Anna Agoncillo, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

Celebrate Mother’s Day With These Special Gift Ideas Under S$61

May 10 marks our Mothers’ special day. With the days fast approaching, have you thought of a gift yet? Fret not. As we got it covered for you! Honor your favorite Superwoman and show her some love with these Special Gift Ideas Under S$61…

1. FOR THE SWEET TOOTH

Indulge your Mother’s love for sweets by giving her a present made with mouth-watering authentic chocolate. The Limited Editions Mother’s Day Set by Awfully Chocolate consists of Chocolate Champagne Cups and Hazelnut Chocolate Cake.

Image Credits: www.facebook.com/awfullychocolate.sg

Image Credits: facebook.com/awfullychocolate.sg

Individually the Hazelnut Chocolate Cake costs S$42 while the Chocolate Champagne Cups costs only S$18 (i.e.,10 pieces). The set costs S$55 and it is best to pre-order in advance as there will only be finite pieces on May 8-10. Order yours by calling 6345 8212.

2. FOR THE WORKAHOLIC

For your Mom that is always on-the-go, a well-deserved spa day is the perfect gift! Take your Mom in the Rule Of Thumb spa at Beach Road. Try the 60-minute Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Relaxation, Back, Javanese, Aromatherapy, Swedish, or Traditional Chinese Herb Massage for S$48-S$60.

Still wanting to pamper your queen? Then, give a dash of add-on services such as cupping, ear candling, and body scrub for only S$15. You can pick a time-slot fit to your Mom’s schedule, as it is open until 4 am daily. For more information, visit ruleofthumb.sg.

3. FOR THE LOVELY ARTSY

MAAD, Market Of Artists And Designers, houses unique and budget-friendly artisan pieces. Here you will find a wide array of crafts, plush toys, handmade jewelry, and paintings. The price range starts from S$10 to S$50. Shop around with your Mom on their upcoming MAAD Pyjamas event this May 8 while enjoying the live performances from the local artists. Visit museum.red-dot.sg/maad for more information.

4. FOR THE ROMANTIC

Express your unwavering love to your Mom by tickling her romantic side with the “Single Stem Sweetness Only Gift Box” by Roses Only. This gift box includes 1 long-stemmed pink rose, Roses Only Signature Gift Box, and 30g of Lindt Pralines Heart.

Image Credits: rosesonly.com.sg

Order this for S$39 at rosesonly.com.sg.

5. FOR THE GLAMAZON

SaSa Singapore has tons of promotional offers in stores until May 24, 2015. In fact, you can get S$10 off with a minimum purchase of S$80 (T&C apply)! I recommend the Cyber Colors Bundle Deal for S$29. It consists of Lash Amplifier Waterproof Dual Mascara and Gentle Eye Makeup Remover.

Image Credits: facebook.com/SGSaSa

Stay updated by visiting facebook.com/SGSaSa.

Advance Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful Moms! Thank you for giving us the priceless gift of life. 🙂

Newbie’s Guide To Financial Planning

Picture a curve going up. This is your lifetime money curve. Every decision you make affects the direction of your curve. For example, once you earn money from your first job then, the money curve will go up higher. But living in reality, your money curve are exposed in certain financial pressures such as taxes and bank fees, which, will push the money curve direction down. The good news is that, with a strategic plan that evaluates the potential pressures, you can survive or prevent the downward money curve. This strategic plan is called a Financial Plan.

Financial planning is an important process that draws out your monetary future. It is a process of managing your finances and knowing where you want to go. Here are 5 pointers to guide you…

1. INFORMATION GATHERING

In order to manage your finances, the first step is to gather all the important documents (e.g., bank statements, insurance policies, and investment accounts) and financial information. Organize these records by using a folders or filing accessories that will cost less than S$5 at Popular Bookstore or Daiso.

2. EVALUATING

After you gathered all the essential information, you must evaluate all the areas of your financial life including long-term savings (e.g., retirement and college fund), short-term savings (e.g., payment for bills and emergency fund), key documents (e.g., durable power of attorney and will) and insurance (e.g., life and car insurance). Calculating your net worth is also in this step.

3. SETTING GOALS

Following evaluation is goal setting. It involves two things: identifying your goals and knowing what resources you need. Identifying your financial goals both short-term (e.g., staycation in Bali) and long-term (e.g., retirement at 50s) is vital to knowing what your next plan of action will be. After plotting your goals, you must know the resources you will need to achieve them.

4. TAKING ACTION

Since your goals are set, your next plan of action is to decide whether you shall do it on your own or to hire a professional financial advisor. The personal actions you can take may include purchasing life insurance, creating a will, and setting a side money for your retirement. While, hiring a professional can help you reach your objectives in the midst of time your constraints.

5. MONITORING

The last step is monitoring. Monitoring involves tracking your progress and altering your goals based on the reevaluation of your current economic situation.

Image Credits: carlocanyougo.tumblr.com

With a systematic and a holistic Financial Plan, may your money curve take a flight…leading you to success! 🙂

Sources: Entrepreneur and MoneySense

Off-Site Meetings For Modern Singapore Employees

Sailing through the waves of modern times, companies and bosses must think of creative ways to engage with their employees aside from meeting inside the regular office space. This is because some people do not think that meetings are necessary that even a simple email of the meeting’s summary would deliver the information efficiently than sitting down in a room with one another. But, there are decisions to be made as a whole. More so, the bond of the group is integral to the company’s dynamics.

Some factors that affect the hesitation of some Singapore employees to attend group meetings include: not being able to achieve the desired goals and not being able to go home early as the bosses would stretch the meeting beyond working hours.

To combat these factors contemporary visionaries had an idea in mind: “off-site meetings”. Brainstorming outside the halls of the office may just improve your effectiveness and camaraderie…at least that is what David Barrett (Founder and CEO of Expensify) and Nilofer Merchant (Business innovator, TED speaker, and Author) thinks.

Off-site meetings are held anywhere else aside from the office. The off-site venue is the place where the most important conversations and decisions about the company’s future are discussed. This new environment is believed to stimulate the staff’s creativity.

Here are some venue ideas that you should consider…

1. CAFES

Did you know that morning is the best time to talk about most complex tasks since it is when your body is most alert? So, arrange a breakfast meeting with your team at a cafe nearby. Cafes are inexpensive venues for a relatively small group of people. Furthermore, this will prevent discussing beyond working hours.

2. WILDLIFE RESERVES

Surround your team with the beauty of nature and the lush outdoors by having a meeting at Singapore Zoo or Night Safari. Here is the illustration of their venues and capacities:

Also, they have seminar packages starting from the price of S$55/person. Check it out here.

3. SENTOSA ISLAND

Sentosa is not only a tourist spot but also a place for unique meetings. You can have an insightful discussion while sitting in the sand or while sitting in the restaurants at the shore. Or you can take the function room route that Resorts World Convention Center offers (visit here for more details).

Image Credits: William Cho via Flickr

Experiment with the meeting venues and timings to keep your staff’s creative juices flowing. It need not be expensive as long as you focus on the quality and the objectives. 🙂

Most Profitable Savings Accounts In Singapore To Date

Savings Account is an account managed by the bank, which provides principal security and a moderate interest rate. This account lets the client set aside a portion of his or her liquid assets while earning a monetary return. Personally, I value this financial tool because it serves as an accessible shield to cover the immediate expenses with its facilities such as Internet banking and online transactions.

In Singapore, savings accounts predominately require a minimum amount of deposit. The amount ranges from S$0-1000. To get most of the benefits of your savings account some encourage you to transact more while others encourage you to withdraw less. That being said, here are the Most Profitable Savings Accounts In Singapore To Date as they offer the highest interest rates…

4. CIMB STARSAVER SAVINGS ACCOUNT

CIMB StarSaver Savings Account requires a minimum deposit of S$1,000 with S$0 maintaining balance. With this savings account you can get up to 0.8% of interest per year as long as you deposit at least S$100 more to your account every month. On the other hand, you will get an interest of 0.5% per year for balance under S$100. There is more! Funds transfer to CIMB Malaysia is free. Also, there are no withdrawal fees from CIMB Group ATMs across ASEAN countries.

But wait, there is still more…sign-up for CIMB StarSaver Savings Account from now until June 30, 2015 online to be rewarded with S$20 worth of shopping vouchers. Apply here.

3. MAYBANK ISAVVY SAVINGS PLUS ACCOUNT

For people who are very diligent and disciplined savers, Maybank iSAVvy Savings Plus Account is the perfect partner for you. With this savings account, you will not only earn an interest of 0.38% a year but you will also be rewarded with additional interest with every dollar you save. You see, an additional interest rate of 1.56% per year will be rewarded as long as the average daily balance increases every month. The base interest rate, depending on how much money you have, ranges from 0.19% and 0.38% per year. That is not all! Being a super saver with a minimum account balance of S$100,000 will get you a free insurance coverage.

All you have to do is to deposit a minimum amount of S$500 and apply here.

2. DBS MULTIPLIER PROGRAMME

In contrast of Maybank’s iSavvy, DBS Multiplier Programme rewards you for regularly using your account. The more you use your account for transactions, the higher interest you shall receive. Specifically, if you’re banking transactions adds up to S$7,500 a month then, you are eligible for an interest up to 2.08%. It offers a starting rate of 1.08% per annum. Enjoy the flexibility to withdraw and deposit anytime, as there is no lock-in period.

With a minimum balance of S$3,000, you can apply here.

1. OCBC HIGHER-INTEREST DEPOSIT ACCOUNT- BONUS PLUS

As the name suggests, OCBC Higher-Interest Deposit Account – Bonus Plus offers its clients the higher interest rates for up to 2.35% a year. But, there are conditions attached to it. First, the initial deposit required is a fresh fund of S$10,000 with a minimum balance of S$3,000 every month. Second, you will earn higher interest rates if you do not make any withdrawals every month or every quarter. Here is a detailed illustration of how the system works:

Image Credits: www.ocbc.com.sg

Nonetheless, they offer secure online banking or mobile banking, and no lock-in period for your transactions. Apply here.

Sources: Investopedia and iMoney

As you park your money inside the bank, consider the savings account that suits your lifestyle and needs. 🙂

Surprisingly Affordable Yet Quality Japanese Brands In Singapore

Long before JPOP was mainstream, Japanese brands had been circulating the worldwide market. Valuing their historical significance, contemporary influence, and innovative style, Japan never seize to amaze its consumers. On that note, here are 4 Surprisingly Affordable Yet Quality Japanese Brands Available In Singapore…

1. MUJI

I am in love with MUJI’s products not only because of its simplicity but also because of its efficacy. Most of their products are practical such as the “CT LINEN POLY SOFT BOX OBLONG S HALF“, a foldable fabric storage box for only S$13.

Curated by Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd., MUJI upholds the philosophy of bringing quality products at lower prices. This is because of their intensive selection for raw materials. A testament of that are their stationery items including office supplies, packaging items, acrylic storage, desktop items, and handphone accessories with prices ranging from S$0.90-S$49. Aside from this, they also sell tasty foods and skin care products, which Japan is truly known for.

Image Credits: Paul Davidson via Flickr

MUJI has 9 outlets islandwide, click here for more details.

2. TSUBAKI

Everyone knows that a woman’s crowning glory is her hair. A shiny, smooth, and beautiful hair is the definitive characteristics of a good hair care brand. TSUBAKI fuses its Japanese roots by adding the hair ingredient of ancient times – the Camellia oil. Although it was launched in 2006, TSUBAKI has been leading the hair care brand in Japan with over 270 million units of shipments worldwide. This is due to their affordability, quality, attractive packaging, and celebrity endorsers. As it is gracing Singapore, users can surely love the effect of lustrous and frizz-free hair with regular use. TSUBAKI is available at all Watsons outlet with prices as low as S$8.90 (e.g., TSUBAKI Shining Shampoo 220ml and TSUBAKI Damage Care Conditioner 220ml).

Image Credits: www.facebook.com/TsubakiSG

3. UNIQLO

A Japanese brand that is celebrated by international clientele, UNIQLO’s shops have always something for everyone. From plain T-shirts, patterned dresses, oxford shirts, winter jackets, and undergarments…UNIQLO pieces proves to be diverse. Aside from that they are known for quality products sold at a reasonable rate. Focusing on quality helps reduce waste. With prices as low as S$4.90, UNIQLO still offers worldwide sales. Fancy a Striped 3/4 Sleeve Dress?

Image Credits: www.uniqlo.com/sg/store/women-idlf-striped-34-sleeve-dress-1444030005.htm

It is available now for S$29.90 – save S$20! Or how about a classic long sleeves for men? It is available now for S$12.90 – save S$12!

UNIQLO has 22 outlets islandwide, click here for more details.

4. HADA LABO

Dreaming of a flawless and fair skin? Dream no more. Japan has brought its special formulation to Singapore with Hada Labo’s skin care line. Hada Labo embodies an uncomplicated approach to skin care products with its motto “Nothing More, Nothing Less” being present in their ingredients and product processing. This means that each product is formulated with the suitable ingredients to meet the needs of the consumers. For example, they use Retinol for the anti-aging products and Hyaluronic Acids for the hydrating products.

Their prices are as low as S$12.90 (Retinol Lifting + Firming Lotion) and as high as S$32.90 (Arbutin White Essence). Hada Labo is available at all Watsons outlets. Here is a short clip of a Japanese skin care regimen incorporating Hada Labo’s products:

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