They say time is money but when it comes to investing, time is actually wealth. In Singapore’s fast-paced economy, understanding the magic of compound interest can be the key to financial freedom. So, how does it work?
POWER OF COMPOUNDING
Think of compound interest as a snowball rolling down Bukit Timah Hill small at first, but growing bigger as it gains momentum. In finance, this means your initial investment earns interest, and that interest starts earning more interest over time. The longer you leave your money to grow, the bigger the effect.
Let’s say you invest S$10,000 at an annual return of 5%. In a year, you’ll have S$10,500. But in the second year, you’re earning interest not just on your original S$10,000, but also on the extra S$500, bringing your total to S$11,025. Fast forward 20 years, and your initial sum has nearly doubled without you lifting a finger!
WHY START NOW?
Singapore’s CPF system already takes advantage of compounding, but you can supercharge your wealth with investments in ETFs, stocks, or savings plans. The trick? Start early and stay consistent. The longer you let your money grow, the more time does the heavy lifting for you.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
So, whether you’re saving for your first BTO or early retirement, remember: wealth isn’t just about how much you earn it’s about how wisely you let time work for you.
I’ve been on the lookout for a credit card with the best rewards and after some research, I stumbled on this combo:
UOB Lady’s Credit Card x UOB Lady’s Savings Account
I’m excited to make the most out of my savings and spending, knowing that signing up for both can earn me up to an impressive 25X UNI$ per S$5 spent, equivalent to 10 miles per S$1!
How It Works for Me:
UOB Lady’s Credit Card: I earn 10X UNI$ per S$5 spent on up to two of my preferred rewards category(ies). That’s 4 miles for every S$1 I spend.
UOB Lady’s Savings Account: I boost my rewards with up to an additional 15X UNI$ per S$5 spent on my preferred rewards category(ies), adding up to 6 more miles per S$1.
Plus, there’s no lock-in period, giving me the flexibility to choose and change my preferred rewards category(ies) every quarter.
And the best part? There’s no minimum spend required, allowing me to earn rewards on my terms!
Painting the Picture:
I have plans to maintain a S$50,000 Monthly Average Balance (MAB) in my UOB Lady’s Savings Account and spend S$800 each month on my preferred rewards category(ies) with my UOB Lady’s Credit Card.
For me, a monthly S$800 spend is easily attainable since I spend the bulk on the Beauty & Wellness and Dining categories.
Here’s the rough breakdown if you’re interested:
Gym membership ($100)
Beauty/cosmetic buys ($100)
Personal grooming such as hairdressing, facial treatment/hair removal, nails/lash/eyebrows, etc. ($300)
Dining at my favourite restaurant and ordering food via foodpanda ($300)
This means in just one month, I could rack up 3,200 UNI$.
Keeping this up for 12 months means I could gather a whopping 38,400 UNI$ in a year!
Redeeming My Rewards:
I can convert these UNI$ into 76,800 KrisFlyer miles (1 UNI$ = 2 miles).
With that, I could snag my round-trip business class ticket to Hong Kong* within a year! It would be my first-ever business class experience.
But if I decide not to spend all my UNI$ on flying, I have plenty of other options too.
I can redeem my UNI$ for rewards from a variety of dining, shopping, and travel merchants on UOB Rewards+.
In essence, whether I’m aiming for luxury travel or indulging in simple everyday perks, the benefits add up quickly!
*Based on Singapore Airline’s Saver Awards Chart as of October 2023, excluding taxes, charges, and fees.
Maximizing Your Rewards:
You can choose and change your preferred rewards category(ies) every quarter. These include:
Dining
Travel
Fashion
Beauty & Wellness
Family
Transport
Entertainment
This flexibility means you can adapt as your spending habits and priorities shift.
Switch to whatever categories you deem fit quarterly to maximize your UNI$ and get the best rewards for your spending and savings!
For example, during the year-end holiday season, I can switch my rewards category to Travel. This allows me to book air tickets and easily hit the S$800 spending target in a single transaction!
By consistently managing my spending, I can easily accumulate a significant amount of UNI$ annually. During travel months, I can reach the monthly spending target even faster by booking air tickets and covering other travel expenses.
If you have more savings to park aside and can maintain at least a S$100,000 MAB, you can earn an additional 15X Lady’s Savings Bonus UNI$ on your preferred rewards category(ies).
So, it’s smart to consolidate your purchases with the Lady’s Credit Card to maximize your Lady’s Savings Bonus UNI$.
Curious About Your Rewards?
Wondering how many UNI$ and miles YOU can rack up based on YOUR spending and savings?
Simply click this link to UOB’s official website and click on ‘Calculator’ to access the ‘Lady’s Card and Lady’s Savings Account Calculator’ to enter your details and see your potential rewards in a flash!
Just like this:
Subsequently, as a card member, you can easily view, track and redeem your UNI$ rewards all on the UOB TMRW app.
0% LuxePay Interest-Free Payment Plan over 6 or 12 months on your luxury purchase (shoes or bags)
Exclusive Birthday Treats during your birthday month
e-Commerce Protection for your online purchases
Complimentary Travel Insurance covering up to 100,000 USD
Receive a S$250 Sephora Gift Card when you spend a min. of S$6,000 on your UOB Lady’s Credit Card. Limited to the first 280 eligible cardmembers.
For the UOB Lady’s Savings Account:
Receive a Bespoke Puffy Bag with Rose Leather Charm worth S$98 by reBynd, an eco-conscious brand by Bynd Artisan, when you apply for the account online and deposits S$5,000 new funds into the account. Limited to the first 150 customers in each calendar month from 8 March to 30 April 2025 only.
That’s not all. UOB is also rewarding ALL customers who hold both the UOB Lady’s Credit Card and UOB Lady’s Savings Account as of 30 Apr 2025 with a lucky draw chance to win an Éclat KNOT Alone® Double Pave Bangle worth S$520 or Gentle Monster sunglasses worth S$490.
T&Cs apply, of course. Insured up to S$100k by SDIC.
So stop waiting and join me right away by signing up now here.
These mules have a glamorous sequin-studded mesh upper that catches the light in all the right ways, yet remains breathable thanks to the chiffon blend.
The square-toe silhouette comes with a sturdy block heel that keeps you stylishly grounded.
If subtly chic is your style MO, these mesh mules have your name written all over them.
A sturdy textile blend and backless mule silhouette team up to keep your feet happy whether you’re racing to a morning meeting or heading to a happy hour.
Those kitten heels measure about 5.5cm so you can go all day (and night) in style without sacrificing a centimeter of fierceness.
If you’re like me and go shrieking when you see a furry friend in public, this post is for you, heh.
Here’s a list of F&B outlets (mainly cafes and a restaurant) with pets in Seoul so you can enjoy your drinks, desserts, and mains while eye-stalking those little ones 🐶
Craving the flavors of Italy but don’t have the time and money to hop on a plane?
No problem.
Be it handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, or sweet sweet desserts, here’s our quick list of well-rated Italian restaurants in Singapore for an Italian gastronomic experience.
Step through Fortuna’s doors and ready your taste buds for Sicilian and Neapolitan flavors.
A dedication to Southern Italian cuisine, Fortuna’s menu reads like an ode to its culinary heritage.
Handcrafted pastas are made fresh daily with care, premium extra virgin olive oil, and a touch of Italian soul.
As for their pizzas, Fortuna’s dough undergoes a special 50-hour fermentation for a crust that’s both chewy and crisp.
With MARGHERITA pizzas from $23, FUSILLONI (semi-dried tomatoes pomodoro, fresh stracciatella, basil oil pastas) from $29, and mains like CRISPY PARMIGIANA (cheesy stuffed crumbed eggplant, shaved parmigiano, shaved parmigiano, pomodoro & basil) from $35, you’re getting an authentic taste of la dolce vita without the airfare.
Address: 1 The Knolls, Singapore 098297 (Located in Capella Singapore)
Gather ’round the table, for Fiamma is where Chef Mauro Colagreco’s culinary flame burns bright.
This trattoria kindles a passion for family-style Italian cuisine.
Opt for the two-course leisure lunch menu starting at $58++ if you can’t decide on what to have, or go a la carte.
Graze through appetizers like POLPETTE (traditional pork & veal meatballs, basil-ginger tomato sauce, chili) from $30, pizzas such as MARGHERITA (tomato, mozzarella Fior di Latte cheese, basil) from $28, and pastas like TROFIE AL PESTO (twisted pasta, calamari, garlic cream, basil, olive, sun-dried tomato) from $40.
Oh yes, three dessert options are available too, from $20:
Thirty9 brings the flavors of the Italian-Mediterranean to Duxton Hill’s heritage shophouses.
As you dine, catch Chef Erik Trozza at work handcrafting signature Napoli-style pizzas, fresh pastas, and more in the open kitchen.
Appetisers such as INSALATA CON ANGURIA made using watermelon, mixed salad, feta cheese, olive, mint, and cucumbers are priced from $14.
Then, sink your teeth into homemade pastas like CAPELLINI AOP made using garlic, peperoncino, and extra virgin olive oil for $28, or splurge on mains such as TRUFFLE HALIBUT with lemon potato and black truffle from $38.
Last but not least, savor the sweet Italian life at Rosso Vino, a classy Italian restaurant and wine bar helmed by owners Salvatore Adaldo and Carlo Mazzaglia.
With alfresco seating overlooking Singapore River, this award-winning venue has earned the Certificate of Excellence for 8 consecutive years.
Kick things off with a must-try Pane all’Aglio, grilled homemade bread with garlic butter ($12), before digging into classic pastas like the Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino tossed with garlic, olive oil and chili ($22).
Gluten-free pasta options from $27 await those seeking alternatives.
Want something special?
Go for the flaming Pizza Vulcano ($38), topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, ham, mushrooms and pepperoni, then set ablaze tableside with Sambuca liquor.
Editor’s note: Prices listed here are taken from the menus from their official websites but may not be updated with current prices.
