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I've hit $200k in cash savings, except...

Years ago when I entered the workforce, I set myself goals (you can refer to the left side of my blog), mainly financial ones. I set to achieve $100k cash savings before 28. And I met it at 25 . I shared my tips on how I achieved it here  and they were really simple tips, mainly tweaks to your lifestyle  (eg, dining at discounts).  I then set out to achieve $200k by 28. Earlier this year, I mentioned that I've crossed $150k savings  and shared updated tips on how I helped myself.  As 2018 draws to a close soon, I found out that I've hit $200k in cash savings.  Except, I've just parked $6k+ to my CPF MA for tax relief, and it has now dropped to less than that. I've also parked $7k into my CPF SA some months back, so I would have hit $200k earlier. If I delve even deeper, I have also bought stocks amounting at ~$10k. Yup, so I would have crossed the $200k mark even earlier. In any case, this is just a number game for me to keep track of

8D7N Hanoi, Sapa and Fansipan trip with full-fledge flight at <$1,500 for 2

If you are looking for a budget destination, how about heading to Hanoi, and adding in Sapa, Fansipan for an extra spice to your tour? The husband and I were there for a 8D7N trip (disclaimer - not my honeymoon. I haven't plan one yet hehe) Most people exclaimed - so long!? What's there to do? It is indeed long if we were to stay in just Hanoi alone. After all, Hanoi was pretty boring as we could cover Old and French Quarter in a day. Our days in Hanoi were spent on food, facial and massages 😛If you are planning to tour Hanoi only, a 4D3N tour would suffice. But we inserted a 3D2N trip to Sapa and Fansipan which was notably the highlight of the trip! And, I'm proud to share that our expenses were around $1,400 for two which includes a full fledge flight via Vietnam Airlines instead of a budget flight ðŸ˜Š and our anyhow spend also can expenses at ~$250 (we ate whatever we like , and also had pampering facial and massage sessions!) Here's a rou

Dining lobang - dine at 50% off plus get rewards when you make reservations?

Good lobang must share! Ever since I discovered Chope, my partner and I have been using it as a fuss free way to make reservations at restaurants - no more waiting for the restaurants to pick up my calls! Not only is it more convenient for me to book a seat at popular restaurants, with every reservation, I could earn 100 chope dollars ! And the first 400 chope dollars allow me to redeem for a $10 voucher to offset my bill at a wide list of restaurants such as 49 seats, Standing Sushi Bar, Yum Cha and more (just listing my frequent dining places hoho) If you are new to Chope,  sign up with this link  to get 300 Chope dollars on your  first reservation and I'll get 300 too! With just one more reservation at 100 chope dollars, you'll be able to redeem a $10 voucher, or you can choose to accumulate for more! The good thing doesn't end here. Other than using it to make reservations, we have also been purchasing Chope vouchers to dine a

Singlife 3% Endowment Plan. Would you sign?

I was scrolling through FB recently when I saw an ad that attracted my attention. Reminded me of the FWD 2.02% plan one year ago - which I applied for. Now Singlife is offering a 3% GUARANTEED plan which last till 30 Nov, at up to $6k: This Single Premium Endowment product’s availability is based on a first-come-first-served basis and is only available for purchase while the acceptance tranche is still open. Singapore Life reserves the right to decline any application that does not fulfil the requirement of a complete application without prior notice, including the invalidity of payment received. (1) The guaranteed maturity yield is 2.20% p.a. and 2.50% p.a. for 3-year-term and 5-year-term respectively. The 5-year-term is only available through our financial adviser partners. During the period between 26 Nov and 30 November 2018, there is a special campaign that gives 3% p.a. guaranteed maturity yield for the 3-year-term and this offer is strictly applicable for one poli

Protecting myself with GIRO payments

Ever since I started my new work, I've been in a daze. I've stopped tracking my budget daily. And I even forgot to pay my credit card bills resulting in late charges and interest fees! I was on the verge of tears when I saw late charges of $160 on my two credit cards. I've no idea what's wrong with me for lacking the discipline to do all these. What happened to the diligent me tracking every single purchase and tallying it with my credit card bills? Why do I feel drained after work although this job is less tedious than my previous one where I've been loaded with too much responsibilities that I lose sleep and had acne outbreaks? However, I realised this is just the start. I've seen 3 resignations in my team within 1.5 months here, and I've been asked if I'm ready to take on some of their portfolios. I'm thinking if it is worth taking on more at the same pay, and then stressing myself all up again? What exactly should I do? Also, I re

Goodbye BOC Smartsaver account. Hello DBS Multiplier

I've officially severed ties with my BOC Smartsaver account, after a good 2 years . With the disappointing revision to the BOC Family card , which used to be the BEST credit card I had, it just wasn't worth keeping the bulk of my cash in BOC anymore. Since Aug, I've jumped ship to DBS Multiplier and left the minimum balance of $1,500 in my BOC. Today, as I passed by the BOC branch at Jurong East, I decided to just close the account. No point leaving my $1,500 there when I can transfer it to other accounts to generate more interest! As I stepped into the BOC branch, I saw restless ladies gossiping at their seats. I was the only customer, but nobody bothered to serve me. I even had to ask if I'm supposed to take a queue number, but nobody came to assist. Over at DBS, the customer service experience would be way different, in a positive way. BOC has gotta up their game in terms of their cards/accounts perks and staff attitude/customer service man. That said, it

How I manage to cover the full cost of my wedding

For people my age, wedding bells have been ringing. A few years ago, we started out in the workforce, fresh from school, trying to earn our keeps and manoeuvre ourselves in the dogs eat dogs world. As we earned our keeps, we also knew we had to save for impending cost bombs - for house, for wedding, for kids, and for retirement. Back then, I set my goal to save $100k and I managed to hit it at age 25 . I knew time was on my side and I had keep my expenses low in order to save. I wasn't earning big bucks - I was just a normal salaried working, earning less than what my peers were earning. Likewise, when I planned for my wedding, I knew I had to keep my expenses low as well because my partner and I were paying everything out from our pockets. I was the Chief Finance Officer budgeting and making sure we clock rebates, and getting the best deals out of everything. I was also the CEO of my wedding, because I dictate most of the "to-do" and "not to do" list.