Month: July 2012

The Truth About Smart’s Freedom Plan

Smart Communications’ Freedom Plan is a postpaid plan but without the minimum monthly service fee (MSF). In other words, you only pay for what you actually used. For me, this is like a prepaid sim without load expiration, but without the worry of where to reload. This is perfect for my iPad (Wifi + 3G), especially that I have wifi both at home and in the office, and I only need to use 3G connectivity when I’m out.

Applying for the plan, according to the official webpage, is as easy as showing your face at any Smart Wireless Center and present a valid ID. But talk about false advertising. Here are additional important details you need to know that are absent from their website and/or ads: Continue reading

Kindle Keyboard (3rd Gen) Stuck in USB Drive Mode

One day, my Kindle Keyboard came out of the bag with its screen showing that it’s in USB Drive Mode:

Kindle Keyboard Stuck in USB Drive Mode

Note that it’s not connected via USB to power socket or computer whatsoever. Connecting the device, however, to the computer, either in a Mac or PC, the computer cannot recognize the device. It’s not in the ‘My Computer’ nor in the Finder. Continue reading

ETF’s coming soon to the Philippine Market?

BusinessWorld reports ‘SEC completes draft measure for exchange-traded funds‘. SEC is then moving to solicit public comments before finalizing the measure.

I have always welcomed the idea of ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds) in the local bourse. Think about it, no more minimum holding periods nor sales load to worry about when buying and selling ETF stocks in the local stock exchange, except of course for the usual minimal fees and taxes.

In my opinion, this is a more liquid type of investment than regular mutual funds or UITF’s in a sense that you can sell your shares anytime without worrying about minimum holding periods and their corresponding charges. Besides, this is still a managed fund, thus you need not devote any more time in research for stocks to pick.

You might also want to read the 5 Things You Need to Know About Exchange Traded Funds.

Comparing Mutual Fund Returns

There are a lot of resources, particularly blogs, that compare returns from different types of Mutual Funds, and even UITF’s (Unit Investment Trust Funds), over different time periods. For example, try reading ‘The Best Performing Mutual Funds In The Last 3-5 Years‘.

Reviewing these numbers before investing to a new fund is a good exercise for it will give you better perspective at which fund you want to bet your money on. These return numbers are a “look back” at how the funds were managed, and thus performed, in the last 3 or 5 years. Continue reading