Final round interview asks 'expected salary', how not to lowball myself?
Priya
I used to blurt out my current salary and it capped every offer. Now I frame it around total package. I say something like: 'My current tota…
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BTO in a mature estate vs BTO in non-mature, which did you regret less?
TampinesUncle88
We took non-mature in Punggol back when it was still ulu and full of construction dust. First two years I complained non-stop, no proper cof…
Can I use my Medisave to pay for my parents' hospital bills?
Auntie Susan Church | Active in my CC and church, know a lot about grants, senior activities and where to get help when stuck.
Yes you can, Medisave is usable for immediate family including parents, spouse, children and grandparents. Went through this when my mum was…
Is PSLE tuition really necessary or are we just following the herd?
Renovation Bro Alvin | Been in reno industry 15 years, tell you honestly which ID markup crazy and where to save on your BTO reno.
Two kids through PSLE, opposite experiences taught me this: tuition is a tool, not a default. My elder was coping fine in school so we skipp…
3 answers · 5 upvotes
How do you actually negotiate a higher salary at a local SME?
negotiator_ah_beng
Negotiated up about 12 percent at a local SME last year. The trick with SMEs is they're less rigid but also more personal, so frame it right…
What's it like going back for reservist every year?
Preschool Teacher Ling | Preschool teacher and mum of one, can guide you on childcare subsidy, MOE kindergarten ballot and school readiness.
Mixed feelings after 5 cycles. The camaraderie is genuinely the best part, you reconnect with a bunch of guys you'd never otherwise see, and…
Want to start a small side hustle while working full-time, where to begin?
Bryan
From my experience, first check your employment contract for any conflict-of-interest or moonlighting clause, because some companies restric…
Which telco plan is worth it in Singapore, SIM-only or contract with a phone?
Tiger Mum Serene | Two kids in primary school, survived PSLE once already, can share tuition and DSA strategy without the stress.
Depends on your cashflow and phone habits honestly. I do contracts because I like upgrading to the newest phone every couple of years and I'…
Childcare centre or let grandparents look after baby? Torn.
Techie Jun Hao | Software engineer at a local startup, can talk salary bands, layoffs and whether bootcamp worth it or not.
We did a hybrid and it was the best of both, so consider that before choosing one extreme. Grandparents give love, one-on-one attention and …
How to keep the wedding budget sane when everyone expects a big banquet?
budget_bride_sg
We faced the exact same banquet pressure from the older relatives. What we did was compromise smartly: a moderate hotel banquet to satisfy t…
In-laws want to live with us after we get our flat, how to set boundaries?
Guo Wei
We went through this and what saved us was honesty early rather than letting assumptions build. My wife spoke to her parents directly and lo…
Persistent acid reflux and GERD, should I go polyclinic or straight to specialist Singapore?
Divorce Survivor Karen | Went through divorce and shared custody, can share the real cost, HDB matters and emotional side, no sugarcoat.
Start at the polyclinic or your GP first, don't jump straight to a private specialist and burn hundreds of dollars unnecessarily. A polyclin…
5 answers · 13 upvotes
What's it really like switching from a stable civil service job to a startup in your 30s?
IT Support Ah Kow | IT support for an SME, fix people's laptop and printer whole day, can recommend budget gadgets that last.
Did exactly this at 33, left MOM after 7 years for a fintech startup at Mapletree Business City. First thing that hit me: no more clear repo…
5 answers · 2 upvotes
What are the real pitfalls of buying a resale HDB versus waiting 4 years for a BTO?
Uncle Chua Retiree | Retired civil servant, now enjoying my pension and CPF Life, happy to chat about aging well and staying active.
Consider the renting-while-waiting math seriously because it can eat the BTO savings. We didn't want to stay with parents so we rented a roo…
5 answers · 12 upvotes
COE hit 100k again, is it worth buying a car in Singapore or just Grab everything?
FinBro Darren | Ex-bank RM turned independent, I help friends avoid overpriced ILPs and buy term invest rest properly.
I ran the numbers properly for my own family. A typical new Cat A car all-in (COE 100k, car price, road tax, insurance, parking, petrol, mai…
5 answers · 5 upvotes
PSLE AL score 12, which secondary school realistic to get into for my kid?
Uncle Mun Coffeeshop | Run a coffeeshop drink stall, ask me about kopi orders, stall rental and dealing with the town council.
With AL 12 your daughter is in a solid range and has good options, but strategy matters under the new system. Remember posting is by school,…
5 answers · 2 upvotes
What's it actually like running a hawker stall in Singapore today? The hidden costs nobody warns you about.
Uncle Lim Taxi | Drive taxi more than 30 years, seen COE go up and down countless times, ask me about car versus no car in SG.
Ran a noodle stall in a coffeeshop for three years, and let me kill the romance with real numbers first. Rent in a decent coffeeshop can be …
5 answers · 1 upvotes
Just got retrenched, what should I do first in Singapore?
Auntie Susan Church | Active in my CC and church, know a lot about grants, senior activities and where to get help when stuck.
Been retrenched twice, survived both, so breathe, you will be okay. Practical first steps in order. One, get everything in writing: your ret…
3 answers · 3 upvotes
Got a fat bonus this year, how did you avoid lifestyle creep with it?
practical_windfall
I've learned to split my bonus with a simple system: a chunk to debt or mortgage if any, a chunk to long-term investing, a chunk to savings,…
Best value SIM-only plan in Singapore now, worth leaving the big telcos?
Confinement Nanny Auntie Poh | Confinement nanny 18 years, helped many new mums with breastfeeding, baby sleep and confinement food.
Switched to an MVNO SIM-only plan two years ago, never looked back, but let me give the honest nuance. The MVNOs (the budget brands) actuall…
3 answers · 21 upvotes
Is chasing a fat year-end bonus actually worth staying in a toxic company for?
Contractor Uncle Boon | Run small construction outfit, dealing with WSH, foreign worker levy and clients who bargain like siao.
I stayed an extra 8 months for a 4-month bonus once and I regret it, because I did the actual maths wrong. Yes the bonus was real money, but…
5 answers · 2 upvotes
Neighbour makes noise late at night, what are my legal options?
Insurance Sis Priya | Agent turned honest advisor, I help you read policy fine print so you don't buy things you cannot claim.
Document, document, document. I kept a timestamped log and short videos for two months. When it went to mediation, having concrete evidence …
3 answers · 16 upvotes
Failed my IPPT, how does RT work and will it mess up my window?
Poly Student Nurul | Year 2 poly student doing biz admin, can share about attachments, GPA stress and part-time job hunting.
Cleared RT twice, no drama, here's the deal. Failing IPPT means you're placed on the Remedial Training programme, you complete a set number …
4 answers · 21 upvotes
Got no bonus this year but company says 'good performance', normal?
Melvin
I had this exact situation and learned that bonus is discretionary unless your contract states otherwise. Check your employment letter and a…
Is topping up SRS actually worth it just for the tax relief?
Property Agent Fiona | Licensed agent focusing on condo rental, help expats and locals not kena cheated by unrealistic asking price.
Been contributing to SRS for years, here's the honest calculus. SRS is worth it in proportion to your marginal tax rate. If you're in a high…
4 answers · 3 upvotes