It can sometimes seem futile trying to earn enough KrisFlyer miles to redeem for that Singapore Airlines long-haul Business Class flight. However, like investing, we need to think creatively about how we earn passive income (or in this case, miles).

While you can’t exactly earn miles while you sleep, you can earn extra miles simply by spending what you would have spent on anyway.

One of the best avenues for turbo-charging your miles earning is by utilising the Kris+ app – a Singapore Airlines lifestyle and rewards app that allows you to earn and redeem miles for everyday purchases.

Now redeeming miles on that platform is poor value (and shouldn’t really be considered) BUT earning miles on Kris+ is a different proposition altogether.

By using the app, you can actually earn an extra 1 mile per dollar up to 9 miles per dollar – depending on which merchant you use it at.

Right now, Kris+ is also running a “Feast to Fly” promo where you can earn a whopping 10mpd on 45 dining partners, including Red House Seafood, Bella Pasta, Bangkok Jam, Jumbo Signatures, Mrs Pho, L’Entrecote Steak & Frites, and more.

Given you pay “in-app” when you settle the bill, which are the best miles cards to double dip with miles? 

The top picks would be the DBS Woman’s World Mastercard (4mpd online) or the UOB Lady’s/Lady’s Solitaire card (4mpd with “Dining” as one of your bonus categories). That gives you the ability to earn up to 14mpd of spend when eating out or shopping at retailers. 

While you shouldn’t go out of your way and frequent these merchants just to earn miles, it’s worth having the app to check whether the place is on Kris+ when eating out or shopping.

Use my referral code P210083 when signing up for Kris+ and we can both get 750 KrisPay miles (worth $5).

In stock markets, there is always a “recession” on the horizon. That can happen at any time but with increasing barriers to trade, slowing corporate earnings growth in the US as well as a weakening labour market, the signs aren’t all that great.

Regardless, while we shouldn’t deviate from our long-term financial plans, we should take action to financially be prepared for a recession.

In a recession, economies post negative growth for a few consecutive quarters. This is usually accompanied by job losses and lower consumer spending.

So, how can we recession-proof our finances? We should have a quick checklist. First off, it starts with cash holdings or, in other words, our “emergency fund”.

This needs to have at least 6 months’ worth of our non-discretionary expenses in cash or cash-like instruments. 

Although with all the uncertainty swirling in job markets right now, it might be worth having between 9 to 12 months’ worth of expenses as an emergency fund.

Next, make sure any high-interest debt has been paid off. Losing a job (income) comes with enough mental, as well as financial, stress. Don’t compound that by having any high-interest debt that needs to be serviced. 

Get that paid off now or before a recession hits. As former US President John F Kennedy famously said, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining”.

And finally, do NOT make any fear-based investing decisions. When things are crumbling around us, the natural reaction is to sell our investments (at the worst time) and stop our monthly investing (also at the worst time).

As prices fall, remember that we should be maintaining our monthly investing and ensuring we are staying the course. Don’t lock in losses – instead try to be rational when everyone else is being irrational.

Pop Mart International, the firm behind the viral Labubu dolls, saw its share price plunge by over 10% this week after Chinese state media called for stronger regulation of “blind box” toys. 

While the article in The People’s Daily didn't mention Pop Mart specifically, it did say in a commentary that government authorities should define regulations around such “mystery boxes” to avoid minors becoming addicted.

Tim’s Take: The incredible success of Labubu dolls worldwide has put the spotlight on Hong Kong-listed Pop Mart International. Its shares are up 163% so far in 2025 alone. Over the past year? They’ve climbed just shy of 500%.

So, anyone who’s owned shares over the past year shouldn’t exactly be pitied, even with the 13% share price decline this past week.

However, what it does highlight is the uncertain nature of investing in China when the government likes to get involved in any “social vices”. We saw that play out in 2021/2022 during the Chinese government’s regulatory crackdown on tech (and online gaming).

Memories can fade quickly, though, as Chinese markets have bounced back. But perhaps this is a timely reminder (even though the commentary came from state-owned press and not the actual government) that the government’s own perceived views can impact share prices.

Investors should be clear-eyed when buying into Chinese shares. While there certainly are opportunities in the market given the strength of Chinese brands, the government can still play an outsized role in short-term price movements.