vanessah.nah

Articles by Vanessa Nah

Vanessa Nah likes her finance articles the way she likes her sitcoms—light-hearted, entertaining, and leaving people knowing a little more about life. She believes money—like life—should be made simple. Outside of work, you’ll find Vanessa attending dance classes, fingerpicking a guitar, and fulfilling her life mission to make her one-eyed cat the most spoiled kitty in the world.

should new parents take a personal loan
Personal Loans
Personal Loans for New Parents: When Do They Make Sense?
Parenthood is all about paradox—it fills your heart even as it drains your wallet. It’s not just the sweet lullabies you’ll need to master; it’s also the art of juggling...
28 March 2025
starr travel insurance moneysmart review
Travel Insurance
Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance—MoneySmart Review (2025)
Starr’s travel insurance, Starr TraveLead, is one of the more popular budget-friendly travel insurance options in Singapore. With their competitive prices and comprehensive coverage, it’s not difficult to see why....
28 March 2025
top finance news singapore
Trends
Issue #18: What’s Happening This Week? Cold Storage and Giant’s $125 Million Sale, OCBC 360 Account Nerf, and More
This week in money news: Cold Storage and Giant are being sold for $125 million—but don’t worry, your cashback perks are safe, and you might even score cheaper groceries. OCBC...
26 March 2025
duit raya singapore guide
Budgeting
Duit Raya Singapore Guide 2025: How Much Green Packet To Give
In Singapore, Muslims give out duit raya (Raya money, green packets) during Syawal, the month after Ramadan. While duit raya is a widespread custom among Muslims in Singapore, it isn’t...
21 March 2025
latest finance news and updates singapore 19 mar
Trends
Issue #17: What’s Happening This Week? Record $1.52m Flat Sale, Chocolate Finance Processes 90% of Delayed Withdrawals
This week, we’re looking at big numbers. A 4-room flat in the coveted Pinnacle@Duxton has just smashed records with a $1.52m sale, over 2,000,000 of Lady Gaga’s Little Monsters showed...
19 March 2025
best-halal-buffets-singapore-hotel-high-tea
Dining
11 Best Halal Buffets in Singapore (Mar 2025)—Starting From $30++
Whether you’re a Muslim or are dining with Muslim friends, you’ll be pleased to know that many of the best buffets in Singapore are halal-certified. We’re not just talking about...
17 March 2025
uoi unitravel insurance review
Travel Insurance
UniTravel Insurance (UOI Travel Insurance)—MoneySmart Review 2025
UOI Travel Insurance just got buffed. As of Jan 2025, UOI Travel Insurance has been renamed to UniTravel and now includes these 3 key enhancements: Increased Annual Multi-Trip age eligibility...
12 March 2025
lady gaga wearing a sparkly silver dress and playing piano and singing
Trends
Issue #16: What’s Happening This Week? Lady Gaga Presale Registrations Start, Chocolate Finance Pauses Instant Withdrawals
What do a global pop star and grumpy fried chicken seller have in common? They’re both making headlines in Singapore this week. From Lady Gaga’s long-awaited concert to Fiie’s Cafe...
12 March 2025
best credit cards to use on simplygo bus and train
Credit Cards
5 Best Credit Cards to Use on Public Transport with SimplyGo
When I have overseas friends visiting Singapore, they are pleasantly surprised by the fact that they can use their own credit card to pay for fares on our buses and...
7 March 2025
singapore top finance news stories
Trends
Issue #15: What’s Happening This Week? SG60 Deals, MediSave Withdrawal Limits Increase, and More
This week, everyone has a reason to celebrate. Singaporeans are getting SG60 discounts at over 20 attractions islandwide, Singaporean women are among Asia’s most financially independent, and MediSave withdrawal limits...
7 March 2025
women-save-more-for-retirement-than-men
Opinion
Do Women Need To Save More For Retirement Than Men?
Bad news first: You and I will literally never see the day women and men are paid equally worldwide. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024,...
7 March 2025
Best Instant Loans in Singapore (Feb 2025)
Personal Loans
Best Instant Loans in Singapore (Feb 2025)
There are 2 things we all wish we had more of: money and time. When life throws unexpected bills your way, the last thing you want is to wait days—or...
28 February 2025
top finances news and updates in singapore
Trends
Issue #13: What’s Happening This Week?—Budget 2025, YouTrip’s New Thai Baht Wallet, and More
It’s been an eventful week. First off, we saw Budget 2025 introduce new vouchers, rebates, and perks, including something special for large families and culture lovers. YouTrip just made travel...
21 February 2025
man catching dollar bills from woman
Life Insurance
How Much Money Do Insurance Agents in Singapore Make From Your Policies?
Insurance agent. What was your immediate reaction to that term? Probably not the most positive. Many of us have experienced an old friend inviting us for coffee, only to have...
20 February 2025
Budget 2025 Summary: 12 Highlights You Need to Know
Budgeting
Budget 2025 Summary: 12 Highlights You Need to Know
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, in his capacity as Minister for Finance, delivered Singapore’s Budget 2025 statement on 18 Feb 2025—his first Budget as prime minister. PM Wong described it as...
18 February 2025
feb 2025 hdb bto review
Property
HDB BTO Feb 2025 Review: Locations, Prices, Resale Values, Application Rates and More
Prospective home owners, your time has come—the first Build-to-Order (BTO) flat launch of 2025 is here. In Feb 2025, HDB is offering 10,622 flats for sale: 5,032 BTO flats across...
17 February 2025
how much should you spend on insurance in singapore
Life Insurance
How Much Should You Spend on Insurance in Singapore?
Would you carry 5 umbrellas everywhere you go? I’m guessing your answer is no, and not because umbrellas aren’t useful. Having an umbrella handy is always a good idea in...
17 February 2025
asian woman raising hands in the air excitedly
Trends
Issue #12: What’s Happening This Week?—Feb 2025 BTO Launch, Record Highs for Gold, and More
Today is Valentine’s Day, and it seems serendipitous that this same week, we saw the first Build-to-Order (BTO) flat launch of 2025. After all, “BTO ai mai?” often precedes “Will...
14 February 2025
buying flowers in singapore price guide for valentines day
Shopping
12 Affordable Valentine’s Day Flowers in Singapore—From $25 per Bouquet (2025 Guide)
“They’re expensive, not useful, and they die. Despite all that, if I still want to get flowers for this person, I think that’s lovely.” This is what my friend told...
13 February 2025
valentines day credit card promotions discounts
Credit Cards
Valentine’s Day Credit Card Promotions 2025: Flowers, Jewellery, Experiences, and More
So you’ve done your best to plan an affordable date, but your significant other has other plans—it’s a hotel staycation, expensive luxury watch, or nothing. You don’t want to break...
12 February 2025
woman with sunglasses holding out a credit card for a hand to take from her
Trends
Issue #11: What’s Happening This Week?—Singapore’s First Miles-Earning Visa Debit Card, $1.9m in Prepayment Losses, and More
Falling COE prices, rising Pokémon card scams, Singapore’s first miles-earning Visa debit card, and surging prepayment losses. These are some of the financial updates we’ve been hit with in the...
7 February 2025
jon and zan dale of gear oil cafe standing in their shop in chinatown
Invest
Could a Toy Car Triple Your Cash? 8 Tips for Investing in Diecast Cars
Picture this: a vivid pink toy van with bright yellow and orange plastic surfboards sticking ungainly out its rear. It’s small enough to sit in the palm of your hand—even...
7 February 2025
nurse in blue scrubs holding a coffee cup saying sorry coffee just kicked in
Trends
Issue #10: What’s Happening This Week?—Pay Raises for Healthcare Workers, Record High Coffee Prices, and More
Good news—thousands of healthcare workers in Singapore are getting a pay raise this year! Whether you’re a physiotherapist, pharmacist, or support staff, this salary bump is something to look forward...
31 January 2025
best credit cards to pair with instarem amaze card
Credit Cards
Best Credit Cards to Pair with the Instarem Amaze Card
Few things in life are as shiok to my inner Singaporean auntie as doubling my rewards. That can be as simple as the cai fan uncle giving me extra ingredients...
31 January 2025
top finance news singapore jan 2025
Trends
Issue #9: What’s Happening This Week?—Inflation Slows, Singapore Dollar to Weaken, and More
How did you feel about prices of your daily essentials in 2024? I know Singaporeans always complain things are expensive, but you might be surprised to know that inflation actually...
24 January 2025