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anybody can explain the $107/ year and $117.7/year issue thanks how does one know which package one belongs to without calling them

Chinese New Year coming soon, with the economy slow down. Wonder what would the Ang Bao rate will be?

What rate is the bank charging now? which bank is the lowest?

As per the topic, appreciate if those in the know can feedback. Thanks

I REFER to last Saturday's article, 'More cars on the roads - COE system not working to plan'. The article concluded erroneously that the certificate of entitlement (COE) system is not working as planned. As a result, there are more cars on our roads, and the roads are more crowded than they otherwise would be. This is categorically not the case. Since the introduction of the COE system in 1990, the vehicle population has grown at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.7 per cent from 1990 to 2007, which is within the prescribed rate of 3 per cent per annum. The vehicle population at the end of last year is therefore not larger than it should be, based on the allowable growth rate of 3 per cent per annum; in fact, it is smaller. The COE system has therefore been effective in keeping the growth of the vehicle population within the prescribed limit, even though the growth rate on a year-to-year basis may fluctuate. The roads are crowded not because the COE system is not functioning as intended, but because at 3 per cent per annum, vehicle growth significantly outstrips road growth at 0.5 per cent, thus making it untenable to continue at this rate. That is why the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will reduce the vehicle growth rate from 3 per cent to 1.5 per cent per annum from Quota Year 2009, that is, May next year, as announced in the Land Transport Masterplan. This rate will be reviewed after three years to assess whether a further reduction is necessary. Geoffrey Lim Deputy Director, Media Relations Land Transport Authority Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Sto...ory_292872.html

who is next in line?... .... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story Oct 6, 2008 SingTel raises phone rates First rate revision in 18 years . SINGAPORE Telecommunications (SingTel) on Monday announced its first rate revision in 18 years for its fixed-line telephone subscription and call charges, and said it will offer $1 million worth of credit vouchers to needy households. From Jan 1, fixed-line telephone customers will pay $10 more a year in subscription rates - an increase of 83 cents a month. With this revision, residential customers will pay $110 a year and business customers will pay $160. Call charges will increase to 0.8 cents from 0.7 cents per 30-second block during peak hours and per 60-second block during off-peak hours. To reflect changes in call traffic patterns, peak hours will be revised to 9am to 7pm from 8am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays. Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays are off-peak. With the new rates, most customers will pay not more than an additional $1.50 a month, said SingTel in a statement. In a statement, the telco said it had been able to hold off any rate increase earlier through productivity improvement and network rationalisation by reducing the number of exchange buildings. Mr Allen Lew, SingTel's CEO Singapore, said: 'We have held off rate revisions for 18 years despite rising costs. Over the years, the two main cost components, manpower and materials, have increased substantially. The recent rapid increase in utility costs has also pushed up our running costs.' SingTel said the average annual wage has risen 52 per cent between 1997 and 2007, according to Ministry of Manpower statistics. But the cost of copper, a key material component in the fixed-line network, tripled from 1991 to 2007, according to the benchmark London Metal Exchange. 'While we are committed to delivering affordable and good quality fixed-line services, the service must remain sustainable. SingTel is among the last remaining operators in this region to revise telephone charges. With this adjustment, our charges continue to be one of the lowest in this region,' Mr Lew added. To help needy households, SingTel will provide $1 million worth of credit vouchers, each worth $10, to these residents. Those who need assistance can approach their Citizens' Consultative Committees or People's Association grassroots leaders. Said Mr Lew: 'We hope to cushion the effect of the rate revisions on our customers by providing $1 million worth of credit vouchers to those who need financial assistance.' In addition, fixed-line residential customers who sign up for both SingTel's electronic bill statement (www.singtel.com/myBill) and GIRO before March 31 will enjoy a one-time $10 discount on their annual subscription. http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNew...ory_286545.html

Starting this thread to see if it will be useful for all forummers who venture north frequently for business, leisure or solely for cheap fuel or ciggies. Anyway, I have searched the forum for one dedicated for this but found none that provide "real time" prices. So this thread could let people know which money changer has the best rates in Singapore? i will start the ball rolling... contributors most welcomed! Please let us know the name and address of the money changer in the following format. Name/Address/Date/Rates(please do not quote rates if you are changing

S'pore jobless rate rises Employment growth remains strong with retrenchment down, but unemployment continues to rise. SINGAPORE'S jobless rate rose to 2.3 per cent in June, for the second quarter in a row even as total employment growth remained strong in the second quarter, driven by the robust construction sector. Amid the economic uncertainties, the overall unemployment rate rose from a seasonally adjusted 1.7 per cent in December to 2 per cent in March and further to 2.3 per cent in June, according to the latest labour market update released by the Ministry of Manpower on Monday. Some 77,800 residents were jobless in June. The seasonally adjusted figure was 60,900, up 12 per cent from 54,300 in March. But MOM said it was comparable to the 59,700 in June a year ago. The number of unemployed residents (poster comment: an influx of FTs?) went up from 2.4 per cent in December to 2.9 per cent in March and 3.1 per cent in June. The prevailing overall and resident unemployment rates are at the same levels as a year ago, said MOM. But the labour market remained strong. A record 144,600 jobs were added in the first six months, compared with 113,800 in the same period last year. But the growth of 71,400 jobs was slightly lower than the first quarter's 73,200. Still, it was higher than a year ago (64,400). Driven by robust building activities, employment in construction rose by a record 22,400 in the second quarter. But growth in the other sectors has moderated from the previous quarter. Services added 38,300 workers, down from the gains of 46,500 in the first three months, but was still slightly higher than 36,800 in the second quarter a year ago. Manufacturing posted gains of 10,100, lower than 11,800 in the last quarter and 15,900 in the same quarter a year ago. 'Amid the economic uncertainties, the unemployment rate rose for the second consecutive quarter, after improving to pre-Asian crisis levels in the second half of 2007,' said MOM. The ministry added that the long-term unemployment has declined compared to a year ago. Some 10,000 or 13 per cent of the unemployed residents had been looking for work for at least 25 weeks in June, down from 12,100 or 16 per cent a year ago. They formed 0.5 per cent of the resident labour force, compared with 0.6 per cent in Jun 07. After rising for two consecutive quarters, the number of retrenched workers fell to 1,798 in the second quarter, from 2,274 in the first three months. The slowdown came from manufacturing, which laid off 1,216 workers compared to 1,724 in the previous quarter. On the other hand, retrenchments in services rose slightly from 543 in Q1 to 567 in Q2 08, but they still accounted for a smaller share (32 per cent) of the workers retrenched than the manufacturing sector (68 per cent) in Q2. Job vacancies There were 40,100 job vacancies1 in June, after increasing 5 per cent over the quarter and 7.1 per cent over the year. 'These unfilled posts represented 2.5 per cent of manpower demand, unchanged from the preceding two quarters, but was slightly lower than 2.6 per cent in June last year. Earnings up Nominal earnings rose over the year by 3.1 per cent in Q2, moderating from the growth of 11 per cent in the previous quarter and 8.5 per cent in Q2 07. After adjusting for higher inflation, real earnings shrank by 4 per cent, compared with gains of 3.6 per cent in Q1 and 7.5 per cent a year ago. Said MOM: "Employment has continued to expand strongly, supported by record gains in construction. Retrenchment has also eased following increases in the preceding two quarters. However, productivity has contracted for the third consecutive quarter, as growth in employment outpaced output growth. Unemployment also rose for the second consecutive quarter amid the economic uncertainties." http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNew...ory_278742.html

Recently visited Kah Motor, i was informed that car loan interest rate was 2.38% p.a. and may increase to 2.68% p.a. Under 2.38%pa scheme, the condition of interest rate may be adjusted (not fixed). Every fool knows current situation like now would not permit any interest rate to move up at all. Any problem face such incident? If this is true, car price may take a tumble.

Hi all, Anyone knows where to get best exchange rates for SGD to USD? Exact location preffered. Thanks!

hi, would like to find out the above. tried occ, $3 for a game for ntuc link card member. Any place that is lower than this? thanks

For effective result, the cost of bring up these new babies must be totally born by the government. From womb to at least complete Polytechnics education. Since all other previous methods and policies had gone into waste, I feel our leaders must be bold and firm to carry out these new initiatives generously and without reservations. Do not talk and talk and no action or take the easy way out by importing new citizens from other countries. These new imported citizens come easy go also easy and they also bring along with them many social illnesses. Besides social illnesses, they also cause a lot of unhappiness among our families and social cohesiveness.

From the news: The electronic road pricing (ERP) rates for 32 of 65 gantries will increase by between 50 cents and S$2.00. The gantries are primarily in the Central Business District (CBD) and Orchard Road. Five new ERP gantries along the Singapore River will also be activated on July 7..... cont Click on link: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20080618/tap-...05-231650b.html I wonder how many of the bro/sis here will be affected by this.. For those working outside CBD, will this kind of reduce your shopping trip to town?

Malaysia will scrap fuel price controls in August and allow pump prices to rise in line with market rates as part of plans to cut the government's burgeoning subsidy bill, the domestic trade minister said on Tuesday. Looks like Malaysian drivers r screwed now http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/latest...,281981,00.html?

Ok bros/sis, let's take a break from intense discussion on fuel ban in Malaysia... This matter will equally affect our JB duellers though we can't rant if rates are not in ur favour. I managed to get RM2.39 today, thought this is the highest. One bro even wrote that he's preparing to exchange big time if the rate is 'correct'. So, what your gut fell says about this mater or any forex analyst to help us??...

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin.../349962/1/.html Doctors seeing more cases of skin cancer in Singapore By Hiroshi Limmell, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 26 May 2008 0031 hrs SINGAPORE: The National Cancer Centre said doctors in Singapore are seeing more cases of skin cancer. For men, it is the seventh most frequent cancer and for women, it ranks eighth. Inadequate protection against the sun is one major cause of skin cancer. Protecting himself against the sun was not a priority for 41-year-old Vincent Lam, who is a professional tennis and kiteboarding instructor. His wake-up call came when his buddy passed away from skin cancer. "I had a very close friend whom I did a lot of outdoor activities with. She passed away from skin cancer," he said. But Vincent said not many are serious about protecting their skin, so he makes it a point to remind his students. He said: "We get kids from four years old onwards. We play tennis at noon when the sun gets pretty hot. Even with hats and sunglasses, it doesn't really help much, so I would advise them to put sunblock as well." Experts said one should choose a sunscreen that provides protection against both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays. Dr Curtis Cole, a photobiologist, said: "The UV 'A' gives a lot of pigmenting effect on the skin and unless you provide the protection against both the UV 'B' and the UV 'A', the skin can get dark even with little sunlight exposure." Besides using sunscreen, doctors said wearing protective clothing when outdoors can also reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. - CNA/so

ERP rate for BKE gantry to go up by 50 cents $1.50 to use the Bukit Timah Expressway between 7.30 - 8.00am on weekdays from next Monday - up from $1 now. -ST Christopher Tan Mon, Apr 28, 2008 The Straits Times IT will cost motorists $1.50 to use the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) between 7.30am and 8am on weekdays from next Monday - up from $1 now. The electronic road-pricing (ERP) gantry on the BKE between Dairy Farm Road and the Pan-Island Expressway is the only one being tweaked by the Land Transport Authority in its latest review of ERP rates. The rates at all other gantries remain unchanged - until the next review in late-May, just before the June school holidays. ERP rates are reviewed once every quarter as welll as just before school holidays. Prices are usually lowered for the latter. The LTA did not say why it is raising the 7.30am-8am slot for the lone BKE gantry, but ERP rates are usually raised when average traffic speeds fall below the optimal 45kmh to 60kmh range for expressways. The idea is to spread out demand so as to avoid congestion and achieve better traffic flow overall. The fact that rates at all other gantries remain unchanged indicate that traffic flow at all ERP-controlled roads has not improved or deteriorated significantly in the last three months. Miniscule adjustments, however, will be a thing of the past from July, when a new set of criteria for rate movements kick in. As part of a slew of measures to control congestion and persuade more people to take public transport, ERP increments will be at least $1 each time - double the 50-cent jumps now. That's not all. A new interpretation of 'optimal speed' will take effect. Instead of taking average speeds as a criterion for ERP rate changes, a more stringent method that ensures than 85 per cent of road users experience the optimal speed range will be applied. In effect, the two new meaures mean the likelihood of more aggressive rate increases. They will apply in the CBD and Orchard area from July; and at most other ERP-controlled roads from November. The remaining handful of outlying gantries will be affected from February next year.

What do you think of this forum? DOes it increased your knowledge? Does it contribute to your motoring world? Or is just a place to waste time?

Iceland raises interest rate to 15 percent Bloomberg News Tuesday, March 25, 2008 COPENHAGEN: The Icelandic central bank raised its key interest rate by a record 1.25 percentage points at an emergency meeting Tuesday to halt a slump in the krona and a surge in inflation. The currency made its biggest ever jump against the euro. Sedlabanki said it raised the benchmark rate to 15 percent. It had not planned to hold a rate meeting until April 10. It was "crucial" to reverse the krona's decline "as quickly as possible," the bank said in a statement on its Web site. The krona has tumbled 17 percent against the euro in the past three weeks on concern that the global financial turmoil would make it harder for Iceland to finance one of the world's largest current account deficits. The country risks "spiraling" wages and inflation if that decline is not pared, the central bank said. Inflation reached an annual rate of 6.8 percent last month. "They were losing the battle with inflation," said Ludvik Eliasson, an economist at the country's second-largest lender, Landsbanki Islands. "Inflation expectations were rising significantly over the past few weeks on the decline of the krona. They had to do something convincing." The krona gained as much as 5.3 percent against the euro after the surprise announcement and jumped as much as 6.3 percent against the dollar. Inflation has exceeded the central bank's 2.5 percent target every month since April 2004, while the current account shortfall stood at 15.6 percent of the economy last year, according to data from the national statistics office and the central bank. Inflation probably quickened to 8.4 percent this month, according to the median estimate of five economists surveyed by Bloomberg. This year's slump in the krona represents the second time investors have shunned the currency since 2006. The krona lost 20 percent against the euro that year, sparked by concern the current account gap was unsustainable. The currency recovered in 2007 as inflation slowed and the current account deficit narrowed. This year's global financial turmoil has once again undermined confidence in the currency.

dear all , Just to remind & warn all forumers about my inccident . On 15 sept at 1455 hrs I parked my car in Century Square carpark which is offer per minute charge and after 1501 hrs will be charge at SGD 2.10 flat rate on weekend and PH . It was very shock to me when I driving off at 2055 hrs as my parking fee amounted at SGD 17.00+ !!!! After I clarify with Metro Parking ( Mall Tenant ) the SGD 2.10 flat rate only apply for those drive in after 1501 hrs and before 1501 hrs will charge all the way at per minute basic ????? This very misleading for us and feel that they try to play monkey game !! The Metro carpark staff even can tell me that how come I never read the terms & conditions displayed at barrier ?? How can expect us to stop and wide down the window to read every single word before enter to carpark ??

Now that taxis are going to cost a bomb... I foresee many executives currently taking taxis to start considering getting a car. This fare hike is quite jialat... and many will feel the pinch of taking taxis. Last weekend already saw packed crowds at major car dealers like Borneo, Kah motors and even korean brands like Kia etc... (most probably due to return from holiday, fat bonuses, CNY etc) Now with this blow of taxi costs increasing, I won't be surprised another horde of crowd start streaming into showrooms to look at cars. I think next round COE for cat A sure explode upwards. My friends at the major car dealers also feel the same. I got one fren at Borneo closed more than 10 deals over the last weekend... quite a significant jump from previous months. I think those who want to book cars better do so fast cos once the quotas hit, car dealers will start increasing the prices (to accommodate for higher COEs)!

My boss asking me to check out which area got reasonable parking rate. He wants to move office from Ubi area. any idea or recommendation?

today's ST reports heavy commercial vehicles (below 1.8ton) will be allowed season parking in hdb carparks (previously allowed only if unladen weight < 1.5 ton) knowing the gahmen, this will create demand > supply, so be prepared what comes next

Just to confirm: wear rate should be higher for FWD cars' front tyres, correct?

Just a question, is it common for the left side tyres both front and back to have faster wear rate at the outer side than compared to the right side. Alignment seemed to be ok based on tyre wear on the last 10K rotation.