DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ I was a tech DINK earning over $100k a year. Our double income helped me quit my 9-to-5 — but now the glory days are over.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I even quit my 9-to-5 to pursue my passion for content creation. I made $40,000 in revenue from content creation in 2022 and $107,000 in 2023 before expenses. AdvertisementSince I'm not earning a stable income, we've decided to limit our spending more this year. I decided to give myself a salary of $35,000 for 2024 from my content creation business. As content creation doesn't require me to go into an office, I'm hoping to build a flexible career that I can continue around raising a kid.

Persons: —, Natalie Fischer, Keldon, now's, we've, There's, Roth, I'm, DINK, We've, He's, we're, haven't Organizations: Service, Business, UGC Locations: Washington, Seattle, pomeranian, Rome, Mexico, Finland

☆ UOB reports first-quarter profit fell less than expected, maintains 2024 growth outlook
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Singapore's United Overseas Bank, or UOB, reported a smaller-than-expected decline in first quarter net profit on Wednesday, squeezed by net interest margins, and maintained its outlook for income growth in 2024. Singapore's United Overseas Bank reported a smaller-than-expected decline in first-quarter net profit on Wednesday, squeezed by net interest margins, and maintained its outlook for income growth in 2024. "Despite heightened geopolitical tensions, our home region of Southeast Asia is relatively resilient," UOB CEO Wee Ee Cheong said in a statement. "We continued to see ongoing shifts in global supply chains and sustained tourism activities," he added. UOB, which is also Southeast Asia's third-largest bank by assets, also maintained its guidance for low single-digit loan growth and double-digit fee growth, according to Wee's presentation slides accompanying the results.

Persons: Wee Ee Cheong Organizations: Singapore's United Overseas Bank Locations: Southeast Asia

☆ I'm a Palestinian startup founder. I wanted to do my part for my home country, but now we have to leave.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The Palestinian startup sceneOur business is based in Ramallah, where Raya lives. If starting a company in Ramallah could benefit the community by creating jobs and further building on the small startup scene there, we wanted to try. When "The Middle Frame" goes through a hard time in the future, we can look back at that screenshot. In the future, when our business is stable in a different market, we could maybe have a smaller operation in the Palestinian market. The Palestinian startup ecosystem needs more examples of successful startups in the wider region to support the startups in Palestine and more investment bodies to support the early-stage startups.

Persons: Mohammad Alnobani, Alnobani, —, We'd, Raya, creatives, We're, I'd, I've, We've, Raya's, we've, it's Organizations: West Bank, Hamas, Service, Young, Palestine, Israel, Getty, UAE Locations: Gaza, Alnobani, Ramallah, Palestinian Territories, Amman, Jordan, Jerusalem, Belfast, Palestinian, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Nablus, Qatar, London, Boston, East, North Africa, it's, Egypt, Europe, Ramallah —, Dubai, Jordanian, Iran, UAE, Palestine

☆ I quit medicine for an entry-level corporate job. I felt behind but didn't have the passion to become a low-paid doctor.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Salaha Ashraf spent her last few years of medical school feeling stressed and anxious. Ashraf went to medical school in 2014 but pivoted into a corporate career after deciding she didn't want to be a doctor. I felt more passionate about business management after one year compared to four years of medical school. I don't wish I was a doctorI try to look back at medical school in a positive light. If I felt empowered to follow my passion, maybe I would have studied psychology, which I found interesting at school.

Persons: Salaha Ashraf, —, Ashraf, I've, I'd Organizations: Service, NHS, Business Locations: Bolton, England

☆ Gen Zers can't always afford to have fun. Here's how I budget my $80,000 salary to save for a house and still enjoy my 20s.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It's not necessarily that I'm spending less money, but I'm way more intentional about how I spend it. But my generation has to choose between these things; having fun in your 20s is harder now. Sandke said she wants to enjoy her 20s and she builds fun activities into her budget. My savings also go toward fun things I'm looking forward to in the near future. I want to look back on my 20s and feel I was responsible with my money and had fun.

Persons: —, Emma Sandke, I've, It's, Sandke, Roth, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, Boston Locations: Boston

☆ I left Silicon Valley for a dream job in Chicago. I wasn't prepared for how crushing the loneliness could be.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I interned for a company called Bridge Money during my MBA at Stanford. I wanted to work at a fintech company, and this opportunity with Bridge Money was the exact type of role I wanted. AdvertisementI'd heard that Chicago was becoming more of a startup hub but not on the same level as Silicon Valley. Bridge Money offered me the possibility of an equity grant — if all went well at the company, my equity would increase in value. At Bridge Money, I was one of the first 10 full-time hires.

Persons: Jaime Muñoz, —, I'd, Stanford, Muñoz, Jaime Muñoz I'd, I've, I'm, Everyone's, It's Organizations: Stanford, Service, Chicago, Accenture, San Locations: Chicago, California, Bay, Silicon, San Francisco

☆ Scotland’s new hate crime law was meant to protect against prejudice. It ended up sowing further division
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Amy Cassidy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Scotland’s Hate Crime and Public Order Act came into force last week, a contentious law that expands existing legislation to include transgender identity as a protected characteristic from hate crimes. In the first week of the law’s enactment, a feminist group, “Let Women Speak,” organized a rally against the legislation in Scotland’s capital on Saturday. Another major concern for those who oppose the Hate Crime Act is the supposed lack of clarity on what type of behavior could constitute an offense under the new law. But 25-year-old Scottish trans student Lucy (who asked not to be identified by her real name due to concerns about continued online abuse), said the new law does not reassure her. Scotland’s proposed reforms would have allowed transgender people to self-identify, without the need for a medical diagnosis or certificate.

Persons: –, – Humza Yousaf, ”, JK Rowling, Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, Jane Barlow, ’, Susan Smith, “, ’ ” Smith, Siobhan Brown, Rowling, Harry Potter, Yousaf, J, Rowling waded, Angela Weiss, ” Vic Valentine, Lucy, Scotland’s, hadn’t, Musk, Ian Miles Cheong Organizations: CNN, ” Scottish, Reuters, Scottish, Women Scotland, Community Safety, Police Scotland, BBC, Getty, Scottish Trans, Public Affairs, Equality Network, Scottish Police Federation, ” Police, Courier, PA Media, Police Locations: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, British, Scottish, Malaysian

☆ I'm a Gen Zer who lived without a smartphone for 9 months. Here's what I learned from having a clunky flip phone.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementHaving a flip phone removed the impulse to do things on my phone without thinkingThe flip phone I got was clunky and slow. I had to get a smartphone again for workI stopped using the flip phone after nine months. AdvertisementI also felt that having a flip phone hindered me from meeting people and being easy to communicate with. If I were getting to a point where I felt I was using my phone too much, I'd know I could go back to using a flip phone. AdvertisementBefore having a flip phone, I would spend five hours or more a day on my smartphone, but now I think it's more like one or two.

Persons: —, Ella Jones, Jones, she'd, StudentCrowd, I've, I'd, you'll, I'm Organizations: Service, Samsung Galaxy Young, YouTube, Business, Google, Nokia, Facebook Locations: Belfast, Northern Ireland

☆ I've been laid off 5 times. The first one was devastating — but I wouldn't have reinvented myself without them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementWhen I first started working, I could not have imagined that I'd have to live through layoffs five times over eight years. I've worked in magazine media, startups, and tech. AdvertisementI am very loyal to all of the people that I've worked for and worked with. I started working as a director of marketing content strategy for Dropbox in August 2020. What I've learned after five layoffs in less than eight years is that no industry is immune to instability.

Persons: Betty Wong Ortiz, She's, Ortiz, —, I've, Rocco DiSpirito, I'd, We'd, Meredith, It's Organizations: Service, Fitness Magazine, Meredith Corporation, Blink Health, Dropbox, Blink Locations: Lake George , New York, Dropbox

☆ I thought having my own office meant I'd 'arrived,' but it was depressing. Here's why open-plan office layouts are best.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

During that time, she's worked in cubicles, open plan offices, and has had her own office spaces. There was another intern who had her own cubicle with high walls that kind of looked like a mini office. I've spent 10 years in financial services, where I worked in everything from high-walled cubicles to open office floor plans to eventually having my very own office. I also spent 10 years in B2B tech and software-as-a-service companies, where there's nothing but open office plans. Having my own office was depressing and soul-crushingHaving your own office is associated with prestige and privacy, but my first experience of this was horrible.

Persons: Jennifer Moore, she's, —, I've, Moore Organizations: Service Locations: cubicles, Salt Lake City, Wells Fargo

☆ I'm a Gen Z mom. DINKs showing off their splurging and traveling gave me FOMO, but I don't regret having kids.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

He really wanted kids but said it was fine if I didn't, as he loved me and just wanted to be with me. I thought having a family with him would be amazing. I don't think we would have planned far ahead enough to do a trip like that before having kids. I don't regret having kids youngI really enjoy being a mom. I didn't want to get to a point in my career where I was doing really well and then take a big break.

Persons: —, Megan Pagel, Michael, DINK —, Pagel, Covid, it's, I'm, DINK, I'd, I've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Tasmania, Australia

☆ I moved to Finland for the music scene, and now see why it's the happiest country in the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Seraphine Meschberger loved concerts in Finland so much she'd fly there from Switzerland to attend. In November 2022, I decided to move to Finland for concerts and music after graduating from university. I decided to move when flights to Finland got more expensive after the pandemicWhen I visited Finland for concerts, I stayed in Airbnbs and hostels. AdvertisementI think Finland is one of the 'happiest' countries in the world and I prefer it to SwitzerlandSince moving to Finland eight months ago, I've been to 16 concerts and two music festivals. AdvertisementIn this regard, Finland is very similar to Switzerland, but I still prefer Finland.

Persons: Seraphine Meschberger, —, she'd, Michael Monroe, I've, I'd, Meschberger, I'm, hasn't Organizations: Service, McDonald's, didn't Locations: Finland, Switzerland, Helsinki, Finnish, Zurich, Airbnbs, Ruisrock, Meschberger

☆ I'm a millennial who thought cubicles were a dreary relic from the '90s — then I realized they can be social and personal
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Sydney Baker, 27, about her experience working in office cubicles. AdvertisementBaker's first office cubicle space. People think cubicles are dreary, but decorating them can make them light and brightMy preconception about cubicles was that they didn't get a lot of sunlight. I also like that cubicles can be social, but you also have the flexibility to not be social when needed. I've never worked in an open-plan office but think I'd prefer the privacy cubicles affordI've toured open-plan offices but never worked in one.

Persons: —, Sydney Baker, cubicles, I've, I'd, there's, . Baker, Bradley McKee Organizations: Service, Business, Amazon Locations: cubicles

☆ At 23, she landed a job at a 3-star Michelin restaurant. Less than 2 years later, she left to run a food stall in Singapore.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Shanice Lim left a Michelin-starred restaurant to run a hawker stall in Singapore. She decided to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and run her own hawker stall. nasi lemak stall in singapore Marielle Descalsota/Business InsiderLim said her efforts have paid off and that she now has a base of customers who don't hesitate to pay SG$5 for her nasi lemak. I wanted to put my brand out there so everyone could have good nasi lemak," Lim said. There isn't much money to be made running a hawker stall.

Persons: Shanice Lim, Lim's, —, Shanice, Lim, Lim's nasi lemak, Marielle, nasi lemak —, Khir Johari, hawker, KF, it's, It's, nasi lemak, Seetoh, nasi, she's, Elizabeth Chan, lemak, Chan, har, wasn't Organizations: Michelin, Service, Culinary Institute of America's, hawker, Business, SG, National Environmental Agency, NEA, Singapore Food Agency, singapore Marielle Locations: Singapore, Culinary Institute of America's Singapore, Singapore —, European, Zen, Malay, lemak, Bedok, hawker, Urban, New York City, nasi lemak, singapore

☆ We moved to Finland and aren't sure it's the 'happiest country in the world' — but we have no regrets
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Kovalonoks and Goswami got married in Turku, Finland, in August 2023. We think Finland is a good place to raise childrenMegha: We rent an apartment in Turku, a few kilometers from the city center. Megha: We would like to have a family of our own someday, and we think Finland is a good place to raise children. Courtesy of QpidindiaWe think expats in Finland face unique challengesMegha: Finland has been named the happiest country in the world six times in a row in the World Happiness Report. I think Finland has several things that allow people to be content, such as work-life balance and good healthcare and education.

Persons: —, Kristaps Kovalonoks, Megha Goswami, Megha, wasn't, Kristaps, Kovalonoks, Goswami, Barbara Kaucher, we're, We've, that's, I've Organizations: Service, University of Turku, Business Locations: Finland, Estonian, Latvia, India, Turku, Nordic, Riga

☆ I'm an 83-year-old doctor who still works 50-hour weeks. I never give any thought to retirement — I still have things to contribute.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I'm working just as much now as I was when I was doing surgery. I still feel I could operate, but think patients might question it at my age. The work I'm doing now can potentially touch thousands of patients. The work that I'm doing, as well as exercising, is allowing me to use my brain, which develops neuroplasticity. I feel very fulfilled with what I'm doing now.

Persons: —, Dr, Joseph Maroon, I'd, I've, I'm, Chuck Noll, Maroon, Joseph Maroon I've, they're, There's, you've, there's, Joe Biden, Trump's, Joe, . Maroon Organizations: Service, University of Pittsburgh, Business, Pittsburgh Steelers, World Wrestling Entertainment, National Science Advisory, Chuck Noll Foundation, WWE, Air Locations: Pittsburgh

☆ Taylor Swift is making Singapore a mountain of money, and some of the country's neighbors are salty about it
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Edwin Tong, Singapore's culture minister, told local outlet Mothership on February 28 that the amount of grant given "is not what is being speculated online." As Tong, the Singapore culture minister, told Mothership, the city-state is looking "beyond just the economic impact" of Swiftonimics. Economists estimate that Swift's concerts in Singapore could contribute up to 500 million Singapore dollars, or $372 million, in tourist receipts. AdvertisementIt's a different story for spending on experiences — and it's heightened because Singapore is Swift's only stop in Southeast Asia. Mann said the people who have money to pay for flight tickets, Swift's concert tickets, and a hotel are likely to keep spending at other tourist spots.

Persons: —, Taylor Swift, Srettha, Edwin Tong, Swift, it's, Yun Liu, Tong, Kevin Cheong, David Mann, Mann, Coldplay, Si Ying Toh, Cheong, Joey Salceda, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno Organizations: Service, Business, HSBC, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, Nomura, Philippine Star, Bloomberg, Vegas Locations: Singapore, Southeast Asia, British, Thailand, Bangkok, Indonesia, Sands

☆ ChatGPT helped me renovate my kitchen. Here's how it saves me time on everyday tasks outside of work.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Meg Faibisch Kühn discovered ChatGPT a year ago and started using it every day at work. It wasn't immediately obvious that ChatGPT was a tool for enhancing my personal life as well as my work. ChatGPT helped me renovate my kitchenMy husband and I wanted to renovate our kitchen in the most cost-effective way possible. Screenshot from ChatGPT/Courtesy of Meg Faibisch KühnI was able to use it to figure out how many tiles I needed for the floor. Courtesy of Meg Faibisch Kühn3.

Persons: Meg Faibisch Kühn, —, ChatGPT, Meg Faibisch Kühn I've, we've, I've Organizations: ChatGPT, Service, YouTube, US Department of Agriculture Locations: San Rafael , California, ChatGPT

☆ We retired in Italy after visiting once over a decade ago. After selling our US home, we live a cheaper, slower life.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Glenda and Randy Tuminello moved to Italy in December 2022, after selling their home in Texas. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Glenda and Randy Tuminello, both 70, who left the US in 2022 to retire to southern Italy. During Covid, we began thinking about living in Italy and started to plan for our retirement there. We sold our home in Texas in 2020 and moved to Washington again to be with family while we were preparing to move. AdvertisementRetired life in Italy is cheaperGlenda: When we lived in Spokane, Washington, we didn't get to know people that well.

Persons: Glenda, Randy Tuminello, —, Randy, We've, we'd, Covid, It's, we've, I've Organizations: Service, Mare Locations: Italy, Texas, Arkansas , Michigan, Arizona, Oregon , Washington, Arkansas, Sicily, Washington, San Francisco, Polignano, Adriatic, America, Spokane , Washington, Rome

☆ I'm a Gen Zer. We aren't lazy, but 9-to-5s can be a struggle after college during Covid — here's how I've learned to cope.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

My first few weeks of full-time work were tiring. Here is what I've learned about how to cope better and balance life and work while working a 9-to-5. I said to my manager, "I'm coming in early every day, so I'm technically working more hours than in my contract. AdvertisementI personally prefer to go to work early and come home early so I have more time in the evening. Martin said she was arriving at work early, so she asked her manager if she could leave early too.

Persons: —, Ciara Martin, I've, Martin, it's, I'm Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Surrey, England

☆ Singapore's UOB revises down 2024 loan growth, fourth-quarter profit beats forecasts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A customer uses an ATM at an United Overseas Bank Ltd. (UOB) branch in Singapore, on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. Singapore's United Overseas Bank, or UOB, on Thursday cut its 2024 loan growth projections to low single-digits from mid-single digits after posting a stronger-than-forecast 22% jump in fourth quarter net profit. UOB maintained its 2024 guidance for double-digit fee growth while projecting total income to see positive growth, according to UOB CEO Wee Ee Cheong's earnings presentation slides. Credit costs for 2024 are expected to be at the lower end of its previous 25 to 30 basis points guidance range. "Global economic outlook remains uncertain in the near term, but Southeast Asia continues to be a bright spot," Wee said in a statement.

Persons: UOB, Wee Ee, Wee Organizations: United Overseas Bank Ltd, Singapore's United Overseas Bank Locations: Singapore, Southeast Asia

☆ I'm a tech worker who got laid off twice in a year. I've made good money — but I'm paranoid it will happen again.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Amber Smith, a 27-year-old from Des Moines, Iowa, about getting laid off from two tech job in her 20s. I’ve been laid off in the tech industry twice. I've learned a lot, gained a lot of experience, and made some good money , but I don’t know if I would work in tech forever. Smith started working for a company that did lighting for smart buildings in June 2021. I tried to create a ticket with the tech team but that didn’t work either.

Persons: Amber Smith, she's, —, I’ve, I've, Smith, I’d, Slack, I’m Organizations: Service, eBay, LinkedIn Locations: Des Moines , Iowa, Europe

☆ I quit my corporate job after one year to return to teaching. I feel like I've chosen something I enjoy over long-term financial success.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I grew up in Dallas-Fort Worth and started my first teaching job in Brooklyn when I was 24. AdvertisementI resigned from teaching and took a corporate job as a learning and development consultant. I found a fully remote corporate job at a learning and development consultancy firm that helps other companies with learning initiatives like training. I realized I much preferred teaching students over training adultsI started my new job in August 2022. I've chosen something I enjoy over long-term financial successWhen I decided to accept the teaching job, finances were probably my biggest concern, but I feel that with what I'm making now as a teacher, I'm able to live just fine.

Persons: —, Rachel Volk, I've, Volk, I'd, I'm, you'll Organizations: Service, Business, Fort Worth, Fort, New Locations: Dallas, Brooklyn, Texas, Fort Worth, New York, New York City, New York City and Texas

☆ How to take pictures of the 2024 solar eclipse: 11 tips from the pros to snap the most dramatic photos
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Kelly Burch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

NASA's Scientific Visualization StudioTens to hundreds of millions of people across the US will get to experience a partial solar eclipse on April 8. Scout your spot — then have a backupClouds can block out and ruin the experience of a total solar eclipse. Laurie Ambrose/Getty ImagesThe most important factor for great eclipse photos is something we can’t control: the weather. Consider renting equipmentYou can see the solar corona as thin white whisps jutting out from the moon's shadow in this photo of a total solar eclipse. Enjoy itThis year's total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event for some.

Persons: —, ” astrophotographer Jon Carmichael, what's, Carmichael, Andrew Studer, you’re, “ It’s, Laurie Ambrose, Getty, Jon Carmichael, Studer, PhotoPills, Doug Duncan, Jon Carmichael It’s, ” Carmichael, Manfred Gottschalk, you’ve, It’s, ” Studer, Thomson, Jon Carmichael Carmichael’s, keng cheong, Sean Gallup Organizations: Service, Business, National Geographic, BBC, Great, Hubble Space, Thomson Reuters, Getty Locations: Texas, Maine

☆ I'm a 'zillennial' who left the city. I don't like living in the suburbs as a young person, but I plan to stay.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Kelsey Lam, a 27-year-old who left Philadelphia to live in the suburbs in 2021. I've lived in the suburbs for three years and would say they don't really cater to my age group. AdvertisementEven going for coffee in the suburbs and in the city are completely different experiences. In the suburbs, I'm getting coffee from chains and the coffee just doesn't feel as unique. AdvertisementIn 2019, I was living in a 550-square-foot studio apartment in the city for around $1,165 a month.

Persons: —, Kelsey Lam, I've, King of Prussia, Kelsey, I'd, Lam, Covid Organizations: Service, Business, Facebook Locations: Philadelphia, Malvern , Pennsylvania, Malvern, Plymouth, Cities, Kelsey Lam, French, Chinatown, King

Search resuls for: "cheong"

25 mentions found