An interesting paradigm shift to tackle motor car road congestion in Singapore : On-Peak Cars

I was recently on my way to town on a Saturday afternoon, and I tell you, I was in for a shock! The number of cars along the CTE and within Orchard/City Hall area are crazy! I remember quite some time ago on a Saturday evening, I drove from Newton to Suntec. It was actually quite a short route, just round novena, then the back of KK hospital, past little india, then straight on to suntec. Shouldn’t take too long since the train ride from newton to city hall was just 10 minutes or so.

The drive took 45 minutes.

And not only that, the searching for a parking lot at suntec took another 20 minutes.

Madness.

So I was wondering, is there a reason for this?

The first thing that came to mind was that I will definitely take public transport the next time I go to town.

The second thing that came to mind was Off-Peak Cars.

Off-Peak Cars are basically red plate cars that are allowed to drive only between 7pm to 7am on the weekdays and full days on the weekends. In return, they get a form of rebate off the purchase price of the cars. The essence behind this scheme was that they wanted to keep the roads as congestion free as possible during office hours, so that logistics can move fast, couriers can deliver parcels with minimal delays, and people will be able to get to meetings without 1 hour traffic jams like in other regional cities. (Think Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Beijing, Jarkarta) In this aspect, the Off-Peak Car scheme has been very very successful! Now, you only get traffic congestions before 9am, and after 6pm! Inconvenience yes, but pragmatic too.

The problem is you get a flood of cars on weekends! Every normal plated cars and Off-Peak cars will be flooding the roads, particularly to places with shopping malls. (which in the case of Singapore, tend to be congregated together) While I can’t say it is an economically inefficient, it is definitely a bit of an annoyance.

Thus, the concept of On-Peak Cars.

Putting aside people who buy car for the sake of luxury, there are still a group of people that need to have private transport. Typically sales people, marketing people, coordinators who need to go for numerous external meetings, or just self-employed business owners. Some of them might not even want to drive in the first place, if not for their job requirements. Is it possible then to have a scheme to discourage off peak car usage?

Consider a new car category, where a rebate is given for On-Peak Cars, such that it makes it cheaper for businesses to own vehicles, but at the same time, restrict them from using it on weekends. The rebate would probably be lower than that for Off-Peak Cars, since they can drive it on 5 days, but in the nature of cost efficiency in businesses, people might actually take up the idea!

Or maybe, just take the train!

What do you think?

Tags: SocialEconomic, Transport

Progress update: Week 7 of Tim Ferriss Slow Carb Diet

This week hasn’t been a good week. In fact for the last 2 weeks, my weight loss has stagnated somewhat. I suspect it has to do with the more ‘dined out’ meals, because I had lunch appointments almost everyday. As much as I try to stick to the Slow Carb Diet, there are always slight mis-steps. I managed to stay away from white carbs most of the time though, except for that delicious bowl of beef noodles and XO carrot cake the other day.

I suppose a reason is that I am fairly comfortable with the results now. But definitely, it’s not time to give up yet! Today’s measurement was 1 day early, on Friday morning instead of Saturday morning, because I had a party (with beer) to attend to on Friday night. Ah well. The joys of life.

Anyway, Quick Recap,

Week 0 : 80.6kg, 24.6% BF, total inches of 268.0cm.

Week 1 : 78.7kg, 24.5% BF, total inches of 260.4cm.

Week 2 : 78.2kg, 23.4% BF, total inches of 261.9cm.

Week 3: 77.5kg, 23.3% BF, total inches of 260.7cm.

Week 4: 76.7kg, 23.1% BF, total inches of 259.6cm.

Week 5: 75.8kg, 21.7% BF, total inches of 258.2cm.

Week 6: 76.0kg, 21.6% BF, total inches of 256.5cm.

Week 7: 75.7kg, 22.2% BF, total inches of 255.0cm.

In particular waist measurement loss is still going on nicely. I wonder if that means my abdominal visceral fats are still dropping consistently. The main reason for visceral fats gain is basically having large meals at infrequent intervals. Beer belly is an example of this, as beer is typically high in calories (Alcohol is 7 calories per gram, whereas carbohydrates is 4 calories per gram, and worse still, vodka coke is BOTH alcohol and carbohydrates!) and that’s why people who tend to drink a lot have high visceral fat content.

Waist dropped from 90.5cm in week 0 to 83.5cm last week, to 82.5cm this week. Very nice I have to say!

My groupon gym membership only have 1 week remaining since I only got the 1 month promo. Immediately following that, I have heading to Bangkok next weekend for 5 days, where I will NOT be dieting. After that I would be doing another gym routine at the nearby community gyms, before doing a blood test 4 weeks later. I would be doing a comparison of my results from the blood test I did prior to this 3 month experiment.

How’s everybody else doing on this diet?

Tags: 4HourBody, Diet, Fitness

An open letter to the Education Minister from a Secondary 4 student studying at Nan Chiau High School

There was quite an interesting open letter on Temasek Review that’s written by a Secondary 4 student griping about the Singapore education system.

Not to take anything away from her, I will only quote the first 2 paragraphs:

I am a Secondary Four student at Nan Chiau High School, and am due to take my O Levels this year. Being shown first-hand what the education system is like, especially from a fairly unflattering point of view, has made me realise much about the education system that I do not like. Of course, I am fully aware that no education system is perfect, yet in the spirit of transformation the PAP has hopefully adopted since the 2011 General Elections, I write this letter to you in the hope that some of these problems with our system will indeed be changed, or if not, at least reviewed.

I speak just for myself, and not for all other graduating students in Singapore when I say this, but I do feel strongly about many methods being employed in secondary schools, especially for graduating classes. For one, I have come to realise the serious emphasis the education system has placed on factual memorisation. Perhaps it is just used in my school, or maybe even a method most autonomous or government schools apply, but based on personal observation, I have come to the conclusion that students are often not taught to ask ‘Why?’

More can be seen from her facebook note post.

I first read it last night, and by that time, it was already on the web for several days (hurhur, in internet time, several days means the news is outdated!) and thus there were already a big chunk of comments. Personally, she reminds me of Nicole Seah: Angsty, and maybe sidelined by the current system.

I commented that, It’s already been said before last time.. In Singapore, students are not taught; they are trained. Trained for performing a certain role/job for the bigger purpose of being a productive worker in Singapore.

Questioning is inefficient and ‘unproductive’. Thus, not encouraged. Which is why a lot of bigger MNCs like to hire Singaporeans to do the dirty work, but not the upper management type of work which requires more innovative thought processes. But that’s the way of life right? Every CEO will have 10 senior management, 100 managers and 1000 trained workers.. So if we (as in parents) are able to teach our children how to think/lead, they can be the top 11, rather than the bottom 1000. Any education system would probably have to cater for the ‘production’ of the bottom 1000 more than the top 11.

Unfortunate truth of life, but I guess that’s the way it is..

I also think informal education and lessons taught by parents plays a big part in developing a person’s character, rather than formal education in school. Things she mentioned about social graces and moral ethics should be values taught by family.

Wait till you read about degree holders that can’t even find skilled jobs in their country! Oh wait, that sounds familiar. I think I used to have a Filipino maid that was a degree holder.

PS: TODAY newspaper had an article that I can relate to when I read this open letter, “When You Shouldn’t Listen to Your Critics“. I think all change owners,  management, and directors (and ministers should read.

Tags: SocialEconomic

Another perspective of the world from the eyes of a Malaysian

In Singapore most young adults usually think that we have a lousy bargain in terms of the ruling PAP government. But the recent Thailand election has been quite an eye opener for some, though being a typical human, people are usually only concerned with matters affecting them.

I found this video, and thought it’s quite an interesting video. Most people always look things from their own point of view. But the things affecting us is affecting the world (Inflation, social unrest, unemployment, asset prices going mad, etc) Take a look at this video from the Malaysian point of view. There are probably a few more worth looking at.. (eg: Greece 40% unemployment for young adults. Spain 20% unemployment, etc)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt224G3c6WE

Perhaps we’re all demanding too much for our own good?

Tags: SocialEconomic, Youtube

Price discrimination in the world of airlines and how I maximised it on Jetstar, Tiger Airways and Air Asia

In classical economics, price discrimination is when an identical product is sold for different prices to different customer segments. Of course, theoretically this should not happen, but we see it all the time! A Sweet Talk bubble tea sold at a busy MRT station can be $1.80, whereas a location slightly further away from the same MRT station can be sold for $1.50. A dress sold at a pushcart can cost $20, while the exact same dress (since most pushcarts and blogshops tend to get it from the same manufacturer) can be sold for $16 online.

Likewise, airlines practice price discrimination in order to maximise their profit. People who are willing to book tickets 9 months in advance can get tickets as low as $1 (not including taxes that is), whereas people booking tickets 3 days before a flight would have to pay a premium. However, there is yet another form of price discrimination that people don’t usually know about. The booking of 2 single trips VS a return trip!

Take a look at the fares above. I got the screen shots within 5minutes of each other. At this point of time according to XE, the THB to SGD rate is 0.0403021. So, a return fare is S$246.90, whereas 2 single trips booked is S$114.95 + THB2699.00*0.0403021 (S$108.78)= S$223.73! A savings of S$23.17 with just 5 to 10 minutes of additional effort! Of course,  your credit companies might charge you a lousier rate for the exchange, but they would typically not charge more than 1% spread. I use Mustafa Forex as a typical money changer indication, and they are currently quoting 0.040/0.0409. Based on Visa’s rate and a administrative fee rate of 2.5%, I got 0.0416. That means at worst, you would be charged S$112.28 for the BKK to SG single trip. That’s still a saving of S$20 or so.

Likewise for another airline,

A return fare costs S$222.87, whereas 2 single trips costs S$80 + THB3570 * 0.0403021 (S$143.88) = S$223.88. In this case, there is no maximisation strategy within the same airline. But then, you would realise another thing. Technically, you can book a flight from Singapore to Bangkok using the 2nd airline paying S$80, and the flight from Bangkok to Singapore using the 1st airline paying S$108.78. So your final cost is actually only S$188.78 instead of S$246.90 or S$222.87. A total savings of easily S$50+ or almost 24%!

Of course, a person has to be willing to do all this fact finding and comparing in order to find the cheapest route. For those who find it a hassle, then you belong in the customer segmentation that would rather pay the higher fare! And here’s a word of thanks from me to you in helping me subsidize my airfare.

There are also various other mechanisms in the airline industry, such as offering seat selection, flexi fare dates, check in luggage, airfare+accomodation packaging and weekly special offers. All these are basically used as a form of price discrimination, since the budget conscious wouldn’t mind putting in more effort. Of course we cannot forget things like price beat guarantees!

Tags: LifeTips, SocialEconomic

Progress update: Week 6 of Tim Ferriss Slow Carb Diet

The halfway mark of my 3 month plan!

This week, I tried to dine out almost everyday for lunch. I’m in a sales type job, and not meeting clients for lunch/dinner/coffee isn’t productive for my business! Just take for example  yesterday, I had 2 coffee (tea rather) sessions at starbucks, lunch, and dinner out of my usual routine. Although I would do the same, that is, no rice/noodles/white carbs, and more protein. My difficulty would be that most places don’t really serve beans, and I don’t eat any vegetables at all. So it’s almost like an all meat diet, which I think is quite bad for the digestive system and all. So we’ll have to adapt.

Anyway, Quick Recap,

Week 0 : 80.6kg, 24.6% BF, total inches of 268cm

Week 1 : 78.7kg, 24.5% BF, total inches of 260.4cm

Week 2 : 78.2kg, 23.4% BF, total inches of 261.9cm

Week 3: 77.5kg, 23.3% BF, total inches of 260.7cm

Week 4: 76.7kg, 23.1% BF, total inches of 259.6cm.

Week 5: 75.8kg, 21.7% BF, total inches of 258.2cm.

Week 6: 76.0kg, 21.6% BF, total inches of 256.5cm.

Interestingly, this is the first week my weight didn’t drop. Although body fat percentages and total inches seem to be accelerating downwards. Compared to Week 0 measurements, My waist dropped from 90.5cm to current 83.5cm. That’s 2.7inches off!

I have a feeling last week’s binge had to do with the smaller drop this week. But again, 1 instance of measurement is hardly conclusive in any experiment. I think if I am able to get below 70kg, or below 19% BF, or below 77cm for the waist, I would be very pleased! If it takes till the end of the year, so be it!

Gym routine is still the same. My highest kettlebell swing is now 35rep in the first set. So a slight improvement. I would actually be going bangkok on the 24th July week. So I *may* not follow the diet strictly then. Let’s see how it goes!

I actually did blood tests before I began the diet, and I would be taking blood tests again at the end of the 3 months. So I’ll post the results then. I’m guessing with the food/exercise/supplementation, there should be significant changes in my sugar/cholesterol levels.

Any thoughts on why my results are stagnating? Is it really due to the reduced bean intake? Since I am keeping my meat intake constant, just that probably there is a reduced bean and slightly increased simple carb intake.

Tags: 4HourBody, Diet, Fitness

Are Singaporeans selfish self-centered (ie, kiasu and kiasee) people?

Social experiments are quite a funny thing. On 1 hand, people may feel cheated when they find out they were involuntarily part of a social experiment. On the other hand, it exposes us to the good(or bad) nature of humans when we are unaware of the experiment..

A group of 4 girls decided to do a social experiment 1 day, inspired by a movie, Living Without Money, which talks about how a woman who decided to stop using money and to live a life based on exchanging favours. The question was, can it be done in Singapore? Singapore is always known to be a place full of apathetic, jaded people. Particularly so after the numerous charity fiascos like Joachim Kang, NKF, Ren Ci, and potentially a City Havest Church one. People suddenly became very tight with the purse when it came to random people coming up to them on the streets to ask for donation for <insert name here> charity.

So the plan was to go out to food places, and try to get a meal without paying for it. They tried it out on 4 different types of establishments and well, it’s interesting how people reacted. Enough said. Read more at their blog!

For 1, I don’t think I have the courage to go out and ask people for food.

Tags: SocialEconomic

Progress update: Week 5 of Tim Ferriss Slow Carb Diet

Can’t believe I have actually done the Tim Ferriss Slow Carb Diet for 5 weeks! I guess the reason is that the protocol is quite loose, making it easier to stay within limits. This is compared to the velocity diet that I previously did. By the 3rd week, I had to ‘will’ myself to continue. For this SCD, I am actually enjoying it!

This is also the first week I included gym and physical exercise into the regime. I also wrote a post about My Fitness Pal, which is quite an interesting tracking site!

Anyway, Quick Recap,

Week 0 : 80.6kg, 24.6% BF, total inches of 268cm

Week 1 : 78.7kg, 24.5% BF, total inches of 260.4cm

Week 2 : 78.2kg, 23.4% BF, total inches of 261.9cm

Week 3: 77.5kg, 23.3% BF, total inches of 260.7cm

Week 4: 76.7kg, 23.1% BF, total inches of 259.6cm.

Week 5: 75.8kg, 21.7% BF, total inches of 258.2cm.

It’s amazing how with exercise the body fat percentage dropped so significantly and quickly. It could just be a fake reading though. So we would have to see in the next few weeks.

For my workouts , I go to the gym near my office which I bought a 1 month package using a groupon voucher. So my daily regime now looks like the below :

5.30am Wake up

6.00am Breakfast consisting of 3 half boiled eggs (or soft boiled for you Americans), 3-4 teaspoonful of baked beans (drained of sauce)

7.00am Gym work (Fixed regime everyday, 5 days a week. Detailed below)

12.30 Lunch consisting ‘usually’ of 100-150g of homemade minced beef patties, 150g of chicken or pork sausages, 100g of lentils, 6 small button mushrooms or 1.5 big button mushrooms

Throughout the day, 7 walnuts and 7 almonds. (To prevent the domino food effect)

7.00pm Dinner. Variable depending on whether I eat out or eat at home. At home, it would typically be 100-250g of meat such as grilled salmon, beef fillet, chicken, pork, with 4 teaspoonfuls of lentils and 1 egg overeasy. I would include portebello mushrooms occasionally if I feel hungrier.

Tada!

Of course, I would take the PAGG stack recommended in 4HourBody.

For the workouts, I keep it fairly light and simple. For 5 days a week, I would do,

• SMR foam rollers for my back due to a slight injury and for rehabilitation and increased flexibility of thoracic spine.
• 75 kettlebell swings using 40lbs sandbell. This is broken up to as many sets as possible. But 1 set would be ideal. Currently I’m doing 30/25/15/15
• 2 legged Glut Activation 20 reps
• Myotatic crunch with 5kg weights held overhead, 10reps
• Cat vomit, 10 reps
• 10 pullups

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtCS2EY07U8

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdqtnIWl3H8?t=1m54s

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkYUwiKSEmI

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noD_RwkaGEQ

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wejm0cGqv3Y

Takes about 30-45mins to finish the workout. If I feel like it, I might add 500meters of rowing, which would take another 2minutes or so.

But that’s it! Till next week!

Tags: 4HourBody, Diet, Fitness

Anybody on a diet/fitness regime should use myfitnesspal.com!

One of the progress measurement tool I have been using while on the Tim Ferris Slow Carb Diet is My Fitness Pal. It’s basically a diet tracking website that allows you to enter in the food that you ate and it will show you the caloric breakdown. All these is subject to the information being accurate that is. There are actually countless websites like this, but I chose this one because the website loads fast, and the interface looks great!

For example, they even have Ikea swedish meatballs entered into their database! And yes, I ate 20 meatballs on that day.

Also, from my diary, I realised I’m eating 2000+ calories a day! That’s not what people traditionally call a diet! However, looking at the caloric breakdown, you can see that the is more protein and fats than carbs. And that the carbs are complex carbs as prescribed by the SCD. Basically, it just makes you more conscious of what you are eating.

Also, reports like the weight progress report helps! As you can see from the chart, My weight is actually dropping daily! Less the binge day of course. But even with the binge days, the highs are getting lower and lower.

Overall, I think My Fitness Pal will help! Tim Ferriss also mentioned in his book, 4HourBody, that there was a guy who did not do any special dieting or exercise. All he did was to track his weight everyday, and ‘hope’ it falls within a range. Amazingly, just by being conscious of his weight, it actually dropped over the months!

Tags: Diet, Fitness