Kids and Allowances
If you decide that your children should do chores to earn their allowance, write down what's expected of your child.
Chores need to be age-appropriate. You cannot expect a 7 year old to do major chores like cleaning the windows or mopping the floor of the entire apartment. Keep it simple and manageable. The idea is to instill a sense of responsibility to complete a task, not tire them out.
Keep a checklist where your children can mark off when they finish a chore. This will give your child an idea of how much they have accomplished and what they need to do reach their goal. It will also help you keep track while you are busy with your own responsibilities. Remember to reward them not only with money, but also with a hug and a compliment on a work well done.
As always, be consistent about it.
By Centre for Fathering
Action Pointers…
Back to School with Dad 2011 is effective from 04 Jan 2011, the first day of School. Daddies send your children to school and help them settle in before leaving for work.
What’s happening in CFF…
Back to School with Dad
Centre for Fathering want the students in Singapore to start their school year with Daddy by their side. Back to School with Dad should be used as a platform to jump-start the fathers’ involvement in their children’s school life. We are facilitating schools to encourage their students' fathers in realizing their importance. Read More…
[30th Decmeber 2010 by Centre for Fathering Singapore]
Monday, January 3, 2011
Graco Quattro Tour Stroller - A Review
The Graco Quattro Tour Stroller is a full-sized stroller that is able to accommodate all infant car seats of the same brand. In other words, it is a stroller that is suitable for infants right up to kids weighing a maximum of 50 lbs.
With a newborn, you can recline the seat to lie flat. The stroller has a 4-position reclining options. You can recline it mid-way to make it more comfortable for a sleeping toddler or you can recline it all the way to make a diaper change for a baby. The flexibility is there, which is what makes this stroller practical for a baby, toddler or even pre-schooler.
The canopy rotates 180 degrees, which basically means you can protect your child from direct sunlight from whichever direction the sun may be shining from. This is useful when you have a sleeping baby or toddler in the stroller during those hot summer days.
The Graco Quattro tour Stroller uses a one-hand gravity fold. You simply slide a button and rotate the handle and the stroller will collapse onto the ground folded up. However, because of the height of the rubber wheels, all the fabric would not touch the ground at all. Thus, your stroller will remain clean. It can also stand on its own once folded, which is practical for storage purposes once you get home.
The stroller has lockable front swivel wheels with suspension. This gives a more comfortable ride, especially on rougher paths. The back also has brakes which you can lock and unlock using a foot pedal for added safety.
At the front, there is a tray which pivots for your child to get in and out of the stroller with ease. As for the parent, there is a tray near the handle with cup holders. You too need a drink now and then and with both your hands pushing the stroller, a cup holder is a necessity. On the tray, you can also put your car keys and phone so that you won't have to rummage through your bag for them when it's time to get home. And for more storage space, there is a large basket underneath the seat. While you will find it difficult to access the basket once the seat is fully reclined for most strollers, this one is designed with a drop-down feature to overcome this accessibility problem.
All in all, the Graco Quattro Tour Stroller is an affordable full-sized stroller. It is a stroller that will suit those looking for practicality and useful features rather than style.
With a newborn, you can recline the seat to lie flat. The stroller has a 4-position reclining options. You can recline it mid-way to make it more comfortable for a sleeping toddler or you can recline it all the way to make a diaper change for a baby. The flexibility is there, which is what makes this stroller practical for a baby, toddler or even pre-schooler.
The canopy rotates 180 degrees, which basically means you can protect your child from direct sunlight from whichever direction the sun may be shining from. This is useful when you have a sleeping baby or toddler in the stroller during those hot summer days.
The Graco Quattro tour Stroller uses a one-hand gravity fold. You simply slide a button and rotate the handle and the stroller will collapse onto the ground folded up. However, because of the height of the rubber wheels, all the fabric would not touch the ground at all. Thus, your stroller will remain clean. It can also stand on its own once folded, which is practical for storage purposes once you get home.
The stroller has lockable front swivel wheels with suspension. This gives a more comfortable ride, especially on rougher paths. The back also has brakes which you can lock and unlock using a foot pedal for added safety.
At the front, there is a tray which pivots for your child to get in and out of the stroller with ease. As for the parent, there is a tray near the handle with cup holders. You too need a drink now and then and with both your hands pushing the stroller, a cup holder is a necessity. On the tray, you can also put your car keys and phone so that you won't have to rummage through your bag for them when it's time to get home. And for more storage space, there is a large basket underneath the seat. While you will find it difficult to access the basket once the seat is fully reclined for most strollers, this one is designed with a drop-down feature to overcome this accessibility problem.
All in all, the Graco Quattro Tour Stroller is an affordable full-sized stroller. It is a stroller that will suit those looking for practicality and useful features rather than style.
Graco Quattro Tour Stroller - Things To Take Note Of
If you are thinking of buying the Graco Quattro Tour Stroller, you will need to be aware that it is pretty bulky in size. You may find it difficult to fit into the trunk of certain sedan cars. Bear in mind that the way this stroller is folded, the wheels on each corner form the size of the base. Therefore, it is pretty wide even when folded up, which is why it may not easily fit into the trunk of some cars.Because it is bulky, naturally it is also heavy. Weighing around 26 lbs, it is typical of the weight of full-sized strollers. You will need two hands to lift it up into the trunk of your car or up the stairs if you are living in an apartment.
But the trade-off is your child will get to ride in a wider and bigger stroller with suspension wheels. All these translate into a more comfortable ride. Furthermore, some children are on the bigger side and narrow strollers may be a tight fit as they grow. So, this is the benefit of the Graco Quattro Tour Stroller compared to the more popular lightweight strollers in the market.
Loan to Valuation limits changes (property loan constraints)
The LTV limit is lowered from 80% to 70% with effect from 30 Aug 20108 for borrowers who have one or more outstanding housing loans (whether from HDB or a financial institution regulated by MAS) at the time of applying for a housing loan for the new property purchase. Borrowers who do not have any outstanding housing loans continue to have an LTV cap of 80%. These rules apply to housing loans granted by financial institutions for private residential properties, Executive Condominiums, HUDC flats and HDB flats (including DBSS flats).
Loans granted by HDB for HDB flats (including DBSS flats) will still have an LTV cap of 90%. HDB loans are offered to eligible first-time flat buyers and second-timers who are right-sizing their flats to meet their housing needs. They are required to utilise all of their CPF Ordinary Account balance before HDB loans will be granted. Furthermore, those taking a second concessionary HDB loan must use the CPF refund and 50% of the cash proceeds from the sale of their previous flat before they are granted an HDB loan. This is in line with HDB's home ownership policy of helping eligible buyers, especially first-time buyers, purchase public housing in a financially prudent manner.
[partially extracted from MND press release ]
[http://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/newsreleases/2010/news30082010.htm]
More help for First-Time home buyers - HDB press release
During the National Day Rally on 29 Aug 2010, PM Lee Hsien Loong announced several measures to ensure that public housing will always remain within the reach of Singaporeans who are buying their first home. This will be achieved by increasing housing supply and dampening demand from those who are not in urgent need of housing.
2. This press release provides details of the measures to:
- (a) Allow households earning between $8,000 and $10,000, to buy new DBSS flats with a $30,000 CPF Housing Grant;(b) Increase the supply of new flats, Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flats, and Executive Condominiums (EC); (c) Shorten the completion time of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats; (d) Increase the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) for non-subsidised flats to 5 years; and (e) Disallow concurrent ownership of both HDB flats and private residential properties within the MOP.
More Housing Supply and Choices for First-Time Home Buyers
3. HDB will ramp up the supply of new flats, DBSS flats and ECs substantially to meet the housing needs of first-time homebuyers.
4. HDB will be offering more than 16,000 new flats in 2010. If demand remains strong, HDB is prepared to launch up to 22,000 new flats in 2011. These numbers are substantial. Over two years, HDB will offer more new flats than the total flats in Toa Payoh town today (35,400 flats).
5. In addition, HDB will release more land for tender in 2010 to yield an estimated supply of 3,000 DBSS 1 flats and 4,000 ECs. In 2011, HDB will release land sites for another 4,000 DBSS flats and 4,000 ECs, if demand is sustained. This injection of 7,000 DBSS flats and 8,000 ECs over two years is also significant. In comparison, 4,000 DBSS flats and 10,000 ECs have been launched for public sale so far.
6. Currently, first-timer households with monthly income of between $8,000 and $10,000 may buy an EC with a CPF Housing Grant of $30,000. To widen their housing options, HDB will allow these households to buy new DBSS flats with a CPF Housing Grant of $30,000 2 Similar to the purchase of ECs, the HDB concessionary loan will not be available for these buyers. This revision will be applicable to DBSS projects launched for public sale after 30 Aug 2010.
7. To help households get their new flats faster, HDB has also streamlined the BTO processes to allow flat buyers collect keys to their new homes 6 months earlier. Buyers of projects launched in mid-2011 onwards will generally need to wait for 2.5 years 3 to collect the keys instead of the current 3 years.
HDB Flats for Owner-Occupation
8. HDB flats are meant for long-term owner-occupation. HDB will increase the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) to reinforce this and dampen demand from those who are not in urgent need of housing.
9. First, the MOP of non-subsidised flats for resale and subletting of flat will be increased from three to five years. Second, buyers of non-subsidised flats will be disallowed from concurrently owning both an HDB flat and a private residential property within the MOP 4. Private property owners who buy a non-subsidised HDB flat must now dispose of their private residential property within six months from the date of flat purchase. This will help ensure that buyers purchase HDB flats only when they have the intent of staying in it for long term and ensure equitable treatment for all HDB flat lessees during their MOP. Ownership of private properties by HDB lessees will be allowed after the MOP.
10. The revised changes are summarised in Table 1, and will apply to resale transactions where applications are received by HDB from 30 Aug 2010 onwards.
- Table 1: Changes for Non-subsidised Flats*
 | Current | Revised |
| Resale | 3 years | 5 years |
| Subletting | 3 years | 5 years |
| Investment in Private Residential Property After Purchase of Non-Subsidised Flat | No Restriction | 5 years |
| Disposal of Existing Private Residential Property After Purchase of Non-Subsidised Flat | Not Applicable | Within 6 months from Date of Purchase |
ENQUIRIES
11. For enquiries, the public can contact HDB at the following numbers:
- (a) Sales/Resale Customer Service Line : 1800 8663 066 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1800 8663 066 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (b) Branch Office Service Line : 1800 2255 432 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1800 2255 432 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Footnote:
1 The DBSS was introduced in 2005 to encourage more private sector participation in public housing development. It complements the supply of new flats by HDB and provides flat buyers an additional housing option to meet their diverse needs and aspirations.
2 This is subject to them meeting all other eligibility conditions on citizenship and non-ownership of private residential property
3 Based on a typical precinct with five new blocks of 20 storeys high.
4 Currently, buyers of subsidised HDB flats are not allowed to own a private residential property within the 5-year MOP. On the other hand, buyers of non-subsidised flats can concurrently own a private residential property during the MOP, as long as they live in the HDB flat. Private property owners can also buy non-subsidised flats while concurrently owning their private residential properties, provided they live in the HDB flat during MOP. There is therefore disparity in treatment amongst the different groups during their MOP.
Date issued : 30 Aug 2010
[http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10296p.nsf/PressReleases/895204E2295BDC394825778E007FA919?OpenDocument]
[http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10296p.nsf/PressReleases/895204E2295BDC394825778E007FA919?OpenDocument]
Measures to maintain a stable and sustainable Property Market - Press Release
1 The Government announced today the following measures to maintain a stable and sustainable property market:
- Increase the holding period for imposition of Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) from the current one year to three years.
- For property buyers who already have one or more outstanding housing loans1 at the time of the new housing purchase:
- Increase the minimum cash payment from 5% to 10% of the valuation limit2; and
- Decrease the Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit for housing loans granted by financial institutions regulated by MAS to these buyers from the current 80% to 70%.
The measures will take immediate effect on 30 August 2010.
2 The Government's objective is to ensure a stable and sustainable property market where prices move in line with economic fundamentals. The property market is currently very buoyant. While the rate of price increase of private residential properties has moderated in the last 3 quarters, prices have still increased significantly by 11% in the first half of 2010, and price levels have now exceeded the historical peak in the second quarter of 1996.
3 While Singapore has enjoyed strong economic growth in the first half of 2010, our economic growth is expected to moderate in the second half of the year. There are also still uncertainties in the global economy. Should economic growth falter and the market corrects, property buyers could face capital losses, with implications on their own finances and the economy as a whole. Moreover, the current low global interest rate environment will not continue indefinitely, and higher interest rates could have severe implications for buyers who have overextended themselves. Therefore, the Government has decided to introduce additional measures now to temper sentiments and encourage greater financial prudence among property purchasers.
Extending the Holding Period for Imposition of Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) on Residential Properties Sold from 1 Year to 3 Years
4 The Government imposed in February 2010 a seller’s stamp duty (SSD) for sellers who buy residential properties3 on or after 20 February 2010 and sell them within a year of purchase.
4 The Government imposed in February 2010 a seller’s stamp duty (SSD) for sellers who buy residential properties3 on or after 20 February 2010 and sell them within a year of purchase.
5 For residential properties bought4 on or after 30 August 2010, SSD will be imposed if these properties are sold within three years of purchase. Specifically, the SSD levied on residential properties will be revised to as follows:
- Sold within the first year of purchase, i.e. the property is held for 1 year or less from its purchase date – The full SSD rate (1% for the first $180,000 of the consideration, 2% for the next $180,000, and 3% for the balance) will be imposed.
- Sold within the second year of purchase, i.e. the property is held for more than 1 year and up to 2 years – 2/3 of the full SSD rate.
- Sold within the third year of purchase, i.e. the property is held for more than 2 years and up to 3 years – 1/3 of the full SSD rate.
No SSD will be payable by the vendor if the property is sold more than 3 years after it was bought. Please see Annex for examples of how the SSD will be computed.
6 The extended SSD will not affect HDB lessees as the required Minimum Occupation Period for HDB flats is at least 3 years.
7 IRAS will be releasing an updated e-tax guide on the circumstances under which SSD will apply and the procedures for paying SSD. The e-tax guide will be available at www.iras.gov.sg. Taxpayers with enquiries may call IRAS at 6351 3697 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 6351 3697 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 6351 3698 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 6351 3698 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Increase the Minimum Cash Payment from 5% to 10% of the Valuation Limit for Property Purchasers with one or more outstanding Housing Loans
8 Previously, property buyers have to make cash payment of at least 5% of the valuation limit5. With effect from 30 Aug 20106, the cash payment is increased from 5% to 10% of the valuation limit7. This measure is applied only to buyers of private residential properties, Executive Condominiums, HUDC flats and HDB flats (including those under the Design, Build and Sell Scheme, or DBSS flats) who are taking housing loans from financial institutions regulated by MAS and who already have one or more outstanding housing loans at the time of applying for a housing loan for the new property purchase.
8 Previously, property buyers have to make cash payment of at least 5% of the valuation limit5. With effect from 30 Aug 20106, the cash payment is increased from 5% to 10% of the valuation limit7. This measure is applied only to buyers of private residential properties, Executive Condominiums, HUDC flats and HDB flats (including those under the Design, Build and Sell Scheme, or DBSS flats) who are taking housing loans from financial institutions regulated by MAS and who already have one or more outstanding housing loans at the time of applying for a housing loan for the new property purchase.
Decrease the LTV limit for housing loans granted by financial institutions regulated by MAS from the current 80% to 70% for Property Purchasers with one or more outstanding Housing Loans
9 The LTV limit is lowered from 80% to 70% with effect from 30 Aug 20108 for borrowers who have one or more outstanding housing loans (whether from HDB or a financial institution regulated by MAS) at the time of applying for a housing loan for the new property purchase. Borrowers who do not have any outstanding housing loans continue to have an LTV cap of 80%. These rules apply to housing loans granted by financial institutions for private residential properties, Executive Condominiums, HUDC flats and HDB flats (including DBSS flats).
9 The LTV limit is lowered from 80% to 70% with effect from 30 Aug 20108 for borrowers who have one or more outstanding housing loans (whether from HDB or a financial institution regulated by MAS) at the time of applying for a housing loan for the new property purchase. Borrowers who do not have any outstanding housing loans continue to have an LTV cap of 80%. These rules apply to housing loans granted by financial institutions for private residential properties, Executive Condominiums, HUDC flats and HDB flats (including DBSS flats).
10 Loans granted by HDB for HDB flats (including DBSS flats) will still have an LTV cap of 90%. HDB loans are offered to eligible first-time flat buyers and second-timers who are right-sizing their flats to meet their housing needs. They are required to utilise all of their CPF Ordinary Account balance before HDB loans will be granted. Furthermore, those taking a second concessionary HDB loan must use the CPF refund and 50% of the cash proceeds from the sale of their previous flat before they are granted an HDB loan. This is in line with HDB's home ownership policy of helping eligible buyers, especially first-time buyers, purchase public housing in a financially prudent manner.
11 Financial institutions' lending standards have remained prudent and the asset quality of housing loans has stayed robust, with the non-performing loans ratio at less than 1% as at Q2 2010. Nonetheless, there are signs that more housing loans are originating at higher LTV bands of above 70%. In line with the objective of ensuring a stable and sustainable property market, lowering the LTV limit sends a clear signal to financial institutions to maintain credit standards, and encourages greater financial prudence among property purchasers already servicing one or more outstanding housing loans.
Adequate Supply in the Pipeline
12 The Government will also continue to ensure that there is adequate supply of housing to meet demand. In the second half 2010 GLS Programme, we have made available sites that can yield about 13,900 private housing units, of which about 8,100 units will be from sites on the Confirmed List. This is the highest potential supply quantum in the history of the GLS Programme. We will inject an even larger supply of private housing in the first half 2011 GLS Programme, if demand continues to be strong.
12 The Government will also continue to ensure that there is adequate supply of housing to meet demand. In the second half 2010 GLS Programme, we have made available sites that can yield about 13,900 private housing units, of which about 8,100 units will be from sites on the Confirmed List. This is the highest potential supply quantum in the history of the GLS Programme. We will inject an even larger supply of private housing in the first half 2011 GLS Programme, if demand continues to be strong.
13 Apart from the supply from the GLS Programme, there are also 61,800 uncompleted units of private housing from projects in the pipeline as at 2Q20109. Of these, 32,600 units were available or could be made available for sale. These comprised units that had been launched for sale by developers, units that had pre-requisite conditions for sale10 and which could be launched for sale immediately, as well as units with planning approvals for which pre-requisite conditions for sale could be obtained quickly from the Government and made available for sale11.
14 The Government will continue to monitor the property market closely and will introduce additional measures if required later, to promote a stable and sustainable property market.
*****
1 Financial institutions are required to conduct checks with HDB and with one or more credit bureaus on whether the buyer has an outstanding housing loan at the time of applying for a housing loan for the new property purchase. For joint buyers, if either buyer has an outstanding housing loan, the joint buyers will be considered as having an outstanding housing loan.
2 This is in addition to the cash over valuation amount that has to be paid in cash.
3 The SSD will apply to the transfer or disposal of interest (including sale and gifts) of residential lands and residential units (whether completed or uncompleted).
4 The date of purchase for computation of the holding period for SSD shall be the date when a buyer (i.e. Buyer A) exercises the option to purchase the property, or signs the sale and purchase agreement, whichever is earlier. The date of resale of the property shall be the date when the subsequent buyer (i.e. Buyer B) exercises the option to purchase the property from Buyer A, or signs the sale and purchase agreement, whichever is earlier.
5 The amount of CPF monies plus housing loan taken for the purchase of the property cannot exceed 95% of the valuation limit (defined as the lower of property value or property price).
6 The 10% minimum cash payment will apply to transactions where the date on which the option to purchase (OTP) was granted falls on or after 30 August 2010; or if there is no OTP, where the date of the sale and purchase agreement falls on or after 30 August 2010.
7 Therefore, the amount of CPF monies plus housing loan that can be used for the purchase of the property will be reduced from 95% to 90%.
8 The 70% LTV limit will apply to transactions where the date on which the option to purchase (OTP) was granted falls on or after 30 August 2010; or if there is no OTP, where the date of the sale and purchase agreement falls on or after 30 August 2010.
9 These refer to new development and redevelopment projects with planning approvals, i.e. either a Provisional Permission (PP) or Written Permission (WP).
10 These refer to private residential developments with Housing Developer Licence and Building Plan Approval. Under the Housing Developer (Control and Licensing) Act, a sale licence must be obtained for a project with more than 4 units, if the developer intends to sell uncompleted residential units in the development. However, the sale of the residential units can only commence with the approval of the building plans of the development.
11 These refer to uncompleted private residential developments without pre-requisites for sale but with WP or PP granted. The sale licences could be obtained within 5 working days and building plan approvals could be obtained within 7 working days from the date of application for cases where clearances from various technical agencies are obtained and relevant documents are in order during formal submissions.
| Issued by: | Ministry of National Development, Ministry of Finance and Monetary Authority of Singapore |
| Date: | 30 August 2010 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)