Side Hustle in Singapore

Recently i have been reading up a lot of side hustle by ordinary people who just wants to earn additional income. Everyone started small, it can be like E-commerce. I started in Ebay as a seller back in 2004 before, i dabble in selling stuff that i do not used or resell as i have no use of it. I did manage to sell a MP3 player back then. I still remember i put up my mobile number to meet the lady and i got my $30 for that. It was a nice experience that by posting pictures onto the Ebay, i am able to generate sales. Now fast forward in year 2020. Due to the Covid 19 whereby everybody cannot really come out. My mind turns to side hustle again and the thing that cross my mind is E-commerce. I start exploring again. 

Things have really changed back then till now. There is amazon, Q10, Tao Bao, Alibaba, lazada. Back then the pictures and items description are not so descriptive. Now you can see that the layout and reviews are top notch on these websites. Speaking of which i have not been on to my Ebay account for more than 10 years. Time to check back on Ebay.

Yup it is still intact. Time to do some listings on Ebay and carousell.

In case you do not know about carousell. Carousell is a homegrown Singapore company started by 3 men who wanted to use mobile app to sell unwanted stuff. Today the company is worth at least $500 million. Indeed this is one of unicorn company that as a Singaporean i am proud of. Breaking into untap markets and into recycling business. 

Below is the website. Do check it out. There are tons of buyers and negotiations and location may varies.

https://sg.carousell.com/

I just made my first sale on a mini fridge that i sold off today 5-Sep-2020. Not a bad thing considering i took the photo and post it today. 

Another company that has been around for a long time are cash converter. They have been around for the longest of time since i remember. My friend did engage their service as she was shifting house. She was selling away all her old furniture, baby prams, chairs, tables. The amount of cash they offer may not be fantastic but they did take care of the cleaning out of her old items without any fees. There are quite a number listings as well at affordable range. If you want warranty and at least a company to screen through the product before any purchase. This would be the place to go to.

https://www.cashconverters.sg//

Another favorite place will be flea markets in Singapore. Due to Covid19, currently all flea markets are on hold. I still remember garang guni whereby people sell their wares at sungei road. You can always find wares on a Sat and Sun and there's bargaining and negotiation there however this has been shut in 2017 down due to development of the area. After doing some research, i manage to find a digital website. Do check it out for any items that you want to sell and dispose.

https://www.karungguni.com.sg/

Items to recycle: 

Old Newspapers / Books / Paper / Cardboard / Clothings

Computer System Units

Laptops / Notebooks

Television Set

VCD / DVD

Amplifiers

HI-FI Set / Mini Compo

Metal Recycling

Furniture Disposal (with a Fee)

Another place that you can sell is marketplace on Facebook and there are Sgfreerecycle. On and off there will people blessing preloved items. 

Hawker in Singapore

https://www.nea.gov.sg/docs/default-source/resource/becoming-a-hawker.pdf

I am not kidding, do check it out. I didn't know that you have to apply through NEA to be a hawker. Only Singaporeans are eligible though. There are different types of hawkers. Like my dad, he is also a hawker but he only sell clothes so he need not apply for the food hygiene portion. I would say the rent is reasonable and he is able to earn a living in this challenging timing. 

Pororo in Marina Square

 I went to visit the Pororo at Marine Square with my 2 daughters and my wife last year. It was really fun and enjoyable. My 2 daughters love it. Lots of interaction and music in the background. There is also places for adults to sit as the children roam around. It is like going into a castle and exploring the playgrounds, houses, tram ride, shows. I will recommend to any one with kids from 1.5 year old to 6 years. The shows are pretty good as well. There are music and dance around with the people and of course lots of photo taking with the real size PORORO. 

Do check out the below link. 

https://www.pororoparksg.com/

Here are some photos to show the highlights. Enjoy

Frozen is coming to Changi Airport

 This post may have come late. But better late then never. It is still a journey for mi as a Father.

Looking at the Frozen 2 characters brought back the child in me. The adventures, the passion and the drive. I do recommend for people to watch it. It is magical just like like Disney. Here are the photos of my journey with my family at Frozen

There's Anna and Elsa with my daughter in the center. 

That is me wearing Olaf with my family. Best thing we got a picture taken free as well. Kept as a souvenir. 

We took a picture in front of the Frozen house at Changi. Notice my young one is still sucking her pacifier. So cute 

                                                                    That is kristoff 

Our whole family in the woods of Frozen 2

My daughter posing at

CPF for Ordinary / Special / Medisafe. To max it out for our Retirement

I would like to share on my knowledge for the CPF on Ordinary / Special / Medisafe. In times like COVID19, we should made our savings work harder. If you are a Singaporean just like me, you will definitely be interested on this. 

Do you know that as of current the 

- Ordinary is earning 2.5 - 3.5%

- Special is earning 4 - 5%

- Medisave is earning 4% 

In times like this, won't it make more sense to invest into CPF special account? By pumping cash into special account, you will earn more interest and also gain more buck for your special account when you reach 55. When you reach 55, it is mandatory to have a retirement account whereby you can opt for 3 options. If you are able to accumulate $181k by age 55 with combination of ordinary and special account, this amount can be set aside to retirement account whereby you can get your monthly retirement savings when you reach age 65. Depending on the options you choose, you can get around up to $1500 per month. With 4% interest rates, it is definitely an option to boast the savings. 

And if both husband and wife set aside this minimum sum, imagine you have $3000 per month to spend without doing anything for the rest of your lives. This will lessen any burden to your children as well as your next of kin.

Those who are cash rich can pump cash into the special account and enjoy tax savings.

Those who are not cash rich but who have no use of the ordinary account can transfer to special account but do take caution. Once you transfer from ordinary account to your special account, it is non-reversible. Do consider carefully and clearly. I myself will definitely want to allocate more funds to my special account if situation permits and enjoy the additional percentage interest gain from special account.