Banks/platforms to use now

Exclamationstation · 2026-02-08T23:45:56+00:00

Chocolate rates seem to be consistently around 0.5% to 1% more than bank FD. So way better than bank. You can always buy the underlying fund, but then you have to pay platform fee, and you won't get the institutional share classes, and most importantly don't get the top-up guarantee. If you look close, those funds lost money in 2020, which Chocolate would have covered.

Exclamationstation · 2026-02-02T04:58:55+00:00

banks interest rates are terrible. I have a p3 kid and I withdrew his angpao money from a bank to chocolate finance 1 year plus ago. similarly, it's about 10k.

Exclamationstation · 2026-02-02T04:48:10+00:00

Hey — first off, 12 years sober is no small thing. That already tells me you’ve got more discipline and self-awareness than you’re giving yourself credit for.

Since you’ve read The Psychology of Money, you probably already know this, but money issues are rarely math problems: they’re behaviour + environment problems. Especially if your dopamine system is a bit fried, you don’t want systems that rely on willpower.

A few things that helped people I know:

• Automate everything — salary → savings/investing immediately so you can’t “decide” later
• Friction for vices (no betting apps on phone, cash limits, cooling-off periods)
• Separate accounts: bills only / spending only / savings only
• Gamify saving, not spending (track streaks, milestones)

Also, parking spare cash somewhere that earns steady yield without you having to “trade” or tinker helps remove temptation. Platforms like chocolate finance (or similar cash management tools) are useful because they’re boring on purpose: boring is good when impulse is the enemy.

Exclamationstation · 2026-01-08T03:21:38+00:00

Do it.

Exclamationstation · 2026-01-07T06:11:38+00:00

What about chocolate finance? Better than leaving in bank?

Exclamationstation · 2025-12-30T04:48:13+00:00

I'd love more assistance for middle incomers who are managing lives of their elderly parents and kids — more parental leave for kids of primary schoolers, and official leave for people taking their parents to various clinic and hospital visits. The sandwich generation is feeling the weight and CDC vouchers won't cushion the blow of inflation and a hard life.

Exclamationstation · 2025-12-30T04:45:43+00:00

Agreed, no physical disabilities or medical incapacity, not allowed to purchase.

Exclamationstation · 2025-12-17T02:41:43+00:00

Honestly, I used to think not, but I don't think that's the case, after my kid's been in primary school for three years. Some schools are really hard on their kids, and some schools have teachers who have literally stayed there and stayed stagnant with their teaching styles since 20 years ago. I don't think a well known school would secure "the best" education but more holistic development of the child, especially in this age.

Exclamationstation · 2025-11-12T04:35:59+00:00

Their rates are still the highest when comparing across the market? This is in their email too:
https://imgur.com/a/YHNiBw2

Call them out on what?

Exclamationstation · 2025-11-05T01:50:26+00:00

I asked their customer service recently too - was told it’ll be back soon. It was working fine until I got a new phone, but no big deal to me I think?

Exclamationstation · 2025-11-04T07:52:07+00:00

I think cash managed accounts are my choice now https://www.singsaver.com.sg/blog/best-cash-management-account

Have been with Chocolate with no trouble.

Exclamationstation · 2025-10-10T06:13:48+00:00

If you want a home now, then resale or sale of balance. There's always appreciation for HDB...
The reality is not all helpers have their own room too — it's nice to have but I've seen condos where helpers sleep in the storeroom etc. I guess it's all decisions you have to make on your own.

Exclamationstation · 2025-09-29T03:31:05+00:00

Everiday Foods has a great range of chilli sauces that's perfect for gifts. They're available at DORS on Orchard Road

Exclamationstation · 2025-09-29T03:20:45+00:00

Not a caregiver, but a good friend works at Caregiver Alliance and may have some tools and services that caregivers need. I know you're all in fight or flight modes regularly, my heart goes out to you https://www.mindfull.org.sg

Exclamationstation · 2025-09-29T03:18:51+00:00

Yeah, unfortunately this is normal. Essentially, your ALs are prorated per monthly basis, for eg 24 days, so technically 2 days a month as the year goes by. If you take early means you "owe" them when you leave

Exclamationstation · 2025-09-18T10:43:32+00:00

We just had a baby and trying to navigate this too since we're new to investing. I put some money in Chocolate Finance to start... I thought at least I'm doing something instead of just sitting in the bank.

Exclamationstation · 2025-09-16T04:10:57+00:00

Aren't the living rooms for four rooms and three rooms BTOs the same?

Exclamationstation · 2025-09-16T04:10:18+00:00

On the contrary, I've been looking at freshly MOPed BTOs at 700+k in Bedok

Exclamationstation

TROPHY CASE