Your Life, Your Money.
Your Life, Your Money.
Tips, tricks and uncommon wisdom to help you get more out of your money.
My cousin had a credit card when she was 18. Today, as a successful 35 year old businesswoman, I bet she’s half done paying it off. That’s why I’m suspicious about students with credit cards. Granted, I wouldn’t trust an 18 year old with a Chia pet, let alone my bank account. But quite a few people suggest I’m wrong. As it turns out, there are some benefits:
When it comes to borrowing money, we’re spoiled for choice. Don’t believe me? Look around Peninsula Plaza or Peace Centre. If one Greek politician took a 10 minute walk there, the Eurozone issues would be half over. And don’t even get me started on our pawn shops; they’re spreading faster than a 13 year old’s eczema. But with all these credit sources, how do you pick the right one?
These days, there are only two ways to get cheap groceries. The first is is with an optimized credit card. The second involves screaming “I thought it was a free sample“, and then sucking in sharp breaths of air till the overweight security guard gets off you. And if you’re like me, you prefer to keep life unexciting in some regards. So here’s the aforementioned optimized cards:
Oh look, it’s the weekend. Woot! “Uh, Ryan, it’s Thursday.” Close enough. “You said that on Monday“. Yeah well, alcohol has an interesting effect on things like time. But I gather it’s not a party every night for some of you, what with the cost of drinks. Well let me tell you: Kissing the bar room floor in a daze isn’t a privilege, it’s a basic human right. And this article will explain why some of us can afford drinks better:
Surviving the first year of your start-up is easy. That’s assuming you don’t need things like “food”, “shelter”, or “free time”. See, most of humanity just isn’t designed to run start-ups. When it comes to making a living, nature designed us to communally hunt mammoths, not to spend 19 hours a day in front of a laptop. And frankly, the former would be easier. But if you have to be your own boss anyway, try these:
The party hasn’t started till I get there, people. “And when will that be?” Oh, usually about a half hour before the riot squad. Remember: When partying, anything worth doing is worth overdoing. Just like hedge fund management. Be sure you’ve got the right credit cards though, so the rewards will compensate for the wallet damage. Check out these top three cards for the socially (hyper)active:
Yes, I’m a scrooge who budgets on long weekends. I know I’ll end up needing the money see? (Way I party, I’ll need another holiday to recover from the holidays). Unfortunately it’s December, so tourism prices are going up like a house on fire. Just use these methods though, you’ll shrink those expenses:
I fly for free all the time. It usually involves a nylon cord, and curt advice not to let go. But if you want survival odds better than 17%, you might have to buy actual plane tickets. Good luck; the price is usually (the maximum you can afford) + 20%. What’s that? I’m wrong? Then I guess PEANUTS ORDINARILY COST $200 A PACK. It’s all a rip-off. Don’t fall for it, and use these tactics instead:
You shouldn’t have credit card debt. If you pay in full every month, like you’re supposed to, this is a boat you’ll never board. But maybe you were forced by a real emergency (e.g. medical crisis, burst pipes, Wii-U early release). In which case, you’re in the unenviable position of paying a high-interest debt. And credit card debt grows faster than unemployment rates after the National Tattoo Convention, so you better have a good plan to pay it down fast:
I’m not talking about extra points, or 0% interest, or piddly crap like that. I’m talking about rewards that make it worth immediately sending an application. Banks budget for give-aways all year round; but only one or two such promos are big ones. But with over a dozen banks in Singapore, there’s should be one going on right now. Try to get these sign-up rewards as and when you see them:
