Most Singaporeans prefer buying to renting, no matter how expensive it is. This is a mindset that’s been cultivated by the high home ownership rates here. No matter how expensive...

If you’re poor because life dealt you a lousy hand of cards, you deserve all the help in the world. But many Singaporeans land themselves in financial trouble simply because...

In our little urban island, cycling is like sex. It’s enjoyable, it causes you to sweat and, if you’re into that kind of thing, two people can ride simultaneously. But...

The last time someone told me they paid $700 for a new smartphone, I smirked inwardly at the fact that they paid $700 more than I did for my barely-smart...

Singaporean employees are as loyal to their bosses as those uncles on Sammy Boy are to their wives—they’re dissatisfied with what they have, and most wouldn’t hesitate to leave for...

Say you’re hosting a party and you’re all out of ice and it’s not convenient to head down to a 7-Eleven or a supermarket to buy more. Instead, you put...

I’ve met university students with resumes that were five pages long. These guys tried to cram in at least two or three internships during their long holidays each year, and...

Despite the government recently increasing the amount of cash incentives open to Singaporean parents, the number one complaint of new parents on my Facebook feed has been not lack of...

In land scarce Singapore, where the property prices are still pretty high despite the past two years of cooling measures, I’m sure no one’s going to blame you if you’re...

I have yet to meet a Singaporean who hates travelling—mainly because for us, going to a foreign country can mean making a mere 30 minute drive across the Causeway.

We Singaporeans are addicted to convenience. I’ve almost forgotten what it feels like to have to step into the abyss of a shopping mall because I now buy most of...

It looks like the government’s going all out this year to convince Singaporeans to have kids. The national paternity leave allowance just got raised to two weeks, although it’s not...

Most Singaporeans think of Bangkok, KL, Phuket or Penang when they want an inexpensive vacation. Everything else, by default, is expensive—people balk at the cost of hotels in Tokyo and...

The other day I had a little “fight” with an up-riding escalator. It resulted in a large (but not deep) gash on my toe. While the bandage was on, I...

Pragmatic Singaporeans usually live with their parents until they get married, and some even continue doing so after tying the knot. While the reasons for this used to be largely...

If you’re a Singaporean parent, there’s a 70% chance you’ll be enrolling your kid in tuition at some point in their lives. However, despite such high tuition enrolment rates, only...

After the results of last week’s General Elections, some of you may be emotionally affected. Especially if you were making informal bets about the voting margins at each of the...

Judging by the number of people praying for Toto and 4D numbers at temples all over Singapore, a lot of people here are hoping for some windfall luck, as the...

Let’s face it, many Singaporeans choose to buy condos over HDB flats because of perceived prestige and in pursuit of the hallowed five Cs. But unfortunately, condos come at a...

When I retire, I want to travel on cruise ships. I want to laze in the shade of a beach umbrella as I pretend to read a book while checking...

If you have a degree from Harvard and were a star performer in your last job, stop reading now and accept our congratulations in advance. However, if you’re one of...

When Singaporeans cross the Causeway into Malaysia, they immediately whip out their wallets, because everything is just so much cheaper there. In fact, many Singaporeans who live near the Causeway...

In Singapore, there are three types of taxes: progressive, regressive and the aggressive. Okay, I made up that last one. That’s what I’ve named the GST hikes after the way...

“Is there wifi here?” is the favourite phrase of a Singaporean on holiday. Here in Singapore, we love our gadgets. It’s not uncommon to see a woman crossing the road...

When I see people slogging away at Subway, I sometimes feel bad that the amount I’m paying for my 6-inch Cold Cut Trio sandwich costs more than their hourly wage....