Regardless of their marital status, women in Singapore will soon be allowed to freeze their eggs for non-medical purposes. Egg freezing is a method used to save a woman’s ability to get pregnant in the future. Eggs harvested from the ovaries are frozen and stored for later use.
The introduction of the Assisted Reproduction Services Regulations under the Healthcare Services Act will allow women (i.e., aged 21 to 35) to undergo elective egg freezing by 2023.
Only legally married couples can use their frozen eggs to complete the process of in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This is in line with the existing IVF rules. IVF occurs when the egg is fertilized by the sperm in a lab for implantation in the uterus.
The Minister of State for Social and Family Development, Ms. Sun Xueling highlighted:
We recognise that there may be women who are not able to find a suitable partner when they are younger, but they still wish to be able to preserve the likelihood of conceiving when they marry later.”
Sufficient safeguards will be put in place to ensure that women are making well-informed decisions when undergoing egg freezing and IVF. For instance, women will be counselled before they freeze their eggs to educate them about the invasive nature of the procedure and its limitations such as the risk of having babies at an older age.
Apart from this information, the frequent questions regarding egg freezing will be answered. These questions include the following:
1. How long can the eggs be stored?
There is no limit on how long eggs can be frozen for medical reasons in Singapore. As freezing helps preserve the eggs, these will be as young and healthy as they were during the time of freezing.
2. When is the best time to freeze your eggs?
It is recommended to freeze your eggs before the age of 35 because fertility starts to decline as you hit your late 30s. The decline affects both the quantity and quality of the eggs.
3. Where are the eggs stored?
Frozen eggs are kept in tanks filled with liquid nitrogen. These tanks, called dewars, are stored in assisted reproduction centres.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
4. Is the egg freezing process safe?
Existing literature has not shown an increased risk of babies having birth defects because of egg freezing.
5. How much will it cost to freeze your eggs in Singapore for medical purposes?
The estimated cost of one cycle of egg freezing is about S$10,000.
6. What are the chances of having a baby after IVF?
Medical research found that the chance of a frozen egg leading to a baby being born is about 2% to 12%, according to Ms. Sun.
Imagine watching a puppeteer manipulating an inanimate object for a show, except that show represents your professional life and the puppeteer is your boss. Isn’t it upsetting?
Having a micromanager as a boss can be a source of stress and frustration as it impacts your day-to-day life.
A micromanager tries to control every aspect of the work, no matter how small the detail can be. Employees can feel distrusted, dissatisfied, and disrespected. Prolonged control over all the aspects of an employee’s work may negatively affect his or her wellbeing and productivity. Quitting can be seen as a viable option if the employee can no longer deal with the situation.
However, it does not have to be this way!
#1: IDENTIFY THE TRIGGERS
Trying to understand the triggers for your boss’ micromanagement can help you be better equipped to deal with the situation. Start by identifying the reasons why he or she micromanages.
Often, micromanagers do not realize what they are doing. Perhaps, your boss micromanages because he is under a lot of stress, or he has a terrible experience with the previous employee.
Experts say that micromanaging can also be rooted from a personality trait. Individuals with strong organizational tendencies find it difficult to delegate tasks to others. These people find it hard to trust someone else to do the job as well as them, or to complete a task within their expected timeframe.
#2: ASK WHERE YOU CAN IMPROVE
Being polite and direct will serve you best. Ask your boss about the areas that you can improve on to address the company’s needs.
You can also be open about how your boss’ management behavior makes you feel by providing specific examples.
After sharing your thoughts on your intention to improve the collaboration and support, advise your boss that you are most productive when you are given the autonomy to meet those needs. You can also set weekly check-ins to alleviate the hovering.
#3: PROVIDE UPDATES REGULARLY
Micromanagers want to be in control. They want to check-in on your work to make sure that things are going smoothly to the schedule. Since micromanagers cannot do everything by themselves, they do their hardest to stay as involved as possible.
Try being proactive when sending regular updates before your boss has a chance to ask for these from you. List the things you want to accomplish within the day and email it to your boss. Regularly sending updates can serve multiple purposes.
Firstly, your boss knows exactly where your current workload stands. Questioning can be minimized. Secondly, your boss will realize how detail-oriented you are and that you can manage your own responsibilities without intervention. Lastly, it can help your boss address immediate concerns at one glance, which can reduce frequent check-ins.
#4: BUILD CONNECTION AND TRUST
Do you agree that trust is the key to any healthy relationship? Be it personal or professional, trust can build a solid foundation for you and your micromanaging boss.
When your boss does not trust your decisions and abilities, he or she will always monitor you. Developing synergy and building trust by creating time to connect and sharing what you are currently doing can help your situation. This allows your boss to create a space for growth.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
Shifting your micromanaging boss’ leadership style is not easy, and change is not immediate. As an employee, you can show your boss that you are trustworthy and responsible to inspire that change over time.
The cost of owning a car does not end when you buy it. There are plenty of considerations that you must take into account, including unexpected auto repairs. Car repairs are not cheap and can even be unreasonable at times. If you’re buying a new car, this won’t be a problem since it will come with a manufacturer’s warranty.
But if you’re getting a secondhand car or your original coverage is coming to an end, you need to consider how you’re going to fund the repairs. Fortunately, you have the option of getting an extended auto warranty, which takes effect once the manufacturer’s coverage expires.
You may look for different options for your provider online by reading articles like CarShield reviews. Below is a discussion of an extended car warranty and how it can help with unexpected auto repairs.
About Extended Auto Warranty
According to The Balance, manufacturers, dealers, and third-party providers may offer an extended auto warranty as an add-on when you purchase a vehicle. You may use it to cover the cost of repair and parts replacement after the original coverage ends.
Although it’s common practice to avail of this type of service contract when you buy a new car, you can still purchase one before the current coverage expires. You can also use it for a secondhand car.
It aims to help car owners avoid potential out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs that may cost hundreds of dollars. Aside from covering repairs beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, it may also cover expenses for car parts that the original contract doesn’t include even when it’s still active. Examples of these parts are entertainment systems and onboard computers.
There are also instances where the manufacturer’s coverage requires a deductible you need to pay first before it kicks in. Some providers often place limits on specific expenses, like towing costs. The extended car warranty will take care of it as long as the service contract includes it.
Common Warranty Types
According to the AAA, the two most common types of extended car warranty are named-component and exclusionary. A named-component plan provides coverage for only the parts listed in the policy. The type of coverage differs depending on the level of the plan, such as gold, silver, and bronze. The higher the level of the plan, the more parts it covers.
Meanwhile, the exclusionary type is more straightforward in approach. Exclusionary policies cover most vehicle parts but identify those excluded from coverage.
Costs of Extended Auto Warranty
Because coverage varies, the cost of getting an extended warranty also differs from one provider to another. If you buy your vehicle from a dealer, chances are they will ask you to purchase an extended coverage too. Do not immediately agree to this because most dealers would mark up its cost to add to their profit.
If you’re on the hunt for one, you should consider negotiating with the dealer or talking to other third-party providers. Take time to read their quotes carefully and compare your options before deciding.
Getting this type of coverage may cost you about $1,000 or a few thousand up front, depending on the inclusions. Depending on the policy, deductibles are usually around $100 per visit or repair. You may choose zero deductible plans, but they will be more expensive.
You may also opt to include the warranty cost in your auto loan if you’re getting one. However, it will incur interest and other fees.
What to Look Out For
The AAA also identified several items you need to know when getting an extended car warranty aside from what parts are covered and how much deductible is required. You must know where to take your car for repairs. Some providers have specific repair shops that they accredit.
You also need to know if there is a waiting period and how long before the coverage takes effect. For example, some providers require clients to drive their car for at least 1,000 miles, combined with a 30-day waiting period before enforcing the policy.
Ensure that your coverage for repairs specifies whether it covers both the cause of damage and its subsequent impact on other parts. There may be instances when a car component breaks down, leading to further damage to other parts. Some providers only cover the initial damage but not the resulting ones.
Is This for You?
After learning about extended auto warranty and what it does, you may now know whether it can be helpful for you. Ask yourself how long you plan to keep your car. If you’re thinking of upgrading to another model after a few years, you may not need it at all. It may even be a financial burden for you in the short term.
You may also rethink your risk tolerance as a car owner. If you worry about shouldering high-cost and unexpected repairs, extended coverage will be a good purchase for you. But if these things won’t keep you up at night and you’re more worried about short-term costs, you may want to skip on getting one.
Final Thoughts
An extended auto warranty is something you get for your peace of mind. If you’re confident that you won’t have any significant trouble with your car based on past experiences, you may save money for emergency repairs. However, if the thought of getting into debt due to unexpected repairs terrifies you, buying one makes the most sense.
As of midnight on March 3, the Civil Aviation Authority has issued 348,518 Vaccinator Passes (VTPs) to travellers from 30 countries and territories, and 456,215 people have entered Singapore through the VTL so far.
Currently: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States, Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel and Philippines
In the future, Singapore will expand the Vaccinator Travel Gateway VTL programme to more cities in Malaysia, Indonesia and India, and launch VTL programmes with Greece and Vietnam.
From 16 March, Singapore’s airline VTL scheme with Malaysia will be extended to Penang with four return VTL flights daily, and Indonesia’s airline VTL scheme will be extended to Bali on the same day with two daily VTL flights to Singapore.
Travellers from Greece and Vietnam will also be able to enter Singapore under the VTL scheme from March 16 onwards. Short-term travellers and work permit holders who wish to enter the country under the scheme can apply for a Vaccinator Pass from 10am on 13 March.
Border measures
The Singapore Ministry of Health has released a number of policies to continue to liberalise Singapore’s border measures! Firstly, border measures will be simplified by standardising the home notification period to seven days.
Existing Category 2, Category 3 and Category 4 countries and territories will be categorised as General Travel, while those requiring stricter border measures will be categorised as Restricted, although no countries or territories currently fall under the latter category.
Under the General Travel category, all travellers arriving from 11.59 pm on the 21st will only have to fulfil a seven-day home notification, as the incubation period for Omicron is shorter. Travellers who have completed their vaccinations and entered via VTL, as well as those from Category 1 countries or territories, will continue to be exempt from quarantine. The travel history of travellers will also be reduced from 14 days to seven days.
Instead of having to undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test upon arrival, VTL and travellers from Category 1 countries or territories will be able to undergo a supervised Rapid Antigen Test (ART) at one of the testing centres across the island within 24 hours of entry into the country.
In addition to work permit holders, vaccinated long-term document holders will no longer be required to obtain a Vaccinator Travel Permit (VTP) or entry permit upon entry into the country. However, they will still be required to comply with border health measures upon entry.
The Health Minister pointed out that following the end of the Omicron outbreak, Singapore should gradually transition to allow all vaccinated travellers to be exempted from quarantine and no longer require the Vaccinator Travel Track (VTL).
He also noted that imported cases now account for about 1% of the total number of daily cases. The authorities are now concerned whether travellers entering Singapore are sufficiently protected so that they do not place a burden on the local healthcare system. In practice, therefore, there should be less emphasis on home notification and testing of travellers, and instead ensure that they complete their vaccinations and additional doses.
Unlike practically everything else in the world (even vehicles!) where it’s quite straightforward to comparison-shop for the cheapest costs, car insurance is a hard one since pricing for premiums are provided on a case-by-case basis. On top of that, not every insurance would divulge their costs easily or offer you a price online.
When it comes time to renew or get auto insurance, it makes perfect sense to use free internet resources to compare rates.
In Singapore, How Much Does It Cost To Insure a Car?
Need to get a Singapore car insurance? A year’s worth of coverage might cost anywhere from $700 to $1,000 — or even more! — depending on your location.
Your yearly auto insurance premium is computed on an individual case-by-case basis. In general, insurers attempt to determine how probable it is that you will be involved in an accident and how expensive it will be for them to cover the costs (i.e., the risk they assume).
How Can I Get the Best Deal on Auto Insurance?
It’s impossible to alter one’s driving history, driving record, or automobile. You may, however, search around to find the greatest deal for your specific profile and vehicle. To begin, obtain insurance estimates from at least five or six different firms. With the help of MoneySmart’s Car Insurance Wizard, you can easily obtain this information.
Insuring your vehicle should not be as inexpensive as it appears. Cheap insurance is worse than having no insurance since you’re wasting your money and putting yourself at risk.
High excess (the amount you must pay ahead before the insurer begins to pay for the remainder) and/or terrible terms & conditions (i.e. you can’t claim crap since EVERYTHING is excluded) are often associated with cheap rates. Check the fine print of your policy to make certain you’ll receive the protection you desire.
Directly Through an Insurance or Through a Broker, Which Should I Choose?
Keep in mind that rival insurers may offer lower rates to attract new clients. After all, our auto insurance specialists will perform the comparison for you while you rest and enjoy your time off. In the event that your current insurance provider offers a better bargain, at least you won’t have to worry about missing out on a better deal.
You may, of course, get automobile insurance on your own if you don’t mind going over the tiny print and checking out the facts.
Various Kinds of Car Insurance to Consider
Comprehensive Car Insurance
This sort of auto insurance, as the name indicates, covers practically everything, even the expense of repairing or replacing your own vehicle. This sort of insurance is the most frequent in Singapore because of the high cost of automobiles here.
Third Party Only (Tpo) Car Insurance
This is the most basic and least expensive sort of insurance since it only covers damage to the property of others. You’ll be on the hook for repairs to your own vehicle if something goes wrong with it. Most experts advise against attempting to fix a really old automobile that has reached the end of its COE lifetime.
Third Party, Fire & Theft (Tpft) Car Insurance
An enhanced form of TPO vehicle insurance. Except that TPFT also covers your automobile for loss, theft, and fire damage. Despite the fact that it provides a little extra security, this is typically just an option for drivers of older vehicles.
Most insurance companies in Singapore use a $500 or $600 deductible as a baseline for their estimates. The average amount that automobile owners are prepared to spend out of their own money may be derived from this figure. When comparing auto insurance rates, it’s important to consider both the premiums and the excess. If you choose a high excess, you can save money on your premium, but are you really willing to pay $2,000 if you are involved in an accident? It’s probably not going to happen.
