaw this terrible possibility and refused to give me a cent to start my business.

Then some people ask me, 'What is the point in making so much money if you don't enjoy it?' The thing is that I don't really find happiness in buying branded clothes, jewellery or sitting first class. Even if buying something makes me happy it is only for a while, it does not last. Material happiness never lasts, it just give you a quick fix. After a while you feel lousy again and have to buy the next thing which you think will make you happy. I always think that if you need material things to make you happy, then you live a pretty sad and unfulfilled life.
Instead, what make ME happy is when I see my children laughing and playing and learning so fast. What makes me happy is when I see by companies and trainers reaching more and more people every year in so many more countries. What makes me really happy is when I read all the emails about how my books and seminars have touched and inspired someone's life. What makes me really happy is reading all your wonderful posts about how this BLOG is inspiring you. This happiness makes me feel really good for a long time, much much more than what a Rolex would do for me.

I think the point I want to put across is that happiness must come from doing your life's work (be in teaching, building homes, designing, trading, winning tournaments etc.) and the money that comes is only a by-product. If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a life of meaningless.


Ur Sweet Lullaby thought hard on 8:43 AM.
7 comments



Friday, October 10, 2008
Travel

Seems like a long time since I last updated this blog....wait...it has been a long time...more than 6 months in fact...

Anyway, I have been very busy the last few months...lots of business travelling....thailand, australia, taiwan, US, and I just came back from india. I used to think I'd like the travelling but now, I just feel very tired...it doesn't seem to hold the excitment for me especially when you have to travel alone...it's just pure misery sometimes....

Anyway, I last travelled to India 5 years ago....despite what everybody says...I just feel that the place did not change at all....it's like growth stopped for that country (yes, there are flyovers and new shopping malls now - so I've been told. But other than that, there has been no other changes, traffic is still bad, water is still not safe to drink, streets are still dirty...and there are still lots of deserted construction)....but the saving grace is that the people are nice....great service and very very warm....


Ur Sweet Lullaby thought hard on 9:02 PM.
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Trip Cancelled!

I cancelled my trip! Due to the influenza virus in HK at the moment. Sigh...decided not to put my little girl at risk....

Sob Sob


Ur Sweet Lullaby thought hard on 7:15 PM.
3 comments



Tuesday, March 11, 2008
HK Trip

Just booked  a trip to Hong Kong! I can't help it...I just gotta have a holiday...I need a break from work...
 
This time though, it'll be with the entire family...Helena included...(well also my mum & my sister). I am sure there wouldn't be that much shopping*, but I am certain there will still be great food...exploring disney and definitely some good buys...I am eyeing at a PRADA this time round!!!

heheheh

*Shopping by my usual standards, starts at 7am and only back to the hotel at 1am. ;-) 


Ur Sweet Lullaby thought hard on 9:30 PM.
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Application for passport

Just found out, to my horror that we no longer can update our photo in our passport. The only way to update your photo is to apply for a new passport! And guess what, for every application, it would cost $70! (whereas, updating of passport photo is free!)

Anyway, I found out about this when I was trying to update Helena's passport photo (since her photo was taken when she was 3 months old). To my horror, I found out that I have to spend yet another $70 bucks...@#$% really knows how to earn our money....

For paddy's benefit, here are more look-alike wen er's photos of Helena! *kekeke* the same hairstyle...gotta dig those photos for you guys to see....




Ur Sweet Lullaby thought hard on 9:17 PM.
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Sunday, March 09, 2008
T3 - Beautiful...but too big??

The other half suggested that we bring Helena to explore T3....being non-happening people on a friday night, we decided to do just that.....

As with T1 and T2, T3 is no doubt beautiful...as I walked down the halls with Helena, it fills me with a sense of pride that I know and had worked with the architects and designers of this airport before...

Unlike T1 and T2, T3 boasts of a lot more shops and restaurants...and also a very big food court. Spacious with loads of running space for children, Helena had a great time running around and exploring the grounds....










Ur Sweet Lullaby thought hard on 9:25 PM.
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Damn the bloody JI escaped terrorist!











This is what I had to face with everyday when I go home from work! The longer I sit in the car waiting for the snail-pace traffic to progress, the angrier I get at the police...MHA...whoever who was in charge of the custody of the damn JI guy....

I fully agree with what MM Lee said in Saturday's ST, "very severe lesson in complacency and it shows that Singapore is not infallible" and ultimately "not good for our security services". Such mistakes do not happen in Singapore! I simply cannot fathom it! The mistake was inexcusable, be it a conspiracy (yes, i am sure you have heard of the many conspiracy ideas that is spreading faster than Indonesia's forest fires) or not. 

Besides our country's reputation, this mistake had translated to much inconvenience for our fellow country men...the police who have to worked extra hours to find the guy, the residents who now have to live in fear....the traffic inconveniences at the causeways....and not to mention the environmental damage (millions of posters printed with Mas Selamat's face)....

*sheesshhh* 


Ur Sweet Lullaby thought hard on 8:49 PM.
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Friday, February 01, 2008
Hele's First Day


Today is Hele's first day at school.....this was what her teacher said, "Helena cried for most of the morning. She quietened down during lunch. She ate 1 serving of noodles, followed by pears for dessert. She did not eat the custard. Helena did not manage to engage in lesson activities today. It's understandable as its her first day at school. Helena needs time to adapt to her environment. She is, however, a bright girl who takes to instructions very well."
I hope that the crying will not last too long......


Ur Sweet Lullaby thought hard on 2:28 PM.
1 comments



Friday, January 25, 2008
Addiction

Didn't realise it's been a month since I last updated my blog.

Well....I always tell people that from Dec - Mar of any calendar year is always the busiest period for professionals in my job.

Besides that, I have also been busy with a new application (new for me only......I am slow in keeping up with technology) called FACEBOOK. The wonders of FACEBOOK is rather amazing. I found a couple of friends whom I have lost contact with many years ago....*haha* A friend also told me that a buddy of hers actually found her first crush on FACEBOOK.....see....a wonderful application to widen the social circle.....


Ur Sweet Lullaby thought hard on 12:28 PM.
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