No need to check the dictionary, philately is just the fancy word for stamp collecting.
So why didn't I use stamp collecting in the first place?
Bite me. My vocabulary big cannot?
Ever heard of the phrase - "Use it or lose it"?
I was active in stamp collecting during my primary and secondary school days. Even as a working adult, I would be extra nice to the receptionists so that they will give me those used envelopes with stamps for me. But that stopped when companies nowadays use the stupid franking machine...
One of the side benefits of stamp collecting is that if we take an interest and research the subjects depicted on the stamps, we can learn a lot about foreign countries and other general knowledge stuffs not taught in school.
My interest in currencies started when I first moved to China. I quickly realised after my first year that no hedging is needed and it's better to opt for a greater share of my salary to be in RMB. It's nice to have a tailwind as in RMB appreciation against SGD to go with the annual pay raises.
However, my move to Greece was another story. From the get go, it was a painful pay reduction every month with the depreciation of the EUR against SGD.
Drip, drip, drip. It was death by a thousand cuts; hence the greater urgency for me to learn the art of hedging my EUR exposure.
Nothing motivates more than a fire burning at your ass!
What started out as a simple hedging exercise has now been blurred with extra layers of leveraged speculative positions added for extra kick and spice!
I stumbled (I did not planned it) to the this awareness that currency trading is a great vehicle to express my macro economic/political views of the word.
And just like stamp collecting, by taking into an interest to the fundamental drivers of the currency pairs, my knowledge of Geography, History, Economics, and other "Hey, this is interesting!" insights have grown as well.
Did you know there are more sheep than men in New Zealand?
How about the latest Fonterra's diary milk auction price anyone?
No prizes if I ask you what's the main export of New Zealand?
And what's the nickname for NZD?
Trading the EUR, USD, and JPY, following Central Bankers' speeches and statements have never been so hair-pulling frustrating... Lucky I'm bald!
Oh great! The FOMC has removed the "considerable time" phrase in their Dec 14 prepared statement. What does it mean? What does it mean!?
And what the hell are macroprudential policies?
Some readers have feedbacked I can be vague and cryptic in my posts and comments... Compared to Central Bankers, I am crystal :)
Trading the AUD is best if you are into mind-mapping techniques.
All of sudden, you never knew you have such an interest in China's GDP, the Politburo plans, China's under the radar QE programmes (you think why the China local index is outperforming the world? The last one announced was in Nov 14), property cooling measures, etc.
The impact of Gold, Iron Ore, Coal prices, and even the freaking Baltic Dry Index all have their impact and influences too.
Before I knew what I was doing, I have once again blur blur anyhow stumbled into what the professionals call Inter-Market Analysis!? Like that also "boleh"?
So there!
Can you now tell apart those who are in it just for the money versus those who take enjoyment in what they do?
Singapore Man of Leisure (welcome to my blog; just google it!)
