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.

6 Things That Should Set Off Alarm Bells When You Go For a Job Interview
Career
6 Things That Should Set Off Alarm Bells When You Go For a Job Interview
It’s a lot easier to be pickier about a job before you accept, rather than change jobs just because you can, only to realise you’ve switched to a job that’s...
19 May 2016
3 Good Habits That Stop You From Wasting Money on the Things You Buy
Budgeting
3 Good Habits That Stop You From Wasting Money on the Things You Buy
Singaporeans like to buy, buy, buy. But how much do they actually get out of the stuff they fork out good money for?
18 May 2016
5 Key Steps Singaporeans in Their 20s Can Take in Order to Move Towards Financial Independence
Budgeting
5 Key Steps Singaporeans in Their 20s Can Take in Order to Move Towards Financial Independence
Singaporeans might have a pretty decent median salary compared to other countries in the region, but we don’t fare so well when it comes to financial freedom—at least if the...
18 May 2016
3 things to do in university that will make you rich
Education
5 Degrees Singaporeans Can Get in Australia That are Now Recognised Here
Australia used to be thought of as that country you sent your kids to if they didn’t make it into NUS. But these days, more and more Singaporeans are heading...
17 May 2016
The 4 Biggest Challenges Faced by Singaporeans Running a One-Man Show
Career
The 4 Biggest Challenges Faced by Singaporeans Running a One-Man Show
If the thought of having to deal with inconsiderate colleagues or listen to office gossip makes you want to sharpen your parang, being a self-employed person or working from home...
17 May 2016
investment scams singapore
Budgeting
3 Things Singaporeans Should Do to Prevent Being Scammed by a Fake Government Website
Nigerian princes and WeChat hookers aren’t the only online scam artists Singaporeans should beware of.
16 May 2016
baby costs singapore
Family
Expecting a Baby? Here’s 5 Ways You Should be Planning Your Finances
So, you’re pregnant or, if that’s biologically impossible for you, your spouse is. Congratulations! You’ve got quite a do-list ahead of you. And no, planning the baby shower should not...
13 May 2016
5 Cheaper Alternatives to Holiday Destinations Popular with Singaporeans
Travel
5 Cheaper Alternatives to Holiday Destinations Popular with Singaporeans
No Singaporean can be accused of never going on overseas holidays since driving across the Causeway to JB is, technically, going abroad.
13 May 2016
If You Bought a BTO 5-7 Years Ago, Now is the Perfect Time to Upgrade
Property
If You Bought a BTO 5-7 Years Ago, Now is the Perfect Time to Upgrade
No matter what people say about the Five Cs going out of style, the Singaporean dream is still alive and well for some. Well, guess what, one of the Cs,...
12 May 2016
Singaporeans Must Do These 3 Things Before Jumping into Investing
Invest
Singaporeans Must Do These 3 Things Before Jumping into Investing
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of investing here at MoneySmart. It’s not something that’s “nice to do” if you “have the money”. For most of us who don’t...
12 May 2016
supplementary retirement scheme
Opinion
3 Disturbing Observations About Singaporeans’ Attitude Towards Planning for Retirement
I don’t think I’m THAT old, but retirement is something I’ve been thinking about for a couple of years already. I think about it most intensely when I’m slogging away...
11 May 2016
A Recruiter Tells Us 3 Things Job Seekers Should Know if They Have Gaps in Their Resumés
Career
A Recruiter Tells Us 3 Things Job Seekers Should Know if They Have Gaps in Their Resumés
So you thought it was a great idea to embark on a 9 month voyage of self-discovery around the world. But now that you’re back and desperately job hunting, here’s the...
11 May 2016
savings account singapore
Budgeting
4 Ways Singaporeans Can Change Their Behaviour So They Spend Less
For some people, forcing themselves to steer clear of designer sales or slum it by eating at a hawker centre instead of a restaurant makes them feel like they are...
10 May 2016
4 Steps Retrenched PMETs Must Take if They Want to Get Back on the Career Ladder
Career
4 Steps Retrenched PMETs Must Take if They Want to Get Back on the Career Ladder
I have a few friends who hate their jobs so much they’re dying to get retrenched so they can take their severance packages and travel the world for a couple...
10 May 2016
credit card promotions singapore
Shopping
Here’s 3 Reasons Why Singaporeans Doing More Shopping Online Than in Malls is a Good Thing
Orchard Road is a bit of a joke these days. Once the crowning glory of Singapore, the Orchard stretch is now thought of as an overcrowded hellhole, and even fashionistas...
9 May 2016
life insurance myths
Career
3 of the Most Popular Jobs Amongst Singaporeans Who Want to Be Their Own Boss
Hands up every Singaporean whose parents warned them they’d end up becoming road sweepers if they didn’t study hard.
9 May 2016
University Education singapore
Career
6 Tips for University Students Going to Their First Career Fair
Listen up, young padawans. You’ve spent the last 13 to 15 years of your life being educated, and now it’s time to attend career fairs organised by hundreds of companies...
6 May 2016
baby bonus CDA POSB
Opinion
How Can the Government Make Cars More Affordable for Singaporean Families?
“Car-lite” is such a buzzword these days, it’s starting to sound like the name of some new fad diet. Let’s forget for a second that the MRT network is woefully overtaxed...
5 May 2016
failed business lessons singapore
Budgeting
6 Irritating Ways Being Forgetful Causes Singaporeans to Waste Tons of Money
For most Singaporeans, their first brush with the dangers of forgetting stuff came in primary school, when they had to grit their teeth and tell their teachers, “I forgot to...
4 May 2016
5 Types of Insurance Plans in Singapore You Didn’t Know Existed
Life Insurance
5 Types of Insurance Plans in Singapore You Didn’t Know Existed
Concert pianists get their hands insured, supermodels and pro sportspeople buy insurance for their bodies, and it’s easy to see why. You might not think you have any body parts...
4 May 2016
3 Ways the Singapore Government Can Truly Encourage Car-Liteness
Opinion
3 Ways the Singapore Government Can Truly Encourage Car-Liteness
It’s pretty ironic that the Baby Bonus isn’t making Singaporeans want to have more kids, while in spite of the COE so many Singaporeans still feel that cars make their...
3 May 2016
How to Go on a Week-long Holiday to Hong Kong For Less than $1,000
Travel
How to Go on a Week-long Holiday to Hong Kong For Less than $1,000
Singapore might be a paradise for shopping and eating, but if there’s one city in the world that beats us hands down, it’s Hong Kong. This city is even more...
29 April 2016
3 Biggest Reasons Singaporean Interns Fail to Get Job Offers   
Career
3 Biggest Reasons Singaporean Interns Fail to Get Job Offers  
Remember the first day of your first internship? Getting off the bus or MRT, gazing wide-eyed at the office buildings towering overhead, and feeling like an imposter in the office...
29 April 2016
18 SkillsFuture Courses That Could Help You Keep Your Job in 2016
Career
18 SkillsFuture Courses That Could Help You Keep Your Job in 2016
Previously on MoneySmart, we talked about some of the skills Singaporeans who actually care about their employability should probably look into building in 2016.
27 April 2016
Here’s How to Help a Loved One Who’s Been Retrenched Get Back on Their Feet
Career
Here’s How to Help a Loved One Who’s Been Retrenched Get Back on Their Feet
Losing your job when you’re young sucks, but not as much as it does when you’re middle aged, have a mortgage to pay off, a family to support or kids...
27 April 2016