The Clipper Round The World yacht race is due to set sail from Marina at Keppel Bay on Tuesday, February 2 - so this weekend is your last chance to catch the fleet of 10 68-foot yachts in person. Almost mid-way through their 35,000 mile race across the globe, 400 crew members - including housewives, lawyers, truck drivers and doctors - have taken on the challenge of a lifetime to enjoy an unforgettable experience.

To captain your own vessel, learn to sail at Changi Sailing Club or Mana Mana Beach Club. Or, book a day or sunset charter aboard Asha or Tahnee at Lloyd Marine and let the crew do all the hard work while you sip bubbles with the wind in your hair… bliss!

Lawyer RAJAN CHETTIAR provides step-by-step solutions for interim maintenance.

A number of “trailing spouses” become housewives upon moving to Singapore, suspending their chosen career to support their husband and family. When a marriage breaks down, it’s normal for such wives to worry about their financial future and hesitate when filing for divorce. But you are entitled to an “interim maintenance” approved by the Family Court, while you decide to file for divorce.

1. Prepare a Magistrate’s Complaint seeking for interim maintenance at the court. Once complete, you’ll appear before a judge to affirm the truth of the complaint.

2. If the complaint is in order, the Magistrate will order a summons to be issued against your husband, which will request his presence in court for the service of the summons. You’ll also have to be present.

3. Once the summons is served, upon both your consent, the court mediator will mediate the issue of interim maintenance.

4. If settlement is reached, you will both appear before a Judge to record the agreed terms in the form of a consent order. If no settlement is reached, a date will be fixed for both parties to appear in court again.

5. If your husband fails to attend court, a complaint will be served requesting his attendance at a “mention” date.

6. If your husband does not attend the first mention, a warrant of arrest will be issued against him to appear in court.

7. At the mention, the court can order your husband to pay reasonable maintenance to you pending the final hearing of the summons. If you and your husband haven’t attended a mediation session, you may be expected to do so that day.

8. If no settlement is reached the court will file for an Affidavit, leading to a trial.

9. During the trial, you will have to confirm – under oath – your affidavits are true and accurate and you will be cross-examined by your husband’s counsel. The same process also applies to your husband.

10. The court then makes an interim maintenance order which will continue until the issue of maintenance is reviewed during divorce proceedings. This hearing can last from a few hours, to a day, or more than a day. Should you decide to seek legal representation, you will only have to attend Court until the first mention. The rest will be taken care of by your solicitor.
    

Rajan Chettiar
Commissioner for Oaths, Mediator LLB (Honours), Barrister-at-law (Middle Temple), UK

Personal and wellbeing coach, trainer and author ELISABETTA FRANZOSO explains the connection between breathing and wellbeing.

The way we breathe is akin to how we live our life. How do you generally describe your approach to living? What’s your usual breathing technique? Do you find yourself gasping for breath when you feel sad or angry?

Reality check Every breath we take reminds us we’re alive. Breathing is the harmonising force which unites and balances our entire system – head, heart and belly. The breathing process is carried out by the automatic nervous system, which means we’re breathing without having to do anything consciously.

Insight The way we breathe tells us a lot about our wellbeing and directly corresponds to our emotions. Negative, stressful, angry or fearful states are usually accompanied by short, irregular, shallow breathing – which is heavy on the chest. Positive, peaceful and relaxed states are accompanied by longer, deeper breaths centred in the belly area.

Result Anxiety, worries, bitterness, pressing deadlines, a fast life or even a sedentary work pace may cause a dramatic change in your breathing. You can deliberately induce a quieter and more relaxed state by consciously changing your breathing pattern and shifting to a deeper “belly breath”. This eases the nervous system and affects your entire physiological response to stress, by calming both the body and mind.

Moving forward Slowing down, attuning your breath and taking a few deep inhalations and exhalations can help release unnecessary distress. By learning and practicing breathing techniques you can release tension, deepen concentration and ease pain – which is why this technique is practiced in childbirth.

            Practice your breathing technique anywhere – while waiting for the bus or watching a beautiful sunset. The inhalation and exhalation reminds you to open yourself as fully as possible to your present state – the “now”.

Q. Can breathing techniques ease pain?

A. We normally tense ourselves against pain – whether physical or psychological – and seek relief through distractions or pills. By breathing into your pain and becoming more open to it you’ll find the intensity of the pain is reduced and any tension released.

Q. Can breathing techniques change emotional states and nurture wellbeing?

A. Yes, as holding onto emotions such as fear, grief or anger restricts our breath. By paying attention to your breathing patterns you can remove the conditions blocking the natural flow of your breathing –which may be depriving you of an enriching life.

Elisabetta Franzoso BA, Dipl.Psych, MSocSc Author of Stella’s Mum Gets Her Groove Back available at bookstores and www.amazon.com
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Join Elisabetta’s public workshops, Communication in 4Dimensions at Singapore Institute of Management. For further information email info@insideoutyou.com or call 6465 4605.

Elisabetta Franzoso is a highly self-driven coach and motivator who focuses on communication, self-expression and wellbeing. Her passion is to empower people to achieve excellence and transformation from the inside out. To complete your Well-Being Inventory Index and get your detailed personal Health and Wellness Assessment, contact Elisabetta and her team of professional Life Coaches, Psychological Counsellors, Fitness Trainers, Nutritionists, Physicians and Body Therapists.

AIDAN BAILEY reveals simple strategies for reducing debt in the year of the Tiger.

As we usher in the year of the Tiger its good to recognise the start of a new year is an opportune time to make positive life changes. With the world economy slow to show strong signs of recovery, now would be a wise time to focus on “savings”.
          The first step to increasing your savings is to spend less than you earn. Which sounds simple, but when was the last time you actually totalled your expenditure and compared your spending to your income? Chances are if you did, you’d find – more likely than not – you spend more money than you earn.
          It’s extremely difficult to change your spending habits overnight, but the following steps will manoeuvre you in the right direction for long-term success.

Get real While you may be fully aware of how much your annual salary is, remember part of it will be subtracted as part of your CPF plan and you’ll also need to set aside a portion for income tax. The amount left is your disposable income – the sum available for spending and saving. So when you’re spending, keep your disposable income in mind – not your gross income. In this way you’ll immediately stop overspending.

Face facts It’s easy to kid yourself into believing you can afford something when you can’t. The only way to nip this in the bud is to picture yourself paying cash for everything. If you can’t afford to splash out on an exotic holiday or a new sofa using cash, you shouldn’t even entertain the thought of putting such a purchase on credit. Also, don’t play “Mr/Ms Bountiful” with your mates just to impress. It’s not them who’ll have to face the bank manager about increasing your credit card limit – yet again.

Look ahead While you may have been guilty of blowing your budget in previous years, assure yourself this year will be different – because you’ve gotten smarter! And now, since you have your actual monthly or weekly income firmly in mind, you can stick to spending within your means more easily. You’ll soon realise after paying your rent, mortgage, personal loan, other bills and five percent off your credit card, just how much is left to spend or save. And if you can put away even just $50 into your bank account each month, you’ll have something to show for your efforts this time next year.

Aidan Bailey BA (Hons) CertPFS AWP^CM 
General Manager Singapore, International Division

Australian property tax and expatriate tax expert STEVE DOUGLAS gives tips on how you can avoid “hidden costs” when transferring a property title.

Q I am currently the sole owner of a property in Australia and thinking of transferring half of it to my new wife. What are the issues I might face?

A Since Australian law does not require you to pay gift duty, when you transfer a property to your spouse, child, relative or friend, you will not incur a charge. However, you could be liable for taxation and stamp duty.

Capital Gains Tax

Under the Australian Federal Law, when an asset is transferred to a relative for little or no consideration, the law acknowledges a taxable sale has occurred at the market value of the asset. So, when you transfer your property to your family you will be taxed as per the market value of the property, regardless of what you paid for it creating additional, unnecessary expenditure.  However, if you are living at the property at the time of transfer, this automatically eliminates the Capital Gains Tax on the transfer.

Stamp Duty

As per Australian state laws a Stamp Duty is imposed on all real estate transactions – usually between two to six percent of the value of the transaction. Similar to the Federal Capital Gains Tax, this will be levied at the market value of the property. All states practice a similar exemption from duty when the property is being transferred from one spouse to the other – some even allow 100 percent share transfer. While most states require the property to be the main residence at the time of transaction, it is not an Australia wide prerequisite. Your solicitor or settlement agent handling the transfer should be able to confirm if any duty is payable in your situation.

          You will also need to gain the approval of any lender who may have a mortgage on the property as they will need to give their consent and you will probably need to re-apply for a new loan as the names will have to be changed from the original mortgagee to yours – costing you additional expenditure.

          Each case is unique so before you decide to transfer a portion of your property, seek professional advice first to find out what cost you may be liable for and what you can avoid.

In most cases you would be advised to not undertake a transfer until you are physically residing in the property to be exempted from unnecessary costs.  

January 26 is Australia Day - an occasion close to my heart! Throw a prawn on the barbie, crack open a tinnie, wear your Stubbies and Bonds singlet with pride and check out the following celebrations:

• Boomarang brings Barefoot Bowls back on Saturday January 23. Be there at 3pm to register for bowling action and you’ll soon be throwing back a free Crownie. Fill up at the sausage sizzle and get your groove on with DJ-spun tunes from Down Under. Call 6738 1077 or email enquiries@boomarang.com.sg to reserve a table.
• ANZA invites you to make your way to Hogs Breath Cafe in Chijmes on Sunday January 24 from noon onwards for a relaxed arvo at the pub. A supervised kids room and free sausage sizzle will keep the anklebiters occupied, while you kick back with a cold one and enjoy a BBQ, happy hour drink offers and rocking sounds from a live band from 2pm. There’s also a prize for the Best Dressed Aussie! So get your thongs and your corked hat sorted. There’s no need to register, just turn up with your friends and family - food and drinks are on you!
• If you’re one of the lucky ones to have scored a ticket at the sold-out AustCham ANZ Australia Day Ball on Saturday January 30, get ready to ditch your boardshorts and bikini for a tux and ballgown. In between drinks - and there’s always lots of them - you’ll be bidding for prizes and boogieing to Aussie band BigCityBeat. See you there!

There I was feeling all sorry for myself, over the additional exercise I’m looking at to lose the extra two kilos I put on over Christmas - which seem to have rendered my entire wardrobe useless - when an email came through alerting me to Mark Philpott’s mission to complete the 84km adidas Sundown Marathon!

Mark, head of the Humaneity Foundation - a Singapore-based global organisation which focuses on philanthropy and humanitarian-related activities - is running what must be the breadth of Singapore and back, to raise funds for the Aknuwat Primary School in Kampong Thom, Cambodia. Volunteers from Australia, the USA, Singapore and the UK - including teachers, engineers and environmental specialists - have been working hard to develop the school’s curriculum and build classrooms and waste and water management systems. To date, there are refurblished classrooms, English classes and a vegetable garden and a new library and medical clinic are also being constructed. Sponsor a child’s schooling for one year for  US$300, or sponsor Mark as he runs the race of a lifetime.

The Ultramarathon starts and ends at Changi Exhibition Centre, with the start time scheduled for 6pm on May 29 - ensuring an all-night night race. There’s also a 10km, half-marathon and full-marathon, with the latter starting at 11:59pm. Read all about Mark’s training efforts and motivation at his blogspot and the efforts of his non-profit organisation at Humaneity Magazine - what a champion!

Happy New Year everyone, it’s my first day back in the office and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas break. I had a great time in Australia - shopping in Melbourne, downtime in the country with family, catching up with friends and hitting Byron Bay’s tastiest restaurants and then chilling out at Sunshine Beach, on the Sunshine Coast, where it proceeded to rain every single day we were there! I believe the heatwave has now kicked in - just as we’ve arrived back in sunny Singapore! Typical. But it’s the sign of a good holiday when you found plenty to do and had a chance to relax even if the weather was iffy.

Today is also my birthday. And I love birthdays, so if I have to be back in the office then at least it’s on my favourite day of the year. I’ve earned every one of my 37 years and I’m not shy about it - birthdays are to be celebrated and advancing years appreciated! I’m catching up with girlfriends for a quick lunch at Au Petit Salut - who do a fabulous three-course set with plenty of options for just $30 - and am then catching Avatar tonight in Gold Class with my hubby, followed by a decent Chinese meal. My idea of a perfect celebration after an action-packed and mod-Oz cuisine holiday.

What’s your ideal birthday day?

AIDAN BAILEY sheds light on how water – traditionally treated as a public good – is fast becoming a tradable commodity.

Commodities have dominated the newspapers recently, with gold prices soaring to record levels and a barrel of oil costing $147 in July 2008. But very little is mentioned about water.  Specifically, the global shortage of the most essential commodity on earth – clean, drinkable water.

          Water, at least in the developed world, is probably the commodity most taken for granted, perhaps because we supposedly have so much of it.  While almost 70 percent of the earth’s surface is covered in water, 97 percent of this is salted – unfit for human consumption, crop irrigation or industrial use. And from the remaining three percent of the world’s water resources, only one percent is readily available for human consumption.

          Rapid industrialisation and increasing agricultural use have contributed to worldwide water shortages. Take China as an example, where globalisation has outpaced the availability of water and water infrastructure. Around 400 of China’s 600 largest cities don’t have sufficient water and more than 300 of these have polluted groundwater. In fact, China is in the unenviable position of having 20 percent of the world’s population but only seven percent of its water. But this isn’t just a developing country problem. In the UK, there are regular drought regulations. And recently, several Canadian and US states bordering the Great Lakes signed a pact banning all large-scale water diversions from that source.

          Like any other scarcity, a shortage of water creates investment opportunities. Recent years have observed an upsurge in the demand for investments seeking to profit from the need for clean, fresh water. This trend is set to continue. Moody’s, a leading provider of financial information, expects world water consumption to double over the next 20 years. So you can expect a plethora of new investments providing exposure to this precious commodity – increasingly referred to as “blue gold”. There are several ways to include water exposure to your investment portfolio and with a bit of research and guidance from a trusted financial adviser you could benefit.

H₂O Highlights

·         To grow one kilogram of rice you need 4,000 litres of water.

·         It takes 11,000 litres of water to produce the feed that goes into the bit of the cow which ends up in a Double Cheeseburger.

·         450,000 litres of water is needed to manufacture just one car.

Aidan Bailey BA (Hons) CertPFS AWP^CM 

General Manager Singapore, International Division