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6 Money Management Tips for Newlyweds in Singapore

Getting married is a milestone, but managing finances together is a new adventure. From joint expenses to long-term goals, how you handle money can shape your future.

Whether you’re newlyweds or planning bigger dreams, here are six money management tips to help you build a strong financial foundation.

TALK ABOUT MONEY

Open communication is key to a successful marriage, especially about money. Discuss your income, debts, savings, and spending habits to ensure you’re aligned on financial priorities. Regular “money talks” help both partners stay informed and involved.

CREATE A JOINT BUDGET

A joint budget helps manage shared expenses and save for future goals. List monthly expenses like housing, utilities, and groceries, then divide them based on your income. Tools like Intuit Mint or DBS NAV Planner can help you track spending and stay on budget.

ESTABLISH AN EMERGENCY FUND

Life can be unpredictable, so having an emergency fund is essential. Experts recommend saving 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses. An emergency fund provides financial security during job loss, medical emergencies, or unexpected costs.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

START SAVING FOR THE FUTURE

The earlier you start saving, the better. Whether it’s for a home, children’s education, or retirement, setting aside money for the future ensures your dreams become a reality. Consider CPF contributions or joint savings accounts for long-term security.

MAINTAIN SOME INDEPENDENCE

While joint finances are important, separate accounts allow each partner to enjoy personal spending without guilt. Keep a joint account for shared expenses but maintain individual accounts for personal or “fun” funds.

INVEST TOGETHER

Investing is a great way to grow wealth as a couple. Research low-risk investment options like ETFs or unit trusts, and consult a financial advisor to create a strategy that aligns with both your goals.

IN A NUTSHELL

Managing money as a couple requires trust and teamwork. Use the strategies above to stay on top of your finances. Stay transparent, keep some independence, and enjoy the journey together.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Sources: 1 ,2, & 3

5 black waterproof eyeliners from $20 so you can line & maintain the perfect eyes for CNY 2025

We all know (well, maybe the ladies?) how annoying it is to wing that straight line only to find it smudged a few hours later.

Worry no more with these black waterproof eyeliners from $20 so you can line and maintain the perfect eyes for CNY 2025!

Sephora Collection 12H Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner

Price: $20

Let’s start us off with this creamy, waterproof formula that glides on effortlessly, coating your lids in a shimmering finish that mesmerizes.

That glitter-fueled spark won’t dull for a full 12 hours.

The built-in smudge tip also allows you to create sultrily, smokey eye looks.

Or keep things precise—the alcohol-free formula is gentle enough to let you rim those waterlines to perfection.

Comes in a retractable design.

Sephora Collection 12h Intense Ink Matte Liquid Eyeliner

Price: $24

Winged liner rookies and seasoned pros will love this liquid eyeliner that ticks every box.

Its inky matte formula is a stroke of genius, delivering opaque pigment from the very first swipe so you will never have to keep layering.

That saturated color stays put for a full 12 hours thanks to its waterproof, “ink-gel” blend that won’t budge or bleed.

And the foam applicator? Game-changing.

Its precision tip lets you get defined lines in one fluid motion without skipping or dragging.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner

Price: $34

Rare Beauty’s Perfect Strokes eyeliner means business—but likes to have fun, too.

This creamy, glide-on gel pencil deposits rich pigment with zero skipping or tugging, even along the trickiest waterline.

Before it sets into waterproof, all-day wear, you get a brief window for artistic license.

Want razor-sharp wings? Check.

A smoldering, smoky eye? You got it.

This precision pencil and its built-in sharpener let you slay any liner look.

And once that color is locked in, it won’t budge until you allow it to.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Eyeliner

Price: $35

This highly pigmented, water-resistant matte formula glides on, letting you craft your lines with control.

The soft felt-tip precision applicator moves where you want, when you want, allowing everything from thin lines to thick strokes.

Once set, the richly saturated color stays put all day.

It’s artistry in a bottle and a vegan, cruelty-free formula.

Hourglass 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner

Price: $36

Lastly, we’ve got this waterproof Hourglass 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eyeliner, a fine 1.5mm smooth gel liner in a shade so pigmented it puts other pencils to shame.

With just two clicks of its tip, you will gain pinpoint accuracy over your cat eye’s sharpest flicks and tightest lines.

But what sets this liner apart is its formula, which glides on yet stays waterproof and smudge-proof all day (or night) long.

No more raccoon eyes by 3 pm! 🦝

Budget-Friendly Travel Hacks for Honeymooners

When my husband and I got married, one thing was clear: we wanted our honeymoon to be dreamy yet practical. Picture this: soft waves, powdery beaches, and vibrant marine life. We found our paradise in Siargao, Philippines, a destination that ticked all our boxes without burning a hole in our wallets.

Do the same with these tips:

START PLANNING EARLY

Last-minute trips sound exciting, but when it comes to honeymoons, planning ahead is the real deal. Give yourself ample time to research and book everything. With an early start, you’ll score better deals on flights and accommodations. Set up flight alerts and compare prices to lock in those savings.

SET A REALISTIC BUDGET

You’ve just said “I do,” but now it’s time to say “I don’t” to overspending. After a big wedding, it’s smart to be mindful of your finances. Discuss your budget as a couple and stick to it. There are tons of budget-friendly options, from discounted luxury cruises to hotel promos. Who says you can’t live large while saving big?

CHOOSE A DESTINATION TOGETHER

Compromise is the name of the game. If you’re dreaming of a bustling city while your partner craves serene beaches, find a spot that offers the best of both worlds. Consider destinations like Cebu or Japan for their mix of adventure, history, and vibrant local culture.

PLAN THE ITINERARY AS A TEAM

Couples who plan together tend to avoid unnecessary arguments. Share the load and collaborate on your itinerary. Mark must-visit spots, calculate travel times, and map out routes to avoid wasting precious vacation hours. Apps like Google Maps or travel forums are your best friends here.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

PACK LIGHT, PACK SMART

Packing for your honeymoon doesn’t have to feel like solving a puzzle. Coordinate your outfits with your activities and prioritize versatile pieces. For a beach getaway, a mix of denim shorts, breezy dresses, and comfy sandals will do the trick. Don’t forget essentials like sunscreen and a reusable water bottle.

READY YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Avoid the last-minute scramble by organizing all your travel documents in one place. Keep printed copies of tickets, hotel reservations, and IDs, even if you have digital backups. A little organization goes a long way in making your trip stress-free.

BRING A FIRST-AID KIT

Don’t let minor mishaps ruin your romantic getaway. Pack basic medicines for headaches, allergies, and stomach troubles. If you’re traveling internationally, check if vaccinations are needed for your destination. Staying healthy is key to making the most of your honeymoon.

IN A NUTSHELL

Your honeymoon doesn’t have to be extravagant to be unforgettable. With careful planning, smart budgeting, and a spirit of compromise, you can create a magical experience that’s easy on your wallet.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Go ahead and plan that dream trip—you both earned it!

Source: 1

5 dry shampoos from $21 for CNY visiting days where you’re running late but still need to smell fresh

Had a little too much to drink the night before and woke up late for another CNY visiting day?

Spray on with these dry shampoos from $21 so you can still smell fresh without washing your hair.

Percy & Reed Royal Blossom Volumising Dry Shampoo

Price: $21

Bad hair days for CNY, be banished.

Percy & Reed’s award-winning volumizing dry shampoo is the ‘wash day’ savior for all hair types and colors.

Its high-grade, oil-absorbing formula breathes life into limp locks, boosting root volume and adding texture for a fresh finish between washes.

This weightless mist refreshes without a trace of white residue.

The new royal blossom fragrance is a bonus and with its vegan formula free of sulfates, silicones, gluten, and parabens, you can feel good about what you’re putting in your hair.

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

Price: $24

Second-day hair has finally met its match with Amika’s Perk Up Dry Shampoo.

This talc-free bottle absorbs excess oil and odors without a drop of water.

But it doesn’t just freshen up—it awakens your hair’s natural oomph too.

Nutrient-rich sea buckthorn and rice starch nourish strands while restoring the voluminous body you crave.

Get hair that looks freshly washed and ready to take on another CNY visiting day.

And with its blend of warm vanilla, spicy sweet clover, and citrusy notes, you can say hello to refreshed hair that’s ready for its close-ups.

Olaplex No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo

Price: $27

Skincare science collides with haircare innovation in this detox dry shampoo—your strands’ new must-have for volumized freshness.

Olaplex No.4D restores good hair day vibes by absorbing oil and impurities with ultra-fine rice starch, leaving you with bouncy, like-first-day freshness.

This formula also comes with antioxidant rambutan seed extract to soothe your scalp and neutralize odor-causing pollutants, ensuring your hair smells as refreshingly clean as it looks.

No white residue or gritty build-up.

AROMATICA Rosemary Dry Shampoo Powder

Price: $33

This rosemary dry shampoo powder from AROMATICA revives limp locks with a blend of oil-absorbing ingredients.

Unlike some dry shampoos that can leave residue, this powder seamlessly soaks up excess sebum and impurities, creating fresh volume without that grungy buildup.

As you brush it through, the odor-neutralizing formula whisks away any lingering mustiness, while the rosemary scent leaves a nice herbal fragrance.

It’s your go-to sidekick for busy mornings before those CNY visits.

IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo

Price: $52

Last but not least, we have this charcoal detox dry shampoo that allows you to hit the snooze button on wash day.

Ideal for very oily hair and scalps, the absorbent charcoal powder sops up excess oil and odor, leaving your hair revived.

The heavy-duty formula also lifts dirt and stubborn product buildup, hitting the reset button on limp locks.

And with soothing white tea powder to calm the scalp and strengthen strands, you’re getting detoxifying power and a hair treatment all in one.

Tip: spray it on before bed, then wake up (late and) to hair that looks and smells like you just stepped out of the shower.

5 hair masks from $9 to DIY prep your hair for CNY 2025

Don’t have the money or don’t want to spend hundreds on that ONE hair treatment at the salon?

We get you.

That’s why we’ve sourced some (pretty) affordable hair masks you can DIY at home without spending that much.

Here’s a quick list of hair masks from $9 so you can prep your hair for CNY 2025.

Sephora Collection Hair Sleeping Masks

Price: $9

Is your hair having a meltdown?

Restore its luster overnight with Sephora Collection’s hair sleeping masks.

Choose from coconut oil for nourishing, and repairing locks, or mango butter to fortify strands against future breakage.

Made with ingredients of natural origin, these creamy hair masks with coconut oil or mango butter work while you sleep to transform dull tresses into healthier hair by morning.

Apply the mask onto clean, dry hair (especially the tips) before bedtime, then slip on the included cap to prevent pillowcase stains.

As you catch up on your ZZZs, the hair mask penetrates each strand to tackle issues like dryness and brittleness.

Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque Mini

Promo Price: $19.50

Or treat your tresses to a tropical treat with this coconut & fig hair masque, a mini miracle worker, drenching strands in a blend of coconut, fig, shea butter, and seed/fruit oils.

With each application, the concentrated formula restores hair’s silky softness and youthful bounce, targeting frizz while strengthening.

Think of it as a rebirth for your locks.

Just slather on, wait 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse away to reveal glossy tresses.

JVN Nurture Intense Hydration Hair Mask

Price: $27

Parched hair, meet this JVN mask that bathes strands in a formula powered by JVN’s Triple Hydration System.

Hemisqualane, Amino Acids, and Keratris (a high-performance vegan keratin alternative) join forces to deeply infuse hair with 72 hours of intense moisture in a single use.

Brittle locks are transformed into soft strands.

While many masks coat the surface, this drink-it-up formula saturates from within.

Plus, it’s “spiked” with orange fruit extract for an extra vitamin kick.

MOROCCANOIL Restorative Hair Mask

Price: $27

If you’ve put your hair through constant coloring, heat styling, and whatnot, it’s time for some TLC.

This restorative mask revives straw-like strands with an argan oil and shea butter combo.

Thirsty hair drinks up the hydrating formula, while keratin proteins work from the inside out to repair damage and rebuild strength.

The formula also restores elasticity so your locks have that coveted bounce and movement.

With each use, you will get hair that’s smooth, silky, and manageable.

Fragranced with Moroccanoil’s signature warm floral and spicy amber notes, this treatment is the self-care ritual for stressed-out strands.

Christophe Robin Hydrating Melting Mask – With Aloe Vera

Price: $27

Lastly, we have this hydrating mask here to save your strands.

Composed of an aloe vera blend that soaks hair in much-needed moisture, it also contains flaxseed oil, which is nutritious and rich in omega-3.

The mask’s sunflower seed oil further helps hair look full of life.

Together, these 95% natural-origin ingredients form an oasis that revives dehydrated tresses and restores that glow.

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