Anna Agoncillo, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

5 Affordable Counselling Options In Singapore

Counselling is the professional guidance given to an individual. The professional uses psychological methods in collecting case history data, personal interview, and testing interests or aptitudes.

Counselling is a form of talk therapy whereby an individual, a couple, or a family talk about their problems with a trained professional counsellor. Remember that your mental wellbeing is as important as your physical health. Whether you are struggling with addiction or facing the pressures at work, here are five affordable counselling options in Singapore.

#1: FAMILY LIFE SOCIETY/CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE (CFL)

Family Life Society or Catholic Family Life (CFL) is a registered charity and a member of the National Council of Social Services. Their patron is the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore. CFL aims to provide pro-bono counselling services to anyone who requires support.

While CFL focuses on parenting and pregnancy issues, they also provide a listening ear to people who are dealing with personal and family issues.

Visit their website for more information.

#2: SINGAPORE COUNSELLING CENTRE (SCC)

Singapore Counselling Centre (SCC) offers professional counselling in different languages and dialects such as English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, Cantonese, and Hokkien. Its services are available from Monday to Sunday. The flexibility allows people who work on the weekdays to get necessary help on the weekends.

The rates vary for adults, children, youth, couples, and families. For instance, one-session is priced at S$160.60 for adults, S$160.50 for children and youth, $235.40 for couples, and S$363.80 for families. You can purchase a 10-session package to save up to 20%.

Visit their website for more information.

#3: SILVER RIBBON SINGAPORE

Do not worry about the hefty bills that come with counselling services because the Silver Ribbon Singapore offer free counselling services through video calls.

As a strong advocate for mental health, the people behind Silver Ribbon Singapore organize mental health workshops and awareness seminars. They help students, migrant workers, and psychiatric inmates to better cope with their personal struggles.

Visit their website for more information.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: SINGAPORE ASSOCIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH (SAMH)

If you are uncomfortable with communicating with an actual professional counsellor through an in-person session, you may opt for a phone call or an online helpline instead. Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) has a helpline for all mental health-related issues.

SAMH has an in-person donation-based counselling session and a helpline. Counselling sessions are free to people whose finances are tight. Call 1800-283-7019 for more details.

#5: ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN FOR ACTION AND RESEARCH (AWARE)

In Singapore, Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) aids females who have been victims of sexual assault or harassment. AWARE’s female-centric programs and services are designed to help females to deal with issues such as sexuality and violence.

Services are exclusively available for women above 21, but they also accept referrals from the Sexual Assault Care Centre. These sessions can only be done on an appointment basis. Adults are charged at 1% of their monthly salary (i.e., capped at S$150). While students or people with no income are required to pay a minimum fee of S$20. Call 1800 777 5555 for more details.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

4 Wet Markets Offering Fresh and Affordable Groceries In Singapore

Just like the shopping centres and community parks, wet markets have been the glue that binds our communities together. Get the freshest and cheapest ingredients when you head down these wet markets early in the morning!

*Please note that the regulations in these wet markets are subject to changes to follow the COVID-19 restrictions. It goes without saying that your safety remains a top priority.

#1: CHINATOWN WET MARKET

The Chinatown Wet Market is one of the unique wet markets in Singapore as it stores exotic meats such as live frogs, eels, and turtles. It is situated in the iconic Chinatown Complex building. This market offers both the eccentric and familiar ingredients for your special recipes. After shopping, you can head upstairs to explore the meals sold by the food vendors. These vendors sell old-school Singaporean food like popiah, dumplings, and lor mee.

Location: Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith St., 050335

#2: TEKKA CENTRE

Tekka Centre is the largest wet market in Singapore with 284 stalls. Its wide space is home to fresh produce and dry goods for all kinds of needs. This market is haven for both food enthusiasts and fashion lovers. Nestled in the heart of Little India, the Tekka centre is a melting pot of diversity. Greet the vendors and ask for quality seafood. The centre is known for its famous Sri Lankan crabs!

Location: 665 Buffalo Rd., 210665

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: CHONG PANG MARKET + FOOD CENTRE

The Chong Pang Market + Food Centre has captivated both the nearby patrons and the distant customers for several years. This wet market serves quality meats and produce as early as 5 AM. Apart from shopping, you may visit this place to get a satisfying digestive experience. The dozens of food stalls serve hungry residents until late at night. Try the famous Chong Pang Nasi Lemak while you are there.

Location: 105 Yishun Ring Rd., 760105

#4: ADMIRALTY WET MARKET

Part of the newly renovated premises at the Admiralty Place Neighbourhood Centre, the Admiralty Wet Market offers fresh ingredients for your daily meals. It is a short walk away from the Admiralty MRT Station. Its newly renovated premises features improved ventilation and lighting as well as a more efficient layout to enhance your shopping experience.

Location: Block 678A Woodlands Ave. 6, 731678

Singapore’s wet market is one of the best places for bargain hunters. What are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves and have an interesting experience with these four wet markets.

Sources: 1 & 2

Neighbor Disputes: 5 Ways To Peacefully Manage Them

As I moved to three places in three years, I have had my share of difficult neighbors. You may love your home but getting stuck with awful neighbors can have you thinking of moving out. Here are some tips on dealing with rude, nosy, or difficult neighbors without causing too much drama.

#1: KNOW THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NEIGHBORS

From nosy neighbors to dangerous neighbors, there are diverse types of neighbors that you need to watch out for. Red flags exist for a reason. Do your best to weigh whether the situation needs to be managed or not. Let us illustrate through the “richer than you neighbor”.

The “richer than you” neighbor refers to the people whom you try to keep up with. These people parade their flat renovations, new car, and shiny gadgets. Despite doing nothing wrong, you may start to brew feelings of jealousy or inadequacy.

Remember that you do not know the whole story. Focus on the qualities of your home that make you happy. Revel in pride as you take care of your indoor garden. Focus on these positive things and stay contented with what you have.

#2: CREATE A LOG OF QUESTIONABLE BEHAVIORS

The truth is, we are not aware of all our actions. Your neighbor may not be aware that he or she often blasts the volume of their television or that you can hear them scream at each other. Make a documentation of the offending behaviors to help your case when you need to present it to the housing board or the property owner.

Store a log of the offending behaviors and take a note when it happens. Add any communication you and your neighbor have had regarding the problem. Do not forget to write what you have discussed.

#3: DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THE RULES AND REGULATIONS

Whether you live in an HDB Complex or a Condominium, there are a set of guidelines dictating tenant behavior. Check your housing contract or do your online research to know the rules and regulations of your place.

For instance, playing loud music after 10 pm is not allowed. If your neighbor is in clear violation of these rules and regulations, you will have a stronger case when you go speak to them.

#4: COMMUNICATE POLITELY AND DIRECTLY

Before going to the upper management to raise your disputes with the neighbors, try to speak with them first. Give your neighbor a chance to fix the problem and hear him or her out. If you are not comfortable with face-to-face confrontation, you may leave a note or send an email to highlight what is going on.

Be polite and direct to let your neighbor know what affects you. Try not to use accusatory language, which can put your neighbor on defensive mode.

#5: DO NOT REACT IN THE MOMENT

The best advice that I received was to put some space between the incident. Do not react in the heat of the moment, because you might do something wrong. Avoid saying anything that you would regret in the future.

Image credits: unsplash.com

Take time to figure out what you want the resolution to be. Your goal is to express what happen and solve the problem together. Compromise if needed.

Sources: 1 & 2

What On Earth Is A Buyback?

Highlights

A buyback occurs when a company purchases its own shares in the stock market.
A repurchase reduces the number of shares outstanding. Thus, it inflates earnings per share.
A buyback can demonstrate to investors that the business has sufficient money set aside for emergencies.

WHAT IS A BUYBACK?

A stock buyback occurs when a company purchases shares of its own stock. It either retains the stock for resale to the market in the future or permanently removes the stock from the circulation.

This process reduces the total shares of stock outstanding and increases ownership stake that each remaining share of stock represents. It increases the value for the shareholders.

HOW DO BUYBACKS WORK?

Stock buyback plans are usually authorized by the company’s board and proposed by its executives. However, a planned buyback does not always occur. In some cases, the target share price a company chooses may not be met or a tender offer may not be accepted.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUYBACKS?

The diverse types of buybacks include the on-market and off-market buybacks. The former refers to when a company buys its own shares on an exchange in the ordinary course of trading.

In contrast, the off-market buybacks occur when the company makes its offer directly to the shareholders.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A BUYBACK?

Company XYZ had one million dollars in earnings and one million outstanding shares before the buyback. Thus, it equates to earnings per share of S$1. Trading at a S$20 per share stock price, its P/E ratio is 20.

With all else being equal, one hundred thousand shares would be repurchased and the new earnings per share would be S$1.11. To have the same P/E ratio of 20, shares would need to trade up 11% to S$22.22.

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO BUYBACKS?

Buyback programs have come under scrutiny over the past few years. So, alternatives are important to know when understanding buybacks.

Other options include:

a. Using capital to acquire other companies or securities,
b. Returning cash on hand to investors in the form of dividends, and
c. Re-investing the capital in research and development.

Sources: 1 & 2

6 Nerve-wracking Lessons From Squid Game

Since its release in the latter half of September, Squid Game has been the talk of the town. Squid Game is a 2021 Netflix Thriller created by Korean director Hwang Dong-hyuk. Its story follows the lives of 456 cash-strapped players who accepted a strange invitation to compete in a series of children’s games.

A tempting prize awaits inside the Squid Game. However, all these come with deadly high stakes.

CAUTION: SPOILER ALERT!

Let us highlight the six important lessons you can reap from the Squid Game.

#1: THE PRESENT AFFECTS THE FUTURE

The decisions you make now shapes not only your present, but also your future. The lead character, Gi-hun, showed his imperfections throughout the show. All his past actions (e.g., gambling problems), came to bite him in the present.

His broken marriage, losing his child due to financial constraints, and his seriously ill mother took a toll on him. The mistakes he made in the past led him to enter the Squid Game.

#2: BE CAREFUL WHO YOU TRUST

Be careful when it comes to trusting someone. Remember that a person’s smile does not always mean that he or she is your friend. Of all the betrayal that happened in Squid Game, I was heavily hurt when disgraced banker Cho Sang Woo betrayed Pakistani worker Abdul Ali.

Throughout the show, Ali showed pure kindness and admiration to his Hyung Sang Woo (i.e., hyung – term of endearment meaning older brother). Sang Woo also helped him in the outside world by giving him money. During an important game of marbles, Sang Woo tricked Ali to win the game. At the last-minute, Ali realizes that his marbles have been switched with stones. He was brutally killed. His death showed us that the world around us is not as kind as it seems.

Image Credits: facebook.com/netflixph

#3: MONEY CANNOT BUY HAPPINESS

Several articles and films showed how money cannot lead to happiness. In the Squid Game’s final episode, we find out that Player 001, Oh Il Nam was the mastermind of it all. I had grown fond of this old man who continued to have fun in the face of imminent death. I, too, was deceived.

It was mastermind Il Nam’s way of entertaining his extremely rich clients who had grown bored of their lives. Money is important, but it is no substitute for doing something fulfilling.

#4: GAMBLING IS NEVER THE ANSWER

On his daughter’s birthday, Gi-hun used his mother’s money to gamble. He should have bought a special meal or a special gift instead. If you look closely at the character, he enjoys the thrill of the uncertain.

Gambling never gives you the assurance of a better life. It may be a way to win cash quickly, but it is never guaranteed.

#5: INSURANCE CAN SAVE LIVES

The best time to get insurance is when you do not need it yet. In episode two, he urged his mother to get her foot treated only to realize that he stopped paying for the health insurance years ago. His weakened mother had no choice but to walk out of the hospital because they cannot afford it.

Having insurance helps you to cushion unforeseen expenses such as the ones brought by critical illnesses. Shop around to see which fits you best.

#6: KINDNESS COMES FROM THE PEOPLE YOU LEAST EXPECT

The first episode is a special one. “Red Light, Green Light” displayed that the players came from tricky situations and were shocked by the deathly risks of the game. The innocent child game escalated into a bloodbath.

Image Credits: facebook.com/netflixph

Gi-hun came close to being eliminated. Fortunately, Ali’s strong helping hand saved him. He did not have to do it, but he did despite risking his own life. He was selfless. Being selfless means caring about others, without the desire for compensation.

You will meet both selfish and selfless people throughout your life. The choice is yours!

Sources: 1 & 2

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