How Giant helps me cut my grocery expenditure by lowering the prices of everyday essentials!

Inflation is clearly on the horizon; prices of residential housing and car COEs have been on a consistent upward trend. Coupled with an uncertain economic outlook, tightening my purse strings and increasing my savings have been of utmost priority. As such, dining out are now considered luxuries and replaced with home-cooked meals. Moreover, eating at home is now the norm as we do our part to reduce unnecessary social interactions. These inevitably increases the proportion of my household budget spent on groceries and it is an expenditure that I now monitor like a hawk. Saving on groceries becomes even more critical with rising prices. Thankfully, I have been saving significantly by purchasing everyday essentials from Giant’s Lower Prices That Last campaign.

What Is Giant’s Lower Prices That Last campaign?

Since Sep 2020, Giant has reduced the prices of over hundreds of essentials/favourite brands to help households with their cost-of-living concerns as a result of the economic fallouts from the pandemic. Giant is commited to keeping them at everyday same low prices so that shoppers need not wait for sales nor constantly monitor for promotions. It is a long-term commitment to deliver everyday same low prices, unlike typical promotions that are often fleeting and cannot be relied upon on a long-term basis.

In an environment of rising inflation, Giant’s commitment to deliver hundreds of popular daily essentials at low prices is most welcome. Simply look out for the iconic finger heart icon to spot items under the Lower Prices That Last campaign.

Celebrating 1st year anniversary of the Lower Prices That Last campaign

In fact, Giant’s Lower Prices That Last campaign has been so enduring that it is now celebrating its 1st year anniversary with hundreds more items added! This is definitely a testament of its commitment to provide lower prices!

Here are some examples of existing products featured under the Lower Prices That Last Campaign.

Meanwhile, to celebrate the first anniversary of its Lower Prices That Last campaign, here are new products that will be featured from henceforth.

Fruit Tree Juice No Sugar Added 1L

 

$2.25
Was $2.70

Maintain good health and immunity with Fruit Tree Juice. High in antioxidant and vitamin C, the juice is power-packed with nutrients and offers various health benefits. What’s more, the juice is completely natural and has no sugar added! Refresh yourself today for only $2.25 a pack.

Yu Pin King Gold Label Light Soy Sauce 500ml

$1.00
Was $1.60

Yu Pin King is a renowned brand from Hong Kong that offers a wide range of Chinese groceries and they are known for offering good quality products at a reasonable price. You can get a bottle of their Gold Label Light Soy Sauce for just a dollar at Giant!

Perdigao Frozen Whole Chicken 1KG ($2.65, was $3.75)

$2.65
Was $3.75

In reducing food prices and the cost of cooking, Giant is bringing down the price of chicken to ensure shoppers get the most of their budget. The Perdiago Frozen Whole Chicken is now available at a super low price of $2.65 instead of the usual $3.75.

Dettol Antibacterial Body Wash Twin Pack 2X950g ($13.95, was $15.75)

$13.95
Was $15.75

Personal hygiene is ever so important, especially during this current period. The Dettol Antibacterial Body Wash is definitely a good choice to keep the germs away. It is an affordable option as well since the price of the twin pack has dropped from $15.75 to $13.95.

Huggies Gold Pants Unisex (Size M-XXL) ($18.85, was $21.95)

$18.85
Was $21.95

 

Parents rejoice! You no longer need to wait for promotions to get diapers for your baby. Prices of Huggies Gold Pants Unisex diapers will be perpetually reduced from $21.95 to $18.85 as long as they are featured under the Lower Prices That Last campaign.

Why I simply love grocery shopping at Giant

Firstly, I can satisfy my grocery requirements simply from shopping within the basket of items under Giant’s Lower Prices That Last campaign, which feature over hundreds of essentials/favourite brands. It is also reassuring to know that my hard-earned money never goes to waste because Giant’s commitment towards Freshness ensures that I always get the freshest fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats.

Everything that I need for my household are under one roof, making Giant an extremely convenient one-stop shopping place. For instance, besides fresh food products and daily necessities, I can also purchase health and beauty products, as well as home & living appliances, electronics from the decked-up general merchandise area. Lastly, my mum comes along as well and she qualifies for the 3% discount for Seniors on top of existing lower prices that last items. As she is 60 years old and older, she enjoys 3% off from Monday to Friday till 31 Dec. This is great because this Senior Citizens Special has expanded from only Tuesday weekly to every weekday per week. This provides a safe shopping environment for seniors where they can avoid the weekend crowd.

Finally, we both agree that shopping at Giant is just like meeting our extended family or neighbours as we are always welcomed with a warm and authentic service experience.

In summary, I get fresh products conveniently, delivered with a warmth and sincerity that I have grown accustomed to and most importantly, massive savings on my grocery bills. What are you waiting for? Head down to a Giant store nearest to you and check out hundreds more of your everyday essentials at lower prices!

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Neighbor Disputes: 5 Ways To Peacefully Manage Them

As I moved to three places in three years, I have had my share of difficult neighbors. You may love your home but getting stuck with awful neighbors can have you thinking of moving out. Here are some tips on dealing with rude, nosy, or difficult neighbors without causing too much drama.

#1: KNOW THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NEIGHBORS

From nosy neighbors to dangerous neighbors, there are diverse types of neighbors that you need to watch out for. Red flags exist for a reason. Do your best to weigh whether the situation needs to be managed or not. Let us illustrate through the “richer than you neighbor”.

The “richer than you” neighbor refers to the people whom you try to keep up with. These people parade their flat renovations, new car, and shiny gadgets. Despite doing nothing wrong, you may start to brew feelings of jealousy or inadequacy.

Remember that you do not know the whole story. Focus on the qualities of your home that make you happy. Revel in pride as you take care of your indoor garden. Focus on these positive things and stay contented with what you have.

#2: CREATE A LOG OF QUESTIONABLE BEHAVIORS

The truth is, we are not aware of all our actions. Your neighbor may not be aware that he or she often blasts the volume of their television or that you can hear them scream at each other. Make a documentation of the offending behaviors to help your case when you need to present it to the housing board or the property owner.

Store a log of the offending behaviors and take a note when it happens. Add any communication you and your neighbor have had regarding the problem. Do not forget to write what you have discussed.

#3: DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THE RULES AND REGULATIONS

Whether you live in an HDB Complex or a Condominium, there are a set of guidelines dictating tenant behavior. Check your housing contract or do your online research to know the rules and regulations of your place.

For instance, playing loud music after 10 pm is not allowed. If your neighbor is in clear violation of these rules and regulations, you will have a stronger case when you go speak to them.

#4: COMMUNICATE POLITELY AND DIRECTLY

Before going to the upper management to raise your disputes with the neighbors, try to speak with them first. Give your neighbor a chance to fix the problem and hear him or her out. If you are not comfortable with face-to-face confrontation, you may leave a note or send an email to highlight what is going on.

Be polite and direct to let your neighbor know what affects you. Try not to use accusatory language, which can put your neighbor on defensive mode.

#5: DO NOT REACT IN THE MOMENT

The best advice that I received was to put some space between the incident. Do not react in the heat of the moment, because you might do something wrong. Avoid saying anything that you would regret in the future.

Image credits: unsplash.com

Take time to figure out what you want the resolution to be. Your goal is to express what happen and solve the problem together. Compromise if needed.

Sources: 1 & 2

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What On Earth Is A Buyback?

Highlights

  • A buyback occurs when a company purchases its own shares in the stock market.
  • A repurchase reduces the number of shares outstanding. Thus, it inflates earnings per share.
  • A buyback can demonstrate to investors that the business has sufficient money set aside for emergencies.

WHAT IS A BUYBACK?

A stock buyback occurs when a company purchases shares of its own stock. It either retains the stock for resale to the market in the future or permanently removes the stock from the circulation.

This process reduces the total shares of stock outstanding and increases ownership stake that each remaining share of stock represents. It increases the value for the shareholders.

HOW DO BUYBACKS WORK?

Stock buyback plans are usually authorized by the company’s board and proposed by its executives. However, a planned buyback does not always occur. In some cases, the target share price a company chooses may not be met or a tender offer may not be accepted.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUYBACKS?

The diverse types of buybacks include the on-market and off-market buybacks. The former refers to when a company buys its own shares on an exchange in the ordinary course of trading.

In contrast, the off-market buybacks occur when the company makes its offer directly to the shareholders.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A BUYBACK?

Company XYZ had one million dollars in earnings and one million outstanding shares before the buyback. Thus, it equates to earnings per share of S$1. Trading at a S$20 per share stock price, its P/E ratio is 20.

With all else being equal, one hundred thousand shares would be repurchased and the new earnings per share would be S$1.11. To have the same P/E ratio of 20, shares would need to trade up 11% to S$22.22.

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO BUYBACKS?

Buyback programs have come under scrutiny over the past few years. So, alternatives are important to know when understanding buybacks.

Other options include:

a. Using capital to acquire other companies or securities,
b. Returning cash on hand to investors in the form of dividends, and
c. Re-investing the capital in research and development.

Sources: 1 & 2

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6 Nerve-wracking Lessons From Squid Game

Since its release in the latter half of September, Squid Game has been the talk of the town. Squid Game is a 2021 Netflix Thriller created by Korean director Hwang Dong-hyuk. Its story follows the lives of 456 cash-strapped players who accepted a strange invitation to compete in a series of children’s games.

A tempting prize awaits inside the Squid Game. However, all these come with deadly high stakes.

CAUTION: SPOILER ALERT!

Let us highlight the six important lessons you can reap from the Squid Game.

#1: THE PRESENT AFFECTS THE FUTURE

The decisions you make now shapes not only your present, but also your future. The lead character, Gi-hun, showed his imperfections throughout the show. All his past actions (e.g., gambling problems), came to bite him in the present.

His broken marriage, losing his child due to financial constraints, and his seriously ill mother took a toll on him. The mistakes he made in the past led him to enter the Squid Game.

#2: BE CAREFUL WHO YOU TRUST

Be careful when it comes to trusting someone. Remember that a person’s smile does not always mean that he or she is your friend. Of all the betrayal that happened in Squid Game, I was heavily hurt when disgraced banker Cho Sang Woo betrayed Pakistani worker Abdul Ali.

Throughout the show, Ali showed pure kindness and admiration to his Hyung Sang Woo (i.e., hyung – term of endearment meaning older brother). Sang Woo also helped him in the outside world by giving him money. During an important game of marbles, Sang Woo tricked Ali to win the game. At the last-minute, Ali realizes that his marbles have been switched with stones. He was brutally killed. His death showed us that the world around us is not as kind as it seems.

Image Credits: facebook.com/netflixph

#3: MONEY CANNOT BUY HAPPINESS

Several articles and films showed how money cannot lead to happiness. In the Squid Game’s final episode, we find out that Player 001, Oh Il Nam was the mastermind of it all. I had grown fond of this old man who continued to have fun in the face of imminent death. I, too, was deceived.

It was mastermind Il Nam’s way of entertaining his extremely rich clients who had grown bored of their lives. Money is important, but it is no substitute for doing something fulfilling.

#4: GAMBLING IS NEVER THE ANSWER

On his daughter’s birthday, Gi-hun used his mother’s money to gamble. He should have bought a special meal or a special gift instead. If you look closely at the character, he enjoys the thrill of the uncertain.

Gambling never gives you the assurance of a better life. It may be a way to win cash quickly, but it is never guaranteed.

#5: INSURANCE CAN SAVE LIVES

The best time to get insurance is when you do not need it yet. In episode two, he urged his mother to get her foot treated only to realize that he stopped paying for the health insurance years ago. His weakened mother had no choice but to walk out of the hospital because they cannot afford it.

Having insurance helps you to cushion unforeseen expenses such as the ones brought by critical illnesses. Shop around to see which fits you best.

#6: KINDNESS COMES FROM THE PEOPLE YOU LEAST EXPECT

The first episode is a special one. “Red Light, Green Light” displayed that the players came from tricky situations and were shocked by the deathly risks of the game. The innocent child game escalated into a bloodbath.

Image Credits: facebook.com/netflixph

Gi-hun came close to being eliminated. Fortunately, Ali’s strong helping hand saved him. He did not have to do it, but he did despite risking his own life. He was selfless. Being selfless means caring about others, without the desire for compensation.

You will meet both selfish and selfless people throughout your life. The choice is yours!

Sources: 1 & 2

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What you should do if you have a seemingly lazy colleague

a man slacking at work

Do you have that one colleague you can’t stand because they just don’t seem to be doing work? Maybe it’s arriving late at work, taking an unreasonably long lunch, or clocking off way too early before 6pm?

If their sluggish actions aren’t directly affecting you, it’s good to let go. However, if it’s slowly eating into your workload, maybe it’s time to raise it to the management. But before you make your way to the higher-ups, try to see if you can keep it low-key. Here’s what you should do if you have a seemingly lazy colleague.

Schedule for an honest talk

Humans are quick to judge. To save you from embarrassment, it’s good to schedule an honest talk with your coworker.

Putting emotions aside, enter the conversation in a neutral stance. Let the other party know that their work habits have been affecting you trying to complete your tasks. Then, ask if there are any reasons behind their actions. Chances are, you might find out a thing or two about their circumstance.

Guide, don’t do it on their behalf
guiding a colleague at work

Image Credits: inclusiveemployers.co.uk

Maybe you’ve spoken to your colleague and realised that they are just pure lazy. Should that be the case, don’t do their work on their behalf.

Such workers can be very skilled in persuading people to take on their responsibilities, so the last thing you want to do is fall into their trap. For example, if your coworker doesn’t seem to know how to do basic editing via Photoshop, suggest courses for upskilling. Or, if you have extra time on your hands, record a video and provide step by step instructions to aid them.

Distract yourself from distraction

Lazy colleagues can become a huge distraction if you allow them to. That is, you authorise their behaviours to take your focus away on the urgent tasks at hand.

Instead of spending the entire day’s energy complaining or being frustrated at how they chitter chatter or aimlessly scroll through their social media accounts without doing much, distract yourself from that distraction. You can choose to work somewhere else where they are not in sight or put on your noise-cancelling earbuds to tune them out.

Be explicit on what you want to be done
colleagues having a conversation

Image Credits: moneycrashers.com

As we come to the end of this article, know that there are people out there who constantly require pushy nudges. You want to be clear on what needs to be done with such personalities.

Tell them exactly when you need the task to be completed and make sure your team is in the loop on the matter. When there are more eyeballs on the situation, this will at least point that particular colleague to get up and get moving to meet the deadline. It’s also a great chance to see if your coworker is genuinely lazy or simply lacks the initiative to get started with work tasks.

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