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8 Telltale Signs That You Are Seriously Devoted To Online Shopping

Almost every human soul on Earth loves shopping! Who does not appreciate the rush they get while picking the perfect outfit? Then, a few decades down the road came the Internet. Marrying these two resulted to the growth of E-commerce and online shopping, especially in Singapore.

In 2014, a website called Flipit found that 50% of E-commerce traffic in Singapore came from the mobile devices. The accessibility to efficient Internet connection in our country led more and more people to shift their buying power online. With famed websites such as Zalora, Qoo10, Taobao, Lazada, and Rakuten, there has been an ongoing debate whether traditional physical stores are losing their appeal.

Previous Paypal research showed that the size of Singapore’s online shopping market reached S$1.1 billion in 2010 and it is forecasted to hit S$4.4 billion by this year. The elevated power of E-commerce has two sides namely: positive and negative. Positively, it brings convenience as it can save one’s money and time. Negatively, it brings susceptibility to serious devotion and addiction.

On that note, here are the 8 Telltale Signs That You Are Seriously Devoted To Online Shopping:

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

1. If you open your bag or purse, you will see a bunch of deposit slips from different online shops.

2. Most of the time, you would have an open tab in your browser with a full shopping cart waiting for you to pursue your purchase.

3. Every minute of your free time in home and work is spent scrolling through Instagram, Carousell, and other online retailers.

4. Your daily routine will not be complete without doing rounds of browses through your favorite online shops to see their new arrivals and sale items.

5. You receive packages via mail that you forgot you once ordered.

6. You get uncomfortable and anxious when you think about shopping in physical stores.

7. Your heart races when you read an email announcing that the online ship has an ongoing sale.

8. You bought the same thing twice by accident.

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

If more than 5 signs apply to you, perhaps you should re-consider your online shopping habits along with the other 1.2 million Singaporean online shoppers (i.e., above the age of 18 years old only) out there!

Source: 1, 2, & 3

4 Affordable Nail Salons Offering The Best Services In Singapore

Whenever we go for first dates or job interviews, us women prefer to put our “best foot forward”. Aside from making a great impression, we take this idiomatic expression literally by preening the nails on our foot or hand to perfection!

With all the specialized nail salons sprouting over Singapore, it has been difficult for us to choose the best ones. But in totality, we look for a nail salon that has friendly staff, hygienic practices (e.g., uses clean tools), and value for money. That said, here are the 4 nails salons that suit your needs…

1. MANICURIOUS

Located at 41 Beach Road, Manicurious may just be a woman’s paradise. It is a unique store that combines a nail salon with a cafe corner and a retail section offering shoes, accessories, and handbags. The interior of the store is relaxing, vintage, and neat. You will surely feel cozy in their armchairs while you choose from an array of polish colors. Their reasonable service prices (e.g., express manicure or nail shaping) start at S$6 while add-ons (e.g., hand scrub or quick dry) prices start at S$3.

What’s more? They have 20% off nail services from Monday to Thursday at 11 am-4 pm (T&C apply).

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Image Credits: facebook.com/manicurious

Book an appointment here: manicurious.sg.

2. LILY NAILS SALON

Gelish manicures may stay for the longest time but they can get very pricey even amounting to over S$60! Thankfully, you can go to Lily Nails Salon for an unbelievably affordable express gelish manicure costing about S$16. You can avail this whether you are working or you are studying. Aside from this, they have interesting designs with an assortment of polish and gelish colors. The express manicure is priced at S$8 while the classic manicure is priced at S$9.

Image Credits: facebook.com/lilynailssalonbugis/timeline?ref=page_internal

Book an appointment here: lilynailssalon.webs.com/contact.

3. NAIL QUEEN BEAUTY SERVICES

Aside from pampering the nails of some celebrity brides, Nail Queen Beauty Services is known for its premium nail art service. Located at Far East Plaza, this nail salon is great place for fashionistas to soothe their nails after a long day of shopping. Their express service ranges from S$12-15 while classic service ranges from S$25-35. And, their express gelish costs S$30-35. What you will love about this salon is the vintage interior and the amiable staff.

Image Credits: facebook.com/pages/Nail-QueenLet-Us-Pamper-You/235276535956

Book an appointment by calling 6836 1393.

4. FINGERWORK

Since 2003, Fingerwork has been renowned for its gel nail extension and nail art services. Located near Raffles MRT, working ladies in the area can enjoy personalized manicures or pedicures are reasonable prices. Also, students can enjoy discounts from time to time. The prices for the manicure range from S$6-46 while the prices for pedicure range from S$9-56. For instance the express manicure is about S$12 while the express pedicure is about S$17. Aside from this, you can indulge on their nail enhancements including nail repair, gel infill, and temporary tips.

Image Credits: facebook.com/pages/Fingerwork/184157964957218?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

Book an appointment by calling 63275967.

Sources: 1 & 2

MTI Launched Islandwide List of Budget Hawker Food

Hawker food is part of Singapore’s heritage, and is the place to go to for a spread of local delights without the price tag.

From your favourite Chicken Rice to Wanton Mee and Mee Rebus, wouldn’t it be good to find out the stall that sell the cheapest local fare in Singapore?

The Ministry of Trade of Industry (MTI) has launched a Hawker Guide early last month where you can search for the cheapest hawker dish in Singapore island-wide.

It is user-friendly and you can simply select the hawker dish from their list of budget hawker food.

In this example, Chicken Rice has been selected.

You can then search their database according to their location:

The search results will show the cheapest chicken rice in ascending order.

This is a pretty handy guide that is worth sharing with your friends, or for any visitors that are coming to Singapore! Now at least you know where to get the cheapest Nasi Lemak in Singapore.

Check out the guide here.

6 Kinds Of Friends Who Can Positively Influence Your Finances

Thomas Monson once said: “Choose your friends with caution, plan your future with purpose, and frame your life with faith.”

What if you can plan a financial future with a purpose by choosing your friends carefully? Yes! That is possible.

You may not be able to change the personalities of the people around you but you can change the people whom you choose to be around all the time. Filter out toxic financial relationships and know the 6 Kinds Of Friends Who Can Positively Influence Your Finances…

1. OBJECTIVE ADVISOR

A friend who can give objective monetary advice is the one who is unbiased, unemotional, unprejudiced, and fair-minded. This friend can have a hearty chat with you to point out your financial flaws and give you feasible solutions. An objective advice is something all of us need to hear, especially when it comes to financial and spending habits.

2. CHEERLEADER FRIEND

A cheerleader friend does not exactly need pompoms or shout chants. This type of friend is the one who supports and encourages you even if they do not share the same financial situation. After talking to the objective advisor, you can ask this friend to help you keep track of your financial goals. Having a supportive confidant who will boost your self-esteem can be beneficial for your discomforting situation.

3. FRIEND CARRYING SIMILAR BURDEN

Are you feeling hesitant to decline a group trip offer because of the fear that you are the only left out in the group? Not anymore. If you have a friend who carries the same loads or the same financial situation as you then, the both of you can find ways together. You can either cancel the trip or help each other to build a travel fund. This friend will understand and support your monetary decisions.

4. GENEROUS FRIEND

If you have a friend who will lend you money in a heartbeat then, consider yourself very lucky! However, you must not abuse this generous gesture and pay the sum back as soon as possible. Do not turn into a friend who never repays instead, you must take care to not burn any bridges with your generous friend.

5. RESOURCEFUL FRIEND

There was an American series once called “MacGyver” wherein a top agent defeats his enemies by using his vast scientific knowledge in creating weapons out of the things available in the room such as paper clips or duct tapes. Like MacGyver, a resourceful friend maximizes the use of what he or she has. With his or her resources in money and people, this trusted friend could help solve your financial problem. Although, being resourceful is not easy, it takes a combination of handwork, social skills, experience, talent, and luck.

6. FINANCIAL EXPERT

A financial expert may be the best kind of friend to positively influence your finances. With a background in finance, this friend can help you improve your financial accounts or help you cut down your spending.

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

If you do not have many financial expert friends right now, fret not. Money Digest has your back. 🙂

Sources:1,2, & 3

4 Ways To Significantly Decrease Your Living Costs In Singapore

According to Investopedia, “Cost of Living” is the amount needed to sustain a certain level of living that includes basic expenses such as food, taxes, housing, and healthcare. This factor can make a difference especially if your salary is sustained in an expensive city such as ours. Your salary can go further at a developing city but it may barely go buy at a developed one. Logically, it is important to take measures that help you decrease the costs. Start with these four ways:

1. SAVE ON EDUCATION FEES

Aside from transportation, housing, and food, one of the family’s major expenses is the education fee. Childcare as well as tertiary education is costly for the parents especially if they have two or more students in the family. Topping the fees are the pile of miscellaneous such as school supplies, uniforms, camps, and other extracurricular activity expenses. Fortunately, there are some organizations that offer student grants.

The NTUC Bright Horizons Fund offers financial assistance to children from underprivileged families. The amount of assistance varies according to the gross household income or per capita income. Also, there is a minimum co-payment fee of 2% and an additional S$20 for Union Members.

While adults’ aged 35 and above that earn not more than S$1,900 can upgrade their skills with the Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme. These adults can benefit from 95% course fee funding on various courses including part-time diploma or specialist diploma at the five local Polytechnics. Imagine how many opportunities you can get after!

2. SAVE ON TAXES

Each year, hundreds of tax deductions and credits may go unclaimed due to the lack of taxing knowledge. Be sure to maximize the tax reloads that are applicable to you by checking out the information provided by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, here.

3. SAVE ON TRANSPORTATION

The good news just keeps on rolling! Early commuters can board the MRT for free before 7:45 am on the weekdays (i.e., excluding public holidays)! The no-cost rides are available at 18 MRT stations namely: Somerset, Bayfront, Bras Basah, Bugis, Orchard, Chinatown, City Hall, Clarke Quay, Dhoby Ghaut, Downtown, Esplanade, Lavender, Marina Bay, Outram Park, Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar, Promenade, and Telok Ayer.

If you missed the cut-off timing for a few minutes, fret not. You can still indulge on 50 cents off your fare if you exited the designated stations. To be eligible for these, you must not enter from the 18 stations mentioned above. Your savings on transportation can pile up as time goes by.

4. SAVE ON WATER

We cannot live without clean water. Therefore, you must employ saving habits to lower down your bills. Learn a thing or two from this illustration:

Image Credits: pub.gov.sg/CONSERVE/HOUSEHOLDS/Pages/Watersavinghabits.aspx

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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