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6 Shockingly Free Ways To Be Happier Now

Life is a constant search. Whether it be a special someone, a fulfilling job, or an amazing house…our search often comes with a price. But that need not be. There are more meaning things in life that do not cost a thing. One of it is genuine happiness. Here are 6 Ways to be Happier now (yes! they are all FREE):

1. EXERCISE REGULARLY

I cannot stress enough how important regular exercise is to your wellbeing. Studies have shown that 7-10 minutes of exercise for 5 days every week can improve your productivity and mood. You will not only lose weight but you will also be happier. Here is a 7-min. exercise routine you can follow:

2. HELP OTHERS

See some old clothes that are still in good condition? Save space and money by donating them to those who need it the most. Helping others and giving back can surely boost your happiness levels. You do not have to give fancy things; even giving a no-cost constructive feedback to your classmates can lead to personal academic improvement and happiness.

3. SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Do you want to live longer and pleasurable life? Research showed that people who have strong relationships with their spouse, family, or close friends are happier and healthier. Spend your quality time with your friends and family by a simple picnic with cycling in East Coast Park or affordable museum tours in Singapore Art Museum and National Museum of Singapore. When it comes to your happiness, your dearest friends and family matter.

4. LET GO OF WORRIES, FRUSTRATION, AND RESENTMENT

Dale Carnegie, author of the best-selling book entitled “How to Wind Friends and Influence People”, believed that our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration, and resentment. Address and let go of your worries, frustration, and grudges to lead a happier life.

5. GET OLDER

Fret not that you are beyond your 40s, as you get older, you get happier! This is because older people tend to focus and remember the positive events more and the negative ones less.

As Olivia Munn said: “I think women should start to embrace their age. What’s the alternative to getting older? You die. I can’t change the day I was born. But I can take care of my skin, my body, my mind, try to live my life, and be happy.”

6. SMILE MORE OFTEN

Do you want to make your boss happier? Smile at the customers more to send a more welcoming vibe. Or how about making yourself happier and productive? Smile like you really mean it. Science has shown that people who smile increased their attention and ability to think. C’mon, it is free anyway!

Image Credits: Victor Tongdee via Flickr

We are all in the pursuit of happiness. Try these simple ways – it might just help you. 🙂

3 Splendid Singapore Spas With Services Under S$70

Want to blow off some steam and relieve your stress from work or school? Try these spa places that offer good services at very affordable prices.

1. TRADITIONAL JAVANESE MASSAGE HUT

As the name implies, Traditional Javanese Massage Hut offers an ancient system of oil massage by predominantly using strokes with strong thumb pressure to ease joint and muscle fatigue and soreness. There are five massage types that costs S$65 for 60 minutes. These are Hut 67 (signature service that is highly recommended), Smooth and Soothe, Back Breaker, Tired Feet, and Stress Buster.

The hut also offers the “Ginger Treatment” that is meant to improve one’s blood circulation for S$35.

Locations: 6 locations islandwide, visit here.

2. RULE OF THUMB

Close to the business offices is an interiorly neat and modern spa called Rule of Thumb. Do you want to see the spa for yourself? Click here for a panoramic view of the interior.

Price range for 60 minutes Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Relaxation, Back, Javanese, Aromatherapy, Swedish, or Traditional Chinese Herb Massage is S$48-S$60. While add-on services such as cupping, ear candling, and body scrub are only S$15. Stuck at work? Worry not. It is opened until 4 am every day!

Location: 289 Beach Road, #01-01, Singapore 199552

3. HEALING TOUCH

Winner of a silver award for “Best Value Spa” in Cosmopolitan Singapore 2013, the Healing Touch spa offers inexpensive massages while giving for your money’s worth. Indulge your senses with 1 hour Deep Tissue Oil, Javanese Fusion Oil or Shiatsu massage for S$58.50. What a cheaper price? Better take advantage of their Asian Fusion Oil massage promotion for S$49.20.

Why not pamper your body even more with body scrub options? You can choose from Moisturizing Rose Salt, Nourishing Almond, Detoxifying Ginger Salt, Refreshing Lemongrass Salt, Anti-Oxidant Apple Aloe, and Softening Grapefruit Goat Milk Scrub. These are priced at about S$35 for 30 minutes.

Locations: 6 locations, visit here.

Image Credits: healingtouch.com.sg

Government to offer new step-up bonds that comes with more flexibilities

Straits Times has reported today that the government will soon offer a new type of bonds in the market in the second half of the year.

Coined the Singapore Savings Bonds, being first of its kind, is different from the current SGS bonds which offers fix interest rates every year. It offers a step up interest starting with a smaller rates that rises over year. (Refer to the diagram in the newspaper article below)

Photo: Straits Times

The new bonds will be offered at a 10 years tenure linked to the long-term SGS Bonds Rate with no penalty for early redemption.

The minimum amount to invest is $500, with additional multiples of $500 up to a certain cap.

This roll out would really benefit the risk-adverse investors as it open up an alternative investment other than fixed deposits.

To sum up the features of the Singapore Saving Bonds:

Step up interest with rates rising over the years
No penalty of early redemption
Minimum investment of $500
Capital guaranteed by the government

You can also read the electronic version on Straits Times here: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/economy/story/new-government-bond-offers-rising-rates-20150331

What you should also know about the Singapore Saving Bonds: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/banking/story/singapore-savings-bonds-what-you-should-know-20150331

To find out more on SGS Bonds, check out: http://www.sgs.gov.sg/~/media/SGS/SGS_T-bill_English.pdf

How You Can Dine From $0.30 With The Sugar App

“Thirty cents? You got to be kidding!”

That was the first impression when i was exploring the Sugar app i downloaded from app store.

If you don’t know what the Sugar app is, think Groupon, but with a twist.

Instead of activating a deal with group buying, Sugar allows you to shop for unbelievable deals with prices from as low as $0.30.

Not only that, it allows you to “skim” the price of the items you like by simply tapping on the green icon next to it. In other words, each time you “skim” an item, you slash the price by $0.20 – $0.50. At price already that low, any further skimming will make you feel like you’re stealing something.

If you have noticed, i have actually skimmed the price of the Army Stew from Ajumma’s (The Cathay) from ~~$3.60~~ to $3.40. You can also tap it (now a blue icon) to share the love with your friends so that you can bring the price down lower.

Once you think the price is right, you can purchase it and the e-voucher will be saved in the app itself under the section “Redeem”. The thing to note here is that you must redeem the voucher within 7 days before it expires. Thus, make your purchases wisely and only if you will be visiting the outlet in a week.

The e-voucher can be redeemed easily. Just show them to the service staff when you order and the staff (*not you) will slide to redeem the voucher.

The Army Stew from Ahjumma’s costs $10.90 and thanks to Sugar, i’ve only paid $3.40!

The catch here is that besides having to redeem your purchase within a week, you can only use one voucher per table and you are not allowed to do take-away. There is only one voucher a day – that is to say, if someone else bought it before you do, you have to try your luck the next day. They usually restock the deals in the morning, so be kiasu a little, check them out when you are on the way to work or school. As the saying goes: the early bird catches the worm.

There are many other fantastic food deals such as:

Bubble Milk Tea at $0.60
Scoop of Ice Cream at $0.60
A Cup of Latte at $0.60
Cupcake at $.060
Cheese fries at $1.00
Waffles at $1.00
Salmon Sashimi at $0.60
Sliced Beef Pho at $1.00
Sushi Buffet at $10.00
.. and many more!

Besides food and beverages, there are also different kind of lifestyle deals from hair cuts to cooking class. How about a game of Laser Tag or Escape Room that sets your heart pumping?

The Sugar team are sourcing for more irresistible deals for you daily, so share the joy and get your friends and family members to use the app. With more users, more merchants would be more willing to advertise on Sugar – which means more fantastic deals coming your way.

Here’s something to make it sweeter:

Download the app and register your mobile number to get a free $10 credit for you to shop on Sugar.

Even sweeter?

Log on to www.wewantsugar.com/extralove and enter your mobile number with the referral code <CHEL> to get a free $20 credit.

There is no string attached so what are you still waiting for? Download the app for free from your Apple App/Google Play store and start raiding the stores!

For more info on how the app works, check out the Sugar’s website: http://www.wewantsugar.com

Like this post? Don’t forget to share it with your friends and family members. Hit ‘Share‘ and spread the love.

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s Notable Quotations on Economy and Life in Singapore

As the nation bids its final farewell to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, here is a humble homage for his wisdom on money and life matters.

1. “People want economic development first and foremost. The leaders may talk something else. You take a poll of any people. What is it they want? The right to write an editorial, as you like? They want homes, medicine, jobs, schools.”

~The Man and His Ideas, 1997

2. “If Singapore is a nanny state, then I am proud to have fostered one.”

~From Third World to First, The Singapore Story: 1965-2000

3. “Life is not just eating, drinking, television, and cinema…the human mind must be creative, must be self-generating. It cannot depend on just gadgets to amuse itself.”

~Speech at Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Haji Celebrations held at Joo Seng Community Centre, February 28, 1970

4. “But I’m not God, I can’t change you. But I can encourage you, give you extra help to make you do, say maybe, 20% better.”

~Success Stories, 2002

5. “Every Singaporean who owns a flat can double his value in today’s terms within the next 15 to 20 years. In other words, in the next 20 years, we can make everybody worth twice as much, at least.”

~National Day Rally, 1990

6. “If you can’t think because you can’t chew, try a banana.”

~Reply to a BBC reporter, 2000

7. “I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn’t be here today. And I say without the slightest remorse, that we wouldn’t be here, we would not have made economic progress, if we had not intervene on very personal matters – who your neighbor is, how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language you use. We decide what is right. Never mind what people think.”

~Straits Times, April 20, 1987

Image Credits: William Cho via Flickr

To build a strong Singapore during the most difficult years and to transform it from a Third World to a First World country is truly admirable beyond words. Mr. Lee, your outstanding leadership gave us the direction and for that your legacy will on forever.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 4

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