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Financial ties while absent from SG

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Lisafuller
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by Lisafuller » Sun, 30 Oct 2022 9:12 pm

nelyanne wrote:
Sun, 30 Oct 2022 9:09 pm
Lisafuller wrote:
Sun, 30 Oct 2022 8:19 pm
nelyanne wrote:
Sun, 30 Oct 2022 12:59 pm
What about generating a mobile token for 2FA? If you don't want to have token-generating apps installed on your phone, buy some old phone just for this
Can get one of those tokens that looks like a ladybug (not sure what the proper name is). That was what I used before SMS 2FA.
DBS doesn't have physical tokens anymore. Are there physical tokens for Singpass?

For SIM-only plans, there are some options below <25 SGD (I have GOMO and I like it), but I've heard that some cheap ones have a poor coverage...
I've heard Gomo is operated by Singtel, and circles by M1.

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malcontent
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by malcontent » Tue, 01 Nov 2022 8:01 am

Lisafuller wrote:
Sun, 30 Oct 2022 9:11 pm
jwoods1864 wrote:
Sun, 30 Oct 2022 8:32 pm
Lisafuller wrote:
What?!?! $5??? What does it come with for that price?
2gb and like 50 mins and 30 messages lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Not sure how I would survive with that, but I guess for the price of a plate of hokkien mee you can't complain.
I’ve been grandfathered on a long extinct corporate plan at SingTel for S$12/mo and it comes with a rich set of features: auto-roam, caller ID, voice mail, unlimited incoming, 700 mins outgoing, 500 SMS and. . . 100mb data — yes, just 100 megabytes of data!

That was enough to let me check-in/out during the pandemic, check bus timing and I have a special app called Text Browser, which allows me to google anything using only kilobytes of data. I honestly don’t need data while I’m out. I’ve got wifi at home, wifi at work, and free Wireless@SG at many other places… I’ve got more than what I need. I just switch off most all apps on my cellular connection to avoid any surprises.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

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malcontent
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by malcontent » Sun, 18 Aug 2024 6:39 pm

With my departure now coming at year end, I have cancelled all credit cards except two. I don’t want to deal with any AF hassle when I’m not here.

1. Trust visa: no AF or FTF so I can continue using it abroad to keep it active.

2. UOB Singtel: no AF w/monthly Singtel bill (I can keep my cheapo $12/mo plan going, which has free autoroam).

Another reason to keep a UOB card is because my company forced me to use UOB for SRS, and without a card you can’t access internet banking. I will only be able to liquidate my SRS in 2030.

As for banking, I will also have just 2, DBS and Trust — both do not charge any fees if a minimum balance is not maintained. And Trust credit card bills get paid from the savings account, so that will trigger activity so it doesn’t go dormant.

What did I miss?
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

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PNGMK
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by PNGMK » Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:25 pm

Mal - make sure all your condo bills are on giro or you get email notifications (PUB, MCST fee, property tax). One thing that for me is an utter PITA is our MA is old school and sends paper statements for payment of our fees and want cheques posted but have agreed to allow internet bank payments soon. I know you don't have a car but I plan to leave mine with my son to use and there are payments for it that need to be done online.
I not lawyer/teacher/CPA.
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!

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malcontent
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by malcontent » Mon, 19 Aug 2024 4:39 pm

PNGMK wrote:
Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:25 pm
Mal - make sure all your condo bills are on giro or you get email notifications (PUB, MCST fee, property tax). One thing that for me is an utter PITA is our MA is old school and sends paper statements for payment of our fees and want cheques posted but have agreed to allow internet bank payments soon. I know you don't have a car but I plan to leave mine with my son to use and there are payments for it that need to be done online.
Good advice. Our MA was also old school up until about 3 years ago and finally went GIRO. I’m a big believer in autopay, all bills are on GIRO except mortgage payments, haven’t figured out a way to automate those yet. I saw something called a standing order, but not too sure about it.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

tiktok
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by tiktok » Tue, 20 Aug 2024 7:29 am

I switched to Simba to keep my number active. $10 a month, includes 1 GB roaming in most countries. I don't think you can get much cheaper than this now.
I not troll/wacko/spammer.
Me no expat. Me foreigner.

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PNGMK
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by PNGMK » Tue, 20 Aug 2024 8:41 am

malcontent wrote:
Mon, 19 Aug 2024 4:39 pm
PNGMK wrote:
Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:25 pm
Mal - make sure all your condo bills are on giro or you get email notifications (PUB, MCST fee, property tax). One thing that for me is an utter PITA is our MA is old school and sends paper statements for payment of our fees and want cheques posted but have agreed to allow internet bank payments soon. I know you don't have a car but I plan to leave mine with my son to use and there are payments for it that need to be done online.
Good advice. Our MA was also old school up until about 3 years ago and finally went GIRO. I’m a big believer in autopay, all bills are on GIRO except mortgage payments, haven’t figured out a way to automate those yet. I saw something called a standing order, but not too sure about it.
With Maybank they do an auto-deduction from your nominated account on the 1st of the month (without a standing order). Standing orders are basically scheduled transfers from one account to the other.

One thing that bugs me a bit is that without a phone number registered in Singapore you can't really manage stuff back here from overseas. I know you're setting it up but it still irks me. I never needed it for Australia when I left.

One thing I've been thinking about is 'residency' for insurance policies. Most Singapore insurance policies (particularly life type ones) have a prerequisite that you are 'resident' in Singapore. Not sure how I'll handle that end 2026.
I not lawyer/teacher/CPA.
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!

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malcontent
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by malcontent » Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:34 pm

tiktok wrote:
Tue, 20 Aug 2024 7:29 am
I switched to Simba to keep my number active. $10 a month, includes 1 GB roaming in most countries. I don't think you can get much cheaper than this now.
That is a fantastic deal, but I have an extreme hatred for switching plans (especially ones that are likely here today, gone tomorrow).

I’ve had this cheapo $12/mo plan with Singtel for over 20 years now, and they have grandfathered me all the way. But, I do fear they will screw me over and change it someday.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

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malcontent
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by malcontent » Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:40 pm

PNGMK wrote:
Tue, 20 Aug 2024 8:41 am
malcontent wrote:
Mon, 19 Aug 2024 4:39 pm
PNGMK wrote:
Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:25 pm
Mal - make sure all your condo bills are on giro or you get email notifications (PUB, MCST fee, property tax). One thing that for me is an utter PITA is our MA is old school and sends paper statements for payment of our fees and want cheques posted but have agreed to allow internet bank payments soon. I know you don't have a car but I plan to leave mine with my son to use and there are payments for it that need to be done online.
Good advice. Our MA was also old school up until about 3 years ago and finally went GIRO. I’m a big believer in autopay, all bills are on GIRO except mortgage payments, haven’t figured out a way to automate those yet. I saw something called a standing order, but not too sure about it.
With Maybank they do an auto-deduction from your nominated account on the 1st of the month (without a standing order). Standing orders are basically scheduled transfers from one account to the other.

One thing that bugs me a bit is that without a phone number registered in Singapore you can't really manage stuff back here from overseas. I know you're setting it up but it still irks me. I never needed it for Australia when I left.

One thing I've been thinking about is 'residency' for insurance policies. Most Singapore insurance policies (particularly life type ones) have a prerequisite that you are 'resident' in Singapore. Not sure how I'll handle that end 2026.
There is a companion savings account that the mortgage payment deducts from. Maybe I need to make that account more than a pass through.

I’ve heard it’s possible to use an overseas number for many things here, but not sure if that works for everything. For US stuff, they usually require a US number as well - but that is easy with VoIP. Maybe VoIP is possible here too? Anyone have any experience?

The only insurance I have is with my employer, and that will all come to an end when I leave.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

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Wd40
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by Wd40 » Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:54 pm

I don't think you can keep a Singapore postpaid number if your FIN has expired. I remember M1 asking me to send them my new pass details everytime it expired.

Maybe you can register your number under your passport. But in my case my number is registered under my FIN.

Anyways I won't keep my financial life alive in Singapore for too long after I am gone. I need to wait for my employer private PF to be redeemed which takes about 2 months and then to remit the money to India. After that I am done, won't keep any loose ends in Singapore. Will close everything.

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malcontent
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by malcontent » Thu, 22 Aug 2024 1:13 am

Wd40 wrote:
Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:54 pm
I don't think you can keep a Singapore postpaid number if your FIN has expired. I remember M1 asking me to send them my new pass details everytime it expired.

Maybe you can register your number under your passport. But in my case my number is registered under my FIN.

Anyways I won't keep my financial life alive in Singapore for too long after I am gone. I need to wait for my employer private PF to be redeemed which takes about 2 months and then to remit the money to India. After that I am done, won't keep any loose ends in Singapore. Will close everything.
When I read about how hard it is for foreign nonresidents to open accounts here, I am inclined to keep what I’ve got, especially zero minimum balance accounts that cost me nothing.

I put the odds at 50/50 that we’ll be back here someday, plus we have the condo and I’ve got an SRS account that won’t ripen until 2030. Who knows where we’ll be by then.

I’ve never been asked by Singtel to provide any updates on my immigration status. Maybe because it’s a corporate CIS plan. I’ve had the same number/account for over 20 years now.

Good if you can make a clean break though, makes life simple.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

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PNGMK
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by PNGMK » Thu, 22 Aug 2024 9:39 am

malcontent wrote:
Thu, 22 Aug 2024 1:13 am
Wd40 wrote:
Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:54 pm
I don't think you can keep a Singapore postpaid number if your FIN has expired. I remember M1 asking me to send them my new pass details everytime it expired.

Maybe you can register your number under your passport. But in my case my number is registered under my FIN.

Anyways I won't keep my financial life alive in Singapore for too long after I am gone. I need to wait for my employer private PF to be redeemed which takes about 2 months and then to remit the money to India. After that I am done, won't keep any loose ends in Singapore. Will close everything.
When I read about how hard it is for foreign nonresidents to open accounts here, I am inclined to keep what I’ve got, especially zero minimum balance accounts that cost me nothing.

I put the odds at 50/50 that we’ll be back here someday, plus we have the condo and I’ve got an SRS account that won’t ripen until 2030. Who knows where we’ll be by then.

I’ve never been asked by Singtel to provide any updates on my immigration status. Maybe because it’s a corporate CIS plan. I’ve had the same number/account for over 20 years now.

Good if you can make a clean break though, makes life simple.
I would not close any accounts. At some point you may be forced by the bank forcing your hand.
I not lawyer/teacher/CPA.
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!

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malcontent
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by malcontent » Thu, 22 Aug 2024 8:11 pm

PNGMK wrote:
Thu, 22 Aug 2024 9:39 am
malcontent wrote:
Thu, 22 Aug 2024 1:13 am
Wd40 wrote:
Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:54 pm
I don't think you can keep a Singapore postpaid number if your FIN has expired. I remember M1 asking me to send them my new pass details everytime it expired.

Maybe you can register your number under your passport. But in my case my number is registered under my FIN.

Anyways I won't keep my financial life alive in Singapore for too long after I am gone. I need to wait for my employer private PF to be redeemed which takes about 2 months and then to remit the money to India. After that I am done, won't keep any loose ends in Singapore. Will close everything.
When I read about how hard it is for foreign nonresidents to open accounts here, I am inclined to keep what I’ve got, especially zero minimum balance accounts that cost me nothing.

I put the odds at 50/50 that we’ll be back here someday, plus we have the condo and I’ve got an SRS account that won’t ripen until 2030. Who knows where we’ll be by then.

I’ve never been asked by Singtel to provide any updates on my immigration status. Maybe because it’s a corporate CIS plan. I’ve had the same number/account for over 20 years now.

Good if you can make a clean break though, makes life simple.
I would not close any accounts. At some point you may be forced by the bank forcing your hand.
Agree. I don’t know what the future holds, but I don’t see a future where we won’t ever come back to Singapore… we have too many connections. I’ve lived more than half my life here, my wife has lived almost her whole life here and our kids have lived their entire lives here.

I see a strong possibility that I return here on LTVP someday, but that will be another chapter. For now, we have an opportunity to see and travel in another part of the world, a place that we haven’t spent a lot of time in… and I love to learn and explore new places.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

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PNGMK
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by PNGMK » Thu, 22 Aug 2024 8:31 pm

If you've the wherewithal Singapore is not a bad base for retirement. It's horribly expensive but safe and convenient. I mean people retire to NYC if they have the money for the shows and stuff.
I not lawyer/teacher/CPA.
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!

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malcontent
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Re: Financial ties while absent from SG

Post by malcontent » Thu, 22 Aug 2024 9:22 pm

PNGMK wrote:
Thu, 22 Aug 2024 8:31 pm
If you've the wherewithal Singapore is not a bad base for retirement. It's horribly expensive but safe and convenient. I mean people retire to NYC if they have the money for the shows and stuff.
When kids are done with school, you own your home outright, don’t need a car and have no expensive hobbies… then the cost of retiring here can be quite reasonable. Singapore can also be a good base of operations if you want to travel around this side of the planet, especially after school or work constraints drop off. Most retirees want to be close to their grandkids too, that can sometimes be a big consideration.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows - Epictetus

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