Writer
Marcus Wong
Finance & Tech Writer · 7+ years experience
Marcus covers Singapore's personal finance landscape — credit cards, broadband plans, gym memberships, and anything that affects your monthly wallet.
Marcus came to MissLobang from a previous life in fintech product management. He treats every product comparison like a portfolio decision — what's the actual cost-per-month, where are the hidden fees, what does the cancellation flow look like. His coverage spans neobanks, credit cards, insurance, broadband, mobile, gym memberships, and any other recurring-fee category. He maintains a running spreadsheet of every effective rate change at every SG bank.
Credentials & background
- Former fintech product manager at a Singapore digital-bank challenger
- 7+ years writing on personal finance and consumer technology
- Has personally held accounts at every major SG bank for testing
Articles by Marcus Wong
8 Best Interior Design & Renovation Firms in Singapore 2026 — HDB BTO, Resale & Condo (Costs + How to Vet)
Choosing a renovation firm is the highest-stakes decision of any home move — get it wrong and you lose months and tens of thousands of dollars. Singapore's ID scene in 2026 runs from established full-service firms that handle HDB BTO to resale to condo, to design-led studios for distinctive condo/landed work, plus tech-enabled end-to-end platforms. We mapped 8 across those tiers — with real 2026 cost ranges by flat type, the must-do vetting checklist (HDB licensing, CaseTrust-RCMA, Qanvast Trust deposit protection), BTO-vs-resale scope, and which suits a budget BTO vs a design-first condo.
8 Best Gyms & Fitness Studios in Singapore 2026 — ActiveSG, Anytime Fitness, Virgin Active, Barry's & More
Singapore's fitness scene in 2026 spans S$2.50 public ActiveSG gyms to S$280/month premium clubs and S$45-a-pop boutique classes — and the right pick depends entirely on whether you want a barbell, a 24/7 location near home, a pool-and-sauna club, or a coach screaming over loud music. We mapped 8 across four tiers: budget public, 24/7 convenience chains, full-service clubs, and boutique group studios — with real monthly costs, contract gotchas, and which suits beginners vs lifters vs class-junkies.
8 Best Day Trips from Singapore 2026 — Johor Bahru, Desaru, Bintan, Batam, Pulau Ubin & More
Singapore's location puts world-class day-trip destinations within 1-3 hours travel: Johor Bahru for shopping + JB cafes (15-90 min via causeway), Legoland Malaysia (60 min), Desaru beaches (2.5 hr via Tuas + Senai), Bintan + Batam (45-min + 50-min ferry from Tanah Merah / HarbourFront), Pulau Ubin's kampong charm (10-min bumboat from Changi), and offshore kelong fishing tours. We mapped 8 day trips with realistic timing, costs, return-by-night logistics, and which suit families vs couples vs solo travelers — plus the new VTL-style border-clearance hacks for 2026.
Malaysia Opens Foreign Driving Licence Conversion to ALL Citizens (Effective 1 Jun 2026) — What SG-Based Malaysians + Daily JB-SG Commuters Need to Know
Malaysia's Transport Ministry announced (7 May 2026, effective 1 Jun 2026) that ALL Malaysian citizens holding valid foreign driving licences — including those with Singapore licences — can now apply to convert them into Malaysian licences at any JPJ office nationwide. Previously the conversion route was restricted to: Malaysians who got their foreign licence BEFORE their Malaysian one, MM2H programme participants, and the diplomatic corps. The new policy is aimed at Malaysians working, residing, or managing affairs abroad — a population that includes ~300,000+ Malaysians working in Singapore. IMPORTANT NUANCE: the policy expands CONVERSION ELIGIBILITY; it does not explicitly confirm dual-licence holding (i.e., keeping both your Singapore AND Malaysian licence active simultaneously). Application fees, document requirements, and full procedural details to be published on the JPJ website (jpj.gov.my) from 1 June onwards.
Father's Day 2026 is Now 19 Days Out — What's Still Bookable, What's Already Gone, and the Best Plan B for Procrastinators (Updated 2 June)
Father's Day Sun 21 June 2026 is 19 days away. Time to take stock of what's actually still bookable vs what's already booked out. Omakase: closed. Steakhouses + hotel brunches: ~5-7 days of window left. Family Cantonese: ~10 days. Greenwood Fish Market A5 Wagyu + Orchid Live Seafood (the two FD restaurant deals we covered) BOTH still have prime weekend availability. Plus 4 Plan B options if everything's full — including the hotel takeaway hamper window that closes 10 June.
K-ETA for Korea Travel — Why Singaporeans Don't Need It But Your Malaysian Travel Companion Probably Does (2026 Guide, KRW 10,000, 72-hr Processing, 3-Year Validity)
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is required for many nationalities before boarding a flight to South Korea — but NOT for Singapore passport holders, whose temporary exemption was extended through 2026 (official notice dated 20 Mar 2026). The catch: Malaysian passport holders DO need to apply, which is the #1 traveller-confusion in mixed SG-MY groups planning Korea trips. We break down who needs K-ETA, who doesn't, how to apply (KRW 10,000, 72hr processing), and the gotchas that get tourists turned away at the gate.
NDP 2026 Ticket Applications Open — Singpass Ballot 23 May → 6 Jun 2026 (Apply for 2/4/6 Tickets to Preview 1, Preview 2, or NDP Show)
NDP 2026 ticket applications are now LIVE at ndp.gov.sg — open Fri 23 May 12pm through Fri 6 Jun 12pm. Ballot system (NOT first-come-first-served), Singpass login required, citizens + PRs only. Choose to apply for 2, 4, or 6 tickets to NDP Preview 1 (Sat 25 Jul), NDP Preview 2 (Sat 1 Aug), or the actual NDP 2026 show on Sun 9 Aug. Results notified via SMS + email between 15-17 Jun. Historical odds: ~1-in-3 to 1-in-5 chance of getting tickets depending on session.
Why Singapore's Best Promos All Cluster in Mid-May — Understanding the SG Retail Calendar (2026 Edition)
This past 7 days alone saw Starbucks $1 Venti, Kiehl's 175 Anniversary, CHICHA 70% off, UNIQLO Thank You Festival, Popeyes Midnight Crunch, McSpicy Museum + Baa Baa Sheepz first-ever warehouse sale ALL running at the same time. Coincidence? No. Six specific forces compress every major SG brand's biggest sale of the year into the same 3-week window in mid-May to early-June. Once you see the pattern, you can plan around it next year.
Father's Day in Singapore is 30 Days Out — Why You Should Book a Restaurant TODAY (For Sun 21 June 2026)
Father's Day 2026 falls on Sunday 21 June — exactly 30 days from today. SG hotel brunches book 3 weeks out, omakase 4 weeks, steakhouses 2 weeks, family Cantonese 1 week. Why most people who try to book at the 2-week mark find their top 3 picks fully reserved, why Father's Day is harder than Mother's Day to lock in, and the Chope vs Quandoo vs direct-call playbook by restaurant category.
HDB June 2026 BTO Launch Decoder — 6,900 Flats Across Lakeview, Shunfu, Berlayar Bukit Merah, Ang Mo Kio (HFE Letter Cutoff Today, 15 May)
HDB's June 2026 BTO sales exercise drops about 6,900 flats — including the first Lakeview + Shunfu launches in 40+ years and the 1,960-flat Berlayar mega-project on the former Keppel Club site. HFE letter applications close TODAY 15 May for buyers wanting to apply. Here's what to know before clicking 'apply'.
Singapore COE May 2026 1st Bidding Results — Cat B Hits S$126K, All Categories Up. What to Expect for 2nd Bidding (20 May)
May 2026 1st COE bidding closed with Category B at S$126,236 (up S$5,235), and every other category also up. Cat A S$124,790, Cat C $87,479, Cat E $127,700. The next bidding exercise opens 18 May at noon, results 20 May 4pm. Here's what's behind the rise and what to watch.
Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) 2026 — 'Let's Play!' Runs 15-30 May Across 5 Festival Pillars
SIFA 2026 returns 15-30 May with the 'Let's Play!' theme across 5 programming pillars: Festival Stage, Festival Village, Play!Ground, Festival House, Festival Late Nites. Local icons (Jacintha, Dick Lee), international productions (Korean Hedda Gabler, Peruvian Hamlet with Down syndrome cast), free + ticketed shows from S$38.
Best Subscription Plans to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 in Singapore — Free vs S$118 Pass Compared (Kicks Off 11 June)
FIFA World Cup 2026 starts 11 June. Singapore broadcast: 28 of 104 matches free on Channel 5 + meWATCH; all 104 matches via the S$118 Mediacorp Season Pass on meWATCH / StarHub TV+ / Singtel TV / CAST.SG. Early-bird S$98 window is closed. Here's how to decide before the opener.
Scoot Launches New Flights from Singapore to Belitung (S$99) and Pontianak (S$129) — First Departures May & June 2026
Scoot's adding two thinly-served Indonesian destinations: Belitung from 3 May 2026 (twice weekly, fares from S$99) and Pontianak from 29 June 2026 (3x weekly, fares from S$129). New Embraer E190-E2 aircraft with NO middle seats. Opens up two underrated weekend escapes from Changi.
GST Has Been at 9% for Two Years — Here's What It Has Actually Cost the Average Household
The 1-percentage-point GST hike sounded modest in the 2023 announcements. Two years on, here's the arithmetic on what 9% (versus the pre-2023 7%) actually costs three illustrative Singapore households — and what the CDC and GST Vouchers do and don't cover.
BTO vs Resale vs EC (Singapore 2026) — The Decision Tree My Friends Keep Asking Me To Redraw
Three flat types, three eligibility regimes, three very different cash-flow shapes. This is the decision tree I keep drawing for friends — citizenship, budget, urgency, and the 'but what if I sell in six years' question every Singapore homebuyer secretly worries about.
How CPF Special Account Actually Works (Singapore 2026) — And What Changed After 55
Most Singaporeans treat the CPF Special Account like a slightly-higher-interest savings account. It isn't — and the rules changed for those over 55 from 2025. Here's a plain explainer of what the SA does, why the 4% floor matters, and what actually happened to it.
5 Best Crypto Exchanges in Singapore (2026) — Coinhako, Independent Reserve, Crypto.com, Coinbase & Bitstamp Compared
MAS has been quietly licensing the safe ones — and quietly blocking the risky ones. We compared 5 MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution (MPI) crypto exchanges in Singapore for 2026 across fees, supported coins, deposit methods, and which is genuinely best for your size.
5 Best Pest Control Services in Singapore (2026) — From Rentokil to Aardwolf & Killem Compared
Cockroaches, bedbugs, rats, termites — Singapore's tropical climate guarantees pest issues. We ranked 5 of the most-trusted NEA-licensed pest control operators for 2026 across one-time treatments, annual contracts, response times, and which is genuinely best for your problem.
5 Best Stock Brokerages in Singapore (2026) — Tiger, moomoo, IBKR, Webull & Saxo Compared
Beyond robo-advisors — when you actually want to buy individual stocks, the broker you pick decides 90% of your cost. We compared Tiger Brokers, moomoo SG, Interactive Brokers, Webull SG, and Saxo across commissions, sign-up promos, US-stock fees, and which is genuinely best for your style.
Singapore Goes 'Drive-Through Immigration': Tuas Checkpoint to Roll Out World-First Automated Car Clearance from 2027
ICA has confirmed Tuas Checkpoint will roll out the Automated Passenger Clearance System (APCS) for all vehicles from early 2027 — drivers and passengers can scan QR codes / passports + facial-biometric verify without leaving the car. Motorcyclists get the same treatment from Q3 2026. Live trials at Tuas in the months ahead.
5 Best Father's Day Experience Activities in Singapore (2026) — Bonding Beyond the Restaurant
Skip the polo shirt and the dinner buffet. We rounded up 5 genuine bonding experiences in Singapore for Father's Day 2026 — from kayaking at Pulau Ubin and axe throwing at Axe Factor to F1 driving sims, escape rooms, and a whisky tasting at The Auld Alliance. Memories beat objects.
5 Best Mother's Day Spa Packages in Singapore (2026) — Mum-Daughter Retreats, Hotel Spas & Promo Pricing
From Raffles Sentosa's Mother & Daughter Retreat and Capella's Auriga Spa Wellness Retreat for Her to AWAY Spa's Valmont gift bundle and Oasia Spa's 5th-anniversary 31% off — we ranked the 5 best Mother's Day spa packages in Singapore for 2026, with prices, dates, and exactly what's included.
5 Best Currency Exchange Apps in Singapore (2026) — YouTrip vs Revolut vs Wise vs Trip.com vs Amaze
Multi-currency cards and apps now beat physical changers on most pairs. We compare YouTrip, Revolut, Wise, Trip.com Wallet, and Amaze across exchange rates, fees, ATM withdrawal, and which is genuinely best for your travel style.
Flexar Officially Launches in Singapore — BlueSG Returns with 200+ Cars, 100 Stations & a S$10 Welcome Voucher
BlueSG is back as Flexar — a point-to-point car-sharing service that officially launched on 4 May 2026 with 200+ vehicles across 100 stations covering central, north, northeast and east Singapore. No deposit, no membership fee, S$10 welcome voucher for new users (2-week launch promo). Here's what you actually pay per minute and how it compares to GetGo and Tribecar.
5 Best Student Bank Accounts in Singapore (2026) — POSB, OCBC FRANK, UOB, CIMB & Trust
Choosing your first bank account at 16 or starting university? We compare POSB Save, OCBC FRANK, UOB Stash, CIMB FastSaver, and Trust Bank — interest rates, eligibility, perks, and which is genuinely best for students under 25.
5 Best Dental Clinics in Singapore (2026) — Q&M, TP Dental, Novena, Orchard Scotts & An Teck
From the largest island-wide chain (Q&M) to heritage names like TP Dental (since 1979) and premium specialists at Orchard Scotts — we compare 5 trusted Singapore dental clinics across price ranges, specialisations, and which one fits which need.
6 Best Coworking Spaces in Singapore (2026) — WeWork, JustCo, The Great Room, Spaces, The Hive & Arcc Spaces Compared
Hot-desk from S$300/month or take a private office above S$1,200 — we compare WeWork, JustCo, The Great Room, Spaces, The Hive, and boutique-premium Arcc Spaces across price, locations, member perks, and which type of professional each suits best.
5 Best Car Insurance Plans in Singapore (2026) — NTUC Income, Allianz, Etiqa & More Compared
Comprehensive car insurance in Singapore typically runs S$700–1,800/year depending on your NCD, age, and car. We compare the 5 most-used insurers — NTUC Income Drivo, Allianz, Etiqa Tiq, Direct Asia, and FWD — across coverage, claim experience, workshop networks, and where each is genuinely best.
McDonald's Launches a Monthly Coffee Subscription — But Only in India (Not Singapore, Yet)
Westlife Foodworld, the McDonald's franchisee for West and South India, rolled out a McCafé monthly coffee subscription on 10 February 2026 — Rs. 549 for 10 cups, valid 30 days. We break down what's actually been launched, debunk the viral '$54 unlimited' rumour going around, and check whether Singapore is next.
Friendster Is Back in 2026 — The 2000s Social Network of Your School Days Has Returned
Friendster — the social network that defined the early-2000s schooldays of every 80s and 90s kid in Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines — has officially relaunched in April 2026. New owner, new philosophy: no ads, no algorithm, and you can only add a friend by physically tapping phones together. Here's what's actually back, and what's gone forever.
5 Best Credit Cards for Travel Miles in Singapore (2026) — Citi PremierMiles, UOB PRVI, DBS Altitude & More
From Citi PremierMiles' miles-that-never-expire to UOB PRVI's 2.4 mpd on overseas spend and DBS Altitude's flexible transfer partners — we compare Singapore's 5 best miles credit cards for 2026 with annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and lounge access.
5 Best CPF Top-Up Hacks for 2026 — Tax Relief, MRSS, and the New Trade-Off Rule
From 1 Jan 2025, MRSS-matched top-ups no longer qualify for tax relief — you have to choose. We break down the 5 smartest CPF cash top-up moves in 2026 to maximise either tax savings (up to S$16k relief) or government matching (up to S$2k MRSS for ages 55–70).
5 Best Neobank Savers in Singapore (2026) — Trust vs GXS vs MariBank vs Chocolate vs StashAway Simple
With UOB One cut to 1.90% and OCBC 360 dropping to 4.45% from May 2026, neobanks are quietly outpacing traditional savings accounts. We compare Trust, GXS, MariBank, Chocolate Finance, and StashAway Simple for 2026 — rates, caps, and fine print.
5 Best Pet Insurance Plans in Singapore (2026) — AON HappyTails, Liberty PetCare, Income & More
Vet bills can hit S$3,000+ for a single hospitalisation — pet insurance covers 70-80% of that. We compare Singapore's 5 best pet insurance plans for dogs and cats in 2026: AON HappyTails, Liberty PetCare, Income, MSIG, and Tiq by Etiqa.
5 Best Staycation Hotels in Singapore Under S$300 (2026) — Long-Weekend Picks
From Lloyd's Inn's S$178 boutique vibe to Hotel Jen Tanglin's pool-and-breakfast deal — we picked 5 Singapore staycation hotels under S$300 a night that deliver real value for a long-weekend escape, with no resort fees or hidden costs.
Changi Airport T3 to Undergo Major Upgrade — Tender to Be Called in Second Half of 2026
Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow has confirmed that Changi Airport Terminal 3 is set for a major refresh, with the tender to be called in the second half of 2026. More robotics, more self-service, and the last big terminal upgrade before T5 opens in the mid-2030s.
10 Best Cafes for Work & Brunch in Singapore (2026) — Wi-Fi, Power Sockets & Great Food
From Tiong Bahru Bakery's flaky croissants to Common Man Coffee Roasters' day-pass coworking and Atlas Coffeehouse's signature waffles — we ranked Singapore's 10 best cafes that genuinely work for both a productive laptop session and a satisfying brunch.
5 Best Travel Insurance Plans in Singapore (2026) — NTUC Income, FWD, AIG, Allianz & Tiq Compared
From AIG's S$2.5M medical limit to FWD's strongest cancellation cover and NTUC Income's free kid-coverage — we compare Singapore's 5 best travel insurance plans for 2026, with current promo codes worth up to 70% off.
5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans in Singapore (2026) — FWD, NTUC Income, AIG, Allianz & Tiq Compared
Fly 3+ times a year? An annual multi-trip plan beats buying single-trip cover each time. We compare Singapore's 5 best annual travel insurance plans — from FWD's wallet-friendly Asia annual to AIG's S$2.5M medical Premier — with break-even math and current promo codes.
5 Best Moving Companies in Singapore (2026) — Reliable, Reasonable, Reviewed
From Move Move Movers' 1,900+ Google reviews to Cube Movers' transparent S$288 flat-rate pricing — we ranked Singapore's 5 best moving companies for HDB, condo and office relocations in 2026.
5 Best HDB Home Loans in Singapore (2026) — DBS, OCBC, UOB & HDB Concessionary Compared
Should you take the HDB concessionary loan at 2.6% or refinance to a bank loan at 1.55%? We compare the 5 best HDB home loan options in Singapore for 2026 — DBS, OCBC, UOB, HDB, and Standard Chartered.
5 Best Investment Apps in Singapore (2026) — Endowus, StashAway, Syfe & More Compared
From Endowus's CPF/SRS investing to StashAway's macro-driven ERAA algorithm and Syfe's no-minimum portfolios — we compare Singapore's 5 best robo-investment apps for 2026, with fees, minimums, and what each is genuinely best at.
5 Best Home Cleaning Services in Singapore (2026) — Helpling, Sureclean, Nimbus & More Compared
From Helpling's massive review base to Sureclean's $88 weekly cleans and Nimbus's 4.9-star average — we ranked Singapore's 5 best home cleaning services for 2026, with prices, ratings, and what each is best at.
5 Best Remittance Apps in Singapore (2026) — Wise, Instarem, YouTrip & More
Sending money home or paying for an overseas property? Bank wires still cost S$30+ and lose 3% on the rate. We compare the 5 best remittance apps in Singapore for 2026 — fees, FX spreads, speed, and which one to use for which corridor.
5 Best Aircon Servicing Companies in Singapore (2026) — Reliable, Reasonable, & On Time
From quarterly chemical washes to full system overhauls, picking the right aircon servicing company saves you S$200-500 a year and keeps your unit running through Singapore's worst heatwaves. Here are 5 reliable options for 2026.
5 Best Digital Bank Accounts in Singapore (2026) — Trust, GXS, MariBank Compared
Up to 4% interest, no minimum balance, no fall-below fees — Singapore's digital banks are eating into traditional bank deposits. We compare Trust, GXS, MariBank and two high-yield digital alternatives so you know which one to open.
5 Best Telco Mobile Plans in Singapore (2026) — Postpaid Compared
Singtel vs StarHub vs M1 vs Circles.Life vs Simba — we compare Singapore's top postpaid mobile plans on price, data, and perks to find the best value for every type of user.
Grab vs Foodpanda (2026) — Which Food Delivery App Has Better Deals?
We pit Singapore's two biggest food delivery apps head-to-head across subscriptions, promo codes, restaurant variety, and delivery speed. Here's the 2026 verdict — round by round.
7 Best Food Delivery Apps in Singapore (2026) — Ranked by Deals & Value
GrabFood vs Foodpanda vs Deliveroo and more — we ranked all the major food delivery apps in Singapore by their current promos, delivery fees, and value for money.
7 Best Credit Cards in Singapore (2026) — Cashback & Rewards Ranked
DBS vs OCBC vs UOB vs Citi — we compared Singapore's top credit cards by cashback rates, welcome bonuses, and everyday value so you know exactly which card to put in your wallet.
5 Best Broadband Plans in Singapore (2026) — Fastest & Cheapest Ranked
Singtel vs StarHub vs M1 vs MyRepublic vs ViewQwest — we compared Singapore's home broadband plans by speed, price, contract terms, and current promotions to help you pick the best one.
5 Best Insurance Companies in Singapore (2026) — Life, Health & More
Prudential vs AIA vs Great Eastern vs NTUC Income — we break down Singapore's top insurers by coverage, premiums, claim process, and customer service so you can protect what matters most.
5 Best Savings Accounts in Singapore (2026) — Highest Interest Rates Ranked
DBS Multiplier vs OCBC 360 vs UOB One vs BOC SmartSaver — we crunched the numbers on Singapore's top savings accounts so you know exactly where to park your cash for maximum returns.