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.

Will This New Player in the Public Transport Industry in Singapore Spoil the Market?
Opinion
Will This New Player in the Public Transport Industry in Singapore Spoil the Market?
For those of you old enough to remember when Singtel was the only telecommunication company in Singapore, do you remember how you felt when M1 came into the picture? And...
16 November 2015
Worried About Flight Delays and Lost Baggage? Here’s the Best Travel Insurance to Get Under $50
Travel Insurance
Worried About Flight Delays and Lost Baggage? Here’s the Best Travel Insurance to Get Under $50
Were you one of those who took advantage of the Deepavali public holiday to take a short trip overseas? Did you buy travel insurance for your trip? Of course you...
12 November 2015
Here’s How You Can Sell Your HDB Flat Without a Housing Agent
Property
Here’s How You Can Sell Your HDB Flat Without a Housing Agent
Last I checked, we’re enjoying the Internet age in Singapore, with blazing fast broadband speeds and a high tech living environment. Already there are cars that can park on their...
6 November 2015
Here’s Why You Still Need to Buy Insurance Instead of Just Relying on MediShield Life
Life Insurance
Here’s Why You Still Need to Buy Insurance Instead of Just Relying on MediShield Life
Ever since MediShield Life took effect on November 1st, every Singaporean Citizen and PR (whether you even live in the country or not) is now covered by it. But just...
4 November 2015
second hand car singapore
Transportation
Here’s the One Big Disaster That Can Happen When Singaporeans Buy Second Hand Cars
Halloween may be over, but there’s still a lot for Singaporeans to be afraid of. Take transport, for example. Surprisingly, it’s not the usual suspects making you lose control of...
3 November 2015
Why Refinancing Your Home Loan Is Still Worthwhile Even Without a Legal Subsidy
Home Loans
Why Refinancing Your Home Loan Is Still Worthwhile Even Without a Legal Subsidy
In some ways, find a good home loans like finding the perfect life partner. You always want what’s best for you. And you’re expected to spend the rest of your...
2 November 2015
Karhoo – Will this New Third-Party App Level the Playing Field for Taxi Companies?
Opinion
Karhoo – Will this New Third-Party App Level the Playing Field for Taxi Companies?
No matter which country you’re from, you’ve definitely got a word to describe someone who sticks his nose where it’s not wanted. In the Philippines, they call it “epal”. In...
28 October 2015
Here’s What You Need to Do to Become an Uber Driver in Singapore
Transportation
Here’s What You Need to Do to Become an Uber Driver in Singapore
In the real world, just because you have the right tools and the knowledge to use them does not necessarily mean you can turn professional overnight. As one Liverpool fan...
21 October 2015
3 Reasons Why Taking a Cash Advance on Your Credit Card is Financial Suicide
Credit Cards
3 Reasons Why Taking a Cash Advance on Your Credit Card is Financial Suicide
When you’re in desperate need of money that you don’t have, one option is to withdraw money using your credit card. That’s right. All you need is to have a...
21 October 2015
5 Things Singaporeans Need to Beware of When Buying a Car from a Parallel Importer
Transportation
5 Things Singaporeans Need to Beware of When Buying a Car from a Parallel Importer
Buying a car from a parallel importer is like trying to find a life partner on Tinder. I’m not saying it’s impossible. I’m just saying you’re probably going to be...
20 October 2015
online shopping
Shopping
3 Additional Costs of Shopping Online Which Many Singaporeans Forget About
I love how colourful Hokkien slang can be, especially in Singapore. And I’m not referring to the many swear words I learnt in NS. Take “pao toh”, for example which...
16 October 2015
ANZ’s New Home Loan – What is the Combo Plus Package and How Does it Compare to the DBS FHR?
Home Loans
ANZ’s New Home Loan – What is the Combo Plus Package and How Does it Compare to the DBS FHR?
Singaporeans love fads. If you’re around my age, you’ll remember how the bubble tea craze first started with hopeful entrepreneurs opening stalls all over the island, and the huge competition...
15 October 2015
Should HDB Allow Flat Owners to Rent Out Their Homes on Airbnb?
Opinion
Should HDB Allow Flat Owners to Rent Out Their Homes on Airbnb?
Some genius inventions are so deceptively simple that you keep kicking yourself and wondering why you didn’t think of it first. Like the alarm clock that runs away from you...
12 October 2015
Here‘s Why Khaw Boon Wan’s Attempt to Level the Playing Field for Taxi Drivers Will Drive Costs Up
Opinion
Here‘s Why Khaw Boon Wan’s Attempt to Level the Playing Field for Taxi Drivers Will Drive Costs Up
Other than that one incident when he suggested that the leaders of a certain opposition party commit ritual suicide for committing a mistake, I generally like Minister Khaw Boon Wan....
8 October 2015
property singapore
Opinion
5 Notable Subsidies That Singapore Citizens Are Currently Getting
I tend to avoid taking cabs these past few weeks. Not only because I can’t afford the taxi fare, but also because taxi drivers are rather fond of engaging you...
7 October 2015
The 5 Best Items to Buy With 0% Interest Instalment Payment Plans
Credit Cards
The 5 Best Items to Buy With 0% Interest Instalment Payment Plans
When I was a kid, I would sometimes go without lunch for days. No, it’s not because my parents were poor or cruel. It’s because I bought video games, and...
5 October 2015
Why the COE System in Singapore Benefits Only the Rich
Transportation
Why the COE System in Singapore Benefits Only the Rich
Welcome to Singapore. A country where there’s always someone complaining about how much a car costs here, thanks to COE. The automatic response to this is, “Yeah, but who asked...
2 October 2015
The 3 Types of Singaporeans Who Should Be Contributing Voluntarily To Their CPF Accounts
Budgeting
The 3 Types of Singaporeans Who Should Be Contributing Voluntarily To Their CPF Accounts
One of my most embarrassing moments? Not having cash on hand to pay for a cab. Their NETS machine couldn’t read my card and there was no way I was...
30 September 2015
singapore car loan restrictions
Car Loans
Here Are the Consequences of Skirting Around Car Loan Restrictions That Singaporeans Don’t Consider
Have you ever played board games with a kiasu friend? I have. Since he doesn’t want to lose, he’ll look for every possible loop hole to exploit in the game....
30 September 2015
Why is the Government Not Doing Enough to Promote Alternative Means of Transport in Singapore?
Opinion
Why is the Government Not Doing Enough to Promote Alternative Means of Transport in Singapore?
In our little urban island, cycling is like sex. It’s enjoyable, it causes you to sweat and, if you’re into that kind of thing, two people can ride simultaneously. But...
23 September 2015
singapore property cooling measures
Opinion
Should The Government Be Removing Singapore Property Cooling Measures?
Say you’re hosting a party and you’re all out of ice and it’s not convenient to head down to a 7-Eleven or a supermarket to buy more. Instead, you put...
22 September 2015
multigenerational flats
Property
Which Singaporeans Can Benefit From Buying a Multigenerational Home?
In land scarce Singapore, where the property prices are still pretty high despite the past two years of cooling measures, I’m sure no one’s going to blame you if you’re...
21 September 2015
ABSD Singapore
Opinion
Will the Average Singaporean Get Burnt if the ABSD is Removed?
The other day I had a little “fight” with an up-riding escalator. It resulted in a large (but not deep) gash on my toe. While the bandage was on, I...
17 September 2015
hdb dbss
Opinion
The 6 Most Important Policies That May Have Changed the Game in General Election 2015
After the results of last week’s General Elections, some of you may be emotionally affected. Especially if you were making informal bets about the voting margins at each of the...
16 September 2015
What Singaporeans Can Do About Their Home Loan If the SIBOR Heads For the Moon
Home Loans
What Singaporeans Can Do About Their Home Loan If the SIBOR Heads For the Moon
These days, it almost seems like the fluctuations from SIBOR are directly correlated to Singaporeans’ measure of happiness. Sure, we might supposedly be the lowest country on this strange Misery...
15 September 2015