Clara Lim
AsiaOne
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Past articles by Clara:
What is cash over valuation for HDB resale flats and how to estimate it, Money News
According to The Straits Times, one in four HDB resale flat buyers paid cash over valuation (COV) on their HDB resale flats in 2022. We’ll explain COV in greater detail later, but it means they agreed to purchase their flats above market value (as determined by HDB). And as the word “cash” implies, any amount over HDB’s valuation has to... → Read More
Li Chun 2023 (Feb 4): When is the best date and timing to deposit money?, Lifestyle News
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 is called Li Chun. Signifying the start of spring, Li Chun is supposedly an auspicious day for you to deposit money. Fengshui masters even determine specific hours during Li Chun... → Read More
Chinese New Year reunion dinner - 12 Chinese restaurant set meals under $60++/pax, Lifestyle News
We feel it too — that impending anxiety of what’s to come at a Chinese New Year (CNY) reunion dinner. After a two-year hiatus, nosy relatives are definitely all set and ready to conduct the traditional invasive interrogations. Even if you haven’t gotten a partner yet or your kids’ end-of-year results were less than stellar, we’d like to think that... → Read More
Cheap gyms in Singapore: 10 gym memberships under $100/month (January 2023), Lifestyle News
Today, many people wouldn't bat an eye at spending upwards of $200/month on fancy gyms like Fitness First and Virgin Active. Past a certain point, these gyms aren't just facilities to work out in-they're a branded experience. Thankfully, if all you want is sound equipment and no-frills facilities to use, there are still a few cheap gyms in Singapore where... → Read More
The ultimate guide to Japan Rail Pass types and prices, Lifestyle News
There are some Singaporeans who travel to Japan so much that the names of obscure towns roll off their tongues like nobody’s business. For the rest of us, travelling around Japan is and will always remain a mystery. Booking flights from Singapore to Japan is easy enough, but once you’re there, you’ll need to figure out the intricacies of... → Read More
Cheap gyms in Singapore: 10 gym memberships under $100/month (Sept 2022), Lifestyle News
These days, spending upwards of $200/month on fancy gyms like Fitness First and Virgin Active is the norm. But after a certain point, you'll realise you're actually paying more for the lifestyle and brand than equipment and facilities. Thankfully, there are still a few cheap gyms in Singapore where you can work out for less than $100/month (No, I'm not... → Read More
DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card review: Is this popular air miles card worth the hype?, Money News
Yet another DBS credit card? You’ll want to pay attention to this one though. The DBS Altitude Card is one of the most popular air miles credit cards for fresh grads and young working adults. You earn air miles at a standard rate of $1 = 1.2 miles (local) and $1 = 2 miles (overseas), plus $1 = 3 miles... → Read More
Car insurance in Singapore: All you need to know to get the cheapest rate (2022), Money News
"Woo hoo! It's time to renew my car insurance, I'm so excited," said no one ever. Yes, we may love our cars - but the main reason we buy car insurance is that it's compulsory in Singapore. Unlike almost everything else in the world (including cars!) where it's pretty easy to comparison-shop for the cheapest prices, car insurance is a... → Read More
UOB One account review: Go for it if you hate maths, Money News
If you're looking for a day-to-day savings account that will give you more returns than just 0.05 per cent p.a., there are plenty of options available in Singapore. The problem is, most of them require you to jump through hoops, and you ain't no circus animal. Surprisingly, the UOB One account is one of the few that won't give you... → Read More
Sompo travel insurance review: Comprehensive Covid-19 coverage at wallet-friendly prices, Money News
Sompo travel insurance has gone through some major changes since we've last talked about it. Let's first recap the basics of Sompo's travel insurance plans: Back then, Sompo's travel insurance plans were known as Sompo Travel Joy insurance plans. They were categorised into three tiers: The basic Vital plan, the middle-tier Deluxe plan and the Japan-focused GO Japan! plan. It... → Read More
Best Thai snacks: 17 must buy Thai snacks from Big C Bangkok, Lifestyle News
Before you start sniggering, Big C Bangkok is not a gay club and the "C" stands for "Central" (not whatever else you were thinking of). Big C Supermarket is a Thai grocery chain, and thanks to our obsession with crazy delicious Thai food, it's now one of those must-visit places on every Singaporean's Bangkok itinerary. Even if you're not into... → Read More
Amex travel insurance review (2022): For the adventurous globetrotter, Money News
Yup, these days you can buy insurance from the nearest bank or credit card company. Kinda like when HMV reduced their CD section and started selling peripheral crap like hoodies and toys. (Does anyone remember this… or am I just showing my age?) Buying travel insurance from your credit card company is convenient, but what’s really in that American Express... → Read More
DBS digiPortfolio review: Will the new DBS robo advisor kill the competition?, Money News
Lazy wannabe “investors”, rejoice! DBS has now made its robo advisor (called DBS digiPortfolio) available to the public. Previously, it was available only to DBS ~Wealth~ customers. Now, if you do most of your banking through DBS because you’re lazy (cough, me) and cannot remember more than one login ID to save your life (also guilty), this is a great... → Read More
Senior travel insurance (2022): 7 best plans in Singapore for elderly travellers, Lifestyle News
Finally planning to take your parents or grandparents on holiday this year? You’ve probably got a good handle on the travel itinerary, but you might not have thought about yet is which travel insurance plan to buy for the older folks. It matters because most insurers drastically reduce their travel insurance coverage for those 70 years old and above. That’s... → Read More
Keppel Electric: Comparison and review of Keppel electricity plans, Money News
Since the launch of the Open Electricity Market (OEM) in 2018, one of the most popular electricity retailers is Keppel Electric. Similar to Sembcorp Power, Keppel is a listed company and a household brand name, so it does seem more trustworthy than "unknown" retailers – e.g. the former iSwitch. And Keppel Electric does offer pretty good prices and promotions, so... → Read More
Sembcorp Power: Comparison and review of Sembcorp electricity plans, Lifestyle News
Part of the same group as publicly-listed Sembcorp Marine, Sembcorp Power is one of the biggest names in the open electricity market in Singapore – one might even say they’re a real power player in the market. They have a strong enough brand name to seem more reliable than the other electricity startups – and (possibly more importantly) enough... → Read More
Doctor Anywhere, WhiteCoat, Doctor World: Can telemedicine apps save us money?, Lifestyle News
Opinions about doctors fall firmly in one of two opposing camps. Either you’re a true believer of the power of modern medicine and rush to the clinic at the first sneeze, or you think GPs are quacks and only go because you need an MC. Whatever it is, I think we can all agree that seeing the doctor in Singapore... → Read More
3 harmful social consequences of parents buying property in trust, Lifestyle News
Since the property cooling measures were announced last December, some prospective home buyers have been interested in buying properties under their kids’ names. Buying property in your child’s name is certainly one way to get around the raised ABSD (Additional Buyer Stamp Duty) rates of 17 per cent to 30 per cent per investment property. The rate depends on how... → Read More
CPF Life: The complete guide to payouts, plans & minimum sums in 2022, Money News
If you’re in your 30s like I am, retiring in Singapore is the stuff of nightmares. By the time our retirement rolls around, the old folks selling cheap hawker food and kopi will be long dead and gone. What will life be like then? And how can we hope to afford it? So it’s really important for us to understand... → Read More
Travel insurance review: Is MSIG travel insurance worth it?, Lifestyle News
MSIG travel insurance is one of the most popular brands in Singapore and is second only to NTUC (impressive!). That’s probably because MSIG used to be the provider of DBS travel insurance. DBS might have since changed their provider to Chubb, but that doesn’t mean that MSIG travel insurance isn’t solid. Let’s have a look at whether MSIG TravelEasy is... → Read More