It’s been 5 and a half years since I started Frugal in Singapore. Let me just say that I’m so grateful to all those who supported me throughout this journey. But much has changed online and in the blogosphere. Blogging has become less about sharing, and more about making money through sponcon, product placements and online content marketing. And that’s just not for me. So I feel it’s time to take a break from blogging. At least for a few months. Maybe longer.

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In the modern world, we’re always wishing others “good luck”. Especially in Asian cultures, where superstitions run deep. When I was born, I was given the nickname “unlucky child” because of my untimely birth. Not only was I premature by a month (making me weaker and more sickly than other children), I was told that my birth was the cause of my parent’s divorce (this was a lie, but I didn’t know it until I was an adult). “You are bad luck,” my grandmother would say. But is bad luck or being “unlucky” always a bad thing?  (more…)

A couple years ago, I participated in a poverty simulation by Etch Empathy. Here are some lessons I learned, and some reasons why I would recommend such a simulation for you, your family, and your friends to experience. (more…)

Board games can be really fun and engaging, especially because of the social interactions. They can also be educational too, turning dry boring lessons into memorable and entertaining experiences. Praxis is such a board game. It aims to teach children as well as adults some important financial lessons. Read on to find out how you can request a gameplay session.

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As I’m writing this, my former home and community (in the States) is burning to ashes. This is not a metaphor. It took roughly 8 hours for a raging fire to spread 18,000 acres (73 km²) and engulf this small, quiet, rural town. Watching my former home, friends’ homes, workplace, hangouts, and public spaces crackle and collapse just reminds me of the impermanence of it all.  (more…)