How To Save Money On Last-Minute Travels

It has been a while since my significant other and I traveled together. For the first time in a long time, we shall be booking an overseas trip at the last-minute. With two weeks to spare, we need to find ways to stretch our dollar.

Conventional wisdom states that you must book months in advance to save money. Last minute purchases usually lead to expensive airline tickets and lodging arrangements. However, this is not always the case.

#1: BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR DESTINATION

Since you are being spontaneous, consider letting the deals decide your destination. Let the fate guide you! Who knows? You may be in Haiti for less S$200.

If you do not have your heart set on a specific place, you may go to websites that enable you to check the best travel deals. For instance, Kayak Explore is a great tool to see which countries offer the best deals at a variety of travel dates.

#2: BOOK A LATE TIME-SLOT

Use the scarcity of time to your favor by booking really late. Interestingly, you may score the cheapest flights by pushing your booking way back. The closer the date, the more desperate airlines are in trying to fill the plane’s capacity. Go big or go home, right?

#3: SEARCH FOR FAVORABLE EXCHANGE RATES

One way to maximize your dollar is to compare the Singapore dollar to the rest of the world. If you are eyeing a trip abroad, you may look for a destination with favorable exchange rates. Which local currencies are weaker compared to the Singapore dollar? Perhaps, there are countries experiencing momentary economic instability or other conditions that decline their currency values. Consider traveling to these countries.

#4: OPEN THE INCOGNITO MODE

Keep your searches in private. When you surf the Net in Incognito Mode, your browser does not collect cookies. This means that third parties cannot identify the website you have visited before. Without the ability to track your movements, travel websites will have a harder time guessing your intentions. You see, these websites tend to raise prices to people who are not on “private” mode.

Another option is for you to use a VPN or a Virtual Private Network, which will conceal your geographical location and encrypt the data you send.

#5: PACK THE LIGHT ESSENTIALS

Make minimalist packing your lifestyle by traveling light. No matter how long you plan to be away from the country, it is best to pack no more than a week’s supply of fresh clothes. Packing light basics and weather-appropriate gear ensures that you save money and space.

Do not forget other essential accessories such as travel-sized hygiene items, chargers and USBs, power adapters, and padlocks.

#6: BE FLEXIBLE WITH THE TRAVEL DATES

Aside from the destinations, you can save more money by being flexible with the travel dates. People travel less in these unconventional days. Traveling in the middle of the week is cheaper than traveling towards the end of the week. You will get the best deal by flying on a Tuesday and leaving the following Wednesday as compared to flying on a Friday and leaving next Sunday.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Keep these tips in mind the next time you book a last-minute flight! ?

Sources:1 & 2

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How To Sell Your Items Beyond Facebook

Put your entrepreneur shades on and climb into a new terrain – the online business. It can be difficult to navigate, but every new venture presents its own challenges and opportunities.

#1: IDENTIFYING YOUR TARGET MARKET

When your product or service is solidified, research on the target market you aspire to tap. Identifying your target market and competition can help you decide the branding, pricing, and marketing strategies. Your website’s design must be attractive to your potential clients.

For instance, you are planning to sell sportswear. You may focus on several sports groups or teams in Singapore by joining running events or swimming meets.

#2: PICKING AN E-COMMERCE PLATFORM

Choosing the right platform is just as important as the product or service you sell. Ensure that you sign up for an all-in-one solution that allows you to showcase your items and to sell it thru a shopping cart software. This way, you would not need to hire someone to code your transactions. Consider these platforms:

A. Instagram

If you are looking at the contemporary scene whereby Millennials and Centennials frequent, consider opening a shop in Instagram. It is the perfect platform to sell clothes. Furthermore, there are no fees to list your images and there are no companies that will take over your prices. You are the boss!

Create a separate Instagram account with flat lay pictures to showcase your items. Then, put hashtags like #clothessingapore, #sgblogshop, #shopmycloset, #instacloset, #instasale, and #clothesforsale. These tags will help potential clients find your profile.

B. Craigslist

For local selling that goes straight to the point, try posting in Craigslist. This website may not look as flashy as other marketplaces, but it is reliable. It will connect you to buyers using your own terms. It is free to list and sell. Just meet up with the buyer to complete the transaction.

Simply look for the category that you are eyeing for and list the item you want to sell. People are attracted to Craigslist due to its simplistic nature.

C. Etsy

For people who love to sell artistic homegrown goods, they go to Etsy. It is one of the biggest online platforms across the globe, which houses unique and quirky products.

I often go to Etsy to search for craftsy items that my friends will be delighted to receive as gifts.

#3: CREATING YOUR ONLINE STORE

The final step is to build your online store. Customize a theme that will attract your clients. Follow your branding. You may also set up folders or categories for each item you upload. Put as much information as you can.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Lastly, you may assign shipping and payment methods to ease the process. Consider websites that allow you to build a page for free such as wix.com.

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5 Online Businesses You Can Start With Little To No Money

The Internet has a wealth of things to offer! Anyone with a computer or a smartphone can make money online. That is, without spending too much money.

#1: BLOGGING

More than 5 years ago, I launched Miss Psychobabble to blogger.com. I dove into blogging without a plan in mind. It was merely a medium for me to speak out my views regarding human behavior and how Psychology helps with life’s processes. My passion and knowledge for Psychology led me to start making articles that involve current issues and the workings of the mind. I am very thankful for services such as Blogger and other websites that offer free platforms for one to start blogging.

You can post photos, articles, and videos to earn money through sponsorships and advertisements. The key is to post regular content that is useful for your target audience.

#2: POSTING VIDEOS

It is bizarre to know someone who has not watched a YouTube video throughout his or her life. YouTube is one of the most popular websites across the globe, with more than 1 billion users streaming hours of video playlists each day. Use its reach to your advantage by making money online. Then, you may enable monetization on your Youtube settings. You cannot aim for an immediate viral video as a newbie!

Instead, you can create multiple videos to maximize the views and increase your gains. Whether you are knowledgeable about hair styling or an expert in how-to videos, you must find your niche. The sky is the limit!

#3: SELLING DOMAIN NAMES

Looking for a lucrative and entertaining way to earn money? Search no further than selling and buying domain names. It is comparable to buying a property for a low price and selling it for a higher rate. For instance, the most expensive domain name was sold for US$35.6 million. It was none other than insurance.com.

To buy a domain, you need more than just a credit card. Purchase domains on familiar websites such as GoDaddy.com, NameJet, or Sedo. Successful sellers will tell you that creating a portfolio of dozens of domains increases your chances of making sales.

#4: BECOMING A CONSULTANT

We are all good at something. If you have the knack to share your knowledge to others, you can pass it on by becoming a consultant. Becoming a consultant refers to tapping into an area you are great at to teach others.

You may offer services such as social media management, search engine optimization, and business promotion. More businesses seek experts rather than people who know a little bit of everything – Jack Of All Trades.

#5: SELLING YOUR CRAFTS

Crafty individuals tend to shy away from technology. However, social media and online marketplaces allow these individuals to share their love for the arts. Use websites such as Etsy or Carousell or platforms such ad Facebook or Instagram to sell your hand-crafted goods.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You can surely sell something online if you knit, paint, sew, carve, or blend. Spend minutes navigating through these online marketplaces to get ideas on the items that you can sell.

Sources: 1
& 2

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How To Start An E-Commerce Business From Scratch

Whether you want to admit it or not, the online business world is filled with fierce competition. The key to a successful business is turning your dreams into a reality by knowing yourself. Plan your defense. Know what you are getting yourself into before you even begin.

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

Everything starts from within. Before you begin selling your products or services, you must find the right ones that have the potential for serious profitability. Find a niche. Learn how to examine your skills and capabilities and research on the unique aspects that you can offer.

For instance, a friend of mine owns an online store that sells organic mosquito repellent products such as Citronella soaps and Citronella room spray. Her niche is fusing organic ingredients and self-care needs.

WHICH BUSINESS IDEAS CAN SUSTAIN THE MARKET?

Do your extensive research on evaluating market viability. Which products or services do people clamor over? What are the needs of the Singaporean children, teens, or adults? Use your business idea to dig deeper into market viability. Think about the details that can make or break your business such as shipping methods and staff requirements.

For instance, you must consider the product lifespan. Think of owning an online store selling vegetables. Inventory churn is high and competition reigns supreme!

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS YOU ARE TRYING TO SOLVE?

Validate the importance of your products or services by using keyword research and evaluating trending items in the market. Start conducting research on the market and the Singaporean majority. The trick is to find a group of people who are searching for a solution to a problem.

Visit online forums to see what problems people are trying to solve. Then, create a product or a service that will alleviate the issues. Learn about your competitors too!

WHAT ARE THE ONLINE BUSINESS LAWS?

Which government laws do you need to abide to when you open your online business? Do your research on the shipping restrictions, zoning laws, trademark considerations, and so on.

You need to polish all your business requirements before pursuing the leap of faith. By knowing the laws, you can avoid being trapped into landmines that will derail your business from succeeding.

WHICH WEBSITE DESIGN SHALL YOU APPLY?

Once you have established your product or service and you have researched your market, you are now ready to build your website. Remember to keep things simple in order to grab your potential client’s attention. Keep these pointers in mind:

A. work with two plain fonts that are easy to understand,
B. make your navigation clear and consistent on every page,
C. only use graphics, videos, or audios that will enhance your message, and
D. include opt-in promotions to collect email addresses.

HOW CAN YOU CREATE LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS?

Well, the surest way to create a tribe for your online shop is to use the power of email marketing. Your customers and subscribers have given you the permission to send them notifications. This means that you may develop lifetime relationships with them, you may measure the percentage of response, and you may boost your traffic.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Email marketing is cheaper and more efficient than print, TV, or radio marketing because it is highly targeted.

Sources: 1 &
2

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Pros And Cons Of Selling On Lazada And Shopee

One cannot deny how vital online marketplaces in today’s society. Among the top e-commerce marketplaces in Southeast Asia are Lazada and Shopee. Both of these can help budding sellers gain exposure for their products. In return, the wide array of available products allow these marketplaces to flourish.

As such, some Singaporeans who want to sell their own products wonder whether they should sell on Lazada or Shopee.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

HIGH TRAFFIC CHANNELS

It comes as no surprise that two of the most popular marketplaces have ever-growing scales of online presence. Both Shopee and Lazada have created images that people trust. The millions of audience they have collated help your online business to get noticed. You can never really get so much attention when you are starting out by yourself. So, it is good to have a little push.

SURPLUS OF NEW CONSUMERS

With different marketing strategies such as birthday discounts and holiday promos, Lazada and Shopee have a growing number of new customer each year. These new customers may not be searching for your store specifically. However, they may search for a product that you have listed before. Once you get noticed, you can transform the customer into a loyal buyer by providing excellent service and product satisfaction.

GOOD SHIPPING TERMS

The strong online presence of these top marketplaces are backed by powerful logistics. Both websites have reliable shipping terms, which include the return policy. But, I cannot deny that return policy on Shopee is simpler than Lazada. The former’s return process is simply fast, while the latter’s return process is more complicated.

FLEXIBILITY OF ACCOUNT CREATION

A seller has an opportunity to decide whether he or she wants to open a single account on Shopee or several staff accounts on Lazada. You may do both too. You see, Shopee works for a single seller. In contrast, Lazada allows you to build staff accounts. You can give each of your team member a specific account needed for each role.

THE DARK SIDE

PAYMENT FEE OF 1%

It is free to create a seller account on both Lazada and Shopee as there are no registration or annual fees. You can start selling right away! Isn’t that convenient? Freely boosting your online business does not entail that these marketplaces will not get their cuts. Other than an approximate of 1% payment fee, you get to keep the rest of your profits.

FOCUSING ON CUSTOMERS

Whether you like it or not, these marketplaces are customer-focused and not seller-focused. They improve the quality of experience of the customers to help your business grow and their websites as well. While they improve the customer satisfaction, they may restrict a lot of things on your end.

NO OUTSIDE THE BORDER TRANSACTIONS

Lazada and Shopee have international websites such as in our neighboring countries – Malaysia and Philippines. However, you may not be able to sell your brand outside Singapore. If you want to sell on Lazada Malaysia, you will need to incorporate a Malaysian business. That is the limitation.

VARIOUS TECHNICAL BOUNDS

Taking advantage of the prevalent mobile use and consumer behavior in Singapore, Shopee has launched as a mobile e-commerce marketplace here and all over Asia. On the other hand, Lazada is yet to perfect its seller app. It remains buggy and customers still prefer shopping on its desktop version. When comparing the two marketplaces, you will notice that Shopee is mobile-first and Lazada is desktop-first.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

The question remains: “Is it better to sell on Lazada or Shopee?” I say, do both to reap the benefits of their incredible online presence.

Sources: 1 & 2

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