u/Adventurous_Scar_319

Looking for financial advice on my first big-ticket purchase

Hi everyone, looking for some advice on whether getting a Class 2B licence and buying a second-hand motorcycle would be financially sensible in my current situation.

Some background:

- Take-home pay: $3.2k/month

- Current savings: $59k

- Current monthly expenses: Around $600

- Starting a part-time degree at SUSS in January next year, which will take around 4 years to complete.

- Planning to use the Tuition Fee Loan (TFL) to pay for my school fees. My estimated cash outlay to repay the loan in full is around $15k, which I intend to pay upon graduation in 4 years' time to avoid interest.

- Haven't factored in personal insurance/investment yet.

Estimated motorcycle costs:

- Class 2B licence: Around $2k

- Second-hand bike: $10k–$15k upfront, including a buffer for initial expenses

- Monthly running costs: Around $300–$500, including petrol, parking, insurance and maintenance.

The main reason I'm considering getting a bike is convenience. I've been commuting to school for the past 2.5 years, and having my own transport would make things much easier.

I could probably speak to my boss about adjusting my working hours to start and end an hour earlier, so getting a bike isn't strictly necessary. However, having my own transport would give me much more flexibility, especially when juggling work and part-time studies.

And the possibilities of weekend trips nearby, i meant lifestyle improvements buttttt okayyyy

I'm generally quite frugal, with my current expenses at around $600 a month. However, this would be my first big-ticket purchase, and I'm unsure whether I'm being financially sensible or simply justifying a want.

Would appreciate some opinions on these questions:

1. With $59k in savings and $3.1k take-home pay, can I reasonably afford this without setting myself back financially?

2. Is $300–$500 a month a realistic estimate for owning a second-hand motorcycle in Singapore?

3. Would you get the bike now for the convenience, or continue taking public transport and save the money?

I'm not planning to take out a loan for the bike and would pay for it upfront. I just want to make sure I don't make a financially irresponsible decision, especially with four years of part-time studies ahead and personal insurance still to consider.

Appreciate any honest advice, especially from those who own motorcycles or have studied part-time while working. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m thinking of getting my Class 2B licence at CDC Ubi and would like to hear from people who went through the process recently.

I’m planning to start a degree soon and am considering getting a bike mainly as a form of transportation, so I’m trying to figure out whether it’s financially and practically worth it.

I’m also 156cm, so I’m wondering if being a shorter rider will affect the learning process or what bikes I can comfortably ride. Any advice from shorter riders would be appreciated!

Would appreciate if anyone could share:

Roughly how long it took you to get your Class 2B from starting lessons to passing?

Approximately how much did you spend in total at CDC, including lessons, tests, etc.?

How many months did the whole process take?

How much did your first bike cost?

Roughly how much do you spend on your bike every month, including instalment (if any), petrol, parking, insurance, road tax and maintenance?

Any other costs I should budget for as a new rider?

I’m mainly trying to compare the overall cost of owning a bike versus relying on public transport while studying.

Thanks in advance! 🙏

I'm in my mid 20s was originally planning to do a part-time degree in SUSS while continuing to work full-time. I already completed a part-time diploma, so juggling work and studies isn't something new to me.

The problem is that my new boss has been making work really difficult recently, and it's made me question whether I should continue with my original plan.

Some background:

- Contract staff in banking - non local (entry level back office), earning about $4k/month.

- Current savings: $39k.

- If I complete my contract (ends later this year) and receive my bonus, I should be able to push it to $50k

No idk how to do investment yet, as I was waiting for uni to start n plan later on

My original plan:

- Continue working full-time.

- Study part-time at SUSS.

Now I'm wondering if I should instead try for a full-time degree at one of the local universities through their adult learner admissions pathway (if I'm even eligible). To be honest, this thought only came up because of everything that's happened at work this week, so I'm trying to figure out if I'm thinking rationally or just reacting emotionally.

Would this be a sensible option, or should I stick to my original plan of working full-time while pursuing a part-time degree?

I'm currently working in a bank doing name screening and I'm planning to pursue a part-time degree at SUSS. I'm deciding between Finance and Business Analytics, but I'm really not sure which would be the better choice.

The thing is, I don't have a fixed end goal yet. I just want a degree that gives me more options within banking.

My concern with Finance is that I've seen colleagues and seniors get a finance degree, but they're still in the same team years later. It makes me wonder whether the degree alone really helps with moving into other functions.

Business Analytics seems more versatile, and I feel the analytical and data skills could be useful across different banking roles. That said, with the recent tech and GovTech layoffs, I'm not sure if that's something I should be concerned about. I'm also not looking to pivot into tech. I'd most likely want to stay within the banking industry.

For those in banking or who studied at SUSS:

- Which degree would give me better career flexibility within banking?

- If you were in my position, which would you choose and why?

- Has anyone managed to move into different banking functions with either degree?

Would really appreciate any advice or experiences. Thanks!

Hi everyone, I could really use some career guidance because I'm feeling quite lost.

I'm currently working in name screening at a private bank. I'm completing my part-time diploma this year and am planning to pursue a part-time degree, but I'm unsure which path would be more beneficial for my career.

I'm deciding between:

Banking & Finance

Business Analytics

My dilemma is this:

Banking & Finance: It seems like the obvious choice since it's relevant to my current industry. However, I feel it mainly strengthens my qualifications for the role I'm already in, rather than helping me move into a different team or stand out for internal opportunities.

Business Analytics: My long-term goal is to progress along the financial crime/compliance path (Name Screening → KYC/AML → Compliance). I feel analytics could give me transferable skills in data analysis, process improvement, and decision-making that may be useful in these roles.

Another option I'm considering is skipping the degree for now and focusing on professional certifications like ACAMS instead.

I also spoke to someone from the Periodic Review team, and they mentioned that they mainly hire people with relevant experience. That made me wonder if a degree alone would actually help me make the move.

For those working in AML, KYC, compliance, or financial crime:

Which degree would you recommend?

Would Business Analytics or Banking & Finance be more valuable in the long run?

Or would professional certifications like ACAMS provide a better return on investment?

I feel quite stuck at the moment and would really appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I could really use some career guidance because I'm feeling quite lost.

I'm currently working in name screening at a private bank. I'm completing my part-time diploma this year and am planning to pursue a part-time degree, but I'm unsure which path would be more beneficial for my career.

I'm deciding between:

- Banking & Finance

- Business Analytics

My dilemma is this:

Banking & Finance: It seems like the obvious choice since it's relevant to my current industry. However, I feel it mainly strengthens my qualifications for the role I'm already in, rather than helping me move into a different team or stand out for internal opportunities.

Business Analytics: My long-term goal is to progress along the financial crime/compliance path (Name Screening → KYC/AML → Compliance). I feel analytics could give me transferable skills in data analysis, process improvement, and decision-making that may be useful in these roles.

Another option I'm considering is skipping the degree for now and focusing on professional certifications like ACAMS instead.

I also spoke to someone from the Periodic Review team, and they mentioned that they mainly hire people with relevant experience. That made me wonder if a degree alone would actually help me make the move.

For those working in AML, KYC, compliance, or financial crime:

- Which degree would you recommend?

- Would Business Analytics or Banking & Finance be more valuable in the long run?

- Or would professional certifications like ACAMS provide a better return on investment?

I feel quite stuck at the moment and would really appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance!

Posting this hoping no ones else need to be a KAREN, and isn't this ur largest shop, I expect better from you

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Make a 30 - 40 mins trip to get my wheels centre but instead left w a stomach full of anger

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Ran a curb otw in due to misjudgement, i thought there was a slope but nope curb

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N of course w a crash landing on crub my quick release came loose

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Fast forward to meet the first technician, who I will refer to as Uncle for simplicity

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Take a quick glance, close my quick release, done

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I look at him in the eyes, after my 5 min long story about why the rear wheel is not centre, he just say neh quick release loose nia

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N agrue w me without taking a closer look

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Reluctantly he take a 2nd glance n say oh brakes abit loose lah, can tighten

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Uncle I didnt come for loose brakes, i came because of misaligment

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Yet another 5 10 mins push pull battle w him, he say nm I will bring it back for closer inspection

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Idk what he did inside as it was blocked, came out n make this comment

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Since u already not confident w ur bike already, I will change ur tire n show u

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Did it, push my bike out, i haven't take a look, n ask really settle uncle?

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He just give me whatever, I ask my manager come, which happen to be behind

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Nice, he came understand the situation, n say okay we get another technician to check but he is on break

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Sure i will wait, I think a good 10 15 mins but nm I wait

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I been here for the idk 30 mins? What's another wait gonna do

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2nd technician came n check the bike infront of me, make some adjustments n tightened some screws

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FINALLY WE ARE DONE, OR SO I THOUGHT

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Oh here i requested to change my handle grips cause it was chew out by my parrot. RECOMMENDED by the technician and ur manager out of goodwill say, waived it, thanks

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FINALLY WE ARE OUT OF THE STORE, walk towards the door, oh heavy rain, n I left my helmet behind

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U-turn back in, i was tired so I decided to paddle in, GUSSS WHAT

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The handle brakes is not balanced, one overly tight n the other overly loose, I saw manager guy ard the bike area n say eh boss this one buay balance eh

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He probably tired of me already, cause I told him, come have a feel but he was like nm n got Technician 2 to come fix it

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He came, just squeeze, he already knew what's wrong

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Maybe I am expecting to much when he was checking the bike

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Fyi on my ride here my handles brakes were perfectly fine on the ride here

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Fixed, manger guy ask me anything else, I told him i need a rain coat or some shit

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And that triggered him, cause qoute n unqoute: we have rain coat here but not some shit

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Got my raincoat n left, oh guess what again

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Rmb the handle grips? Rmb I cycle here 30 40 mins w a chewed up handle grips, and our technician recommended + manager waive replacement handle grip

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Well otw back this handle grip sucks, n hurt my hands way more than the chewed out handle grip

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End of story, conclusion, surprised I didn't use much proficienesly today,

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Negative words use today : Uncle, Karen, Shit

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N shit was enough to trigger ur manager, when I have to stand there n battle out ur staff for close to 2 hours to get my bike sorted out

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I counted 2 times which I thought I am finally done w communicating n getting my bike fixed but NO

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Why did i cycle 30 40 mins to ur main store, because I trusted u, my first issue which was handle flawlessly by another staff member

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The last time I came, I just told ur staff the seat kept dropping, ur guy identify oh seat latch loose n change it for me promptly, n even let me leave my light to charged here for a little while

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This is the level of service u are capable of, dont drop it within a month

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Apologies to the 2 kids who have to see jiejie flared out, i have my pet birdie w me, and since I thought okay getting fixed can chill, this 2 kiddos want to carry, pat them sure,

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BUT ur staff have to come n ruined the mood twice w the dismissive service

This might be the most random post here but here goes, sooooo I went on my first long ride today using a sharebike, and i think I want to get my own bike

Been clocking 6km rides (3/week) for the last 2 months

And i did my first 46km ride, did a 1.5 loop (cause it was so funnnn)

from punggol park to punggol pcn route 😝

Can i get some route recommendations? Where is fun to cycle n somewhat beginner friendly? I did cbd to stadium once n got lost so I didn't went to ecp 😆 do u guys use Google maps for directions?

Bike recommendations maybe something below 500?

Random af, but any group want to adopt me hahah, I think Sundays, or weekday lunch ride is on for me

Stats about me 155, 90kg. So i probably nerd something durable for my weight 💀 Another random qns, is there a specific type of shoe to use for cycling? I did w a regular running shoes once n its so hottt, yea I cycle w slippers today 😂

We listen n we don't judge k, hahahaah

Tks for reading

Hi all, looking for some advice on my mum’s situation as I’m a bit stuck on what options are realistic.

Background:

54F, owner-occupier of a 4-room HDB

Valuation: ~$480k

Outstanding mortgage: ~$110k

CPF used + accrued interest: ~$90k

HFE loan eligibility: ~$40k

Monthly income: ~$2.3k

Rental income: ~$1.3k

Monthly mortgage: ~$1k (so rent currently covers mortgage)

Household:

2 of her siblings are staying with us

Including tenants, there are 6 people in the flat total

Main concerns:

The lease is under 60 years left, so I understand resale value and options may be limited in future

Lease Buyback Scheme doesn’t seem viable due to her age and remaining lease

Very low retirement savings (<$1k cash savings, mostly CPF tied to housing)

Right now the rental income helps sustain the mortgage, but honestly we know rental is not gonna be a long term situation

My question: What realistic options do we have to help her retire safely while dealing with a decaying lease property?

What I’m considering: I initially thought of switching to a newer 4 room to preserve rental income potential, but it seems financially quite stretched given her income and CPF situation.