How much does a degree holder earn compared to a diploma holder?

Online business degrees, private universities, full time local universities, the choices seem endless to pursue further education and earn a degree.

But a more fundamental question could be is it worth it all to get a degree, especially with horror stories of non accredited universities, degrees that are not recognized, and worst of all, a school closing down when money and effort has been put in. 

And what about successful people you always read in the papers, magazines etc. who flunked examinations and were kicked out of schools?

So the question begets, how much does a degree holder earn compared to a diploma holder over a lifetime?

More than 50,000 page views

With an interest in writing and money matters, I started this blog to share my thoughts and observations.

Time flies and now this blog has garnered more than 50,000 page views. 

I hope you have found the content useful.

Here are the Top 5 most viewed pages of all time:

Top 20 companies to work for in Singapore

Best Paying Jobs in Singapore

Another Scam with Singaporeans among the Victims

NUS NTU SMU - Which University's graduates get paid the most?

High paying jobs in Singapore?

Case closed - WPG Group, T3B

My past few entries have been about my encounter with T3B.

I was finally contacted shortly after my last entry and had a meeting with Keane Lee and his staff.

They explained why there was a delay and have settled the matter. 

This is neither a condemnation nor endorsement. 

I consider this the end of my experiment and the matter closed.

As usual, before parting with your money. 
Keep both eyes open, ask lots of questions, and keep documentary proof.

WPG Group, T3B, WPG Hotel Group - ask more questions before you invest

Some readers were searching for whether t3b system works when they found my blog. Of course, my previous entry was: 

Can you trust T3B Trading System, Keane Lee, WP Global Group, WPG Hotel Group ?

I think more important than whether the system works (which it doesn't work as well as claimed) is whether a company is trustworthy, reliable and honest when dealing with customers or clients.

As mentioned in my previous entry, I've made it very clear that T3B made a false statement to The Straits Times in "Sure-win schemes not a sure thing", The Straits Times, 28 Oct 2012. I've emailed Keane Lee himself, yes the "Chairman" of "WP Global", the "Group Chairman" of "WPG Hotel Group" and also the "Founder" of "T3B System" to highlight the inaccuracy and to seek clarification. Surprise.. surprise.. (or not).. he did not reply. I wanted to know whether the false statement was due to some slip up, incompetency of the person who was authorised to speak to the press and did not find out the facts of the issue, or was it simply plain dishonesty and a lie. But no reply, which is quite consistent with the delaying tactics and ignoring of emails he and T3B have responded to my queries, I guess.

More on T3B system later and how the company and Keane Lee himself suddenly stopped replying to my emails when presented with documentary proof. 

I read with interest how now WPG Hotel Group is sharing investment opportunities in Myanmar and is inviting "investors to come on a journey to

Can you trust T3B Trading System, Keane Lee, WP Global Group, WPG Hotel Group ?

If you are reading this, you are likely looking for a review as you have most probably come across T3B Trading System, WPG Hotel Group, and/or WPG Group. You would probably know that Keane Lee is the Chairman and founder.

You may have been offered investment opportunities that offer incredible returns and passive income and....... (fill in the blanks). 
And you are wondering whether that is a good investment opportunity or whether these are dubious scams. 

I don't know which is the correct answer, but I will say think really hard before parting with your money. You may want to read "Sure-win schemes not a sure thing", The Straits Times, 28 Oct 2012.

In that article, T3B made a false statement to The Straits Times. Can you trust a company or someone if it/he gives a false statement to the media?

More information and evidence will be revealed about the false statement T3B, one of the companies under the WPG Group as listed on its website, made to The Straits Times, and how instead of answering questions and living up to their word and commitment, it has chosen a path of delaying tactics and ignoring emails.

Public Speaking - Enjoy the Experience

I had the privilege of speaking at a conference on insurance in Jakarta this year. While it was not the first time I had spoken at a conference, it was particularly nerve wrecking because I was speaking at a conference full of industry veterans and experts, including country and regional CEOs. The Chairman of the conference who introduced me had spent 39 years (and counting) in the industry, which is longer than I have been alive. Imagine that!

Thankfully, everything went well and it was extremely satisfying when those experts came up to me and said they benefitted from my presentation. So here are three simple pointers that I had reminded myself of during my preparation, which could be useful to you.

Preparing mentally

I reminded myself that there was a reason why I was asked to speak. While the delegates were executives and management staff of insurance companies, as an ex-insurance agent/adviser with eight years of experience, I had “on-the-ground” experience that most of them did not have. Once I got over the mental hurdle that there was a reason for my presence, things became much easier as I no longer felt as anxious as before and could prepare for my presentation the way I had always done.

So the next time you are worried about having to speak in public, it could be useful to remind yourself why you are there. Perhaps you are the most senior, maybe your job requires it, or maybe you are just a student and it is part of your grading requirements. Whatever it is, there is a reason why you are doing it. Come to terms with it and learn to enjoy the experience.

Share, don’t preach

In this instance, it was easy for me. There was no way I could have “preached” to those CEOs and tell them what they should do. They wouldn’t have let me either. Why would anybody with more experience than I am alive listen to me? But as mentioned earlier, what I had was on-the-ground experience that most of them did not have. I shared with them my experience as

Foreigners looking for jobs in Singapore?

I got a job in Singapore, can I bring my wife/husband and children? If you are a foreigner looking/ have found a job in Singapore, do note that with effect from 1 September 2012, there will be changes to dependent privileges for Work Pass Holders.

Further information on the changes to sponsor work pass holders' spouses and children is available on Singapore's Ministry of Manpower website. 

Stated on the website:
The Government is tightening the criteria for work pass holders to sponsor dependants as part of the overall direction to moderate the growth of Singapore’s non-resident population. This will help ease the pressure on our social infrastructure. Nonetheless, Singapore remains a global talent capital. We continue to welcome highly skilled foreign professionals who wish to bring their dependants to stay with them.


Here's a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the review of dependent privileges for work pass holders for implementation: 1 September 2012, published on MOM's website.

REVIEW OF DEPENDANT PRIVILEGES FOR WORK PASS HOLDERS 
FOR IMPLEMENTATION: 1 SEPTEMBER 2012 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q1 What are the main changes to the dependant privileges for work pass holders from 1 Sep 2012?