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.

Digital nomad remote working: How much it costs to work from another country (2022)
Budgeting
Digital nomad remote working: How much it costs to work from another country (2022)
The pandemic has magically transformed hordes of people into digital nomads. Some companies have even downsized offices in order to save on rent and told employees to work remotely on...
10 March 2022
How much it costs to be single & actively dating in Singapore - Moneysmart Blog
Budgeting
Single & actively dating in Singapore: Here’s how much dating costs you (2022)
More Singaporeans are opting out of marriage, weddings and kids because of the high cost of living. Personally, I think finding a partner who has the same approach to finances...
10 March 2022
shopping singapore
Opinion
4 Financial Mistakes Singaporean Women are Making
Neither men nor women have it easy in Singapore when it comes to staying afloat in an expensive city and planning for retirement amidst a zillion financial burdens.
8 March 2022
woman less expensive singapore
Budgeting
5 Ways to Make Being a Woman Less Expensive in Singapore
Everyone expects you to always look pretty and fresh as a flower. But confirming to society’s idea of what a woman should look like isn’t just time-consuming, it can also...
8 March 2022
best term life insurance policies
Life Insurance
6 Best Term Insurance Policies in Singapore for Affordable Protection
Not impressed by life insurance policies which charge astronomical premiums? Then you might want to consider its much simpler, straightforward and cost-effective sibling: term life insurance. Both types of insurance are...
7 March 2022
best home insurance singapore
Home Insurance
HDB Fire Insurance vs Home Insurance – What’s the Difference?
Your home is your castle. It’s also where you store most of your worldly belongings, from your laptop and jewellery to your tabletop RPG game collection. And since this is Singapore,...
3 March 2022
Futu Singapore Moomoo REITs investing guide
Invest
What are REITs? Investing Guide & 7 Singapore REITs to Consider
This post was written in collaboration with Futu Singapore (FUTU SG). While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same...
3 Important Basics That Singaporeans Need to Have in Place When They Plan For Retirement
Opinion
3 Important Basics That Singaporeans Need to Have in Place When They Plan For Retirement
Ask Singaporeans what’s the number one thing they need for retirement, and the obvious answer will be not a tropical beach resort where they can live out the rest of...
1 March 2022
Electric Vehicles & EV Charging Points: Your guide to electric cars in Singapore (2022)
Car Insurance
Electric Vehicles & EV Charging Points: Your guide to electric cars in Singapore (2022)
The government wants to convince Singaporean drivers to switch to Electric Vehicles (EVs)–at least those who haven’t gotten a heart attack from soaring COE prices and still insist on driving....
28 February 2022
HDB BTO Launch February 2022 Review: Tengah, Yishun, Kallang / Whampoa, Geylang
Home Insurance
HDB BTO Launch February 2022 Review: Tengah, Yishun, Kallang / Whampoa, Geylang
If you just got engaged or turned 35, HDB BTO launches will have taken on a new meaning for you. In that case, you might already know that the February...
28 February 2022
CPF Enhanced Nomination Scheme (2022): What happens to my CPF after I die?
Budgeting
CPF Enhanced Nomination Scheme (2022): What happens to my CPF after I die?
We’ve come a long way from the GiveMeBackMyCPF days. Now that Covid-19 has thrown the stock market into turmoil, people are actually rushing to give CPF their money, with CPF...
25 February 2022
Batam Ferry VTL (2022): How much it costs to visit Batam & Bintan now
Budgeting
Batam Ferry VTL (2022): How much it costs to visit Batam & Bintan now
Dying to leave this island after two years of Covid-19 but not about to fork out the cash for an overpriced VTL flight? Rejoice, as you can now hop on...
25 February 2022
Economic Freedom Index (2022): What is it & why was Singapore ranked first?
Budgeting
Economic Freedom Index (2022): What is it & why was Singapore ranked first?
Freedom is such a slippery term, isn’t it? While Singapore is ranked #160 in the world for press freedom, in between Sudan and Somalia, on the Index of Economic Freedom...
24 February 2022
Budget 2022 Summary: GST hike, CPF changes, luxury car ARF, EV charging points, and more
Budgeting
Budget 2022 Summary: GST hike, CPF changes, luxury car ARF, EV charging points, and more
The only thing anyone watches on Channel 5 nowadays is the annual budget announcement, which was broadcast over a 2-hour prime-time slot on 18 Feb 2022. Luckily, this article isn’t...
24 February 2022
SPDR STI ETF (Straits Times Index Singapore) by State Street Global Advisors turns 20
Invest
Happy 20th Birthday to the SPDR STI ETF! A Look at How Far Singapore’s First Locally Listed ETF Has Come
This post was written in collaboration with State Street Global Advisors. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with...
GST Hike from 7% to 9% will be announced in the Singapore Budget 2022 on the 18 February 2022
Budgeting
GST Increase to 9% in 2023 & 2024: What is GST & how is it charged?
Now that we’re supposed to have “gotten used to” Covid life, the government has decided that it’s time to stop acting nice and coddling us with handouts. PM Lee hinted...
18 February 2022
Best Covid Travel Insurance Singapore, VTL - Sompo Insurance Singapore
Travel Insurance
Best Travel Insurance with Covid-19 Coverage in Singapore? No Pre-Departure PCR Needed & More
This post was written in collaboration with Sompo Insurance Singapore. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the...
FUTU SG moomoo invest mutual funds unit trusts
Invest
Investing in Mutual Funds: Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Begin
This post was written in collaboration with FUTU Singapore (FUTU SG). While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with...
retirement planning - AIA Elite Secure Income
Invest
5 Things You Need to Do Now to Enjoy a Happier Retirement
This post was written in collaboration with AIA. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective...
3 Reasons why Singaporeans are not happier even with higher incomes
Opinion
3 Reasons Why Rising Household Income is Not Making Singaporeans Happier
Money is at the root of pretty much everything Singaporeans are stressed about. Work-related stress is a huge source of angst here, which really isn’t surprising when you consider that...
15 February 2022
Manulife GrowSecure - endowment plan - achieve financial milestones
Budgeting
Saving Up for Important Milestones? Here’s Why Manulife’s GrowSecure Endowment Plan is the One for You
This post was written in collaboration with Manulife Singapore. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same...
valentine's day singapore
Entertainment
How You Can Celebrate Valentine’s Day Without Blowing a Ton of Cash
You might not be Catholic or even have any idea who this Saint Valentine is, but he must have been a very important man, since everyone is spending hundreds of...
10 February 2022
mdrt million dollar round table
Career
MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table): What Does It Mean If Your Financial Advisor Has Achieved MDRT?
Insurance agents often throw around the term “Million Dollar Round table”, or MDRT, especially in recruitment drives designed to make their jobs look attractive to potential new agents. But what...
9 February 2022
velentines day dinner singapore
Dining
Valentine’s Day Lunch & Dinner – 8 Restaurants Under $100++ Per Pax
Love is a many-splendoured thing, but it does come with expectations. What if your other half isn’t the type to accept zichar on Valentine’s Day, and your cooking skills aren’t...
4 February 2022
employee stock options ESOP ESOW
Career
Employee Stock Options: All You Need To Know About Owning Stocks in The Company You Work At
So, you’ve just gone for an interview for a position at a startup, SME or tech company, and they’re offering you the chance to receive employee stock options as part...
3 February 2022