Perhaps this is partly due to me getting used to SG lifestyle over the decades…
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k_X_power_descriptor
Mistakes .. SG organizations also make similar mistakes, but I always have confidence in their ability to fix them. Why is U.S. system so hazardous? Let’s try to find some patterns.
— support .. is a key resource at “stressor events”. As residents of U.S. we have to be more resourceful, more self-reliant rather than relying on government or expensive commercial operators.
There’s more reliance on non-profit self-help groups. Consider the Chinese communities. I would probably save/invest much more than in SG, to buy commercial support for my family and complement the self-help groups.
Support [esp. in terms of knowledge…] is increasingly provided online (least expensive to providers), or by phone and rarely in-person. In the U.S. I often have to google for solutions ! In Singapore I sometimes use google to find solutions, but never forced to.
Singapore is a nanny state. In contrast, U.S. is more of a DIY buffet culture — If you want something, go get it yourself.
— some stressor events
- traffic police tickets
- car problems
- the neighborhood police is less helpful than in Singapore
- phone service provider is less helpful unless you choose a premium provider
- minor repairs are less stressful in SG due to low-cost handymen. In contrast, U.S. DIY culture means non-DIY families pay a very high price!
- old wood houses … leakages, windows, heater, roof. Given that cheap or expensive homes both can appreciate, I would consider low-maintenance homes like brick houses.
- automobiles
- fridge
— financial stressor events
- Retrofitness extra charge on my ccard
- health insurance claim denials … I had to call them over and over again
- B@A credit balance cheque sent to the wrong address
- credit monitoring
- bank account overdraft fees
- .. but usually can be waived
- Uber overcharge
- .. but waiver is easy
- tax authority is very hard to work with
- tax overcharge due to ITIN renewal issue
- .. but I also received generous tax credits.
Aha — I need to Let-go on some small amounts of over-charge or other financial losses. Anything below $30 is LGlp. Besides, U.S. system also gives refunds more generously, sometimes by mistake.