joannepoh

Articles by Joanne Poh

In my previous life, I was a property lawyer who spent most of my time struggling to get out of bed or stuck in peak hour traffic. These days, as a freelance commercial writer, I work in bed, on the beach, in parks and at cafes, all while being really frugal. I like helping other people save money so they can stop living lives they don't like.

The Ultimate Guide to Shopping on Taobao Singapore—Shipping Methods, Key Phrases, GST, and More
Shopping
The Ultimate Guide to Shopping on Taobao Singapore—Shipping Methods, Key Phrases, GST, and More
When your teachers told you Chinese was the language of the future, they were right. Except that instead of reading the four great classical novels, we are mainly using the...
26 April 2023
Health Screening in Singapore
Healthcare
How Much Are Health Screening Packages in Singapore? Comparing Public and Private Hospitals and Clinics
Just about every Singaporean knows about the importance of health screenings. After all, catching a serious ailment too late could mean huge medical bills or, worse, death. But how much...
25 April 2023
countries singaporeans need a visa to travel
Travel
5 Countries Singaporeans Still Need A Travel Visa For and How Much They Cost
I hardly ever remember to check if I need a visa before I book air tickets, but so far I haven’t had any mishaps simply because the Singapore passport lets...
19 April 2023
Investing in Sneakers in Singapore: How to Flip Exclusive Sneakers to Make Profits
Invest
Investing in Sneakers in Singapore: How to Flip Exclusive Sneakers to Make Profits
Movies about superhero and supervillain origin stories are a dime a dozen, but there aren’t a lot of movies like Air (2023)—a film about the origin of a shoe. Released...
18 April 2023
cash management tool vs bank fixed deposit
Invest
Where to Invest Your Spare Cash? Wealth Management Tool vs Bank Fixed Deposit
Unlike a rolling stone that gathers no moss, idle cash doesn’t gather any interest. So, we’ve got to keep our hard-earned money “rolling” and hustling in order to make the...
UOB Personal loan
Personal Loans
4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Taking A Personal Loan
While personal loans are usually seamless to apply for and can disburse cash pretty quickly, do ensure the borrowed money is spent prudently. Thus, always treat a personal loan as...
freelancer self employed cpf contribution
Career
Going Freelance? Here’s How You Should Plan Your CPF & Finances For 2023
Back when I started freelancing full-time in 2014, the only friends who were free to meet up with me at midnight were home tutors. Fast forward to 2020 and it...
31 March 2023
income tax foreigner expat singapore
Budgeting
The Ultimate Guide to Income Tax For Expats Working in Singapore
According to the Economic Intelligence Unit, Singapore is the most expensive city to live in in the world. But if there’s one “cost” Singapore does pretty well in, it’s our...
29 March 2023
What Should You Do If You Find Out Your Bank Has Collapsed Overnight?
Savings Accounts
What Should You Do If You Find Out Your Bank Has Collapsed Overnight?
Banks around the world should probably check their feng shui, because things are not going well. Hot on the heels of a spectacular triple collapse featuring Silicon Valley Bank, Signature...
28 March 2023
Singapore Wedding Banquet Price List (2023) & Saving Tips
Wedding
Singapore Wedding Banquet Price List (2023) & Saving Tips
Weddings are big business in Singapore. Some people spend enough on their wedding photoshoot, gown and ring to buy a house in other countries. But the real killer is definitely...
28 March 2023
7 Best Rewards Credit Cards in Singapore (2023): Citibank, OCBC, DBS & More
Credit Cards
7 Best Rewards Credit Cards in Singapore (2023): Citibank, OCBC, DBS & More
If you love collecting points and redeeming them, a rewards credit card will give you some added life satisfaction. These days, there’s a lot more in banks’ rewards catalogues than...
27 March 2023
What Do The failures Of Silvergate Capital, Sillicon Valley Bank, And Signature Bank Mean For Regular Folks?
Opinion
What Do The failures Of Silvergate Capital, Sillicon Valley Bank, And Signature Bank Mean For Regular Folks?
Banks have been falling like dominoes this month, leaving the financial sector shell-shocked. On 8 Mar 2023, Silvergate Capital, a US bank dealing mainly with crypto, announced that it had...
14 March 2023
Sentosa Islander Insider free membership promo code
Family
How to Extend Your Free Entry to Sentosa + Score Over 50 Islander Deals, Including an Instant $5 Voucher
Looking for a fulfilling way to spend your weekends that doesn’t involve walking around a shopping mall that you’ve already visited thrice this month? Or wondering how to keep the...
Government-supported Childcare vs Private Childcare: Which Should You Choose? (2023)
Family
Government-supported Childcare vs Private Childcare: Which Should You Choose? (2023)
After the initial glow of welcoming a new baby into the family and taking hundreds of pictures of your kid every time he does something cute, reality will set in...
9 March 2023
best forex trading app singapore
Invest
Confused About Forex But Still Want to Trade It? Here’s What You Need to Know
Tired of trading the same old stocks, options and what-not, and looking for a new way to hopefully make some money? Then you might want to consider dipping your toes...
Policy Changes And New Guidelines In 2023 That Impact Women In Singapore
Opinion
Policy Changes And New Guidelines In 2023 That Impact Women In Singapore
Is the playing field level for men and women in Singapore yet? Sadly, no. And while we have centuries worth of oppression to thank, a quick look at the law,...
6 March 2023
natural disaster travel insurance
Travel Insurance
Best Travel Insurance Policies for Places Prone to Natural Disasters (2023)
When it comes to natural disasters, Singapore is the seventh least affected country in the world, as reported by Statista in 2022. So on this sheltered island, it can be...
6 March 2023
Kris+ app by Singapore Airlines - earn up to 9 miles per dollar
Travel
5 Reasons Why We Love Earning Miles With the Kris+ App by Singapore Airlines
Instagram is flooded with travel photos now that borders have opened up and Singapore has moved to Dorscon Green. Take that, Covid! After over two years of not being able...
Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card—MoneySmart Review 2023
Credit Cards
Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card—MoneySmart Review 2023
As Singaporeans living in a Smart Nation, heads bowed over our smartphones, our every move tracked by security cameras that are getting smarter by the day, the new Standard Chartered...
1 March 2023
heya by Singtel - 100GB for $10
Budgeting
Say heya to More! Best Value No Contract SIM-Only Plan at $10 for 100GB/Month? Sign Us Up!
Data is a necessity nowadays — we use it for communication (WhatsApp, Telegram, video calls, spamming friends with pics, sharing your location…), social media, video streaming while commuting and so...
Is the DCS Sheng Siong Credit Card Really “All For You”?
Credit Cards
Is the DCS Sheng Siong Credit Card Really “All For You”?
You’re probably at Sheng Siong for one reason—cheap groceries. In the spirit of being cheapo, it makes sense to use a credit card that gives you cashback to squeeze even...
23 February 2023
luxury-watch-investment-guide
Invest
A Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Luxury Watches: How to Start, Model Comparisons, and More
When you hear the word “investment”, what comes to mind? We’re guessing traditional instruments like stocks, real estate or bonds. But what about luxury watches? Luxury watches are more than...
23 February 2023
How Will Singapore Budget 2023 Impact Your Personal Finances?
Budgeting
How Will Singapore Budget 2023 Impact Your Personal Finances?
If he writes an 85-page long love letter on how he’s going to build a better future for you, he might not be your lover. He’s probably Deputy Prime Minister...
21 February 2023
Is Singapore Too Expensive to Live In?—Singapore’s Cost of Living 2023
Budgeting
Is Singapore Too Expensive to Live In?—Singapore’s Cost of Living 2023
How would you like to receive cash as your Valentine’s Day gift? That’s kinda what Singaporeans got on Valentine’s Day this year. As part of Budget 2023, the government announced...
20 February 2023
Hold up, Don Don Donki has its own credit card?
Credit Cards
Hold up, Don Don Donki has its own credit card?
Whenever I walk past a Don Don Donki store, no matter how hard I try to resist, I can’t help but enter. There’s something about the chaotic and garish displays...
15 February 2023