The Singaporean Overseas Crapbox 3
-
Originally posted by vito_corleone:
open a college student account if u dont mind the ''student'' label, no charges, no need for ssn(at least here in CA) and CGT only charges 10 bucks per transaction regardless the amt(depends on daily transfer cap i think its 10k)
ya...but they'd require a valid student visa to open such an account... -
Originally posted by jojobeach:
Nobody likes the DMVs.
DMV is infamous for being that clueless, inefficient, and messed up. LOL !!
After you are done getting your driver's license, you'd be better off joining AAA.
my spouse is already on AAA...so i suppose he can just add me when i'm ready. -
Originally posted by lostintransition:
the thing is...why do they allow people to withdraw more than what's in their bank accounts?? i thot you can only charge a debit card for as much as what you've got in your account...not more?!! anyway...the bank VP told us that that's how the banks make money!!!??? but we were lucky she agreed to waive the charges...The banks make money from people who don't properly manage their finances.
Why do you think banks in USA offer higher interest returns than Singapore ? LOL !!
Using microsoft money is a good start.
-
Originally posted by jojobeach:
The banks make money from people who don't properly manage their finances.
Why do you think banks in USA offer higher interest returns than Singapore ? LOL !!
Using microsoft money is a good start.
there are just too many stuffs out there calling out to us to open our wallets....it really takes a lot of discipline not to buy everything that catches our eyes.i find the cost of living in my area is kinda high....particularly for food and medical insurance. think my spouse's single income is just barely enough to cover all our expenses...and we really can't afford to eat out alot. not sure whether we can save much...and i'd really hate to dip into our savings back home.
although we singaporeans might have some not so desirable habits...i must say we are reasonably good at managing our finances (at least most singaporeans are)...and we will still try to save for the rainy days no matter how little we earn. some people might think we are "cheapo"...but at least we are not spending money that we don't even have.
i just found a great place to shop today. it's called Ocean State Job Lot. lots of stuffs going at quite low prices...if you aren't too fussy about brands/looks.
for those of you who have been overseas for awhile and most likely not returning to S'pore...have you withdrew your CPF monies?
-
Originally posted by lostintransition:
there are just too many stuffs out there calling out to us to open our wallets....it really takes a lot of discipline not to buy everything that catches our eyes.i find the cost of living in my area is kinda high....particularly for food and medical insurance. think my spouse's single income is just barely enough to cover all our expenses...and we really can't afford to eat out alot. not sure whether we can save much...and i'd really hate to dip into our savings back home.
although we singaporeans might have some not so desirable habits...i must say we are reasonably good at managing our finances (at least most singaporeans are)...and we will still try to save for the rainy days no matter how little we earn. some people might think we are "cheapo"...but at least we are not spending money that we don't even have.
i just found a great place to shop today. it's called Ocean State Job Lot. lots of stuffs going at quite low prices...if you aren't too fussy about brands/looks.
for those of you who have been overseas for awhile and most likely not returning to S'pore...have you withdrew your CPF monies?
i am sure eventually you would find out where are the good deals...keep those coupons...they help.
-
Originally posted by lostintransition:
there are just too many stuffs out there calling out to us to open our wallets....it really takes a lot of discipline not to buy everything that catches our eyes.i find the cost of living in my area is kinda high....particularly for food and medical insurance. think my spouse's single income is just barely enough to cover all our expenses...and we really can't afford to eat out alot. not sure whether we can save much...and i'd really hate to dip into our savings back home.
although we singaporeans might have some not so desirable habits...i must say we are reasonably good at managing our finances (at least most singaporeans are)...and we will still try to save for the rainy days no matter how little we earn. some people might think we are "cheapo"...but at least we are not spending money that we don't even have.
i just found a great place to shop today. it's called Ocean State Job Lot. lots of stuffs going at quite low prices...if you aren't too fussy about brands/looks.
for those of you who have been overseas for awhile and most likely not returning to S'pore...have you withdrew your CPF monies?
In addtition to using discount coupons as Arapahoe has suggested, you'll find that you can save a boatload of money by buying online. Internet retailers usually offer a much wider selection of merchandise at lower prices vis-a-vis "brick and mortar" stores. In addition, in many states, mail-order/internet purchases are exempt from sales taxes.
As for my CPF funds, I never worked in Singapore as I came stateside right after my NS, so the amount in there comprises whatever paltry sum the SAF contributed during my stint in the army, plus the various election bribes doled out by the PAPpies through the years. I can't withdraw my CPF funds as I haven't gotten round yet to renouncing my Singapore citizenship in the wake of my fairly recent naturalization as a US citizen.
-
You next big saver is Thanks Giving Sales....So if you still have big items to buy hold it till Thanks Giving strategic sales.
Its a lot of planning and reckee work before you made the attack...
-
Originally posted by Meia Gisborn:
In addition, in many states, mail-order/internet purchases are exempt from sales taxes.
thanks for the suggestion. actually..i've already started shopping online 'cos there are some online places that are offering very good deals. however, i noticed that i'm always charged the sales tax 'cos apparently, they need to for MA =( -
for kakis in the US 'cos distributor boh ship to canada liao lah. si gui:
-
Originally posted by littlestream:
for kakis in the US 'cos distributor boh ship to canada liao lah. si gui:
OMG...thanks so much for this!!i was looking high and low for brahim sauces......
-
Holy crap! There's snow on the ground.
It's still too early in the season for this nonsense...
-
Originally posted by Meia Gisborn:
Holy crap! There's snow on the ground.
It's still too early in the season for this nonsense...
would you want to open a new thread.
-
Originally posted by Arapahoe:
would you want to open a new thread.
-
counting down to the hols season. mood is merry in the office. and work is quiet too. perhaps i can now really squeeze a vegas trip? one that i have been talking about since like years ago? lol
-
If you decide to go, I'll try and see you there? I've always wanted to see Vegas, how over the top it is.
Hope the weather is treating you fine. I truly dislike winter. My house is poorly insulated no thanks to lousy 1970s insulation or lack thereof. I can't wait to move outta here. The irritating neighbours are getting to me. You know the beer swilling, loud, trash talking types.
My realtor tells us we are almost at the end of the short sale process. It's been 4 months or more, I've lost track, stopped holding my breath a long time back. All we can do now is just browse Lowe's and HD to see what they have. There's much to get done since the current owner hasn't upgraded anything since 1976. Sheesh.
-
oh, sorry to read that, jetta. i didn't know it needed so much work. but i tot u bought it new? well, the homes here are well insulated. the regulations here are pretty strict given we have harsh winters (some years). my home is usually set at 22 dec c so it is very comfortable.
the househunting not good eh? winter is usually a slow period? anyways, keep warm, k?
yah, it will be great to meet up in vegas. i still have over a week of vacation time from 2009. ;-)
-
Originally posted by littlestream:
counting down to the hols season. mood is merry in the office. and work is quiet too. perhaps i can now really squeeze a vegas trip? one that i have been talking about since like years ago? lol
I'll be in Vegas 12/24 through 12/31. Any chance of meeting up there?
-
Originally posted by jetta:
My realtor tells us we are almost at the end of the short sale process. It's been 4 months or more, I've lost track, stopped holding my breath a long time back. All we can do now is just browse Lowe's and HD to see what they have. There's much to get done since the current owner hasn't upgraded anything since 1976. Sheesh.
that's a really long wait...hope it'll materialise for you real soon. it'd be your big x'mas present! =) then you can start oiling/sharpening all your power tools. when it's all over...please do share your short sale experience with me. i'm still interested in buying a place.
-
Originally posted by Meia Gisborn:
I'll be in Vegas 12/24 through 12/31. Any chance of meeting up there?
u r flying there? Going to visit the Grand canyon sky walk??? -
Originally posted by littlestream:
oh, sorry to read that, jetta. i didn't know it needed so much work. but i tot u bought it new? well, the homes here are well insulated. the regulations here are pretty strict given we have harsh winters (some years). my home is usually set at 22 dec c so it is very comfortable.
the househunting not good eh? winter is usually a slow period? anyways, keep warm, k?
yah, it will be great to meet up in vegas. i still have over a week of vacation time from 2009. ;-)
Buy new? If only I can get a hold of my CPF stash. Haiz. The house I'm buying was built in 1974. So you know how it goes - panelling (yuck), shag carpeting (yuck), etc, etc. There will be much to do but how I'll relish that!
How high is your power bill? I only turn on my heat when we need it, which is maybe 4 times a month and only a couple of hours each time? At least one of us is toasty. lol
These are strange and unusual times so the property market is red hot. Nothing stays on the market for long. I hope I'll like being a realtor.
As for Vegas, it's tempting. I didn't realise that it's a short 5 hour drive away.
-
Originally posted by lostintransition:
that's a really long wait...hope it'll materialise for you real soon. it'd be your big x'mas present! =) then you can start oiling/sharpening all your power tools. when it's all over...please do share your short sale experience with me. i'm still interested in buying a place.
6 months is nothing. My realtor says she has one client who's been waiting 16 months and counting! She says BofA is notoriously slow at processing short sales.
I can tell that you're salivating, wanting to buy a place.
Patience, my dear, patience. You've only been here a short while and jmho, each time we move to a new locale, it takes us about 3 years to get to know our surroundings, etc. Truthfully, I wish we had waited to buy the house we currently own. Knowing what I know now, I certainly would not have bought this place, in this neighbourhood. Live and learn expensively, right? -
Originally posted by Meia Gisborn:
I'll be in Vegas 12/24 through 12/31. Any chance of meeting up there?I wish. We're going to Big Bear. What takes to you Vegas?
-
Originally posted by Arapahoe:
u r flying there? Going to visit the Grand canyon sky walk???Yup. Got a good deal on a ticket there, so I could not pass it up.
An office colleague visited the Skywalk earlier this summer and showed me pictures of it. The view is undoubtedly spectacular, but the Indian reservation that runs the attraction wants an arm and a leg in admission fees. No thanks.
-
Originally posted by jetta:
I wish. We're going to Big Bear. What takes to you Vegas?
Cheap air ticket plus my former college roommate's parents have retired there and have a house on the outskirts. He'll be there Christmas through New Year's and invited me.
The last time I was in Vegas was in '78.
-
Originally posted by Meia Gisborn:
Cheap air ticket plus my former college roommate's parents have retired there and have a house on the outskirts. He'll be there Christmas through New Year's and invited me.
The last time I was in Vegas was in '78.
At least you'll be warm for a short while? Sounds like you're going to have fun. Have a merry one while there.