ST Headstart: Having a savings plan for big expenses
Big expenses like a house, renovations or even a dream vacation may sometimes feel out of reach. But these goals can be more achievable with a clear savings plan, as my colleague Rosalind finds. In her latest Young & Savvy column, she advises being less impulsive with purchases, and explains why doing so does not mean completely cutting back on things that bring you joy.
For cash-strapped first-jobbers, managing finances can be a challenge, and making every dollar count is essential. When you're just starting out and looking to buy insurance, what types should you prioritise? In this Headstart on Record episode, I explore the different types of insurance products and share tips on how to turn away those pushy insurance agents, and help you make informed choices about your coverage.
Speaking of being cash-strapped, Crazy Rich Asians actor Henry Golding did not always have a multi-million dollar net worth. In this interview, he tells me about how he went from teenage barbershop assistant to walking red carpets at Hollywood premieres.
Finally, find out what goes on in a day of the life of a private investigator in Singapore.
Stay hydrated!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Who will do my job while I'm learning? S'pore workers want more tech training
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The demand is there with 77 per cent of those polled wanting to receive formal learning for new workplace technology to stay current. Employers can enable workers with user-friendly tools and environment to experiment SINGAPORE – A lack of compensation and time off are the main reasons workers here avoid tech training , a new survey has found. The demand is there with 77 per cent of those polled wanting to receive formal learning for new workplace technology to stay current, work more efficiently and to advance their careers. Workers say the best support would be user-friendly tools, structured training and safe environments for practice. The insights came from the survey of 1,500 local employees conducted in May by job portal Indeed and The Straits Times. It found that just 2 per cent prefer to skip formal courses, citing poor training quality, a preference for on-the-job learning, or an aversion to tech . The top complaint about people not being compensated for tech training come up often, said Indeed's senior economist for Asia-Pacific, Mr Callam Pickering. 'The question of who steps in while someone is away learning is a real and valid one, especially in lean teams or fast-paced environments,' he added. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Live: Thai-Cambodia border clash Asia At least 2 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh Business New tie-up offers insurance savings for SMEs committed to workers' health and well-being Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being Asia No credible proof of Jho Low's location or passport use, says Malaysian Home Minister Asia South Korea police raid offices of BTS' agency Hybe over share probe Mr Pickering suggested the solution lies in shared responsibility. Workers may need to take initiatives on their own time, especially for personal growth. That said, companies stand to gain more than productivity if they offer structured training during work hours. He added: 'When employees are supported in their growth, they tend to be more confident, productive, and loyal. In a competitive job market, this is a clear advantage for employers.' The survey showed that many workers expect little change to their daily digital work tools. Email and communication platforms such as Slack remain the most commonly used technologies, with employees expecting to rely on these staples for the next five years. Workers placed generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) such as ChatGPT in third place in anticipated usage, up from fifth now, suggesting that most do not believe these tools will revolutionise their jobs overnight. They also do not think AI agents – autonomous AI bots that can learn and perform office tasks without human supervision – would intrude much into their future workplace, ranking it seventh. Mr David Martin, global leader of people and organisation practice at Boston Consulting Group, said workers around the world often anticipate the use of AI tools, but underestimate their impact on workflows, roles and decision-making. The firm's global research shows that 70 per cent of workers use gen AI regularly, but only half expect fundamental changes to how their work is structured. Agentic AI, especially, shows up this perception gap, he said. Mr Martin cited the Indeed-ST survey and noted: 'The high levels of awareness in Singapore – with 44 per cent of workers expecting to use gen AI and 25 per cent agentic AI – place the country among more digitally mature markets globally.' The survey also upended common stereotypes about blue-collar workers, who comprised 20 per cent of respondents, a percentage that mirrors their make-up in Singapore's 3.7 million resident workforce. About 41 per cent of these workers – such as nurses, drivers and food service providers – worry about losing their jobs if they don't keep up with technology, higher than 38 per cent among their office-bound counterparts. About 72 per cent, not far below the 78 per cent among their office-bound peers, want more training for the digital tools they anticipate using. Mr Pickering said: 'It challenges the outdated perception that frontline roles are resistant to digital tools. In most cases, it's not a matter of reluctance but rather a lack of access or support.' Given uncomplicated tools and hands-on training, blue-collar workers are often quick adopters, he added, noting: 'By underestimating their readiness, we risk overlooking a significant pool of talent and missing opportunities to build more agile and inclusive teams.' Dr Sahara Sadik, deputy director of research at the Institute of Adult Learning Singapore, urges policy-makers to devote attention to reimagining jobs for this group of workers. She co-authored a new report with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), which warns that professional jobs in Singapore will increasingly be off-shored, so discussions on creating sustainable AI-augmented blue-collared jobs should be happening now. Technology could r edefine sales roles as customer scientists, gardeners as AI-assisted tree doctors, and zookeepers as zoology specialists, she said. Her co-author, Ms Tay Pei Chin, senior policy adviser for government innovation at the TBI, said current national initiatives are skewed towards upskilling and re-skilling, focusing on the changing demands on labour, but neglecting aspects of jobs. The pair said weaning Singapore off its reliance on global firms to provide good jobs is becoming more critical, as these companies may no longer deliver them at scale in the way they once did. Experts are beginning to notice organisations' AI adoption hitting walls put up by workers who fear being displaced or blamed for technology errors. But Mr Martin said these employees are also more likely to report better outcomes when supported by managers: 'This dual reality means that leadership communication, training, and transparency must scale with AI deployment.' The survey further highlights what makes technology adoption succeed. Mr Pickering added: 'Workers are more likely to embrace new tools when they are easy to use, come with clear documentation, and are paired with structured training, whether through workshops, tutorials, or hands-on sessions. 'Importantly, giving employees space to experiment in a low-pressure environment can go a long way.'
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Forum: A foreigner's tribute to Singapore
This reflection was inspired by a recent call in The Straits Times inviting young Singaporeans to imagine what the nation might look like in 2085. While I know I won't be around to witness Singapore at 120, there's a good chance my grandchildren will. In 2010, my husband was posted to Singapore. And I arrived as a trailing spouse from Mumbai with our young son unaware that this city-state would become more than just a stop along the way – it would become home. Fifteen years later, I am proud to celebrate SG60 – not just as a resident, but as someone deeply invested in this country's continued evolution. Singapore has given me far more than a place to live. It has given me purpose, growth, and a sense of community. My career brought me to Singapore Management University (SMU), where I completed my PhD and now serve in the Office of Executive Development. Through my role at SMU, I have the privilege of working with leaders across geographies, industries and sectors, including government officials from various nations. I've witnessed countless attendees moved by what Singapore has achieved. They are struck not just by the physical infrastructure, but by the deep discipline, professionalism and foresight that underpin it. For many, it is their first realisation that a small nation – bold in ambition – can truly defy the odds and set global benchmarks. In a world where labour disputes are common, Singapore's industrial peace also stands out. It reflects not suppression, but a culture of dialogue, shared interest, and mutual respect among employers, unions and Government. This model, rooted in trust and pragmatism, leaves a strong impression on our international guests, many of whom see it as a remarkable feat. As Singapore charts its course towards 120, I hope that citizens and residents alike recognise the immense privilege of being part of a nation that has, through unity and grit, carved a unique and indomitable presence on the world stage. Every time I return to Singapore from overseas, the familiar voice on Singapore Airlines welcoming the residents back home never fails to move me. Walking through automated immigration lanes, knowing I can get a reliable ride home, and that my home has remained safe in my absence – these are not small comforts. They are profound reminders of what Singapore has built. I hope that one day, my grandchildren will speak with fondness and pride of the time Grandma lived in Singapore. And that they'll know she was blessed to play a small role in flying the flag of this extraordinary nation through her work at SMU. Dr Flocy Joseph Senior Deputy Director, Singapore Management University
Independent Singapore
18 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Netizen questions if SPH Media staff celebrated for ‘keeping print alive' were also affected by layoffs
FB/SPHMediaLtd SINGAPORE: A netizen online has questioned whether SPH Media staff recently featured for 'keeping print alive' in the city-state were among those affected by fresh retrenchments announced by SPH Media on Tuesday evening (July 22). 'Not sure whether any of those staff being celebrated earlier on were retrenched by SPH,' the user wrote on r/singapore. Another commenter said, 'Ouch… Just one week apart… does not look good.' On Tuesday, SPH Media chief executive Chan Yeng Kit announced in an internal e-mail that 11 production workers would be laid off. The affected staff had been operating two of the company's six printing presses, as well as handling newspaper distribution duties, The Straits Times reported. The cuts follow the decommissioning of two 30-year-old Colorliner printing presses, which the company said had reached the end of their operational lifespan. These were made by Manroland Goss Web Systems and were first used in 1996. Printing operations are being shifted to the four remaining Commander presses from Koenig & Bauer, which were deployed in 2003. These newer machines can print up to 56 broadsheet colour pages and produce up to 72,000 copies per hour. An SPH Media spokeswoman told The Straits Times that the changes allow the company to 'maintain quality printing operations and improve process efficiency.' 'Regrettably, the changes have also resulted in redundancies across 11 job roles in SPH Media's production division,' she added. She also noted that the company explored redeployment opportunities but found no suitable placements for the affected workers. Just last week, The Straits Times featured several decades-long serving staff behind what's 'keeping print alive' in Singapore. The featured employees included 60-year-old Abdul Razak, who joined the pre-press team over three decades ago and now works as a senior pre-press specialist; 56-year-old production manager Sumithy Kamalakaran; 64-year-old senior production manager Phua Kia Wah; 63-year-old assistant production manager Suhaimi Hamzah; and 55-year-old printing line chief Low Kok Siong, among others. /TISG Read also: SPH Media lays off 34 tech staff after reportedly claiming 'no such exercise' days earlier—The Edge Singapore reports () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
