Five years ago, I chose to undertake a HDB loan. Every $5-6k I got, I pumped it as partial capital repayment to reduce this debt. I know that the conventional view is that housing loans are good debts, but it's gonna be a huge load off my shoulders when I finish clearing my housing loan next year (before the 5-year mark). Good luck!

No, I don't. However, I do hope that my children can largely pay for their tertiary education. I think you tend to value stuff more that you have paid for - not sure if this is a popular view since people are pumping money into their children's educational funds left, right and centre, heh

$1k to build the baby's CDA, another $1k towards my CIMB account, the rest is in the savings account as I source for an apt gift for the wifey (probably a massage package because she has sore shoulders from having to carry the baby always) (becos as they say, Happy Wife, Happy Life :) )

It so happened that I opened up an ICBC saving accounts today because once I save up to $500, I can transfer this sum into a fixed deposit for three months, which will yield me 1.4% interest per annum. Seems like a fuss-free way to grow money if you don't have a lot to start with, heh. And yes, I have a CIMB account too.

Thanks for asking! 3 main goals: 1) Set up routine to regularly top-up baby's CDA account as well as joint account with wife 2) Regularly maintain a FB Page and see whether that can turn into a viable side hustle in future. If it doesn't take off, then I see it as a way of documenting & sharing my passion about Japan 3) START Investing! I only have fixed deposits and SSBs. High time to spice it up, lol Let me check this post one year from now to see if I succeed. Heh.

Hi there! I read through all 17 responses, so my own response will be my humble attempt to fill in the gaps and offer you actionable steps that you can take to prepare yourself based on my personal experiences. Background: I'm into my 6th job. To-Do List 1. Typically, the first question is "Tell me about yourself". Prepare a self-introduction and keep it to one minute. 2. Scrutinise your resume first and put yourself in the interviewers' shoes. What will strike them as interesting? What points of clarification do you think they will require? For instance, I was asked to explain "why dual degrees in four years". Prepare answers to those questions. 3. After going for so many interviews, I realised that many interviewers often didn't ask me much about my previous jobs. They were all about ascertaining whether I would be a good fit (exact words from two of my interviewers) for their organisation. So don't stress yourself out about whether you are adequately qualified for the job. 4. Having said that, do prepare some stories of your college life/co-curricular pursuits/internships. Use the story to show that you know how to leverage your past experiences and adapt yourself to suit the differing environment of the company you are interviewing for. For instance, I was asked how my overseas Youth Expedition Project in Vietnam would help me engage Japanese kids. (I was applying for a job with the Japan Exchange Teaching programme.) 5. Relax. Smile. Make them laugh. Humour is a powerful tool. 6. Towards the end of the interview, some employers may want to know you on a personal level. Expect questions like "tell me what you do for fun" and "what rocks your boat?" 7. Based on your research of the company, prepare 1-2 questions to ask the interviewers in return. This exhibits your interest in their company. Lucky 7! Good luck and have fun.

Since MBTI profiling is in vogue, does our MBTI personality shape our investment appetite in any way, and if so, how?

Travel. just kidding. No travel, no life. personally, I don’t mind giving up my me time to earn some spare cash. I’m not so particular about whether these side gigs would boost my competencies to the extent that I could get better-paying jobs in future, but these gigs must offer me another dimension of satisfaction other than my main job. For instance, I worked as a travel promoter at NATAS Fair before and earned a non-lucrative, albeit decent, sum of $60 for four hours of work.

Hi there. I applaud you for having the courage to come to terms with your financial situation. i think such courage will help you do whatever it takes to get out of your situation. some ideas i have: 1) is it possible for you to cut back on your allowance to your parents from time to time? now that i am a father, i give my father $100 less on certain moments. if your parents could allow you to cut back for even $50, i think it will boost your morale if you channel that $50 directly towards repayment 2) there is a FB group that advertises part-time work. is it possible for you or your wife to take on some assignments during the weekends? https://www.facebook.com/groups/1687096224851730/?fref=nf 3) is there anything your wife could do to alleviate the pressure on grocery spending? for instance, i spend time doing surveys on this app called milieu. erm, because of my auntie tendencies, i also do surveys for Rakuten Insight Surveys. admittedly, it's slow going before i can gain enough points to redeem supermarket vouchers, but again, it boosts my morale when i use NTUC vouchers to pay for my groceries 4) track your expenses for 3 months using the Seedly app and see where you can cut your expenses. perhaps lower the pocket money you give to your children? David Morgan already suggested to bring your own lunchbox to work. my wife cooks the entire afternoon on Sunday, so i bring my bento to work every Monday to Thursday. every little bit helps stay strong and never give up!

As a teacher myself, i know how hard it is to "give up" on students, especially those with whom you have built rapport and strong connections. can i just say that children are often more resilient than what we give them credit for? i know of students who are coping admirably with fissures in their parents' relationship. they will survive without you, if you don't mind me putting it bluntly just because you're parting ways with them now doesn't mean that your paths won't cross in future. Singapore is so small, lol. i taught a student for a month when she was in Sec 2. after she graduated from sec sch, she went to the same poly i was lecturing at. although i didn't teach her personally, she came to me for help with her assignments, hahaha. this is gonna sound philosophical, but fate plays a part in determining the depth of our relationships with certain individuals also, why not think of this scholarship as a chance to hone your skills so that you sharpen your saw and can impact your future students more effectively ? think of all the competencies and enhanced knowledge you can leverage to excite and enthuse them! all the best!