[Post 501] US Fed Interest Rate Cut: Should You Refinance Your Home Loan Now? | Money Mind | Interest Rates

Summary

If you’re a homeowner with a mortgage, you’ll be wondering if interest rates are heading lower and when. This comes after the US Federal Reserve made its long-anticipated first interest rate cut.

[Post 500] I Left My Stable Job In The Air Force to Play Pro Baseball In Japan | On The Red Dot | Full Episode

Summary

Host Rozz Lee meets Eleazar Ng, the first Singaporean to sign a professional baseball contract in Japan, the world’s top-ranked baseball nation. 

After being scouted by the Saga Indonesia Dreams - a unique team with 70% non-Japanese players, Eleazar is chasing his dream of becoming a top baseball player. What does it take for Singapore’s ace pitcher to elevate his game?

[Post 499] Savings And Side Hustles To Achieve Filipino Millennial's Manila Condo Dream | Money Mind

Summary

How do you save up for your dream home when the average condo costs around 25 times median household income? Manila resident Mark Lorenzo Permalino strategises ways to climb the housing ladder, as he bides his time in his 22 square metre studio loft in Makati.  

[Post 498] What It's Like To Live In A Tiny Micro Apartment In Tokyo, Japan | Money Mind | Homes

Summary

The world’s biggest city also has some of its smallest homes. How small? We meet Kazuki Hirata, who lives in a micro apartment in Tokyo. It’s just 9 square metres, which is smaller than a car parking lot.  

[Post 497] Eating 31 Plates Of Fried Rice In 1 Week To Check This Fried Rice Chain's Outlet Ratings | Deep Dive

Summary

Curious about the rapid expansion of a particular fried rice chain, Thet and Vic decide to investigate the challenges of franchising a business. They speak to a franchise trainer, who shares the challenges of setting up a franchise in Singapore. This leads Thet and Vic to wonder - Is the standard across the multiple fried rice outlets consistent? Are online reviews a good representation of the taste, quality and service of a store? 

To put their theory to the test, they get a food taster to try out 31 plates of fried rice within a week. 

[Post 496] How Budget Stores Can Afford To Sell Snacks So Much Cheaper Than Supermarkets | Deep Dive

Summary

Intrigued by the low prices at budget stores like Valu$, Thet and Vic investigate if there is any difference in taste and quality between budget store food products and their supermarket counterparts. 

Food samples are sent to a lab and a ‘legitimate’ test taste is done by the Deep Dive team. To figure out how the budget prices came to be, the investigative duo speak to Radha Export, the company behind the import of some of these budget products. 

[Post 495] Hawker Sells Cheap Healthy Food To Feed Her Neighbourhood's Needy | On the Red Dot - Secret Heroes

Summary

In the face of rising costs from the GST hike and inflation, Hani Isnin-Racine remains committed to her mission, running a $2.50 hawker stall in the Jalan Kukoh neighbourhood. She provides affordable meals to elderly residents and those in one-room rental flats, even if it means running her business at a loss at times.