MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

Trending Instagram Hobbies Within Your Budget

Where else can you showcase your coolest talents, delicious meals, cutest pets, greatest adventures, and oddest interests better than at Instagram (IG)?

As I browse through my IG feed, I noticed these 5 hobbies that are within each individual’s tight budget:

1. EDITING

Some people are naturally gifted with visual arts while others see it as a hobby that they have to practice. If you want to share your beautiful memories captured on portraits, showcase your photography and editing skills on IG.

Fit in the crowd by ensuring that you edited your photos with extra filters and finishing touches. Use this “4 Free Photo Editing Apps” list to help you out!

2. SINGING

I have to admit, a bunch of my IG friends are good at singing. And a fun way to get their followers connected is by posting a preview of their “full cover/song video” and linking it to their bio.

For emerging and establish artists, it is a no-cost way to advertise and stay in touch with the fans.

3. EATING

Some people love to watch movies as much as others love to read books. But my favorite people love to go on “food trips”. To be on a food trip means that you are on-board a stimulating and exciting food experience. Whether it will be a good or a bad one, you can easily post your food photography or video clips on IG for your friends to see.

4. CRAFTING

On the top of making a Facebook page of your artworks, you can manifest your artistic side by posting it on IG. This can not only support your passion but also boost your followers and your brand. You can either show daily clips of your artwork’s progress or make a short timelapse video of it from start to finish.

5. SHOPPING

If your interests involve window shopping (like many Singaporeans), take it up a notch by virtually browsing on IG. Save time, effort, and money by looking through a range of local labels while at home. Check out @gsews for bags, @wontyouburnbitch for accessories, and @lovebonito for clothes!

Screen-grabbed from instagram.com/lovebonito

16 Occupations That Can Earn You More Than Facebook’s Zuckerberg

Based on the data provided by Hudson Singapore Salary Guide 2015, these 16 occupations are paid with higher annual salaries than Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The reason behind this will be revealed later on.

Information, Communications, & Technology Sector

1. Application Manager
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$80,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$120,000

2. IT Consultant
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$100,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$150,000

3. Customer Support Manager
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$100,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$120,000

4. Consulting Manager
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$60,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$120,000

5. Training Manager
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$120,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$200,000

6. Channel Operations Director
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$200,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$450,000

Sales and Marketing Sector

7. Events Manager
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$50,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$80,000

8. Sales Engineer
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$48,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$70,000

9. Media Group Head
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$72,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$105,000

10. Market Analyst
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$70,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$85,000

11. Public Relations Manager
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$84,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$110,000

12. Agency Managing Director
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$200,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$300,000

Human Resources Sector

13. HR Officer
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$50,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$75,000

14. HR Manager
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$80,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$160,000

15. Organisational Development Consultant
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$80,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$150,000

16. HR Director
Average Minimum Annual Pay: S$200,000
Average Maximum Annual Pay: S$250,000

Why These Occupations Pay Higher Than Being A CEO (Facebook)

Mark Zuckerberg, the innovative founder and CEO of Facebook, chose to take home a salary of US$1 (S$1.40) each year. Since 2013, Zuckerberg joined the dollar salary club alongside Zynga’s Mark Pincus and HP’s Meg Whitman.

He was quoted saying: “I’ve made enough money. At this point, I’m just focused on making sure I do the most possible good with what I have.”

Despite this move, he is still worth US$48.2 (S$67.38) billion according to Forbes.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

So in a sense, most Singaporeans (including yourself) are getting salaries that outweigh that of Zuckerberg’s.

Sources: 1 & 2

How Some Singaporeans Welcomed The Prosperous Li Chun

Last February 4, waves of people conquered queues at the banks and the cash deposit machines across the nation.

Why? You may promptly ask.

It is because practices of Li Chun (Farmer’s Day) fall on that day. Li Chun traditionally signifies the beginning of Spring in numerous Asian cultures including Singapore. On this day, farmers celebrate with special events, offerings, and rituals to welcome a successful and blissful new year.

While in recent years, some Singaporeans believed that banking in money on Li Chun can ensure good fortune and help grow their wealth. Furthermore, a superstition dictates that wearing a red top on this “auspicious” day can bring luck!

According to the charts available online, there are four two-hour windows designated for each individual to withdraw cash. The varied “lucky hours” are based on the person’s Chinese Zodiac Sign or the year they were born. This is why a number of brave souls were seen falling in a long queue for the whole course of the day.

Some banks and companies were aware of the popularity of this practice to the point that they have had things prepared beforehand. Two key players were United Overseas Bank (UOB) as well as DBS/POSB banks.

A spokesman for UOB shared that the bank had incorporated more services and staff to handle the higher demands of that day:

“Longer queues were seen at our cash deposit machines after 3pm, as it was the auspicious timing to usher in the year of the Monkey.

To ensure that our customers had a good customer experience, we catered for extra manpower at our branches, and also ensured that cash deposit machines were serviced and emptied to accommodate the extra volume of cash deposits.”

Then UOB stepped up their services by adding special seated queues for elderly, pregnant woman, and disabled.

On the other hand, about 10,000 DBS/POSB employees had their February salaries credited to their account last Thursday. According to Theresa Phua, DBS Bank Singapore Head of Human Resources, the bank had been crediting salaries before Chinese New Year in order for their valued employees to enjoy the festivities well.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

6 Quick And Easy Fixes To Maintain Your Happy Home

Did you know that you can solve your household problems without calling for backup and paying expensive service fees? If you do not believe me then, you may change your mind as you try these 6 simple and inexpensive home maintenance tips:

WALLS

1. PEELING WALLPAPER

To fix a peeling wallpaper, you must apply wallpaper paste or wallpaper adhesive on a paint brush. Cover the entire wall with it especially the ends. Smooth everything down with clean hands or a roller. You may purchase the Eliane Extra Strength Wallpaper Paste (250 g) for S$25 at Korean WP.

2. HOLES IN THE WALL

Fixing the holes in the wall differs for large and small cracks. For larger cracks you will have to cover it up with wall filler or spackling compound that is available for about S$5-7 at the hardware store.

While, to fix the white wall blemishes that are smaller than 1/4 inch wide, try covering it up with plain toothpaste. Put enough to fill in the whole and scrape off the excess with a knife.

FLOORS

3. RESTORING ITS SHINE

To restore the luster of flooring, you must polish them after they have been mopped. Use microfiber cloth or clean cloth diapers to get the job done while skipping too much cleaners.

4. UNEVEN WOODEN FURNITURE AND FLOORS

To avoid sanding the whole floor or table to smoothen it up, try this simple solution. Spread a wet towel over the scratched or uneven area then place a hot flat iron on the top then move it in a circular motion for 3-5 minutes. Color it with varnish afterwards if you want.

DOORS

5. NOISY SLAMMING DOOR

Who else hates the loud slam of doors aside from me? Thankfully, you can soften the blow by placing a rubber band around the doorknobs on both sides. Do this without covering the latch.

6. DIFFICULT SLIDING DOORS

To smoothen the move of the sliding door, you must clean the debris that are jammed within the track and the wheels. Clear it all by running a paintbrush or vacuum along the track.

BONUS! LIGHTS

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Save money on light bulbs by replacing it only when the time is right. It is appropriate to change the bulb if it overheats, spoils, and overspends (having high-energy consumption). Also, you must replace the bulb if its color and power are not enough for the to accomplish the tasks in a particular room.

Sources: 1 & 2

Best Credit Card Promotions To Usher In The Lunar New Year

Be a cheeky monkey who maximizes your prosperity with these great credit card offerings for the year 2016…

1. STANDARD CHARTERED

Standard Chartered rewards you with 15% CashBack wherever you feast this Chinese New Year. From 16th January to 15th March, you can get rebates once you are charged with a minimum of S$688 on your total spending courtesy of your credit card (not limited to dining bills).

Go to sc.com/sg/campaign/cardscny for more information about its Terms and Conditions.

2. HSBC

Aside from getting S$8 Hong Bao cash rebates daily with HSBC credit cards (till 29th February – T&Cs apply), you can enjoy a wide range of promotions from dining, shopping, and travel.

a. 15% off Yu Sheng and Pen Cai Takeaways
b. 15% off storewide when you shop at ZALORA Singapore
c. Up to S$50 off selected items at AngelFlorist.com
d. Additional 8% off bookings on Singapore hotels and more at Agoda

Simply go to hsbc.com.sg/cny for more details and other festive offers.

* EXCLUSIVE: SIGN UP FOR A HSBC’S REVOLUTION CREDIT CARD AND RECEIVE A SAMSONITE RED ROBO LUGGAGE 
WORTH S$335 OR A REDMART GROCERY VOUCHER WORTH S$80! T&CS APPLY. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

3. DBS

DBS credit cards also reward you for your dining experiences. Here are some of their delicious offerings:

a. 20% off orders at foodpanda.sg. Valid until 22nd February.
b. 20% off the Lunar New Year Dinner Buffet at Brizo Restaurant & Bar – Park Hotel Clarke Quay. Valid until 22nd February.
c. 15% off lunch or dinner buffets at Grand Park City Hall. Valid until 19 February.

4. OCBC

OCBC credit cards will reward you with a tempting array of promotions that will keep you covered this festive season! These are my top picks:

a. 15% off takeaway CNY Treasures at Goodwood Park Hotel. Valid until 22nd February.
b. 10% off regular priced items at TAKA Jewellery. Valid until 28th February.
c. 10% off apartment and villa rentals in Asia and Europe courtesy of Roomorama. Valid until 29th February.
d. Get a Bioskin Radiance Bundle for only S$38. Valid until 29th February.

Image Credits: facebook.com/OCBC.Singapore

Visit ocbc.com for more information about the Terms and Conditions.

Search the site