Celeste Elle, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

FairPrice Weekly Deals: Discounted items you must buy from now till 2 September 2020

We’re at the end of August and nearing a new month. How often do you do your groceries? If you have the habit of doing your monthly groceries at the end of the month, don’t forget to check out this list of discounted items to buy before you shop in-stores or cart out online.

Here are some of the items on sale from now till 2 September 2020.

#1: Ocean Fresh Delite Frozen Japanese Scallop

Usual Price: S$34.90

Sale Price: S$24.90

Savings: S$10

Save a whopping S$10 when you purchase this box of frozen Japanese scallops from FairPrice this week. To cook, simply defrost, season, and pan sear each side for about three minutes until golden brown.

#2: New Moon Essence of Chicken – Cordyceps

Usual Price: S$19.90

Sale Price: S$14.90

Savings: S$5

This value pack comes with an extra two bottles so you get a total of eight bottles for the sale price of S$14.90. After some calculations, a bottle goes for about S$1.86! It’s a natural food supplement suitable for children, men, and women of all ages and lifestyles.

#3: New Zealand Natural Premium Ice Cream – Cookies & Cream

Usual Price: S$12.40

Sale Price: 3 for S$19.95

Savings: S$17.25

You get to save a lot with this week’s deal. A 473ml tub of New Zealand ice cream which usually goes for S$12.40 is only S$6.65 now if you buy three. Other flavours like vanilla and chocolate ecstasy are available.

#4: Downy Expert Fabric Conditioner Refill – Indoor Dry

Usual Price: S$9

Sale Price: 2 for S$12.95

Savings: S$5.05

With the unpredictable weather these days, many of us are forced to dry our laundry indoors. This particular series prevents the growth of germs that causes musty smell when drying indoors. With up to 20X antibacterial power, it also helps to soften and freshen your laundry load.

#5: Cowhead Cheese Slices – Cheddar

Usual Price: S$9.85

Sale Price: S$7.90

Savings: S$1.95

Check your refrigerator to see if you still have cheese left. If not, stock up with this three-pack combination with 12 individually wrapped pieces in each pack. A piece of cheese for S$0.22? Yes, please!

#6: Okeanoss Frozen Salmon (Portion)

Usual Price: S$8.45

Sale Price: S$7.50

Savings: S$0.95

Salmon, though a type of fatty fish, has many health benefits if consumed. It is rich in high-quality protein, an excellent source of B vitamins, and may help protect us against heart diseases.

#7: Harada Yabukita Blend Japanese Green Tea Bags

Usual Price: S$6.60

Sale Price: 2 for S$10.50

Savings: S$2.70

You must have come across the benefits of drinking green tea somewhere, somehow. Being one of the healthiest beverages out there, it helps with weight loss, lowers the risk of some cancers, and contributes to oral health. Instead of coffee, brew yourself a cup of green tea on some mornings!

#8: Fortune Dried Scallop in XO Sauce – Original

Usual Price: S$8.95

Sale Price: 2 for S$6.50

Savings: S$2.45

Instead of flavouring with oyster sauce when you stir-fry vegetables, how about putting in some dried scallops in XO sauce? You can also add it to fried rice or noodles.

#9: Follow Me Green Tea Shampoo – Anti-Hair Fall

Usual Price: S$7.90

Sale Price: 2 for S$6.45

Savings: S$1.45

Looking to put a stop to hair loss in Singapore’s hot and humid weather? You might want to give the Follow Me anti-hair fall shampoo a try. Take a look at other hair loss products under S$30 here.

#10: Yifon Spicy Abalone Mushroom

Usual Price: S$1.95

Sale Price: 2 for S$1.95

Savings: S$1.95

Buy one get one free for this 170g bottle of abalone mushrooms. This product contains no preservatives and artificial colourings. Suitable for vegetarians to consume!

Check out the rest of FairPrice’s weekly deals here.

1-for-1 deals from now till 2 September 2020

Swarovski x Wonder Woman: Limited-edition jewellery collection launched with prices from S$129

Fans of Wonder Woman will rejoice at this limited-edition jewellery collection launched by Swarovski. Do you know that the fictional superhero and founding member of the Justice League has a specific day set aside for her? Day of Wonder, on October 21, commemorates the day of Wonder Woman’s very first appearance in the ALL STAR COMICS #8. Day of Wonder is coming up in less than two months!

Know of a woman in your life that reflects the character of empowerment? Get the limited-edition jewellery collection for her.

Let’s have a look at what’s available.

#1: FIT WONDER WOMAN NECKLACE, GOLD TONE, MIXED METAL FINISH

Price: S$129

This Swarovski necklace features a combination of clear Swarovski crystals on a mixed metal finish that forms the Wonder Woman symbol. In combination with everyday outfits, this necklace will wow any DC fan.

#2: FIT WONDER WOMAN HOOP PIERCED EARRINGS, GOLD TONE, MIXED METAL FINISH

Price: S$149

Adorned in sparkling Swarovski crystals, the ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ symbol dangles from mixed metal finish hoops. You can also remove the symbols to create a more subtle everyday look. We think this pair makes a great gift idea for the superwoman in your life.

#3: FIT WONDER WOMAN BRACELET, GOLD TONE, MIXED METAL FINISH

Price: S$149

Similar to our previous listing, this bracelet features the heroine’s symbol from the new movie ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ in sparkling Swarovski crystals. The symbol is fixed to two rhodium-plated chains.

#4: FIT WONDER WOMAN PIERCED EARRINGS, GOLD TONE, GOLD-TONE PLATED

Price: S$279

This pair of pierced earrings presents to us the gold-tone plated strands dangling from the ear studs shaped like stylized wings. Sparkling Swarovski crystals make these earrings a perfect complement to your glamorous outfits.

#5: WONDER WOMAN BROOCH, GOLD TONE, GOLD-TONE PLATED

Price: S$279

Here’s a stunning brooch that forms part of Atelier Swarovski’s new collaboration with Warner Bros., which celebrates the release of ‘Wonder Woman 1984’. The gold-tone plated design is an inspiration of the character’s protective golden armour and sparkles with an array of light-coloured crystals in different cuts.

#6: WONDER WOMAN PENDANT, WHITE, GOLD-TONE PLATED

Price: S$329

This piece is one of the matching items alongside the Wonder Woman brooch shown in the listing before this. Feel bold and beautiful in this feminine design, which comes on a chain. You may also get the gold-tone plated ring to play match-up.

#7: FIT WONDER WOMAN CUFF, GOLD TONE, MIXED METAL FINISH

Price: S$379

We look forward to the day when the pandemic is over and large-scale events can resume. When that day comes, we can proudly put on this amazing Swarovski bracelet in sparkling clear Swarovski crystals on a mixed metal finish.

View the rest of the Wonder Woman limited-edition Swarovski jewellery collection here.

Useful skincare tips from aesthetic doctors like the well-known Dr Georgia Lee and more

More often than not, we find ourselves googling for information on everything and anything. With so much fake information out there, it’s wiser to hear from aesthetic doctors themselves than to trust that article written in 2012.

Hear directly on skincare tips from aesthetic doctors like the well-known Dr Georgia Lee and more.

#1: Dr Georgia Lee of Dr GL

Image Credits: herworld.com

“I recommend using a product that helps to increase the penetration of other products that come after. Also, I believe not everyone needs a moisturiser over the whole face. This step can be skipped if the particular area on your face is acne-prone and oily.

Next, it is important to understand that the skin undergoes changes during the cycle and not all areas of the face are suitable for one particular type of moisturiser. I recommend the concept of layering. Start with a light, gel-based moisturiser and add on a lotion only on areas that are needed.

Additionally, we should never neglect to apply sunscreen over the eyelids as UV rays can accelerate collagen degradation as high as five times and neglecting this step can accelerate eyelid laxity. Find one that is safe for the eyelids.

Lastly, now that many of us are using facial masks, this can cause redness and breakouts. Reduce usage on AHA or retinoic-based products over the covered areas. If you are using reusable masks, ensure that the detergents used to wash your mask has been thoroughly rinsed out.”

#2: Dr Melvin Tan of Epion Clinic

Image Credits: herworld.com

“It is important to incorporate a number of elements in your routine. For example, the use of a cleanser, toner, chemical exfoliants like AHAs, serums formulated with retinol or hyaluronic acid; and of course, a moisturiser.

Speak to your doctor on how best to apply. Just keep in mind that the rule of thumb would be cleanse, tone, exfoliate, apply serums, slab on some moisturiser and proceed with sunscreen.”

#3: Dr Rachel Ho of La Clinic

Image Credits: herworld.com

“Give a skincare product at least three to four weeks before making a verdict on whether you see any improvements, especially for anti-ageing products. The skin cells renew every 28 days for most people, so some products like retinoids may require that duration for results to be seen.

If you are unsure, my tip is to minimise your skincare steps because your products may be interacting with each other to reduce each other’s efficacy or even cause increased irritation. Additionally, it is important to be consistent with using your product to know if it is working.”

#4: Dr YX Lum of IDS Clinic

Image Credits: herworld.com

“Don’t over or under apply. Listen and respect the skin. The skin will tell you its needs. When it becomes dry and flaky, it’s thirsty and needs hydration. When it’s oily and breaking out, the bacteria and oil production has been thrown off balance. By respecting the skin and using skincare products according to its needs, the balance can be restored.”

These are the top 4 scams of concern in Singapore for the first half of 2020

Did you know that more than S$21.2 million was recovered by the police’s anti-scam centre in their first year of operations? The figure is about 41 per cent of the amount scammers attempted to cheat victims of in the cases handled by the centre, said the police on Jul 30 this year.

Today (Aug 26), we read from the news that the rise in scams contributed to the overall crime increase in the first half of 2020. To be exact, the total number of reported crimes went up to 18,121 cases in the first half of 2020, compared to 16,240 cases reported last year.

Here are the top 4 scams of concern:

#1: E-commerce scams

Image Credits: Medium

E-commerce scams top the list. Reported cases increased by 73.8 per cent from 1,202 in the first half of last year to 2,089 in 2020.

The total amount cheated increased to S$5.4 million, up from S$1 million in the same period last year. The largest sum cheated in a single case on an e-commerce marketplace is S$175,000.

Be extra vigilant when you’re transacting with electronic items, gaming-related items, face masks, and hand sanitizers since according to the authorities, these are the most common scam transactions.

#2: Social media impersonation scams

Image Credits: The Straits Times

The number of social media impersonation scam cases jumped by more than 1,300 per cent, from 83 cases in the first half of last year to 1,175 this year. It’s currently in second place of the top 4 scams of concern.

“Scammers would often claim to help their victims sign up for online contests or promotions which turned out to be fake. Their victims would later discover that unauthorised transactions had been made from their bank accounts or mobile wallets,” the police said.

Instagram and Facebook users should be on their guard since it’s the top two platforms that social media impersonation scams take place on.

#3: Loan scams

Image Credits: The Straits Times

Loan scams increased by 56 per cent to 1,014 cases, up from 650 in 2019. The total amount cheated is a cause for concern with an increase from S$1.9 million in the first half of 2019 to S$6.5 million this year.

“Business operators such as banks, digital platform owners and telcos have a responsibility to prevent, deter and detect crimes committed through their platforms,” said the authorities.

#4: Banking-related phishing scams

Image Credits: CNA

Compared to 34 cases in the same period in 2019, the total number of banking-related phishing scams increased by more than 2,500 per cent in the first half of this year to 898 cases. The total amount cheated increased from S$93,000 to S$3.6 million.

“In the majority of these cases, victims were tricked into disclosing Internet banking usernames, personal identification numbers (PIN) and one-time passwords (OTPs) to scammers posing as bank staff,” said the police in a news release.

According to the authorities, criminals have been taking advantage of the pandemic to find their victims by exploiting the public’s fear and sense of uncertainty. This is evident from the significant increase in online scam cases reported in the first half of 2020.

If you require scam-related assistance, please call the anti-scam helpline at 1800 722 6688 or visit www.scamalert.sg to seek advice.

More jobs and traineeships in the healthcare sector will be available for fresh graduates and mid-career job seekers

The Ministry of Health (MOH) revealed in a press release on Tuesday (Aug 25) that about 7,500 jobs and 1,600 traineeships, attachments, and skills training opportunities will be available from now till the end of 2021.

“These vacancies and opportunities will help to fulfil current and future expanding needs for healthcare services, given Singapore’s ageing population,” said MOH.

Target audience

These job and traineeship vacancies are targeting fresh graduates from the healthcare training programmes and Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) graduates who are mid-career entrants into the healthcare sector.

Out of the 7,500 job vacancies, one-third of it will be for healthcare professionals including nurses and allied health professionals, while the rest include support care, administrative, and ancillary roles.

Interested to join the healthcare sector but have no relevant background in healthcare? Fret not. The jobs in support care, administrative, and ancillary roles are aimed at fresh graduates and mid-career job seekers without a background in healthcare.

There are also positions like patient service associates, non-clinical care or administrative positions, and managerial and executive roles. Relevant training for these roles will be provided for the right candidates.

Traineeships, attachments, and skills training opportunities

Image Credits: todayonline.com

For fresh graduates, you may consider applying for the SGUnited Traineeships Programmes. Mid-career job seekers can join the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme. The programme will last from four to nine months.

“Employers can consider hiring well-performing trainees and mid-career individuals at any time during or after the completion of the traineeship or attachment,” said MOH.

More options for mid-career job seekers

Mid-career job seekers who are keen on undertaking healthcare roles like support staff and executives in clinical and non-clinical roles can apply to the SGUnited skills programmes for skills training.

For job roles like healthcare assistants, therapy assistants, community care coordinators, pharmacy technicians, and health managers and administrators, the training period will be between six and 12 months.

Seven training partners will offer more than 1,300 training opportunities and classes will start progressively from this month. They include:

HMI Institute of Health Sciences
Institute of Technical Education
NTUC Learning Hub
Republic Polytechnic
Singapore Management University
Singapore University of Social Sciences
Temasek Polytechnic

These new opportunities will become available steadily over this year and the next. You may eye the new vacancies on Workforce Singapore’s MyCareersFuture job portal, job fairs, and recruitment platforms.

SGUnited Traineeships Programme for fresh graduates

Image Credits: todayonline.com

Earlier this year in April 2020, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) said in a joint release that recent graduates of the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnics, universities, and other institutions can tap on the SGUnited Traineeships Programme from Jun 1 to boost their employability.

The aim is to have up to 8,000 traineeship opportunities this year across various industries such as life sciences, engineering, and the arts, not just the healthcare sector.

Those interested in applying can do so on www.mycareersfuture.sg. Companies with job offerings may also advertise these positions with the hashtag #SGUnitedTraineeships.