MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

From today, enjoy EVEN HIGHER fuel savings of up to 21.15%* at Shell with UOB Credit Cards! Here’s the quick lowdown of this fantastic collaboration:

UOB One Credit Cardmembers enjoy 17% instant fuel discount at Shell + up to 5% cashback*.
UOB Reserve Credit Cardmembers enjoy 17% instant fuel discount at Shell.
All other UOB Credit Cardmembers enjoy a 14% instant fuel discount at Shell.

Find out more below on how you can enjoy higher fuel savings at Shell with UOB Credit Cards!

Score Higher Upfront Savings

Holding a UOB Credit Card? Score even higher instant discounts at Shell! Cardmembers will be pleased to know that Shell and UOB Cards have increased their instant discount component to bring you even higher fuel savings as shown below.

Terms and Conditions Apply:

¹ Up to 21.15% savings for UOB One Credit Card is calculated based on 5% upfront Shell station discount, 5% upfront Shell Escape discount, 7% UOB One Credit Card instant discount, and, if applicable, up to 5% UOB One Credit Card cashback.

²Instant 17% discount for UOB Reserve Credit Card is calculated based on 5% upfront Shell station discount, 5% upfront Shell Escape discount and 7% instant discount for UOB Reserve Credit Card.

³Instant 14% discount for other UOB Credit Cards is calculated based on 5% upfront Shell station discount, 5% upfront Shell Escape discount, 4% upfront discount for other UOB Cards.

⁴Enjoy up to 5% cashback based on a spend of S$2,000 monthly for each qualifying quarter with min. 5 purchases monthly to earn the quarterly cash rebate of S$300. Visit uob.com.sg/one for full terms and conditions.

Valid Shell Escape Card must be presented to the cashier to enjoy the bank upfront discounts. Other terms and conditions apply. Visit uob.com.sg/fuelpowershell for more details.

Please note that there has been an update to the UOB SMART$ programme at Shell. Earning of UOB SMART$ at Shell has ceased and the last day of redemption of UOB SMART$ at Shell will end on 16 June 2021, 23:59.

As shown above, UOB One Credit Cardmembers who pump at Shell can earn up to a whopping 21.15% discount as shown in the example above. This makes it one of the most enticing offer in the market today!

To earn the attractive cashback from your UOB One Credit Card, simply pick up your daily necessities available at the Shell Select stores. Shell Select are stocked with a variety of snacks and beverages along with other convenient items, all selected for the high quality to ensure that you get the best available. Refuel your car for the journey ahead and enjoy a pleasant and hassle-free customer experience at Shell Select!

Earn More Rewards With Shell Escape Loyalty Programme

To enjoy upfront savings, don’t forget to sign up for the Shell Escape Loyalty Programme card.

Simply pick up a Shell Escape Card and register for the Shell Escape Loyalty Programme online at your convenience. Once you have registered, you are on your way to earn Shell Escape points on your fuel purchases. Pump more at Shell today to accumulate more Shell Escape Points! Thereafter, treat yourself to a plethora of deserving rewards simply by redeeming your Shell Escape points.

Sign up For UOB One Credit Card Now

If you do not have a UOB One Credit Card, simply sign up for one so that you can immediately enjoy higher fuel savings at Shell! Remember to present your Shell Escape Card to boost your rewards at Shell further! Sign up now for a UOB One Credit Card today at https://www.uob.com.sg/onecards/apply-now.html

Visit these places if you want to taste foods & beverages prepared by robots

Today (8 May) is the day where Singapore kickstarts its tighter COVID-19 measures in response to the pandemic.

Gathering limits of five, partial closure of indoor fitness centres, and crowd control in various public areas are some of the rules that bring us back to phase 2.

Folks who are treading cautiously and worried about the virus variants reported recently, how about placing your trust in robots to prepare your food? These are the places using robots as helping hands.

#1: Crown Coffee

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Crown Digital (@crowndigital.io)

We will start the ball rolling with Crown Coffee’s robotic barista named Ella. If you want to get yourself a hot cup of coffee, pay Ella a visit at Plaza Singapura, at the level 1 atrium.

Crown Coffee’s robotic barista operates 24/7 to provide anyone in need of a quick coffee fix. After placing an order, you can eye the entire coffee-making process behind a transparent glass window. Say goodbye to long queues to get your cuppa since Ella can prepare up to 200 cups of coffee within an hour.

#2: M Social

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beast and Butterflies (@beastandbutterflies)

Peeps planning a staycation at M Social Singapore along Robertson Quay, remember to give AUSCA a chance to serve you.

It operates out of Beast & Butterflies restaurant in M Social Singapore. From a chef-in-training to a promotion in 2018, AUSCA has whipped up a range of delicious egg types for guests over the years. Give it a go and let it impress you!

#3: Ratio Cafe & Lounge

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ratio Cafe & Lounge (@theratioinc)

To experience drinks made by the robotic barista arms at Ratio Cafe & Lounge, you will have to visit JustCo at Centrepoint, #05-06.

There are about 50 drinks on its menu for you to choose from. Whether it’s a classic brew or an unusual Tom Yum Martini, Ratio Cafe & Lounge has options for you. Grab a slice of cake, a hearty bowl of salad or even a delicious sandwich to go along with your drinks as you admire the precision of in-house robots at work.

#4: Royal Caribbean

Image Credits: royalcaribbean.com

The next time you’re sailing with Royal Caribbean, drop by for a drink at Bionic Bar. The robotic bartenders there are skilled mixologists that can create almost any combination you desire.

Pick from the menu of signature drinks or design your own if you’re feeling adventurous and ready for a new concoction to tickle your taste buds. While you’re at it, spot the electronic display boards for interesting stats about past orders.

#5: Tempura Tendon Tenya

Image Credits: Tenya Singapore

Are you heading to town soon? You don’t want to miss out on a visit to Tempura Tendon Tenya at Orchard Central, #B1-01.

The Japanese chain restaurant is known for its patented automatic fryer, which can churn out consistently crispy tempura within just two minutes. With a S$10 note, you can enjoy its Mushroom Vegetables Tendon, Tenya Tendon, Kakiage Tendon, and Tori Tendon (priced from S$7.90 to S$9.90).

As a bonus, intelligent sensor-navigated robots will serve your piping hot food to you. Cute!

7 Simple Yet Memorable Mother’s Day Activities

With the stricter COVID-19 measures in place, our typical Mother’s Day celebration may not be a viable option this year. Despite this, there are still plenty of ways to make your Mother’s Day special. After all, the best gift that you can give your mother is quality time.

What are you waiting for? Gather your loved ones to honor your Mother with these simple ideas!

#1: HOST A VIRTUAL GAME NIGHT

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), people in Singapore are allowed to gather in groups of five and are allowed to receive five distinct visitors per day. Instead of inviting your beloved aunts and grandmothers tomorrow (May 9), consider hosting a virtual game night. Use websites such as My Free Bingo Cards and Lagged to play with your mother and your whole family.

#2: CREATE A PAMPER SESSION

Shower your mother with affection by scheduling a pamper session. Start by letting her sleep in. It may sound simple, but you are starting someone’s day on the right note. Ensure that you are keeping the room quiet and dark as she sleeps.

When she wakes up, surprise her with homecooked breakfast. Offer to refill her mug when she finishes her coffee. Preparing her breakfast will let her fully enjoy her downtime.

#3: PLAY A SCAVENGER HUNT

Take the entire family on an adventure by playing a scavenger hunt at home. Hide her favorite things such as a family portrait or her favorite sweater. Children may participate in this activity by hiding sweet notes within the space. This will help your mother collect wonderful moments throughout the day.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: SING YOUR HEARTS OUT

If your mother loves to sing, you can plan a Karaoke Night at home. It is alright if you do not have your own Karaoke system. You can just download free apps or search for sing-along videos on YouTube. Do not forget to prepare your mother’s favorite cocktails and snacks too!

#5: SPRUCE UP YOUR GARDEN

Much like many of you, my mother is fond of growing her own indoor garden. She is always enthusiastic whenever someone purchases a new plant for her. Get the whole family involved by planting seeds or by redecorating your mother’s garden.

Some flowers, such as marigolds, are fairly easy to maintain. In fact, marigolds are tolerant of heat and pests. Planting this will serve as a gift that keeps on giving!

#6: MAKE A SCRAPBOOK

Encapsulate your happy memories by making a scrapbook with your mother. Print photos from your phone or collect your favorite photographs from your old photo albums. You and your mother can work on your own scrapbook pages and bind these pages together when you are done.

#7: ENJOY A DO-IT-YOURSELF PIZZA PARTY

What better way to end the day than by making your own pizza? It is both an art and a science. You can either make your own pizza dough or purchase a pizza kit for as low as S$20.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Ultimately, it is a nice experience to add your favorite toppings on a pizza that you made yourself. Mommy gets first pick, of course.

From all of us at Money Digest, may you have a delightful Mother’s Day (May 9) celebration!

Do these things to bring down your cost of living

The term “cost of living” can be translated as the money needed to uphold our current lifestyle habits.

When finances are on a stretch, lowering the cost of living can weigh heavily on our minds. If you’re ready to hit the pause button on your spendings or make lifestyle changes because of a recent job loss or pay cut, that’s not impossible.

Try doing these things to bring down your cost of living.

Move to a smaller home

Downgrading can be a powerful punch in the face for the prideful. But when it comes to finances, it’s a massive boost for maintenance. Take a good look at your money matters right now and decide if it makes sense for you to downsize. Remember that selling your property takes time, so plan ahead and get started early.

But sometimes, selling your home can be made secondary by getting rid of your car instead. With most of us shifting back to working from home, maybe you don’t really need a vehicle to add to your existing financial burdens?

Rent out rooms

Image Credits: ohmyhome.com

For peeps who are not so keen on selling their house, see if you can empty a room or two to rent out. This presents a quick solution to bring in extra cash every month, on top of your salary.

Alternatively, you can also choose to downsize and then rent out a small room for someone to occupy temporarily. But this method might only be suitable for people who don’t mind sharing their living spaces with an outsider. Be sure to discuss thoroughly with your family members beforehand.

Minimise your energy consumption

Your current electricity appliances can be the culprit contributing to your steep monthly bills. Check to see if they are energy-efficient and make the switch if they aren’t. Since they are products you use for a long time to come, be sure to do your research and ask the salesperson about the specs before buying.

Another factor to consider is your air-conditioner. Yes, we get how Singapore’s weather is so humid and unbearable at times, but if you want to bring down your cost of living significantly, learn how to embrace the warmness. Can’t seem to give up on that? Use the timer setting to work your way around it when you hit the sack.

Rework your budget

Image Credits: procurementexpress.com

As we approach mid-year, maybe it’s time that you take a look at the budget you’ve drawn at the start of 2021. Changes are inevitable, and it’s okay to replan your spreadsheet to accommodate your income changes.

Study the spendings closely you have each month and maybe let go of a few inactive subscriptions. Examine if you genuinely require multiple content streaming services, or you could just do with one for the time being.

Singapore is undoubtedly a city with a high cost of living and seems to rise a little more each year. Unless you’re planning to move to another country with a lower cost of living, consider the above strategies to cut your money outputs.

You can now send money to Thailand instantly via PayNow

The pandemic has seen a fluctuating curve in terms of recovery, and no one knows exactly when we can cross borders to visit our loved ones overseas.

Financially, it can be worrying too. Thanks to Singapore’s PayNow and Thailand’s PromptPay partnership, users can now transfer funds up to S$1,000 or THB25,000 daily across the two countries. All you need is just a mobile number.

Real-time payment systems linkage

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) shared that the transfers will be done in just minutes. This presents a much faster solution when compared to other cross-border remittance solutions.

Those who’ve sent money overseas before know that it takes up to two working days to complete a typical transfer process.

On our sunny island, the participating banks are the big names we know – DBS, UOB, and OCBC. In Thailand, there are four financial institutions – Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, Krung Thai Bank, and The Siam Commercial Bank.

What are the fees?

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Convenience comes with a price to pay. But the MAS and BOT noted that the fees would be transparent and affordably priced. In addition, users will know the exact figure before proceeding with the transfers.

“Senders will also be able to view the applicable foreign exchange charges prior to sending their funds, with these rates benchmarked closely to prevailing market rates,” the central banks said.

ASEAN Payment Connectivity

As part of the ASEAN Payment Connectivity initiation two years ago, the PayNow-PromptPay collaboration has come into effect. This is in line with the overall aim to bring about more robust cross-border payment arrangements.

MAS managing director Ravi Menon mentioned that the PayNow-PromptPay linkage is only the beginning. Plans are in place to scale the system to involve other participants and even business transactions.

“MAS’ shared objective with BOT is to work with our ASEAN counterparts to expand this bilateral linkage into a network of linked retail payment systems across ASEAN,” Menon commented.

To that, UOB chief executive officer Wee Ee Cheong added that the PayNow-PromptPay linkage is a stepping stone to connect payment systems across ASEAN as we progress. This means that possibly more customers can transfer funds to their counterparts easily. They can also pay for goods and services within a few taps or clicks conveniently.

In fact, Thailand is already a step ahead with QR cross-border payment arrangements with other countries. This includes Laos, Japan, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

“This service by the MAS and the BOT will effectively address customers’ long standing pain points in the area of cross-border transfers and remittances including long transaction times and high costs,” said BOT governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput.

Not using PayNow? You might want to visit abs.org.sg/consumer-banking/pay-now for more information.

Score Higher Upfront Savings

Earn More Rewards With Shell Escape Loyalty Programme

Sign up For UOB One Credit Card Now

#1: Crown Coffee

#2: M Social

#3: Ratio Cafe & Lounge

#4: Royal Caribbean

#5: Tempura Tendon Tenya

Move to a smaller home

Rent out rooms

Minimise your energy consumption

Rework your budget

Real-time payment systems linkage

What are the fees?

ASEAN Payment Connectivity

Search the site