Anna Agoncillo, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

Money-Saving Parenting Hacks That Work

MAKING YOUR OWN SWIVEL ROCKER

Looking for a great way to save on your nursery swivel rocker? Instead of looking at the baby aisle, try looking for the office aisle. Consider purchasing a pre-owned armchair online and adding your own rocking base to it. You will not only save a lot of cash but you can also have an unforgettable DIY experience with your spouse.

Simply follow the instructions – here.

ORDERING GROCERIES VIRTUALLY

Image Credits: pixabay.com

One marketing strategy that groceries employ is targeting the children’s interest because they play an influence on what goes inside the carts. Supermarkets purposely place cereals, toys, and sugary treats at a kid-friendly level. If you cannot leave the kiddos alone, opt for shopping online.

A revolutionary feature of most “big name” grocery chains in Singapore is that they offer access to online grocery shopping. This can help you to save money by religiously sticking to your list (or budget), by avoiding the transportation costs, and by preventing the impulsive buying power of your children.

For everyday shopping, I recommend fairprice.com.sg as they have regular deals and discounts. As for affordable organic produce, you can visit bestorganicfood.sg.

STOCKING UP FOR KIDDIE PARTIES

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Children’s toys, clothes, and other fun items go on sale from June to August due to the Great Singapore Sale. Take advantage of this annual event by stocking up on a variety of inexpensive gifts that you can give on kiddie parties or even Christmas. Set a limit for every individual to avoid going beyond your budget.

KEEPING A PIGGY BANK

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Be the good example to your children by putting some of your loose change into a money jar. Since most young children want to be like their parents, seeing you do it will provide them with encouragement to save.

After serving as an example for a month, provide your child with his or her very own piggy bank. Have your child draw the picture of the specific toy on the side of the piggy bank. Through this, they will be motivated to save in order to get what he or she wants.

USING FREE RESOURCES

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Your nearby public library can serve as your savior during those school-free days. Not only can you borrow children’s books but you can also rent CDs/DVDs for the whole family – at no cost. Aside from these, the public libraries also offer a wide array of free events that your family can join. Visit nlb.gov.sg to stay updated with the National Library Board’s events calendar.

BREASTFEEDING YOUR BABY

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One of the empowering things that only women can do is to breastfeed their baby. As much as you can, opt for breastfeeding because it will not only be healthy but also be able to save you as low as S$1,500 per year.

If you want to save even more on breast pump, borrow from your family or friends but make sure to change the plastic attachments. You can buy those for far less than a brand new pump.

Sources: 1 & 2

3 Amazing Museums In Singapore That Offer Free Admissions

When I was an adolescent, I perceived museums as fancy institutions which superior intellects frequented. The only time I get to visit one is when the school requires us to go on educational trips. However, times have changed. Technological advances paved way for museum to share their unique pictures on social media. The public interest for art has risen. Let us be honest, you probably saw those hippie youths taking their #OOTD snaps at the famous local museums.

Aside from the picturesque interiors, museums are places in which cultural, scientific, and artistic treasures are displayed. Each one has its own characteristics and values. Personally I find these local museums to be worth my time:

1. ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM

Website: acm.org.sg

Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is my favorite local museum. Nestled at the mouth of the Singapore River, ACM will take you on a journey of historical discovery as they preserve the heritage of Asia. ACM’s 14,000 square meters space are filled with 11 thematic galleries that boasts with about 1,300 artifacts from China, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. During my visit there, I was amazed the abundance and diversity of the Buddha statues as well as the 12 zodiac animal heads donated by Jackie Chan.

Image Credits: instagram.com/agoncilloanna

To shake things up, they accompany the permanent exhibits with special exhibits that are changing throughout the year. In fact, the current exhibit now is called “Once Upon a Time in Asia: The Missing Mouse”. It is a free exhibit that is recommended for children and the young at heart.

Rates:

Citizens & Permanent Residents: FREE
Visitors aged 6 and below: FREE
Foreign students, seniors, and PWDs: S$4
Others: S$8

2. SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM

Website: singaporeartmuseum.sg

Probably the most popular museum among the youths is the Singapore Art Museum (SAM). SAM houses a great collection of contemporary Southeast Asian art ranging from sculptures and paintings to installation art and moving media. They regularly collaborate with the leading international museums to cover both the local and international art practices.

Image Credits: instagram.com/agoncilloanna

Exhibitions change every few months. At the time of my first visit, I got to enjoy an interesting exhibition called Medium At Large. Now, they are showing the 5 Stars (Art Reflects on Peace, Justice, Equality, Democracy and Progress) exhibit. In this exhibit, I was particularly amazed with their larger than life art installation called the “Bloodline of Peace”.

Rates:

Citizens & Permanent Residents: FREE
Visitors under 6 years old: FREE
Foreign students, seniors, and PWDs: S$5
Others: S$10

*Everyone gets to enter for free every Friday from 6pm – 9pm.

3. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

Website: nationalmuseum.sg/

What do you expect from Singapore’s oldest museum? Nothing but prime history and culture of course. If you are interested in Singapore’s rich history, this museum shall be on the top of your list. Established in 1887, the National Museum of Singapore fuses the elegant neo-classical building with the new additions of glass and metal.

While visiting National Museum of Singapore I greatly enjoyed the “Singapura: 700 years” Exhibition. It consisted of six nostalgic sections from the Archaeology in Singapore to the Independent Singapore. Currently, they are displaying the “Celebrating Radio: Sounds” until July 17, 2016.

Image Credits: instagram.com/agoncilloanna

After indulging on art and history, satisfy your tummy with their selection of cafes and restaurants. Or, visit their retail space to pick up a cultural souvenir.

Rates:

Citizens & Permanent Residents: FREE
Visitors aged 6 and below: FREE
Foreign students,seniors, and PWDs: S$5
Others: S$10

Sources: 1 & 2

Stop Worrying About Making Ends Meet, Know Where Your Money Goes

Living barely within your income is not a laughing matter! When you are living from paycheck to paycheck, your life is filled with constant stress, worry, and dread. It is a struggle to gain control of your money and your commitments.

How did you end up like this?

For starters, you not be planning for your future and only thinking about the current situation. With this attitude, do not be surprised if you will be working beyond the retirement age! Another reason maybe due to your history of overspending. Perhaps you were spending too much before that you fell into an avalanche of debt and can never move pass it.

In order to cease your worries, a huge turnover can be money flow management. You must give conscious effort to know about where your money flows in and out. Once you have control over your money flow. Then, you will be able to create a systematic financial operating system that consists of: money flow management and budgeting.

Start by identifying your fixed expenses (essentials), variable expenses (non-essentials), and savings (investments) first. Organize these items in a physical ledger or a budgeting App such as EXPENSIFY, MONEYWISE, POCKET EXPENSE PERSONAL FINANCE, and MINT.

Allocating your money to fixed expenses shall be your top priority. Fixed expenses include the goods and services that you cannot live without. Your rent, utility bills, school fees, and transportation costs fall under this category. Since our spending habits and personal needs are different, you must include the categories that are relevant to you. For example, a hand phone is a necessary means of communication. However, the type of hand phone that you bought makes all the difference.

Do you really need the latest Smartphone released by Apple when your current hand phone is working just fine? If you are purchasing it for vanity’s sake then it becomes a non-essential.

Non-essentials or variable expenses include the goods and services that do not compromise your survival. This category includes your clubbing costs, shopping sprees, and overseas vacations. Always save your non-essentials fund for last to prevent becoming broke.

The last category is your savings. Your savings not only protect you from unwanted events but it also prepares you for the future. It includes your investments in stocks, bonds, properties, or mutual funds (items that generate profit). Once your done with your fixed expenses, come up with a well-thought-off amount for your savings that you can consistently maintain.

Some people believe that purchasing a car is considered as investment but in respect to the categories of the “money flow management”, it is not. You see, every time you drive your new vehicle, its value depreciates. It is more of an asset that can sometimes be used as a collateral when you take out a loan.

Image Credits: www.pixabay.com

Always ensure that pay your bills on time, otherwise it will defeat the purpose of the above system. With a smart way of prioritizing your expenses and budgeting your money, you will find yourself in a more stable position in no time!

Why Money Is A Major Factor In Dating

For a blossoming romance, a lover’s worth cannot be measured by his or her bank account, neighborhood, and car. The lack of these “financial signifiers” may serve as warning signs along the way but not as the destination itself.

However, the weight pressed on money when dating hardens as the relationship grows. Couples begin to examine whether they can trust each other’s financial decisions as well as whether they can make sacrifices for the common good. Nobody wants to end up with someone who has no motivation (slacker) and discipline (deadbeat)!

Particularly, money is a major factor in dating when…

1. BEING BROKE AFFECTS YOUR DATING HABITS

There is nothing wrong with spending a date at home with a bunch of DVDs and home-made meals every once in a while. But if low-cost dates are the only types of dates you can afford due to your outstanding debt and insufficient income then you may be in trouble.

According to Toni Coleman, a Psychotherapist and relationship coach, regularly suggesting to do cheap activities can be a serious red flag for your date. If you are essentially broke and your debt affects your romantic life, consider spending more time satisfying your credit score first instead of “pleasing” a potential partner.

2. THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN YOUR MONEY BELIEFS

You see, all of us hold a set of beliefs about money (e.g., how it should be spend or how it should be earned). Whether we learned it from childhood or thru our experiences, we will carry these beliefs for a lifetime. If your lover sees no point in spending lavishly on dates and gifts when courting you and you desire that, then you can get into an argument. You cannot throw all your goals and values in the rubbish just because your current partner has different beliefs.

You have to do what is best for you and your finances.

3. YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL ISSUES

It is never attractive to talk about how expensive things are and how these negatively impact your life. Your date does not want to hear you complain about what you can and cannot afford because it makes the person feel that he or she is an added financial burden.

If you have been a couple for over two years then it is okay to share your financial issues as relationships are built on trust and respect. But if you have not been dating for that long, think about the wrong message you are sending thru your constant money complaints.

4. YOU HAVE SUBSTANTIAL DEBT

Having a substantial debt with a bad credit score is a deal breaker for lots of people! FreeCreditScore.com polled 1,000 adults in 2013 and found that about 30% of women and 20% of men said that they would not marry a person with a low credit score. In contrast, a good credit score proved to strengthen the union of two people.

Image Credits: www.pixabay.com

Although money is not a major factor in the first stages of dating, few years down the road you will realize how important it is in a relationship. After all, money or the lack of it, is usually the predictor for most divorces.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Welcome To The Wide World Of Freelancing

Aaahh FREELANCING! What started as a theoretical idea became a reality with the launch of “e-lancer” websites such as Guru.com (1998) and Elance.com (1999). Back then, clients from around the world posted jobs that are bound to be completed after a day, a month or a year. The virtually connected e-lancers join together into temporary networks to sell goods and services. Once the network dissolves its e-lance members become independent contractors again.

Apart from its name, freelancing has evolved throughout the years. Freelancers today have the option to work on a full-time or a part-time basis as they are essentially self-employed. With the big players such as UpWork and Freelancer, the world of freelancing is more competitive than ever. A testament to that are the other websites that offer relatively “cheap” labor to a wide variety of global clients. Here are just some of them:

1. CODEABLE

Codeable is unique in every sense as it focuses on the outsourcing services for WordPress. This niche site started back in 2012 and has since grown due to its dedication to hire excellent WordPress developers. These developers are then connected to the clients that are in need of on-demand website support.

2. PROJECT4HIRE

Project4Hire aims to meet the outsourcing needs of small business owners, individual webmasters, and large companies due to its variety of professionals. With hundreds of project categories, it makes it easy to determine jobs that suit your skill sets.

3. TOPTAL

Toptal’s approach to outsourcing is different as only the top 3% of applicants are allowed to be on the site. Toptal is sure to reward your prowess with meaningful projects and fair compensations from renowned clients such as Airbnb and J.P. Morgan.

4. 99 DESIGNS

Originally from Australia, 99 Designs became one of the world’s largest online graphic design marketplaces. They have been connecting designers to customers who are in need of quality yet affordable designs. If you have always been good and passionate at Photoshop or any graphic design tools then 99 Designs is perfect for your skills. Simply enter t-shirt, logo, website, and print design contests to win and earn money.

Image Credits: www.pixabay.com

As you explore freelancing as a viable career option, do not forget the important factors such as time, effort, and cost!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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