Return on Investment

What Does Return On Investment - (ROI) Mean?
It is a performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment or to compare the efficiency of a number of different investments. To calculate ROI, the benefit (return) of an investment is divided by the cost of the investment; the result is expressed as a percentage or a ratio. Source: Investodpedia.com


Investopedia explains Return On Investment - ROI
Keep in mind that the calculation for return on investment and, therefore the definition, can be modified to suit the situation -it all depends on what you include as returns and costs. The definition of the term in the broadest sense just attempts to measure the profitability of an investment and, as such, there is no one "right" calculation.

Well, I have not had much luck in my investment ventures. Shares which I bought way back in 1999, before the crash, are still below cost. That's how bad I am at investing.

Well, taking a looking at my other investments (not of the equity nature), I was feeling that I didnt do very well too. You see, both my older two children are chess players, and we have "invested" quite a lot in them and their training. A couple of years back when my daughter was in P6, we tried to get her into a top secondary school based on her CCA of chess. At that time, she was in the top 3 for her age group. However, only 1 all girls school was taking in girls for DSA (Direct schools admission) for chess. Naturally we expected her to be able to get into that school under the scheme. Unfortunately she (and the top national player) were both not taken into the school under that scheme. In fact, 2 other girls, who were much lower ranked got in. We were really disillusioned, as it showed that achievements did not play a part in the selection exercise, but rather what connections you had.

This year, as you know, I am again faced with the same situation, of trying to get my son into a secondary school. We were using the same method of applying based on his chess achievements. My son is also ranked amongst the top 3 for his age group. Luckily for us, we thought, there are 3 boys schools taking in boys under the DSA scheme for chess. Naturally we applied for all 3. Within 2 weeks of the close date for applications, we received rejection letters from 2 of the schools. The first thought that came to my mind was: why are they even claiming to take in students under the scheme if they are not even considering the top 3 in the age group for that particular sport?? It just didnt make sense.

As far I know, for sports like swimming and athletics, those that who well in the National schools championships have a relatively easy task of getting into the top schools, especially if you are in the top 3 for your age-group! So, obviously I think, these schools are really not serious about wanting to take in the top players for my children's sport.

Was it another bad investment decision that we made? Secretly I was quite happy, that D has decided not to pursue chess. It is not a cheap sport, as getting good trainers are not easy. We have to rely on foreign grand/international masters training our children, and that doesnt come cheap.

Well, you would be glad to know, that the 3rd school finally came back and offered my son a place. Our investment has taken a huge load off our shoulders for the coming exams. We are finally seeing some returns. Praise and thank God for that!