MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

Stay At Asia’s Most Beautiful Beaches For Less Than S$81 A Night

Whether you are having the an indulging weekend off or having an intimate beach wedding, the surest way to ensure that you get the most stunning moments on print is to have it taken at the beach! Not only will you get gorgeous pictures of the event but also the photographer will follow you along the romantic sandy shore aisle.

If your only concern now is to get the most breathtaking beach resorts at affordable prices, stay as long as you desire at Asia’s Most Beautiful Beaches For Less Than S$81 A Night (airfare not included)…

1. BORACAY, PHILIPPINES

Boracay at Dusk (Image credit: Chewy Chua, via Flickr)

Dubbed as the tropical paradise in Asia, Boracay has something for everyone, from luxurious spas to exhilarating water sports. Here in one of the most popular go-to island in the Philippines, you shall enjoy meals for less than S$10! Watch the sun set over the white sandy beach and sleep at its decent resorts costing as low as S$34 a night!

Here are the recommended places to stay at, courtesy of Agoda – a renowned online global hotel platform:

a. Boracay Holiday Resort

Rooms from S$66.70

Online Rating: 7.4/10

b. Levantin Boracay Resort

Rooms from S$33.88

Online Rating: 7.9/10

c. Hey Jude South Beach Resort

Rooms from S$56.55

Online Rating: 8.2/10

d. Shore Time Hotel

Rooms from S$77.71

Online Rating: 8.4/10

2. KOH PHANGAN, THAILAND

Koh Phangan (Image credit, soma-samui.com)

Thailand is a country full of amazing beaches. Nestled in its southeast region is Koh Phangan. Due to its monthly “full moon parties”, Koh Phangan is place mostly clamored by young travelers. Full moon parties are infamous for its night-long music, cheap drinks, and affordable food. Rest assured the crowd will go mad at this once in a blue moon experience!

Start the party at these recommended places:

a. Buri Beach Resort

Rooms from S$51.56

Online Rating: 7.4/10

b. Da Kanda Villa Beach Resor

Rooms from S$27.14

Online Rating: 7.4/10

c. Cookies Salad Hotel

Rooms from S$32.05

Online Rating: 8/10

d. Beyond The Blue Horizon Resort

Rooms from S$42.91

Online Rating: 9/10

3. BAC MY AN BEACH, DA NANG, VIETNAM

Da Nang Beach (Image Credit: http://danangbeaches.visitwonders.com)

One of the most impressive beaches in Da Nang city that tourists will enjoy is the Bac My An beach. It is a place filled with white sands, clear blue water, and quality resorts. Surprisingly, rooms at Da Nang are available for as low as S$13 a night! What’s more? The street vendors offer can satisfy your hunger for less than a dollar!

Rest after long demanding days at work in these recommended places:

a. Gold Coast Hotel

Rooms from S$73.74

Online Rating: 7.1/10

b. Fansipan Hotel Danang

Rooms from S$80.44

Online Rating: 7.8/10

c. Grand Mango Hotel Danang

Rooms from S$48.40

Online Rating: 8/10

Have an unforgettable trip! 🙂

Sources: 1 , 2, & 3

5 Things You Must Know About Microfinance In Singapore And Beyond

As majority of people in developing countries are economically disadvantaged, Microfinance proved to be a viable source of capital. In fact nearly 15% are living below S$1.68 a day, according to the World Bank. Fueled by hope and excitement towards success, both public and private sectors are willing to accept the risks of working with numerous borrowers. The only factor in the way are tightened financial regulations across the world. That said, here are 5 Things You Must Know About Microfinance In Singapore And Beyond…

1. DEFINITION OF MICROFINANCE

Microfinance refer to a diverse group of services that specifically target people who are low-income earners and who are often denied access to banking loans. Microfinance services include loans, savings, remittances, and insurances. Interestingly, Microfinance gave women the biggest economic boost.

2. RISE OF MICROFINANCE

Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank, developed Microfinance in 1974 to promote self-sustaining social businesses in Bangladesh. Since then, millions of people around the world have opened Microfinance institutions that allowed Microcredits. With Yunus’ valued efforts to impact many and improve global economy, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.

3. TECHNOLOGIES AND MICROFINANCE

Funding more than millions of people, Microfinance aided by technology became a perfect match in helping to eradicate poverty. Hatton National Bank’s Chandula Abeywickrema highlighted that Sri Lanka had been experiencing relatively high mobile technology tap. For instance, mobile technology allows rural residents to perform transactions through mobile platforms. This will surely bring newfound opportunities.

4. INTEREST RATES OF MICROFINANCE

The interest rates of Microfinance services vary across the board. In 2010, several organizations and websites have sited the rate to be about 37% in average. Borrowers are required to pay these rates to receive the money they need. Certainly, the rates are still cheaper than that of the banks’.

5. SINGAPORE MICROFINANCE NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMPANIES

Open a small business or help others to be entrepreneurs with these networks, organizations, and companies:

a. Microfinance Society (Singapore)

b. MILAAP

c. Kiva Lending Team: Singapore

Image Credits: Dean Meyers via Flickr

Through Microfinance, may we not only show care to the underprivileged sector but also show immediate action toward activities that promote social welfare. 🙂

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Make a Six Figure Income as a Fashion Blogger? Well, she just did.

Step aside Singapore’s bloggers.

Meet the new Instagram sensation who has recently hit 1 million followers last month.

Danielle Bernstein of We Wore What (@weworewhat) is a popular US’s fashion blogger that has set the fashion world abuzz with her inspiring street style.

Since started in 2011, she has amassed over 6,000 posts on her Instagram and is currently rank 1852nd in the World on Social Blade — a website that measures social media presence.

Photo: @weworewhat/Instagram

Bernstein had revealed to Harper’s Bazaar that she charges between US$5,000 to US$15,000 for each piece of sponsored content. And mind you, she don’t have to write a long review like any other bloggers did — instead, she just need to pose and get a #instaworthy shot of herself featuring a brand onto Instagram.

On average, if you have hundreds of thousands of followers you can make anywhere from $500 to $5,000 a post, but if you have upwards of 6 million followers, your fee can be $20,000 to $100,000 a shot. “Which is kind of crazy,” Rankin says. (Source: Harper’s Bazaar)

Of course, having the opportunities to work with big brands such as Lancôme and H&M helps.

weworewhatliterally on the move with @lancomeusa #miracleonthemove makeup | #ad (Photo: @weworewhat/Instagram)

Companies and brands shell out billion of dollars each year on sponsored content from the so-called new generation of social influencers. Being able to attract followers on Instagram (or other social media platforms) is a serious business.

Even Bernstein said: “Without my followers, i would not be where i am today”

For some, the holy grail of having a huge fan base would almost put you in the rank of celebrities.

Kelly Cutron, a judge on America’s Next Top Model, said to The New York Post:

Are bloggers important? Yeah they f–king are. They’re super important. Bloggers are being paid to sit in the front row, and editors aren’t. They’re talent along with reality-TV people and actors.

With the advent of Internet and technology, Generation Z social-media influencers are changing the way how brands engage their audiences. In fact, a recent research from BDMI has shown that social influencers have a far better reach than the brand itself.

(Chart: BDMI)

Well, then what about the local scene? Let’s not entirely discredit our own Singapore-based fashion bloggers. We do have some popular fashion tastemakers who have got their own taste of success. Ms Andrea Chong (@dreachong) who first started out as a fashion model years ago now boasts an impressive amount of followers on her Instagram. She has worked with numerous brands such as Victoria Beckham, H&M, D&G, Kate Spade Saturday and more.

Screengrab’s dreachong.com

Her street casual style has definitely won the heart of her fans from all walks of life. And she’s not afraid to share too. Last year, she ran a workshop on “I Want A Fashion Blog” and she covered topics like photography, blogging to social media marketing. If you have missed that, follow her on Facebook and Instagram to get your daily dose of OOTD and fashion tips.

Can you make that kind of money as a fashion blogger? You certainly can. But to make that amount of money, it takes a lot of hard work and passion in the ever growing niche.

How to make the best out of your last $300?

Experts estimate that more than 90% of the diseases are stress related. And rapid aging is probably another negative by-product of sustained elevated stress levels. While eradicating anxiety and stress altogether in fast-paced Singapore may be unrealistic, indulging in therapeutic treatments and one’s favourite hobbies can certainly help to manage stress.

Continuing from the article “How to maximise your life with a $3,000 paycheck”, this article is the last in a five-part series and it will zoom in to the ways of deriving the ultimate satisfaction and gratification from life with the last 10% or $300 of a $3,000 salary.

Image credit: taxisingapore.com

1. A short getaway to Johor Bahru

While it is a well-known fact that JB is a shopping and food haven, many may still feel that it is not worth a hassle to beat the checkpoints and commit to the distant travel. However, depending on one’s schedule and opportunity cost, the huge cost savings are hardly resistible. Indeed, food, accommodation, wares and massage services are priced at a steep discount to those in Singapore, especially when the favorable exchange rate persists. Therefore, it may be more sensible and economical to shop in the foreign land to maximize your spending power.

Image credit: outlet.com.sg

2. Go online shopping

Being economically vibrant and prosperous is honorable, but it is not without its costs. Prohibitively high rental and labour costs in Singapore have created much hardship for local businesses, and consequently, the consumers who have to bear the inflated price tags. However, it pays to be technologically savvy. The major growth spurt of online retailers has simply thrived on a low-cost but high-quality principle. Furthermore, online businesses are easily accessible, which enables effortless comparisons. And it is precisely this unmitigated flow of information that heightens competition and further drives down our bills. So, time to hitch on to this modern trend if you haven’t!

Image credit: appleandradish.com.au

3. Learn a fun skill

Learning is limitless. By continually expanding your knowledge and skills, you gain others’ respect while becoming an increasingly invaluable asset to their lives (and of course, you are the greatest beneficiary of your own abilities). It does not have to always be intellectual. It could be an indispensable skill that most people overlook. Thankfully, this gap is plugged by LessonsGoWhere, an online marketplace that brings exciting and enriching lessons covering a diverse blend of 9 categories from baking to photography to an aspiring community. Who knows if one day, the new skill may even change your entire course of life and carve out a rewarding career niche?

What do you need a $300 emergency fund for?

Unexpected events happen from time to time. Some could be delightful while others may be distressing. However, leaving things to luck may not always yield an optimal outcome. Indeed, it is prudent to set up an emergency fund to hedge against uncertainties. Since it is a form of protection, the earlier you recognise the need for this fund, the greater control you will have over your destiny.

Continuing from the article “How to maximise your life with a $3,000 paycheck”, this article is the fourth in a five-part series and it will be looking at the uses of the 10% or $300 emergency fund in coping with many of the life’s surprises – be it pleasant or unpleasant.

Image credit: dynomacapital.com

1. Health Insurance

One of the most debilitating episodes in life is to be afflicted with a chronic or acute disease such as kidney failure or cancer. While the majority of people do not experience such traumatic events, it is nevertheless difficult – if not impossible – to predict if you are the ill-fated one. This is when health insurance is one of the best bets (in the legion of insurance products) before the tragedy strikes. For fresh graduates who are in their twenties, the premiums are pretty affordable and the payouts are formulated attractively. For example, PRUshield extra offers an all-round protection where the insured gets to enjoy coverage from the very first dollar.

Image credit: corp.nhg.com.sg

2. Medical Consultation

As a typical health insurance policy often does not insure against minor ailments such as the common flu, cough or fever, it is thus essential to save up an adequate amount for ad hoc medical expenses. Having said that, it is a heartening news that many employers provide subsidized medical care to their employees. Still, it is a virtuous practice to be readily available to render financial assistance to the medical needs of one’s family members.

Image credit: mashable.com

3. Repair Cost

Occasionally, humans may not be in good shape. But so do our ubiquitous electronic devices, ranging from smartphones to laptops. While most consumer electronics are covered with warranty, it usually excludes personal damage that may arise from negligence or other causes. Therefore, it is crucial to take such accidental cost into account.

Image credit: lesterchan.net

4. Celebration

Joyous parties and festivals occur periodically. It could be an invitation to your superior or colleague’s wedding or baby shower. It could also be part of the family or societal culture to soak in the fun for festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is a time where close friends and families get together and wallow in the festive exuberance, developing stronger rapport and splurging on their loved ones and themselves.

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