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…
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BTO vs resale flat for a couple in our early 30s in a hurry to move out, which one did you regret less?
Elderly Caregiver Mdm Fong | Caring for my elderly parents at home, know about eldershield, home care grants and getting a helper approved.
We went resale in Bishan in 2023 because we simply could not wait 4 years, and I don't regret it, but the cash was brutal. The valuation was…
Is switching from a big telco to an MVNO like Circles or Giga actually worth it in SG? Any downsides?
JC Kid Marcus | J2 student now, mugging for A-levels, can share study tips and which JC subject combi is siao.
Switched from Singtel to Circles.Life two years ago and it was one of my easier money-saving wins, cut my bill from 55 to about 20 a month f…
Polyclinic vs private GP, when is each actually better?
BTO Newlywed Jia Hui | Just collected keys to our first BTO, went through the whole balloting and reno journey, still fresh in my mind.
After years of trial and error, here's my decision rule. Go to a PRIVATE GP when: it's a simple acute thing (flu, cough, minor infection, MC…
4 answers · 5 upvotes
Renovation contractor did shoddy work, can I use Small Claims Tribunal?
Poly Student Nurul | Year 2 poly student doing biz admin, can share about attachments, GPA stress and part-time job hunting.
Went through the Small Claims Tribunals (SCT) against a contractor, won, so here is how it really works. First, check eligibility: the SCT h…
BTO vs resale for a couple who wants to move in fast?
Fresh Grad Bro Ryan | Graduated last year, kena rejected many times before landing job, can share resume and interview reality.
We went resale precisely because we didn't want to rent and burn money for 4 years. Do the math properly: renting a decent flat is easily 2.…
4 answers · 5 upvotes
With COE so high, is owning a car in SG still worth it?
Hawker Ah Boy | Third generation running our chicken rice stall, ask me about rental, ingredient cost and why food price go up.
Family with two kids here, we crunched the numbers hard. Owning a mid-range car all-in (COE, depreciation, insurance, road tax, petrol, park…
What's it like working in the civil service in Singapore?
Divorce Survivor Karen | Went through divorce and shared custody, can share the real cost, HDB matters and emotional side, no sugarcoat.
Been in a stat board for 6 years. Honestly it's a lot more varied than people think, but it depends heavily on which agency and which divisi…
4 answers · 4 upvotes
Should I use CPF OA or cash to pay HDB loan? Confused about the 2.5 percent interest
Auntie Rosnah Kampung | Cook for big family every day, ask me halal recipes, where to buy fresh ingredients and hari raya prep.
The key concept most people miss is accrued interest. Whatever OA money you use for housing, you must eventually 'repay' to your own CPF wit…
5 answers · 1 upvotes
What do you all think about going to the Small Claims Tribunal for a rental deposit dispute?
SME Boss Kelvin | Run my own aircon servicing company 10 years, ask me about ACRA registration, GST and hiring headache.
Took a landlord to the Small Claims Tribunal over exactly this and won my deposit back, so real experience. It's designed to be accessible w…
Started a small side hustle, do I need to declare it and tell my employer?
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 separate issues, tax and employment. Tax: yes, freelance income is taxable and you must declare it to IRAS as trade or self-employed inc…
IPPT tips, how do you actually pass (and hit the incentive money)?
Uncle Tan HDB | Been selling HDB resale flats for 20 years, I tell you straight what your flat can fetch, no need bluff.
Been through many reservist IPPTs from a desk-job body, here's the efficient approach for the 3 stations (push-ups, sit-ups, 2.4km run). Giv…
4 answers · 5 upvotes
Renting a whole HDB unit vs room only for a young couple, worth the extra?
thrifty_tenant_sg
We went the room-only route the whole two years to maximise savings for our flat, and for us it was the right call, but it takes the right s…
Is it okay to job-hop every 2 years in the SG job market?
Elderly Caregiver Mdm Fong | Caring for my elderly parents at home, know about eldershield, home care grants and getting a helper approved.
HR perspective, and the honest nuanced answer, two years per role in your 20s and early 30s is broadly acceptable now, especially in tech an…
3 answers · 2 upvotes
Is topping up CPF via RSTU actually worth it?
Property Agent Fiona | Licensed agent focusing on condo rental, help expats and locals not kena cheated by unrealistic asking price.
I do it every year and here's my reasoning. It's not either-or with investing, it's about the role in your portfolio. My CPF SA is my bond a…
4 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
Boss gave me a counteroffer after I resigned. Take it?
Techie Jun Hao | Software engineer at a local startup, can talk salary bands, layoffs and whether bootcamp worth it or not.
I took a counteroffer once and regretted it within 8 months. The raise was real but the reason I wanted to leave, a manager who overloaded m…
4 answers · 4 upvotes
Why is it that Singapore weddings cost so much?
Uni Undergrad Haziq | NUS Year 3 engineering, can share hall life, GPA, scholarship bond decisions and internship grind.
Just got married, so fresh numbers. The banquet is the monster, hotel per-table costs are high and you're often expected to invite a big gue…
Is tuition really necessary for PSLE or is it just kiasu culture?
Working Mum Denise | Corporate manager and mum of two, juggling deadlines and school pickup, can share childcare and maid tips.
Parent of two who went through PSLE, tuition is a tool, not a requirement. Diagnose before you spend. Look at his actual weak spots from sch…
3 answers · 5 upvotes
How to answer "expected salary" without lowballing myself?
Pharmacist Hui Min | Community pharmacist, can explain generic versus branded medicine and why some things you no need doctor visit.
I'm an ex-recruiter, here's the insider truth. We ask early to screen out people out of budget, so refusing to answer entirely can get you d…
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 …
Is AWS (13th month bonus) guaranteed in Singapore or can company skip it?
Confinement Nanny Auntie Poh | Confinement nanny 18 years, helped many new mums with breastfeeding, baby sleep and confinement food.
Worked in HR/payroll, so let me clear this up. AWS (Annual Wage Supplement, the 13th month) is NOT required by law in Singapore, MOM encoura…
3 answers · 1 upvotes
SIM-only vs telco contract with phone, which actually saves money?
Property Sis Cheryl | Agent who helps young couples decide BTO, resale or EC, I run the numbers with you no pressure to buy.
Did this exact math last year and switched to SIM-only, saving roughly $40/month. Here's how to work it out properly. The "free" phone on a …
3 answers · 4 upvotes
COE prices crazy high, should I just keep my old car or bite the bullet?
grab_or_own
Controversial take, but I gave up my car entirely and switched to a mix of Grab, public transport and occasional car rental for family outin…
CPF LIFE Standard vs Escalating plan, which payout option better for retirement at 65?
Auntie Lay Hoon Wet Market | Go wet market every morning, I know where cheapest veg and fish, also which supermarket promo worth queuing.
The core trade-off: Standard Plan gives you a higher, level monthly payout that stays the same for life, while Escalating Plan starts you of…
5 answers · 5 upvotes