Celeste Elle, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

Highly raved biotin shampoos under S$13 to try for hair growth

Growing your hair out can feel like a real challenge. It seems like strands are constantly shedding or snapping in the process of daily hair routines, especially in showers or when you’re tackling tangles.

Do you know that biotin has been a popular solution to hair growth woes for many years? The vitamin strengthens hair follicles, providing them with the support they need to grow and stay healthy.

For those looking for a way to support your hair’s regrowth and quality, these biotin shampoos may be a great solution.

#1: Rainbow Research, Henna & Biotin Herbal Shampoo (360ml)

Price: S$8+

Rainbow Research’s Henna & Biotin Herbal Shampoo brings out the best biotin qualities to create a strengthening and nourishing product that features henna for additional benefits.

Designed for normal or colour treated hair, the natural colourless henna extract does not leave any stains behind. The pH-balanced and gluten-free product can strengthen the hair shaft and add body and shine to it.

It’s an item that’s completely gentle with no animal testing done. Purchase this shampoo if you want a perfect formula to get your healthy hair growth back on track.

#2: Mill Creek Botanicals, Biotin Therapy Formula Shampoo (414ml)

Price: S$9.90+

This invigorating biotin therapy formula is packed with botanical goodness for a vegan-free approach to biotin benefits.

The product adds vital B vitamins to your hair growth routine alongside a dose of peppermint oil that refreshes and sustains your hair from the inside out.

Designed to strengthen your hair, Mill Creek Botanicals’ Biotin Therapy Formula Shampoo works to bring your hair to new heights.

#3: Aubrey Organics, Men’s Stock, Ginseng Biotin Shampoo (237ml)

Price: S$9.90+

As the name suggests, Aubrey Organics’ Ginseng Biotin Shampoo is only for gentlemen. This natural biotin shampoo is vegetarian-friendly and biodegradable, prioritising sustainability and all-natural ingredients over chemical-infused ones.

The formula will contribute to clean, shiny, soft, and easy-to-style hair. It’s also an effective treatment for thinning hair, leaving your scalp in excellent condition as it works to support thick hair regrowth.

#4: Mild By Nature, Thickening B-Complex & Biotin Shampoo (473ml)

Price: S$11+

This mild product is ranked in the top spots on iHerb’s shampoo category.

Designed to feature B-Complex, biotin, and panthenol, this gentle pH-balanced formula boasts cruelty-free and vitamin-supported hydration that promotes thicker, fuller, and healthier hair.

It is also formulated without sulfates, parabens, or phthalates to give you peace of mind. Instead, Mild By Nature’s Thickening B-Complex & Biotin Shampoo comes with all the good stuff your hair needs to thrive – quinoa, flax proteins, and loquat leaf extract.

#5: Jason Natural, Biotin & Hyaluronic Acid Shampoo (473ml)

Price: S$11+

Jason Natural’s creations have been around for over 50 years, and the brand continues to renew and infuse all hair types with energy and life.

Its Biotin & Hyaluronic Acid Shampoo makes your hair two times thicker and fuller in volume while avoiding breakage. It also works to repair split ends.

Together with pro-vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid, we’re not exaggerating the restorative properties of this shampoo. Try it to know the effects!

#6: Avalon Organics, Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo (414ml)

Price: S$12.70+

Are you searching high and low for a rich, lathering shampoo that is vegan, biodegradable, and fully equipped with the right blend of biotin for your hair? Look no further.

Avalon Organics’ Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo supports you in regrowing energised hair that’s strong and resilient against Singapore’s unpredictable weather conditions.

Use this product to achieve thick and rich hair follicles with Biotin B-complex, quinoa protein, and vitamin E.

Final thoughts

A biotin shampoo is a great resource to add to your haircare toolkit.

Those mentioned in this article can provide the hydration your hair needs to look its best no matter the weather condition. From strengthening natural properties to reliable vitamin infusions, you can trust the ones above to transform your hair growth routine.

IATA says we might be able to travel leisurely after May or June 2021

Are you hungry to travel? I sure am.

We’ve kept to several COVID-19 safety measures for about a year now, and it’s also officially been a year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus outbreak a pandemic.

Singapore, alongside other countries, has fought hard to keep the numbers down, and we’re thankful that vaccine supplies are sufficient in our little red dot at the moment.

Furthermore, there’s good news from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently.

Return of personal travel

According to Alexandre de Juniac, the IATA director, in an interview with The Straits Times, leisure travel will return from mid-2021 as borders reopen to people looking to hop on a plane to a destination.

“We will likely start seeing a change in the air travel landscape after May or June this year,” Mr de Juniac said. “We at IATA are already working with states to design and plan protocols and road maps for the reopening of borders.”

Though the volume of travel by the end of 2021 will not be on par with pre-pandemic levels (which makes perfect sense), isn’t it fantastic news for peeps who are looking forward to meeting their friends and families living abroad?

IATA’s Travel Pass

Image Credits: NFCW

But we won’t be able to make our dreams come true without key protocols in place.

One of them is the IATA Travel Pass. It is a mobile health verification app that electronically stores information on passengers’ health and virus tests or vaccines status. This is essential as we take steps to revive travel.

In fact, Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to test out the full deployment of the IATA Travel Pass. Passengers heading to London with a phone operating on iOS later this month will have the chance to partake in the trial.

Travellers will be able to use the app to:

Submit flight information
Book a COVID-19 test at participating clinics in Singapore
View the test results directly and allow check-in staff at Changi Airport to verify their status accordingly

“Our partnership with Singapore Airlines for the first full deployment of the IATA Travel Pass will help get the world flying again,” said Mr Nick Careen from the industry body.

Leisure vs Business

Some of you might be wondering if business travel will take priority over leisure ones. But Mr de Juniac foresees that personal travel will come back more quickly than business travel.

He shares that leisure journeys will definitely bounce back, but business travel will take up to 18 months to recover.

Since more companies have hopped onto digitalisation technologies over the pandemic period to adapt to changing times, there is indeed a lesser need for in-person work meetings.

What’s next?

For those eyeing travel-related news, look out for the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao)’s latest protocols on health and safety guidelines. It should be out by April 2021.

Also, based on Mr de Juniac’s prediction of Asia-Pacific emerging as the most robust region for global air traffic recovery, that’s enough to bring a smile to the faces of travel-deprived folks.

Watch the news report here:

7 red flags that show you’re spending way too much money

Do you believe that one of the foundations of achieving wealth is saving as much money as you can? A highly effective method of building your savings is to live below your means, and we can’t emphasise that enough in our articles.

Just in case you get us wrong, this doesn’t mean taking a vow of poverty and selling all your possessions away. It just means actively monitoring your spending and watching for ways to spend less.

Watch out for these red flags that may indicate you’re spending way too much money.

#1: Spending above your salary

Spending more money than you make is a bad habit. Overspending can put you in debt, which is incompatible with your aim for financial freedom.

To better evaluate your spending, make a list of all your monthly expenses – housing, food, bills, memberships, and subscriptions – and compare it to your monthly income. If your expenditure exceeds your salary, you must find ways to increase your earnings or decrease your spending.

For freelancers with variable incomes, this can be challenging. One strategy is to calculate your average monthly payment over a rolling 12-month period and use that number to budget. You may also use a more conservative approach by taking your lowest-earning month as a baseline to account from.

#2: Budgeting based on your pre-tax income

Image Credits: wincofoam.com

Constructing your budget on your pre-tax earnings can be a huge mistake. If you’re a Singapore Citizen (SC), Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR), or a foreigner who has stayed for 183 days or more, you would be well aware of Singapore’s income tax requirements.

The more money you earn, the more you pay in taxes. This means our take-home pay is less than our hourly rate or our salary would suggest. It is, therefore, unwise to craft your budget on your pre-tax income since you do not get to keep everything you earn.

Build your budget around your take-home pay minus the taxes for a more accurate financial review.

#3: Oustanding balances on your credit accounts

Having credit cards to supplement your income can be highly attractive. However, unpaid debt on your credit lines is detrimental to your financial health.

According to some local findings, the average interest rate on a credit card on our sunny island is about 25%. If you do not pay off your credit card in full every month, the remaining balance will begin accruing interest, and this may grow out of hand if not kept in check.

Debt can increase rapidly even before you realise it. Be sure to pay off your credit balances in full at the end of each month, and if you can’t, at least go past the minimum sum required to “get by’. This is because merely making minimum payments every month is a dangerous practice.

Should you find yourself unable to do so, it means you are spending too much on credit.

#4: Having a negative net worth

Image Credits: corporatefinanceinstitute.com

Investopedia defines net worth as the value of all of your assets minus your liabilities. If your net worth is negative, you owe more money than you own. Makes sense? If not, read that again.

This is not a desirable state of affairs for sure. To know your net worth, you can calculate it using Moneysense’s Net Worth Calculator. The numbers will help you take stock of your current financial situation.

For those who are severely indebted, with a net worth of – S$15,000 or less, you may wish to consider examining Singapore’s bankruptcy laws to help you repair your finances and start afresh.

#5: Housing expenses over 40% of your gross income

Experts suggest that your housing expenses should not exceed 30% to 40% of your monthly income. For example, if you bring home S$4,000 a month, your monthly housing budget should be somewhere between S$1,200 and S$1,600.

To find out your ideal housing expenses, simply multiply your monthly income by 0.3 or 0.4 to see what your monthly budget for housing expenses should be. If your rent exceeds this number, you may need to try and find a less expensive apartment and not survive just on your savings.

#6: Spending to keep up with social influences

Image Credits: motors.hongsehgroup.com

In our current age of Instagram and TikTok, it is easy to get swirled into the world’s neverending wants. We may see influencers, friends, or family members buying new items or taking expensive staycations and begin to wonder if we should do the same.

But before we buy that latest device or spend money on an extravagant restaurant date, we must ask if we’re doing this for ourselves or to impress someone else on the worldwide web? Is it worth finding money in the budget to keep up with appearances?

Spend your money wisely and avoid the trap of wanting the latest of everything because that will only lead you down the point of no return.

#7: Your savings are literally zero

An absence of savings is a common-sense indicator of excessive spending.

A healthy savings account can help you survive unexpected expenses medically related and help you prepare for significant life events like starting a family or even early retirement.

If your savings account is empty or underfunded, you are spending too much and saving too little. Finding small opportunities to save money will help get your spending under control and your savings back on track.

FairPrice: Save up to 50% with discounted items from now till 17 March 2021

Is it just me, or is time passing at a much faster rate than before? It’s Thursday again, and this means we’re just a day to the weekend! Folks struggling with school or at work, hang on tight.

This week, we’re looking at a set of brand new deals at FairPrice. Loyal shoppers tuning in every Thursday can look forward to some savings on Häagen-Dazs mini ice cream cups, Hai Di Lao self-heating hotpots, and more.

Let’s get started!

#1: Haagen-Dazs Mini Cups Ice Cream – Favourite Selection

Price: 2 for S$27.90

Usual Price: S$17.90

Savings: S$7.90

We’re spotlighting the Favourite Selection from Häagen-Dazs. It’s made up of coffee, macadamia nut, matcha green tea, and caramel biscuit & cream. If those are not your favourites, how about giving Chocoholic Moments or Fruit Fantasy a chance to impress your taste buds? Each box comes with 4 x 100ml mini cups, so with this ongoing deal, each serving is yours to bring home at only S$3.49 (usual price: S$4.48).

#2: Hai Di Lao Self-Heating Beef Hotpot – Spicy

Price: S$7.95

Usual Price: S$10.90

Savings: S$2.95

Hai Di Lao fans, where art thou? Your self-heating hotpots are on sale! Most of us are used to the tomato beef or the spicy vegetable selections from FairPrice. Apparently, there are new additions to our go-to supermarket. Get your fill on spicy beef and tomato vegetables (sale price: S$6.50) from now onwards.

#3: I’m Kimchi Cabbage Kimchi

Price: S$6.50

Usual Price: S$7.20

Savings: S$0.70

Kimchi isn’t the cheapest side dish to have daily, but there are many health benefits tagged to the national food of South Korea. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including choline and vitamin K. It’s also a good source of probiotics that can help facilitate digestion. Check your refrigerator right now and see if you’ve finished up all your kimchi. If yes, you will want to take advantage of this promotion to get your new batch of kimchi. Just be mindful not to store it past six months after opening.

#4: Farmpride Stone Baked & Frozen Pizza – Truffle

Price: 2 for S$7.75

Usual Price: S$5.35

Savings: S$2.95

Did someone mention truffle? Yes! In fact, it’s not just truffle but savoury truffle sauce and chewy mozzarella cheese. No matter how busy work gets, don’t forget to take a quick bite during lunchtime or tea break. For peeps who don’t fancy truffle (but why?!), you can go for these instead:

Margherita
Rocket & Tomato
Fungi Champignon

This particular promotion will last till 24 March.

#5: Lifebuoy Antibacterial Handwash – Activ Fresh (Menthol)

Price: 2 for S$2.90

Usual Price: S$2.90

Savings: S$2.90

Singapore has seen significant progress in COVID-19 numbers in recent months. Our Health Minister Gan Kim Yong shared that Singapore is making “steady progress” in its COVID-19 vaccination programme last week too. But still, the sneaky virus can strike back anytime if we aren’t careful with our hygiene habits. Keep up with frequent handwashing with the 1-for-1 Lifebuoy Antibacterial Handwash assorted products this week at FairPrice!

Shop online or check in-stores for the latest deals.

Must-buy items from now till 17 March 2021

Fresh picks at FairPrice till 17 March 2021

FairPrice’s weekly saver deals till 17 March 2021

8 questions to ask yourself before getting a personal loan

Are you in need of quick cash for an emergency? One of the most important factors when considering applying for a personal loan is the interest rate.

Whether you’re planning to go for the Standard Chartered CashOne Personal Loan (as low as 3.48% p.a.) or CIMB CashLite (3.5% p.a.), pause for a moment to think it through.

Ask yourself these questions before getting a personal loan.

#1: Why do you need the money?

There are many reasons you may wish to borrow money. Maybe you’re faced with medical bills or unexpected home renovations.

For those looking to pay off high-interest debt, applying for a personal loan would make sense too. For example, if you have a credit card debt at a 25% interest rate per year, it would be wise to take up a personal loan with a 7% interest rate to consolidate your debts and pay it off first.

Go ahead and get that personal loan if you know it’s for a good cause, such as reducing the interest.

#2: What is the interest rate?

Image Credits: Investopedia

Speaking of interest, here’s our next point.

Before you borrow money, understand that the lender will make a profit by charging you interest. According to Investopedia, interest is a charge applied to you, expressed as a principal percentage. And, of course, a lower interest rate is better for you as the borrower.

However, it’s not as simple as it seems. There are two rates to consider: Applied Rate (AR) and Effective Interest Rate (EIR). In short, AR keeps the loan principal as a constant over the life of the loan. In contrast, EIR calculates the reduction in principal as you pay down the sum.

Do more research if you are unsure of the terms.

#3: Are there other charges?

In addition to interest, there may be additional fees.

Possible charges include a fixed annual fee tagged to borrowing, a late payment fee if you miss a payment, or a change fee if you need to renegotiate your loan terms.

Some banks even charge an early repayment fee as early repayments affect a portion of their predicted profits. Be aware of these possible charges before you move forward with the application.

#4: Can you manage the loan repayments?

Image Credits: The Economic Times

When considering whether to take up a personal loan, you must decide if you can handle the repayments.

Once you know the interest rate, extra fees, and anticipated monthly repayment amount, make necessary calculations from your income to see if you can afford to pay it back.

To do so, you want to write out a detailed budget including your spending needs on groceries, household bills, and miscellaneous expenses. From the breakdown, see if you have enough leftovers to weather an unforeseen financial storm.

Yes, that’s for your rainy days.

#5: How will it affect your credit score?

Lenders use credit scores to decide whether to issue you a loan. Credit scores affect loan terms such as interest rates, tenure, and principal limits.

Your payment history, the ratio of debt to credit, the age and quantity of your accounts you own, and any derogatory reports such as loan defaults can affect your credit score.

If you think you can do without a personal loan this time around, then skip it. Ensuring that your credit is in good shape will help you get a better loan in the future when you seriously need it.

#6: What is your borrowing limit?

Image Credits: Yahoo Finance

Are you aware that The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has established a Credit Limit Management Measure (CLMM)?

It prevents financial institutions from lending new credit facilities to borrowers with debts greater than six times their monthly income. This credit limit helps to protect borrowers from getting into high debts too much to bear.

And of course, other than CLMM implemented by the authorities, other factors will also affect your borrowing limit. This includes your credit score, monthly salary, and the relationship you have with the bank.

#7: How reliable is the lender?

Be mindful that some people and institutions may not be worth your time and transaction in any situation involving money.

If a lender fails to run a credit check, seems disorganised, or cannot answer basic questions, be wary. You want to deal with a reputable banking institution and not one that agrees to a loan without reviewing your credit history.

#8: When will you get the funds?

Image Credits: Jmc Accounts

Most people seeking personal loans are racing against time. If that is a factor, you want to find out how long is the approval process. From approval to disbursement of the loan, speeds will vary from bank to bank.

Here are three personal loans promising instant processing times:

Final thoughts

The decision to borrow money should be considered carefully. Evaluating and understanding your loan’s reasons, the interest rates, loan repayments, and more mentioned in this article can help you make the best decision possible when seeking a personal loan.