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.

3 Things Broke Uni Students Should Do to Stay Afloat Financially
Education
3 Things Broke Uni Students Should Do to Stay Afloat Financially
As a broke uni student, you’re already used to thinking of instant noodles as a major food group, and a lavish meal consists of upsizing your meal at McDonald’s. You...
3 July 2015
3 Terrible Reasons Why Singaporeans Spend on Impulse and Then Cry Later
Opinion
3 Terrible Reasons Why Singaporeans Spend on Impulse and Then Cry Later
Deep in his heart of hearts, every Singaporean knows how important it is to save money. The state doesn’t take care of you, so if you don’t save up now,...
3 July 2015
5 Ways to Make Money Without Leaving Your Neighbourhood
Career
5 Ways to Make Money Without Leaving Your Neighbourhood
Shenton Way is not the only place where there’s money to be made. In fact, if you’re smart about it, you can make a significant amount of money without travelling...
2 July 2015
How Singaporeans’ Pursuit of Money May be Affecting their Wellbeing
Opinion
How Singaporeans’ Pursuit of Money May be Affecting their Wellbeing
Yet again, a news report has revealed something we already knew deep down inside—according to a recent poll, Singaporeans performed fairly well in terms of financial wellbeing compared to other...
2 July 2015
3 Risks You Take When Buying Uncompleted Property in Singapore
Property
3 Risks You Take When Buying Uncompleted Property in Singapore
Every three seconds, a new condo development sprouts up in Singapore. Or at least it feels like it, if the rapidly disappearing tracts of green space are anything to go...
1 July 2015
3 Things That Could be Sabotaging Your Singapore Career
Career
3 Things That Could be Sabotaging Your Singapore Career
Returning overseas Singaporeans often find to their dismay that working in Singapore is a different kettle of fish altogether. While being efficient at work and speaking up when something is...
1 July 2015
5 Reasons Your Budget Southeast Asian Holiday Got Expensive
Travel
5 Reasons Your Budget Southeast Asian Holiday Got Expensive
Singaporeans are a lucky bunch when it comes to where they get to go on holiday. Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia offer some of the world’s...
26 June 2015
4 Ways to Make Money Indirectly From Your Workplace
Career
4 Ways to Make Money Indirectly From Your Workplace
If the only money you’re earning from your job is your salary, then you’re not taking full advantage of the money-making opportunities that being an employee gives you. You go...
25 June 2015
3 Ways Young Singaporeans and Their Parents View Money Differently
Opinion
3 Ways Young Singaporeans and Their Parents View Money Differently
The constant struggle between headstrong millennial employees who value work-life balance and flexibility and their old-school baby boomer bosses who like lots of face time and unquestioning loyalty plays out...
24 June 2015
How to Save Money on Medical Bills for Minor Ailments in Singapore
Budgeting
How to Save Money on Medical Bills for Minor Ailments in Singapore
It might be cheaper to die than get sick in Singapore, but that doesn’t mean we want to actually die. And no matter how broke you are, when you’re haemorrhaging...
23 June 2015
Why Your Way of Booking a Holiday Flight is Costing You More Money
Travel
Why Your Way of Booking a Holiday Flight is Costing You More Money
Everyone books flights online these days, but not everyone gets the best deals. Human travel agents may have gone the way of pagers, PDAs and the dinosaurs, but not everyone...
22 June 2015
Why are Singaporeans No Longer Excited About the Great Singapore Sale?
Shopping
Why are Singaporeans No Longer Excited About the Great Singapore Sale?
The Great Singapore Sale used to be a big deal, second only to Christmas. People would save up their hard-earned cash all year round just so they could blow it...
17 June 2015
How to Enjoy Fitness Classes and Gym Facilities Without Actually Becoming a Member
Fitness & Beauty
How to Enjoy Fitness Classes and Gym Facilities Without Actually Becoming a Member
Step into a big commercial gym in Singapore and you might be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into a pool of sharks. Salespeople masquerading as customer service officers eye you...
17 June 2015
Running a Home-Based Business From Your HDB Flat: What You Can and Can’t Do
Career
Running a Home-Based Business From Your HDB Flat: What You Can and Can’t Do
The woman who was recently fined for running a curry puff syndicate out of an HDB flat is not the only closet entrepreneur amongst us. From private tutors running huge...
16 June 2015
Why Can’t Singaporeans Seem to Keep Their Lifestyle Spending in Check?
Budgeting
Why Can’t Singaporeans Seem to Keep Their Lifestyle Spending in Check?
Many Singaporeans are pretty bad at separating wants from needs. Sure, property is expensive, but what many young Singaporeans are really complaining about is the fact that a cocktail at...
16 June 2015
investment risk
Invest
3 Investment Risks Singaporeans Take Too Often When They Shouldn’t
Safe, conservative, perhaps even boring—this is how others tend to view Singaporeans, and indeed how many Singaporeans view themselves. But when it comes to investing, many Singaporeans are becoming more...
14 June 2015
food delivery singapore
Dining
5 Affordable Food Delivery Services in Singapore To Use During Lunchtime
Every day at lunch, you stare forlornly into your wallet, realising you can only afford to spend a maximum of $15. With no other alternatives in sight, you trudge to...
11 June 2015
3 Ways Divorce Can Affect You Financially in Singapore
Family
3 Ways Divorce Can Affect You Financially in Singapore
The break up of a marriage is one of the suckiest things that can happen to you. Even if you’re secretly glad to finally be rid of that lowlife once...
11 June 2015
3 Well-Paying Industries Fresh Grads Might Want to Think Twice about Entering
Career
3 Well-Paying Industries Fresh Grads Might Want to Think Twice about Entering
Every fresh grad’s dream is to clinch a job offer that puts them on the fast-track to the high life. As you send out your resume, you fantasise about receiving...
10 June 2015
3 Ways Singaporeans Sneakily Indulge Their Vices on a Budget
Budgeting
3 Ways Singaporeans Sneakily Indulge Their Vices on a Budget
It’s not easy maintaining vices in Singapore, as the government seems intent on making Singaporeans pay for their poisons. Drinking after 10:30pm is now restricted to bars, shutting out the...
9 June 2015
3 Inexpensive Ways to Instantly Look More Professional
Career
3 Inexpensive Ways to Instantly Look More Professional
Beauty comes at a price, so says everyone who’s gone for botox injections or redone their face with the help of plastic surgery. Looks matter at the workplace if you...
9 June 2015
yoga
Career
How Much Does it Cost to Become a Yoga Teacher in Singapore
It seems like just yesterday when people were leaving their soul-destroying corporate jobs to set up cafes or social enterprises. These days, lots of disillusioned young professionals are hanging up...
8 June 2015
4 Things to Watch Out For when Booking Holidays Online
Travel
4 Things to Watch Out For when Booking Holidays Online
My friend’s parents used to run their own travel agency. Once, as teenagers, in the days before budget airlines, we went on a trip to Bangkok. Flights and accommodation for...
5 June 2015
5 Things Every Singaporean Who Supports their Aged Parents Must Do
Family
5 Things Every Singaporean Who Supports their Aged Parents Must Do
Ask any Singaporean why they turned down that job offer in London or New York, and there’s a high chance he’ll say he needed to take care of his parents...
5 June 2015
How Much Are We Willing to Sacrifice in the Name of Money in Singapore?
Opinion
How Much Are We Willing to Sacrifice in the Name of Money in Singapore?
Those of us without trust funds often think of money as something you have to make sacrifices to get more of. But with people dying of overwork and work-life balance...
4 June 2015