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.

savings account singapore
Savings Accounts
4 Types of Savings Accounts Singaporeans Should Consider Opening
When it comes to savings accounts, we’ve all had this experience at least once in our lives—you’re stuck in the interminable queue at the POSB/DBS ATM machine. Meanwhile, your friend...
4 August 2017
freelancer
Career
4 Tiny Tips to Make Working as a Freelancer Work For You
As they say, you choose your battles in life. What we do for a living and how we do it is no different.
4 August 2017
mistakes
Opinion
3 Grave Mistakes Singaporeans Make That Result in Financial Hardship
We’ve been brought up to believe that screwing up in that one PSLE exam is going to doom us for life.
3 August 2017
automate
Budgeting
5 Things Singaporeans Can Automate to Make Their Lives Easier
If there’s one thing a Singaporean loves, it’s convenience. Cook your own meals, clean your own home, help your own kids with their homework? Pfft, why do it yourself when...
1 August 2017
6 Reasons The Taxi Population Has Fallen that Aren’t Grab or Uber
Transportation
6 Reasons The Taxi Population Has Fallen that Aren’t Grab or Uber
The taxi industry is in trouble. According to a recent report, the taxi population is the lowest it’s been in eight years. In fact, the taxi population has fallen every...
28 July 2017
The 2 Biggest Things the Government Can Do If They’re Serious About Helping Single Singaporeans Find Partners
Opinion
The 2 Biggest Things the Government Can Do If They’re Serious About Helping Single Singaporeans Find Partners
The government is getting its panties in a twist over the recent survey results which showed that 60% of single Singaporeans aged 21 to 45 are not dating seriously—dating seriously...
27 July 2017
3 Important Things Every Singaporean Must Do Before Buying That First Home
Property
3 Important Things Every Singaporean Must Do Before Buying That First Home
Congratulations, you’ve decided you’re ready to buy your first home. So what’s the first thing you should do? If you said book your ROM date, you’re wrong. Before you even...
26 July 2017
5 Reasons You Haven’t Quit That Job That’s Not Right For You
Career
5 Reasons You Haven’t Quit That Job That’s Not Right For You
You’ve known for some time that you should leave your job. You’re being underpaid, your boss is a douchebag, or maybe you’ve been wanting to make a career change for...
26 July 2017
5 Inexpensive Family-Friendly Activities in Singapore Kids 12 And Under Will Love
Family
5 Inexpensive Family-Friendly Activities in Singapore Kids 12 And Under Will Love
Singapore’s national sports of shopping and eating are great for when you’re an adult just chilling with your homies. But when you’ve got kids who are demanding that you entertain...
21 July 2017
unexpected child expenses family bills stress
Family
6 Unexpected Expenses That Hit You When You Have Kids
SIt’s safe to say that hardly any Singaporean decides to have kids without being cognisant of the costs. Everyone already knows having children is expensive, and most are already aware...
20 July 2017
4 Ways to Get a Date That are Cheaper and More Effective Than Tinder
Budgeting
4 Ways to Get a Date That are Cheaper and More Effective Than Tinder
There are a surprising number of Singaporeans who claim that they’re staying single because it’s cheaper. And well, you can’t really blame them. Going out for drinks at a nice...
19 July 2017
4 Things Freelancers Can Do to Be Happier People
Career
4 Things Freelancers Can Do to Be Happier People
So you’re a freelancer who’s happily self-employed, earning a decent income while enjoying the flexibility of being able to set your own hours? Great.
19 July 2017
gift
Shopping
4 Gifts Your Friends Would Definitely Not Like to Receive
So it’s your best friend Ah Kow’s birthday, and you want to get him something that will make his life better, not worse.
14 July 2017
MRT
Transportation
6 Suggestions for Making Public Transport More Family Friendly
A recent announcement that an advisory panel has been set up and is looking for recommendations on making the public transport system more family friendly was met with cynicism by...
13 July 2017
6 People Fresh Grads Can Use as Professional References
Career
6 People Fresh Grads Can Use as Professional References
It’s bad enough that companies only want to employ people with prior experience, even for entry-level jobs.
10 July 2017
cat
Budgeting
4 Unexpected Things Cat Owners End Up Having to Spend Money On
You’ve been to your favourite cat cafe so many times the staff are starting to give you weird looks. Your Facebook feed is full of cat videos and memes. Maybe...
6 July 2017
dbs home loan singapore
Property
Now that the Minimum Rental Period is 3 Months, Will Airbnb Soon Be Legal in Singapore?
Short-term rentals in Singapore are officially illegal. But on the bright side, “short-term” just got shorter.
5 July 2017
Is Doing an Overseas Foundation Studies Course Instead of the A Levels a Good Idea?
Education
Is Doing an Overseas Foundation Studies Course Instead of the A Levels a Good Idea?
Every so often, you meet a Singaporean girl who’s already a degree holder at the ripe old age of twenty.
5 July 2017
students
Education
4 Ways Singapore Schools Can Teach Students to Manage Money
There are some countries where all you need to do is work hard at your job, and the state will take care of the rest, at least in terms of...
4 July 2017
Moonlighting as a Tuition Teacher? Here are 4 Pitfalls to Avoid
Career
Moonlighting as a Tuition Teacher? Here are 4 Pitfalls to Avoid
Most Singaporeans have participated in the billion dollar tuition industry in some way or another—whether by attending tuition classes as a kid, sending their own children for tuition, or moonlighting...
29 June 2017
4 Ways to Feel Like You’re on Holiday For Less Than $50
Opinion
4 Ways to Feel Like You’re on Holiday For Less Than $50
Every time you log onto Facebook, you’re forced to look at pictures of yet another friend’s trip to Iceland / Paris / New York / Tokyo. Singaporeans took an average...
27 June 2017
Home Hospice Care in Singapore: How Much Does it Cost and What Are You Paying For?
Healthcare
Home Hospice Care in Singapore: How Much Does it Cost and What Are You Paying For?
Singapore’s population is aging at an alarming rate, which means in time to come the number of elderly people in need of care will surge dramatically ahead of the number...
22 June 2017
fine dining
Dining
5 Fine Dining Restaurants Where You Can Have Dinner For Less Than $100
Everyone loves a piping hot plate of char kuay teow. But at times you want to spoil yourself or a loved one with something nicer. And by nicer, we’re thinking...
22 June 2017
How Much Will It Actually Cost You if a Minimum Wage is Implemented in Singapore?
Opinion
How Much Will It Actually Cost You if a Minimum Wage is Implemented in Singapore?
Despite the government’s repeated rejection of the possibility of implementing a minimum wage in Singapore, one look at that wizened old grandpa wiping off your table at the food court,...
21 June 2017
When Are Coworking Spaces Worth the Money in Singapore?
Career
When Are Coworking Spaces Worth the Money in Singapore?
These days, it can seem like everyone and their mother works in a coworking space. These workspaces for entrepreneurs and freelancers have mushroomed all over Singapore to cater to the...
19 June 2017