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How to Create a Strong Christmas Budget

Do you want to scale back on Christmas spending this 2022? Money might be tight this year or you just want to save more. Here is how you can enjoy the holiday season on a budget! Discover our top ways to save money with these money-saving ideas.

#1: CREATE A CHRISTMAS BUDGET

A Christmas budget will help dictate your spending habits. Start by listing your monthly income. All money your household brings in each month is income. This will include your side jobs. Then, write down your expenses.

Include all gifting expenses, saving goals, essentials, and non-essentials such as entertainment and restaurant budget. Lastly, you must subtract your expenses from your income to equal zero. Having zero as the end amount means that every dollar needs a job! There will be no room for accidental spending as every dollar will be put to effective use.

#2: SHOP EARLY

Do not wait for the best year-end promotions to start your Christmas shopping. Sales come all year long! Grab Christmas decorations on clearance in February. When you are mindful of your list throughout the year, you will be able to spread out you’re spending and stress.

If you missed the chance of shopping early this year, remember that January 2023 provides another opportunity!

#3: CHOOSE TIME OVER MONEY

As the old saying goes, “It’s the thought that counts.” The thought of spending time together is better than any physical gift. You can save money this year by being intentional and present in whatever way you can. Value experiences over gifts and clutter.

#4: GIVE FEWER GIFTS

Cut down your gift list! Trim down the list because you are obliged to give to everyone in your social circles. You have to be strategic when it comes to choosing whom to give your presents to. You cannot just pass gifts around at a family gathering and skip some people.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#5: USE CASH

Instead of charging your Christmas gifts to a credit card, reduce your expenses by buying gift cards or by using cash. Having cash will ensure that you are mindful with your spending. Stick to your shopping list and your budget! This avoids credit card bill shock in January. You do not want to start the year by paying interest on your debts.

#6: BUY ONLINE WHEN YOU CAN

Buying online will ensure that you skip the transportation fee. You can even have the gift delivered directly to your recipient. If you are buying gifts online, look for flash sales and coupon codes. Often, you will be rewarded with a percentage off. Just make sure that you are buying from a reputable website.

#7: CRAFT HOMEMADE GIFTS

Consider making presents instead of buying them. It is best to stock up on craft items while they are on sale. If you plan to create handmade Christmas gifts, start earlier in the year. You can make gift baskets, soaps, bath salts, baking mixes, and succulents.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Let your kids join your Christmas DIY activities to ignite their creativity and awaken the spirit of Christmas!

Sources: 1 & 2

Make your invested dollars last: How to care for expensive clothes

You just bought a beautiful blazer that cost you a pretty penny.

The last thing you want is for it to get ruined after the first wash. So, how can you make sure your clothes stay in good condition and last as long as possible?

It all starts with understanding how to care for your clothes properly. Different fabrics require different methods of care, but some general tips apply to most clothes. Stay on this page as we delve into the details.

Choosing the right detergent

You want a detergent that’s gentle on your clothes but cleans well.

A lot of detergents also have fabric-specific options that are designed to protect delicate textiles. So before you do any laundry, take a moment to read the detergent label and choose one that’s suitable.

Drying and storing expensive clothes

Image Credits: livinspaces.net

Here are a few tips:

Never put them in the dryer, as this can damage the fabric and shorten their lifespan.
If you need to store them, invest in a good storage container or garment bag. This will help protect them from dust, insects, and other unfavorable elements.
Hang clothes on a hanger to avoid wrinkles. Your hanger’s size and design are important since the fabric will overstretch and develop unattractive deformities if the hangers are too wide. Tip: to keep clothing from falling off, invest in some sturdy wooden hangers with non-slip ends.

How to properly clean expensive clothes

Here are a few recommendations on how to do just that:

Hand-wash delicates.

If an item is particularly delicate, hand-washing is always the best option. Use a mild detergent and lukewarm water, and be sure to rinse thoroughly.

Read and follow the care label.

The care label is there for a reason, so make sure you’re following the instructions. If you’re not certain about something, err on the side of caution and take it to a professional.

Invest in a good-quality brush and steamer.

A steamer is a great way to get wrinkles out of clothing without damaging the fabric. And a good quality brush will help remove debris and lint without spoiling the fabric.

Don’t want the hassle? Well, if you have the money to spare, rely on professionals for all your cleaning needs then. Such services are there to guarantee that your clothes will be handled with care by those who know how to deal with high-end brands and materials. So take your clothes to a local cleaner, and save the trouble of having to do it yourself.

4 Spectacular, New Places to Explore in Singapore

Grab your favorite cup of hot chocolate or peppermint mocha and treat yourself with a trip to these spectacular, new places in Singapore! Let the good times roll with your friends and family members ’tis Yuletide season.

#1: STROLL DOWN ORCHARD ROAD

From now until January 2, 2023, Orchard Road glistens with streetlights and big Christmas trees. Take beautiful pictures with your loved ones as the entire stretch is dazzled with fairy lights, towering Christmas trees, and plenty of festive props. You can start from Plaza Singapura and end at Tanglin Mall.

Image Credits: facebook.com/VisitSingaporeANZ

Head down to Tanglin Mall for some winter wonderland glamour. This mall is a popular attraction for kids and young at heart. Near here is the Forum The Shopping Mall, which has pink neon lights decor that glows magically at night. While strolling some more, you will see Wheelock Place. Wheelock Place will draw you to its star-shaped illuminations suspended within its structure. Lastly, you will experience luxury with ION Orchard’s enormous star-shaped tree topper from Dior. This is your perfect backdrop for an IG snap!

#2: WITNESS THE CHANGI AIRPORT CONNECTOR

Witness the Changi Airport Connector light up in bioluminescence until Jan. 31, 2023. The 3-kilometer-long festive installation is called the Dino Glow. The Dino Glow greets its guests with a trail of 1,100 levitating jellyfish beneath the T2 Skytrain tracks. Along the park connector are 4,000 dandelions and 3,600 mushrooms, which leads to a 40-meter tunnel of lighted arches. The dinosaurs at Jurassic Mile are also decked out in festive gear. The light-up runs daily from 7pm to 1am.

Image Credits: Changi Airport Group

Apart from these, there will also be local food, burgers, and desserts. Some are blue too! There will be blueberry bubble tea and blue donburis. The food trucks are open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from now until Jan. 1, 2023 at 5pm to 10pm.

#3: APPRECIATE HYPERREALISTIC ART AT ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM

Patricia Piccinini: We Are Connected exhibition reimagines reality at ArtScience Museum until Jan. 29, 2023. It features more than forty artworks and installations by contemporary artist Patricia Piccinini. Guests will be amazed by the strange reality where human-animal hybrids exist. Through her life-like sculptures, Patricia explores the advancements in biotechnology such as genetic engineering. Ticket prices range from S$16 to S$21.

Other activities at ArtScience Museum include the guided tours of the exhibition, which are available in Mandarin and English. Additional fees apply.

#4: PLAY AT THE GREAT BAY FIESTA

The Great Bay Fiesta displays attractions at Marina Bay, which runs from now until Jan. 1, 2023. The 20,000-square meter space includes four main event segments: The Great Cirque des Cascades, The Great World Carnival, The Great Food Fiesta, and Ice Magic: The Great Fantasy on Ice.

As someone who has never watched circus acts before, you will be impressed by the various performing acts that the Great Cirque des Cascades offers throughout its 80-minute runtime.

Image Credits: facebook.com/cheekiemonkies

At -10 degrees, Ice Magic: The Great Fantasy on Ice is the closest winter experience you can have in Singapore. The indoor ice playground will delight your children and their peers. Admission to the Great Bay Fiesta is priced from S$10. Additional payment applies for the activities.

How to Be a Good Money Influence on Your Friends

Friendships can benefit you in encouraging you to live healthier, elevating your quality of life, and lifting your self-esteem. Your friends should help you to be the best person you can be. You should do the same. Here are a few tips on becoming a good financial influence on your friends.

#1: SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH OTHERS

In 2013, researchers found that solitary experiences brought just as little happiness as the material things. Social experiences, on the other hand, were more valuable to the participants. Compared to possessions, we worry less about what others will think of our experiences, and they do not generate the same kind of regret. Consider sharing your experiences with your close friends and family members.

#2: SPEND MONEY ON THE RIGHT PEOPLE

A 2011 study showed that participants who recalled spending $20 on someone close to them reported feeling more positive emotion than those who recalled spending $20 on an acquaintance. Spending money on the right people is important for your financial health.

Allocate your dollars so your friends or family members can benefit without you feeling detached or drained.

#3: PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME

Serve as a good example by paying your bills on time every month. Paying your bills on time helps you avoid late fees and prioritizes essential spending. On-time payment history can also lift your credit score and improve your interest rates.

#4: SAVE MONEY TO AFFORD BIG PURCHASES

Can you imagine constantly asking your friends for money? Certain kinds of loans and debts can drown you. Big purchases such as purchasing appliances and furniture can best be completed by cash.

When you buy in cash, you avoid generating interest and creating a debt that requires years to pay back. In the meantime, you can save money in your bank account and watch the power of compound interest.

#5: SET SMART GOALS

A person with financial goals can provide a good direction for himself and those around him. Setting goals helps you lay out your “why”. It also gives you something to work towards for.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

As you set your financial goals, keep in mind that you want them to be SMART. Break down your big goals into small, easily digestible chunks.

Sources: 1 & 2

‘Tis the Season to Avoid Romance Scammers

Romance scammers profess their love quickly, without actually meeting you. This is the first sign of an online dating fraud. Online dating and sextortion scams can poke a deep hole in your wallet and your heart. Saying he or she loves you can be a tactic to make you give up personal details and answer security questions to open your bank accounts.

Guard your personal details and be wary of your new love interest by following these tips.

#1: BE VIGILANT OF BAD GRAMMAR

It is one thing to use slang and emojis, it is another to constantly commit grammatical errors. Sweetheart scammers are often operating outside of Singapore, so pay attention for grammatical errors and misspelled words.

#2: OFFER A PUBLIC MEETING

A surefire way to get to know someone is by meeting them in person. Choose a safe, public space that will make you feel comfortable. If your sweetheart scammer refuses to meet you in person after asking multiple times, take it as a sign that he or she is probably lying to you.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: DO NOT GIVE IN

Strangers asking you for favors and money send a red flag. Consult your trusted friend and family members if you are unsure of an online relationship. It is best to avoid giving money to strangers.

#4: DO A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH

Do your research by typing his or her name on Google and social media platforms. Your snooping habits should give you a clear impression if the person is real or a catfish. Remember to reverse search their social media profile images through Google.

#5: DO NOT SEND SENSITIVE PHOTOS

Sextortion is a serious crime that involves a perpetrator threatening to publish private and explicit information to others if you do not give in to the perpetrator’s demands. These demands usually involve money or sexual favors. Despite how deep your affection is towards a person, please avoid sending sensitive, personal photos.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Get to know the person better. Cross-check a person’s name, photo, location, email address and other details for legitimacy.

Sources: 1 & 2

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