NETS Motoring Card is here for driver’s every need

We all know that the NETS Motoring Card is convenient and has made our lives easier — no more switching cards between car parks and ERP gantry gates, instant top-up on the go via NETS FlashPay Reader App, and more. It’s the card you need when the future ERP system is in place. But if you’re still not on board, here’s how you can try it out when you’re at your nearest gas station or when buying your next car insurance!

1. Wipe the grime at SPC

Get a NETS Motoring Card for FREE when you purchase a Cloffs N Spunges Microfiber Pack C900 @ $9.90 at any SPC service station to keep your ride sparkling clean. This cloth is soft to the touch and perfect for use on the interior and exterior of your car. It can even remove polishing wax and microscopic dust particles!

Find out more here.

2. Just buy anything at Shell

For all Shell lovers, we’ve got one more reason for you to enjoy. Just make any in-store purchase at Shell Select and enjoy a zero top-up fee for your NETS Motoring Card. Tip: Consider topping up $50 value each time to maximise cost savings while having full card insurance coverage. After all, the NETS Motoring Card comes with a 12-month free card protection and waiver of your card replacement fees. Do remember to register your card online too!

Find out more here.

3. Get protected with HL Assurance​

Protection goes a long way. And it gets even better when you get a FREE NETS Motoring Card with $100 stored value. Just sign up for the Car Protect360 car insurance from HL Assurance and enjoy 25% off today! Drive with peace of mind while covered with 24/7 roadside assistance, daily transport allowance and high personal accident coverage.

Find out more here.

4. Wash up at Caltex

For those who want to keep things clean, go for a carwash at any Caltex service stations, and pump at least $60 gross on fuel to get a FREE NETS Motoring Card! Promotion period lasts from 1 July to 31 Aug 2021.

Find out more here.

If you already own a NETS Motoring Card, fret not, here is your chance to share the joy with your loved ones too.

This article is brought to you by NETS.

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BTS Meal To Launch In Singapore On June 21

In 2013, a South Korean boy group called BTS or 방탄소년단 debuted under Big Hit Entertainment (HYBE Corporation). The group smoothly made its way to the hearts of many and had since become a global icon.

With smash hits like Dynamite and Butter, BTS made its way to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Global 200. In fact, its newly released song Butter blasted with a record-breaking 289.2 million streams and 249,000 sold worldwide in the May 21-27 tracking week.

Another surprise came earlier this year as McDonald’s promoted the “BTS Meal”. BTS Meal went on sale in South Korea, United States, and 10 other countries last May 2021. This meal consists of a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, Medium Fries, Coke, and two new dipping sauces. These new flavors are Sweet Chili and Cajun. The packaging for the BTS Meal comes in purple and was printed with the group’s logo.

BTS MEAL CRAZE

As BTS’ popularity skyrocketed, there have been concerns that the launch of the meal could draw crowds in some Asian countries where COVID-19 cases have risen and where vaccination levels remain relatively low.

McDonald’s was instructed to temporarily shut some outlets in Indonesia last week when the introduction of the BTS Meal sparked frenzy. Several delivery riders were seen massing inside and outside of the food chain during the meal’s launching. Their local police said that the temporary closure of several outlets was “because they were found to have violated health protocols”, including limiting capacity to 50%.

Thus, Indonesian fans created a crowdfunding page to raise money for drivers and their families. They have acknowledged that the delivery drivers faced long lines and possible exposure to the COVID-19 to bring them their meals.

LAUNCH IN SINGAPORE

Due to the tightening of social distancing rules and the ban on dine-in options, the meal’s rollout in Singapore was delayed last month. The launch was re-scheduled to June 21 instead. Please adhere to the safety procedures when scoring your coveted meal.

Image Credits: facebook.com/mcdsg

Fans must know that the BTS Meal does not come with photo cards or other related merchandise. Instead, you can order the collaboration’s official BTS x McDonald’s merch at HYBE Merch.

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

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A climate activist says it’s impossible to tackle climate change solely on individual efforts

Singaporeans weathering the hot temperatures

Other than the ongoing pandemic, climate change’s the rage right now.

That’s why our country’s environment minister recently noted that Singapore is facing twin challenges from climate change. The problems Grace Fu is referring to are coastal floods and extreme rainstorms that could result in more intense inland flooding.

Some people may think it’s not something to worry about excessively at the moment, considering the trend to live in the present. But do you know the potential impact climate change can have on our lives?

Here’s a good look at some findings from the National Climate Change Studies:

Climate change in Singapore infographic

Live in Singapore long enough, and you would have constantly read or heard about attempts to reduce carbon footprint. This includes messages by the authorities or corporations to uphold the 3Rs and switch off lights when not in use.

But are individual efforts enough to tackle climate change? A climate activist begs to differ.

Governments can do more for cooling

One common method recommended by authorities to reduce carbon footprint is to reduce the usage of air-conditioners for cooling. But do you know that home air-conditioning only contributes to 2% of carbon emissions in Singapore?

Climate activist Ho Xiang Tian said in his commentary that there are alternative cooling methods to consider. For example, authorities can paint the exterior walls of buildings white to reduce heat gain. They can also plant more trees to bring down surrounding temperatures.

An individual simply can’t implement the above solutions alone.

Education efforts needed on recycling

Reducing our waste is also another familiar call by the authorities to do our part for the climate. Even so, one should be aware that domestic waste only accounts for a quarter of the total waste generated in Singapore.

Yes, we agree that 25% may be no considerable number, but it’s not tiny either. That’s why education efforts on recycling have to be increased. Just do a soul-search and ask yourself if you ever use the blue bin below your HDB block. Even if you do, are you using the proper method to recycle?

Just so you know, 40% of recyclables in these blue bins are contaminated and cannot be recycled. Thus, they are sent for incineration instead. This defeats the ultimate purpose of recycling from the start, isn’t it?

Maybe it’s about time for the government to review existing measures to increase recycling rates.

Biodegradable disposables aren’t any better
Biodegradable disposables

Image Credits: sea-trading.com.sg

There are numerous local shops and retailers offering biodegradable alternatives, all in the name of love for the environment.

But what these businesses and their consumers do not know is that waste is burned in Singapore, not buried in landfills. This means these products cannot degrade and aren’t very different from the impact of plastics, considering how waste in Singapore is managed.

According to a 2017 lifecycle analysis authorised by the National Environment Agency (NEA), biodegradable disposables that contain plastic and additives might do more harm than good.

This leads us to question if allowing the sale of biodegradable disposables in our little red dot is necessary.

Final thoughts

With all that mentioned above, while individual efforts contribute to a certain extent, living more sustainably is merely on a personal level. To scale this up and truly mitigate climate change, a bigger picture has to be considered.

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Here’s how to manage the parenting load with your spouse

an Asian family with young children

Marriage in itself is already a big challenge for many people out there.

Add on a child or two, or more, and your entire paradigm will shift. While some marriages change for the better with a new addition to the family, most couples find themselves with more arguments and disagreements to manage.

The parenting load can be overwhelming if the balance is off. Teamwork is what you need in this child care journey, and we’re here to let you in on some tips on managing the parenting load with your spouse.

#1: Think of it as a business

For those who’ve married over passionate love, shifting your mindset to the family as a business can be the least romantic thing to do. But that’s precisely what you should do to survive the parenting voyage. You see, in a typical setting, business partners don’t always share the same workload.

One might be handling the media and investors while the other gets his hand dirty in the daily operations. As Gary Neuman, a psychotherapist, rightly points out, “No marriage can be fifty-fifty all the time.” You can strive for fairness but don’t anticipate consistent, equal responsibilities every single day.

#2: List down the to-dos

It’s easy to fall into the trap of saying, “I’m doing more than you are.” To avoid that thought spiralling downwards into something even more toxic, be sure to list down the to-dos with your significant other.

“It’s keeping track of what it takes to run your family business. Each person thinks they are doing more than the other person realises,” noted Jenny Anderson, the co-author of It’s Not You, It’s the Dishes: How to Minimise Conflict and Maximise Happiness in Your Relationship. Drawing up the list of things to do can help both parties see if either one’s under or over participating.

#3: Rank and select your tasks

Once you’ve gotten your to-dos written down, it’s time to rank them accordingly. You can do so by heeding Neuman’s suggestion:

Level 1: I like doing this.

Level 2: I can do this but need help.

Level 3: I hate doing this.

This way, you and your spouse can pick and choose the tasks you like doing or don’t mind holding responsibility for. However, if both of you have ranked a particular chore at level 3, then it would make sense for the person who can complete it within a shorter time frame to do so. Well, simply because time is precious.

Final thoughts
a young couple talking

Image Credits: crello.com

Remember that communication is vital. A temporary sour feeling left to ferment and pile up can lead to resentment and emotional explosion in the long run.

If you need to discuss something with your spouse, schedule a time to sit down and talk. You can also consider a fixed weekly or bi-monthly short meeting to address impromptu changes in schedule. This will help both parties to always be in the loop for updates surrounding everyone’s needs.

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Don’t do these things during a recession

cosigning a loan

According to a senior economist from DBS bank, Singapore is very likely out of a full-fledged recession. To be exact, a recent news report in April this year revealed that our economy grew by 0.2% in the first quarter.

While it’s good news, it might be too early to rejoice over the numbers. Economists noted that the trend does not necessarily mean that the economy is doing well. But it’s on its baby steps to pre-pandemic levels.

Since COVID-19 has been with us for 1.5 years and will eventually become endemic, it’s always wise to prepare for rainy weather. If you share the same sentiments, don’t do these things during a recession.

#1: Accept the request to be a cosigner

Maybe your long-time best friend or a family member has requested your help to be a cosigner for a loan they’re planning to take. But in uncertain times, it’s better not to accept the plea.

No matter how much you can vouch for the person’s personality to repay the loan, nothing is an absolute guarantee. Just think about the possible consequences should the borrower disappears or is simply unable to pay back the loan due to sudden unemployment or downward spiralling financial status.

#2: Taking out a personal loan
a loan application form

Image Credits: fortunecredit.com.sg

Speaking of debts, it’s advisable that you don’t pick up a personal loan when the economy is terrible.

That new car you’ve been dreaming of having or that private housing you would like to own with your future spouse can wait. During a recession, you may lose your job on short notice, which will significantly affect your ability to repay your monthly loans. The worse thing is to be faced with bankruptcy should the situation aggravates.

#3: Slack on your job

Unless you’re planning to force your superior to fire you, now’s not the time to slack on your job. 

Yes, working from home is still the default as Singapore slowly moves to Phase 3 (Heightened Alert). But that doesn’t mean you can take this opportunity to produce mediocre work. If you want to prove that you’re worthy of the salary or position you’re holding, be sure to demonstrate that you’re an indispensable team member.

#4: Make sudden investments

It may be tempting to put your money into investments right now, considering that you don’t want to be working your arse off and still possibly be on the company’s chopping board when there’s an economic slowdown.

However, don’t make sudden investments without prior extensive research. Be sure that you’re able to weather the storm if your money’s gone up in a cloud of smoke due to unforeseen circumstances. Remember that the stock market will always be volatile. Don’t play the game just because everyone else is doing so.

Perhaps now’s apt to relook into your monthly budget or consider running a side business to boost income?

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