Raising children and keeping your home in top shape can be challenging at times. Even though you love to spend more time with your children, money is usually tight when there is only one income in the household. So, knowing ways to earn and save money while you are staying at home sounds like music to your ears. Here are some tips to get you started with…
1. HOBBIES OR BUSINESS STARTERS
Do you love to make cupcakes, jewelry, or essence oils? Turn your hobby into your own business. Be your own boss and master your own schedule by thinking about your skill set and hobbies then, start making an online business out of it. Free platforms for selling or making your own online shop such as: Carousell and Tictail, are available online.
2. STAY-AT-HOME NANNY SWAP
Instead of paying costly bills on daycare or babysitting, have another stay-at-home mom to take turns in taking care of your children. Watch your friend’s children for one weekend then, she will watch yours for the next. This will not only save you money but it will also give one day off for you to relax and run errands.
3. TIDY UP AND SELL STUFF ONLINE
Tidy up the clutter in your closet and find the things that you deem to be unused or underused because you can sell them online. The old clothing articles of your children that are still in good condition can be sold too. How about the costumes that you only used once? Get rid of it and earn money simultaneously.
Try selling your items to the worldwide marketplace platform of eBay and Gumtree. And, consider selling your items to your friends and family by posting an ad on Facebook. Save money by buying bargain items in these sites.
4. BECOME A SALES REP
A sales representatives or brand ambassadors sell household, beauty, or health products in their own ways. Join millions of independent ambassadors of Avon or MaryKay Singapore.
Have the freedom to design a schedule that works for you without thinking of building a business from ground up and still be able to nurture your loving children!
Available in different forms, sushi has evolved from a typical Japanese’s staple to a dietary essential in other parts of the world.
Do you know that sushi is one of the healthiest food around? On average, scientists found out that a a diet that consists of raw fish, vegetables and rice only has 30 per cent fat (most of it polyunsaturated) as compared to a typical English diet that contains 40 per cent fat.
It is not surprising to know that the Japanese are also one of the healthiest, with one of the lowest rates of heart disease cases and the most centenarians in the World.
This is also good reason (or excuse) to stuff yourself with sushi without feeling utterlysinful.
That comes as a cost unfortunately.
You can’t be having three meals of Japanese food a day and still be well in line with your budget.
You might want to know where to get your sushi fix for cheap and here are 10 places where you can get cheap sushi in Singapore.
Whenever i’m shopping in town and hunger pangs set in, the first thing that comes into my mind is “Nihon Mura’s Sushi”. Easily accessible at the basement of Cathay Cineplexes and Orchard Cineleisure, this is the place to go before you catch your movie.
At $1.60 per plate, you can build your own Tokyo’s Skytree with the plates of sushi and sashimi you took off the conveyor belt. You are simply spoilt for choice with a variety of items ranging from an assortment of Sushi and Sashimi to fried items like Fried Salmon Skin and BBQ Scallop Mentai. (Raise up your hand if you love these scallops with mentaiko sauce!)
2. Sushi Express
Sushi Express is next on the list since they are quite similar by offering their items with a universal price at $1.50 per plate. In terms of variety, Nihon Mura has more choices on their menu as compared to Sushi Express but one thing that stood out is Sushi Express don’t charge for their green tea as you can easily take the green tea satchel bag right in front of you. They also offers dessert, with items like chocolate eclairs, cheese cake and mango pudding running on the conveyor belt.
Do you know Sushi Express is also famous for offering their sushi at $1 a plate for a limited time whenever they open a new outlet. (Tip: You might want to follow them on Facebook so you don’t miss out such a deal)
3. Standing Sushi Bar (8 Queen Street)
Standing Sushi Bar needs no introduction. As a sushi lover, you ought to know where these gems are in Singapore even before reading this. If you don’t and have been living on the other part of Singapore, read on. Inspired by sushi bars in Tokyo, they opened their first full-service store back in 2010 at the Singapore Contemporary Art Musuem also known as the “8Q” outlet. (8 Queen Street) They are notorious for serving quality Japanese’s fares without the huge price tag. This explains why you often see mysterious long queue along an otherwise quiet Queen Street.
Here’s the deal: on Monday and Thursday night, you can enjoy a plate of sashimi at $3 for 5 slices. That’s real salmon madness! On Tuesday night, you get 50% off nigiri sushi and sashimi and on Wednesday rolls and handrolls are going at 50% off. If these are not enough to tempt you, how does sake at $2 and beer, wine, hot sake and umeshu at $5 sounds?
To further sweeten up the deal: if you own a Standard Chartered Credit Card, you get 15% off your bill!
(Image credit: fitrina-inamorata.blogspot.com)
They have other outlets located in Marina Bay Link Mall and Far East Plaza with different promotions, so check them out here: http://standingsushibar.com
Psst. You should also try out their Salmon Aburi Roll and Scallop Mentaiki that makes us go head over heels!
Itacho Sushi offers a wide variety of sushi, sashimi, maki and handroll on their menu. Some of the items are exclusive and you hardly see items like Japanese Flounder, Tresus Keenae, Kagoshima Wagyu in other restaurants. It makes you want to try and devour each and every sushi on the menu!
The reason why it is considered cheap and affordable is their special item that is going at up to 50% off. Salmon with Soy Sauce sushi at 40 cents? That’s probably why it is limited to 2 pieces per person.
Beware though, you may end up exceeding your budget as i doubt you would not be able to resist trying out all the sushi in the menu!
5. EN Japanese Dining Bar (River Valley)
EN Japanese Dining Bar is managed by a family team where their zest for Japanese food has brought them together to set up a chain of restaurants across Asia – with their first being set up in 2010. With an “Izakaya” concept, they look forward to serve you what they are specialised at: Okinawa cuisine with fresh premium ingredients directly sourced from Okinawa itself.
Don’t be blown away by their Happy Hour deal with 50% off their sushi and sahimi that happens all day from 6pm to 8pm! In addition, you also get 30% off their house pours if you are one of the early birds.
There is no better place to chill over a beer or a hot sake, coupled with fresh delights from the sea. You get 50% off for those marked with “Early Bird Happy Hour”. A trio Sashimi Platter would have cost you $24.50 before discount, so you can now enjoy thick quality slabs of sashimi (Salmon, Tuna, Yellowtail) at $12.25 during the Happy Hour.
This little gem may be on the higher side of this list, but it could also be the one that could leave you with a deep impression of what a truly gastronomic experience is. Perhaps, with a Okinawa’s diet, you could be on your way to the next centenarian list.
6. Sushi Bar at Cold Storage, Takashimaya
The sushi bar located in Cold Storage, Takashimaya got to be one of my favourite place for cheap sushi after 8pm on weekdays. The seafood here is supplied by Nakajima Suisan 中島水産 and if that does not ring a bell, you might have tried Nakajima Suisan Grilled Fish before. (located outside Cold Storage)
Why after 8pm? That’s the time they start slashing the price of their nicely packaged sushi and sashimi. The price usually get cut several time until you subconsciously tell yourself: “I’m hungry again” even after you had your dinner an hour ago. They have a small dining area where they serve you a complimentary hot green tea. Feel free to ask for a bowl of miso soup to make it a complete meal.
You be your own judge.
* Other supermarkets like NTUC, Giant and Cold Storage also cut the price of their sushi when they are about to close and the discount varies. Although i find that the outlet in Takashimaya offers a better deal in terms of quality and price. Even better with free hot green tea and a place for you to eat-in.
7. Isetan Scotts
Isetan Scotts is the next place i usually frequent after 8pm to check out cheap sushi. As they can’t keep the sushi and sashimi overnight, you could often get them at a very good price once they slash the price. The discounts varies and it depends on how much sushi and sashimi are left on the shelves.
The best deal is when the price are cut by 50%. You got to be kidding when this sashimi platter of Tuna, Salmon and Scallops is cut by 50%! $23.90 $11.95!
You can also check out other Isetan’s outlets in Singapore but it seems that the outlets at Scotts are more generous with their price cut.
8. Kuriya Japanese Market
(Image credit: chynnadantes.blogspot.com)
Kuriya Japanese Fresh Fish Market is a brand market under RE&S Enterprises group. (Same as Ichiban Boshi/Sushi, Wadori, Kuishin Bo and more) If you have dined in Ichiban before, you know they do not compromise on the quality of their food, so expect the same level of freshness when you purchase your sushi from Kuriya. They have many branches across Singapore and they usually cut their prices of their sushi around 8.30 – 9pm depending on how much is left on the shelve. Expect to get up to 30% discount from their range of sushi and sashimi.
I first saw Sushi Take-Out when i was in Hong Kong and was excited to see them opening their first store in Woodlands MRT Station. As you can see above, all their sushi are priced at $0.50 each so you can mix and match the different kind of sushi you craved for. There are also packets of sashimi that are reasonably priced so check them out the next time you are at Woodlands.
Many sushi takeaway stores have since started opening up in Singapore and these include brands like Edo, Umi, Oisshi and Junshin Express. If you want cheap and no-frills sushi, check them out as you can usually spot them at nearby shopping malls and MRT stations.
Sushi King is a sushi restaurant in Malaysia and has evolved from a single outlet to over 90 stores nationwide making them the largest sushi chain restaurants in the country. If you have been to City Square Mall in JB, you would have noticed this gem located at the basement of the shopping mall.
As you can see from the menu, most of their sushi are priced at around RM 4.00. With the weakening ringgit hitting a new low against the Singapore dollar (2.67 as at 12 Mar 2015), a plate of sushi would have cost you S$1.50. That’s not all – if you dine between 3pm – 6pm, you can get an additional 20% off you bill which works out to be around $1.20 a plate.
If you are living in the northern part of Singapore, a bus ride would take you about 20 to 30 minutes for you to get there during off peak hours. Not too bad if you want to reward yourself with these cheap sushi.
Is there a place for cheap sushi in Singapore we missed out? Let us know so we can compile this list as time to come.
We are about 3 weeks away from Easter. It is the time for egg hunting, Easter bunny, and family gatherings. Celebrate this special occasion of hope and fun with these 7 affordable Easter-themed Kitchen and Dining ideas…
Crate & Barrel is full of beautiful festive items for Easter. Kicking it off with a set of four assorted colored plates with lovely bunnies pattern that will truly make dining delicious. These plates are 100% porcelain with dimensions of 8″ diameter and 0.75″ height. What’s more? It is dishwasher, oven, and microwave safe.
This egg cup designed by Olivia Barry can be a center piece to show off your decorative easter egg or you may fill the table with a couple of this sculptural blue glass egg cup. It is made with 100% pressed soda lime glass and is dishwasher safe.
3. WILTON HOP AND TWEET EASTER BUNNY EGG AND TREAT STAND
This two-tiered treat stand serves as an entertaining piece to showcase your plain or painted Easter eggs along with sweets or cupcakes. It can hold about 16 cupcakes and a dozen of mini treats that the kids would really want. It is easy to assemble with a manual included.
The ceramic mini bunnies come in the smooth shade of yellow and blue. What an adorable display to bring an extra Easter flare to your simple table! To clean, just wipe it off with damp cloth.
Designed by Olivia Barry, the 100% porcelain salt and pepper shakers are both charming and elegant pieces. As it comes with a designed box, you may either place it on your kitchen or give it as a gift for your family and friends. Simply hand wash this set to clean.
Located at Holland Village, Lemon Zest has a wide array of stylish kitchen products that they constantly update. This sunflower baking mould goes well with Easter bunny cookies or egg treats. It comes in assorted colors at an affordable price.
7. WILTON TEXTURED COMFORT GRIP BUNNY WITH MINI COOKIE CUTTER
The textured cushion grip makes the bunny cutter safe and easy to handle. It also comes with a bunny tail or flower cookie cutter. Since it has a stainless steel cutter, it makes it possible to cut other treats such as brownies and sandwiches. Best of all? The cute set is rust-resistant so it would last long.
In the first half of the year, many families make travel plans for December when kids are on school holidays and after a year long of slog – for a short getaway to escape the monotonous life in Singapore.
Factors that come into consideration are whether the place is child-friendly and if there are enough activities for the kids to keep them occupied whilst still enjoying the trip with your partner.
There is one important thing that is often overlooked in the planning: what accommodation to book for the entire family?
As December is a peak season where everyone is travelling, you would expect demands for hotel rooms to go up and prices will follow suit.
A family suite in a hotel is going to stretch your budget – so why not save the money and check out hostels and other affordable accommodations?
What? But does that means less comfort and services?
Well, not really.
Global PR and Content Manager at HotelsCombined, Alycia Simons said in a media release that demands for such affordable family accommodation are increasing and so are hostel options. They can accommodate many people in the same room and are centrally located. What’s even better is you can essentially save more money with free shuttle buses, laundry rooms and self catering kitchens.
Gone are the days when families with young kids were relegated to theme park destinations and buffet restaurants. Holidaying families are growing increasingly adventurous and are interested in an ever-expanding assortment of experiences – nothing is off limits anymore.
According to HotelsCombined, these are the features to look for when booking a family-friendly hostel:
Family rooms (ideally located on a separate floor from other door rooms for noise control)
Ensuite bathrooms
Child-friendly amenities (cots, highchairs, etc.)
Entertainment offerings (video games, board games, a pool, etc)
With a database of over 800,000 properties, the search filters on Money Digest’s Search Engine make it particularly easy to locate family-friendly properties.
Here are some of the world’s top family friendly hostels found using our search engine:
Chungmuro Residences is located 6-mins away from the subway station, providing easy access to the city’s attractions. The duplex rooms are fitted with sleek wooden flooring, a seating area and even your own laundry machine! Rooms are ensuite and comes with a small kitchen making it a perfect solution for a family’s vacation. It’s even better when they are 10-minute walk from Namsan Korean Hanok Village which features numerous dining options and cultural spots. Heard of Dongdaemun Market and Namdaemun? Yes, Korea’s biggest shopping area are just 5-minute drive away. Great for a family trip.
Lub d Bangkok Silom Hostel is a contemporary modern hostel that is just five-minute walk away from Si Lom. Besides free Wi-Fi, other features of the hostels include a 24-hour reception, laundry services and facilities, free luggage storage and a tour desk. Room are decorated in a cozy and spacious layout with chic red furnitures. A breakfast is provided eveyr morning or if you like you can always dine at the cafes and eateries nearby. Bangkok’s MahaNakon is just 10-minute walk away and you should visit the Patpong, Empire Tower and the Bangkok Folk Musuem.
Febris Hotel And Spa is recommended as one of the best family hotels because of its family-friendly facilities. The rooms are spacious enough for families of any size. With a kids pool and a playground, your kids will love their stay while you enjoy your spa and massage in the outdoor. Each room comes with a refrigerator, flat-screen TV, private balcony and a private bathroom. There is also a bicycle hiring service should you want to take your family out for some leisure and cycling activities.
Offering four locations across the country – Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Osaka and Tokyo – this Japanese hostel group happily welcomes kids and babies, with games and cartoons available for tots in common areas. Bonus: the properties all score high guest reviews on the HotelsCombined website!
Boasting 26 Dutch properties, this Hostelling International-affiliated group keep kids amused with various sports fields and indoor recreation options. Travelling clans can also take advantage of the hostel chain’s family card, which for a nominal annual fee provides discounts on accommodation, bike rentals and tours.
The great thing about this cost hostel is that it has a maximm capacity of 50 people and isn’t directly surrounded by any late-night venues – so no worries of little ones being kept up at night by rowdy backpackers! The property will also loan out bicycles, DVDs and Frisbees (for the nearby Frisbee golf course)
The Valley House Holiday Hostel, Achill Island, Ireland
Offering an onsite pitch and putt golf course and plenty of nature trails, this friendly hostels is a great place for kids to burn off energy. Did we mention there’s also a picturesque beach just a 10 minute walk away?
A private 6-bed dorm with bathroom starts from $182.04 a night
Situated in Melbourne’s trendy St Kilda neighbourhood, Habitat HQ is a perfect choice for families on a road trip as it offers guests free, secure car parks. It also has the advantage of being the first carbon neutral backpacker hostel in the city.
Now it makes more sense to travel more often with less money spent on hotels. Do you know that you can essentially save up to 50% of the cost with hostels? Furthermore, why pay top dollars for a luxury hotel if most of the time you are out visiting attractions?
Not all life insurance agents are trusted advisors. So, the simplest way to prevent being exploited is to seek for an independent agent that will save you time and money. Here are the other secrets that your Life Insurance Agent may be keeping from you…
1. THEIR INCOME IS BASED ON COMMISSION
The agent’s income is solely compensated from the commission. It is one of the possibilities for the agent to have a personal interest that leads to you buying the highest premium possible equating to their highest commission possible. Thus, it may change his/her perspective of things, as well as the type of products clients are introduced to.
2. CASH VALUE WILL NOT BENEFIT YOU RIGHT AWAY
Yes! Cash value will build-up. But it takes about five years to have the cash value equal to the amount you paid for the whole life insurance.
3. BUY TERM AND INVEST THE DIFFERENCE
The term insurance is significantly less expensive than the whole insurance. This is why you can buy term then invest the difference on mutual funds. In fact, the combination of term and your investment for mutual funds may be less costly that the whole life insurance.
4. YOU MAY NOT NEED CHILD LIFE INSURANCE AFTER ALL
Renowned experts namely: Dave Ramsay, Suze Orman, and Neal Frankle are on a arguing against buying life insurance for kids.
“The only reason you need life insurance is if anyone is dependent on your income…please, you new parents, do not let anyone talk you into buying a life insurance policy on your child.” said Suze Orman.
Image Credits: State Farm via Flickr
According to them, if your child is not at the risk of a serious illness and you are financially stable to cover foreseen medical bills then, you are better off without it. Instead, save up for your child’s education until tertiary level.
