Moving overseas in a post pandemic world

Dec 17 2022

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As we come to the end of 2022 and what seems to be “post pandemic” it’s important to consider the major trends in the shipping and international moving industries and how they affect you. If you’re considering moving or relocating internationally, we bring you insights on what to expect about international moving in the post-pandemic world. Our goal is to help you understand the major changes to international moving and how you can best approach them.

Taking a trip back in history

It’s important to take a step back to look at life before and around the onset of the pandemic to realise how far we have come.

COVID-19 began in China, which is the core of global manufacturing. Hence lockdowns placed within the country caused the global shipping network to be put on hold. This led to many months of disruption.

The initial shutdowns led to periods of higher purchases online thereby fuelling higher demand for shipping containers. At the same time, many such shipping containers were still stuck on quaysides globally.

To further complicate issues, “the great resignation”, caused hundreds of workers globally, especially in positions such as driving to resign as they moved on to seek better-paying jobs.

These staff shortages were further compounded by social distancing restrictions thereby causing more delays at shipping ports.

Together shipping demands have continued rising, and the uncertainties and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 were still unraveling. Hence, shipping lines faced unpredictable operating conditions and had to increase their prices significantly to meet the circumstances.

How to move without hassles in the post-pandemic world

The higher demands and more uncertainties have emerged causing shipping rates to rise astronomically.

Considering all of the present events, you may wonder – what can I do to reduce costs when moving overseas? Here are some tips you should consider:

Take time to declutter your belongings so you are moving with only the most useful items. You can even sell some of them to make some money for yourself.
When are you planning to move? Due to shipping delays, you need to provide ample time between collection and delivery. Depending on where you are moving to, there’s a good chance it might take some months to receive all your belongings. So, you will be spending some time without them. This should further fuel your need to declutter as well.
Do you have sentimental items you wouldn’t want to sell or donate? But could you possibly live for some months without them? Then you can consider securing long-term storage with the best movers in Singapore. That way, you can ship such items when the supply chain returns to normal or at least moves on to better times.

Moving in the post-pandemic era is filled with plenty of uncertainties. But you can make the best of the situation by decluttering, planning, and using only FIDI qualified international moving companies We hope you make the best choice as you move abroad to begin your dream life.

About SIR MOVE

Established in Singapore in and Malaysia since 2006, SIR Move Services is a Singapore/British brand, and it is a moving company that continues to build a business based on integrity and trust. SIR provides Complete Move Solutions for International, Commercial and Domestic Relocations inclusive of storage and insurance. We move pets too. Moove My Box (MMB) is the newest addition to our suite of services allowing customers to ship small shipments faster. Similar to Air Express Delivery with the addition of packing and collection services. SIR Move is a qualified FIDI/FAIM Quality Mover.

SIR Move Services

Email [email protected]

Visit www.sirmove.com

Call 65 65347345

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https://www.facebook.com/SirMoveServices/

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https://www.instagram.com/sirmoveservices/

ANZA Action: A year in charitable work

Dec 16 2022

Charitable organisations in Singapore have roared back to life after a near shut down during Covid. This is fantastic news for those who rely on assistance, and for our ANZA members who enjoy being involved in the ANZA Action community. As we approach the end of the year, here’s a quick recap on activity from some of our charity partners.

Image Mission Power Walk: Dress for Success
Image Mission support women by helping them to reach economic freedom through employment by offering training and advice. ANZA is a big fan of Dress for Success, a programme offered by Image Mission, which assists women to prepare for interviews with professional attire and interview coaching. During August, Image Mission shared their power walk campaign with ANZA to help raise funds. This saw a group of ANZA members embarking on an organised walk on Saturday 27 August, strutting their stuff from Stadium to Gardens by the Bay while looking ravishing in red, all in support of this great cause.

LOVE, NILS: Shine a Light
September was International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Children and their families or caregivers face a tough and lonely battle through the treatment journey, therefore the aim of LOVE, NILS is to help the children get through with fun and engaging activities such as art therapy. To support their work, ANZA members engaged in small events around Singapore to raise awareness of childhood cancer and raise funds. This involved celebrating the colour gold in any way they wished, with the purchase of gold ribbons available.

Riding for the Disabled, Singapore (RDA)
As our charity of choice, ANZA assists RDA to raise funds for Kodie the support horse, our four-legged friend who provides therapy for physically and mentally disabled people through riding and non-riding programmes. Our Melbourne Cup Race Day in November enables the donation of much-needed funds, including RDA being present at the event selling decorative horseshoes.

Calm Collective Asia
Calm Collective Asia is an organisation driven to supporting mental health in Asia, offering programmes to encourage sharing, and providing information to reduce the stigma of mental health issues. They also partner with corporations to provide workplace mental wellness initiatives. In October, ANZA Action worked together with Calm Collective to promote awareness of their mental health wellbeing festival, Calmcon. We saw guest speakers covering the themes of workplace wellbeing, maintaining calm, and thriving successfully in today’s fast-paced world.

Find out how you can volunteer with ANZA Action here

International travel advice for separated families

Dec 15 2022

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With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and international borders re-opening, many families are looking to get back to exploring the world and giving their children the rich experience of international travel. Whilst adventure comes with benefits to a child’s development, separated parents should be mindful of the rules around international travel.

For Australian families travelling to Singapore or Australian families who currently live in Singapore, it is important that separated parents are aware of the need to obtain the other’s parent’s consent.

Shared parental responsibility

Under Australian family law, decisions such as international travel depend on whether the parents share parental responsibility. If you and the other parent share parental responsibility for a child, both parents must consent to the child travelling overseas and must sign the child’s passport application.

Travelling overseas with children

Where parents agree, it is important that the travelling parent:

Check any parenting Orders regarding any conditions imposed for the proposed travel, for example in relation to travel periods or permitted countries.

If parenting Orders exist or if parties are involved in parenting proceedings which have not concluded (even if a parent has just filed Court documents), consent must be obtained for any international travel. Failure to do so could result in a criminal conviction.

Complies with any requirements to provide information and documents to the non-travelling parent, such as any travel itinerary, return airline tickets, telephone numbers and addresses where the child can be contacted overseas.

Where there are no parenting Orders, it is good practice to send to the non-travelling parent such information and obtain their written consent to the proposed travel.

Ensures the child’s passport is valid and if it is not, ensures that both parents sign and consent to the child’s passport application in advance of the travel. Parents should allow at least 6 weeks for a passport application to be considered.
Maintain any communication arrangements between the child and the non-travelling parent. If there are parenting Orders in place, the travelling parent should check the Orders to ensure they continue to comply with any telephone contact arrangements.

What do I do if the other parent does not agree?

If parents cannot reach agreement on the proposed travel, the parent who wishes to travel with the child will need to bring an application to the Court to seek Orders permitting the travel. Parents should exhaust all avenues for reaching agreement including mediation/family dispute resolution before approaching the Court.

If a Court application is required, the parent should carefully consider whether the proposed travel is in the child’s best interests. The Court will only make Orders permitting the travel where it is in the child’s best interests and the parent proposing to travel will need to set out in detail in their Affidavit why the travel is in the child’s best interests.

If you hold concerns that a parent will travel overseas with a child without your permission, you should contact a lawyer urgently.

If you have any questions regarding complying with Orders or international travel, please contact a member of Lander & Rogers’ Family & Relationship Law team.

Monique Robb

Partner, Lander & Rogers

[email protected]

+61 2 8020 7861

New Year’s Eve dinners & parties in Singapore 2022

Dec 14 2022

New Year’s Eve is nigh and options of where to see in 2023 in Singapore are many! Prepare for parties, food, drinks, cool DJ sets, epic light shows, and maybe a bit of face painting. Whether you’re looking for family fun, a party with friends, or a more romantic deux-a-deux, everything is available. You can have dinner at a snazzy restaurant, shimmy your way through the countdown, laugh your way through some standup comedy or marvel at the fireworks at the Marina Bay precinct. The choice – and the year ahead – is all yours.

The Great Bay Fiesta

If you’ve got little ones, hotfoot it to Bayfront Event Space this New Year’s Eve where you’ll find traditional carnival fun with games and rides. With four main highlights – The Great Cirque de Cascades, Ice Magic: The Great Fantasy on Ice, The Great World Carnival by Uncle Ringo, and The Great Food Fiesta, it’s the place to be come NYE.

The Great Bay Fiesta at the Bayfront Event Space, click here for more details

Caffe Fernet

Enjoy a relaxing dinner in a prime position by the bay as you wind down to 2023. Caffe Fernet’s NYE menu offers the likes of Truffle Risotto, Braised Wagyu Short Ribs and Tomato Crusted Sea Bass, and a veggie menu is also available. With the six-hour free-flow booze package of cocktails, wine, and spirits, you can raise your glasses against the fireworks over Marina Bay at the stroke of midnight. There’s also a freestanding run from 9pm.

70 Collyer Quay, #01-05 Customs House, 049323. caffefernet.sg

Kinki Restaurant + Bar

Kinki Restaurant + Bar is the place to paint the town red with its Rooftop Boozy Package and views of the NYE fireworks at Marina Bay. The party package serves six and includes two bottles of Moët & Chandon Champagne, a choice of spirit by the bottle, three of Kinki’s signature cocktails and a Rooftop Snack Platter of Kinki Wings, Ebi Fry, and Cassava Nachos. Sip away to sounds by a guest DJ who will spin till 3am.

70 Collyer Quay, #02-02, Customs House, 049323. kinki.com.sg

The Line, Shangri-La Singapore

Family favourite The Line at Shangri-La Singapore, is pulling out all the stops this New Year’s Eve. Whether you’ve got the appetite for Asian or Western classics, everyone will be well catered for. Grown ups can get into a free-flow option, while a dedicated kid’s menu, including cheesy french fries, mozzarella cheese sticks, egg-fried rice, chicken nuggets, and more is just the ticket for saying see-ya to 2022 in style.

22 Orange Grove Rd, 258350. shangri-la.com

Bayswater Kitchen

This super-cool spot overlooking Keppel Bay Harbour is offering a 5-course set dinner this New Year’s, including everything from Clam Chowder to Grilled Filet Mignon and Fisherman Stew. As there’s also a great children’s menu available, no-one will be going hungry as the new year appears.

2 Keppel Bay Vista, 098382. bayswaterkitchen.com.sg

Sentosa New Year’s Eve Countdown Beach Party

For the first time ever, three beach bars – Coastes, Bikini Bar & Sand Bar, come together to present the ultimate year-end blowout on Sentosa. Spanning across 39,000 square feet of Siloso Beach Sentosa, this New Year’s Eve Countdown Beach Party plays host to DJs, live band and fire dance performances. Revelers will also get to enjoy spectacular drone shows throughout the two-day beach party as well.

Siloso Beach, Singapore, Sentosa Siloso Beach, d1.sg

Farrer Horse

New kid on the block Farrer Horse is gearing up to celebrate 2023 with its first ever New Year’s Eve party celebration. Drop by on Saturday, 31 December 2022 between 9pm -1pm to enjoy an array of cocktails to toast to the countdown, alongside rhythmic beats by DJ Bobos spinning Hip Hop, R&B and Throwbacks all night long.

101 Jln Sultan, #01-02/#02-00, 199002. farrerhorse.com

Firangi Superstar

Dust off your sparkles for a night of glamour at Firangi Superstar, surely one of the most tantaslising restaurants in town. Alongside fabulous feasting of a five-course menu, with veggie and non-veggie options available, DJ Aurora (@francescaway) and performers, @missdahliarose and @eriana_conda of @houseofmissjoaquim are poised with a performance to put a bang into the celebrations.

20 Craig Rd, #01-03, 089692. firangisuperstar.com/festive

Super Loco Customs House

Go loco at this Mexican Cocina Y Bar which offers stunning views of Marina Bay Sands and the waterfront. Grab a seat outdoors under the fairy lights and dive into their exclusive four-course Mexican feast alongside bottomless drinks menu of margaritas, prosecco, beers and wine from 8pm to midnight. The celebrations at Super Loco also include face painting sessions and pinata-bashing.

70 Collyer Quay, #01-04 Customs House, 049323. super-loco.com

New Year’s Eve Stand Up Comedy Party feat. Deepak Chandran

Chortle your way into the new year at this stand up comedy party with comedian Deepak Chandran and a cast of other hilarious comedians in Singapore. Along with the laffs, there’s free-flow drinks and popcorn on the side.

New Year’s Eve Stand Up Comedy Party feat. Deepak Chandran, #01-02, The Lemon Stand, 12 Queen Street, 188553

CE LA VIE

Celebrate the last few hours of the year from 57 floors up at CÉ LA VI. Dress to impress according to the party’s Old Hollywood theme, sip on Champers, and satisfy your stomach with the restaurant’s five-course menu. Resident DJs will be spinning defiant sets of dance-hall infused hits all night long.

1 Bayfront Avenue Marina Bay Sands, Hotel, Tower 3, 018971. celavi.com/en/singapore

Fat Prince

The countdown is on at Fat Prince with gastronomic revelry at Midnight in the Middle East. Chef Simon will be presenting a middle-eastern inspired menu with Sakoshi Oysters with Caviar, Cozy Harbor Lobster Tail with Orange, Golden Beets and Brown Butter, and a Margaret River Rib Eye with Celeriac, Mint, Pul Biber and Kale. Meanwhile, DJ Valerie Foo sets fire to the dancefloor.

48 Peck Seah St, 079317. fatprincesg.com

Mr Stork

Mr. Stork is offering 360-degree views of the city, free-flow drinks and 80s tunes by DJ Brendan P. To keep energy levels up, the à la minute stations will be offering the likes of Angus Beef Short Ribs, Nachos and Margherita Panini as well as free-flowing canapes. Take your pick between Tempura Maki, Seafood Otah Sando and Torched Meringue Lollipop. Boozy beverages include champagne, wines and a selection of spirits and beers.

5 Fraser St, Level 39, Andaz 189354. hyatt.com

LAVO New Year’s Eve Party

Not one to miss out on a celebration, the glitzy countdown party at LAVO Restaurant promises to be a winner. From 10pm onwards, the rooftop bar will be serving free-flow drinks, party bites and awesome tunes thanks to DJ Mintea, offering an unforgettable start to the new year.

10 Bayfront Ave, Tower 1, Level 57, 018956. lavosingapore.com

MONTI
Usher in the New Year and end 2022 off in style at MONTI. Feast on delicious Italian fare starting with our mouth-watering Colapranzo brunch, opt for the 5-course New Year’s Eve dinner, or see out the year with their rooftop platter under the skylight that pairs with the firework show by the Bay. Or do it all – we won’t judge!

The Fullerton Pavillion, 82 Collyer Quay, 049327. monti.sg

Easy Christmas holiday snack recipes #2

Dec 13 2022

There’s something about Christmas that makes you feel hungry all the time. How is it possible to eat an enormous festive lunch and still feel the need for snacks? Don’t worry, keep rumbling stomachs satiated and stop a festive frazzle in its tracks with these snack recipe ideas from two Singapore-based chefs. You’re welcome!

Christmas Mirror Cookies

By Group Executive Chef of Baker & Cook, Chef Jenna White, including Brettschneider Baking & Cooking School

“These cookies will keep you going back for more! The light and airy cookie paired with the tart jam makes your palate pop. Choose your favourite jam flavour wisely. I love raspberry as the slight tartness cuts through the richness of the cookie giving it a balanced flavour profile” – Jenna White

Ingredients

200g butter
125g icing sugar
1 egg white
1 tsp lemon juice
350g flour
Pinch of salt
Strawberry or raspberry jam
Dusting sugar

Method
1. Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl until a pale yellow is achieved. Add in the egg white and lemon juice and mix thoroughly, followed by flour and salt. Mix well until a dough is formed.
2. Cover and rest the dough for one hour or overnight. This will allow the dough to firm up for easy rolling. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
3. Roll the dough out evenly on a floured surface until it’s 4- 5mm thick. Measure and cut out an even amount of cookies. With half of them, cut a small shape in the middle.
4. Lay all the cookies onto a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes, until golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
5. With the cookies that do not have cut-outs, spread with the jam of your choice. Cover with the other half of the cookie that has an empty middle section. Top them off with a dusting of icing sugar.

Where I’ll be this Xmas: “Good question… I’m still deciding!”
Fave part of the holidays: “The magical feeling around Christmas. Now I have kids, the beauty of being able to decorate the tree and make gifts for them as Santa makes me relive my own childhood. It’s the best time of the year, hands down.”

Brettschneider’s Baking & Cooking School, 1 Greendale Ave, 289495.
bakingandcookingschool.com

Smoked Salmon Crostini by Chef Luqman Hakim, Sarnies

“Nothing can go wrong with Smoked Salmon Crostini. These one-bite-wonders pair well with any kind of drink and kids love them” – Luqman Hakim

Ingredients

100g cream cheese
½ tsp herb chives (chopped fine)
½ tsp herb dill (chopped fine)
10g cooking cream
Pinch of pepper
Pinch of sea salt
1 tsp lemon juice
Slices of smoked salmon
Crostini
Capers
Pickled red onions
Dill fronds for garnishing

Method
1. Add all ingredients in a bowl and whip until combined. Reserve in the chiller until ready to use. Keeps well in a tight container for up to a week.
2. To prepare, spread a generous layer of cream cheese on crostini.
3. Fold smoked salmon on crostini.
4. Garnish with capers, pickled red onions and dill fronds. Crack fresh black pepper onto prepared crostini for extra freshness.

Where I’ll be this Xmas: “At home in Singapore. Boring, but I don’t really celebrate. However, I will be having a nice meal with the Sarnies team who are like a family.”
Fave part of the holidays: “I love Candy Canes! They aren’t around all year round, so when they are, I have to have them!”

Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer St, 068601.sarnies.com

Car leasing: A cheaper alternative to buying a car in SG

Dec 12 2022

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Mann and woman at car showroom — Total price transparency and exceptional service—all part of the BEST experience

Singapore has to be one of the easiest places to live in the world. It’s clean, safe, English is widely spoken, the food is great and the public transport system works exceptionally well. However, one thing does stand out: the exceptionally high car prices. This is down to the famous Certificate of Entitlement (COE) bidding system, which is designed to limit the number of cars on the road. With these high prices, it’s understandable that you may not be comfortable making such a big commitment—especially if you’re not planning to stay in Singapore long-term. But there is an alternative to paying the high price of car ownership – which includes COE—for larger cars, (CAT B is over $100,000 right now), and high running costs like road tax, servicing, and insurance on a car you’ve bought: lease a car in Singapore instead.

Introducing Inchcape Certified Pre-Owned

Inchcape Certified Pre-Owned has over 50 years of motoring experience in Singapore. Their “B.E.S.T.” promise means the best brands, an easy, hassle-free process, service excellence throughout and trusted quality.

You can choose to buy or lease a car from a range of quality pre-owned models, all backed by a 145-point vehicle check to ensure they’re in pristine condition. When you lease from Inchcape Certified Pre-Owned, you’ll also enjoy the reassurance of knowing you’re paying a single, transparent price, which includes insurance, road tax, 24/7 roadside assistance and more—particularly useful if you’re new to driving in Singapore.

All Inchcape Certified Pre-Owned vehicles go through a 145-point inspection

A more flexible solution

With Inchcape Certified Pre-Owned, you can be assured that they put their customer’s interests first. Hence their introduction of a flexible approach to leasing and purchase. Upon 50% completion of your initial lease, you can easily upgrade to a different model (great as the kids get bigger or your whole family grows) or, if you decide to buy a car instead of leasing, you’ll also face no penalty for early lease termination when you select a car from the Inchcape Certified Pre-Owned range.

All appreciation, no depreciation

Car leasing can be a smart decision for other reasons, too. Having your own wheels gives you the freedom to come and go when you want, rather than relying on timetables. And unlike taxis or ride sharing apps, it won’t be harder to find (or more expensive) when it rains! Then there are the purely financial benefits, like letting depreciation be someone else’s problem, not yours.

So, avoid paying those hefty up-front deposits and start your monthly car leasing journey with Inchcape Certified Pre-Owned today!

For more details on Inchcape Certified Pre-Owned leasing, visit icpreowned.com.sg/leasing-page

Make it Marlborough College Malaysia

Dec 9 2022

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As parents, we all want to give our children the very best start in life and finding the right school for your children can be one of the most important decisions you will make.

Boarding school is often considered by parents as a logistical saviour; the solution that allows their children to attend their school of choice without parents needing to be in two places at once or enduring a time consuming commute. However, many parents quickly realise the benefits of a boarding education which are priceless. Boarding presents unparalleled opportunities for children to grow in independence, confidence, and to refine emotional intelligence, academic, social, and co-curricular skills.

The boarding houses at Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) are run by highly-trained, experienced senior teachers who provide constant pastoral and academic guidance, while cultivating the atmosphere of a community within MCM’s leafy 90 acre site. Outside the classroom, boarding offers pupils the opportunity to discover and develop their natural talents by enjoying the full range of world-class facilities on campus, whether this is swimming in the Olympic pool, rehearsing in the music facility, kayaking on the school lake or going to the library for extra studying. In doing so, pupils develop into well-rounded individuals who have many passions and hobbies that they’re able to take the lead in cultivating.

Lifelong friendships

The college also ensures that weekends are filled with fun activities such as cultural trips to Singapore, or go-karting and surfing in Desaru. Boarders can partake in BBQ’s, formal dinners, and games nights which provide them with the freedom to relax outside the classroom while learning vital social skills, manners, etiquette and communication skills by socialising with adults and peers. Consequently, pupils form lifelong friendships which far outlast their time at school. Boarding is not just about living on site; it is about being part of a community which extends to life in the wider world.

Marlborough College Malaysia – The only authentic British boarding experience in Asia
Singapore Tatler

Nothing rivals boarding for teaching young people how to be independent, make good decisions, and help others. Boarding develops a sense of self-understanding as pupils become aware of what is important to them and how they can follow their passions. Guided by supportive staff, boarders learn to plan academic work in advance, become adept at cooperative learning, and develop self-discipline. As a result, they are often perfectly positioned to thrive as an undergraduate at a distant university, perhaps in another country, more easily than those who are experiencing self-reliance and separation from home for the first time aged 18.

To learn more about boarding at MCM, please visit marlboroughcollegemalaysia.org/boarding

7 tips on how to enjoy your photos

Dec 8 2022

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Remember the good old days when you could pull out a photo album and reminisce through your memories without any hassle? Nowadays, looking at photos often means searching through your cluttered photo library, external hard drives, or your Facebook account. Sarah and Bo from Tekkie Help specialise in helping people manage, organise, protect, and most importantly, enjoy their photos. Here are 7 simple tips on how to liberate your digital photos.

1. Create a digital photo hub

It’s difficult to enjoy your photos when they’re scattered everywhere. The basis of any photo management is to create a “Digital Photo Hub” – a central location where all your photos are stored. From here, you can start to organise, sort and edit them so you can then start to enjoy them.

2. Get a good photo management software

Even if you’re extremely organised and have your photos in orderly folders on your computer, if you’re not using a specialised photo management software, you’re not going to be able to easily access, sort and enjoy your photos. Mac users are fortunate that the Apple native photo management software ‘Photos’ is an extremely effective and easy to use tool for organising and editing photos. For Windows users, there is no native software – there are many on the market, both paid for and free. We highly recommend Google Photos as a solution for Windows users.

3. Label photos and/or create albums

Adding labels to photos or creating albums makes it super-easy to find your favourite snaps when you want in no time at all. Photos and Google Photos have very powerful search capabilities even without labels – you can search by people’s faces, location, photo content e.g. “dog”, “beach”, “Christmas tree” etc.

4. Print your photos

Make time to publish your memories – simple prints, or even better to create photo book albums, calendars etc. Great Christmas present ideas too! Both Mac photos and Google Photos have the ability to create photo books from within the photo management software. We love the idea of printing a family yearbook.

5. Screen savers

Personalise your desktop or TV screen savers with your favourite memories. There are some really cool tools to help select which photos are displayed. This really does create everyday opportunities so you can enjoy all of your favourite photos and cherish those special memories.

6. Digital photo frames

There are many products on the market for digital photo frames which you can link to your photo management software to display the photos you want. Customise the frames to
display photos of certain events/holidays or which contain certain people in (a nice idea if you have people visiting is to feature all the memories you have shared with them!).

7. Sharing photos with friends & family

A key part of enjoying photos is sharing these memories with family and friends. Aside from publishing photo books, you can share photos by creating shared photo albums. You can even make these albums “smart” in that they can automatically populate according to certain criteria e.g. add all photos including a certain person to the album. These are just a few ideas on how you can liberate your digital photos and enjoy your memories.

For more tips on how to enjoy your photos, plus how to implement the ideas above, why not join one of our Photo Management training workshops? For more information and to book visit tekkiehelp.com/it-training or contact 81138682

9 tax tips for moving back to Australia

Dec 7 2022

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Is the great Australian lifestyle calling you? Before you answer that call make sure your tax affairs are in order as with sun, fun and amazing food also comes high taxes! To assist with your relocation plans for moving back to Australia, we list 9 top tax tips to consider.

1.Timing of bonus payments

The derivation of income is generally tied to the date of receipt. When applying this to a bonus payment received after you step foot on Australian soil this can mean that you are taxed on the bonus even if you earned it whilst in Singapore. To ensure you are not paying tax unnecessarily, either ensure all bonuses from your time working in Singapore are received before you board the plane or, if possible, ensure that the amount of the bonus can be determined and is reported by your employer as a non-contingent liability owing to you.

2. Utilisation of Singaporean tax paid

Leaving Singapore can result in a Singaporean tax liability on employment income, bonuses and employee share scheme arrangements (even if not actually vested yet).

Where any of these amounts are received and taxed in Australia, the Singaporean tax paid on these amounts can be applied to offset some or all of the Australian tax payable. Be aware, however that you will need to keep clear records of the tax paid and what it is paid on, and you will need to make the application within 4 years. After 4 years, the offset for any foreign tax paid is lost.

3. Classification of foreign retirement funds

Just because a structure is called a retirement fund it does not mean that Australia will view it as one.

Unless the terms and conditions of the fund is akin to that of an Australian superannuation fund, the foreign fund will be viewed, for Australian tax purposes as a foreign trust which leads to very different tax implications on withdrawals.

Always best to have a tax advisor check the classification before your arrival in Australia to ensure adequate time to plan for withdrawals before your relocation.

4. Valuation of assets

All assets not acquired when previously resident in Australia (such as shares and real estate) are valued as at the date you become a tax resident, thereby forming the cost base for a capital gain/loss calculation on its future sale. Depending on market movements this can either work in or out of your favour.

Where the asset is Australian real estate, a valuation is only required if you move into the property thus making the nomination that the property is no longer an investment property but instead your main residence.

5. Asset ownership

The top personal tax rate in Australia is 47%. Please contact us to discuss how the use of a life assurance bond, trusts, a superannuation fund and/or company can be utilised to meet your personal and family needs for asset protection, estate planning and tax efficiency.

6. Foreign currency

Holding foreign currency may be a sensible investment decision, however the Australian tax implications need to be taken into account.

If you hold more than the equivalent of AUD 250,000 in foreign currency (either in an Australian bank or a foreign bank), the AUD exchange rate movement throughout the year will need to be considered and if you end up with more in AUD at 30 June than what you started with this is income to which Australian tax is payable (even if not physically transferred to AUD).

7. When will you be considered a tax resident?

There can be a grey area around which date your Australian tax residency begins. This can be caused if:

your spouse and children relocate before you;
you give up your lease in Singapore but travel before arriving in Australia; and/or
you spend time in Australia before your final move.

The date you become resident impacts what income you are subject to Australian tax on so is very important to have clarified.

8. Retaining a directorship in foreign private companies

Australia’s current corporate tax residency rules look at where the central management and control of a company is situated. Simply put, if that is in Australia, due to one or more persons making high level strategic decisions from Australia, that company can be considered an Australian tax resident.

Without the application of a double tax agreement to say otherwise this can mean that the foreign company is treated like an Australian incorporated company would be with its income subject to Australia’s corporate tax system.

Therefore, should you retain your directorship in a foreign incorporated company, the policies and processes for how and when strategic decision making is carried out will need to be reviewed and/or implemented.

9. Using foreign companies to hold passive investment assets

It can be common in Asia to use a company to hold foreign property and investments for asset protection purposes.

In considering whether or not to re-structure this kind of investment holding structure attention should be put on the application of Australia’s controlled foreign company rules.

Under Australia’s controlled foreign company rules, the income and gains derived by the company can be attributed on an accruals basis to the Australian resident shareholder(s). This means that from an Australian tax perspective all income and gains are subject to Australian income tax even if the shareholder has not received a dividend from the company.

In summary, it is important to plan early for a tax efficient move to Australia as there are many ways in which we can support with the planning process as individual circumstances are unique.

Ilana Kramarov is the Director of Tax for Select Investors Australia, if you would like to discuss a tailored approach to tax planning for your move, please contact Ilana via email [email protected]

This information has been prepared in good faith, is in the nature of general comment only, and neither purports, nor is intended, to be advice on any particular matter. You should not act or rely upon any matter or information contained in or implied without taking appropriate professional advice which relates specifically to your particular circumstances. Select Investors (Australia) Pty Ltd expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person (whether a reader or not) who acts or fails to act as a consequence of reliance upon the whole or any part of this information.

Hotspots: Barood

Dec 6 2022

You may not have noticed, but post-pandemic, Singapore has become decidedly more … sultry. Dark and mysterious alleyways and staircases no longer lead to the back of a hawker centre or to one of the island’s famously more shifty establisments – no – they take you to some of the new hippest joints in town. Hi, Barood.

Tucked on the second floor of revered Indian restaurant Revolver, Barood’s darkened shophouse entrance whisks you up the stairs and into a world of sumptuous shades of plum, intriguing and glamous vintage prints on crimson walls, intimate lighting, and lashings of plush furnishings that scream ‘slinky’.

Barood was inspired by the rich Moorish influences of 1960s Paris, which makes for a rather pleasant setting for cocktails and nibbles. In line with the dramatic surroundings, the mixologists have created a selection of extraordinary, signature cocktails – unsurprisingly, they pack a punch and ooze sophistication. Altos Reposado and homemade kesar kasturi (a liquor made by blending spices like saffron, dried fruit, herbs, nuts and seeds with clarified butter, milk and sugar before they are distilled into a spirit) create the basis of the Sweet Assasin; the Dark Knight is a punchy concoction of Mitcher’s Rye, vermouth blend, and mushroom black truffle bitters.

The Otoro Totadas are finger lime-lickin’ good

While Barood is ideal for an intimate drinks-only extravaganza, after a few of the above bevoirs you’ll be no doubt diving into the menu of Indian-Japanese izakaya-style tapas. Mini Duck Rice Cakes come topped with spiced pulled duck and a piquant tomato chutney; the Goat Biryani Arancini packs in lashes of pickled mango mayo; and Otoro Tostadas feature Yuzu-marinated otoro (fatty tuna) on a crisp tostada, spiked with green chillies and finger lime. Add to these the likes of Veggie Poriyal Pancakes, Batatas Bravas, Masala Lobster Sliders, and Malabar Sloppy Joe – a buttered pao with Malabar pulled pork, yuzu aioli, minced shallots and our foodie favourite – and you might understand why Barood is choosing to stay surreptitious. Don’t tell everyone or they’ll all want to go!

VERDICT: Barood is a vibey destination, ideal for friends, but especially good for couples and dates. If you’re craving mouthwatering Japanese–Indian platefuls with privacy and provocative surroundings on the side, look no further.

56A Tras Street, 078977. barood.com.sg