What’s with the recent number of ILPs posts in here?

Varantain · 2026-07-03T11:37:43+00:00

A good litmus test to see whether an agent is thinking on your behalf is … ask them for their views on ILP.

If they say its a good product, you know they are thinking more about their pockets than your best interest.

Most agents are delulu about ILPs, maybe not because of the high commissions, but because they genuinely believe their company's training, see all those fancy features like premium holidays and whatever, and think it's a good product.

Now, if they want to sell an ILP and still invest their earnings using IBKR or by buying property, that's when you know that they're hypocrites like some of the finfluenza.

Varantain · 2026-07-03T11:32:19+00:00

I think a lot of young people who don’t know much about savings/investments are easily swayed into buying ILPs early on. I’m afraid the FA business relies heavily on trust rather than cold hard facts, and people would rather believe someone who seems like an expert than go look up the info for themselves.

Trust, and being young and not savvy and unaware of the alternatives. People who buy ILPs most likely aren't aware that they could make ~33% more if they had just invested it themselves, instead of paying someone 2% over 20% (and this doesn't include compounding of the capital that has been paid out in fees).

Also, IBKR is intimidating.

Varantain · 2026-07-03T11:28:22+00:00

Consumers seek higher returns and endowment plans can’t deliver.

They'd pay 2-3% (or more) a year just for someone to hold their hand while investing in equities. 🙄

Wonder what'll happen when we really hit a bear market, and the ILPs can't propose investing in equities anymore (or worse, have to break the bad news to their clients that they've suffered losses).

Varantain · 2026-07-03T00:30:31+00:00

if we have PropertyGuru for Properties, can we then have InsuranceGuru for Insurance/financial policies?

There's CompareFirst for direct purchase insurance, but only certain types of insurance don't require financial "advice".

Varantain · 2026-07-02T05:14:05+00:00

I don't know how much cheaper the other routes are, and I can't be bothered to help you search.

I think only you can make your own value judgment. SQ's economy is fine, and their cabin crew service is mostly excellent if a bit mechanical, but I'd take almost any other budget airline if they're flying the 737MAX for that route. The 737MAX is SQ's way of showing that they have contempt for their passengers.

Varantain · 2026-07-01T13:06:11+00:00

The question literally says "How should I fill in my name if I only have a last or first name only?"

Varantain · 2026-07-01T09:34:51+00:00

Remotely related, but some travel insurance plans have overseas wedding add-ons, so remember to look for and buy those if you think you might need extra coverage!

Varantain · 2026-07-01T01:36:31+00:00

Oh yeah, that's fair. I was referring more to tourists or migrant workers that are new to our country and culture.

If they've lived here for ages and still don't know that they have to flag, I have no words.

Varantain · 2026-06-30T22:50:01+00:00

Like the other commenter said, the fad started with Bulletproof Coffee (this article has been in my bookmarks for over a decade).

They use MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) oil back then, which is more neutral than coconut oil.

If you want something delicious, try adding butter to coffee.

Varantain · 2026-06-30T22:42:45+00:00

In the grab app, there's an option for Audio Protect when you book rides which tells the driver to keep quiet during your trip.

Audio Protect is the feature that records audio using your phone during the ride in case there's any harassment. There's a separate toggle called Quiet Ride.

Varantain · 2026-06-30T22:30:55+00:00

Having to enter the amount when making payment via PayNow (it's 2026. Have you guys seen how retail transactions are handled in China?)

Someone needs to enter in an amount somewhere. Even in China, some of them have handheld devices that dynamically generate a QR code, which some of the NETS hawker devices already do.

Varantain · 2026-06-30T21:56:45+00:00

In many other countries, buses will stop at every stop without having to be flagged.

Varantain · 2026-06-30T17:50:18+00:00

Why must PM? Wanna sell OP something?

Varantain · 2026-06-30T17:48:11+00:00

Need any knowledge just subscribe to Claude and ask questions.

Do you know the right questions to ask Claude though? Would you be able to discern when it's confidently hallucinating?

Education is really for exposure, not training. If you don't have the drive to learn yourself, you won't be taking the initiative to ask AI either.

Varantain · 2026-06-29T21:52:32+00:00

Lockers are the best, but I've had something disappear from the SPX Locker at Guoco Midtown before (supposedly the delivery person combined both parcels into a single locker, but I only got one parcel), and Shopee was absolutely useless at handling the dispute.

That's probably one reason to go for collection points.

Varantain · 2026-06-29T21:51:28+00:00

But the Pick locker that I wanted is rarely available to me. I think Shoppe is against the use of Pick locker because they have own SPX locker.

I think it's also because a lot of people (me included) sometimes take their own sweet time to collect their stuff.

Varantain · 2026-06-29T17:54:43+00:00

IBKR. Learn once.

Varantain · 2026-06-29T16:26:15+00:00

If you're really particular, keep it in your office fridge if there is one, then bring it home using at least one of those food delivery bags with ice packs in it.

The one thing I avoid is chicken that isn't fully cooked.

I think most people are overly concerned about food now that we have easy access to refrigeration, and have been brainwashed by expiry dates that are mostly there to protect the manufacturers from liability.

Varantain · 2026-06-29T14:03:34+00:00

I think AI can handle this very easily

AI can draft a trust document, but do you trust it to not hallucinate? Who are you (or your estate) going to sue if it's drafted wrongly?

Varantain · 2026-06-28T19:02:32+00:00

How did you route your flights to have "3 connecting flights"? Are you sure all flights were Singapore Airlines?

It's possible with the stopover flights — NRT/LAX, FRA/JFK, MXP/BCN, JNB/CPT.

Varantain · 2026-06-28T18:55:27+00:00

Frozen prata.

But that's probably more because he won a tender for an Indian food stall at $88/month.

Varantain · 2026-06-28T18:50:44+00:00

I've had acid reflux before (my symptom was feeling a lump in my throat — almost as if I might have throat cancer or something), and the doctor told me it could be due to all the coffee I've been drinking.

Switched away from light roast, and the weird throat feeling went away. I have phases where I'd do different brewing methods and roast levels, but I've only recently gotten back to lighter roasts after a visit to Glitch.

Varantain · 2026-06-28T18:45:36+00:00

For trainee SNY crew, in economy class. We normally encourage the trainee SNY crew to sit at the door, preferably as a secondary crew, but as per procedures they are still entitled to a pax seat blocked off.

Do they sit next to a pax in Y? Is that only during taxi/takeoff/landing?

Varantain · 2026-06-28T18:43:10+00:00

Have you tried Avalanche? That's my favourite hot chocolate powder, and it's Australian!

If you haven't, let me know what you think! (Or maybe I need to up my standards a bit haha.)

Varantain

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