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7 Tips to Stretch Your Dollar While Raising Kids & Fur-Kids Under One Roof

My late-night scroll led me to a video of a mom getting her two-year-old to train alongside her dogs. One of the pups has a history of biting, so she was teaching her daughter to be gentle while helping the dogs adjust to her presence. Parenting and pet parenting don’t come cheap, especially in Singapore.

Consider these no-fluff ways to stay financially sane while keeping your baby and pets happy.

#1: DITCH THE FANCY PET FOOD

You don’t need to splurge to give your pets healthy meals. Many premium pet food brands like Wellness Core and Taste of the Wild come in affordable “family pack” formats or generic equivalents with similar ingredients. Remember, look for real meat as the first ingredient and avoid meat by-products or corn.

#2: AVOID SPENDING ON PET FASHION

Yes, they look adorable in tiny tutus. But instead of splashing out on pet couture, invest in essentials like a durable collar, ID tag and comfortable leash. Your pet doesn’t care about trends, but your wallet will definitely feel it.

#3: GET INSURANCE FOR YOUR BABIES

Vet visits in Singapore can cost hundreds or even thousands. For instance, a single emergency surgery could set you back S$3,000 or more. So, consider pet insurance providers such as Happy Tails by AIA and Liberty Insurance. These insurance providers offer plans from S$24 per month with coverage up to S$10,000 per year.

The same goes for your baby. MediShield Life automatically covers Singaporean newborns. You can opt for a life insurance plan to protect your family if anything unexpected happens to you.

#4: DIY GROOMING AT HOME

Professional grooming can cost between S$50 and S$100 per session. With the right tools like a good brush, nail clippers and pet shampoo, grooming your pet at home becomes simple and affordable.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Tip: Flea-fighting shampoos with ingredients like tea tree oil, oatmeal or coconut extract provide a natural and effective boost.

#5: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GOVERNMENT BABY GRANTS

Take full advantage of Singapore’s Baby Bonus Scheme including cash gift, Child Development Account (CDA), and dollar-for-dollar matching up to S$15,000 (depending on the child’s birth order). Moreover, CDA funds can be used for preschool fees, medical expenses, and purchases from approved merchants like Watsons or Guardian.

#6: REVAMP YOUR HOUSEHOLD BUDGET

Children and pets bring along a range of new and ongoing expenses such as formula, nappies, vaccinations, checkups, grooming, and gear. It’s important to revisit your household budget regularly to reassess priorities, distinguish between essentials and non-essentials, and set clear financial goals. From baby enrichment classes and pet training to long-term tertiary education planning, there’s plenty to factor into your overall financial strategy.

#7: BUILD A MONEY BUFFER

Unexpected costs are bound to pop up. Whether it’s an emergency trip to the vet, a sudden medical bill, or replacing the stroller your toddler just destroyed mid-outing, having a safety net of three to six months’ worth of living expenses saved up can make a world of difference in keeping your finances stable and stress levels low.

IN A NUTSHELL

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Raising toddlers and pets in Singapore doesn’t have to come with financial stress. With smart planning and a few practical changes, you can give your kids and fur-kids the best things in life.

Sources: 1 ,2,3, & 4

SG60 Baby Gift Celebrates the Next Generation

As Singapore marks its 60th year of independence, the nation is celebrating not just its rich history, but also its bright future starting with the littlest Singaporeans!

In honor of this milestone, all Singaporean babies born in 2025 will receive the exclusive SG60 Baby Gift, a delightful package of curated items designed to support parents and commemorate this special occasion.

WHERE TO SIGN UP?

Every baby born between January 1 and December 31, 2025, will be eligible for this special keepsake. Parents must complete their child’s birth registration before signing up for the SG60 Baby Gift at sg60.gov.sg/sg60-baby-gift.

This meaningful initiative reflects the Singapore Government’s commitment to supporting families, making parenthood a more joyous and memorable journey.

WHAT’S INSIDE THE GIFT BUNDLE?

Each package includes a mix of practical and sentimental items, sourced from local brands and designed to enrich the early years of both baby and parents:

A. Trolley Bag & Backpack – Stylish and functional, these bags help parents keep all baby essentials organized for outings and adventures.

B. SG60 Family Photobook – A beautifully designed album featuring Singapore-themed backgrounds and fun stickers of local flora and fauna to capture precious family moments.

C. Wooden Building Blocks & Toy Play Set – Classic toys that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and motor skill development.

D. Limited Edition Becky Bunny Plushie – This adorable soft toy, inspired by the Families for Life mascot, embodies values like love, respect, and commitment while promoting sensory development.

E. Straw Cup with Adaptor Cap – A high-quality feeding essential from local brand Hegen, designed to support your little one’s transition to independent drinking.

F. SG60 Parenting Journal – A dedicated space for parents to document milestones, thoughts, and reflections on their parenting journey.

G. Becky Bunny Storybooks – Engaging tales featuring Becky Bunny, crafted to nurture a love for reading from an early age.

H. Food Bib – A must-have for messy mealtimes, making feeding time fuss-free and fun.

HOW TO RECEIVE IT?

Parents who register by March 15, 2025, can collect their gift at Celebrating Our Families events organized by the People’s Association, happening on weekends in April and May.

For those unable to attend or who register after March 15, home delivery will be available from mid-May onwards.

Image Credits: go.gov.sg/SG60BabyGift

Even Singaporean babies born overseas can receive the SG60 Baby Gift, though delivery is only available within Singapore. Additionally, babies born before January 1, but with an Estimated Date of Delivery (EDD) on or after January 1, 2025, will still be eligible upon submission of medical documentation.

A TRIBUTE TO NEW BEGINNINGS

The SG60 Baby Gift is more than just a collection of items. It’s a celebration of life, family, and the journey of parenthood. As Singapore turns 60, this meaningful initiative underscores the nation’s dedication to building a strong, supportive community for generations to come.

To register and learn more, visit go.gov.sg/SG60BabyGift today!

Sources: 1 & 2

Inexpensive At-Home Activities You Can Enjoy With Your Child

Kicking off the month of April is the new educational structure advised by Education Minister Ong Ye Kung. Last Friday, he highlighted that all schools will conduct one day of home-based learning in light of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Singapore. This re-structuring will help prepare the parents and students if more days of home-based learning will be necessary.

Primary schools will conduct home-based learning o Wednesdays, Secondary schools will apply ths on Thursdays. The rest of the institutes will be having it on Fridays. These social distancing efforts are on top of the enrichment and tuition centers’ closure. The question on the parents’ minds now is: “What will the children do all day?”

The key to extending the learning at home is to make a routine. Students are used to following a schedule. Mimic this blueprint by creating a distinct schedule to help the continuous flow of their home-based education day. The goal is to keep your children busy as you tend to other matters.

TIP #1: FOLLOW THE ADVISE OF THE TEACHERS

As teachers will be giving their assignments through emails and other platforms, you may start the day with those modules. Study time may last from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. Allow heavy subjects and academic assignments to be engraved during this block of time.

TIP #2: DEDICATE A BLOCK FOR PLAY

Allow your children to have at least 15 to 30 minutes of time of dedicated child-led play. Provide materials that will cater to their interests and allow them to play. When a child is playing, it stimulates different facets such as imagination, creativity, innovation, and socialization. You may provide a bin filled with educational toys and art materials. Serious learning can take place while having fun.

TIP #3: SCHEDULE A TIME FOR READING

Being at home all day gives you a chance to increase the child’s habit of reading. Gather your books at home or download free books online. Schedule at least 20 minutes of reading time per day to engrave the importance of reading. Remember that this block is the total amount of minutes. You may break it apart throughout the day. In the first half, you may be the only one talking. The adult will read the book aloud for the child. As the day ends, you may let your child to read the same book by himself or herself. Do not worry if your child wants to extend the reading block! Reading is beneficial for your child’s language proficiency and vocabulary expansion.

TIP #4: SPARE SOME TIME FOR GROOMING AND SELF-HELP SKILLS

As an educator, I believe that children learn best through experiences. Let your child experience household chores to learn more about responsibility and self-reliance. Assign 10 to 15 minutes of time for household chores and other self-help activities. Guide your child as they clean their rooms, sweep the floors, wash the dishes, or fold the clothes. They can use these skills as they grow up. More importantly, those are less tasks for you to fill.

TIP #5: ALLOT A BLOCK FOR SCREEN TIME

Whether we admit it or not, technology has been a part of our children’s lives. Hence, it is better to adapt and to limit their usage. Keep your children from “over-indulging” on the screens by having a set time in the schedule for screen time. Ideally adults should limit the children’s use of screen time to two hours per day. For instance, you may allow 30 to 45 minutes of screen time before breakfast and after dinner. Follow through the scheduled time by turning the devices and appliances off afterwards. If the house feels too quiet, turn on some delightful music instead.

TIP #6: ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO MOVE

It is easy to put down toys for free play. However, children enjoy it when you get to bond with them as you facilitate some indoor activities. A great way to entertain your children while practicing educational skills is to schedule some easy indoor activities. You may plan at least 30 minutes of this category before snack time or before dinner time.

Here are some of the ideas for your indoor play:

a. Build A City: Flatten out a box. Draw a round using markers and paint. Add blocks and other toy vehicles to let your child build his or her own city.

b. Backhand Balloon Balance: Challenge your children to balance a balloon on the back of their hand. See how long they can do it before it falls to the ground. Amp up the stakes by putting water inside the balloon.

c. Long Jump: Put some lines of masking tape or colored electric tape on the floor. Make 6 separate lines of tape, which are one foot apart. Label the first line as the “Starting” line. See how many lines your children can jump over. Have them beat their best score each round. You may even let them jump backwards!

Image Credits: unsplash.com

May you entertain your children while staying safe!

Sources: 1 & 2

Entertaining Money Activities For Kids

Financial literacy starts to develop while you are young. Discussing financial skills with your children through stories and practice is crucial to their development. Aside from this, they can learn through the examples you set. Hence, you have to find entertaining yet strategic ways to introduce some money concepts.

Teaching children how to count money does not have to be a snooze fest! Pass down positive financial matters through these money activities:

#1: CREATE FLUFFY ANIMAL BANKS

Introduce the concept of saving directed to a specific goal. Simply ask your children what they want to buy with their money. You may provide recommendations of the toys, video games, gadgets, and stationery items that they shall save money for. After identifying the end goal, provide your child with an assortment of art materials that they can use to create their own animal bank. Below are just some of the suggested materials that you can use:

a. hot glue gun
b. scissors
c. googly eyes
d. egg cartons
e. milk cans
f. empty coffee cups
g. baby food jars
h. newspaper
i. glitter glue
j. clear glue
k. markers and pencils

This project also presents an opportunity for you to introduce the importance of recycling. Gather recyclable supplies and be as creative as possible. Afterwards, you may have your children draw the specific item on the side of the animal bank. Through this, they will be motivated to get what they want.

#2: DIG THROUGH THE SLIME

Children love messy play! However, adults have a hard time cleaning it up. What if I told you that you can conduct a “messy play” activity with little mess? Well, start by buying a clear slime. Slime consists of non-toxic viscous material such as guar gum. Squishy and gooey are just some of the words that can best describe this toy.

Slime is a great sensory toy. Sensory toys are designed to tap the child’s five senses. By using slime, you can introduce new financial concepts by encouraging exploration. You can help your child understand the world around him or her by putting coins inside the slime. Ask your child to sort all the coins that he or she digs up. Interestingly, you may join your child as slime can have a calming effect on an adult. It shifts the focus from the demands of work to the unique texture of this toy.

Image Credits: stillplayingschool.com

#3: DRAW YOUR OWN NOTES

As a preschool teacher, I have witnessed how fond most kids are of scribbling and illustrating. They want to draw on different papers, tables, walls, and mirrors. Do not get me started with what they do when they are handed with a paint brush! Put this artistic energy to good use by asking your children to draw their own “Singapore notes”.

Encourage them to put the faces of each family member. This will evoke a fun reflection of how your child sees the people around him or her. Provide colorful papers with a measurement of 5″ by 2″. Then lay other art materials such as rulers, pencils, colored markers, and wavy scissors. Use these notes to help your child practice the basics of mathematics and the importance of currency.

#4: UPGRADE ON THE FIDGET SPINNER

For some reason, most boys are attracted to spinning objects. These spinning objects provide a distraction that can preoccupy them for countless of minutes. Mimic this effect by creating a coin spinner!

Start by getting an empty cereal box or any cardboard. Then, gather your hot glue gun, markers, pencils, and dollar coins. Use a cup to perfectly trace a circle along the cardboard. Cut accordingly. Then, cut a slit in the center that resembles the exact measurement of a dollar coin. Put the dollar in the center with the help of a hot glue gun. When you are done, you can easily peel off the glue without damaging the coin.

Image Credits: frugalfun4boys.com

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

How To Save Money For Your Child’s Education In Singapore

GO LOCAL

As parents, you are well aware that deciding your child’s school involves various choices and costs. It is quite a task to run through every option available in Singapore. Budgetary constraints start from pre-school onwards. To play things safe, choose a government-associated institution. The public school system provides globally competitive education without putting a strain on your pocket.

LOCATION IS VITAL

Location plays an important role when choosing a tuition center. If you value tuition then, opt for the centers close to your home. Alternatively, you may organize a carpool program to cut down your transportationc costs.

Say that you intend to enroll your children in a private tuition. Consider asking for their package or discounted deals.

HONE THE HOBBIES

Academics is not everything! Raising a well-rounded child involves shaping his or her hobbies. You do not need to spend cash on workshops as there are many free amenities found in your town park. Go to the nearby park and let your child play on the swings.

Is your child interested in reading? Spend quality time at home by reading your child a storybook during bedtime. Furthermore, the National Library Board hosts free educational events such as the sold out program entitled: “Let’s Science Together! – Science Experiments for Parents and Kids”. For more information about their upcoming events, visit: nlb.gov.sg.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Lastly, you may stroll in Esplanade to experience their free artistic events such as the “A Monsta Party”!

TREASURE IN THE BOX

Dig through your child’s closet and toy box to find some hidden treasures! Instead of throwing away your children’s outgrown clothes and used toys, you may sell them online or through a consigment store. Selling your stuff away will not only help you clear out, but also provide you extra cash.

INVEST ON BONDS

Investing your money on the stock market help you grow an education fund. One of the most popular investment options for education funding is bonds. Singapore Government Bonds is believed to be close to risk-free. Choose long-term bonds with periods ranging from 2 to 30 years in order to get higher returns.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Birthdays are important to your children as gifts come along with it. In lined with this, you may try asking your relatives to provide experiential gifts. Experiential gifts refer to soccer classes, swimming lessons, or other enrichment programs that your child can benefit from.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Not only are these gifts more memorable than toys, but it can also help you save for your child’s future education.

Sources: 1 & 2

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