peterlin

Articles by Peter Lin

I am the poster boy for reinventing one's self. I've been a broadcast journalist, technical writer, banking customer service officer and a Catholic friar. My life experiences have made me the most cynical idealist you'll ever meet, which is why I'm also the co-founder of a local pop culture website. I believe ignorance is not bliss, and that money is the root of all evil only if you allow it to be.

How to Apply for Credit Cards in Singapore – The Complete Guide
Credit Cards
How to Apply for Credit Cards in Singapore – The Complete Guide
You’ve gotten your first month’s salary and now you’re feeling like you have the power to do anything. Except for applying for a credit card, because you’ve heard a bunch...
13 March 2018
Krisflyer UOB account
Savings Accounts
The KrisFlyer UOB Account Has Enhanced Features, Is It Worth A Second Look?
The KrisFlyer UOB Account and Debit Card is a product introduced in April 2017 that’s the first of its kind for debit cards. It’s a debit card and savings account that allows...
insurance companies singapore 2018
Opinion
Insurance Companies Getting Mixed Signals from the Government – Here’s What It Means for You
This has been a weird week for insurance companies. They’ve been the subject of not one but three discussions in Parliament, with a fourth announcement from MAS in the middle...
9 March 2018
The Newlywed’s Guide to Getting Your Dream Resale Flat
Property
The Newlywed’s Guide to Getting Your Dream Resale Flat
Congratulations on getting her to say yes! The “fun” is just beginning. If you thought finding the right time, place and method of proposing was tough, imagine the stress you’ll...
28 February 2018
property agent singapore CEA
Property
3 Things to Do Before Engaging Your Property Agent
When Jian Liang and his wife were looking for their dream home, they had no experience with the property market in Singapore. They thus decided to engage a property agent...
22 February 2018
buyer's stamp duty bsd singapore budget 2018
Property
Budget 2018: Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) Going Up To 4% – Is It Time to Buy A Resale Flat NOW?
GST is not the only thing on the rise after this year’s Budget announcement. Property buyers now also have to deal with paying up to 4% of the property purchase...
22 February 2018
Budget 2018: GST on Digital Services and How It Affects You
Budgeting
Budget 2018: GST on Digital Services and How It Affects You
In 2018’s Budget announcement, the long-suspected upcoming GST hike from 7% to 9% is dominating coffeeshop discussions. But the one tax announcement that will affect Singaporeans earlier than expected is...
21 February 2018
Renting a Car in Singapore? The Excess Could Really Screw You Over
Car Insurance
Renting a Car in Singapore? The Excess Could Really Screw You Over
Waiting for the cost of COE to drop below $40,000 before buying a car these days is like waiting for paint to dry. It’s not half as fun though. If you...
11 February 2018
retirement planning ocbc maxretire
Invest
Here’s Why We Need to Prepare For Retirement Differently
Talking about retirement planning in Singapore is definitely tricky, especially for those in their 20s, 30s or 40s. On one hand, it’s quite tough to expect anyone to really foresee...
3 Things You Should Know About Your CPF When Planning Your 2018 Finances
Budgeting
3 Things You Should Know About Your CPF When Planning Your 2018 Finances
When the New Year arrives and you’re making a list of resolutions to take steps towards your financial goals, your CPF account is probably one of the last things to...
23 January 2018
home insurance home contents policy
Home Insurance
Here’s Why Home Insurance is More Than Just About Protecting What’s in Your House
Are you an HDB homeowner? Then you should know that you must have home insurance in some way or another. And if you took up a housing loan from HDB,...
hyfeassure travel insurance claims changi recommends
Travel Insurance
Here’s Why Travel Insurance Claims Don’t Need to Be a Hassle Anymore
Buying travel insurance is important, but you’re always buying it hoping you’ll never need it. No one doubts how inconvenient it is when your belongings are delayed or lost, or...
BRAND’S Smart Shopper Scheme
Fitness & Beauty
Here’s How to Save Money on Your 2018 Health Goals
This post was written in collaboration with BRAND’S. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective...
How to get your CPF Withdrawal Account Statement
Home Loans
How to get your CPF Withdrawal Account Statement
All home loan refinancing applicants in Singapore are required (regardless of whether their CPF was used to service their existing home loan) to submit their CPF Withdrawal Account Statements to banks....
3 January 2018
fwd term life insurance
Life Insurance
FWD’s New Term Life Insurance Policy Means You Have No More Excuses Not to Get Covered
No one is denying that life insurance in Singapore is important, which is why it’s strange that so many of us don’t really know much about what to buy, or...
changing job industry singapore
Career
Here’s Why Singaporeans Shouldn’t Be Worried About Changing Job Industry Anymore
Gone are the days when you can expect to stay in the same company or industry to build your career. With the rise of technology in the past two decades, entire...
11 December 2017
The Best Credit Cards for Weekend Dining
Credit Cards
The Best Credit Cards for Weekend Dining
For many of us, after a long week at work chained to our desks, the weekend is the only thing we look forward to. And being Singaporeans, nothing defines weekends...
24 November 2017
dbs api platform singapore
Opinion
DBS Launches World’s Largest API Platform – Why Should You Even Care?
Earlier this month, DBS launched what they claim is the world’s largest API platform by any bank. Some 155 APIs for Singapore are now available to anyone who wants to...
22 November 2017
car insurance fraud singapore
Car Insurance
Car Insurance Fraud – SG Driver Dealing With $42,000 Claim Tells Us Why He’s a Victim
Reading about the rise of car insurance fraud claims in the news must be bittersweet to many drivers who were victims of such syndicates. More than a few of us (including...
21 November 2017
dbs multi-currency account singapore
Savings Accounts
5 Reasons to Open a Multi-Currency Account Before the End of the Year
Now that it’s the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to go on that overseas vacation you’ve been waiting all year for. But of course, you wait till the last...
SRS supplementary retirement scheme
Budgeting
Is the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) Worth Your While?
You know how we Singaporeans love to complain about our CPF? How we don’t believe that we’ll ever see our money again? If you’re someone who thinks CPF is really...
14 November 2017
DBS Multiplier Account Savings
Savings Accounts
Here’s How the New DBS Multiplier Account Changes the Game for Young Working Singaporeans
It’s pretty complicated to be a young person today. You’re told to do what you love and love what you do. But you’re also told that if you don’t earn...
2 November 2017
property agent negotiable commissions CEA singapore
Property
Property Agent Commissions – What Singaporeans Might Not Know
For many Singaporeans, buying a home is a key life event, and probably the biggest purchase they will make in their lives. For some Singaporeans, property agents play a key...
19 October 2017
What is Bitcoin and How Does It Work?
Invest
What is Bitcoin and How Does It Work?
This post was written in collaboration with IG. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective...
dbs car marketplace buy car online singapore
Transportation
Here’s How DBS’s New Car Marketplace Will Change the Way Singaporeans Buy Cars
Buying a car in Singapore is not easy. Some of us may not even know where to start, and the process can be complex and not very transparent. But that...