[Post 1116] This App Pays Filipinos To Collect Plastic Waste | Tech To Save The World | Philippines

Summary

Our urban cities face unique challenges in the climate crisis. This episode examines how innovative technologies can redefine sustainable solutions to issues faced by bustling metropolitan areas. Real examples of how blockchain technology is redefining the overwhelming plastics problem and waste management through a new gig economy in Manila. Plastic collectors become valued gig workers, elevating recycling efforts and reducing plastic pollution. 

In Singapore, AI-driven smart sensors are revolutionising legacy building cooling systems, optimising energy use and cutting down emissions.

[Post 1115] Shrinking Indonesian Middle Class: Why Are They Struggling? | Asia's Changing Middle Class | Insight

Summary

The growing middle class was once considered the engine of Indonesia’s leap to upper-middle income status. But 2024 revealed a startling statistic – the middle class in the world’s fourth most populous nation is shrinking, even as its economy grows at a healthy 5%. Compared to 2019’s numbers, over nine million Indonesians fell out of the middle class.

What lies behind this drop? Is it simply the long-tail effect of COVID-19, or have taxation, inflation and inequality changed what it means to be middle class in Indonesia? And with a new president at the helm, promising an 8% GDP growth, will the middle class be lifted by Prabowo's economic plans, or dragged down by them?

[Post 1114] Young Indonesian Singer Earns 6X More Than Minimum Wage By 'Busking' Online | Money Mind | Singer

Summary

A young musician follows his passion on the streets of Jakarta. And the result is music to the ears. 

[Post 1113] How To Use Your Climate Vouchers To Save More On Energy Bills | Money Mind | Bills

Summary

Tips on saving money on your energy bills using Singapore Climate Vouchers.

[Post 1112] Cooking With Foil: Is It Safe? We Test Lasagna, Salmon, & Others | Talking Point | Full Episode

Summary

Used for cooking, baking, marinating and storage, aluminium is a staple in our kitchens from home cooks to chefs alike. However, with concerns about metal leaching into our food, how safe is aluminium foil? 

Diana Ser answers your queries by finding out how much aluminium is actually leaching into our food, and whether that is dangerous for our bodies. 

[Post 1111] Looking For Dividend Yield In Singapore REITs? Sectors For Investors To Consider | Money Mind

Summary

Looking for dividend yield in Singapore REITs? Sectors for investors to consider.

[Post 1110] [ENG SUB] Why I changed my job at 40

Summary

"In my father's eyes, he thought I had everything right - a high degree, a good job, an excellent fiancé. But after he left, I realized that I was not happy."

She graduated from Stanford and worked in the financial industry, re-examined her life because of her father's death. At the age of 40, she completed a psychology course and became a psychological counselor.

[Post 1109] This passionate collector of vintage tribal rugs uses them to style her HDB flat in Singapore

Summary

Carolyn Fu fell in love with rugs after buying her first piece for her home. Since then, she has transformed her 4-room HDB flat in Singapore into a canvas for vintage tribal rugs, adorning every room with unique pieces that are at least 40 to 50 years old.

[Post 1108] Dignity In Death For Lonely Seniors Who Can't Afford Their Own Funerals | Extraordinary People

Summary

In 2012, Cheng Hong Welfare’s former chairperson Lim Chung Hang began to provide free funeral services to the needy, regardless of race and religion. Even after he has retired, he continues to care for his beneficiaries – despite being 85 years old himself.

[Post 1107] He Helps Elderly Hoarders Declutter, And Cares For Them For Life | Extraordinary People

Summary

When Steven was a financial advisor, out of the blue, he was approached by an elderly to help her declutter her home. 13 years on, he’s founded a charity called Helping Joy. His mission is to give lonely seniors clean homes to live in, for as long as they are alive. 

[Post 1106] China’s Middle Class Cuts Spending: Is Its Economy At Risk? | Asia's Changing Middle Class | Insight

Summary

With over 400 million, China’s middle class is larger than the population of the United States.This group is expected to drive consumption and economic growth. The Chinese middle class, however, have instead tightened their purse strings. Savings hover near record highs. In China, the luxury goods market saw a 20 percent drop in sales last year. It is the sharpest decline in 14 years and spending in this sector is expected to be muted in 2025.

As Chinese suppliers look to other markets to absorb their products, small businesses in Southeast Asia struggle to compete with deluge of low-priced Chinese exports. Spurring investment and consumption have been high on the government’s agenda, but a trade war with the US is escalating. What happens if the world’s largest middle class continues to scrimp and save?

[Post 623] Meet A Gen Z Electrician Working In A Hotel Staffed Fully By Women | Money Mind | Sri Lanka

Summary

Money Mind visits a workplace in Sri Lanka where the best man for the job is a woman. The Amba Yaalu Hotel in Kandalama is run by an all-woman team. And it's also helping to address one of the biggest problems facing young Sri Lankan women.

[Post 622] 5 Money-Losing Mistakes Young Investors Often Make (& How To Avoid Them) | Money Mind | Gen Z

Summary

5 investment mistakes that cost young adults thousands of dollars, and how to avoid them.

[Post 621] I Bought Abandoned Apartments For $50K – And Turned Them Into $220K/Year Short-Term Rentals

Summary

Sara McDaniel, a real estate investor and content creator, purchased an abandoned property with eight apartments in Minden, Louisiana in 2021. She paid about $50,000 for the property and spent about $730,000 on renovations. Today, the apartments are short-term rentals known as "The Villas at Spanish Court," bringing in around $220,000 in 2024.

Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.

[Post 620] I Moved To Paris After Going Bankrupt In The U.S. — I'm Much Happier Now

Summary

Jay Swanson, 39, faced mounting financial struggles that ultimately led him to declare bankruptcy in the U.S. Seeking a fresh start, he relocated to Paris, France, in 2017 - embracing a new chapter in his life.

This story is part of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which details how people around the world earn, spend and save their money.

[Post 619] How Hilton, Marriott and Others Are Using Timeshares to Make Billions | WSJ The Economics Of

Summary

The U.S. timeshare industry has consolidated behind a few major brands: Hilton Grand Vacations, Marriott Vacations Worldwide and Travel + Leisure. The industry has evolved significantly from its notoriously scammy origins, having much higher standards and using more flexible points-based systems. Executives say the bait-and-switch days are behind timeshares and have rebranded them as “vacation clubs,” offering a wide range of accommodations and experiences. But there are still issues and scams to look out for when getting into a timeshare. 

WSJ explores how timeshares became a $35.7 billion dollar industry, how they work and how issues still persist in the industry. 

[Post 618] ‘K-pop is my calling’: 15-year-old Singaporean moves to Korea to chase idol stardom

Summary

Instead of studying for the O-Level examinations like her Secondary 4 peers, 15-year-old Cassa Tan is now in South Korea as a K-pop pre-trainee, pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.

[Post 617] Inside the new Raffles Sentosa Singapore, a tranquil all-villa resort in nature

Summary

Nestled on Sentosa Island, the newly opened Raffles Sentosa Singapore is the city’s second Raffles property and its first all-villa resort. It features 62 villas, each with its own private pool and outdoor terrace. Surrounded by lush greenery, the resort offers a tranquil escape, with five diverse dining and bar concepts to explore.

[Post 616] This AI App Pays Locals To Conserve Mangroves In The Philippines | Tech To Save The World

Summary

We explore how cutting-edge technology can become a powerful ally to conserve our forests. In the Philippines, data collection is revolutionising how mangroves are preserved and the locals are getting involved and paid for their efforts.

Across the world in Germany, we discover how AI-powered 'digital noses' through 

[Post 615] How Did Thailand's Middle Class Get So Deep In Debt? | Asia's Changing Middle Class | Insight

Summary

Once touted as the engine of Asia's rapid growth, Asia's middle class is now facing growing pains. In Thailand, household debt is squeezing the middle class. The household-debt-to-GDP ratio peaked above 95% in 2021. It currently hovers around 90%, still among Asia's highest.

About 7 in 10 borrowers have limited ability to service their loans, as delinquency rates remain high. With Thailand's GDP growth already lagging its Southeast Asian counterparts, the central bank worries that the debt crisis will continue to drag on the economy. How did middle class Thais become so indebted? And will the recent government measures to ease the debt burden prove effective?

[Post 614] How This Malaysian Engineer Turned Barista Opened 1st Cafe In His Rural Hometown | Money Mind

Summary

Former engineer Mohd Ridzuan Zaini took a 40% pay cut to become a barista in his seaside hometown in Kelantan, Malaysia. Local coffee shops charge around RM3 for a cup of coffee. But Ridzuan's customers are willing to pay more than double that for his espresso. 

[Post 613] Our Lean, Green Indian Wedding: How We Cut Our Wedding Costs In Half | Money Mind

Summary

Indian weddings are often lavish affairs, with a price tag to match. But one couple in Mumbai decided to do things a little differently - and their lean, green approach paid off.

[Post 612]Will Gold Prices Keep Climbing After Hitting Record Highs In 2024? | Money Mind | Investment

Summary

Gold has hit fresh record highs in 2025, after rising around 27% in 2024. What's driving up the price, and is it too late for you to invest in gold?

[Post 611] We Bought An Old Schoolhouse For $175K And Made It Into A Home

Summary

Stacie Grissom, 36, and her husband Sean, 35, bought an 111-year-old schoolhouse in Franklin, Indiana and converted it into their home. They purchased it in August 2021 for $175,000, and it took three years to get the schoolhouse move-in ready.

Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.

[Post 610] I Retired At 39 And Live On $185K A Year In Dubai

Summary

Jamal Robinson, 40, retired early in 2024 after saving almost a $4 million nest egg. He held positions at companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Amazon. Today, Jamal lives as an American expat in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Here's how he spends his money.

This story is part of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which details how people around the world earn, spend and save their money.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed a video of Georgia to Dubai.

[Post 609] How high rent impacts hawker prices

Summary

Wei Renqing, a fish soup hawker, won the stall in Tiong Bahru with a record-breaking bid of $5,223 in 2021. In order to make a profit, he works 13 to 15 hours a day.

Is the high monthly rent the culprit for the poor business of hawkers? What other operational challenges do cooked food hawkers in Singapore face today?

[Post 608] Budget 2025 is more than just an election budget | Deep Dive podcast

Summary

A bigger tranche of vouchers, more generous rebates and more investments in the local workforce were some of the hallmarks of Budget 2025.

Professor Emeritus of Finance at Singapore Management University Annie Koh and Assistant Professor Chua Yeow Hwee from Nanyang Technological University tell Steven Chia and Crispina Robert why the “budget goodies” are not just about the upcoming elections.

[Post 607] Malaysia's $100B Forest City Turned “Ghost Town”: Can The Megaproject Be Revived? | Insight

Summary

On September 20, 2024, the Malaysian government unveiled a series of incentives aimed at transforming Forest City, the multibillion-dollar mixed-use megacity project, into a special financial zone. Among these incentives are a 15% income tax rate for skilled workers, multiple-entry visas, and a zero-percent tax rate for family wealth offices, and attractive corporate tax rates. The goal - sparking life into what has been dubbed Malaysia's Ghost Town.

Once touted as an eco-friendly metropolis, why did Forest City become a largely vacant white elephant, with only 15% of the development completed? The project, which was expected to house 700,000 residents, has attracted just 9,000 inhabitants to date.

Will these new measures rejuvenate this struggling megacity? Can Forest City, originally designed as a residential and lifestyle hub, finally fulfil its original vision, or will it remain a cautionary tale of hyper ambition meeting economic realities?

[Post 606] How OnlyFans Made $6.6B Without Apple’s App Store | WSJ The Economics Of

Summary

OnlyFans’ underlying business model is very different from other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The subscription-focused site is not on Apple’s App Store and in four years, the company’s revenue grew more than 2000%. The company makes money only when creators make money instead of relying on advertising dollars, but what are some of the challenges that come with having a site populated with pornographic content? 

 

WSJ spoke with OnlyFans CEO Keily Blair to learn about some of the challenges the company faced and learned how the company capitalized on the creator economy to change the dynamics of how digital creators get paid.

[Post 605] [ENG SUB] How I found work as a deaf person

Summary

Born deaf, Luo Shufeng encountered many setbacks in her job search and sometimes felt isolated and helpless because of her colleagues' lack of understanding. With the help of the Singapore Association of the Deaf, Shufeng finally found an administrative job in an inclusive company. She used her hard work and enthusiasm to prove that deaf people can also succeed in the workplace and broke people's prejudice against the deaf.

Shufeng actively integrated into the team and took the initiative to teach her colleagues simple sign language, which not only eliminated communication barriers but also stimulated the team's creativity. Colleagues saw from Shufeng that hearing impairment is not an obstacle, but a unique way of life and communication.

[Post 604] Money Talks Explains: Do you really need an insurance IP rider?

Summary

Ever bought an insurance policy, only to have your agent ask if you would like to add on a rider for an extra cost? In this week’s Money Talks Explains, Samuel Low from Income Insurance tells Andrea Heng what to consider before adding an integrated shield plan (IP) rider to your insurance policy.  

[Post 603] Local cinemas offer new experiences to woo moviegoers back

Summary

Live events and niche film festivals are starting to revitalise local cinemas, which have been struggling since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some operators have attracted a tenth more customers since last year, as they battle changing movie-watching habits. Unique experiences are becoming crucial to the cinema's survival, with consumers increasingly preferring the convenience of streaming services. Muhammad Bahajjaj reports.

[Post 602] Will Singapore’s housing prices always rise, or is that a myth? | Commentary

Summary

Singaporeans love to talk about property. Many subscribe to the belief that housing prices will only go up. Is this really the case? Sing Tien Foo, Provost’s Chair Professor at the Department of Real Estate at NUS Business School, gives his take. Read his commentary: https://cna.asia/4gsIq1S

[Post 601] Singapore Budget 2025: What you need to know

Summary

From the SG60 package, to S$800 worth of CDC Vouchers and the new Large Families Scheme, here’s all you need to know about Budget 2025, announced by Singapore Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in parliament on Tuesday (Feb 18). #budget2025 #singaporebudget2025

[Post 600] What if you can't save enough for retirement? | Money Talks podcast

Summary

Financial analysts will tell you that you need at least S$600,000 (US$444,000) in cash when you retire. But for most people with heavy financial needs in their adult years, what's a reasonable plan?

Andrea Heng asks OCBC's group wealth management head, Tan Siew Lee.

[Post 599] Singapore Budget 2025: Gen Z NSF Reacts To Cost Of Living, Nuclear Power, Jobs | Money Mind

Summary 

Property prices, nuclear power, good jobs for the future: young adult reaction to Singapore Budget 2025.

[Post 598] Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone: What Is It? Will It Work? | CNA Correspondent | Full Episode

Summary

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is an ambitious project aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Singapore and Malaysia while boosting regional growth. This CNA Correspondent episode delves into the opportunities the SEZ offers, including enhanced trade, investment and job creation, as well as its potential to develop cutting-edge infrastructure and technology hubs. 

While the SEZ promises to create new industries and provide employment across various sectors, challenges such as infrastructure, rising costs of living and long-term viability present potential obstacles to the joint venture. This episode looks at some of the concerns of businesses and residents and how the authorities are managing them as the SEZ takes shape, to ensure a prosperous future for both nations and the Southeast Asian region.

[Post 599] How This Filipino Gen Z Supports Her Family Of 7: Sole Breadwinner At 22 | Money Mind

Summary

How do you balance your budget when you're a 22-year-old supporting a family of seven?