Great ways to make Valentine’s Day special

The big day is coming. 14th of February is one of those days that doesn’t leave anyone indifferent. We either love it or hate it. And our attitude isn’t always the result of our relationship status – it’s the fact that we either want to conform with certain standards of behavior or not.

If you’re one of those people who appreciate the power of love on that particular day, this is the text for you. No matter how much money you have on your hands, there are ways you can razzle dazzle your partner on the 14th of Feb and beyond. Read on for some dating ideas for V’Day.

Dress to impress

You know best what your clothing style is and even if you’re a tomboy, you can always do something to look extra special on that day. If you’re looking for a dress that will make his jaw drop, there’s no point in buying it at its regular price, since you’re not going to have much use of it throughout the year. You can look in places like Picodi Sale that specializes in showing you discounted clothes any woman can afford. Not looking for new clothes? No problem, invest in lingerie that will give you more confidence and make the night more fun.

Eat to impress

It’s no surprise that most people like to go out to eat on Valentine’s Day. Certain foods are considered to be aphrodisiacs, which means they raise your libido. Chocolate ganache will help you relax, while shrimp cocktail can inspire you to be more sensual. Remember to book your table beforehand, because on that particular night, eateries are full from early afternoons until late nights.

You can always decide to stay in your apartment and engage in cooking together. Look for a great recipe, buy everything upfront and prepare a nice bottle of wine. Start cooking a bit earlier and have everything ready for his or her arrival. Remember to have a playlist of great hiredts ready for dancing, or a film to watch

Entertain to impress

If you don’t think fancy restaurants and gourmet meals are for you two, you can easily create romantic atmosphere wherever you go. Some people just like to have fun and KKday has prepared various types of experiences for two. You’ll be able to visit a film studio, view underwater wildlife, go to Garden by the Bay or see animals from all over the world in the famous Singapore Zoo.

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(Source credit: www.abetterflorist.com)

Flower to impress

It’s always nice to show your partner love and you don’t need to restrict yourself to Valentine’s Day. However, this article is all about the celebration on the 14th of Feb so if you’re looking for the right bouquet, check out places like A Better Florist. It gives you an opportunity to order flowers online, which saves you plenty of time. Any woman would love to receive flowers on Valentine’s Day and if you want to save a bit (hush, hush, we won’t tell anyone!), Picodi offers discount codes and promotions for you to use. Don’t wait for her to give you hints – be proactive and you’re guaranteed success.

Pretend to impress

Old married couples don’t always remember what it was like when they celebrated their relationship. They tend to forget about things like passion, butterflies in their stomachs and the willingness to get to know the other person. You can, however, easily bring that spark back by pretending you don’t know each other. Simply recreate your first date or go on a whole different one. You’ll see why exactly you fell in love with each other and be able to see your ‘old ball chain’ in a completely different light. Worth a shot!

The most important thing to remember, though, is that you should celebrate love throughout the year. Use V-Day as an inspiration to be with the other person more, show them your appreciation. It’s the company that matters the most, and all the other things and ideas are just an addition to your relationship. Have your Valentine’s Day every month and you’ll never be alone on any other day in your life.

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How To Celebrate Valentine’s Day Without Spending Too Much

Valentine’s Day is one of the most expensive “holidays” in Singapore.

But, it does not have to be!

You can always celebrate love without breaking the bank.

ELICITING GENUINE EXCITEMENT

One of the best ways to start a date is by handing over a sweet letter that will elicit genuine excitement. Crafting your own Valentine’s Day card costs practically nothing! Simply use the art materials that are available in your own home. Pouring your heart and soul into written words is more personal than signing your initials into a mass-produced holiday card.

Apply your personal skills to your homemade cards to boost its quality. Consider these scenarios:

a. An illustrator may draw the image of his or her significant other.
b. A digital enthusiast may animate a romantic message and send it via email.
c. If you like to bake, you may place the card on the top of a delicious box of cookies.
d. If you like to blog, you can create a beautiful post for your lover.

These things are more likely to be treasured than the items bought at the store.

FUELING THE ARTISTIC CLIMAX

Appreciating the arts is often perceived as something exclusive to affluent individuals. Purchasing concert tickets at Esplanade can be costly! Not to mention, purchasing art at galleries can cost thousands of dollars. Fortunately, locals and permanent residents have the option to hop around several museums for FREE!

Build up on the excitement by taking your beloved on a “not so typical” date at our very own Singapore Art Museum. This innovative museum houses a great collection of contemporary Southeast Asian art ranging from sculptures and paintings to installation art and moving media. They regularly collaborate with the leading international museums to cover both the local and international art practices.

Your date will be amazed with its current exhibition entitled: Singapore Biennale 2016: An Atlas of Mirrors.

LEAVING A LASTING IMPRESSION

Close your lovely day with a hearty dinner. Going to a restaurant on Valentine’s Day takes guts as you need to brave the waves of people and to make early reservations. Save money and avoid stress by preparing a romantic meal in the comfort of your own space.

Great recipes are available at Epicurious, AllRecipes.com, and RasaMalaysia.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

If your budget does not allow you to celebrate on February 14 itself then, consider choosing an alternative day. It will not only be cheaper, but it will also be less crowded. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you spent the gift of love with your partner.

Sources: 1 & 2

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4 Things That Millennials Don’t Mind Paying For

Oh how exciting is the progressive generation of the Millennials! Scholars defined the beginning of Generation Y as 1977 – 1981 while its end as 2002 – 2008. As you welcome 2017 with open arms, you will be amazed to know that they have more buying power than any other surviving generations.

The Millennials’ spending patterns are certainly unique to them.

#1: SMARTPHONES

Due to the heavy emphasis on economy in the Lion City, it is normal for students to possess part-time jobs to boost their allowances. These part-time jobs serve as an additional revenue to finance entertainment, travel, and school needs.

When I was a student, I worked every weekend in a Pilates studio along the stretch of the crowded Orchard Road. The money that I earned was wasted on cosmetics, movie tickets, and clothing. Boosting my perceived social status was on the top priority. Saving money merely followed.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

I remembered exchanging conversations with a friend of mine who only took the job at Häagen-Dazs to purchase the Samsung handphone that he has been eyeing on. Like my friend, having a cool smartphone is a must for the younger generations. They just cannot function without their trusty gadgets! Furthermore, smartphones usually serve as a means of communicating with others. We all know how much Millennials love to dwell and share their lives on social media.

#2: COSMETICS

I can attest to the undeniable trend of young women embracing the wonders of cosmetics. In United States alone, the expected revenue for the beauty industry was expected to exceed US$62 billion (about S$89 billion). Personally, I adore treating my face as a canvas as with many Singaporean women.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Whenever I am out with my sisters or with my friends, a trip to the nearby Sephora is always a part of the “to-do list”. My sister (a certified member of the Generation Y) did not mind if she spent S$68 on Benefit’s limited collection called Dolly Darling. She knew how happy I would be if I saw my favorite Hoola Matte Bronzer and POREfessional Face Primer. My face sparkled with glee as I opened this precious holiday collection. . Do you enjoy makeup as much as I do?

#3: HEALTHY FOOD

I came from a family whose mindset valued essence of health and wellness. Some of my relatives are Licensed Doctors, Fitness Instructors, and other healthcare professionals. I try my hardest to make healthier choices due to my exposure to this kind of environment. Apart from myself, are other Millennials keen on changing their food regimen for the better? The answer is YES.

According to a Forbes article: “Millennials still prefer cheaper food, and want it to be convenient. But they are also more willing to pay for fresh and healthy food, and are willing to go to great lengths to find it.”

More than the previous generations, Millennials were more likely to seek organic food. Investing on organic produce that is GMO-free and freshly grown with fewer pesticides sounds like a good idea yet pricey idea. Do not get me wrong! If you know where to look, you can get affordable organic vegetables and fruits in local grocery stores or online shops.

#4: EXPRESS DELIVERY

Patience is not exactly a part of every Millennial’s vocabulary. It is the rise of the digital age. We all want things instantaneously and in our own terms. Sometimes, we act like raging children whose main mantra shouts: “I want it. I want it right now!” This behavior was supported by the Shop.org survey. It found that Millennials, compared to other generations, were more likely to pay extra for same-day delivery on their online purchases.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Are you an avid fan of express delivery? Search through your previous receipts to find out more about your spending habits.

Sources:  1, 2, & 3

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DBS/POSB customers can withdraw new and good-as-new notes in 22 community clubs across the island from 11 Jan

With Chinese New Year coming up in a couple of weeks time, it’s about time to get new and good-as-new notes to welcome the Lunar New Year.

From January 11 onwards, customers will be able to withdraw new and good-as-new notes at 41 POSB new notes pop-up ATMs located in 22 community clubs across the island, an increase from the 36 ATMs in 12 community clubs last year.

Customers will be able to use their DBS/POSB ATM card to withdraw new notes in sums of SGD 100 (SGD 2 x 50), SGD 300 (SGD 10 x 30) and SGD 500 (SGD 50 x 10), up to their individual card limit.

posb-atm

This year, DBS/POSB is also offering customers the option to reserve their new and good-as-new notes online. With just a few simple clicks, customers can choose from a flexible combination of denominations and select their preferred collection dates at all full-service branches. From 9 January onwards, customers can visit go.dbs.com/sg-cnynotes to reserve their new and good-as-new notes.

4_online-reservation-for-new-notes

SMS Q for DBS/POSB full-service branches
Customers are also able to get their new and good-as-new notes at all full-service DBS/POSB branches from January 11 to 27. Special priority queuing will continue to be available for the elderly and those with special needs. Customers will be able to use the SMS ‘Q’ notification service option, where they can request for a queue number via SMS prior to visiting the branches and receive notifications on the number of customers ahead of them. Customers can find their nearest branch’s respective SMS number at www.dbs.com.sg/personal/deposits/bank-with-ease/sms-q

All images from DBS/POSB.

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5 Creative Ways To Earn Money This Yuletide Season

This is the season to be jolly. Parties, presents, and all the festivities do not come cheap! You can easily be trapped into months worth of debt if you remain careless. This is why you must find a few creative ways to earn extra money.

1. RECYCLE YOUR STUFF

Your unwanted pile of trash can turn into treasures thru a single environmentally friendly act – recycling. Some individuals, especially in developing countries, make a living by selling scrap. Do something similar by submitting your trash into one of Veolia’s recycling station. Veolia’s Cash-For-Trash Programme started in May 2014. Since then, various stations were set up within the HDB estates.

Papers can earn you about 10 cents per kilogram while, old clothing can earn you about 30 cents per kilogram. Aluminum cans can earn you about 50 cents while, metal tins can earn you about 10 cents. The distinct prices of your items depend on the quantity and material.

2. SPREE FOR FREE

Wouldn’t it be nice if the cost of your holiday shopping was generously covered? I know it sounds counterproductive to make money by spending money, but it is possible!

The people that shop for a living are called Mystery Shoppers. Mystery Shoppers are paid by the company’s marketing department to report about their experiences as they try the said company’s services or buy their goods. Accepting this job will entail getting paid for your time as well as for the items that you bought.

Eager to be one? Check out the current job openings at Gumtree.

3. WORK MORE THAN USUAL

I am going to impart one of the most efficient ways to make more money in the remaining days of December. This is none other than hustling at your current job. Work overtime and take extra projects. You may be tasked to widen the referral system or input hundreds of data. Just take on the task that no one else wants and receive appropriate payment for it.

4. WRAP FOR FEE

As the eldest of three siblings, I experienced wrapping gifts for several friends and family members. It is undeniably a chore that most people do not appreciate. This is why gift wrapping enthusiasts and alike can offer their skills for a fee. Purchase colored papers, festive ribbons, and gift tags in bulk to save more money.

If you can sell your service in a cheaper rate than what the shopping malls are asking then, you can easily hit the jackpot.

5. SELL YOUR SNAPS

Have you ever been attracted to the images attached in the online blogs and other advertisements? Most of these eye-catching features were from the company’s stock images. Stock images consist of photographs that are usually licensed for specific purposes. Companies pay decent amount of cash for these.

If photography is a special part of your talent reservoir, consider selling your masterpiece. Companies are in constant need for images for their websites, brochures, cards, blogs, and other projects. Start by selling your snaps on Shutterstock. Each website works differently so read through the guidelines first before you commit.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Source: INC

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