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.

4 Tips for Building a Chic Wardrobe on a Budget
Budgeting
4 Tips for Building a Chic Wardrobe on a Budget
Everybody wants to look good. The difference is that to some people “good” means not having armpit sweat stains on their t-shirts and smelling respectable from a distance of 5...
1 November 2016
5 Ways to Become Your Own Boss Without Starting an Actual Business
Career
5 Ways to Become Your Own Boss Without Starting an Actual Business
Complaints of having to “be someone else’s dog” or “help someone else earn money” are common amongst Singaporean employees. Many people lament that it’s “impossible to become rich by working...
1 November 2016
5 Ways Singaporeans Parents Make Having Kids More Expensive Than it Has to Be
Opinion
5 Ways Singaporeans Parents Make Having Kids More Expensive Than it Has to Be
Everyone in Singapore knows raising kids here is expensive. That’s why the government has gone so far as to dangle cash incentives in front of would-be parents to encourage them...
31 October 2016
digital wallet singapore
Entertainment
3 Services That Could be Uberised in Singapore
Singaporeans are always complaining about having insufficient money, insufficient time, or both. That’s why services like Grab and Uber make so much sense. Those who want to make spare cash...
31 October 2016
Orchard Road Singapore
Shopping
5 Things To Do in Orchard Road That Don’t Involve Shopping or Food
Orchard Road is like capitalist hell for those who wouldn’t be caught dead with an LV logo on their person. If that sounds like you, having to accompany a shopping-crazed...
28 October 2016
singapore saving
Budgeting
3 Things to Keep In Your Bag That Stop You From Spending Money When You Go Out in Singapore
Going out in Singapore can be a terrifying experience if you’re broke. Grab a drink at Clarke Quay and you find yourself scanning the menu helplessly, searching for something that...
28 October 2016
3 Ways Singaporeans Can be Encouraged to Make Fewer Medical Insurance Claims
Health Insurance
3 Ways Singaporeans Can be Encouraged to Make Fewer Medical Insurance Claims
Let’s say you get into an accident and end up getting rushed to the hospital for surgery. After the initial relief that everything’s gone well and that all four of...
27 October 2016
The 3 Biggest Things Singaporeans Should Focus on to Save Money on Their Wedding
Wedding
The 3 Biggest Things Singaporeans Should Focus on to Save Money on Their Wedding
Weddings in Singapore have a bad reputation for being exorbitant. The average wedding costs between $30,000 and $80,000, and horror stories abound of couples who land in six figures of...
26 October 2016
3 Places Freelancers Can Work Other Than Home in Singapore
Career
3 Places Freelancers Can Work Other Than Home in Singapore
Whenever I tell people I work from home, they never fail to remind me how lucky I am. But what they really mean is that I’m lucky not to have...
26 October 2016
3 Big Things on Singaporeans’ Minds About Retiring and Growing Old
Opinion
3 Big Things on Singaporeans’ Minds About Retiring and Growing Old
One of the most striking sights to first-time visitors in Singapore is the number of elderly people working in menial jobs.
25 October 2016
3 things to do in university that will make you rich
Education
2 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Enrolling in a Private Degree Course
It seemed like just yesterday when you were congratulating yourself on having passed the PSLE and not screwing up your O levels, but now you’ve been slapped with the biggest...
25 October 2016
4 Reasons Singaporeans are Constantly Going on Overseas Holidays
Travel
4 Reasons Singaporeans are Constantly Going on Overseas Holidays
We all have that friend who’s never around when you call them on weekends because they’re constantly on overseas getaways. These people don’t even need to take leave—a 2-day holiday...
24 October 2016
Promoted Without a Pay Increase? Here’s What You Should Be Doing
Career
Promoted Without a Pay Increase? Here’s What You Should Be Doing
Everything thinks a promotion is something to be happy about. But guess what—a promotion could mean you end up doing extra work for the same pay. A recent news report...
24 October 2016
Graduating With a General Degree? Here’s Why Young Singaporeans Shouldn’t Panic
Opinion
Graduating With a General Degree? Here’s Why Young Singaporeans Shouldn’t Panic
There’s been a lot of talk about how hard it’s been for recent graduates to find jobs. But let’s be clear—there’s a big difference between the type of anxiety a...
21 October 2016
5 Non-Touristy Holiday Destinations Where Singaporeans are Less Likely to Get Ripped Off
Travel
5 Non-Touristy Holiday Destinations Where Singaporeans are Less Likely to Get Ripped Off
So you saved up for a year to pay for that much-dreamed-about holiday in Paris, and you’re finally face to face with the Eiffel Tower. Wow. You lean in with...
21 October 2016
tuition singapore
Education
6 Tuition Centres in Singapore That Offer More Than Just Tuition
Back in secondary school, I had friends who used to get their parents to sign them up at certain tuition centres because there were lots of pretty girls enrolled in...
20 October 2016
DBSS
Family
3 Real Reasons Singaporeans Want to Get a Flat Before Having a Kid
So if you’ve been following the local news or at least have a Facebook account, you’d have read about Josephine Teo’s biggest gaffe—her comment that couples “don’t need a lot...
19 October 2016
3 Ways to Sneakily Save Money Without Even Realising It
Budgeting
3 Ways to Sneakily Save Money Without Even Realising It
Saving money in Singapore can be quite a torture. Imagine yourself, sitting at that overpriced bar at Marina Bay, sipping on your glass of tap water as all your friends clink...
19 October 2016
Here are 4 Things You Can Do in October to Minimise the Damage From Impending Holiday Spending
Budgeting
Here are 4 Things You Can Do in October to Minimise the Damage From Impending Holiday Spending
It’s only October, but before you know it, the Orchard Road Christmas lights are going to be up (and they’d better put on a good show, given the number of...
18 October 2016
To Use a Housing Agent Or Not? 5 Ways Singaporeans Can Decide
Property
To Use a Housing Agent Or Not? 5 Ways Singaporeans Can Decide
Anyone who thinks Singaporeans are lazy because they get maids to do all their housework is mistaken. We pay others to do our crap for us only if it’s cheap.
17 October 2016
Should You Recontract With Your Telco if You Want to Upgrade Your Smartphone to the New iPhone 7?
Budgeting
Should You Recontract With Your Telco if You Want to Upgrade Your Smartphone to the New iPhone 7?
So, the iPhone 7 is out, and predictably enough, Singaporeans have gone nuts, screaming bloody murder when delivery of the handsets was delayed. As usual, many people are rushing to...
14 October 2016
4 Inexpensive Items Budget Travellers Should Always Pack With Them
Travel
4 Inexpensive Items Budget Travellers Should Always Pack With Them
Think back to your last vacation. Did your itinerary include hunting for Michelin star restaurants and shopping for designer goods? Then you’re most definitely not a budget traveller. Now go...
13 October 2016
home protection scheme
Property
Here’s Why Singaporeans Are No Longer Using Housing Agents
I think I speak for all Singaporeans when I say that we’re sick and tired of reading about the latest property agent who just became a millionaire. We all know...
12 October 2016
3 Reasons You Might be Unhappy With Your Job That Have Nothing to Do With the Job Itself
Career
3 Reasons You Might be Unhappy With Your Job That Have Nothing to Do With the Job Itself
The last time I saw someone smile at Raffles Place was, uh, never. It’s no secret that Singaporeans are some of the region’s unhappiest workers, and this was confirmed once...
12 October 2016
How to Go on a Week-Long Holiday to Amsterdam For Less Than $1,700
Travel
How to Go on a Week-Long Holiday to Amsterdam For Less Than $1,700
Amsterdam is everything Singapore is not—environmentally friendly, laid back and liberal. Which could be why more and more young Singaporeans are opting to spending their holidays there. Whether you’re into...
11 October 2016