I was recently diagnosed with pityriasis rosea, and honestly it affected more than just my skin it impacted my sleep, mental health, awareness of my body, and even my self-esteem. I’m sharing this in case someone else experiences it and feels as confused or worried as I did. It started one night

February 2026 was our “no-buy month.” Well… almost. We made just one purchase—but it happened to be the biggest one yet: a car 🚗 Of course, owning a car means ongoing costs like petrol, insurance, and rego, which now add to our monthly expenses. But honestly, we’re really happy with the decision

3 lessons I learned from living in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 3 months during our mini retirement break 🤍 1. Never be an inconvenience to others There’s a Thai saying: *“Kreng Jai” (เกรงใจ)* — a beautiful concept about being considerate and not wanting to impose on others. Thai people are incredi

1. Checking the weather before getting dressed In Singapore, it’s basically rain or shine — carrying an umbrella usually does the trick. But in Melbourne? The weather can swing from 35°C to 20°C the very next day (even in summer!). I’ve learned that checking the forecast and dressing according t

Here’s to completing the first month of my no-buy January 2026 🎉 I didn’t buy a single non-essential item—WOOO. This still feels unreal, especially coming from an ex-shopaholic (not proud of that, but it’s the truth). The only money I spent was on necessities like food, rent, and electricity.

Things I’m genuinely happy to spend more on or occasionally splurge on. I usually only need one or two of these, so while the upfront cost is higher, the cost per use makes sense to me. At the end of the day, these are small luxuries that bring me real joy. 1. Spectacles Prescription lenses w

As a frugal-chic girlie in 2026, here’s my current wish list. This is an ongoing list that I’ll keep adding to throughout the year as I track what I want while staying intentional and limiting excess so I can live a lighter, freer life. 1. Kobo or Kindle If you’ve used either, please share you

I’m officially done with overconsumption and mindless consumerism. This year, my focus is on living lighter, freer, and more intentionally. On TikTok, this might be called the “frugal chic girlie” era but for me, it’s not about labels. It’s about peace, space, and clarity. I still believe in inv

1. Don’t take advice from people who aren’t living the life you aspire to 2. If it’s not a clear yes, take it as a pause 3. You’re allowed to say, “Let me think about it” 4. You are the writer, director, and creator of your life—build it on your own terms 5. Outgrow people without guilt 6. We’

As we reflect on 2025, on this final day of the year, I feel incredibly grateful for how everything turned out for us. This was the year our home reached MOP, and we also turned 30, the final year we’re eligible for the Working Holiday Visa. I’ve heard so many people around me say they regretted

Things I stopped spending money on in my 30s — am I trying to save? Sometimes it’s not just about money, but mental space too. I’m saving physical space from the things I carry, and mental space from things that constantly need to be maintained. Letting go of that maintenance brings me more j