vanessah.nah

Articles by Vanessa Nah

Vanessa likes her personal finance articles the way she likes her sitcoms—funny, entertaining, and leaving people knowing a little more about life. In another life, Vanessa was the biggest nerd in class and was *this* close to doing a PhD. That researcher is still in her as she now digs out the ins and outs of personal loans, T&Cs of credit cards, and ups and downs of alternative investments. When Vanessa’s not debunking finance myths, you’ll find her attending dance classes, fingerpicking a guitar, or fulfilling her life mission to make her one-eyed cat the most spoiled kitty in the world.

destination-dupes-youths-save-money
Travel
7 Underrated Destination Dupes for Youths—Save Money and Avoid Crowds
Travel addicts and wanderlusting young ‘uns, listen up. If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting a world-renowned travel spot but baulked at the price tag, you’re not alone. We’ve all been...
24 May 2024
curly-hair-products-singapore
Budgeting
Guide to Budget-Friendly Curly Hair Products in Singapore (All Under $30!)—For Naturally Curly, Permed Hair
I have naturally curly hair, which is pretty unusual for a Singaporean Chinese. My thick, curly ‘fro often shocks and astonishes people, who most often ask me at least 1...
21 May 2024
climate-vouchers-singapore
Budgeting
Climate Vouchers 2024: How to Claim Your $300 & What to Buy With Them
Is the recent sweltering weather inspiring you to get a new air conditioner? Upgrade your fan? Invest in a bigger fridge? Good news. Thanks to an enhanced government programme, you...
17 May 2024
mothers-day-2024-dining-deals-promotions
Family
15 Best Mother’s Day 2024 Dining Deals in Singapore: Mums Dine Free, Credit Card Promos, And More
Many of my core memories with my mother take place over good food. They say mum’s cooking is the best cooking, but for my mother, no cooking is the best...
10 May 2024
waterbomb-korea-debuts-in-singapore-uob-presale
Credit Cards
Korea’s Biggest Water Music Festival is Making its Debut Splash in Singapore—Here’s How to Snag Tickets
The coolest festival with the hottest music acts is washing up on our shores. Waterbomb Singapore 2024 is South Korea’s biggest water music festival, and it’s coming to Singapore for...
6 May 2024
why-you-should-wear-your-luxury-watch
Invest
“I Wear My Rolex into the Sea”: 4 Watch Collectors on Why You Should Wear Your Luxury Watch
The other night, I came across a YouTube video of John Mayer interviewing Ed Sheeran about his watch collection. The video was over an hour long and I told myself...
26 April 2024
unlimited-pocket-money-taught-me-about-saving-money
Opinion
What Having Unlimited Pocket Money Taught Me About Saving Money
I grew up with unlimited pocket money. I know. That sounds kinda crazy to me too—at least now as an adult. But back then, when I was a kid in...
24 April 2024
duit-raya-singapore-guide-masthead
Budgeting
Duit Raya Singapore Guide 2024: 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...
4 April 2024
uob-one-savings-account-review
Savings Accounts
UOB One Account to Cut Interest Rate from 7.8% to 6%—Which Savings Accounts Will Earn You More?
They say that what goes up must come down, and the UOB One account’s 7.8% interest rates are no exception. Since late 2022, the UOB One savings account has been...
2 April 2024
ramadan-promos-deals-singapore-2024
Entertainment
Best Ramadan Promotions And Deals in Singapore (2024)—Bazaars, Buffets, and More
The holy month of Ramadan is a time for Muslims to come together in prayer, reflection, and celebration of their faith. This Ramadan 2024, there are even more reasons to...
15 March 2024
catification-cost-singapore-cat-trees-shelves-bridges-walls
Budgeting
Catification Guide: How Much Does It Cost to Create a Cat-Friendly Home?
As a cat owner (read: willing cat slave), there are few things more aesthetically pleasing to me in interior design than catified spaces. You may not know the terminology, but...
13 March 2024
iwd-in-the-news-on-this-day
Opinion
International Women’s Day: Women in the News on This Day Over The Past 50 Years
A local teacher becomes the first female Singaporean soccer coach. A local actress snags the female lead role in an HBO drama. And a mother is reunited with her daughter...
8 March 2024
ticktockbelles-chaykin-wristmon
High Life
Why All Watches are Unisex, and Why Tiny is the New Big
During his unveiling at Inter Miami, legendary footballer Lionel Messi wore a bejewelled Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce Rainbow—a rose gold ladies’ sports watch. At a Lakers-Pacers game in Dec 2023,...
5 March 2024
the-7-best-and-worst-mosquito-repellents-masthead
Budgeting
The 7 Best and Worst Mosquito Repellents, Ranked by Effectiveness and Cost
In every family, in every group of friends, there’s always going to be at least one unlucky person who is a mosquito magnet. Amongst my family members, that person is...
1 March 2024
ticktockbelles-stephanie-soh-deborah-wong
High Life
Is The Best Men’s Luxury Watch To Invest In…A Women’s Watch?
If you’re thinking about investing in a luxury watch, there’s something you should know: The secondary watch market has been falling post-pandemic. The Bloomberg Subdial Watch Index, which tracks the...
27 February 2024
feb-2024-hdb-bto-review-bedok-choa-chu-kang-hougang-punggol-queenstown-woodlands
Property
HDB BTO Feb 2024 Review: Locations, Application Rates, Prices, and More
The Feb 2024 BTO and SBF Exercises are open from 21 to 28 Feb 2024, 11:59pm. Apply online via the HDB Flat Portal anytime within this period for either a...
22 February 2024
budget-2024-summary
Budgeting
Budget 2024 Summary: 10 Things You Need to Know
“Let me assure everyone: We will always have your backs,” Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong told Singapore on 16 Feb 2024 as he presented the nation’s 2024...
16 February 2024
Valentine’s Day Credit Card Promotions 2024—7 Ways to Save Money This Valentine’s Day
Credit Cards
Valentine’s Day Credit Card Promotions 2024—7 Ways to Save Money This Valentine’s Day
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...
6 February 2024
18 Valentine’s Day 2024 Set Menus Under $100/pax, Starting From $34++
Dining
18 Valentine’s Day 2024 Set Menus Under $100/pax, Starting From $34++
It’s been said that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. So on the day of love, you better get the food right. That being said, your...
5 February 2024
cny-2024-reunion-dinner-singapore-set-menus
Dining
CNY Reunion Dinner 2024—12 Chinese Restaurant Set Meals Under $60++/pax
We feel it too—that impending anxiety of what’s to come at a Chinese New Year (CNY) reunion dinner. Relatives will be relatives, and it isn’t Chinese New Year if you...
22 January 2024
Li Chun 2024: The Most Auspicious Date and Time to Deposit Money This Chinese New Year 2024
Entertainment
Li Chun 2024: The Most Auspicious Date and Time to Deposit Money This Chinese New Year 2024
You might not know it by name, but perhaps you’ve noticed snaking queues at cash deposit machines on a particular day during the Chinese New Year (CNY) period. That date...
19 January 2024
reading-trending-reddit-threads-in-singapore
Opinion
Think You’re Having a Rotten Week? Read These Reddit Threads
Yesterday while waiting for the lift to head into the office, I asked my colleague to confirm what day of the week it was: “Is it Thursday today?” “Yeah,” he...
19 January 2024
best-vet-clinics-singapore-prices
Budgeting
17 Popular Vet Clinics in Singapore and Their Prices—Consultation, Vaccinations and More (2024)
People always poke fun at pet parents, saying that furkids are like children, except they will never “grow up”, earn money and take care of you when you’re old. They’re...
12 January 2024
personal-loan-costs-of-living
Personal Loans
Should You Take A Personal Loan To Help With The Rising Costs Of Living?
“Things are cheaper than before!” said no one ever. When it comes to living costs, there’s a lot that Singaporeans are up against. Singapore was ranked as the world’s most...
11 January 2024
ocbc-infinity-cashback-card-review-2024-moneysmart
Credit Cards
OCBC INFINITY Cashback Card—The Best Unlimited Cashback Card in Singapore? MoneySmart Review (2024)
For the uninitiated, there are mainly 5 unlimited cashback cards in Singapore’s credit card scene. Of these, I consider only 4 to be truly “unlimited” both in terms of cashback...
3 January 2024