Anna Agoncillo, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

Delicious And Affordable Places For Korean Barbecue In Singapore

Who does not love the flavorful goodness of the Korean BBQ? I, for one, go crazy for this cultural trend.

Luckily for us, we can satisfy our appetite without having to travel to Korea.

1. DAESSIKSIN

Do me a favor and close your eyes. Imagine that you are strolling with your friends in the lively streets of Hongdae, Korea. You are hunting for a casual dining experience that will satisfy your appetite for marinated meat. As you open your eyes, you realize that you are still situated in Singapore. Fortunately for you, there is a place where you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ dining experience. This place is none other than Daessiksin BBQ Buffet.

Image Credits: facebook.com/daessiksin

Daessiksin is under the wings of the Singaporean restaurant chain – Ministry of Food. It offers about 10 types of meat with varying taste. Some may be overly marinated, while others seek to boost the meat’s character. It is best to try it all before getting a significant amount to consume.

The buffet price starts from S$14.90++ per person.

Location: 277 Orchard Road, #03-17 Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858

2. SSIKKEK BBQ

Meat lovers with a tight budget, let us unite! Students adore devouring the generously marinated meats at Ssikkek BBQ. Guests are welcomed with deep trays of fresh pork, beef, and chicken. Side dishes (e.g., kimchi, potato salad, and seaweed soup) and condiments are also available to even out your meal. You can reap all these with a little over S$14.

Image Credits: facebook.com/ssikkekbbq

What you can expect to have at Ssikkek is your ability to cook the meat to suit your desired quality. Simply, you are your own chef! The friendly staff is willing to help you shall you need assistance. The only downside to this place is its relatively long queues.

Location: United Square, 101 Thomson Road, #B1-15/16/17 Singapore 307591

3. 2D1N SOJU BANG

2D1N Soju Bang Korean Restaurant holds a special as it was the very place that introduced me to the wonders of Korean BBQ. My friends and I had a spontaneous trip to Tanjong Pagar one day. As expected, it took as about an hour to queue for a table. Waiting was fine with us because chairs were provided outside.

2D1N marries reasonable prices with authentic Korean flavors. This is not a place for lavish side dishes and condiments as it is primarily focused on various well-marinated meat. Aside from the meat, the staff is incredibly attentive. Both the tables and the aluminum sheets are quickly cleared in order to cater to the diners’ needs.

Image Credits: https://www.facebook.com/182625808419372/photos/a.1329308733751068.1073741826.182625808419372/1407579632590644/?type=3&theater

Image Credits: https://facebook.com

You can get free-flowing meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, and drinks for approximately S$20 per person. It is not a bad deal if you ask me.

Location: 44/46 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088467

May this guide aid your journey to locating the best Korean BBQ in town! 🙂

5 Affordable, Last-Minute Valentine’s Gifts

Tomorrow is February 14. Let us be honest! Most of us wait until the final hour to polish our gifts for Valentine’s Day. Fortunately for you, it is not too late to cook up a gift that is both sweet and cheap.

Scroll down below for valuable inspirations:

SWEET SEVEN DAYS

Image Credits: thedatingdivas.com

Do you remember the weekly medicine containers or pill boxes, which were scattered in your grandparents’ house? Purchase a few to create a simple craft. Start by filling the containers with your partner’s favorite treats. Try hitting up the dollar store or the nearby Daiso to get a cheaper deal.

Afterwards, attach these printable notes from the Dating Divas. A certified sweet-tooth will adore this charming gift.

LOVE IN A COOKIE

Who can resist the tantalizing aroma and the unique taste of the (world) Famous Amos? I sure cannot!

Famous Amos dedicated its resources to serve fresh products to Singaporeans since 1983. Their freshly baked cookies helped me to overcome the challenging days as a university student. Now, its cookies can help you survive Cupid’s holiday. Buy their personalized heart-shaped cookies. It comes prepacked in two sizes namely small (about S$13) and medium (about S$25). Choose a size that suits your lover’s preference.

THE PERFECT PEN

Image Credits: sassymamasg.com

For your husband or boyfriend who is fond of scribbling (or showing off his pen), you may present the new Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop. The Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop fuses the traditional fountain pen to several modern patterns. You have up to 6 vibrant looks to choose from.

The 20-dollar pen is available at Tokyu Hands. What are you waiting for? Grab it while you can.

BEE MY VALENTINE

Some people are extremely particular about their cosmetics and skin products. Take the safer route by leaning towards all-natural products. Let name drop a brand, which I swear by.

Burt’s Bees, a cosmetics company available at Sephora, manufactures its products using natural ingredients. What’s more? These products are packaged using recycled materials. Create a cute card by topping it off with the phrase “Bee my Valentine”. Plaster a 10-dollar signature Burt’s Bees lip balm to add embellishment to this card.

RELAXING “ME TIME”

The best way to reward your workaholic lover is by giving the present of an enjoyable bath time filled with relaxing fragrance. Achieve that by making bath bombs that are similar to the ones sold at the shopping malls. Make different types of bath bombs with this tutorial.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

If you are really short of time, just purchase a box of bath bombs at Lush Singapore.

5 Entirely Free Ways To Maximize Your Small Flat

Flats ranging from 45 to 110 square meters are popular among the Singaporean masses. These spaces may be considered as tiny to some people. But, small is highly subjective (besides my height). Making your space livable comes down on how well you can divide the function of your rooms or how well you can store your things.

On that note, here are 5 Entirely Free Ways To Maximize Your Small Flat:

USE A TRUNK

Avoid spending hundreds of dollars on a bedside or coffee table by using an old trunk. Ask your mother and other relatives if they have a trunk to spare. A trunk not only provides an additional storage space, but it also acts as a neat conversation starter.

It is recommended to place the trunk in the living room or in an accessible area. Put all your DVD collection, magazines, console controllers, and games inside the trunk. This way, you do not have to “flip your home” when the guests arrive.

CREATE VISUAL DISTRACTIONS

Visual distractions give off an illusion of bigger space. Welcome the beaming rays of the sun by keeping the curtains open. Then, you may disrupt the unified order of your furniture by fixing them diagonally. The diagonal order can help to make room for more.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

INCREASE THE USE OF YOUR SPACE

Until you can realistically afford a spacious flat, you must mold your rooms to a variety of purposes. Your clutter-free dining table can double as a home office. While, your living room can transform into a play area for your children. Do not forget to store the toys in a single box after using it.

KEEP EVERYTHING CLEAN

In contrast with massive spaces, you can easily notice the clutter exposed in smaller spaces. Why is this so? For starters, you can discretely put away your unwanted items in various shelves. You cannot do that with limited spaces!

Smaller spaces take less time to clean. That is the upside! Get things in order by allocating at least one hour each week. Make this an automatic cleaning regimen so, you can have the rest of your time to relax.

OPT FOR MONOCHROMATIC

Say your next stage in renovation is choosing the colors of your walls. Consider the underlying mechanics of Color Psychology. Unified color scheme helps to maximize your space as it creates a relatively “open” look. When your walls are divided by several colors, people can easily spot the “start” and “end”. Thus, consistency conceals the limited space.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

4 Must-Read Books On Pregnancy (Under S$40)

1. THE PREGNANCY COUNTDOWN BOOK: NINE MONTHS OF PRACTICAL TIPS, USEFUL ADVICE, AND UNCENSORED TRUTHS

The eye-catching title of the book bears it all. Expect practical advice as the authors take you on a nine-month journey towards parenthood. Singaporean moms will enjoy reading this book because it avoids sugarcoating. The tone of the book is not too harsh either. Simply, it gets straight to the point!

I am mostly impressed about three parts. Firstly, it elaborates on the pregnancy issues that you are probably afraid to ask (e.g., stretch marks or eating regimen). Secondly, it pays attention on the relationship dynamics between the husband and wife. Lastly, it seeks to educate the expectant fathers on the trials that the pregnant partner is about to face.

Get the uncensored truth for as low as S$24.25 at Popular Bookstore.

2. MAYO CLINIC GUIDE TO A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

If you are a health-conscious individual like me, chances are, you have read several Mayo Clinic articles. Mayo Clinic is a non-profit medical research group based in Minnesota. The institution provides free online resources for everyone. The professionalism manifested in their website translates to the information packed inside the “Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy” book. This elaborate book functions as a reference guide, which you can browse from time to time.

The book includes three main sections: the pregnancy, the childbirth, and the newborn. The first part gives you week-by-week explanation of the changes that your body and mind will go through. Also, it shows the complete illustration of the baby’s development.

What will draw you closer to the book is its ability to give you informed decision by highlighting several pros and cons on important topics such as breastfeeding. Stand your ground after getting this 36-dollar book!

3. THE EXPECTANT FATHER: FACTS, TIPS, AND ADVICE FOR DADS-TO-BE

Let us turn the tables around by focusing on one of the best pregnancy books for dads-to-be. I have to admit! There is a limited amount of pregnancy books tailored for men, but The Expectant Father is highly recommended. The author of the book speaks from his firsthand experience as a dad. This makes the book personal and relevant.

Most expectant dads are full of anxiety about the whole process at hand, but this book aims to ease your worries. The organized chapters of this book includes dealing with labor as well as the potential emergencies that can arise. Hopefully, you can prepare for all types of scenarios.

What you will enjoy most about this book is its witty and humorous tone. Grab your own copy for only S$18.32.

4. BE PREPARED: A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK FOR NEW DADS

It seems like humor is a common writing style for authors who offer pregnancy books that are tailored for dads. This is not a bad thing! Aside from humor, Be Prepared boasts a wide array of topics from basic newborn care to selecting the ideal stroller.

Are you wondering how to successfully read your baby’s temperature? Or, do you need a step-by-step illustration on how to swaddle a newborn? All these are covered by the book. You read that right! This 29-dollar book is suitable for men who have no previous experience on fatherhood.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

[Disclaimer: Due to the public’s clamor for these helpful books, local bookstores occasionally run out of stocks. You can either wait patiently for the re-stock or consider the alternative options of purchasing. Thank you!]

Sources: 1 & 2

Bad Money Habits That You Need To Drop When In A Relationship

Maintaining a healthy relationship with your significant other entails stabilizing the disposition of your finances.

Read thru this article to know how bad monetary habits can potentially harm your relationship. Furthermore, you will get an idea on how to conquer these habits.

#1: AVOIDING FINANCIAL CONVERSATIONS

A healthy long-term relationship is built on trust and transparency. As things get serious with your partner and marriage becomes a viable option, consider discussing about finances. You need to resolve your potential spouse’s money problems before it is too late.

Fully disclosing about your financial circumstance to your partner can be uncomfortable at first but, you have to at least try. Tell your partner about your outstanding debts, financial obligations, income sources, and other assets. This will make you empathize with each other more. From time to time, do not forget to check if your goals are in lined with each other.

#2: STICKING TO YOUR OUTDATED BUDGET

Improve your financial state this 2017 by establishing a robust budget. The budget that you created when you were single may be efficient, but you are now budgeting for two. Being in a committed relationship means that you have to take on more expenses with more resources. Begin by studying each other’s spending habits. Then, trim down unnecessary expenses after compromising. You may also adapt the budgeting techniques of your partner.

I, for one, allocate a small portion of my income to date nights. Let us face it! We belong in a generation where it is acceptable for women to split the tabs with their dates. Give this new perspective a chance as a loving relationship is a two-way street.

#3: LOANING YOUR VACATIONS

I know how much travelling can ease the stress of a hard working Singaporean. However, consistently deducting your romantic vacations on your credit card can take a toll on your wealth. Spending money that you do not have is a dangerous habit to possess. Imagine the arguments that boil down due to the frustration of not being able to meet up with the outstanding debts. This is why you must cultivate a travel fund in advance.

#4: SKIPPING THE BUDGET FOR GIFTS

According to the internationally-acclaimed book by Gary Chapman, there are five ways to express your love to your partner. These five ways include gift giving, quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, and acts of service. Understanding your partner’s love language will help you to strengthen your bond.

I am only going to focus on one love language – the gift giving. For people who place importance on the tangible symbols of affection, it is important to remember your special dates. You are bound to celebrate various occasions together such as anniversaries and birthdays. Not to mention, Valentine’s Day is coming up soon. Is your wallet ready?

It is a good idea to allocate a budget for gifts before buying one. Otherwise, you have to face budget trimming and other financial woes.

#5: KEEPING A MONETARY SECRET

Secrecy is rarely beneficial to a relationship. Research showed that 1 in 10 people considered breaking up with their partners upon the discovery of a financial secret. Millennial participants were even less forgiving as reaped a figure of 1 in 5. These numbers convey how secrets can strain a “loving” relationship.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The impact of keeping a monetary secret depends on the couple’s income, the item purchased, and the frequency of purchases. Another significant monetary secret is having a stash for escaping the relationship. Having undisclosed assets and secret bank accounts can affect the level of trust given by your partner. The primary source of damage is not money on its own, but it is the unpleasant habit of concealing the truth.

Sources: 1 & 2

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