MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

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

Newbie’s Guide To The Dynamics Of Debt And Credit

DEFINITION

Before anything else, we must define two terms: debt and credit. Debt is the amount borrowed by one party (e.g., corporations or individuals) from another (e.g., banks). While Credit is the lawful agreement in which a borrower receives something of value today and agrees to repay later on in the future, usually with interest. Simply, when you use your credit card, you create debt. Debt here is the result from your ability to borrow – from your credit.

Now that you know the definitions and the differences between these two terms, you must discover the pros and cons of using credit as well as the 3 C’s of worthiness. All these are according to the Credit Bureau Singapore. Credit Bureau Singapore was set up in lined with the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s vision to enhance the public’s risk management abilities.

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

PROS AND CONS OF USING CREDIT

The pros and cons of using credit or credit card are plain and straightforward.

Pros

Being able to buy what you need right away

Not having to carry cash

Automatic record of purchases

More convenient than cheques

Cons

Interest especially for items of higher cost

Have additional fees

Financial difficulties may arise

Elevation in impulse purchases may occur

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

3 C’S OF WORTHINESS

Before swimming in a pile of credit, know if you are worthy to take the plunge by asking yourself a set of questions.

1. Character (Are you the type of person who will repay his or her debt?)

Does your credit history show that you are honest and reliable in paying debts?

Do you pay bills on time? Do you have a good credit score/report?

Can you provide a couple of character references?

How long have you been at your present occupation?

How long have you lived at your present home?

2. Capacity (Are you able to repay the debt?)

Is your job income enough to support your credit usage?

Is your job stable and steady?

How much is your salary?

How many loan payments do you have in total?

What are your current debts?

How many people are dependent on you?

3. Capital (Do you have back-up if you cannot repay the debt?)

Do you have a savings account?

Do you have various investments to use as a collateral?

Can you enumerate the properties that you own to help secure loans?

What other valuable assets do you have that could be used to repay debts?

It is essential to know all these to assess whether you are truly fit to apply for a credit card or loan. Furthermore, you may use the information to guide you in your responsibilities as a borrower. 🙂

Sources: 1 , 2 & 3

6 Best Places To Eat Delicious Local Dishes

Singaporeans really love to eat. It is one of the forces that hold our country of different races together. A chicken rice, chili crab, nasi lemak, and roti prata can share the same table with problem at all! So, for the newcomers and locals who want to experience good food at a budget, here are the best places to visit:

1. HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE

One of my all time favorite local dishes is the chicken rice! It is so popular in the island that almost all the restaurants, hawker centers, and Singapore Airlines aircrafts serve this dish. When it comes to chicken rice, people expect the chicken to be as good as the rice. Both should be flavorful, tender, and smooth. Suggested places are as follows:

a. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice

Known for its fragrant and delicious chicken rice, Tian Tian has been voted as the best chicken rice hawker stall in Singapore. A bowl of chicken broth and a plate of chicken rice cost about S$3.50. This is a great price for quality taste!

Location: 1 Kadayanallur Street, #01-10/11 Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184

b. Wee Nam Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice

Wee Nam Kee has been named as the Top Hawker at AsiaOne People’s Choice Award in 2010. Its chicken rice is unique because of its dipping sauce. A plate of chicken rice is about S$4.80 while a half chicken is S$16.

Location: 101 Thomson Road, #01-08 United Square, Singapore 307591

2. CHILI CRAB

In 2011, CNNgo dubbed Chili Crab as one of the world’s most delicious food. Such a prestigious list, if you ask me. Chili Crab is one of the famed seafood delicacies for any travelers. Suggested places are as follows:

a. No Signboard Seafood Restaurant

No Signboard Seafood Restaurant is the home for unique white pepper crab. The peppery taste is strong but does not overpower the sweetness of the crab. And, the spiciness is paced at your own taste. The average price per person is S$40.

Location: 414 Geylang, Singapore 389392

b. Mellben Seafood

Mellben Seafood’s menu features a wide array of crab dishes such as chilli crab, claypot crab vermicelli soup, black pepper crab, butter crab, and shimmering sand crab. The average price per person is S$35.

Location: #01-1222, 232 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, Singapore 560232

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

3. SATAY

Also in CNNgo’s 50 of the world’s most delicious food is the satay. Satay is a dish with meat, cucumbers, and onions served with a thick peanut sauce on the side. Suggested places are as follows:

a. Chomp Chomp Satay

Chomp Chomp Satay’s satay is juicy and generously marinated. Besides that, they offer local street food dishes like fried oyster, carrot cake, and Hokkien mee. The price of satay is about S$0.50 per stick.

Location: 20 Kensington Park Road, Singapore 557269

b. Chuan Kee Satay

Since its inception in the 1970s, Chuan Kee Satay has been serving its traditional Hainanese satay. Its pork satay is complete with flavorful spices, tasty peanut sauce, and pineapple gravy. The price of satay is S$0.40-0.50 per stick but the minimum order is 10 sticks.

Location: Block 51 Old Airport Road, Singapore 390051

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

Sources: 1 & 2

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