[Post 266] The End Of Free Money At The Federal Reserve

Summary

The U.S. is entering a new economic era. It began with an interest rate tightening cycle coming out of the Federal Reserve, with decisions that have reshaped personal finance in America. Some savings accounts can now return meaningful interest for the first time in years. It has also led to a Wall Street reshuffling, and a wave of corporate bankruptcies as some bad bets turn sour. With these free money years coming to a close, we examine how the Fed's decision-making has affected the economy.

[Post 265] Stuck With Low Pay, How Taiwan’s Young Graduates Cope With High Costs | Asia’s Stuck Generation

Summary

Millennials in Taiwan are facing a new reality — high cost of living, stagnating wages and tougher competition for well-paying jobs. Despite getting university degrees, many are not better off financially than their parents’ generation. Some are just surviving, with no savings at the end of each month.

Unlike their parents, who entered the workforce in the 1980s during the golden era of wage growth in post-war Taiwan, youths today face single-digit economic growth and slow wage increases, amid overall inflation and the rising cost of housing.

CNA Insider follows the lives of a few ‘trapped’ youths to see what they’re doing to cope - including working up to 4 jobs, or going overseas to work in F&B jobs.

[Post 264] Prices In China Are Falling: This Is Why You Should Be Worried | Money Mind | Economy

Summary

We’ve all felt the pinch of inflation over the past months. But there’s a new worry in the world’s second biggest economy. And it’s got to do with prices falling, rather than going up.

[Post 263] How This Singaporean Moved To Thailand To Be A Mushroom Farmer | On The Red Dot | Full Episode

Summary

Singaporean William Leong, a former insurance manager, was inspired to become a farmer after visiting a mushroom fruiting chamber in 2017. Today, his mushroom farm in Thailand produces more than 40 tons of oyster mushrooms per year, for local consumption. How did he learn to grow mushrooms? What does it take to become a successful farmer there? William shares his secret with Host Ming Tan.

[Post 262] Can You Upskill Your Way To A Bigger Paycheque? | Money Mind | Jobs

Summary

How upskilling gives you an edge in the job market.

[Post 261] How We Live Without Money In Singapore: We Are Freegans | On The Red Dot | Full Episode

Summary

They do not shop, they do not buy, they have no use for money. But their pantries are full and they want for nothing. In fact, they sometimes have so much, they have to give things away. This is the life of a freegan and there is a community of them living right here in Singapore. 

Rozz is inducted into the community and learns how to live for free for a week. First is a dumpster diving session in which she discovers, to her surprise, that no dumpsters (or diving) is actually involved. Then Rozz gets invited to a series of members-only food rescues and learns that ugly does not mean inedible. They even teach her how to cook creatively with rescued food and feast for free. The week culminates in Giving Day, a one-stop bazaar where people take what they want, no money needed.

[Post 260] Buying A Used Car In Singapore: What Should You Look Out For? | Talking Point | Full Episode

Summary

The value of Singapore’s booming used car industry is scheduled to grow over 20% by 2027. And with the amount of used cars sold almost tripling that of new cars registered in 2022, it’s not hard to see why.

But with recent news reports putting the used car industry in a bad light - Many are more suspicious about buying second-hand amidst the increasing number of complaints about the industry. Is it really as bad as it’s made out to be? Is a used car worth the trouble?