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9 Clever Ways to Save Money on Your Daily Coffee Fix

As someone who occasionally drinks coffee, I consider myself a moderate coffee drinker, finding myself somewhere between my friends who are frequent visitors of coffee shops and those who have never tried a cup of joe.

Although I can easily spend S$3-5 on a delicious coffee beverage at a cozy coffee shop to start my day, I understand that this can quickly add up if done on a daily basis.

For those who can’t live without coffee, exploring money-saving strategies is worth considering. After all, daily caffeine consumption can be costly, and taking steps to save money can have a significant impact in the long run. Start with these 9 hacks:

#1: SIGN-UP FOR LOYALTY PROGRAMS

Many coffee shops offer loyalty programs to encourage their customers to come back for their special brew. While it’s not going to save you tons of money in a day, your cumulative savings and freebies can be worth it.

For instance, Flash Coffee Singapore has three rewards tiers, namely Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Bronze members can redeem a free drink after every 10 purchases. Silver members can redeem a free drink after every 7 purchases. Lastly, Gold members can redeem a free drink after every 5 purchases. Another brand that offers rewards to its members is PPP Coffee. As a PPP+ Rewards Member, you can enjoy a 3% cashback on your coffee purchases at its retail outlets, plus all food and beverages at participating cafes by PPP Coffee in Singapore (T&Cs apply).

Combining your utilization of loyalty cards with other saving strategies such as brewing your coffee at home can save you extra money on top of getting a free cup.

#2: SHOP AROUND

Kopi at Kopitiam can give you the caffeine kick you need, but for a fraction of the cost of cafe coffee. Sure, you’re missing out on the fancy latte art. But if you are drinking it down during a workday, you may not have time to savor coffee art anyway. Drink the foamy heart art coffee when you have time to indulge it.

#3: GRIND IT YOURSELF

Did you know that coffee beans retain their freshness and flavor better when stored as whole beans compared to pre-ground coffee? This is because pre-ground coffee often contains additives and fillers that can compromise its quality.

Coffee that has lost its aroma and flavor may end up going unused or being discarded, which means that you’re essentially pouring money down the drain along with your brew. By grinding your own beans, you can enjoy fresher coffee and lessen your waste.

#4: MAKE BETTER COFFEE

Perhaps, your own brew does not appeal to you because of its taste. If you’re not satisfied with the taste of your homemade coffee, it might be time to invest in higher quality coffee beans. Spending a little more on quality beans can save you money by providing you with a more satisfying, enjoyable coffee.

To get the most out of your beans, start by selecting the right grind size for your coffee brewing method. For instance, a coarse grind is ideal for a French press, while a medium-coarse grind is suitable for automatic drip. Next, experiment with different coffee-to-water ratios to find your preferred strength. Lastly, make sure to use the best water temperature for your chosen brewing method.

#5: INVEST IN QUALITY COFFEE MARKER

Don’t set yourself up for failure by using a cheap coffee maker. Get a coffee maker that you are excited about! It will inspire you to drink more coffee at home and improve your overall coffee experience.

#6: DRINK YOUR COFFEE BLACK

Drinking your coffee black may seem like a simple choice, but it can actually help you save money on buying milk, sugar, or creamer. By drinking black coffee, you can avoid these additional costs and appreciate the true flavor of the coffee. Plus, black coffee is a healthier option that eliminates the added sugar and calories from milk or creamer.

#7: ORDER THE SMALLEST SIZE

The difference between buying a small and a large-sized coffee can set you back by S$1 or more. For example, %Arabica Singapore’s Caffe Latte is priced at about S$7 for a short and S$8 for a tall order. Opting for a smaller size can save you approximately S$5 in a week or a yearly savings of S$240. Can you imagine what you could do with the S$240 you save?

#8: ASK FOR GIFT CARDS

For special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries, include a coffee gift card on your wishlist. A Starbucks gift card in Singapore can be purchased with a minimum value of S$10 and a maximum value of S$300. Use your gift card to fuel your weeks’ worth of coffee fix, or to treat yourself to a special drink without worrying about the cost.

#9: SEARCH FOR PROMOTIONS AND FREEBIES

To make the most of your coffee budget, keep an eye out for freebies and exclusive discounts at your favorite coffee shops. One way to do this is by following their social media pages, where they often announce monthly specials and offer freebies to their loyal customers.

Another way to save on coffee purchases is to download apps such as the CoffeeBean SG Rewards App by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Singapore. These coffee shop apps often provide discounts and coupons that can be used on your purchases, allowing you to enjoy your favorite drinks without going over budget.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Use all these nine strategies to maximize your caffeine savings and indulge in your favorite beverages, guilt-free!

Sources: 1,2, & 3

Benefits of Being Your Own Boss

Hearing complaints of having to be someone else’s servant or helping someone else become richer are just some of the common laments of Singaporean employees.

Many have aspired to transition from an employee to an employer. In a 2016 report, 3 in 4 Singaporean millennials wanted to become their own boss. Becoming your own boss comes with risks and hard work, but the potential for rewards is huge.

Running your own business offers many benefits such as these:

#1: YOU GAIN ABILITY TO FOLLOW YOUR PASSIONS

Following their passions acts as a catalyst for many budding entrepreneurs. For example, my friend left his advertising job to pursue his love for serving gourmet burgers.

Reaching for your dreams may fulfil you in a manner that working for someone else may not. As an entrepreneur, you oversee creating the business from scratch. Furthermore, this business can be passed down to your children.

#2: YOU CONTROL YOUR OWN SCHEDULE

Across the globe, employees have spent the last few years in isolation. Employees and employers observed the advantages and disadvantages of working from home. It is an eye-opening experience to feel how flexible working from home can be.

As an entrepreneur, you schedule your own hours. Your schedule is not dictated by your supervisor or other people. You still must get work done, but nobody is looking over your shoulder to ensure that you complete the daily tasks.

#3: YOU GET FREEDOM TO START FROM SCRATCH

This is your own business, and you make the rules. Use your creative juices to set the standards and procedures for your organization. Perhaps, you want to offer a product or a service that fits your vision.

Whether you want to leverage modern technology or provide your employees with wellness breaks, you have the freedom to decide.

#4: YOU WILL BECOME AN EXPERT IN DIFFERENT THINGS

Entrepreneurs often wear different hats. At first, you will need to pick up a lot of new skills such as human resource management and social media marketing. Soon, you will become an expert in your own field.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As your business grows, you will continue to learn new knowledge and skills. Who knows? You may even start another business!

Sources: 1 & 2

Why Rewarding Yourself Is Important

John Maxwell once said: “Everybody wants money, yet seldom will anyone budget or control their spending.”

Setting financial goals is an easy task! Reaching these goals is another story. You may intend to purchase your first designer bag or to go back to school this year, but you are still building your funds for it. Moreover, you may have set some financial goals that are harder than you anticipated. Putting these goals into action is the first hurdle that you have to pass.

The second hurdle is reaching the finish line without losing your motivation. The solution to your problem is placing an efficient reward system. Rewards and actions have close association. Think about it! You perform an action expecting an outcome or a reward in the end. Though rewards do now always show up as a trophy, you can expect some form of return. Every time you receive a reward, your body releases a neurotransmitter called the dopamine. It plays important roles in executive functions, motor control, motivation, arousal, reinforcement, and reward. It also plays a role in lower-level functions including lactation, sexual gratification, and nausea. Simply put, it affects how we feel pleasure.

Dopamine spikes in your brain when something important is about to happen. It gives you a surge of pleasure as you finish a task. In turn, it increases your motivation and productivity. Use this knowledge to your advantage. Give yourself small rewards along the way to achieve a bigger goal. You may indulge at the end of the month by rewarding yourself with 5% of your hard-earned savings. Use this money to get a well-deserved treat after the whole month’s work. It will surely keep you going!

As long as you set aside a responsible amount of money, take your mind off the expenses that come with your small reward. Relax! Take these suggestions:

1. Take yourself out to breakfast or brunch.
2. Read a book for 15–30 minutes.
3. Watch an episode of your favorite Netflix series.
4. Listen to your favorite playlist for 15 minutes.
5. Buy a delicious dessert.
6. Enjoy an at-home spa day.
7. Paint, sew, or knit something.
8. Turn off your devices for an hour.
9. Indulge in a long shower.
10. Diffuse your favorite essential oils.
11. Write in your journal.
12. Watch the sunset.
13. Jog for 15-30 minutes.
14. Get a new water bottle.
15. Get a manicure or a pedicure.

Every action is tied to some outcome. The problem is, the result is not always immediate. You will not lose weight overnight. You will lose body fat over time. While waiting, you may lose the motivation to keep going. Hence, putting a simple reward system may help.

Rewards can act as psychological enforcers when you use it as a means of motivation to reach a particular goal. When done right, the natural process in the brain can be used to help you stay on track with your financial goals. The magnitude of the reward is not directly proportional to motivation. Even the smallest treats can get you pumped up for the rest of the month. Use the abovementioned list as a guide to help you put your reward system in place.

Sources: 1 & 2

Money Motivator: Its Pros And Cons In The Workplace

Faced with a target in my head, most of my decisions as a head are calculated. The coveted reward at the end of the rainbow is the bucket full of gold.

While motivating employees with money has its significant advantages, it is not the only way that employees can be truly motivated.

MONEY IS UNIVERSAL

There is a reason why many hip-hop artists rap to the tune of money. It is a universal motivator that drives people of all walks of life. Without money, how can we survive?

Its universal nature is one of the advantages of using money as a motivational tool for employees. You see, most people see bonuses as a means to purchase material possessions or personal experiences that they have been putting off for a long time. While the monetary increase is the same for each employee, its uses vary. That is what makes money fit for all!

MONEY IS COSTLY

It comes as no surprise that money is costly. A huge drawback of using money to motivate your employees is that it adds to your overhead costs. You have to give up a portion of your profit for each time you offer a bonus or a raise.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

What is even costlier? Some employees may expect to get consistent monetary rewards for each time they exceed their performance expectations. The terms of the reward should be discussed clearly to your employees.

MONEY PROVIDES STRUCTURE

Monetary rewards can be quantified and structured, unlike its counterparts. A business owner may come up with a starting point and an end point. Incentives can be achieved once the end point has been reached. Sales programs usually structure money incentive through commission or quota-based sales. These two are individualistic.

On the other hand, you can fuel up the teamwork by creating a percentage goal. Reaching a certain percentage goal at the end of the year can equate to a certain bonus. This fosters teamwork where everyone is motivated to help each other.

MONEY BREWS CONFLICTS

Last but not the least, money motivator can cause conflicts within the group and the self. It can be demoralizing for some people to consistently fail in getting a certain reward. More so, comparing your bonuses to others can brew conflicts. Some team members may resent others when they do not automatically get their slice of the “cake”.

Image Credits:pixabay.com

As a leader, understanding your team is far greater than any monetary incentive. Know what is important for each employee and try your best to keep them happy and healthy. Find the best incentive program that will work for your team whether it involves money or not.

Sources: 1 & 2

From 7 – 20 September, get Famous Amos Cookies at just $1!

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Exclusive for Singtel’s customers.

Redeem a bag of Famous Amos cookies for just $1 (U.P $5.60) when you flash your Singtel operator logo on your mobile or latest Singtel bill at any participating outlet to enjoy the offer.

Valid from 7 – 20 September 2017. Limited to the first 8,000 redemptions.

Choose from: Chocolate Chip with Pecan Nut, Butterscotch Chip with Pecan Nut, No Nut Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Raisins.

Share this news with your friends and loved ones!v

Terms & Conditions

Promotion is valid from 7 to 20 September 2017.
Customers must login to their Singtel OnePass on their mobile phones to flash the promotion page upon purchasing at the counter.
Offer is not applicable to Singtel Prepaid or Corporate BRN customers.
Limited to the first 8,000 redemptions, while stocks last.
Offer is only valid to Chocolate Chip with Pecan Nut, Butterscotch Chip with Pecan Nut, No Nut Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Raisins.
Offer is limited to one (1) pack of 100 grams cookies per customer per transaction.
Offer is available at all Famous Amos outlets. Visit famous-amos.com.sg for outlet listings and operating hours.
Screen captures and multiple devices in the same transaction will not be accepted.
No upsize is allowed.
Singtel and merchant reserve the rights to replace any of the four flavours with another flavour of equal or higher value without prior notice.
Offer cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, discounts, packages purchased or vouchers redemption.
In the event of any dispute, the decision of Singtel is final. No correspondence will be entertained.
Singtel shall not be liable in any way whatsoever for any matter arising from, relating to and/or attributable to such products and/or services.
Singtel reserves the right to terminate, suspend or cancel (in whole or in part) this promotion.
Singtel reserves the right to replace this promotion/redemption with items of similar value at its own discretion without prior notice.
Singtel reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions of redemption from time to time without prior notice and without any liability.
Terms and conditions of Singtel and/or any other third parties may apply in addition to these terms.
Singtel’s General Terms and Conditions of Service(s) shall apply. It can be found at www.singtel.com

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