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6 Amazingly Affordable Toys That Can Make Your Child Happier And Smarter

I smiled when I saw the definition of the word “toy” at dictionary.com. According to it, toys are supposed to serve as a diversion rather than practicality. It is also an object that typically represents something familiar for children or others to play with. As a children’s teacher I can vouch for that meaning. Sometimes, we use toys to divert the kids’ attention while we prepare for the class. I am sure some moms use toys as a distraction for them to do chores too!

If toys are so helpful and pervasive, are there cheaper alternatives? Fortunately, there are. You can use your imagination and creativity to make handmade toys. Not only can you save more money but you can also increase the toys’ safety.

Two types of toys are mainly in the market today namely: educational toys and entertaining toys. Let us start with the latter…

FUN TOYS

1. MADE OF MILK CARTON

It is vital for kids to consume more milk in order for their bones to grow stronger. And, after they finished the whole carton, do not throw it just yet. You can transform an empty milk carton into a sailboat that can survive sizable splashes of water.

Full instructions – here.

2. MADE OF SPONGES

Have you ever played Jenga or Tumbling Towers? It is a fun game that you and your little ones can get addicted to. But, a new box can cost over S$19. Save more money while retaining its structure by making block pieces out of sponges.

Image Credits: facebook.com/pages/Toddler-Approved/179029702145360?fref=photo

Alternatively, you can practice making patterns or letters out of it. Full instructions – here.

3. MADE OF SHOEBOX

Have you saved up old newspapers, shoeboxes, and rubber bands? Well, you can turn those things into an old-fashioned toy guitar. Browse here for full instructions.

SMART TOYS

1. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S TOUCHING SENSATIONS

Various childcare and preschool centers include sensory tables to improve the fine motor skills and touching sensations of the young minds. Make your own by taking a simple wooden base out of a plastic bin. Then, you can fill it with colorful beads, dried beans, handful of rice, and so much more. This set toy will keep your child occupied for hours!

Image Credits: https://www.facebook.com/RingAroundtheRosies

Full instructions – here.

2. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S VISUO-SPATIAL AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Say the weather is not friendly enough to go to the nearby playground, what you can do is to round-up your kids, take a large sheet of paper, and several shaped blocks. Then, challenge them into a giant block puzzle. Let them figure it out on their own. Full instructions – here.

3. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S PHONETICS

A toy made out of inexpensive materials can go a long way in terms of improving your child’s language abilities. Repeat the letters and add sounds as you read along the alphabet board (full instructions – here).

Image Credits: nicandkate09.blogspot.com

Also, you can incorporate magnetic letters for your child to match it with the alphabet board accordingly. This activity is both educational and enjoyable! 🙂

Reminder: Although the ingredients and materials used are safe, it is still essential to look after your child from time to time to avoid any unforeseen events.

Sources: 1 & 2

Starbucks Hacks in Singapore that will Save You Money

Gaming the Starbucks system isn’t only fair, it’s probably encouraged. After all, it keeps you entertained, and Starbucks will be happy that it keeps you walking to their cash register. Here’s a few ways that people try to squeeze a buck or two out of a latte:

Get a Tea Bag

If your intent is to sit there as long as possible and talk to a friend, then enjoy a tea buffet. Simply get a tea bag, and you can ask for hot water for a refill. In theory you can do this three or four times before you’re basically drinking water with a faint suggestion of tea, but you’ll have a hot cup in hand while sitting there for an hour.

For those of you not on a budget, do note that it’s best to avoid steeping your tea twice. You know, if you’re a connoisseur or anything.

Get a Starbucks Card and Register It

If you buy a Starbucks card, you have two advantages. The first is that you can control your budget – put a set amount of cash in it every month, and when it runs out you know that you’ve hit the monthly limit.

The second advantage is a free drink on your birthday, and rewards on two tiers (green and gold). These entitle you to use special coupons and rewards, which come crowding into your mailbox. This won’t save you money if you visit infrequently, but if you’re the sort whose there at least once a month, it’s worth the savings.

Staying for a While? Just Buy the Venti.

If you intend to stay and sip for a long time, do consider just buying the biggest size possible. There is no Venti drink on the menu that will cost more than two Grandes or two Talls. It’s simple economy of scale and it makes sense to share or split a Venti with your partner, rather than buying a two Talls.

(Although if you feel you can’t finish it, then don’t waste money by getting the bigger drink.)

Incidentally, a price trick: when faced with three foreign sounding words, most people will pick the one in the middle (i.e. the one the business really wants to sell). That’s why Starbucks doesn’t call them small, medium, and large. Now you know.

Cheap Iced Latte

Say you really need a drink to wake the dead, but are on a budget. A simple trick is to ask for three espresso shots with ice. Put it in at least a Grande cup, although a Venti will do as well.

You then have a two minutes or so to rush over to the counter where they keep the milk, and douse your drink in bovine goodness. Why the timer? Because espresso gets bitter really fast, so don’t linger.

Assuming you pull this off, you could have a very cheap iced latte (under S$5). Be prepared though, it’s strong enough to leave you vibrating for a few hours. Also, it’s not technically allowed so don’t do it repeatedly.

Ask for Your Grande Coffee in a Venti Cup

Just add some milk afterward, or more ice. It will dilute your drink a little, sure, but you’ll get a bit more bang for your buck. Just make sure you don’t go to the extent of emptying out the milk carafes, because the rest of us need it too.

This next one is not a hack, but…
Do remember to use an appropriate credit card, if that’s your mode of payment. If you’re not using your Starbucks card then you may as well get rewards, one way or another. You can find the best credit card in Singapore with SingSaver’s price comparison tools.

(This article is brought to you by SingSaver.com.sg)

4 Ways To Speak Up And Save More S$

As awkward as this may seem in the context of our Asian culture, if you asked for a good deal…there is a higher possibility of receiving it.

Confidently, politely, and effectively asserting yourself towards the seller, the owner, or the company itself can help you increase both your knowledge and your savings. Apply this notion in these situations:

1. NEW FEES OR CHARGES

New fees or charges can exist if your cable, telecommunications, or other services provider changed their terms. Perhaps you received a lengthy letter, which you ignored, but it is your right to know what these new charges are for. Some companies are open to suggestions and negotiations. So, do not hesitate to ask them for an informative explanation.

2. FLEA MARKETS, SALE FAIR, OR THRIFT SHOPS BARGAIN

Say you are at a flea market, sale fair, or thrift shop and you found a book trilogy but the prices seem high. Instead of challenging the seller in a negative tone (e.g., Why is the price tag so high? or The books are not even in good condition!), you must show your adoration in a positive tone.

For instance, you may tell the seller that you admire the author very much and that you are willing to take home all of it for a discounted price of S$10 (i.e., getting the third book for 50% off). The seller would most likely agree since your approach was respectful.

3. DISCOUNTS FOR GROUPS

I worked previously at a yoga studio that offered cheaper prices if you went for their group classes. It goes the same for other fitness centers or beauty salons especially if they had recently opened. Group discounts can be availed by family members or friends. All you have to do is to ask the counter if they offer it because some of the special rates maybe unadvertised.

4. DISCOUNT FOR MINOR PRODUCT ISSUES

Smart shoppers use minor product issues such as slightly bruised home decorations or missing buttons as bargaining tokens to get at least 5% discount. For example, you noticed that the milk at your local mart is expiring soon, you may ask for a reasonable discount at the counter.

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

They are most likely to agree to this because they are able to keep you as a loyal customer at no significant price loss. 🙂

Sources: 1 & 2

36 Things You Can Do In Singapore, Aside From Spending Too Much Money

Your wallet must be exhausted after the weeklong festivities in celebration of Singapore’s golden jubilee. Give your wallet a break and ease its pressure by doing budget-friendly or free things in the weeks to come. Start with these:

1. Read a book or a series at the nearest public library.

2. Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi at MRT platforms.

3. Catch up with your friend through video chat.

4. Daydream about the future.

5. Purchase and play Frisbee outdoors

6. Create your homemade pizza with affordable ingredients.

7. Make and eat different homemade desserts such as s’mores.

8. Play dress-up with your children.

9. Have a volleyball game at the Siloso Beach.

10. Enjoy a sleepover with your friends.

11. Update your social media profiles (e.g, change profile photos).

12. Upgrade your C.V. or Resume.

13. Creatively arrange your decorative flowers.

14. Make your own recycled vase.

15. Host a movie marathon with your friends or family.

16. Craft lovely DIY gifts.

17. Write an essay, a journal, a poem, or a short story.

18. Listen to your favorite music.

19. Watch the sunset with your special someone.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

20. Gaze alone night sky.

21. Play old-school video games.

22. Go for a neighborhood run.

23. Take pictures of sights.

24. Build a free music playlist at Spotify.

25. Organize your drawers and closets.

26. Book a free tour at NUS Baba House (A Preserved Heritage House).

27. Enjoy the fantastic view of the Supertrees at Gardens By The Bay.

28. Indulge in Changi Airport’s freebies.

29. Walk high at the MacRitchie Reservoir’s Treetop Walk.

30. See higher at magnificent ION Orchard’s 55th level.

31. Bike and chill out at the East Coast Park.

32. Hunt all the eight Merlions in Singapore.

33. Visit the largest and oldest cathedral in Singapore – St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

34. Jalan-Jalan at the Changi Point Boardwalk.

35. Have a beautiful time with homemade DIY spa treatments.

36. Appreciate amazing art at the Gillman Barracks.

Sources:1, 2, & 3

4 Brilliant Ways To Worry Less About Money

They say nothing lasts forever but, our relationship with money is so pervasive that it feels like forever. The mechanisms that keep our lives in tact are almost always surrounding money.

In his book entitled: “How To Worry Less About Money”, British writer and philosopher John Armstrong shared many ideas on how to look at money in a different light in order to lead a better life. He understands how deep our relationship with money is which is why he wants to examine how we relate to it and how we attach meaning to it.

First we have to understand that money problems and money worries are two different things. According to oxforddictionaries.com, a problem is a situation or a matter regarded as harmful or unwelcome and needed to be dealt with and overcome. While, worry is a the state of being troubled and anxious and real or potential problems.

Therefore, problems ask for urgent and direct actions while worries as created by oneself due to disturbing thoughts. Fortunately, disturbing thoughts or unhealthy patterns of thinking can always be changed! Here is how:

1. MONEY CANNOT BUY HAPPINESS

It is no surprise that Armstrong believes that happiness cannot be quantified by money. Money can only buy the symbols that produce happiness and serenity but it does not purchase the positive emotions itself. In fact, studies show that you will get more satisfaction if you spend your cash towards memorable experiences such as family vacations than towards material things such as a new designer bag.

2. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE OF PRICE AND VALUE

What differentiates value from price is its nature. Value is a personal matter while, price is a public one. Value is personal because the meaning of money and the object is assigned by the individuals themselves based on their perception, culture, wisdom, and character.

On the other hand, price depend on the majority because it negotiates between supply and demand. For instance, the price of the refrigerator depends on how ready is the manufacturer, how much people want it, and how much they are willing to pay. People who are frugal give importance to the value while people who are cheap primarily follows the price. Know which side you want to be on.

3. IT IS GOOD TO GIVE BACK

There is a deep and innate fear that one’s life will be lived in vain without making a contribution or a difference in the lives of others. This is why you may generate happiness and kill those worries by doing good things for other people through the money you have. Lending out possessions can help you enjoy the material things that your money bought while, volunteering or donating can always trigger positive emotions.

4. CULTIVATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY

For your relationship with money to flourish, you must understand that it involves the two of you. When things go badly, it is partly because of what you brought to the situation and partly because of what the money (i.e., power of spending) brought. Do not let the power of spending govern you.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Temperance, moderation, and frugality are essential to alleviate your worries about your money. You achieve this by distinguishing your needs from wants. So, if your bike works perfectly fine then there is no need to buy a new one. Be wise in purchasing and resisting impulse by getting what you really need.

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