Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read each others' updates, known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters, displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to other users - known as followers - who have subscribed to them.
Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access. Users can send and receive tweets via the Twitter website, Short Message Service (SMS) or external applications. The service is free over the Internet, but using SMS may incur phone service provider fees.
Since its creation in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter has gained notability and popularity worldwide. It is sometimes described as the "SMS of the Internet",[2] as it provides the functionality—via its application programming interface (API)—for other desktop and web-based applications to send and receive short text messages, often obscuring the Twitter service itself.
Through SMS, users can communicate with Twitter through five gateway numbers: short codes for the United States, Canada, India, New Zealand, and an Isle of Man-based number for international use. There is also a short code in the United Kingdom which is only accessible to those in the Vodafonenetwork.[3]
Alexa ranks the site 27th in terms of web traffic.[4] Estimates of the number of daily users vary, because the company does not release the number of active accounts. However, a February 2009 Compete.com blog entry ranked Twitter as the third most used social network,[5] which puts the number of unique monthly visitors at roughly 6 million and the number of monthly visits at 55 million;[5] however, only 40% of users are retained.[6] In March 2009, a Nielsen.com blog ranked Twitter as the fastest-growing site in the Member Communities category for February 2009. Twitter had a monthly growth of 1382%, Zimbio of 240%, followed by Facebook with an increase of 228%.[7]
Someone said that Dennis is wrong, Average Income is NOT S$6,000...
When I mentioned average income of Singaporeans is S$6,000 a month, it sparked some debate at an internet discussion forum.
It is common that when we discuss income, it refers to Household Income. For a household with 1 person earning income, the Household Income is equivalent to 1 person's income. For a household with 2 persons earning income, thus, the Household Income is that of the total of the 2 persons' income.
Thus, when I mentioned Average Income of Singaporeans, I refer to Household Income. My apologies for any confusion caused.
According to 2007's statistic, the average Household Income is S$6,280. Forumers might want to take note of Warren Buffett's teachings that "it is better to be approximately correct, then precisely wrong." Thus, if I want to be precise, I should say "the Average Household income in Singapore is S$6,280, not S$6,000.
I think some internet forumers are "missing the point". The point is if you earn a total income of S$1,080,000 (S$6,000 x 12 months x 15 years), can you acccumulate S$1 million dollars, excluding Your House? The answer is Yes, becos I prove it can be done by doing it myself. Most Singaporeans might earn a higher income and yet have much less wealth than I do. Thus, my sharing is NOT to boast, but is supposed to Encourage and Inspire, that you can Earn a million Dollars and Have a Million dollars, by learning how to plan and manage your finances and also learn how to grow your money!
"Singaporeans' household incomes in 2007 highest in a decade.
Data published on Wednesday by the Department of Statistics showed that the average household income from work rose to $6,280*, from $5,730 the previous year.
But it doesn't say the median household income from work was less: $4,870 or more a month for the employed households.
(Please note all figures in Singapore dollars. One US dollar is worth about 1.5 Singapore dollars.)
But you will find the median household income in the Key Household Trends 2007 report which you can download from the Department of Statistics website.
The median income tends to be lower than the average income. In 2005, according to the department, average household income from work was $5,400 while median household income from work was $3,830.
The median income is considered by many statisticians to be a better indicator than the average income, says Wikipedia.
Why?
Because if nine people earn $1,000 each and another person earns $11,000, their average income will be $2,000!
Wikipedia explains the difference between average and median income, quoting the US Census Bureau:
Median income is the amount which divides the income distribution into two equal groups, half having income above that amount, and half having income below that amount. Mean income (average) is the amount obtained by dividing the total aggregate income of a group by the number of units in that group.
The income gap is widening, as The Straits Times says. It adds:
The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, rose to 0.485 from 0.472. This is one of the biggest increases in the past seven years.
But the government statisticians added that taxes and Government benefits such as the GST offset package, helped to narrow the income gap, and if those were taken into account, the Gini coefficient would come down to 0.46.
Last Chance to Buy Dennis' Book at 40% Discount!
As you might know, Dennis launched the Very First Chinese/English Book on Personal Finance in Singapore at the recent Singapore Book Fair.
My distributor said that my book actually outsells Adam Khoo's books at the Book Fair. I was very delighted with this news.
This Chinese/English book is entitled: "Mastering Your Personal Finance 如何做个理财掌门人
He said probably because my book has Both English and Chinese Content, thus able to appeal to more people in Singapore....
This is the First Chinese/English Book on Personal Finance in Singapore, which Dennis spent the last 1 1/2 years writing.
P.S. This Book comes with a FREE Bonus, giving you 2 tickets to attend a 2-hour seminar by Dennis entitled "Mastering Your Personal Finance" FREE. The usual price for the seminar is S$68 per pax or total value of S$136 given to you FREE.
Details of the FREE Bonus is in the book itself.
Retail Price S$19.90. Available in Popular book shops throughout Singapore NOW.
Here's the last chance to buy Dennis' Book at a Special 40% Discount, you pay ONLY S$12, instead of S$19.90, by ordering the book online at the url below:
Below is a comment from one of Dennis' "sifu", John Nai, Business Owner in Australia:
Most Personal Finance books are written by U.S. and western authors.
Dennis is writing from an Asian and Singaporean perspective, and with an acute understanding of the Asian mindset. This book will definitely be a useful guide to managing one's finances, in different aspects of financial management, insurance, investments, loans or tax planning
Content of the Book include:
1. Financial Mindset and Principles of Wealth
2. Practical Financial Planning Tips
3. Wealth Accumulation through Investments, how to invest?
4. The Art of Leveraging, including using Housing Loans to become Rich
5. Riding out the Financial Crisis
Are the Global Stock Markets recovery for real? What is the Outlook for Singapore Property Market? Why do the Rich get Richer? These and more are discussed and explained by Dennis in his usual "simple to understand" and "easy to read" writing style.
Dennis is especially happy when even his 79 year old mother, who seldom reads, managed to finish reading the Book from Cover to Cover within 1 week!
Be Fearful When Others are Greedy, Be Greedy When Others Are Fearful...
Back in Oct 2008, when everything was gloomy and doom, I wrote an aritcle encouraging investors to take a "Contrarian" view, to be Greedy When Others are Fearful....if you had done so and bought some stocks then, today, you should be seeing some gains in your stock portfolio.
This article was also selected by another website www.qotion.com and below is the url link which proves that this article was written back then in Oct 2008 and not now.
Warren Buffett, who started with US$100 of his own money and became the richest person in the world by investing, building to total wealth of over US$50 billion. Thus, if you want to make money from investing, it is Common Sense that you ought to listen to this man, who definitely shows he knows what he is talking about - investing.
One of his famous saying is "Be Fearful when others are Greedy. Be Greedy when others are Fearful."
It is easy to see the wisdom in the above saying. When others are greedy, is typically when stock prices are very high, it is actually time to sell (be Fearful), rather than time to invest.
Dennis Proved that Average Singaporean Can Become Millionaire!
Is it possible for an average Singaporean earning S$6,000 a month to become a Millionaire in 15 years?
In 15 years, total income he earned is S$1.08 million. Is it possible to accumulate S$1 million in the same period? It is indeed possible, Dennis proved that this can be done by doing just that!
And Dennis has begun teaching others how to do it as well in this full-day Seminar entitled “How to Save and Accumulate One Million Dollars”. Details at http://www.MasterYourFinance.com
Bank Deposit Interest Rates Low, What Else to Invest in?
Bank Deposit Interest Rates Low, What Else to Invest in?
Bank Deposit Rates have dropped to about 0.5%. What other investments are out there? If you want to invest in gold, what are the 3 Simple Ways to invest in Gold? Dennis shares his views on Channel U “Money Week” programme.
Other than Gold, you can also consider investing into UK Traded Endowment plans which offers annual returns of 5% to 8% with Capital Guarantee. Details at http://www.TradedEndowment.com
Is It Possible for Singaporeans to Accumulate One Million Dollars?
Is it Possible for Singaporeans to Accumulate One Million Dollars?According to statistics from CPF Board, over half of Singaporeans do not even have S$60,000 in their CPF account by the age of 55. Is it possible for an average Singaporean to accumulate one million dollars? Dennis says yes, and in fact, he has done so by age 39. Below is what he shared on Channel U “Money Week” programme.
What are the Common Mistakes Made by People in Financial Planning?
Common Mistakes in Financial Planning by Dennis Ng
What are some of the most common mistakes made by people when they plan their finances? Some of these mistakes are irreversible and devastating. Thus, if you are able to avoid making such Financial Mistakes, you will be well on your road to Financial Freedom.
Dennis shares his knowledge with over 500 attendees at a Public talk organised by Capital Radio 95.8 FM.
Dennis Comments on Using CPF for Singapore Property and Housing Loans
Using CPF for Singapore Property and Housing Loans Part 1 by Dennis Ng
How much Cash do you need for buying a property, whether HDB flat or private property in Singapore? If you want to use CPF to pay for your house or investment property, what are the factors to consider in order to plan your finances properly? All these and more are discussed by Dennis Ng on Channel 8 TV programme.
Using CPF for Singapore Property and Housing Loans Part 2 by Dennis Ng
What are the factors to consider in using CPF for Singapore Property and Home Loans? If you have enough Cash and CPF to pay for a property without loans, why does it make sense for you to choose to take a Housing Loan or Home Loan instead? Why taking Housing Loan can help you reach your retirement goal earlier? All these and more are explained by Dennis Ng on Channel 8 TV Programme.
World-wide "Money & You" Authorised Chinese Trainer Lin Wei Xian Endorses Dennis' Book