MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

Must Read: 5 Tips On Using Credit Cards While Traveling Overseas

If you are traveling soon, arming yourself with sufficient cash and credit cards can conveniently cover all your expenses. When using your plastic card in fancy restaurants or tourist destinations, you would not have to worry about converting the currency (through the nearest money converter) or whether you converted the right amount. The credit card company will automatically do that for you. This process not only comes with simplicity but also extra costs.

Aside from choosing a credit card that is widely accepted across the globe such as MasterCard or Visa, here are 5 tips on getting the most of using your credit cards while traveling overseas…

1. KNOW THE EXTRA FEES

Even if your credit card is widely accepted, you must expect foreign exchange fees and ATM transaction charges. This is why it is recommended to contact your card issuer or bank to inquire about any extra fees or interest while traveling overseas. Through this, you can maintain your travel budget.

2. KNOW THE CREDIT LIMIT AND CARD’S EXPIRATION DATE

Nothing greatly ruins a glorious trip than suddenly discovering that you are unable to pay for your expenses. It is a shameful mess you do not want to get caught on! So, you must know and double confirm your credit limit and credit card’s expiration date with your card issuer or bank.

3. KNOW THE PROTOCOL FOR STOLEN CARDS

Although pick pocketing happens less when you conceal your credit card well, you must be familiar with the protocol for stolen cards. Firstly, you must check all your pockets and bags in case you just misplaced it. Then, report that your card is missing so you will not be charged for unauthorized purchases.

4. KNOW IF THE MERCHANT OR RESTAURANT ACCEPTS CARDS

Before deciding to indulge in the services of a merchant or a restaurant, it pays to know if they accept credit cards first. While some proudly display their credit card partnerships on the walls, others may hide it. You must still carry cash in case you found out that you couldn’t pay via credit card due to unforeseen events.

5. KNOW THE CARD’S TRAVEL BENEFITS

Most credit cards come with travel benefits such as discounted accommodations or dining. Take advantage of these rewards to help fund your vacation. If you want to know the best travel credit cards in Singapore, check this out.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources:1 & 2

Important Things You Must Know About Women And Money

The spending and money management patterns of Singaporean men and women are intuitively different. But, if you surveyed people around on your own, you would realize that there are distinct differences between how these genders approach money. With that in mind, here are the common money mistakes women make and the essential financial steps they must take:

COMMON MONEY MISTAKES

1. OVERSPENDING ON CLOTHES AND MORE

According to a study by Boston Consulting Group, women take control of about 73% of the household spending. The control the wives have over the budget can lead to overspending. Overspending can occur in shopping for clothes, cleaning supplies, home decorations, bags, and more. This is why knowing when to save and when to splurge is an important distinction for financial security. Overspend only on products that are useful and long-lasting.

2. BEING FINANCIALLY DEPENDENT

Although more and more women are breadwinners nowadays, there are still a good number of women who are totally reliant on their husband’s income. This is bad because unforeseen events such as unemployment, divorce, and death can happen to anyone. Which is why women need to create and secure a financial future for themselves by having a career or skill they can depend on.

3. NOT PREPARING FOR LONGER RETIREMENT

Let us face the facts. Women outlive men on average and often remarry. This is why women should prepare for their additional years and long-term elderly care. It is always a good idea to be prepared.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

ESSENTIAL STEPS TO TAKE

1. USE ONLINE MONEY-MANAGEMENT TOOLS

To prevent overspending, women shall use online tools that are interactive and time-saving. There are a lot of free help available on the Internet such as budgeting software called Money Dance or Mint as well as retirement resources called Vanguard Retirement Insights or Central Provident Fund Retirement Calculator.

2. TALK MORE ABOUT MONEY

Financial independence starts by talking about finances comfortably. This will create a community of friend who can turn to each other for advice on money issues and investments. Also, getting comfortable in the S$ topics should be applied when you are talking to your financial advisor.

3. UNDERSTAND YOUR INVESTMENTS

Prepare for your retirement and emergency fund by prioritizing your investments. Save money on near term needs such as the emergency fund first then, move on to the long-term investments such as retirement fund. Since most women tend to be risk-averse, the more you are comfortable with talking about money, the more you will be able to take calculated risks.

Original investments for the next 10 years

Image Credits: Ars Electronica via Flickr

Sources: 1,2 & 3

Cost-Effective Gifts Your Special Someone Would Really Want

You do not have to splurge so much to give your boyfriend or girlfriend a really great gift. Explore your options and budget with these gift ideas…

1. EVENING OUT AT THE THEATRE

Making unforgettable memories is important in a lasting relationship. No matter how far in advance the show is, if you think she is into it then, buy the tickets. This way, you two will have a date night to look forward too.

Eventbrite Singapore showcases a list of events happening nationwide. Currently, Lee Foundation Theatre is having ticket sales on the “Then & Now” concert by Singapore Wind Symphony (SWS). The concert features previous music director Joost Flach, who played a crucial role in shaping SWS as well as the up and coming young conductor named Seow Yibin. General tickets are sold at S$16.63, here.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

2. PHOTO ALBUM

Want to make those unforgettable memories last longer? Take pictures of it then, collate them into an album. It is really simple to make a scrapbook full of photos and it does not have to be perfect as long as it comes from your heart. The sentimental value adds points to your relationship.

If you are looking for a shop that prints your photos conveniently, look no further. PixaRoll, an online shop that transforms your memories into keepsakes such as stickers and stamps, offers photo printing for as low as S$12 (12 pieces of 3.5 x 3.5 inch square prints). Or, you can make a digital photo album and have it printed at Photobook Singapore for as low as S$34 (40 pages of 6 x 6 inch album).

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

3. ROMANTIC INDOOR DINNER

Nothing screams romance more than a home-cooked dinner. Just cook a two-course meal at your house and purchase a meal from your favorite restaurant in case something bad happens. If you want to spice things up you may:

a. Put scented candles: IKEA sells a pack of 12 small scented candles for S$7.90.

b. Put flowers on the center of the table: Floral Garage Singapore sells freestyle bouquets for only S$29.90. Tell them how you are feeling and briefly describe your love story so they can create a bouquet that complements your relationship.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

4. WRITE LOVE LETTERS

In the digital age, a handwritten love letter is both utterly unique and undeniably special. Write your girlfriend or boyfriend a series of affectionate letters with various messages of being thankful, sorry, and in love. For example, you may highlight these titles on top:

a. “You need to know how much I adore you.”
b. “I made you mad and I am deeply sorry.”

Best of all? Colored and designed papers cost only S$3 and less at Popular Bookstore or Daiso.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

8 Teachers’ Day Promotion You Don’t Want To Miss

Happy Teachers’ Day!

Show appreciation to your teachers and honour them for their contribution this coming Teachers’ Day.

Here are some promotions that teachers in Singapore can look forward to!

From dining deals to hotel stays, you don’t want to miss this!

Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa

1-for-1 Buffet Dinner at Silver Shell Cafe

Krispy Kreme

Free Original Glazed® Dougnut

On 4 September, all Educators can come to Krispy Kreme Tangs Orchard store to redeem one free Original Glazed® Dougnut. 1,000 pieces available only. Redemption based on first-come first-served-basis and while stocks last. *Simply produce a valid ID or letter of employment for verification.

Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy

1-for-1 Buffet at Feast@East

Handsets and mobile plans deals

Zalora

18% off storewide with no minimum spend

issho izakaya

50% off ala-carte food

ALIVE Museum Singapore

50% off 2nd ticket

MINT Museum of Toys

50% OFF Museum Entry with a maximum of 4 other accompanying guests (U.P. $15)
20% OFF Mr Punch Restaurant & Rooftop Bar ala-carte menu.

Promotion valid only with MOE name-card / Civil Service Pass / any proof of being an educator. Valid for teachers, lecturers & educators with proof of ID. Promotion is valid only from 3 – 9 Sep 2014.

3 Ways To Go To An ArtScience Museum Exhibition (MBS) For Free

ArtScience Museum located at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is the world’s first museum that focuses mainly on Art and Science. Exhibitions in this building exude creativity and curiosity as well as the role of these characteristics in shaping our society.

You might have seen the building from afar because of its iconic shape that has “10 fingers” anchored by a unique round base in the middle. The modern and exquisite detailing is perfect for the central themes of the museum. That said, you must visit it at least once.

If you are on a budget, you are in luck! Some exhibitions in the museum are free! You read that right. Not everything in MBS is expensive.

1. PICK UP YOUR FREE-ENTRY TICKET AT THE MUSEUM BOX OFFICE

To celebrate SG50 and Straits Times’ 170th anniversary, ArtScience Museum is showcasing an exhibition on their behalf that is free – for all visitors! From now until October 4, 2015, you must pick up your free-entry tickets to the “Singapore STories: Then, Now, Tomorrow Exhibition” at the museum foyer.

Straits Times (ST) has been the longest running English newspaper in the Lion City.

The exhibition recaptures the tales of our nation since ST’s founding in 1845 through significant articles, headlines, and pictures (i.e., including ones that the public has never been seen before). Imagine having to squeeze and filter through more than 40,000 issues of the newspaper just to give us the best ones! Furthermore, they added a futuristic element by envisioning what Singapore would be like 50 years down the road.

What I liked most about the exhibition are the interactive activities such as testing your knowledge on the Singaporean acronyms, sliding the pictures to see the before and after shots of different infrastructures, and the complementary paper dress-up wherein you can lean more about the different types of Singaporean dresses (e.g., Cheongsam, Sari, and Baju Kurung).

Image Credits: instagram.com/agoncilloanna

2. TAKE YOUR KIDS ON A FRIDAY FAMILY DAY

Every Fridays, families with children can enjoy enriching and engaging exhibitions for free. Only the children (maximum of four) of an adult who purchased a standard ticket will be given the free passes on the same exhibition/s. For the child to be honored with the free-entry ticket, he or she must be 12 years old or under. Furthermore, all tickets are issued for the same day at the museum box office only.

Imagine how much fun your children and your wallet would have when you take them to the DreamWorks Animation Exhibition or The Deep Exhibition. Not only are these exhibitions educational but also they are also interactive.

Read more about the Terms and Conditions, here.

3. JOIN ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM’S FACEBOOK COMPETITIONS

About 2 weeks ago, ArtScience Museum’s Facebook page hosted a competition wherein 10 winners received all-access passes to the exhibitions as well as goodie bags from the museum’s gift shop. The lucky winners have been announced last night. Worry not if you missed your chance because the museum guarantees that there are more giveaways in the future!

So, like them on Facebook at facebook.com/ArtScienceMuseum.

Image Credits: facebook.com/ArtScienceMuseum

Sources: 1 & 2

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