I was trying to churn out proposals but it was going at too slow a pace and hence sales slowed down. Slower sales normally bring me back closer with God because he reminded me not to be over-confident and forget that he is in control. Slower sales also means that I can be more proactive in other areas that I felt inadequate such as learning on my presentation skills, etc... I recently took the time to prepare my presentation file for corporate HR Seminar and made my HR first presentation in a small Tuas company. Sounds small but its an achievement to me. My maiden seminar presentation might come soon and its time like this that I can concentrate on my preparation.
I'm already starting to have that feeling of going back home early to see Felin and the babies. I wish to tap Felin to bed daily and to have nice conversations with her before sleeping. I do not wish to miss watching my babies grow or miss reading bed-time stories to them, etc...Though I need to work harder if Felin choose to stop work for a while as additional expenses that are expected to come in with only my income, I just have to learn to better manage my time and be more focused at work.
As a Financial Planner, its my nature to be aware of my funds and I had tabulated my lumpsum cash needed and the potential future regular expenses. When the babies arrive, I will see how accurate I am on these.
| Baby Expenses (Lumpsum Reserved) | |
| * Felin upcoming Medical Checks and Labour (C-sect 3 days) | $9,000 |
| * Conversion of my OPC status (Car) | $3,800 |
| * Baby Bonus Topping up (Gradual $6k each) | $12,000 |
| * Preparation for baby arrival (All the things to buy) | $1,700 |
| * Others | $200 |
| Total | $26,700 |
As for the extra potential expenses in future, I had tabulated to be about as below:
| Baby Expenses (Monthly New) | |
| * Domestic Worker | $800 |
| * Diapers | $200 |
| * Milk (saved if BF) | $400 |
| * Baby usage | $200 |
| * Insurance & Savings | $500 |
| * Medical (Reserved) | $200 |
| * Additional Car Exp. (Convert fm OPC) - Petrol, Parking, higher Road Tax, Insurance, etc... | $800 |
| * Additional Household expenses for Mum to help take care of the babies | $500 |
| * Others | $200 |
| Total per month | $3,800 |
Bringing up 2 babies at the same time is no joke. If I only have 1 baby today, the additional cost will be halved to about $1,600 a month. Why? Because I may not consider the domestic worker, I may not convert my OPC and I may not request mum to stop work and help take care of my babies. If breast feeding is an option, the milk powder cost can also be saved. One major expenses will probably be the infant care facilities.
Currently, what I'm concerned is whether Felin is able to cope psychologically with the sudden arrival of 2 infants. As her husband, I need to provide her with the best possible support and money should not be an issue even if she choose to stop work. Moreover, my car conversion from OPC status may help in my business and give me more time. My mum retirement also means she can spend more quality time with my Dad and her grandchildren. These are things I can still afford and I want Felin to be able to enjoy her pregnancy and have all the time with the babies when they arrive in January next year.
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