Monday, 17 March 2025

[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 

Sunday, 16 March 2025

[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. 

Saturday, 15 March 2025

[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?



Friday, 14 March 2025

[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.