Anna Agoncillo is a Psychology honors graduate, a writer, and a Registered Psychometrician. She is also the author of the book entitled Psychology of Love, Money, & Life and the person behind Miss Psychobabble.
Wanting a wedding that is immensely personalized and stylish yet money-saving? Then, consider including a myriad of lovely Do-It-Yourself (DIY) crafts. These DIY crafts can be used in wedding ceremonies, bridal showers, and receptions. Budget for these elements depend on the type and quantity of materials necessary to fill in the needs of the guests.
Since time is of the essence, here are 3 wedding DIY ideas that are easy and quick to make:
1. PAPER FLOWERS
DIY paper flowers with beads or laces could be presented at the centerpiece, at the wedding shower, or given as souvenirs. To flourish an elegant touch to your big day without breaking the bank, you can make the classical wedding pomander:
2. RIBBONS
Ribbons are beautiful to look at, especially if they shine with vivid patterns. You can just hang these at the entrance arches, doors, or bouquets to add a dramatic flair.
What’s more? You can even decorate a chair with 9 shades of ribbon colors or 10 types of ribbon patterns. Here is how:
a. Gather either the 9 strips of ribbon or the 10 types of ribbon patterns.
b. Tie the strips sideways and rotate these toward the middle.
c. The excess shall create a pretty fringe effect cascading down to the center.
For a portrait of the ribbon arrangements, click here.
3. MASON JARS AND CANS
You need not to have a degree in design to brighten up the special reception. Just place several mason jars or cans on the table and put small candles inside.
Image Credits: sugarspiceandnice.wordpress.com
Alternatively, you may place your family’s old wedding photos or your pre-nuptial photos too.
Image Credits: sugarspiceandnice.wordpress.com
Look no further for the perfect candles and mason jars. IKEA sells a pack of 12 small scented candles for S$7.90 while mason jars are sold as low as S$2.90!
As shopping and payment transactions can be smoothly done through the power of your fingertips, about S$443 billion were spent in 2014’s mobile transactions – all over the world. But while digital wallets increase in popularity, so does the risk of scams.
What are handphone or mobile phone scams anyway? Handphone scams involve a variety of dishonest tactics, such as persuading you to buy a non-existent product or making you sign up to expensive subscription services, that are done for the scammer’s own profit.
According to Scams Singapore, a blog dedicated to identify and relay information about the existing frauds, common handphone scams occur when an unknown number contacts you and tells you to collect your prize or to pay for your kidnapped relative. With innovative ways to communicate and connect, the risk of scams rises. This is why it is important to stay vigilant and take preventative steps such as these:
1. PICKING PASSWORDS
When deciding which password you can use for your phone, do not choose the common ones such as 1234, 1111, or 0000. Also, you must change as often as possible.
For your mobile banking, maximize the use of your privacy settings by using two-factor authentication. Furthermore, do not make the security questions easy to answer because the scammers can just access your social media accounts.
2. OPENING ATTACHMENTS
To avoid downloading virus or other malware, only open attachments that were given by your friends, family, partners, and clients. Avoid phishing messages (i.e., when an unknown number asks for your bank account details). Simply, if you do not recognize the sender’s number and the area code is not +65 (i.e., Singapore’s area code) then, it is most likely a scam.
Image Credits: Antti Kultanen via Flickr with Creative Commons
3. DOWNLOADING APPS
When downloading Smartphone Apps, opt for the Apps that are available on the official retailers such as the iTunes or Google Play stores. Otherwise, there is a possibility of downloading bugs, virus or other malware. Downloading a tracking App for your devices is helpful in case you get robbed.
Have you heard of the saying: “out with the old and in with the new”? If you have and you strongly believe in it then, let me change your mind with these vintage or old things that you can still reuse:
1. CLOTHES
You can recycle your gorgeously patterned old clothes by sewing it into pillowcases or teapot covers. On the other hand, you can accept mint condition hand-me-downs from family and friends especially those who have baby clothes or infant toys. Do not be too picky. These said items are not utilized a lot since babies grow significantly every day anyway.
2. PIECES OF FURNITURE
There are plenty of used pieces of furniture that you can greatly score online. Try searching for drawers, tables, chairs, and closets at singapore.craigslist.com.sg or carousell.com.
Alternatively, do not be shy to ask your friends or neighbors if they are giving away any pre-owned furniture. Be careful or do avoid the articles with fabric (e.g., couch) to prevent getting bed bugs into your home.
3. DESIGNER BAGS
Pre-loved bags that long-lived across time can be found in online shops too! With prices that are up to 80% lower than the retail price, how can you resist an online bargain deal? Start with the trusted retail websites such as madammilan.com.sg and reebonz.com.sg.
What is special about these vintage bags is that they give a one-of-a-kind twist in the modern fashion.
4. CARRIER BAGS
Give your carrier bags a chance by recycling them! Plastic bags can be reused at home as the bin bags around the flat while paper bags make as a simple wrapping paper.
5. BOOKS AND MAGAZINES
Save more money by purchasing secondhand books or magazines that still look practically new. Start with purchasing good condition used books at Evernew Bookstore, Bras Basah Complex. Evernew Bookstore has a full collection of non-fiction books, fiction books, textbooks, children’s books, and so much more.
Image Credits: Sharon & Nikki McCutcheon via Flickr with Creative Commons License
Another option of browsing books and magazines would not cost you a thing! Go to your neighborhood public library and flip through a nice book or two.
It is no secret that most of the flats available in Singapore are relatively small. It is done so as to expand the area available in our wonderful country. Aside from condominiums, HDB flats, ranging from 45 to 110 square meters, are the popular choice of the masses.
Whether you recently got off your parent’s estate or you relocated in the city center, the limited space of a flat can pose different challenges ahead. To live comfortably in it, here is the “5 Simple Ways To Renovate Your Tiny Flat Without Spending Too Much”:
1. SHOP AT IKEA
This Swedish super brand is a hub for home decorating while on a budget. IKEA’s two Singapore stores sell multiple organizational items and furniture that are perfect for small living spaces. For example, you may purchase the BRIMNES slim mirror with 4 storage squares for S$99 or the BYGEL removable dish drainer for only S$6.90.
What’s more? You can get free #homeinspo from their in-store displays or website catalogs.
2. AFFIX YOUR APPLIANCES TO THE WALL
Instead of getting huge drawers for the flat screen television or microwave oven, mount or affix them on the wall. This inexpensive trick is a surefire space saver for a small-scale kitchen or living room.
3. ADD MIRRORS
Adding mirrors to a modest room can make it appear bigger. Wide and oversized mirrors can fool the eyes by reflecting more light and by brightening the room. Save money by mounting two 70×70 cm IKEA STAVE mirrors costing to S$29.90 each.
4. OPT FOR SOFA BEDS
Buying a mattress, a headboard, and a bed frame can be costly and space consuming. Opt for a sofa bed instead. For about S$100, you can purchase a multi-purpose coach that expands into a bed for yourself or your guests.
5. NO-COST VISUAL DISTRACTIONS
You can easily maximize your space for free! All you have to do is to create visual distractions. Keep the room bright by opening the curtains. Then, make room for more by fixing your furniture diagonally.
Image Credits: Jim Cramer via Flickr with Creative Commons License (Attribution-NoDerivs)
Some say that there is nothing left to be invented as humanity reached its outpouring potential. But various technology companies begged to disprove that statement! This is why MIT Technology Review did an extensive research of global companies that are smart in terms of their innovative technology and business model. Said business model must be both practical and ambitious.
From renewable energy products to saving lives of people with lung cancer and landing unmanned rockets, these are the World’s 26 Smartest Companies to date:
26. Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb, from New York City, took a leap at immunotherapy by selling a drug called Opdivo. Opdivo helps save lives of people who are suffering from lung and skin cancer.
25. Universal Robots
From Denmark, Universal Robots sell user-friendly and relatively affordable robots.
24. Freescale Semiconductor
Its pioneering technology is planned to be used in cars’ advanced computer vision systems.
23. Sakti3
Sakti3, from Michigan, makes solid-state batteries that store more energy than lithium-ion batteries.
22. SpaceX
SpaceX, progressing in landing and reusing unmanned rockets, had completed 9 missions in the last year.
21. Baidu
All the way from China, Baidu is an Internet company that reached undeniable results in speech and facial recognition.
20. Aquion Energy
Interestingly, Aquion Energy’s novel batteries can store solar energy and surplus wind.
19. Amgen
California’s Amgen has an Icelandic gene database that helps it decide which drug to develop.
18. IDE Technologies
IDE Technologies of Kadima, Israel offers more inexpensive water desalination.
17. Voxel8
After creating the world’s first 3-D electronics printer, Voxel8 is promising to make new materials such as conductive ink.
16. Apple
This list would not be complete without the creative minds of Apple. Its Apple Pay technology and new smart watch had its consumers in awe.
15. Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences from California had over US$3.6 billion in the first three months of sales for curing most cases of Hepatitis C.
14. AliveCor
AliveCor created a heart monitor that connects to a Smartphone, which automatically detects irregular heartbeats.
13. Amazon
With about US$89 billion sales in 2014, Amazon use robots to make its facilities more productive.
Image Credits: Carlos Luna via Flickr with Creative Commons License
12. Google
Another company from California, Google’s loon balloons are designed to widen the access of Internet.
11. OvaScience
OvaScience’s stem-cell treatment help conceived its first baby.
10. Netflix
A crowd favorite, Netflix had created original content and distribution deals with cable companies.
9. SolarCity
SolarCity is manufacturer of solar panels that served about 177,000 United States citizens.
8. Juno Therapeutics
Seattle’s Juno Therapeutics had raised US$304 million to test cancer treatments using one’s immune cells.
7. Tencent
Tencent from Shenzhen, China is China’s most-used Internet service portal.
6. SunEdison
SunEdison had been expanding its renewable energy products and building technology to provide electricity to several developing countries.
5. Counsyl
Its relatively cheap DNA tests aids in parental planning. Furthermore, they are now selling cancer screens.
4. Alibaba
A household name, Alibaba is considered as the world’s largest online retailer. More than half of its regular transactions are made through its Alipay digital wallet.
3. Illumina
Another biomedical company, Illumina developed quick DNA-reading machines for hospitals and cancer clinics.
2. Xiaomi
Xiaomi from China is one of the fast-growing Smartphone retailers that are obviously more affordable than Apple products. Its most recent valuation is about US$45 billion.
1. Tesla Motors
Top on the list is the Tesla Motors from California. Its adventurous ideas include electrical cars and battery technologies that are applicable for cars, homes, and commercial infrastructures.
Image Credits: Maurizio Pesce via Flickr with Creative Commons License
Will a Singaporean company emerge to the top of the list someday? I certainly hope so.
