peterlin

Articles by Peter Lin

I am the poster boy for reinventing one's self. I've been a broadcast journalist, technical writer, banking customer service officer and a Catholic friar. My life experiences have made me the most cynical idealist you'll ever meet, which is why I'm also the co-founder of a local pop culture website. I believe ignorance is not bliss, and that money is the root of all evil only if you allow it to be.

sibor singapore
Home Loans
Interview with SingCapital CEO – Should You Still Get a SIBOR-based Home Loan?
Think of the last good dream you had. You know, like the one where you paid only $2 COE on your new car, or you were Left Shark in the...
23 February 2015
singapore wedding banquet price list 2015
Wedding
Singapore Wedding Banquet Price List 2015
Some days I wonder if wedding banquets in Singapore, especially the traditional Chinese sit-down dinner is for the married couple or for the married couple’s parents. You know what I...
16 February 2015
CPF minimum sum Singapore
Budgeting
What the CPF Minimum Sum Changes Really Mean for You
In 2016, say goodbye to the “CPF Minimum Sum”. And say hello to “Retirement Sum”. I can just imagine how the CPF Advisory Panel started their discussion. “Okay, ladies and...
16 February 2015
cpf minimum sum singapore
Budgeting
What Exactly is the Big Deal About the New CPF Minimum Sum?
If a certain opinion editor of a mainstream newspaper is to be believed, no one really cared about the recently announced changes to the CPF Minimum Sum scheme. She would...
12 February 2015
4 Reasons Why the Degree is the New Diploma
Education
4 Reasons Why the Degree is the New Diploma
I’m happy to see that in meritocratic Singapore, we’re finally changing attitudes that ITE stands for “It’s The End” and that you only go to polytechnic if you can’t make...
5 February 2015
chinese new year singapore
Budgeting
5 Financial Reasons Why People Run Away During Chinese New Year
All Singaporeans look forward to Chinese New Year for one main reason: the long weekend holiday. For many, the holiday is also a wonderful opportunity to meet friends and family,...
2 February 2015
education loan singapore
Education Loans
The MoneySmart Guide to Education Loans
So you’re in a dead-end job and you’re looking to “upgrade” yourself and make yourself more relevant for the workforce. Instead of whining about your pathetic work life to your...
29 January 2015
Public Transport Fare Hike: What You Should Really Be Concerned About
Opinion
Public Transport Fare Hike: What You Should Really Be Concerned About
Oh look, the annual public transport fare hike is here again. Although it’s something generally expected, people still have the same reactions to it as finding a rat in a...
23 January 2015
investment singapore
Invest
4 Ways To Start Investing More in 2015
It’s the new year and you’ve started to take stock of your finances and realised you have quite a fair bit of cash on hand that you’d like to invest. Don’t...
15 January 2015
credit cards singapore
Credit Cards
Do You Have the Right Credit Card, or Some Piece of Plastic Junk?
When I got my first credit card, I was pretty pleased with myself. I had picked the best of the best, I told myself. This credit card had everything! It...
14 January 2015
fitness activity singapore
Fitness & Beauty
6 Fitness Activities That Will Help You Get In Shape And Stay in Shape in 2015
“This New Year, I will lose weight and get fit.” Everyone always makes this New Year resolution first. Well, everyone but me. I don’t bother making it anymore since I...
2 January 2015
exclusive credit cards singapore
Credit Cards
The Top 5 Credit Cards in Singapore You’ll Never Own
I know what it’s like to have people fall at my feet, make way for me wherever I go and scream whenever they see me coming. Yes, I’m still looking...
2 January 2015
save money 2015
Budgeting
The Secret to a Better 2015 – Save Money Just By Following These 4 Steps
It’s the end of yet another year, and it’s time to look ahead to 2015. You may have a list of resolutions already planned, but let’s face it, those resolutions...
23 December 2014
cpf minimum sum increase singapore
Opinion
CPF Minimum Sum Goes Up Again: Should You Really Care Anymore?
What’s your first reaction when you hear that the CPF Minimum Sum has gone up again? It’s probably similar to when I see a giant cicak run across my floor. I...
18 December 2014
Singapore Credit Card Interest Rates Going Up
Credit Cards
Singapore Credit Card Interest Rates Going Up – Do You Know How Much You’re Getting Charged?
Last time, policemen wore shorts. Forget that, now we’ll be saying, “Last time, credit card interest rate only 24%”. This year will be remembered for many things – Ebola, ISIS and...
15 December 2014
salary budgeting singapore
Opinion
If You Don’t Budget Your Salary Now, You’ll Hate Yourself
Congratulations! You’ve got your first month’s salary. No more cup noodles for lunch. You now take a cab everywhere you go. You buy that handbag or watch you’ve been eyeing....
11 December 2014
early retirement Singapore
Opinion
Singaporeans, Say Goodbye to Early Retirement!
A bunch of data that was released earlier this month regarding employment in Singapore. Naturally, our mainstream media tried to spin it positively by saying there were more people joining...
10 December 2014
sg50 jubilee baby gift
Opinion
SG50 Baby Jubilee Gift: We Consult You Before We Spend Your Money So You Can’t Complain
I bet you parents of babies born this month are really feeling pek chek. If your baby had just waited a few more weeks to escape their mother’s womb, you...
9 December 2014
natas travel fair singapore
Travel
NATAS Travel Fair: Is it Still Worth Going?
For many years, it was the world’s biggest gangbang NOT starring Annabel Chong. NATAS was essentially screwing both consumers and exhibitors of their travel fairs with rising admission fees, rental...
9 December 2014
year end holiday credit card travel
Credit Cards
Year-End Holidays: Read This Before Booking Anything
It’s the end of the year and you’re ready to get away for a much needed holiday with your family. You add up the price of the flight tickets, the...
8 December 2014
why singaporeans are not investing more
Invest
4 Reasons Why Singaporeans Aren’t Investing More
To Singaporeans, investing is like your “favourite” relative. You know, the one whom you dread dealing with every family gathering. Like the grand-auntie who always pinches your cheeks and reminds...
8 December 2014
grocery shopping credit card singapore
Shopping
Getting Your Parents to Do Your Grocery Shopping Might be the Best Saving Tip of the Year
Your parents may have worked hard to give you a good life, but here’s another way they can continue to make your life good! If your parents are above 60 in Singapore, they’re officially Senior...
4 December 2014
5 ways to get debt free
Opinion
How To Become Debt Free in 5 Simple Ways
Last month, the government announced something we thought was really fantastic. Yes, we’re actually enthused by something the government is doing. You can expect to see flying pigs soon.
20 November 2014
home loan calculator hdb maximum loan financial calculator flat interest rate cpf
Home Loans
Home Loan Calculator – You Should Definitely Read This Before Using One
A home loan calculator is a common tool to help you reduce your stress. Good home loan calculators start by getting you to key in some basic information about the...
12 November 2014
5 jobs for former shisha retailers
Opinion
5 Jobs That Former Shisha Retailers Can Do After The Ridiculous Ban
Earlier this week Parliament banned the import and sale of shisha tobacco, though they gave licensed retailers until the end of July 2016 before the ban kicks in for them...
11 November 2014