Celeste Elle, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

Alternative places you can get your groceries online

As Singapore sees an uptick in community cases, especially unlinked ones, it’s better to heed the government’s advice to stay home as much as possible.

“If you’re at home, you’re not going out, then there is no likelihood for the virus to spread. So stay home,” said the co-chair of the government’s COVID-19 task force, Lawrence Wong, on 18 May.

For those who don’t feel safe heading out to do your essential activities, how about turning online to get your groceries? Apart from the big brands like FairPrice, Giant, or Cold Storage, there are other alternative places you can get your marketing done online.

#1: Classic Deli

Classic Deli may not be a familiar name to some, but it promises quality products and next-day delivery services. Being an ingredient supplier to local hotels and restaurants, you can expect the same standard by Classic Fine Foods since Classic Deli is a branch-out from the group. Meat lovers should not miss out on its cold cuts and meaty selections.

Free delivery is possible with orders over S$100. Visit classicdeli.market/sg for more details.

#2: Grand Marketplace

Do you want access to top-quality gourmet produce, meats, and dairy items? Then you’ve got to give the Grand Marketplace by Grand Hyatt Singapore a chance to impress you. Using the same ingredients served at the five-star hotel restaurants, you will get only the best products to feed your stomachs.

Do note that only self-collection or drive-through pick-up is available at Grand Hyatt Singapore when you shop at grandhyattsingapore.whyqueue.shop.

#3: Little Farms

Other than its freshest produce, Little Farms is the go-to place for keto dieters, organic lovers, and dairy alternatives. You will also love their fresh meats from free-range farms, including premium grass-fed beef and ready-to-bake kebabs. Those who are staying away from gluten will be glad to know that you may shop via a complete list of gluten-free products.

Place an order through littlefarms.com and enjoy free same-day delivery if you order before 11am.

#4: Huber’s Butchery

Where are our meat lovers at? Huber’s butchery is the place to shop if you want a range of fresh meats to store in your refrigerator. We’re not just referring to the usual pork, beef, and poultry but options like veal, lamb meat, and even assorted sausages! Place an order early if you want more options for delivery slots.

Click through hubers.com.sg to bag your meat selections back home.

#5: Foodxervices Inc

Foodxervices Inc supplies not only to F&B trade professionals but also to home consumers like you and me. We navigated the website and found out that they have a “multi-product search” engine that allows the website to find all your products at one go rather than having to do it individually.

Orders above S$60 can enjoy free delivery. What are you waiting for? Shop now at foodxervices.com/en/home.

Tighter COVID-19 measures have led to Singapore shares reaching more than two-month low

The tighter measures made known by the Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday (14 May) probably came as a shock to many.

However, it’s absolutely necessary in response to the spike in COVID-19 community cases recently. As we gear up to work from home, there are also daily and social routines to make adjustments to.

In terms of investments, Singapore shares aren’t looking that good. With the latest restrictions announced, investors are reacting accordingly.

Straits Times Index (STI) fell more than 3% initially

After the news report, the benchmark STI dropped by 3% before closing down at 2.2% or 3,055.02 points. Since 8 March, the decline on 14 May marks STI’s lowest level.

DailyFX’s strategist Margaret Yang commented that the market is not ready for the newly set COVID-19 measures, considering that the social gatherings group limit was only cut from eight to five people just a week ago.

“On the economic level, there will also definitely be some adverse impact on the services and travel sectors,” she added.

To that, IG’s market strategist Yeap Jun Rong said that the current situation had cast doubt on the pace of economic recovery ahead. Since a significant portion of STI’s constituents is cyclical, the economic cycle will have a massive impact on its numbers.

Aviation-related counters most badly hit

Image Credits: CNBC

It’s probably not a surprise that the aviation-related counters are the ones most affected.

To give you some numbers, Singapore Airlines (SIA) fell 5.7% to an 11-week low of S$4.50, while flight caterer SATS plunged 3.9% to S$3.69. Integrated resort operator Genting Singapore also dropped 3.1% to S$0.79.

Ms Yang noted that investors were hoping for the vaccine roll-out to spur economic recovery and border reopening. But with Singapore now reversing, this means that it will probably take more time for the aviation industry to get back on track.

What’s next for the stock market?

According to CMC Markets analyst Kelvin Wong, the unlinked community cases will play a vital part in deciding how the stock market will react for the rest of May. Should it see an increase, more stringent measures may pass and, travel-related stocks will further weaken.

While it is too early to comment, Mr Yeap expects retail, hospitality, and entertainment-related stocks to come under pressure if the COVID-19 situation continues to spiral downward in Singapore.

“That said, the overall downside impact may be limited considering that prompt action was taken to limit the virus spread and more than 20% of Singapore’s population has been fully vaccinated,” he added.

Send your kids to these schools to groom them to be coding geniuses

Coding and programming for kids have seen an upward trend in recent years.

In fact, since five years ago, primary and secondary schools have adopted the Code for Fun enrichment programme thanks to The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Ministry of Education (MOE).

But now, preschools are starting to jump on the bandwagon with curriculums or enrichment lessons revolving around programming robots.

Parents with children who suffer from FOMO may want to send their kids to these schools to groom them to be coding geniuses.

#1: Saturday Kids

Image Credits: saturdaykids.com

Locations: Bukit Timah Plaza, Parkway Centre, Orchard Central & King Albert Park

Saturday Kids pride themselves as the first coding school for children in Singapore. Established in 2012, they have taught children not just in programming but also in electronics, digital art, and design thinking.

Have a look at their on-site and online course schedule here.

#2: Coding Lab

Image Credits: codinglab.com.sg

Locations: Bukit Timah & Parkway Parade

Next up, we have Coding Lab. This enrichment centre is a four-time award winner of the Best Enrichment and Learning School voted by parents. Its founder is an MIT alumnus who has worked in Silicon Valley. You can expect a top-notch inquiry-based curriculum for your kids and teens aged 4 to 18.

Check out their classes and special programmes here.

#3: Computhink

Image Credits: facebook.com/computhink.com.sg/

Location: Toa Payoh Central

Third, on our list, we have Commputhink. The programming school for kids is led by trainers who are NUS Master of Technology graduates. Centring their teaching philosophy on interest, your child will possess the freedom to create, write, and understand computer programs.

Not too sure if you want to commit? Sign your kid up for a trial class first.

#4: Children’s Worklab

Image Credits: facebook.com/childrensworklab

Location: Forum Shopping Centre (Orchard)

Children’s Worklab focuses on delivering applied-technology lessons to children aged 4 to 12. It promises a 100% hands-on and mind-stimulating curriculum that will bring out the creative juices of the little ones. With a low teacher to student ratio, your child will also be given the right amount of attention from highly qualified teachers.

View their course schedule or consider some holiday camps for the upcoming June break.

#5: LCCL Coding Academy

Image Credits: facebook.com/lcclcoding

Location: Tanglin Shopping Centre

LCCL is an acronym for “learning to code, and code to learn”. The academy aims to inspire computational thinking among young learners. For parents unfamiliar with computational thinking, the centre defines it as a mental skill and a range of analytical and problem-solving strategies one can apply in life.

There are both regular and holiday programmes at LCCL Coding Academy. Click through the link for more details.

With tighter measures kicking in from Sunday, 16 May, do enquire directly with the respective enrichment centres on their latest COVID-19 protocols and e-learning arrangements before enrollment.

Visit these places if you want to taste foods & beverages prepared by robots

Today (8 May) is the day where Singapore kickstarts its tighter COVID-19 measures in response to the pandemic.

Gathering limits of five, partial closure of indoor fitness centres, and crowd control in various public areas are some of the rules that bring us back to phase 2.

Folks who are treading cautiously and worried about the virus variants reported recently, how about placing your trust in robots to prepare your food? These are the places using robots as helping hands.

#1: Crown Coffee

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A post shared by Crown Digital (@crowndigital.io)

We will start the ball rolling with Crown Coffee’s robotic barista named Ella. If you want to get yourself a hot cup of coffee, pay Ella a visit at Plaza Singapura, at the level 1 atrium.

Crown Coffee’s robotic barista operates 24/7 to provide anyone in need of a quick coffee fix. After placing an order, you can eye the entire coffee-making process behind a transparent glass window. Say goodbye to long queues to get your cuppa since Ella can prepare up to 200 cups of coffee within an hour.

#2: M Social

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A post shared by Beast and Butterflies (@beastandbutterflies)

Peeps planning a staycation at M Social Singapore along Robertson Quay, remember to give AUSCA a chance to serve you.

It operates out of Beast & Butterflies restaurant in M Social Singapore. From a chef-in-training to a promotion in 2018, AUSCA has whipped up a range of delicious egg types for guests over the years. Give it a go and let it impress you!

#3: Ratio Cafe & Lounge

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A post shared by Ratio Cafe & Lounge (@theratioinc)

To experience drinks made by the robotic barista arms at Ratio Cafe & Lounge, you will have to visit JustCo at Centrepoint, #05-06.

There are about 50 drinks on its menu for you to choose from. Whether it’s a classic brew or an unusual Tom Yum Martini, Ratio Cafe & Lounge has options for you. Grab a slice of cake, a hearty bowl of salad or even a delicious sandwich to go along with your drinks as you admire the precision of in-house robots at work.

#4: Royal Caribbean

Image Credits: royalcaribbean.com

The next time you’re sailing with Royal Caribbean, drop by for a drink at Bionic Bar. The robotic bartenders there are skilled mixologists that can create almost any combination you desire.

Pick from the menu of signature drinks or design your own if you’re feeling adventurous and ready for a new concoction to tickle your taste buds. While you’re at it, spot the electronic display boards for interesting stats about past orders.

#5: Tempura Tendon Tenya

Image Credits: Tenya Singapore

Are you heading to town soon? You don’t want to miss out on a visit to Tempura Tendon Tenya at Orchard Central, #B1-01.

The Japanese chain restaurant is known for its patented automatic fryer, which can churn out consistently crispy tempura within just two minutes. With a S$10 note, you can enjoy its Mushroom Vegetables Tendon, Tenya Tendon, Kakiage Tendon, and Tori Tendon (priced from S$7.90 to S$9.90).

As a bonus, intelligent sensor-navigated robots will serve your piping hot food to you. Cute!

Do these things to bring down your cost of living

The term “cost of living” can be translated as the money needed to uphold our current lifestyle habits.

When finances are on a stretch, lowering the cost of living can weigh heavily on our minds. If you’re ready to hit the pause button on your spendings or make lifestyle changes because of a recent job loss or pay cut, that’s not impossible.

Try doing these things to bring down your cost of living.

Move to a smaller home

Downgrading can be a powerful punch in the face for the prideful. But when it comes to finances, it’s a massive boost for maintenance. Take a good look at your money matters right now and decide if it makes sense for you to downsize. Remember that selling your property takes time, so plan ahead and get started early.

But sometimes, selling your home can be made secondary by getting rid of your car instead. With most of us shifting back to working from home, maybe you don’t really need a vehicle to add to your existing financial burdens?

Rent out rooms

Image Credits: ohmyhome.com

For peeps who are not so keen on selling their house, see if you can empty a room or two to rent out. This presents a quick solution to bring in extra cash every month, on top of your salary.

Alternatively, you can also choose to downsize and then rent out a small room for someone to occupy temporarily. But this method might only be suitable for people who don’t mind sharing their living spaces with an outsider. Be sure to discuss thoroughly with your family members beforehand.

Minimise your energy consumption

Your current electricity appliances can be the culprit contributing to your steep monthly bills. Check to see if they are energy-efficient and make the switch if they aren’t. Since they are products you use for a long time to come, be sure to do your research and ask the salesperson about the specs before buying.

Another factor to consider is your air-conditioner. Yes, we get how Singapore’s weather is so humid and unbearable at times, but if you want to bring down your cost of living significantly, learn how to embrace the warmness. Can’t seem to give up on that? Use the timer setting to work your way around it when you hit the sack.

Rework your budget

Image Credits: procurementexpress.com

As we approach mid-year, maybe it’s time that you take a look at the budget you’ve drawn at the start of 2021. Changes are inevitable, and it’s okay to replan your spreadsheet to accommodate your income changes.

Study the spendings closely you have each month and maybe let go of a few inactive subscriptions. Examine if you genuinely require multiple content streaming services, or you could just do with one for the time being.

Singapore is undoubtedly a city with a high cost of living and seems to rise a little more each year. Unless you’re planning to move to another country with a lower cost of living, consider the above strategies to cut your money outputs.