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The Hidden Costs Of Owning A Pet

There is a reason why cat and dog videos flood the trending pages of YouTube and Instagram! They are so irresistibly adorable and hilarious. Moreover, these fur buddies serve as the best companions for people of all ages.

Taking care of your beloved companion is nowhere near as expensive as raising a child in Singapore. However, costs go beyond food and shelter. Prepare your funds as we introduce the “hidden costs of owning a pet”…

#1: PET GROOMING SERVICES

Bathing your pet and cutting its nails can only go so far! Whether you like it or not, you cannot simply get away with an at-home grooming kit. Only professionals can properly trim your beloved pet’s fur. This is especially true for dogs.

My aunt owns two dogs – a Cocker Spaniel and a Pomeranian. I can vividly recall when she got a rather disappointing grooming experience from a personnel who trimmed the Cocker Spaniel’s fur too short. She regrets that she did not gave specific instructions beforehand. While most dogs are groomed once every 2 months, these breeds need more maintenance. It is best to discuss your preferences to the groomers. Otherwise, you would waste S$40 to S$70 for small dogs and S$90 to S$200 for bigger dogs.

#2: PREMIUM PET FOOD

As you explore the aisles of the nearby supermarket, you will notice how affordable their selection of pet food is. These brands may be cheap, but are they healthy for your beloved buddy?

Most pet owners switch to premium brands to provide food rich in nutrients. Moreover, some pets may have developed medical conditions that require a change in diet. Switching diets come with a cost!

#3: EXPENSIVE MEDICAL COSTS

As your pet ages, your veterinary bills will undoubtedly shoot up! Your beloved cats and dogs may suffer from the same conditions that aging humans experience. From tumors to epilepsy, your furkid is vulnerable to unexpected veterinary attention. What should you do?

For starters, you can expect to pay around S$20 to S$60 for a basic veterinary consultation. This is why, it would help if you had an insurance policy to back up the costs. Take a gander at these pet insurance policies: My Paw Pal by CIMB Bank, Paw Safe by AIA, and Happy Tails by AON. Choose which policy suits your needs the best!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR PET’S BUDGET

#1: ESTIMATE HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO SAVE

The added responsibility of taking care of another being comes with a cost. Estimate the expenses of having a pet by breaking down how much you will need to save per month. For instance, you want to save around S$700 per year to cover unexpected medical bills. Consider saving S$60 per month.

#2: OPEN A SEPARATE PET FUND

A surefire way to separate your personal money to your pet funds is to open up a new bank account dedicated solely to it. Money inside this account is off-limits unless you are going to use it for the benefit of your furkid. Shop around to get the best savings account available in the market!

#3: CREATE A LINE BETWEEN NEEDS AND WANTS

Lastly, you must weigh whether an expense is necessary or not. Do you really need to buy a digital pet tag for your cat? Or, another bed to replace the one you just bought last week? What is important is that you take care of your pet’s health and wellness.

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Fuel Up Your Money After Vacation

With a burnout heart, my friends and I decided to go on a week-long vacation to Bangkok. We have been working so hard for the past months that our bodies craved for a break. There is nothing wrong with giving yourself a reward from time to time. We all need and deserve it.

However, you may hit a financial iceberg when you go overboard. This happens to many Singaporeans who are on a vacation. They think that they can throw caution out of the window and spend like there is no tomorrow!

During our trip, we maximized each day by going to several tourist attractions from day to night. We spent more money than our perceived expenses. After our week-long sabbatical, I decided to fuel up my funds.

STEP # 1 – EXAMINE THE DAMAGE

As with everything, the first step is awareness. Find how much your vacation has cost you. Accept the fact that you cannot undo the expenses you have drained while you were on a vacation. You cannot bring back the time you bought a new sarong to comply with the temple’s dress code! While you cannot take back the S$200 you spent in a posh bar, you must still know how much you spent during your trip.

Ask yourself the following questions:

a. How much did I spend on a daily basis?
b. How much is my credit card bill?
c. Can I afford to pay in full?
d. When will my next paycheck arrive?
e. Will I need to take some money from my emergency fund?

You may not realize how overwhelming your financial state is while you were on a vacation. So, now is the time to see the total damage. Knowing where you stand financially can help you to recover with ease.

STEP # 2 – TAKE NECESSARY ACTION

After identifying the financial holes, it is time to take action. Rewrite your budget in accordance to your current financial situation. Allot a portion of your funds to repayment of your credit card bills or lost savings. Make things easier by downloading budgeting apps such as Mint.

During the recovery period, you must do your best to tone down your spending. Eliminate or cut down optional expenses for the next few months. Dine out less and take fewer trips to the shopping malls. Minimize your spending by steering away from temptations! Do not worry about bending down as your financial diet will not last forever.

You may also earn money by taking up a part-time job. Get extra money without sacrificing your main source of income.

STEP # 3 – LEARN FROM MISTAKES

You have learned your lesson by facing its consequences. The next time you go on a vacation, you will know better. Use what you have learned to strategize your itinerary. Perhaps you can dwell on experiences rather than buying too many souvenirs for your family. In Bangkok alone, souvenirs start at S$5. Besides, these souvenirs may end up as clutter in someone else’s home. Do not get me started with the overpriced food in tourist spots!

Before going on a vacation, you can start writing down a budget that will include your expenses and a cushion (i.e., emergency funds). I remember when we were shocked by the S$215 boat ride in the Floating Market. I had to withdrew more money on that day. Providing a travel cushion can prevent this. Stick to the budget as much as you can!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

There are many ways to fuel up your overused wallet such as creating a new budget or eliminating optional expenses. Follow these tips to recover financially from your vacation splurge! Ensure that going overboard does not happen again.

3 Budget-Friendly Hen Party Ideas

A hen party is a bride’s last hurrah before she ties the knot. Thus, it needs to be a special. Surprise your beloved bridal squad with these creative hen party ideas.

LET THE SWAPPING BEGIN

As fashionistas, your friends may be interested to throw a “Wardrobe Swapping Night”. Start by choosing a venue by volunteering your own flat or your fellow bridesmaid’s. After setting a venue, give the guests an ample amount of time to raid their closets. Ensure that everyone will bring clothing articles or accessories of good condition. Encourage each bridesmaid to share a story behind each item before starting the swap. Stories and negotiations will get better over a few drinks.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Not only will you free up some space in your closet, but you will be able to pass your stylish item to a friend that has been eyeing it for ages!

EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS

For adventurous brides who choose to navigate their lives on the active lane, you may explore the country’s great outdoors! A weekend spent trekking, camping, and cycling is equally frugal and fantastic. Isn’t it amazing to let your hair down and not worry about how you will look for a few days?

Image Credits: nparks.gov.sg

Enjoy dressing down and connecting with Mother Nature by visiting the Southern Ridges and the East Coast Park. The former is one of Singapore’s best walking trails, which covers Mt. Faber, Kent Ridge, Hort, and Telok Blangah Hill parks. It spans through 10 kilometers of lush forest and canopy walkways. While, the latter is the perfect place to have a picnic with friends. Do not forget to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. See the website of National Parks for more details.

TAKE THE TRADITIONAL ROUTE

One of the things that I look forward to experience as a child was having my friends over at my house. Relive your treasured youthful memories by having an adult sleepover. Suitable for a small group of people, having a sleepover entails an intimate hen party experience. What’s more? You will be able to have proper chats while drinking your favorite booze.

Once your venue is set (e.g., the bride’s flat), encourage everyone to bring their share of treats and drinks. Have a supply of indoor games ready as well. Do not forget the classic Twister, Scrabble, and Truth or Dare. You may also put a twist to these classic games by putting the groom’s face all over the cards or other cheeky hints. Have your Netflix account ready as well!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Lastly, you may hire a person that offers home nail services. Cindy of Tenth Nail provides nail services at your own convenience. Her rates start at S$25 exclusive of the transportation and parking fees. Please book (by calling +65 9004 4605) at least three days in advance to secure her for your hen party.

Sources: 1 & 2

Singapore On A Budget: 7 Ways To Be A Tourist For A Day

Many Singaporeans are passionate about traveling. They are keen to absorb new cultures, to adapt with unique environments, to discover quality eateries, and to find the “rawness” of a city. Due to several factors, traveling overseas is not always possible. Fortunately for us, exploring the Lion City is amazingly doable!

Consider these seven interesting ideas:

1. The crowds clamor over places with colorful lights, luscious trees, and high-end malls. Experience all these and more by taking a walk around the Singapore River. Follow the The Poor Traveler’s route from Raffles Place to Gardens by the Bay. You will not be needing a tour guide to enjoy this enriching walk.

2. Satisfy your thirst for electrifying musical performances by knowing the right places to look. No-cost performances usually occur at Singapore Botanic Gardens and Esplanade. For instance, Singapore Botanic Gardens recently featured the “A Cappella Festival 2017”.

3. Aside from scoring seats from various performances, you may schedule a karaoke night with your friends. You may invite new co-workers or acquaintances to witness an array of live performances. Karaoke nights offer opportunity for you to socialize and to express yourself. After all, tourists are open to meeting new people.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

4. Paint a bird’s eye view of the beautiful city by exploring the rooftops. Witness the magnificent aerial view of the city by stepping into the ION Sky. ION Orchard’s observatory is open from 3 to 6 PM daily.

5. Man-made skylines are captivating. However, nothing beats the charm of Mother Nature. Take Instagram-worthy photos as you stand in the MacRitchie Reservoir’s Treetop Walk. This is a suspension bridge that connects two highest points (i.e., Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang).

6. Many travelers focus on the vibrant art scene of the city. Visiting the local museums is a great start. Improve your knowledge of the Singaporean and Asian culture by visiting the Asian Civilisations Museum or the National Gallery of Singapore. Then, feast your eyes as Esplanade highlights the essence of Chinese arts and culture. Connect with others, be inspired with unique artworks, and open your heart to new artistic experiences.

7. Embody the complete “tourist persona” by capturing your memories at the popular spots in Singapore. Snap cheesy pictures at Sentosa’s Merlion or bright pictures at Haji Lane.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Do not be afraid to translate your quirkiness in front of the camera. After all, you will only do this for a day! 🙂

Surefire Ways To Save Money On Your Next Event

For the past couple of months, I have been spearheading one of our company’s main events. This newfound responsibility made me realize why some institutions hire Event Managers and other professionals. Making sure everything runs smoothly within the tight budget was a burden that I had to carry on my shoulders. However, I kept thinking how this event will soon bring new contacts and exciting memories.

To deliver good results on a shoestring budget, consider these tips:

START PRIORITIZING THE VENUE

A huge chunk of your budget focuses on the event’s venue. Moving away from the CBD area and dwelling on the outskirts is a smart move for your wallet, but your attendees may be discouraged. You need to consider their travel time and parking fees.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Let us be honest! The venue that you will choose will never please everyone. This is why my boss highlights that conducting a “location survey” prior the event is a bad idea. If you cannot take their opinions into account then, you must depend on your negotiation skills. Find a person on the inside who can help you with the booking process or offer you discounted rates. Ask recommendations from your friends and family members.

WORK WITH SPECIALIZED STUDENTS

In a competitive job market such as ours, Polytechnic and University students are keen to secure working experience before they fully join the workforce. Make this your advantage by hiring interns or part-timers. I am not talking about hiring any student that is willing to offer their knowledge for a relatively cheap rate! Hire people who study graphic design, photography/film, management, and marketing.

If you are willing to spare some time to training, both of you can benefit from the experience. Think about it! You are giving a worthwhile experience and pleasant recommendation for the intern while the business is receiving low-cost (and sometimes free) services. Post job openings at www.freelancezone.com.sg and www.gumtree.sg for FREE!

SEEK A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP

My co-worker was approached by an agent from a prestigious insurance company. He was interested in setting up a booth at our event. This works favorably to both of us as our clients belong to his targeted age and socioeconomic group. This situation proves that sponsors can pay by providing products or services at reduced or no cost. Some institutions prefer exposure as their currency. Sponsors do not always have to provide cash!

Approach possible sponsors by privately messaging their social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As the head of the event, it is essential to go the extra mile. Do not settle for two or three options. Widen your options and shop around!

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