MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

This new “Holiday” K-beauty box worth $237+ is yours to bag home at just $67+

It’s the holiday season and that means it’s time for a special “Holiday Box” from the K-beauty scene.

This magical Christmas month, Olive Young has prepared for us a K-beauty box with a value of $237+ and it’s yours to bring home at just $67+!

Here’s what you get:

FULL SIZE

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad √

Fed up with redness, irritation, and tired-looking skin?

Restore your glow in just 2 minutes with the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Quick Calming Pad.

This essence-rich toner pad is packed with Centella and Panthenol and calms inflammation while lavishing skin with hydration.

Thanks to its crescent moon shape, the generously sized pad sweeps across every contour; coupled with a gentle, green-certified formula with 10 EWG-grade ingredients to coddle irritated complexions.

Elizavecca Collagen Coating Hair A+ Muscle Curl Cream (CER-100) 120ml

Anua Peach 70 Niacin Serum 30ml Set (+Green Lemon Serum 3.3g) √

The search for glow-up ends with this peach serum clinically proven to solve your skincare woes—from hyperpigmentation and uneven tone to dryness and roughness.

After just 4 weeks, say ‘annyeong’ (goodbye) to dark circles and dullness as it tackles melanin on the skin’s surface and deeper layers for an even complexion.

A blend of niacinamide (5%), Vitamin B12, and pink yeast floods your complexion with hydration for a plump finish.

And with triple hyaluronic acids in its formula, this moisture surge lasts all day.

No need to chase after multiple serums—this one here handles it all in a bottle.

Haruharu wonder Black Rice Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel 100ml

VT Reedle Shot 100 Essence 50ml √

This essence takes moisture to the next level with microneedles that are smaller than your pores.

As the essence dissolves, it opens up absorption pathways to allow ingredients like Centella Asiatica extract, triple hyaluronic acid, and green propolis extract to soak in fully.

Drink in moisture, soothe dullness, and strengthen your skin’s barrier, all in one shot.

Plus, the amino acid complex helps lock in that freshly quenched glow.

VT Reedle Shot 100 Essence revives your skin, giving you the healthy complexion you’ve been craving.

tooq Piece of Cake Pen Glitter 0.5g

espoir Couture Lip Tint Glaze 5.5g + Lip Gloss √

Get pillowy lips with a pop of color with espoir’s Couture Lip Tint Glaze.

It delivers a juicy pigment finish with a 3D plumping effect.

Get a glossy sheen that enhances your natural lip shape and fullness.

Simply swipe it on and watch as the syrup-like tint melds with your lips for a velvety glow.

Reapply in 30 seconds for an extra voluptuous pout, or layer the included lip gloss on top for an idol-like shine.

TRAVEL SIZE / FREE GIFTS

Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinol 10ml

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam 20ml

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil 30ml

SOME BY MI Glass Skin Perfect Duo

Haruharu Wonder Holiday Special Edition Rabbit Keyring

Get Olive Young’s BEAUTY BOX DECEMBER (Holiday Box) at $67+ here.

How to Reach Financial Stability While Adulting

Adulting often feels like a juggling act. You’re managing bills, savings, and responsibilities, while also trying to make room for the things that keep you sane like shopping, travel, or that occasional indulgence. It can feel overwhelming, but you can find balance and achieve financial stability with the right strategies. Start with these steps:

LEARN TO ALLOCATE

Budgeting is the cornerstone of financial stability. One effective strategy is the 50-30-20 rule, which suggests allocating:

a. 50% of your monthly income to fixed expenses, like housing, transportation, and subscriptions.
b. 30% to flexible spending, such as shopping, bag charm collections, and leisure activities.
c. 20% to savings or financial goals, creating a cushion for emergencies.

This formula isn’t one-size-fits-all. Feel free to tweak it based on your priorities and responsibilities. The key is to give every peso or dollar a purpose.

TRACK YOUR SPENDING

Ever wonder where your money disappears? Keeping a detailed record of your expenses can be eye-opening. Apps, spreadsheets, or even a good old notebook can help you identify spending habits and areas where you can cut back.

A practical tip: Some people swear by having a bank account without online access as it requires more effort to withdraw money, which might discourage impulsive spending.

EDUCATE YOURSELF FINANCIALLY

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to personal finance. Start by reading books or articles from reputable sources like Money Digest or the Government’s MoneySENSE. These resources break down complex topics into simple, actionable advice.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If you’re ready to take it up a notch, consult financial professionals like planners or accountants. And remember, stay firm on your goals. Don’t let anyone pressure you into overspending, whether it’s a significant other or friends planning extravagant trips.

BUILD AN EMERGENCY FUND

You’ve heard it before: “Save for a rainy day.” But how? Allocate a percentage of your income to a contingency fund. This could be in a savings account or investments that allow your money to grow. Even small, consistent contributions can build a significant safety net over time.

SAVE FOR RETIREMENT NOW

It’s never too early to think about your future. Thanks to the power of compound interest, starting your retirement fund in your 20s can set you up for a comfortable future. The earlier you start, the more your savings will grow, with interest building on both the principal and the interest already earned.

INVEST IN YOURSELF

Before diving into stocks or real estate, focus on the most valuable investment: you. Whether it’s pursuing a degree, learning new skills, or taking courses unrelated to your job, self-improvement pays off in the long run.

Employers value well-rounded individuals who demonstrate ambition and a commitment to growth. Explore free or low-cost learning platforms like the Singapore University of Social Sciences or SkillsFuture Singapore.

ADOPT A HEALTHY FINANCIAL MINDSET

Financial stability isn’t just about numbers as it’s about mindset. Create a lifestyle that’s both enjoyable and sustainable. Learn to view money not as the goal but as a tool to achieve your dreams.

As Melissa Olson, AVP and Wealth RPS Education Coordinator at Johnson Financial Group, puts it:
“Adopting a healthy money mindset involves more than just managing your finances—it’s about creating a sustainable lifestyle that aligns with your financial capabilities and future aspirations.”

By living within your means and developing a strong savings plan, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of options and freedom.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Budget wisely, educate yourself, and never stop investing in your future. The road to financial stability starts with small, intentional steps. Take yours today!

Sources: 1,2, & 3

Why “Buy Now, Pay Later” Might Not Be Your BFF

Browsed any online store recently? You’ve probably encountered the enticing “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) option. With the promise of splitting payments over weeks or months without interest or hefty fees, it seems like a dream come true. For many, it has been. Yet, as it becomes a tool for essentials like groceries, it’s worth pausing to consider: is BNPL as great as it seems?

#1: BUYER’S REMORSE HITS TOO LATE

Remember the days of saving for that dream pair of sneaks, making payments, and only taking them home after they were fully yours? BNPL flips this script. You get your purchase instantly, and with the click of a button, you’re locked into a commitment before common sense kicks in.

If regret creeps in later, BNPL doesn’t care. Essentially, you’ve handed over control of your wallet.

#2: RISKY CONNECTION TO YOUR CARDS

BNPL payments are often tied directly to your debit or credit card. Miss a payment due to insufficient funds? Expect a late fee. Fail to pay off your credit card balance on time? That BNPL purchase suddenly carries a hefty interest charge. What starts as a seemingly free loan could snowball into a mess of late fees and mounting credit card debt.

#3: IMPULSE SPENDING MADE EASY

Saving up for a purchase gives you time to evaluate if it’s truly necessary. BNPL removes that waiting period, nudging you to click buy without hesitation. So, if you’re going to use BNPL, be intentional. A new wardrobe for a job might be justifiable. A shopping spree because it’s interest-free? Not so much.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: HAVING A MINDSET OF “ZERO” INTEREST

While many BNPL services advertise zero-interest payments, not all plans are created equal. Larger purchases, like appliances or electronics, may come with longer terms and interest. Sometimes, the interest rates are even higher than what your credit card might charge.

The trouble? It’s all too easy to click “BNPL” without fully reading the terms. Once the purchase is processed, undoing it can be a challenge.

#5: TRAPPED BY HIDDEN PSYCHOLOGY TRICKS

One of BNPL’s sneakiest pitfalls is how it breaks down costs. A purchase of S$80 might feel like a mere S$20 every fortnight. While this makes items feel more affordable, it also detaches you from the full cost. Couple this with a lack of financial education and relentless advertising, and many see BNPL as a way to manage money. The result? Early reliance on debt and a lifetime habit of paying things off in chunks rather than saving.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

IN A NUTSHELL

Don’t buy it if you cannot afford it. If you’re tempted, ask yourself: Do I truly need this? Can I pay for it outright?

Financial freedom isn’t about splitting payments or juggling debts. It’s about saving and spending within your means. BNPL may be a tool, but it’s not a safety net. In the end, whatever you’re buying will feel far better when they’re truly yours.

Sources: 1 & 2

5 highly rated hot pot restaurants (that’s not Haidilao) in Singapore to visit because it’s almost steamboat season

Steamboat season is just around the corner.

While Haidilao may be quite a familiar name when it comes to hot pot dining, there are other options.

So allow us to share with you a quick list of highly rated hot pot restaurants filled with sizzling soups, fresh ingredients, and more.

Xiabu Xiabu Hotpot @Lazada One

Website: drive.google.com

Google Rating: 4.7 (2.7K+ reviews)

Address: Bras Basah Rd, #01-03/04 Lazada One, Singapore 189554

Straight from the streets of Beijing, Xiabu Xiabu Hotpot brings the flavors of Chinese hotpot cuisine to your table.

Xiabu Xiabu sources only the freshest ingredients to create its mouthwatering broths.

Take your pick from a selection that includes classics like Japanese Dashi alongside bases like Nanyang Curry.

Vegetarians, there are meat-free options for you too.

No matter which broth you choose, you will dunk premium meats, seafood, and veggies into simmering pots of flavor at an unbeatable value.

Set menus start from $25.

Happy Lamb Hot Pot 快乐小羊火锅 – Orchard

Website: happylambhotpot.sg

Google Rating: 4.7 (2K+ reviews)

Address: 9 Scotts Rd, #02-10 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210 (Located in Pacific Plaza)

Happy Lamb Hot Pot’s signature “Good Soup without Dipping Sauce” style ditches the usual dipping sauces, instead slow-stewing a rich base broth for 6 full hours to extract maximum flavor.

You get a milky pot of base broth that’s a feast in itself.

Simply swish your premium meat selections through the steaming pot and enjoy the Mongolian-inspired hot pot.

小燕子番茄火锅 XiaoYanZi Tomato Hot Pot

Website: xiaoyanzitomatohotpot.com

Google Rating: 4.7 (1.3K+ reviews)

Address: 6 Eu Tong Sen St, #03-87 Clarke Quay Central (Blue Zone, Singapore 059817)

Forget your standard hot pot experience.

XiaoYanZi is the pioneer who brought simmering pots of tangy tomato broth to Southeast Asia.

Each pot of their signature soup starts with 10 fresh, ruby-red tomatoes slow-stewed for full flavor.

They also take pride in their housemade shrimp paste with whole tiger prawns.

Once known as “Upin Hot Pot”, this brand has spent years refining its recipe.

Go ahead and dip in your favorite meats and veggies right here.

Wu Wang Guo 勿忘锅 Hot Pot

Website: wuwangguo.com

Google Rating: 4.7 (1.3K+ reviews)

Address: 133 New Bridge Road, above, #03-09/10/11/12/13/14 main atrium, Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413

Prepare to be wowed by Wu Wang Guo 勿忘锅 or “Unforgettable Hotpot.”

Slurp up soup bases like a collagen-fueled beauty broth or a spirit-lifting drunken chicken blend.

Can’t decide among the choices?

Opt for the tri or quart pot to sample up to 3 or 4 flavors.

Also features tender beef and mutton to affordable meat platters starting at just $12.80.

City Snow Hotpot

Website: citysnowhotpot.com

Google Rating: 4.7 (500+ reviews)

Address: Blk 501 W Coast Dr, #01-302, Singapore 120501

You haven’t experienced hotpot until you’ve tasted Beijing’s centuries-old tradition.

At City Snow Hotpot, a secret recipe stock base simmers for hours using spring water, lending a natural sweetness to the nutritious broth.

Fresh lamb meat and bones complete the authentic flavor alchemy.

With over 30 Beijing-style condiments to customize your dip, you’re the main lead of an endless flavor adventure.

Premium chilled cuts like beef and mutton await.

Prefer fruits of the sea?

Live seafood options let you indulge.

If you’re seeking a late-night fix, it’s good news for you because City Snow Hotpot’s doors stay open until 3 am daily, ready to serve your soul-warming spoonfuls.

5 Christmas cakes from $55 to order for your yearend festive celebrations

The holiday season is here and you’ve probably got a date or two set for your gatherings.

We think no Christmas celebration is complete without a lovely Christmas cake as the centerpiece of your dining table and that’s why we’ve searched high and low for some options from $55.

Fruitcakes, log cakes, and more…

These options are sure to impress both you and your guests.

Take a look!

Christmas Wreath Fruitcake

Price: $55

Celebrate the season with a fruitcake that tastes like it came straight from ah-ma’s oven.

Each bite of Luna’s Christmas Wreath Fruitcake reveals a traditional brown sugar and cinnamon spice blend.

There’s also a crown of chewy, jewel-toned dried fruits adorning the top, adding texture.

To complete the festive look, edible snowflakes, and mistletoe garnishes make this 18cm dessert a picture-perfect highlight for holiday gatherings.

Generously sized to feed a crowd of 8 to 10 merrymakers, this fruitcake is our 2024 Christmas dessert appeal.

Santa Sleigh

Promo Price: $66.30

Or consider this Santa Sleigh cake, a joyful medley of flavors with surprises in every bite.

An airy chiffon sponge forms the base with a lightness to counter the decadence ahead.

Yuzu curd lends a citrus zing that cuts through the sweet fraises compote and velvety vanilla chantilly cream.

Lush yet light, sweet yet tangy.

Topped with fresh strawberries and packaged in a festive design.

15% off right now!

Black Forest Yule Log

Price: $88

Let this Black Forest Yule Log seduce your taste buds.

Bite into the bitter dark chocolate chiffon with a hint of alcohol for depth, only to discover a molten core of rich Valrhona 70% chocolate cremeux.

Then comes the bright burst of Morello cherry compote, balancing the intense chocolate notes with its subtly sweet tang.

This sinfully delicious cake begs to be savored slowly, but good luck resisting more than a few heavenly bites.

After all, you don’t achieve “best-seller” status by being just another dessert.

Winter Raspberry Bliss Log Cake

Price: $89.91

For cakeholics, this winter raspberry bliss is a dream come true.

Savor the rich opalys chocolate coating that cocoons a pleasing raspberry puree filling with ripe, sweet-tart flavors.

This log cake also reveals a nutty crunch from pecan pieces and sable breton crumbs, plus a kick of sherry wine grapes.

Each purchase gives back, with 10% of sales donated to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund in the spirit of giving.

So grab a slice of this seasonal raspberry bliss and do some good while you can.

Pandora Box (Whole Cake)

Price: $98

Last but not least, we have this confection from Pan Pacific Orchard that fuses Japanese culinary flair with Western dessert traditions.

At its heart lies a silky hojicha green tea mousse that delivers earthy, roasted notes.

Beneath, sour cherry confit cuts through the richness with a pop of tartness, while layers of pistachio feuilletine add an irresistible crunch.

It’s a treat that plays sweet and tart flavors against various textures.

Crave something beyond the ordinary this season?

Let this creation serve you right.