MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

Is The Alarming Zika Virus Covered By The Insurance Companies?

It is highly likely that infections of Zika virus will continue to elevate in Asia, according to the recent statement given by the reputable World Health Organization. This statement encourages heightened awareness as 70 countries were already affected. Zika virus has been endemic in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. In our country alone, there have been over 400 reported cases this year.

For those of you who are not familiar with this illness, let me enlighten you! The first case of the Zika virus was reported in the 50s. It is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito (much like dengue). What is unique about it is that only 1 in 5 infections are symptomatic. That is alright because Zika is generally mild and self-limiting. However, it is dangerous for pregnant women due to the congenital Zika syndrome. Rare cases showed that some individuals developed serious neurological complications. This can potentially harm an unborn child. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or anti-viral drugs to treat this illness.

Due to this alarming outbreak, many Singaporeans were quick to purchase protective measures such as mosquito repellents and insecticides. Further protection led for some people to pursue insurance policies. To their favor, more and more insurance companies are now offering extensions for Zika virus. These extensions are under personal accident or travel policies.

Among the five insurance companies that offer Zika coverage, NTUC Income came first. NTUC Income’s Personal Accident Assurance policy included Zika virus in the optional infectious disease coverage back in April. Ms. Annie Chua, the VP for personal lines at NTUC Income, once said: “This could be extended to other products with infectious disease cover.”

Great Eastern allows its previous and new Personal Accident policyholders to claim up to S$300 for medical expenses and S$30,000 in the event of death due to the virus. A pregnant woman who has been diagnosed with the illness is entitled to twice the amount of medical reimbursement. Furthermore, Great Eastern will pay a total of S$3,000 if the baby is born with an abnormally small head or with a Zika-related microcephaly.

Other insurance companies that provide Zika coverage are Prudential Singapore, Sompo Insurance Singapore, and AIA Singapore.

Mosquitos that cause Zika and dengue breed around homes in small amounts of clean water. This is why it is important to dispose waste in flower pots, discarded tyres, and other vessels that may accumulate water. Watch this short video to learn more about the efficient preventive measures:

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

6 Budget-Friendly Ways To Achieve Gorgeous And Healthy Hair

Since your crowning glory is an asset, you must take good care of your beloved hair. Homemade and natural remedies have abundant benefits to nourish your scalp and roots. Instead of forking out over S$10,000 for hair transplant, consider restoring the health of your locks by following these inexpensive tips:

1. CREATE A BENEFICIAL HAIR MASK

Aside from trimming your belly fat, avocado has a myriad of benefits for your locks. You will not believe what this impressive fruit can offer! Let us start with the fact that it is a rich source of vitamins, proteins amino acids. This is why it is able to soothe your scalp, add moisture, restore shine, and nurture strong growth.

Enjoy all these by combining one avocado, a tablespoon of coconut oil, two eggs, and a tablespoon of honey. Apply this mixture to your hair. Let it settle for 20 minutes before you rinse it.

2. MASSAGE YOUR MANE

A quick homemade remedy for dry and damaged hair only takes one ingredient – butter. Raid your kitchen to get a relatively small amount of butter. Massage this generously to your dry hair and cover everything with a shower cap. Do this for 30 minutes. Then, rinse all the butter out by using shampoo.

3. LET IT ALL DOWN

You deserve to have a meaningful rest after months of back-to-back deadlines and major projects. The same idea goes for your hair. It needs every break it can possibly get. Simple things such as wearing your hair down or fixing it loosely can make a difference. Elastic bands can put stress on your hair roots and shaft. This is why you must not sleep with any hair accessories.

4. ABSORB THE ONION’S JUICE

Onion has a high concentration of sulfur, which helps hair growth by increasing collagen production. Use the onion’s juice to control hair fall. Start by chopping the onion well and squeeze out its juice. Massage the mixture to your scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes. When the time is up, rinse your hair with mild shampoo.

As a friendly reminder, do a patch test before using the onion as hair treatment.

5. WRAP YOUR DAMP HAIR

Do you know why some women keep their hair wrapped in a “towel bun“? Well, wrapping the wet hair in a cotton towel leads to the absorption of moisture. This act can help to protect the hair against further split ends.

6. BRUSH YOUR HAIR BEFORE SLEEPING

One of the best treats that you can bestow upon your hair is to brush it before you sleep. Opt for a natural-bristle brush or a wide-tooth comb. Run this through your hair from roots to tips. According to the Owner of Cambio Salon Mary Rascon, doing this will help to move your scalp’s natural oils through your hair.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Image Credits: pixabay.com

We are weeks away from the spookiest event of the year – Halloween. Due to the relatively short period of time left, you must go through a pile of costume ideas swiftly. A good (and cheap) place to start is your home.

1. MAGICAL FORTUNE-TELLER

If you are fond of gypsy or bohemian fashion like me, raid your closet to dress up as a fortune-teller. Pick a loose top that will go well with a long skirt. Do not forget about the headscarf, shawl, and golden accessories! Finish this magical look by bringing a deck of tarot cards.

2. DESPICABLY ADORABLE MINIONS

Creating Gru’s adorable minions is an fun task. Start by looking for a yellow top and denim overalls. These items are the base of your costume. For the eyes, you can create goggles out of Styrofoam cups and grey paint. Covering your face with yellow face paint is optional, but doable!

3. VIBRANT CRAYONS

I can only imagine how vibrant your life has become ever since your beloved child came along. So, why not have your child wear his or her favorite Crayola crayon? Let your child strike a pose in a monochrome ensemble from head to toe.

Amp up the costume by using temporary colored hairspray and by placing a black label that says “Crayola”.

4. MESMERIZING METALLIC ROBOT

Instead of throwing your boxes in the recycling bin, use them to assemble a homemade robot costume. Purchase a metallic craft or spray paint (e.g., purchase it here for S$5.50) and decorate the box in a way that you desire. Use plastic bottle caps or excess buttons for the face.

Keep your creative juices pumping!

5. A PUN-TASTIC THEFT

Due to the advancements in technology, authorities caution the public about the possibility of online fraud. Support the cause and rock a puntastic costume becoming an identity theft for Halloween. Start by looking up a “Hello My Name Is…” template online. Then, print 10 name tags using a sticker paper. Stick these tags in a plain black shirt.

You may use the names of your friends or co-workers to amuse them.

6. PAGE CANNOT BE FOUND

This last Do-It-Yourself outfit is arguably the easiest among the bunch. Simply get an old white tee and a permanent marker. Embody the essence of the “Error 404: Page Cannot Be Found” by writing “Error 404: Costume Not Found”, instead.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You do not have to explain yourself because the witty guests will get it!

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Grow Your Nest Against Future Healthcare Costs

Singapore’s public and private hospitals offer some of the world’s most exceptional healthcare services. The only drawback is the rising healthcare costs of about 8-9% each year. Other countries are embracing this upward trend due to the global inflation.

The question now is: “How will you save for future healthcare costs?”

CREATE A SEPARATE SAVINGS ACCOUNT

If you have a trusted financial advisor in your network, discuss about the feasibility of opening a separate savings account for your healthcare costs. You may choose to categorize this under your emergency fund for fuss-free budgeting. Otherwise, you will have to adjust your budget to accomplish this.

EVALUATE YOUR OPTIONS

Whether we are purchasing a plane ticket or a small furniture, we are constantly on the hunt for the good deals. However, we can easily spend thousands of dollars on medical costs without comparing the hospital prices. Avoid sinking in a pile of debt by not jumping into the first offer.

For instance, you have a substantial amount of time to evaluate your options for an elective surgery. Maximize your time by shopping around.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

A surefire way to manage overwhelming healthcare expenses is to prevent them from happening. Your road to wellness starts today! Make healthier choices by eliminating your unhealthy vices including your indulgence on junk food. Afterwards, commit to eating a balanced diet and to cultivating an active lifestyle.

COMPARE THE INSURANCE POLICIES

Get the best health insurance that your money can afford! Frame your current situation and compare the insurance coverages that will suit your medical needs. For instance, some insurance policies cover long-term care. This only make sense if you plan to retain the policy throughout your retirement years.

Perform a quick cost-benefit analysis by check it out Singapore’s first health insurance comparison website: gobear.com.sg. It provides basic information such as the premium amount per month as well as the maximum payout per year.

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF ABOUT MEDISHIELD LIFE

Central Provident Fund administers a health insurance plan called MediShield Life. It aids in paying out huge hospital bills and certain outpatient treatments such as dialysis and chemotherapy. MediShield Life’s coverage is ideally for Class B2/C wards at public hospitals.

You may choose to stay in a Class A ward or a private hospital, but the payout will only make up a small proportion of your bill. You will have to fork out cash or pay from your Medisave.

No one is entirely certain about what the future holds. Preparing now can help you manage the financial pain of later years!

POSB LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE “BANK AND EARN” PROGRAMME

FIRST BANK IN SINGAPORE TO REWARD CUSTOMERS WITH MONTHLY CASHBACK FOR REGULAR BANKING TRANSACTIONS

With “POSB Cashback Bonus”, customers need only to fulfil three or more types of regular banking transactions to enjoy cashback rewards, without the need to make additional deposits

It pays to bank more with POSB – customers can earn up to SGD 130 per month via salary crediting, credit card spending, home loan instalments, insurance premiums, or investments

SINGAPORE, 17 October 2016 – POSB, Singapore’s oldest and most loved bank, today announced the launch of an innovative “bank and earn” programme which will reward customers with cashback every month through regular banking transactions. This programme is also the first-of-its-kind in Singapore which allows customers to earn straight cashback rewards without making additional funds deposits on their account balances.

The “POSB Cashback Bonus” programme is the first of its kind in Singapore to offer customers direct monthly cashback simply by fulfilling at least three types of regular banking transactions. This is a simple programme for customers to earn cashback as the majority of POSB/DBS customers are already conducting these transactions with the bank. For example, customers will only need to conduct at least three of the following transactions every month to earn up to SGD 130 per month in cashback rewards:
1. Credit their monthly salary (Minimum amount of SGD 2,500; cashback of 0.3%; monthly cashback cap of SGD 20)
2. Spend on their POSB/DBS credit cards (No minimum amount required; cashback of 0.3%; monthly cashback cap of SGD 20)
3. Pay their monthly home loan instalments (No minimum amount required; cashback of 3%; monthly cashback cap of SGD 30)
4. Pay their POSB/DBS insurance premiums (No minimum amount required; cashback of 3%; monthly cashback cap of SGD 30; insurance products should be purchased after signing up for the programme)
5. Invest through POSB/DBS (No minimum amount required; cashback of 3%; monthly cashback cap of SGD 30; investment products should be purchased after signing up for the programme)

See below for two examples of how a customer can earn generous cashback rewards from regular banking transactions:

Earlier this year, POSB conducted a survey among some 800 customers on their reward preferences based on their banking relationships. The majority of customers responded that they prefer the following features for their banking accounts:

· Rewards structure that is straightforward and simple to understand
· Cashback rewards which are credited to their accounts regularly
· Rewarded based on their multiple relationships and transactions done with the bank
· No requirement to make additional deposits to earn rewards

Said Jeremy Soo, Head of Consumer Banking Group Singapore, DBS Bank, “We are delighted to introduce this programme that rewards our customers based on their banking relationships with us. Currently, most of our customers are already conducting regular banking transactions with us and this means that customers can simply enjoy monthly cashbacks with ‘POSB Cashback Bonus’ without doing a lot more. As the ‘People’s Bank’, we are committed to offering our customers greater value through innovative products and services, and to providing superior deals for them to enjoy.”

To enroll in the “POSB Cashback Bonus” programme, customers simply have to log on to POSB/DBS iBanking to register, and nominate a deposit or credit card account to receive their monthly cashback. Visit www.posb.com.sg/cashbackbonus for more information on the programme.

In 2013, the bank launched the DBS Multiplier Programme to reward emerging affluent customers for consolidating their finances with DBS. With DBS Multiplier, which was recently enhanced in August 2016, customers are able to enjoy a higher interest of up to 2.68% p.a. on their account balances by fulfilling any three of the five transaction categories. The programme has been a hit with customers and the bank has now more than 90,000 accounts. For more information on the “DBS Multiplier Programme”, please visit www.dbs.com.sg/multi.

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