(Image credit: Anders Steen Nilsen, via Flickr)
Saving money is easy in theory: just spend less than you have. But that’s a little like saying architecture is easy because you just “build buildings”. We all know it’s not that simple, so here are some sites that can provide keen insights and step-by-step help:
1. DollarsAndSense.sg
The best thing about DollarsAndSense.sg is its hyperlocal focus. In case you haven’t noticed, things work differently in Singapore–we have concerns like what to do with our NS pay, or whether we should invest our CPF money. You can even get some insights about where you stand income wise.
For those of you who need to know about money issues in Singapore, this is a good first stop. You won’t be bombarded by articles about FICO scores, or insurance policies that don’t exist locally. Expats in particular should take note.
2. The Wealth Journey
Into investments as well as savings? The Wealth Journey is a blog that has a pretty good balance between the two. This is a blog, and a lot of the content is commentary on something else. But the commentary almost always highlights an important lesson or two.
The Wealth Journey isn’t the prettiest site on this list, it’s mostly walls of text. But there’s never any advertorials or obvious promotions, so it seems our anonymous blogger (who just calls himself/herself an accredited investor) is offering independent insight. Come here when you need perspective without being sold something.
3. Cheerful Egg
This blog is more focused on the psychology of personal finance than strict numbers. You may not find lists of the cheapest cafes or home loans, but you will get some understanding as to how our brains are wired. If you’re a fan of writers like Malcolm Gladwell or Dan Ariely, you’ll love this content.
You can find out what drives successful investors, why saving is so hard, and (on some posts) mind hacks you can use to make getting rich easier. This has our vote as the finance blog for people who don’t like reading finance. It’s serious bus ride entertainment, with some positive benefits for your wallet.
4. SingSaver.com.sg
This is part finance blog, part toolkit. SingSaver blog posts cover the small but important steps you can take to save money even in tight situations. They also provide a host of comparison tools to lower the costs of your loans, or to filter out the credit cards that are worth applying for. Credit card comparison, as you may know, is critical for getting the best rewards and discounts out of them.
Their blog is also lifestyle heavy, so if you need to save money on drinks or a tattoo, the information you need is lurking here somewhere.
SingSaver probably tops the list when it comes to credit, loans,and banking products – with contacts in many parts of the finance industry, they’re professional snoops and deal finders. So whatever you need from a bank, check out this site first. They may be able to get it cheaper.
5. Mint.com
Another part blog, part toolkit. Mint offers a tracking service for your personal finances, so you can uncover that black hole that all your cash seems to vanish into. They have what’s probably one of the best budgeting apps online, which follows you on your phone and tablet. If this can’t make you save money then nothing else will.
Although the content is non-local, some of Mint’s money saving tips are quite universal. You might want to take an idea from their blog (eg. using balance transfers to manage debt), and then check for a local equivalent on one of the other blogs here.
What are some of your favourite money saving sites? Comment and let us know!
(This article is brought to you by Singsaver.com.sg)
