4 Important Things Teens Don’t Know About Finances

An eye-opening study showed that only 17% of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 knew how to manage their money. Among these respondents, 24% said they did not know the difference between credit and debit cards. Budgeting was a concern as well as learning how to save money.

One of the reasons why the teenagers lack knowledge of money matters boils down to their parents. They elaborated that their parents were not doing an excellent job in teaching them about money. Moreover, personal finance was not embedded in most of the academic institutions.

Fill in the gap by instructing your children about these important financial subjects.

#1: BASICS OF BUDGETING

Budgeting is among the biggest priorities of teenagers. Budgeting allows an individual to track where the money is going and where it needs to be. While it is tempting to accept money from your parents and quickly burn through it, it is vital to know how to maximize it.

Parents must not let their children be dependent. They will end up unaware of how to manage their finances.

#2: BASICS OF BANK ACCOUNT

Instilling in children the concepts of earning, saving, and investing is essential in developing life skills that they can use in the future. Opening a bank account or a savings account can help the teen to manage his or her own money.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Knowing the basics of bank account such as navigating through the online banking and transferring funds to other accounts is important. As there are no up-to-date teaching tools to help teens learn about bank accounts, you may take your child to the bank to get a hands-on experience.

#3: POWER OF COMPOUNDING

Compound interest is the interest on a deposit or loan calculated based on both the accumulated interest from previous periods and the initial principal. Time is the teens’ friend. They all have the potential to be millionaires someday, but the odds of attaining that goal increase sharply if they save early.

You can start by putting away a reasonable amount per month. Let it grow!

#4: POWER OF EMERGENCY FUNDS

Whether you come from an affluent household or a modest one, putting away some money for emergency use is essential. Parents may teach their children about the importance of emergency funds by painting real-world scenarios such as assigning a job per child. Ask the child what they would do if they suddenly had twins or a critical illness. Remember to keep things simple by excluding complicated jargons to your conversations.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Make it a priority as a family to be more mindful with your money. Spend less and celebrate how money is grown over time.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Here’s where to bag home the best range of cocktails online

clear wine glass cocktails

Welcome to a new month! As we enter the first week of November, COVID-19 restrictions under Singapore’s Stabilisation Phase are still in place until 21 November. This also means that the majority of us are still working from home and social gatherings are capped to a maximum of two persons.

Since no one knows how COVID-19 can surprise us, it would take a while for us to gather in groups again. Not sure when you can have your in-person alcohol party again? We’re unsure too. However, as most of us are pro-Zoom-ers by now, it would make sense to organise an online booze gathering for now.

But not without your premium alcohol in place. Here’s where to bag home the best range of cocktails online.

#1: Fairmont At Home

Anti:dote Bottled Cocktails

Managed by a 5-star luxury hotel, Fairmont Singapore, Fairmont At Home offers limited edition bottled cocktails that are currently on sale (at the time of writing). From S$19.25 (promo price), you can get a taste of these unique concoctions:

  • Apple of My Pie: Glenfiddich 12 Yr Whisky | Calvados | Salted Caramel | Rooibos Tea
  • Cold Brew Martini: Grey Goose Vodka | Coffee Liqueur | Cold Brew Coffee | Demerara Sugar
  • Smokey Old Fashioned: Smokey Monkey Whisky | Rich Demerara Syrup | Aromatic Bitters
  • Queen’s Favourite: Hendrick’s Gin | Reyka Vodka | Coffee Vermouth | Orange & Cardamom Bitters
  • Bread & Butter: Monkey Shoulder Whisky infused with Burnt Butter & Raisins | Vanilla Syrup | Chocolate Bitters
#2: The Alkaff Mansion

Fiesta for Five Bundle

The Alkaff Mansion has a Fiesta for Five Bundle consisting of these five cocktails:

  • El Capitan: Rum | Lime | Mint | Lychee
  • Basque Berry: Vodka | Thyme | Strawberry
  • The Senorita: Rum | Lime | Lychee | Cranberry
  • Thyme to Jive: Gin | Lime | Mint | Basil | Thyme
  • Tinto De Pintxo: Herbs | Red Wine | Fresh Fruits

At just S$70, you can experience the fun of home bartending. Tinto De Pintxo (The Alkaff Mansion’s take on Sangria) and Basque Berry will sit very well with the classic cocktail lovers and can be bought individually if you don’t want the bundle.

#3: Nutmeg & Clove

 

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A post shared by Nutmeg & Clove (@nutmegandclove)

If you want a local interpretation of your usual cocktails, Nutmeg & Clove is the place to shop at. They have a full list of bottled high ball and signature cocktails starting at just S$40. Here are just some 250ml ones to name a few:

  • Yuzu: Hendrick’s Gin | Yuzu | Citrus | 2 Bottles London Essence Indian Tonic
  • Lychee: Haku Vodka | Lychee | Elderflower | 2 Bottles London Essence White Peach & Jasmine Soda
  • Almost Colourless Negroni: Monkey 47 Dry Gin | Suze | Chrysanthemum | Bianco Vermouth | Bitters
  • Is This Really Boulevardier: Havana Club Rum 7YO | Coconut Vermouth | Coffee Campari | Pandan
  • Matcha & Mint: Havana Club 3YO Rum | Match | Mint | Lemongrass | Citrus | 2 Bottles London Essence Ginger Ale
#4: Tippling Club

 

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You may have seen Tippling Club while walking past Tanjong Pagar Road. This is what Sethlui had to say about their alcoholic beverages:

“These cocktails will definitely make you see the world in a different way. From pleasant to painful memories and feelings, the unique tastes of these sweet treats and alcoholic beverages made me think long and hard about my own dreams and desires.”

Similar to Nutmeg & Clove, the Tippling Club has a variety of cocktails priced from $40. Here are a few of the lowest-priced ones in 225ml bottles:

  • El Diablo: Tequila | Cassi | Citrus | Ginger
  • Army & Navy: Gin | Almond | Citrus | Bitters
  • Jungle Bird: Dark Rum | Pineapple | Campari | Citrus
  • Sonic Negroni: Gin | Vermouth | Campari | Soundwaves
  • Hawaiian Stone Sour: Scotch | Pineapple | Honey | Citrus
#5: Native Bar

 

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Native Bar is sited along Amoy Street and associates itself as a brand that uses regional products and ingredients. We took a look at their bottled cocktail menu and saw more than 10 items alcohol lovers will adore.

Starting from just S$48, here are some 250ml mixtures we think you will be hooked on:

  • Pandan: Indian Single Malt Whisky | Pandan | Jaggery | Himalayan salt
  • Peranakan: Jackfruit Rum | Laksa Leaves | Goat’s Milk | Candlenut | Gula Melaka
  • Guava: Compendium Honey Spirit | Pink Guava | Laksa Leaves | Kaffir Lime Leaves (Carbonated)
  • Japanese Grasshopper: Junmai Sake | Matcha Ice Cream | Yuzu Kombucha | Sake Lees | Shio Koji
  • Umami Five-O (250ml): Shiitake Distillate | Black Garlic | Cherry Tomatoes | Kampot Pepper | Sriracha | PBD Pickles
#6: Compendium Spirits

Childhood Cocktail Box

As part of a collaboration between Compendium and Section D, we would like to highlight their Childhood Cocktail Box priced from S$88. Take a trip down memory lane as you channel the inner mixologist in you to create these two drinks – the Adult Sippy Cup and the Tipsy Skippy.

The Adult Sippy Cup infuses our nostalgic Want Want milk and biscuit snacks to create a milky, comforting booze to chase our adult woes away. As for Tipsy Skippy, it’s a recipe that uses Skippy’s creamy peanut butter in your cocktail. Peanut butter cocktail may sound weird but try it and you may be in for a pleasant surprise!

For the price you pay, you will get:

  • 1x Chendol Gin (100ml)
  • 1x “V” Dry Vermouth (50ml)
  • 1x Want Want Milk
  • 2x Soda water
  • 3x Want Want Milk Biscuits
  • 1x Spiced Rum (100ml)
  • 1x Teh-O Liqueur (50ml)
  • 1x Marigold UHT Milk
  • 1x Skippy’s Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 1x Childhood Cocktail Box Recipe Card

Think you will be concocting cocktails for a long time to come? Add on S$20 and have a Cocktail Tool Set consisting of a shaker, a jigger, and a stirrer sent to you.


And that’s all from us! Have a lovely time but drink in moderation, folks.

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Must-Buy K-Drama Merchandise & Where To Find Them

A wonderful way to look back on the past year is to recognize that countless Singaporeans were introduced to K-dramas. Loyal K-drama fans were also delighted with new shows such as the Squid Game and My Name. The circuit breaker period gave people the chance to binge-watch on these shows on various streaming platforms. Due to its growing audience, K-drama merchandise are sold everywhere!

To help you get started with your Yuletide gifts, we produced a list of the most adorable K-Drama merchandise you can purchase online.

#1: VERSATILE CANVAS TOTES

These K-Drama themed canvas totes are both functional and personal. Skip the plastic bags next time you run errands and grab one of these canvas totes instead. A Shopee store called “kfcjunjun1.sg” sells a lineup of designs including Hospital Playlist, Vincenzo, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and True Beauty totes.

Hospital Playlist and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha totes come in a variety of designs costing as low as S$4.29. While the Vincenzo and True Beauty totes range from S$4.73 to S$5.70.

#2: CUTE MR. BUCKWHEAT (BOGLEGEL) TOY

If you are a fan of Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God), the Mr. Buckwheat toy is a recognizable item. Goblin revolves around the life of the immortal goblin Kim Shin who looks for a human bride to remove an invisible sword from his chest. Suddenly, a student named Ji Eun-Tak confesses to him that she is the chosen one.

Image Credits: facebook.com/bowmeowph (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)

While shopping, Ji Eun-Tak points to a toy and tells the Goblin that it resembles him. They end up buying the toy to symbolize their relationship. Get the toy for S$18.90 at Lazada.

#3: CHILDISH DINO FAMILY SHIRT

Children and kids at heart can wear the matching dinosaur family tees worn by Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji), Sang-tae (Oh Jung-se), and Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun). These characters were the lead characters in the drama series “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”. The series follows a life of an antisocial children’s book author and an employee in a psychiatric hospital.

Are you a Dino fan? Get yours for S$20 at Shopee.

#4: TRENDY PILLOW COVERS

Record breaking Squid Game is a deadly competition with hundreds of cash-strapped contestants and tempting prizes. It is one of the most popular shows on Netflix to date. If your friends and loved ones are obsessed with Squid Game, you may gift them with some printed pillow covers. All it takes is a quick browse through Lazada, and you will find countless options to choose from.

For instance, one shop sells pillow covers (45x45cm) for as low as S$1.89 per piece. The shop carries about thirty-nine designs. Snag a pillow case or two!

#5: FULLER-LOOKING LIPS

In an exclusive interview, Son Ye-jin’s glam team in “Crash Landing on You” shared the beauty products that they used for the actress. They used the ma:nyo Herbal Fresh Moist BB Cream, Jennyhouse Air Fit Artist Eyeshadow, TONYMOLY Back Stage Gel Eyeliner, and Jennyhouse Air Fit Lipstick.

Image Credits: facebook.com/115802663557977 (Korean Sunshine/Crash Landing On You)

Her lip color is naturally pink. Therefore, the glam team used the shade Monica Robe to enhance her lips. Get this shade at Shopee for S$34.18.

Note: Prices may vary due to sitewide promotions such as 11.11 events.

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5 Most Affordable Dental Clinics In Singapore

“You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” – Martin Charnin

Despite being a nerve-wrecking affair, going to the dentist on a regular basis is recommended by experts. Here is a list of the places you can visit for dental check-up, oral maintenance, and more.

#1: NTUC HEALTH DENTICARE

Formerly known as Unity Denticare, NTUC Health Denticare has a rich history of being a household name for affordable dental services. This institution is a part of the NTUC Health, Singapore’s largest healthcare cooperative, since 1971. NTUC Health Denticare has eighteen dental clinics and two mobile dental clinics. Find a branch that is most convenient for you.

Consultation costs about S$25 to S$35. While scaling and polishing costs about S$50 to S$110. Subsidies are available if you carry Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, or CHAS cards.

Locations: 18 clinics islandwide

#2: Q & M DENTAL GROUP SINGAPORE

One of the most widespread dental brands in Singapore is Q & M Dental Group. With over seventy dental clinics across the country and a pool of more than two-hundred dentists and specialists, you will be able to find a branch near to you.

Consultation costs about S$21.40 and consultation with specialists starts costs about S$37.45. This price can go up. Scaling and polishing start from S$74.90. Thus, your total bill can be at least S$96.30. Subsidies are available if you carry Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, or CHAS cards.

Locations: Click here

#3: PKWY DENTAL PRACTICE

The PKWY Dental Practice used to be called the Parkway Dental Practice. PKWY Dental Practice is located at the heart of Orchard. Despite being surrounded by overpriced dental clinics, it offers a friendlier price for nearby residents.

A consultation including scaling and polishing costs about S$80 to S$160. If you are a first-time client, you can avail the S$88 package that includes consultation, scaling, polishing, and x-ray.

Location: 9 Scotts Road, #12-02 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210

#4: AZURE DENTAL

Create a pleasant and stress-free dental experience with your beloved kids at Azure Dental. It is a child-friendly dental clinic equipped with booster seats for children to sit comfortably. There is also a free all-you-can-drink coffee and tea in the waiting area. This is ideal for parents who are waiting for their children’s appointments to be over.

Consultation starts at S$32. While scaling and polishing services range from S$96 to S$160.

Location: 781 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269759

#5: SINGHEALTH AND NHG POLYCLINICS

If you are looking for a dental option for regular check-up and oral maintenance, search no further than the neighborhood polyclinic. Neighborhood polyclinics offer subsidized dental treatment and care. Both SingHealth and National Healthcare Group polyclinics have dental services, and it is easy to make an appointment online.

Consultation fees range between S$14.10 to S$27 for Singaporean citizens. Children and elderly pay S$8.25 to S$16.80. Lastly, emergency dental consultation fees are up to S$31.20 for Singaporean citizens. Children and elderly pay about S$28.20 for emergency dental consultation.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

These are the specific prices:

SingHealth
Singaporean adults: S$16 to S$28.60
Children and elderly: S$8.25 to S$14.90

NHG
Singaporean adults: S$16.50 to S$27.80
Children and elderly: S$10.60 to S$16.80

Sources: 1 & 2

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5 Affordable Counselling Options In Singapore

Counselling is the professional guidance given to an individual. The professional uses psychological methods in collecting case history data, personal interview, and testing interests or aptitudes.

Counselling is a form of talk therapy whereby an individual, a couple, or a family talk about their problems with a trained professional counsellor. Remember that your mental wellbeing is as important as your physical health. Whether you are struggling with addiction or facing the pressures at work, here are five affordable counselling options in Singapore.

#1: FAMILY LIFE SOCIETY/CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE (CFL)

Family Life Society or Catholic Family Life (CFL) is a registered charity and a member of the National Council of Social Services. Their patron is the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore. CFL aims to provide pro-bono counselling services to anyone who requires support.

While CFL focuses on parenting and pregnancy issues, they also provide a listening ear to people who are dealing with personal and family issues.

Visit their website for more information.

#2: SINGAPORE COUNSELLING CENTRE (SCC)

Singapore Counselling Centre (SCC) offers professional counselling in different languages and dialects such as English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, Cantonese, and Hokkien. Its services are available from Monday to Sunday. The flexibility allows people who work on the weekdays to get necessary help on the weekends.

The rates vary for adults, children, youth, couples, and families. For instance, one-session is priced at S$160.60 for adults, S$160.50 for children and youth, $235.40 for couples, and S$363.80 for families. You can purchase a 10-session package to save up to 20%.

Visit their website for more information.

#3: SILVER RIBBON SINGAPORE

Do not worry about the hefty bills that come with counselling services because the Silver Ribbon Singapore offer free counselling services through video calls.

As a strong advocate for mental health, the people behind Silver Ribbon Singapore organize mental health workshops and awareness seminars. They help students, migrant workers, and psychiatric inmates to better cope with their personal struggles.

Visit their website for more information.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: SINGAPORE ASSOCIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH (SAMH)

If you are uncomfortable with communicating with an actual professional counsellor through an in-person session, you may opt for a phone call or an online helpline instead. Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) has a helpline for all mental health-related issues.

SAMH has an in-person donation-based counselling session and a helpline. Counselling sessions are free to people whose finances are tight. Call 1800-283-7019 for more details.

#5: ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN FOR ACTION AND RESEARCH (AWARE)

In Singapore, Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) aids females who have been victims of sexual assault or harassment. AWARE’s female-centric programs and services are designed to help females to deal with issues such as sexuality and violence.

Services are exclusively available for women above 21, but they also accept referrals from the Sexual Assault Care Centre. These sessions can only be done on an appointment basis. Adults are charged at 1% of their monthly salary (i.e., capped at S$150). While students or people with no income are required to pay a minimum fee of S$20. Call 1800 777 5555 for more details.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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