Welcome to the first edition of the Money & Minimalism Monthly Roundup. On the last day of each month, I will share my favourite content from personal finance and minimalism bloggers in Asia.

I debated about creating this series for the longest time because I wasn’t sure if I had the time to commit to something like this every month. However, recently I felt that I needed to do more to promote bloggers from the Asian region, especially in South-East Asia. We are a tiny sliver of a very tiny pie, and readers in Asia are hungry for localised personal finance and minimalism content.

This month, I want to explore this crucial and urgent topic – how do we manage uncertain times? What do you do if you’ve lost your job? What if you’ve quit your job to pursue a dream only to have COVID-19 derail your plans? These bloggers share their stories:

1. Should we have quit our jobs? by Sipping Coconuts

Although Mr & Mrs SC has a great post about what to do when you’re being laid off, I’d like to highlight this post. You see, 7 months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and lockdowns began, the Singaporean couple quit their jobs and decided to travel the world with their children. Should they, or should they not have taken the leap?

2. I got laid off twice and how it influenced my personal finances by Balkoni Hijau

“When I came back to Malaysia after being laid off twice in Singapore. I had enough. I had enough with the Oil & Gas industry, and I had enough of being an employee.” Helmi writes how these unfortunate circumstances changed his whole outlook on finances and employment.

3. Unemployed in the age of Covid by Side Hustle Rich

The economy seemed to be upbeat when Richard left his job in December 2019. But then, COVID-19 struck and the world was suddenly on pause. I once commented that personal finance isn’t very fun when you no longer have a steady stream of income. Sometimes I suspect most PF bloggers just don’t want to talk about life when unemployed because it just isn’t sexy. Richard, however, is honest about his struggles. Thank you for sharing, Richard.

4. Career Tip: Trust the dots will connect by Wanderlust Wendy

Wendy is a Taiwanese-American blogger currently living in Vietnam. This article is one of my favourites and a good reminder that life, somehow, will unfold in the most unexpected ways, even during uncertain times.

5. 6 Basic Money Actions to Take During Time of Financial Uncertainty by MyPF

Eric asks, “Are you going to let yourself surrender to an “uncertainty” virus that cripples you from taking actions to increase your financial immune system?” Instead, he recommends 6 defensive money actions to protect your finances during these uncertain times. Good tips!