In an ideal world, couples know what to do with their money. Salaries go into a joint account each month, expenses are dutifully paid for from this account, each partner doesn't spend more than they should, and whatever's left goes into building a nest egg for retirement. Hands up, if you are in this enviable situation. My guess is, many of us are not.
I have to admit: I'm not always happy with my husband's carefree attitude towards money. The way he manages his finances, it's as if the dreaded R-word (retirement, if you're wondering) will never happen to him. I, on the other hand, am a worrier. I worry about not having a big retirement fund, I worry about losing my job, and I worry about not having a sizable bank account that I can fall back on in case of emergencies.
When it comes to our attitudes towards our finances, we are as incompatible as oil and water. But thankfully, we agreed early on in our relationship to keep our finances separate. The fact that we've decided not to have children also makes it easier for us to manage our money.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
But what if things were a little more complicated? Say for instance, your partner may find himself in a position where he is suddenly unable to contribute to a dual-income household (due to circumstances beyond his control), and you find yourself shouldering the household expenses alone. And what if he seems to be in no rush to find a new job, or is reluctant to at least be a gig worker until he finds a permanent role?
Such situations can be fraught with tension and stress. You might find yourself trapped, unable to quit a job you dislike because you have become the sole breadwinner. Or, your spouse might think you are not being understanding of their problems and accuse you of asking them to "settle".
Bu hikaye Her World Singapore dergisinin February 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Her World Singapore dergisinin February 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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TREASURE ISLAND
When plans to demolish the Merlion Tower on Sentosa were announced in 2019, some Singaporeans were sad to see one of the island's most iconic attractions go. After all, the quirky creature – with the head of a lion and the body of a fish – had been a significant part of their memories of Sentosa.The 37m-tall, 12-storey structure, completed in 1996 and designed by Australian sculptor James Martin, was a focal point for laser light shows and projections that transformed its ivory facade into a vibrant display of colours.The Merlion Tower was a popular attraction for families. Singaporean couple Anand and Vrunda Patel would often take their children there for outings. Vrunda, now 50, fondly recalls climbing the structure and admiring the views of Sentosa from the Merlion's mouth. “Outside the Merlion, there was a beautiful step garden with flowing water. I used to love walking there,” she shares.Years later, the statue, covered in dirt and grime, required a refresh. The demolition was not only part of a larger vision to connect Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in the north to the three beaches (Palawan, Tanjong and Siloso) on the island's south, it was also the start of a massive rebranding project to transform Sentosa from a recreational family destination to a premier lifestyle attraction.Today, Sentosa Sensoryscape stands in its place. Set within a lush landscape, the 30,000 sqm attraction features a 350m-long connector that leads visitors to six sensory gardens – where they can explore the gardens’ massive vessel-like sculptures, observe the various flora and fauna inhabiting the space, and interact with Instagrammable light displays through an augmented reality app after nightfall.“To attract younger visitors, our additional focus is on creating more authentic and immersive experiences, recognising that this demographic seeks deeper, more engaging interactions with the places they visit,” says Thien Kwee Eng, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).Just as Sensoryscape is designed to create an otherworldly atmosphere after dark, the Sentosa Night Mode campaign, launched in August, aims to introduce the island as a day-to-night destination for both locals and tourists, who would typically only make day trips to Sentosa. In addition to more nightlife events – such as the recent Waterbomb Festival, which saw about 10,000 revellers partying to a live K-pop line-up – the initiative includes extended operating hours at key attractions, along with street performances and dining promotions.It’s a move that has boosted visitorship to the island, with total numbers reaching 16 million this year.“This is a 20 per cent increase in the number of visitors as compared to the same period last year,” reveals Kwee Eng.
TAKING THE LEAP
It’s 10 am on a Monday, and Gan Guoyi, 40, walks into Jigger & Pony with a set of dry-cleaned clothes – a picture of calm amid the aftermath of last night’s chaos. The Singapore bar recently secured a spot in the Top 5 of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, announced in Madrid on Oct 23. To celebrate, she threw a three-night promotion from Nov 10, where customers enjoyed five premium cocktails for just $5 each at select bars like Gibson, Live Twice, Sugarhall, Como Pony Jakarta, and Jigger & Pony.Naturally, the event was a hit, and Guoyi, who was manning the guest list at Sugarhall, only managed a few hours of sleep the night before. Still, she arrives promptly to our photo shoot without complaints.
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