Latest news with #STHeadstart
Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
ST Headstart: Having a savings plan for big expenses
Welcome to the latest edition of ST Headstart, bringing you the best of The Straits Times' career, personal finance and lifestyle coverage every Tuesday noon. Sign up here to get weekly tips right into your inbox. 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!
Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
ST Headstart: Staying relevant at work at any age
Welcome to the latest edition of ST Headstart, bringing you the best of The Straits Times' career, personal finance and lifestyle coverage every Tuesday noon. Sign up here to get weekly tips right into your inbox. While mastering our current jobs may seem good enough, jobs change and the world of work is always evolving. In some cases, we may even have to consider entirely new jobs and upskill accordingly. On this week's Headstart On Record podcast, we explore how career coaching can help you to proactively plan your next steps and ensure your skills remain sharp and relevant in a dynamic job market. If you're a fresh graduate struggling with the job hunt, you're not alone. Fresh grads here are facing a more challenging employment landscape due to factors like artificial intelligence and the trade war. Journalist Megan Wee shares the stories of recent grads navigating these challenges. What are some other topics you'd like us to cover? Send us your thoughts at headstart@
Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
ST Headstart: Using GenAI in job applications: Smart or unfair?
Welcome to the latest edition of ST Headstart, bringing you the best of The Straits Times' career, personal finance and lifestyle coverage every Tuesday noon. Sign up here to get weekly tips right into your inbox. Hi! Should you use GenAI when applying for jobs? Some applicants said that they have been banned from using the tool during tests, while others were praised for their creative use of GenAI. So, is it considered foul play or fair use? Megan Wee digs deeper into using GenAI with caution and integrity. What are your thoughts on using GenAI at work? Let us know at headstart@ This week, we also have stories for you on why the logistics sector is heating up among young workers, and how some have overcome personal hardships to pursue their dreams. Meanwhile, hidden gems these days are losing their lustre as people publicise every holiday purchase, attraction and experience on social media, says lifestyle writer Amanda Chai. Is gatekeeping acceptable or is it always 'good things must share'? Stay happy, stay hydrated!
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Straits Times
ST Headstart: Building your dream home on a budget
Welcome to the latest edition of ST Headstart, bringing you the best of The Straits Times' career, personal finance and lifestyle coverage every Tuesday noon. Sign up here to get weekly tips right into your inbox. Hi! Buying a new home is a huge financial outlay, and with it also come renovation costs. But there are ways to save without compromising your aesthetic ambitions. ST's Sharon Salim, who recently built her dream home, shares tips on what she would have done differently in order to reap more savings. Do you have home renovation questions? Let us know at headstart@ Meanwhile, some young Singaporeans are living the dream - generating five-figures in sales with just three hours' work - by being TikTok live stream stars. They let us in on some of their secrets. One more thing - come share your ideas and questions with our editors at a Conversations with ST event for young professionals on May 27. There'll be free dinner too! Get the details here. Stay hydrated!
Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
ST Headstart: Does your vote really count?
Welcome to the latest edition of ST Headstart, bringing you the best of The Straits Times' career, personal finance and lifestyle coverage every Tuesday noon. Sign up here to get weekly tips right into your inbox. It's the last few days of campaigning before Polling Day on May 3, and if you're still on the fence about whether or not to attend a rally, watch this video on why it may be worth your while to do so. Also, here's a round-up of where to get some grub in five of the hottest constituencies, should you be heading to a rally there. On the jobs front, Singapore's unemployment rose slightly in the first quarter of the year, and wage growth could weaken as global trade tensions weigh on business sentiment. Meanwhile, meet the 25-year-old whose mala business is projected to turn over $20 million this year. Just five ago, he was cooking beehoon at his hostel canteen stall. Have a great week ahead, and see you on the other side of GE2025.
