[Post 238] Where Did Americans’ Savings Go?

Summary

The trillions in excess personal savings built up in the pandemic are beginning to vanish amid high inflation, according to Federal Reserve economists. The monthly saving rate fell to a 15-year low in 2022. It started a recovery in 2023, but remains well below long-term trends. Despite this slowdown in saving, consumer spending has remained robust, keeping the U.S. from recession. 

“Something like $2 [trillion] to $2.5 trillion above what we would have otherwise expected were saved by American households,” said Curt Long, chief economist at the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions.

Collectively, Americans have trillions in excess savings compared with expectations leading up to the pandemic, according to Federal Reserve economists.

[Post 237] Singapore a magnet for China billionaires | THE BIG STORY

Summary

With a boom in the world of wealth management over the past decade, the data appears to show Singapore as an attractive destination for family offices to manage the wealth of the super-rich, especially for those in China. 

We speak with Dr Yu Hong, senior research fellow at the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, on this issue and discuss its potential impact on Singapore.

[Post 236] Is it worth having kids?

Summary

Fertility rates are falling across the rich world, as more and more people are weighing up whether to have children. Raising them can be stressful and cost a fortune, but they might bring you a lot of joy. So all things considered, on International Women's Day, is it worth having kids?

[Post 235] Money matters: How to grow your CPF savings

Summary

Meet Stan. Stan’s worried about inflation remaining stubbornly high and eating into his retirement savings. One way for Stan to stay ahead of soaring prices is to grow his CPF savings through a range of investments. Let’s find out how...

[Post 234] Millennials & Gen Z: Young And In Debt. Why? | Talking Point | Full Episode

Summary

With higher life expectancies, rising costs of living, and greater market volatility, the stakes are higher when it comes to the types of financial decisions young working adults have to make in Singapore today. In an Institute of Policy Studies and Talking Point survey, we polled young Singaporeans aged 21 to 29, to find out how they’re grappling with the rising costs of living. Are young adults getting more creative with how they spend their money? What matters to them? And might they be setting themselves up for more debt, compared to previous generations, in the years to come?

[Post 233] Why Tipping Is So Out Of Control In The U.S.

Summary

Tipping in the United States is on the rise and experts are calling it tipflation. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the number of tips provided at full-service restaurants grew by 17% from the fourth quarter of 2021. Meanwhile the tip frequency at quick-service restaurants rose 16% during the same time period. 

Experts say that's because of the newer and sleeker-looking Point-of-Sale, or POS, systems by tech companies like Square, Toast and Clover, who also have increased their sales as a result. The pressure to tip well in front of the tip receiver, before a service is completed, or in front of other customers makes a difference for many. After customers swipe their credit card, they're typically prompted with three large tipping options on a screen. While businesses can opt out of the tipping feature, most aren't. In fact, even Starbucks started prompting customers for tips in stores in September 2022. With Americans being pressured to tip higher percentages and for more services, the question is, where is the tipping point?

[Post 233] Apple vs. Banks: The Digital-Wallet War, Explained | WSJ

Summary

Digital wallets like Apple Pay are continuing to grow in popularity. Banks are worried they’re losing ground to tech companies eager to gain market share in consumer payments.

One of traditional finance’s biggest threats is Apple. Here’s how big banks are fighting back.