Fans hoping to catch Pitbull in his upcoming Singapore gig will be disappointed to find that the Asian leg of his tour has been cancelled.

He was supposed to perform here on Saturday (May 27) in Suntec Convention Centre.

Live Nation Lushington Singapore, the organisers of the concert, said in a press release today that scheduling conflicts is the reason behind the cancellation.

Pitbull apologises to fans and hopes to come to Asia again in the future.

In the meantime, full refund for existing ticket holders will be available tomorrow (May 12) via APACTix and SISTIC.

The refund details are as follows:

1. Payment via credit card: Refund will be credited to the same credit card used within 14 business days.

2. Payment via cash/NETS payments: Customers should proceed to APACTix with the physical ticket and a photo ID between May 12 and May 18 for the refund.

3. Payment via SISTIC: Ticket holders will receive refunds through the original mode of payment. Purchases made by credit or debit cards will be automatically credited to the same card.

nicchew@sph.com.sg

Fans hoping to catch Pitbull in his upcoming Singapore gig will be disappointed to find that the Asian leg of his tour has been cancelled.

He was supposed to perform here on Saturday (May 27) in Suntec Convention Centre.

Live Nation Lushington Singapore, the organisers of the concert, said in a press release today that scheduling conflicts is the reason behind the cancellation.

Pitbull apologises to fans and hopes to come to Asia again in the future.

In the meantime, full refund for existing ticket holders will be available tomorrow (May 12) via APACTix and SISTIC.

The refund details are as follows:

1. Payment via credit card: Refund will be credited to the same credit card used within 14 business days.

2. Payment via cash/NETS payments: Customers should proceed to APACTix with the physical ticket and a photo ID between May 12 and May 18 for the refund.

3. Payment via SISTIC: Ticket holders will receive refunds through the original mode of payment. Purchases made by credit or debit cards will be automatically credited to the same card.

nicchew@sph.com.sg

So you’ve bought your dream home. It’s located in a nice area that doesn’t require you to spend hours on public transport to get to work.

You have a nice view from a high floor.

There’s enough space for you and your household to keep your bathroom habits private.

But you know what would really make it a dream? If the government would take it off your hands in an en-bloc sale a few years from now.

Since the majority of residential property, including all HDB flats, is on 99 year leases, there’s a time limit on your dream home-especially if you buy resale property whose lease might run out during your lifetime.

Recent news coverage has left people wondering what will happen if their lease runs out before they die.

In the recent past, purchasers of old HDB flats didn’t worry too much about this, with many assuming their flats would eventually be eligible for SERS (Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme) and they’d be paid a tidy sum of money to relocate to a brand new home.

But the government has now warned against assuming your home will eventually be acquired through SERS-this is a clear sign that the authorities intend to let some flats run the full course of their leases, before acquiring them at $0.

Given the possibility that you could one day lose your home, it becomes even more pressing to know just how much en-bloc potential your home really has.

While there’s no magic formula, here are some factors that can raise your chances.

Rising land and property values in your area

One of the catalysts for an en-bloc sale is when the land value rises above the value of your property.

For example, many of those people who’ve bought old HDB flats in the Tiong Bahru estate are no doubt hoping they’ll be eligible for SERS in a few decades, since Tiong Bahru has been given a new lease of life thanks to the hipster cafe explosion.

One big hint you might be able to benefit from en bloc is if your area is undergoing a huge transformation.

For instance, in 2014 it was announced that $31 million would be spent to develop Woodlands into a high-traffic zone, with six blocks being relocated under the SERS scheme in the process.

Obviously, centrally-located areas with good public transport links have a higher chance of experiencing more en-bloc sales.

You have a higher chance of your place going en bloc if you live in River Valley or Redhill than, say, Yishun.

Your property isn’t using the land space efficiently

It’s no surprise that condo units and HDB flats have been shrinking over the years, while the number of floors in each block has risen.

It makes sense for developers, as they earn more out of every square metre of land they buy and sell.

Old blocks or condos that use space inefficiently could be prime candidates for redevelopment.

For instance, if your block has only four or five floors when the developer could build a block of 30-floors in its place, it’s a good candidate for an en-bloc sale.

There is a wide availability of alternative housing in the area

When a building gets acquired in an en bloc sale, like stray cats, all the residents have to be relocated.

The availability of suitable housing in the area makes it more likely that a successful en bloc exercise can be carried out.

If you live in a condo and an en bloc sale is proposed, it will only be carried out if at least 80 per cent of the residents vote in favour of the sale (or 90 per cent if the development is less than 10 years old).

They’re more likely to vote yes if they know they can move elsewhere in the same area.

When it comes to HDB property, the government has the final say, but one of the factors they consider is the availability of suitable sites in the area to move residents to.

The property market is strong

An en-bloc sale will only happen if developers or the government feel that they can get even more value out of the land by buying and redeveloping it.

For private property dwellers, that means that the performance of the property market will influence how often and how aggressively developers bid for new sites.

For HDB property, one of the factors that will be taken into account is the economic viability of the en bloc sale, which basically means the same thing.

So far, we have not gotten to the stage where the oldest residential HDB leases have started to expire.

But based on the messages the government has been sending out, it’s best not to assume your place will be selected for SERS, even if it satisfies all of the above criteria.

“Pay peanuts, get monkeys” is one of Singaporeans’ favourite expressions, often used when explaining why you’re not going that damn extra mile.

But there are some situations where accepting lower pay, or “peanuts”, if you will, and working damn hard at your job nonetheless might actually be a good idea-at least for a while.

Here are five scenarios where you might actually want to jump at the chance to do a job for less.

1. The company’s reputation would give your CV a boost

It’s amazing what a reputable company’s name can do for your CV.

Nobody gives two hoots if you were the COO at Ah Pek’s Trading Company Pte Ltd.

But put a big MNC’s name on your resume and all of a sudden, you become more employable.

For this reason, it is often a good idea to accept lower pay to get a good company name on your CV-just be sure to move on when the time comes.

2. The job can be used as a stepping stone to a better one

Just because your job pays you peanuts right now doesn’t mean you’re stuck in low paying roles forever.

In fact, a low paying job can sometimes be used as a stepping stone for something much better.

For instance, many bank employees take on contract roles in which they’re paid less than permanent staff for a shot at being converted to perm staff themselves.

Those who aren’t converted still have a higher chance at getting a similar perm role in a different company.

You can also leverage the skills and experience gained in some low paying jobs to leapfrog to a better job later on.

Just remain at the job for long enough to learn how things are done, and then apply as an “experienced” hire to another company when it’s time to move on.

3. Better work-life balance and flexibility

In Singapore, there are lots of very well paid employees who have zero life outside of work.

For instance, if you’re a lawyer, “good” work-life balance can mean leaving at 7pm or 8pm every day.

Poor work-life balance means being at the office till after midnight.

In such circumstances, it may be necessary to accept a lower paying job in order to enjoy better work-life balance.

In a 2015 survey, 57 per cent of Singaporeans said they’d pick better work-life balance over higher pay, so there you go.

Employers who are willing to offer a high degree of flexibility might also be worth considering, even if they’re paying less than those who insist on lots of face-time.

If you’re allowed to work from home three days a week, it might be worthwhile taking a pay cut, especially if the alternative is to sit at the office from 9am to whenever the boss leaves every night.

4. Receiving stock options

Companies sometimes offer their employees stock options in exchange for a lower salary. In fact, receiving stock options has become a defining part of working for a start-up.

In reality, you’re taking a gamble, as your stock options are worthless if the company goes nowhere or, worse, tanks.

Still, if this is a company you believe in and you’re committed to doing your best, taking those stock options will totally change the way you work.

There’s also the (admittedly) slim chance that your company will IPO and you’ll find yourself becoming an overnight millionaire.

Big, publicly-traded companies might also dangle equity as part of the benefits.

Granted, you’re unlikely to see your $5,000 worth of shares balloon to $5,000,000, but on the flipside the chances of your stock becoming worthless are low.

5. You’re likely to be promoted and given a raise in the near future

A job that’s paying a less than desirable salary might be worth considering if you foresee a promotion and/or pay rise in the near future.

This can happen when you join a fast-growing company that’s about to create more job openings than it can fill.

You might also be able to anticipate a promotion if you’re slightly overqualified for the role you’re being hired for, and just need a few months to gain the skills that will haul you up onto the next rung of the career ladder.

But just to be sure, this is something you want to discuss with your potential boss before you sign that employment contract, not after.