Browsing: Money

Singapore has long drawn international professionals with its thriving economy, top-notch infrastructure, and opportunities to launch a career. However, in order to be eligible for an Employment Pass (EP), foreign professionals now have to meet more stringent salary requirements as the country improves its work visa regulations. Beginning January 1, 2025, professionals in the finance industry will need to make at least S$6,200 per month, while new EP applicants must make at least S$5,600 per month in non-financial sectors. The objective? to guarantee that foreign workers enhance Singapore’s domestic workforce rather than replace it. Employment Pass Minimum Salary: 2025 Updates…

In addition to being a tale of talent, Rachel Zegler’s ascent to fame was a tribute to her parents, Gina and Craig Zegler, and their unwavering support. Their unwavering faith in her abilities turned dreams into reality, bringing her from small-town theater productions to international renown. A Family Stemming from Hard Work and Determination Rachel was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, on May 3, 2001, and was raised in a household where perseverance and hard work were not only values but a way of life. Her father, Craig, made his mark in construction, helping shape the skyline of New York…

As Christmas approaches, parents and gift-givers across the UK are seeking meaningful presents that won’t contribute to the 5 million tons of waste generated during the festive season (Note 1). Little Starts Gift Cards offers a sustainable solution with their digital gift cards, providing access to over 20,000 children’s activity classes nationwide. With nearly half of UK adults receiving unwanted Christmas gifts (Note 2), the trend towards experience-based presents is growing. Little Starts Gift Cards enable last-minute shopping by parents, grandparents and aunties and uncles to purchase meaningful gifts for little ones from the comfort of their homes, avoiding the…

A recent report by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has revealed that Scotch whisky played a crucial role in the UK economy in 2022, contributing £7.1 billion. The report highlights a significant increase of 29% in whisky’s economic contribution since 2018. Scotland, the heartland of Scotch whisky production, benefited from a £5.3 billion boost, representing approximately 3% of Gross Value Added (GVA). Scotch whisky constituted a major share of Scotland’s food and drink exports, contributing 77%, and accounted for 26% of the UK’s overall exports in this category. Despite challenges such as retaliatory tariffs in the United States and the…

In the aftermath of its crackdown on password sharing, Netflix has reported a surge of over 13 million new subscribers during the three months leading to the end of December. This growth, the highest for any quarter since 2020, is expected to prompt the streaming giant to consider fresh price increases. Netflix implemented a policy last year that disallowed users from sharing passwords with individuals residing outside the same household. Co-CEO Greg Peters noted that the company had temporarily halted price increases during the rollout of this paid sharing policy. With the completion of this transition, Netflix is now set…

Iceland, renowned as the Land of Fire and Ice and a burgeoning global tourist hotspot, has reintroduced its tourist tax for the year 2024. The tax, which was temporarily suspended during the pandemic, came back into effect on January 1, 2024, aiming to regulate the environmental impact of tourism in the country. Every tourist visiting Iceland will be subject to this tax, and the amount varies based on the type of accommodation or holiday style chosen. For hotels and guesthouses, the tax stands at ISK 600 (£3.46), campsites and mobile homes incur a charge of ISK 300 (£1.73), and cruise…

Online shoppers are being cautioned to be vigilant for seven key signs indicating that a website may be unsafe or fraudulent. Cybersecurity experts from Keeper Security have identified these “red flags” to help consumers recognize potential dangers while shopping online. Here are the warning signs: Suspicious Website Address: Be cautious if the website address looks odd or contains spelling errors. Check for any substitution of letters with numbers in the URL. Verify the URL before clicking on it, especially if you followed a link. Too Good to Be True Offers: If an offer on the website seems excessively attractive or…

As the new year unfolds, many households in the UK are grappling with the impact of escalating living costs, with energy, water, council tax, and broadband bills all on the rise. However, amidst the financial challenges, there are various discounts and strategies available to ease the burden on family budgets. Let’s delve into specific areas of expenditure and explore potential avenues for savings. 1. Energy Bills: Navigating the Cold Spell Typical energy bills saw an increase of £94, reaching £1,928 a year on January 1. Low-income households can benefit from the Warm Home Discount, offering a £150 reduction automatically applied…

In a move that affects millions of households, the UK TV licence fee is set to increase from £159 to £169.50, beginning April 1, 2024. This marks the end of a two-year freeze on the fee, which was implemented by the government to alleviate financial strain on families amidst rising living costs. While the increase has been met with some resistance, it’s essential to explore the reasons behind it, its implications, and the broader context of television licensing in the UK. Understanding the TV Licence Fee: Basics and Evolution The TV licence fee is a mandatory payment required from anyone…