Latest news with #AskSingapore
Independent Singapore
23-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Man in his late 20s feels insecure about having less than S$10k in savings
SINGAPORE: A working adult in his late 20s recently opened up online about feeling insecure over having less than S$10,000 in savings. Posting on Reddit's 'Ask Singapore' forum on Tuesday (July 22), the man shared that he often feels left behind when his friends or colleagues talk casually about their investments and how much they've managed to save. Compared to them, he admitted, his progress feels painfully slow. 'It makes me question if I am saving enough,' he wrote. 'When I unintentionally mentioned I have less than S$10k in savings, one of my colleagues seemed shocked, but I have started from zero due to my family background (S$0 savings), which gave me no extra money to save at all since I was little.' He also mentioned that during the first few months of his job, every cent of his salary 'only went into necessities.' Now, although he earns enough to survive more comfortably, he finds himself torn. 'Part of me wanted to be frugal and save everything, but another part of me wanted to enjoy the hard-earned money, as I had hardly ever spent on myself since I was young. However, that would mean my savings journey would be slowed.' 'Keep disciplined and save over time; you'll be ok.' His post struck a chord with many others who also started out with little or no financial support. Some users encouraged him not to compare himself to others, pointing out that everyone's financial journey looks different. One commenter shared, 'Everyone has a different starting point. I'm closing in on 40, and I've only hit S$50k in assets, while peers my age have a house or travel frequently.' Another advised him to stay consistent and patient, writing, 'Keep disciplined and save over time; you'll be ok. It's a marathon, not a race. I know friends who are blessed with hundreds of thousands by parents, but can burn it down even during their working years.' A third added that having little in your late 20s is far more common than people think. 'Not uncommon, honestly. I have had colleagues and acquaintances in their late 20s who also have little to their name—no insurance, hardly any savings, staying with parents, and money all going to travel, toys, and gadgets. Somehow these people are still surviving.' See also Nicholas Tse toured Wuhan sans mask How much should you have saved in your 20s? According to financial platform SingSaver, the median monthly salary in Singapore was about S$2,720 for those aged 20 to 24 in 2024 and S$4,260 for those aged 25 to 29. Assuming one follows the 50/30/20 budgeting rule as a guideline, a typical young adult could aim to save approximately S$544 to S$852 every month throughout their 20s. If a person starts saving consistently from age 22, they could accumulate close to S$20,000 by age 25. By 30, with steady salary growth and disciplined saving habits, this figure could rise to over S$50,000. Read also: 'I can't even get an interview': Fresh grad turns to Reddit after 4 months of job hunting Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
Independent Singapore
19-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘What are you busy with?': Employee 'irked' after boss mocks her for not doing work during annual leave
SINGAPORE: An employee was caught off guard when her boss asked, 'What are you busy with?' shortly after she returned to work from her annual leave — apparently because she had not completed the tasks he had sent her during her time off. In a post on Reddit's 'AskSingapore' forum on Friday (July 18), the employee shared that she had taken two days of approved annual leave, which had been signed off by her supervisors, including the boss in question. Despite this, she said she received a message from her boss on the first day of leave, asking her to look into suppliers for 'Item A, B, and C' via her work phone. 'I didn't respond as I wanted to disconnect from work,' she said. 'It's not something that I can sort within five minutes, researching requires time and minimally three hours in my case.' On the second day, her boss followed up again with a message that read, 'Please let me know, thanks.' She then responded, 'Allow me to follow up tomorrow,' making it clear that she would only be able to address the matter once she was back at work. However, the following morning, she was met with immediate pressure. 'Less than a minute after I arrived back at work the next morning, he asked if I had any updates yet. I replied that I was starting to look into it now, and he responded sarcastically, 'Wah, so busy ah? What are you busy with?' (gave a fake laugh,) which kinda irked me,' she explained. Hoping to set healthier boundaries between work and personal time, she turned to the community for advice on how to approach the situation. 'How can I respectfully and professionally bring up to my boss that I'd prefer to keep work matters separate on my off days, without sounding uncooperative or guilty?' She added, 'I'd also like to express that expecting immediate updates the moment I return doesn't feel very reasonable, especially when I haven't had a chance to properly settle back in.' 'Ignore that snarky comment.' In the comments, one Singaporean Redditor recommended that the employee simply switch off her work phone the next time she goes on leave. 'Just turn off your work phone when you're on leave and don't reply. Sometimes, before going on leave or in the handover doc, I'll put 'will have intermittent wifi and not bring work phone overseas. For anything urgent, please reach out to XX'. If your contract doesn't mandate you to be on call on your work phone, you don't need to reply.' Another Redditor suggested, 'I think you should always say you are travelling overseas and may not have internet connection, etc. If he texts you, then you reply slowly and say you are overseas now and will look into this when you are back from leave.' A third said, 'Either you don't respond to him at all, or just respond to him again the same, that you will follow up when you're back in office. Ignore that snarky comment. The more you respond, the more BS they will say.' They added that their own manager and colleague used to do something similar when they were new on the job. '[They] did something similar during my lunch break when I first started. But I kept my boundaries, and they didn't like it. But I just continue to do so. They finally get the idea that I won't do any work during my break time.' Are employees expected to respond to their bosses while on leave? This question has been raised before on HRSingapore's community forum, where several HR professionals shared their insights. The general consensus is that employees are not obligated to respond to work-related matters while on approved leave. One HR professional explained that unless the situation is truly urgent, companies should refrain from calling or messaging staff who are on break. If an employee chooses not to reply, they should not be held accountable or penalised, as they are entitled to fully disconnect during their time off. However, not everyone agreed that the lines are always so clear. Some HR professionals noted that expectations can vary depending on the circumstances. For example, if someone in senior management reaches out about something critical, it's generally expected that the employee at least acknowledges the message or offers help if they can. Read also: 34 yo mum shares she's starting over with just S$2k after husband allegedly took most of her money Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
Independent Singapore
18-07-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
‘He told me his wife is a relative': Woman says her 60 y/o coworker overshares and makes work awkward
SINGAPORE: One woman says her 60-year-old coworker has been turning the office into a very uncomfortable place, thanks to his complete lack of boundaries and oversharing habits. Sharing her experience on Reddit's 'AskSingapore' forum on Thursday (July 17), she said the man is far too enthusiastic for her liking and seems oblivious to what's appropriate in a professional setting. He has repeatedly asked her out for coffee during office hours, even though she has turned him down every single time. He also won't stop rambling about his personal life, including the rather unsettling detail that 'his wife is actually a relative.' 'Like why would I need to know that??' she said. To make things worse, he once asked her to drive him to Johor Bahru (JB) and regularly sends her meme stickers that have nothing to do with work. He has also asked personal questions like 'whether she has a boyfriend or how much she weighs.' At one point, he even mocked her for 'supposedly never having been kissed or hugged.' See also Ivy League dreams: A path to prestige and prosperity 'I never actually answered his invasive questions, and he just jumped to his own conclusions. All this happens when it's just the two of us in the office,' she wrote. 'Most of the time, I just listen and react politely, and now I'm questioning if my reactions gave him the impression that I enjoy these conversations. This does not feel normal or appropriate to me. I don't think our relationship needs to go beyond professional boundaries,' she added. To distance herself, she said she started acting colder toward him in hopes that he would get the hint. However, her coworker ended up confronting her and claimed that 'she was angry at him for no reason.' 'This is awkward and exhausting because the office is usually just the two of us while the others are out,' she said. She added that she has always tried to carry herself with decency. Even though she is still relatively new to the workforce, she believed that staying kind and keeping clear boundaries would be enough to stay out of trouble, but she did not expect that some people could be so 'shameless in ways that aren't always obvious.' 'I've been trying to find excuses to leave the office whenever I can. Luckily, I'll only be here for less than a month more,' she wrote. 'What he's doing is already considered inappropriate.' Under her post, one commenter said, 'Actually, I think this constitutes as harassment already…' Another commented, 'Why he wants you to bring him to JB??? Something is sus about this already… I think just say you have a bf even if you don't.. If he still doesn't stop talking like that, collect evidence and report to HR.' A third suggested, 'If he asks too personal questions, you can just say 'sorry I'm not comfortable answering that' and say you need to finish up some work or something. What he's doing is already considered inappropriate, but I guess it's a small company and there isn't any HR.' Dealing with workplace harassment According to the Ministry of Manpower, victims of workplace harassment are advised to maintain a safe distance from individuals exhibiting inappropriate behaviour and, where possible, adopt a buddy system for safety. If the victim is often alone with the harasser, they should report the matter to a supervisor, manager, human resources, or a designated neutral party within the organisation so that appropriate action can be taken. Victims may also contact the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) for guidance or lodge a police report if necessary. Read also: Tourist says foreigners often get 'pushed around' in Singapore, asks locals, 'Is this common?' Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
Independent Singapore
15-07-2025
- Independent Singapore
Foreigner asks, 'Do you ever feel like Singapore is... a bit dull?'
SINGAPORE: On Monday (Jul 14), a foreigner who previously lived in Singapore took to Reddit to ask locals whether they ever find life in the city-state a 'bit dull.' In a post on Reddit's 'Ask Singapore' forum, the foreigner praised the country for its many strengths, including safety, efficiency, modern infrastructure, and strong governance. Calling it an 'incredibly well-run place,' he said there is much to respect and admire. However, he couldn't help but wonder if something deeper might be missing beneath the surface. 'It's hard to put a finger on it. Everything works, but somehow it feels like life happens within boundaries. Do you ever feel like something's missing?' he asked. He also mentioned that while everything in Singapore works well on a practical level, his time here sometimes felt overly structured or restrained. Conversations, he felt, were often polite but 'guarded.' Social outings tended to feel carefully 'curated rather than spontaneous.' Even Singapore's vibrant arts and culture scene, he noted, occasionally came across as something being presented for show, rather than organically lived and breathed. See also Najib not fleeing to Thailand says Malaysian Immigration chief 'I'm not trying to bash Singapore at all. I'm just curious how locals experience this,' he said. 'Do you feel a sense of emotional or creative flatness sometimes? Or is that just an outsider's perspective not getting under the surface? Genuinely keen to hear what Singaporeans think — especially those who've travelled or lived overseas. Is this something you feel? Or is it just romanticising 'messier' cities?' he added. 'I like it safe, boring, dull, and predictable.' His post quickly gained traction, with many Reddit users chiming in to share their two cents on the matter. One user admitted that while Singapore might not always feel thrilling, the sense of safety, stability, and peace of mind it offers is something they've grown to deeply value over time. They said, 'Yes. It IS dull, BUT it's also safe, stable, and reliable. I took a lot of that for granted when I was younger, but as I got older and travelled, I appreciate the safety and efficiency of SG more and more.' See also More fire safety equipment found padlocked at Tampines GRC They also pointed out a practical benefit of the country's small size. 'In a weird way, I also enjoy the size because it means anyone I wanna meet up with here is never more than an hour or so away.' Another commenter shared a similar view, stating, 'For me, I like it safe, boring, dull, and predictable. Especially as a woman, I treasure that I can go out at 3 a.m. alone, and I will be fine, whereas women in other countries fear leaving their homes alone after a certain time. I don't need that type of excitement in my life.' A third user shared, 'Not just Singapore. I feel the world is a bit more.. dull. When I backpacked in 2000, young people and foreigners were curious and friendly.' 'When I backpacked in 2015, I found more people were guarded and would use phones even in hostels, which were places for interactions. People have gone from curiosity to just.. fearful? The other was in the past — unique. Now the other is just a variation and annoyance.' See also 'Goodbye Coconuts' — News site bids farewell as it ends operations In other news, a Singaporean man who recently became a multimillionaire after years of investing and working in the government sector took to social media to ask what he should do now that he's achieved financial freedom. Posting on the r/singaporefi subreddit on Friday (Jul 11), the man shared that he had spent the last decade in the public sector earning about S$130,000 annually, while also building a solid investment portfolio that has delivered average returns of 15% per year. Read more: Singaporean man hits multimillionaire status after years of saving and investing, asks what's next Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Independent Singapore
19-06-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
‘Why do people in SG still look down on certain jobs?' man asks in viral post
SINGAPORE: A Singaporean man recently went on social media to ask why some jobs are still looked down on, especially those outside the conventional white-collar path. In a post on r/askSingapore, he shared his thoughts and asked if it's common for people, like family members or future in-laws, to see jobs such as 'Grab drivers, van drivers, or delivery riders' as less respectable. He also wondered why there's often an assumption that people in these roles 'lack ambition' or are struggling financially. He explained that in Singapore, many people seem stuck on a fixed idea of success, which usually involves getting a degree, working a 9-to-5 job, and applying for a BTO flat. But he questioned if it's really such a bad thing to want a 'slower-paced' life, or to pick a job based on how it makes you feel instead of trying to fit into society's expectations. He also pointed out that this kind of judgment isn't just limited to drivers. It extends to retail assistants, restaurant workers, and anyone in jobs that don't come with a clear title or career progression. He ended the post by wondering if this way of thinking is just something he's noticed in his own circle, or if it's a more common mindset across Singapore. 'We have had an irreversible brain drain since the 1980s.' In the discussion thread, many Singaporeans chimed in with their own experiences and views. Some agreed that there's still a strong bias towards white-collar jobs, and shared how they or people they knew had faced judgment for working in roles seen as 'less prestigious.' One wrote, 'As a cleaner, I experienced this firsthand, but what I cannot believe is the disrespect displayed to the elderly.' Another commented, 'Personally, I think society does do that to the drivers. I met a parent during a social gathering, and I made a comment about how I'm the Grab driver of the family, but somehow it came off wrong and was interpreted as 'I'm a Grab driver'. The change on the parent's face was so fast and sudden. I can definitely start to see some nostrils, even though I'm not short. 'I just thought to myself, heck it. Don't need to clarify to such snobbish people. Let them think I'm a Grab driver. It's a decent and legit job, no need to be snobbish because they got lucky in the lottery of life. So yeah, society does view drivers as such. It's such a shame, really.' Others felt that the stigma often comes from older generations or more traditional families who equate success with academic qualifications and corporate careers. One shared, 'In Japan, if one encounters a master craftsman for decades, everyone respects him for his expertise. Here in Singapore, if a parent encounters a craftsman with similar experience, they will point him out to the kid and say, 'Don't be like him…' We have had an irreversible brain drain since the 1980s of technical experts, thanks to this dumb thinking.' There were also users who said they actually admire people who don't follow the usual 9-to-5 routine. For them, choosing a different path takes courage, especially in a society that often prizes conformity over individuality. One user explained, 'I admire them. It's another level of grit and determination, considering the monetary benefits don't often line up with the toll it takes on the person.' 'It's unfortunate that the people surrounding you, or anyone for that matter, would be so bankrupt in their soul to have to measure people based on their kind of vocation.' In other news, a local man who visited Lazarus Beach over the weekend said he was 'dismayed' by the state of the area after large groups of migrant workers gathered there to unwind on their day off. Posting on the r/askSingapore subreddit on Monday (June 16), the man shared that he was initially happy to see many foreign domestic workers and labourers enjoying themselves by the sea. However, his sentiments changed when he saw the condition the beach was left in. According to his post, snack wrappers and beer cans were scattered across the sand, with some even floating in the water. He also noted that public sinks were being used as 'makeshift showers,' while toilet floors, which were clean earlier in the day, had become slippery and grimy. Read more: 'Why is this allowed to happen, and why is there no enforcement?' — Singaporean dismayed by the state of Lazarus Beach after migrant workers' day-off gathering Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
