New Year Archives | Page 2 of 3

Smart Financial Resolutions To Kick-Start 2016

What better way to usher in the New Year than by making smart financial resolutions to improve your wealth?

1. ELIMINATE YOUR UNHEALTHY HABITS

Unhealthy habits, such as excessively drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco, that you enjoy on a regular basis can not only increase your insurance premiums but also your daily expenses. Another unhealthy habit that may be costing you a lot is regularly eating junk. Junk food is called junk for a reason as excessive consumption can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and so on.

When you decide to stop drinking, smoking, and eating unhealthily this 2016, you will see your bills going down and you will feel improvements in your health in no time!

2. WIPE OUT UNNECESSARY EXPENSES

As you review your annual statement, there is probably an expense or two that you can trim from your budget. Mine is my mobile phone plan. Due to accessible Wi-Fi connection almost anywhere in Singapore, I am able to refrain from using the allotted local calls and SMS on my plan. Yet I am still paying for it. What a waste!

How about you? Go through your past purchases. After seeing the bigger picture, it is time to cut down your expenses. Reduce the unnecessary expenses such as mobile phone plan, designer bags or costly coffee beans and turn a new leaf.

3. BE MORE ECO-FRIENDLY

Fix, refurbish, or recycle your furniture, decor, or appliance that are still in good condition instead of spending money to replace these. As you revamp your stuff, use lighter colored paints to reduce the heat and energy consumption. As you recycle, you may consider turning your old drawer into a shelf. There are many ways to cheaply decorate your home and saving Mother Earth in the process…just keep your creative juices flowing!

4. LOSE WEIGHT

Every January, a huge queue of people flock in fitness studios and gyms. These members soon to disappear as months go by. Instead of wasting your money on costly gym or fitness studio memberships, workout for virtually free at your own home or at the town parks. Do yoga, jog outdoors, run in the stadium, or try any workout routine that you can do for free.

5. TIDY UP YOUR LIFE

Being messy with your space and time can cost you!

For instance, being untidy with your billing statements can result to late payments and penalty fees while being unorganized with your cooking time can result to overspending on take-out food. The list just goes on.

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

It is important to organize your life…have a physical storage for your bills and schedule your tasks. As long as you are on track, you will be able to save!

Sources: 1 & 2

Festive Season Sales You Don’t Want To Miss Out

Festival fever sweeps through town as brands and merchants out there run the last sale of the year.

There’s no better way to get into the festive mood with endless shopping and it’s the only time you feel less guilty when you loosen the purse strings.

Fashion brands out there has already got their sale kicking from now till end of the year, with some bringing forward to 2016.

Shopaholics out there, you need this shopping list.

1. Zara

The Autumn / Winter Sale has started for Zara. Everything from the Woman to the Man, Kids and Trafulac collection has been marked down. The sale is more than just winter items alone — as the price for the entire range from t-shirt, shirt, tops, denims, bags and accessories are being slashed for the holiday shoppers out there. On selected items, discounts can be as much as 70% with the Patchwork Crochet Coat now priced at ~~S$239.90~~ S$69.90.

Online: http://www.zara.com/sg/

In-store: Takashimaya S.C, Liat Towers, Great World City, Marina Square, VivoCity, ION Orchard, 313@somerset, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Changi Airport T3

2. H&M

Shop the latest fashion trend at the Swedish fashion powerhouse. Enjoy up to 70% off selected items in their festive sale in all H&M stores.

Find your nearest H&M store here: http://hm.info/12bqj

3. Cotton On

Boxing Day has started early for Cotton On. Enjoy up to 70% off the original price sitewide.

Online: http://cottonon.com/SG

4. Zalora

Keep calm and shop guilty-free with Zalora. Their online store is running a sale from now till 4 January, 12pm. Look out for:

Everything for $10 or Buy 3 for $25.

Up to 70% off, Extra 30% Off when you buy 2 or more items

5. Charles & Keith

Shop your favourite bags and footwears which include heels, sandals, pumps and flats for less at their online store. Discount can be as much as 30%. Free delivery with purchase over S$50.

Shop online here: http://www.charleskeith.com/sg/sale

6.w+: Topman, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, BCBGMAXAZRIA, G2000 & more

There are so many top brands for you to choose from and their sale will run until early next year. Available in-store.

Check out the full list here: https://wingtairetail.com.sg/Promotion/

7. ASOS

If online shopping is your thing, check out the ASOS Sale. Enjoy up to 50% off selected items. Free shipping on all orders above S$50.

Shop online here: http://www.asos.com/

8. MUJI

MUJI will be running an atrium sale at Marina Square Linkbridge from now till 28 Dec 2015. Enjoy discount of up to 70% off selected garments & household items.

9. Coach / Kate Spade / Michael Kors & other branded boutiques at Takashimaya

Pamper yourself further without breaking the bank at some of the branded boutiques sale at Takashimaya. Most of the branded bags and wallets are being marked down by 30% to 50%.

We covered it here: Why You Should Do Your Last Minute Shopping at Takashimaya

10. Pull and Bear

Pull and Bear Seasonal Sale has arrived in Singapore. It starts today at ION Orchard, VivoCity and Bugis+.

11. Bershka

Grab some winter wear from Bershka with their Winter Sale. Available online and in-store.

Online: http://bers.hk/WinterSale

In-store: ION Orchard, VivoCity, Bugis+

12. Stradivarius

Winter sale is also happening at Stradivarius.

In-store: ION Orchard, Raffles City, JEM

13. Forever 21

Enjoy discount of up to 70% at Forever21 stores in Singapore.

We covered it here: Forever 21: Sale – Up to 70% Off Storewide (From 23 Dec 2015)

In-store: 313@somerset, Kallang Wave Mall, Orchard Xchange, VivoCity

This list will be updated as soon as we received any information, so don’t forget to bookmark this page.

If you think this list is useful, share it with your friends out there!

* Spending more than $1,000? SIGN UP FOR A HSBC’S REVOLUTION CREDIT CARD AND RECEIVE UP TO S$500 WORTH OF EPICENTRE VOUCHERS OR A SAMSONITE LUGGAGE WORTH S$950! T&CS APPLY. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Don’t Be A Wallet Grinch! Here Are 4 Ways To Save During The Holidays

If you are fond of late Christmas shopping and New Year parties, curb your Holiday season costs by following these 4 savvy saving tips:

1. CREATE A LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE

With a desired budget in mind, write down a list of all the people you want to buy gifts for. Go through the names on the list and allocate a specific amount that you are willing to spend on each one. If money is still tight, go over the list one more time and reduce either the names or the designated amount.

For larger families, consider giving one present per married couple. Remember that you are not Santa Claus and it is not your duty to give everyone a present!

2. PULL OUT NAMES FROM A BOWL

Instead of spending a hefty amount on all your family and extended family members, consider the “Secret Santa or Exchange Gift” method wherein everyone will pick a name out of a bowl. After which, you will only have to fuel all your resources for that one gift and that one person. Aside from saving money, you just saved yourself countless hours of shopping.

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

3. USE THE MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

Shopping for a gift is not always about getting the cheapest item but rather about getting the value for every cent you spend. So if you are undecided on which model or brand has prime quality at an affordable rate, get your money’s worth by searching online for credible reviews first.

For example, you can visit Stuff Singapore for reliable reviews on computers, tablets, games, and other gadgets.

4. REMEMBER WHY YOU CELEBRATE

With all the festivities going on, it is easy to lose sight of what is important. Whether you are planning to have a simple dinner as a family or go on an extravagant overseas holiday trip, you must remember that you are celebrating the joyous holiday season because you are blessed enough to be with the people you love most. And you cannot put a price-tag on that!

Best of all? You can use these tips for the next Holiday season! 🙂

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

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Triple Three: 1-for-1 Festive Lunch, 25% Off Festive Dinner & More (24 – 27 Dec 15 & 31 Dec 15 – 3 Jan 16)

With the festive period arriving, put Triple Three on your festive dining list.

Look forward to traditional festive delicacies – Roasted Stuffed Turkey with Champagne Dill Sauce, Signature Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham, and Halibut with Lemon Buerre Blanc in addition to the freshest sashimi and sushi, seafood on ice, premium roasts, spicy Indian dishes, and mouth-watering desserts.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL

Have a merry feast with their Festive Dining Promotion from 24 – 27 Dec 2015 & 31 Dec 15 – 3 Jan 16 when you make your reservations early.

Check out Triple Three’s announcement on Facebook:

Look out for 1-for-1 offers, 25% off and more!

Discounts below apply to adult diners only. Full non-refundable payment required before certain dates.

24 Dec 2015: Please contact the hotel directly to make a booking on this date
25 Dec 2015: Festive Lunch/Dinner – 25% Early Bird discount
26 Dec 2015: Festive Lunch/Dinner – 25% Early Bird discount
27 Dec 2015: Festive Lunch/Dinner – 25% Early Bird discount
31 Dec 2015: 1-for-1 Festive Lunch
1 Jan 2016: 1-for-1 Festive Lunch, 25% Off Festive Dinner
2 Jan 2016: 1-for-1 Festive Lunch, 25% Off Festive Dinner
3 Jan 2016: Festive Lunch/Dinner – 25% Early Bird discount

Note: Dates availability subject to change

There are also 1-for-1 lunch offers for DBS/POSB Cardmembers outside the festive period on Dec 28 & 29. If you want to save on your festive dining, make your reservations early.

PRICING

Buffet Lunch (Non Festive)

Mon to Sat : $78++ (Adult), $28++ (Child 6 to 12yrs)
Sunday : $118++ (Adult), $42++(Child 6 to 12yrs)

Buffet Lunch (Festive)

24th Dec – $88++ (Adult); $33++ (Child)
25th Dec – $148++(Adult); $48++ (Child)
26th Dec – $88++ (Adult); $33++ (Child)
27th Dec – $118++ (Adult); $48++(Child)
31st Dec- $88++ (Adult); $33++ (Child)
01st Jan – $88++ (Adult); $48++ (Child)
02nd Jan- $88++ (Adult); $33++ (Child)
03rd Jan – $118++(Adult); $48++ (Child)

Buffet Dinner (Non Festive)

Sunday to Wednesday : $88++ (Adult), $33++ (Child 6 to 12yrs)
Thursday to Saturday : $108++ (Adult), $42++ (Child 6 to 12yrs)

Buffet Dinner (Festive)

24th Dec – $148++ (Adult); $48++ (Child)
25th Dec – $148++ (Adult); $48++ (Child)
26th Dec – $118++ (Adult); $48++ (Child)
27th Dec – $88++ (Adult); $33++ (Child)
31st Dec- $148++ (Adult); $48++ (Child) – 9pm to 11pm
01st Jan – $118++ (Adult); $48++ (Child)
02nd Jan- $118++ (Adult); $48++ (Child)
03rd Jan – $88++ (Adult); $33++ (Child)

Share this offer with your friends and loved ones.

How Much “Ang Bao” Money Shall You Give This Chinese New Year?

The festivity of the Chinese New Year is about a month away. Abundant food, family reunions, and little red packets called “Ang Bao” will grace Singapore once again.

These red packets are usually given during social gatherings such as weddings or the holidays. Its color embodies “good luck” that is supposed to ward off the evil spirits.

Married couples usually give these red packets to single people (e.g. children or work colleagues). Its history is rooted from the Chinese belief that you achieve the “adult status” once you get hitched. So, the newfound status comes with the privilege to distribute “Ang Baos” to those who still remain single or are younger.

Image Credits: Paul via Flickr

Since Singapore is a mixture of different cultures, we as a nation have created practices centering “Ang Bao” gifting. It is not uncommon to have marriages between two different races, leading to traditional practices being modified or ignored. But aside from the Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Filipinos and South Koreans have similar customs.

A simple survey on TheAsianParent Facebook Page showed that readers usually give out S$2- S$80 to children in 2014. Furthermore, “S$4” was avoided due to its similarity to the word “death” in many dialects.

Ultimately, PerfectWeddings.sg showed that economy and income status affects the money given. During good economy, it was common to receive “Ang Baos” with a minimum of S$6 each for children but economic recession urged its reduction to S$2 each. Since, economic downturn affects the whole country, there was no judgment in the amount you give.

To help you find the right amount to give…here is a concise “Chinese New Year Ang Bao Market Rate 2014” chart by PerfectWeddings.sg :

As you can see, a red packet containing a minimum of S$2-S$20 is common to give for children, while it ranges to about S$8- S$88 for parents. Your in laws will not take it against you if you give them S$88 in the New Year. Lastly, you may give the same amount of money to your friends or colleagues’ children as you did with your own children.

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