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.

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Car Loans
With the Relaxed Car Loan Regulations, Singaporeans Would Be Crazy if They Took Up In-House Financing
Have you heard of the acronym “FOMO”? It stands for “Fear of Missing Out”. It’s a legitimate fear – as evidenced by the hordes of Pokemon Go players rushing around...
27 September 2016
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Wedding
Read This Before Buying Your Diamond Ring, Or You’ll be Making a Mistake
This post was written in collaboration with JannPaul. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective...
27 September 2016
Grab vs Uber Part 2 – Now That There’s a REAL Price War Going On, Who Is The Cheapest?
This Versus That
Grab vs Uber Part 2 – Now That There’s a REAL Price War Going On, Who Is The Cheapest?
The price war for private car hires continues as third-party private car apps Grab and Uber seem to be running out of ideas to outdo each other in providing cheaper...
23 September 2016
This is the Only Credit Card You’ll Need for the Whole Family
Credit Cards
This is the Only Credit Card You’ll Need for the Whole Family
It’s December again and you know what that means – it’s the holidays! That time of the year where most people spend more time with their parents and children –...
22 September 2016
Just How Much is The Great Singapore (Graphic) Novel Really Worth?
Entertainment
Just How Much is The Great Singapore (Graphic) Novel Really Worth?
It seemed like the whole of Singapore was at Marina Bay Sands two weekends ago. Foodies could be found at Savour, Singapore’s largest gourmet festival, now in its fifth year....
20 September 2016
Here’s Why the New Bonus$aver Account is Better Than Before
Savings Accounts
Here’s Why the New Bonus$aver Account is Better Than Before
Pokemon Go is a mobile game that has recently taken the world by storm. If you still don’t know what Pokemon is, it’s a game about catching and training adorable...
19 September 2016
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Credit Cards
If You’re Going to Spend More than $15,000 On a Single Purchase, Which is the Best Cashback Credit Card to Use?
I’m not planning to buy a car, get married or travel the world in the near future, but even if I was, I wouldn’t be able to afford it. In...
18 September 2016
If You Drive in Singapore, This Credit Card Might Be Better Than Any Other Card in Singapore
Credit Cards
If You Drive in Singapore, This Credit Card Might Be Better Than Any Other Card in Singapore
Everyone knows that it’s ridiculously expensive to own a car in Singapore. You spend thousands on COE, car insurance and road tax. And each month, we spend hundreds of dollars...
13 September 2016
If You’re Planning to Spend Money On Pokemon Go, Here Is the One Thing You Should Buy
Entertainment
If You’re Planning to Spend Money On Pokemon Go, Here Is the One Thing You Should Buy
If you don’t know your Dragonite from your Charizard, your Ultra Balls from your Poke Balls and still get confused and amused when people ask “Have you incubated your eggs”...
8 September 2016
3 Reasons Why Getting a Loan for Your Business Isn’t a Bad Idea
Business
3 Reasons Why Getting a Loan for Your Business Isn’t a Bad Idea
I know several Singaporeans who are good at marathons and will keep going no matter the distance. Not everyone, including myself, can do that though. I’m the kind of guy...
7 September 2016
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Personal Loans
Is Credit Card Debt Eating You Alive? Here’s What You Should Know About Debt Consolidation
Being smart about your personal finances isn’t just about being cheap. Unless it’s for health purposes or Pokemon Go, there’s no reason for you to walk 5 kilometers just so...
5 September 2016
4 Ways to Win Your mySQupgrade Bid, aka the Mile High Hunger Games
Travel
4 Ways to Win Your mySQupgrade Bid, aka the Mile High Hunger Games
When I was a kid, I loved the idea of upsizing my meals at fast food restaurants. After all, for a relatively small price, I got more fries and more...
19 August 2016
There’s A New CPF LIFE Option – But Do We Need Another Option?
Opinion
There’s A New CPF LIFE Option – But Do We Need Another Option?
We’re often spoilt for choice here in Singapore, but not all choices are equal. No one gives you a second look when you carry an iPhone or a Samsung device,...
11 August 2016
Here’s What Young Singaporeans Really Need to Know to Start Planning for Retiring
Budgeting
Here’s What Young Singaporeans Really Need to Know to Start Planning for Retiring
What is it about us Singaporeans and retirement? We just can’t seem to get away from talking about it. Many Singaporeans are naturally concerned about being able to retire as...
11 August 2016
investment singapore
Invest
What Lessons Can Singapore Investors Learn from Temasek’s $24b Drop in Net Portfolio Value?
No one likes a bad reputation, and often they react to controversy in unexpected and sometimes extreme ways. After NUS became known (again!) for extremely inexcusable behaviour at orientation camps,...
5 August 2016
Treasure Crest – Which Home Loan Is Best for EC Buyers in Singapore?
Home Loans
Treasure Crest – Which Home Loan Is Best for EC Buyers in Singapore?
Sengkang is fast becoming a damn happening place with so many malls. I recently heard that there are two new malls coming up next to Compass Point – 1 Sengkang...
28 July 2016
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Credit Cards
Want to Maximise Your Cash Rebates While Dining? Use These Credit Cards
Maybe I’m too innocent or naïve, but I don’t know how people who cheat on their significant others do it. Like, how do you live a double life and keep...
20 July 2016
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Dining
7 Singaporean Dishes awarded by the Michelin Guide that you can eat for less than $10
Next week, the first edition of the Michelin Guide Singapore will be officially released. This is the famous French guidebook for foodies and we join an elite group of only...
15 July 2016
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Property
How Can CPF Make Your Home Purchase More Affordable?
You know that period of time in your life when all your Facebook friends are taking turns to get married? I’m on the tail end of it, which means that...
29 June 2016
london travel
Opinion
The Brexit Vote, and How Singapore Will Be Affected
For many of us in Singapore, when we think of Britain, we’re probably thinking of how the England, Wales and Northern Ireland national soccer teams are all still in the...
24 June 2016
NSFs Now Have No More Excuse To Not Save Money With POSB’s New Save As You Serve Programme
Budgeting
NSFs Now Have No More Excuse To Not Save Money With POSB’s New Save As You Serve Programme
I know of at least one relative who has passionately vowed to ensure her son never does NS. I know she’s passionate because she’s been talking about it since she...
22 June 2016
3 Hidden Costs Singaporean Parents Often Forget About When Sending the Kids Overseas for School
Education
3 Hidden Costs Singaporean Parents Often Forget About When Sending the Kids Overseas for School
When I was a kid, there were only two reasons you went overseas to study. Either you were a high-flyer who had obtained an all-expenses paid scholarship to a prestigious...
21 June 2016
Here’s How a Good Dining Credit Card and a Dining Discount App Can Save You More Money in Singapore
Dining
Here’s How a Good Dining Credit Card and a Dining Discount App Can Save You More Money in Singapore
I love my girlfriend, and one of the many reasons I do is because we complement each other on dinner dates. She loves dining out, I love eating. She doesn’t...
16 June 2016
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Travel
3 Main Reasons Why Your Budget Airline Ticket Is So Cheap – Should You Worry?
Going “budget” doesn’t always have to mean going “cheap”. Sometimes it’s really a matter of getting the most out of your money. For example, every Monday in June, Grab is...
7 June 2016
What the Best Fixed Rate Home Loan Package in Singapore Today Means for Singaporeans in 2016
Home Loans
What the Best Fixed Rate Home Loan Package in Singapore Today Means for Singaporeans in 2016
It’s 2016 and almost everyone in Singapore has a smartphone. So it’s hard to imagine that there was a time, not so long ago, when a mobile phone without a...
3 June 2016