6 Clever Tricks To Help Singaporeans Spend Less On Groceries

Perfecting your grocery budget can help you make serious contributions to your savings. Best of all? Saving on groceries does not have to mean skipping on delicious meals or depriving yourselves of quality produce. Read the following backs before you complete your grocery shopping trip.

#1: BRING A SHOPPING LIST

Whether you want to write down your grocery list on a piece of paper or bring a portable list through a mobile app, you can save time and money by sticking to this list. Free apps such as rShopping List (available on Android) and AnyList (available iOS & Android) let you create customizable lists to help you avoid unnecessary purchases. Some of these apps have built-in calculators too! Use this app to help you split the list when shopping with friends or family members.

#2: SHOP WITH A BASKET

Believe it or not, study showed that consumers tend to spend 40% more money than usual when the size of their shopping carts were doubled. Simply put, people tend to feel more comfortable with filling up trolleys due to its larger size. Trick yourself to narrow down what you need by carrying a basket instead. It may be easier to push a trolley but carrying a basket can help you spend less time and money in the supermarket. What’s more? You can enjoy a free arm workout.

#3: FIND CHEAPER-PRICED ITEMS

Supermarkets strategically put their pricier and popular items at the eye-level so you can get tempted easily. Next time you shop, give yourself the opportunity to comprehensively look at the shelves from top to bottom. While you are at the fresh meats section, filter through the displays to spot the reduced-price items. These packaged meats may be on the display for a few days, but they are still good for the same-day cooking.

#4: LOOK AROUND

Since every aspect of the grocery stores are meant to entice you to buy more, you must not buy the first brand you see. Chances are, products in the lower shelves are of the same quality, but they are cheaper. House brands are typically placed there. Moreover, fresh milks that expire next week are usually hidden behind the carton that expires tomorrow. Feel free to look around.

#5: BUY A WHOLE CHICKEN

A fresh whole chicken retails for about S$6 at the supermarket, whereas buying separate parts of the chicken can cost twice that amount. So, do not be afraid to cut the whole chicken by yourself. There are useful and free tutorials on YouTube. All you need is a sharp knife!

#6: EARN CASH BACK REBATES

Whether you are living with your kids or by yourself, groceries can cause a huge dent to your wallet. Since they are essentials, you cannot exactly cut down so much on the costs. However, you can still get cash rebates.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If you have a grocery credit card, you can earn cash back rebates whenever you shop.  While some cards can help you save money on Giant, others can increase your savings at NTUC FairPrice or Sheng Siong. Get the best grocery credit card that suits your needs and your grocery preferences to save up to 8%!

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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4 Important Things Teens Don’t Know About Finances

An eye-opening study showed that only 17% of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 knew how to manage their money. Among these respondents, 24% said they did not know the difference between credit and debit cards. Budgeting was a concern as well as learning how to save money.

One of the reasons why the teenagers lack knowledge of money matters boils down to their parents. They elaborated that their parents were not doing an excellent job in teaching them about money. Moreover, personal finance was not embedded in most of the academic institutions.

Fill in the gap by instructing your children about these important financial subjects.

#1: BASICS OF BUDGETING

Budgeting is among the biggest priorities of teenagers. Budgeting allows an individual to track where the money is going and where it needs to be. While it is tempting to accept money from your parents and quickly burn through it, it is vital to know how to maximize it.

Parents must not let their children be dependent. They will end up unaware of how to manage their finances.

#2: BASICS OF BANK ACCOUNT

Instilling in children the concepts of earning, saving, and investing is essential in developing life skills that they can use in the future. Opening a bank account or a savings account can help the teen to manage his or her own money.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Knowing the basics of bank account such as navigating through the online banking and transferring funds to other accounts is important. As there are no up-to-date teaching tools to help teens learn about bank accounts, you may take your child to the bank to get a hands-on experience.

#3: POWER OF COMPOUNDING

Compound interest is the interest on a deposit or loan calculated based on both the accumulated interest from previous periods and the initial principal. Time is the teens’ friend. They all have the potential to be millionaires someday, but the odds of attaining that goal increase sharply if they save early.

You can start by putting away a reasonable amount per month. Let it grow!

#4: POWER OF EMERGENCY FUNDS

Whether you come from an affluent household or a modest one, putting away some money for emergency use is essential. Parents may teach their children about the importance of emergency funds by painting real-world scenarios such as assigning a job per child. Ask the child what they would do if they suddenly had twins or a critical illness. Remember to keep things simple by excluding complicated jargons to your conversations.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Make it a priority as a family to be more mindful with your money. Spend less and celebrate how money is grown over time.

Sources: 1 & 2

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5 Affordable Counselling Options In Singapore

Counselling is the professional guidance given to an individual. The professional uses psychological methods in collecting case history data, personal interview, and testing interests or aptitudes.

Counselling is a form of talk therapy whereby an individual, a couple, or a family talk about their problems with a trained professional counsellor. Remember that your mental wellbeing is as important as your physical health. Whether you are struggling with addiction or facing the pressures at work, here are five affordable counselling options in Singapore.

#1: FAMILY LIFE SOCIETY/CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE (CFL)

Family Life Society or Catholic Family Life (CFL) is a registered charity and a member of the National Council of Social Services. Their patron is the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore. CFL aims to provide pro-bono counselling services to anyone who requires support.

While CFL focuses on parenting and pregnancy issues, they also provide a listening ear to people who are dealing with personal and family issues.

Visit their website for more information.

#2: SINGAPORE COUNSELLING CENTRE (SCC)

Singapore Counselling Centre (SCC) offers professional counselling in different languages and dialects such as English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, Cantonese, and Hokkien. Its services are available from Monday to Sunday. The flexibility allows people who work on the weekdays to get necessary help on the weekends.

The rates vary for adults, children, youth, couples, and families. For instance, one-session is priced at S$160.60 for adults, S$160.50 for children and youth, $235.40 for couples, and S$363.80 for families. You can purchase a 10-session package to save up to 20%.

Visit their website for more information.

#3: SILVER RIBBON SINGAPORE

Do not worry about the hefty bills that come with counselling services because the Silver Ribbon Singapore offer free counselling services through video calls.

As a strong advocate for mental health, the people behind Silver Ribbon Singapore organize mental health workshops and awareness seminars. They help students, migrant workers, and psychiatric inmates to better cope with their personal struggles.

Visit their website for more information.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: SINGAPORE ASSOCIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH (SAMH)

If you are uncomfortable with communicating with an actual professional counsellor through an in-person session, you may opt for a phone call or an online helpline instead. Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) has a helpline for all mental health-related issues.

SAMH has an in-person donation-based counselling session and a helpline. Counselling sessions are free to people whose finances are tight. Call 1800-283-7019 for more details.

#5: ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN FOR ACTION AND RESEARCH (AWARE)

In Singapore, Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) aids females who have been victims of sexual assault or harassment. AWARE’s female-centric programs and services are designed to help females to deal with issues such as sexuality and violence.

Services are exclusively available for women above 21, but they also accept referrals from the Sexual Assault Care Centre. These sessions can only be done on an appointment basis. Adults are charged at 1% of their monthly salary (i.e., capped at S$150). While students or people with no income are required to pay a minimum fee of S$20. Call 1800 777 5555 for more details.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Common toddler mealtime problems and tips to overcome them

a fussy Asian child at mealtime

Mummies, daddies, and grandparents, we salute you. Parenting and grandparenting are never easy tasks, and each passing minute can be a struggle if you can’t seem to find a suitable method.

Folks currently looking after their child or grandchild, you will quickly agree that there are toddler mealtime problems that require solutions. Allow us to identify some of these common issues and share with you tips to overcome them!

Food is always all over the floor

Toddlers are usually defined as children aged one to three. For young kids like that, it’s easy to be faced with a mess if they’re left alone during mealtime.

Do not be too quick to raise your voice because your little one’s coordination isn’t fully developed just yet. Be glad that they are attempting to feed themselves, albeit a little messy. A quick tip would be to place a plastic sheet right below their high chair or at the dining area so you won’t have to worry about the floor being greasy during clean-up time.

Sitting still is out of the question
a child running away during mealtime

Image Credits: childrensnutrition.co.uk

Is your toddler too fidgety and always wandering around during mealtimes? Children who are aged two and above may find sitting still a challenge.

But now’s the age to introduce mealtime routines to make your life a little easier going forward. The last thing you want to do is shout and scream and justify it as a style of discipline. Also, turning on YouTube videos to keep your child occupied should be a last resort. To make eating time an enjoyable activity, chat with your child and watch them respond to you.

Taking their own sweet time

Child-rearing is definitely not a walk in the park. Likening the process to a warzone is as accurate as it can be. We know that you don’t have all the time in the world to watch your toddlers eat for an hour. Hence, set time limits.

For a good gauge, mealtimes for these littles ones should not exceed 20 minutes. Some children like to “store” food in their mouths without slowing. A gentle nudge every five minutes is a proper habit to instil for such kids. Remind them in advance before their 20 minutes is up, so they are aware that it’s time to quicken the pace and finish their serving.

Fussy over certain foods
a child refusing to eat vegetables

Image Credits: nytimes.com

As we come to a close, be aware that even adults are fussy over certain foods like vegetables. However, keeping it entirely out of their diet is also not advisable. There are two ways to approach this problem.

First up, you can slowly introduce these foods in small portions. Shower your compliments generously when they manage to eat them. If it doesn’t work on your child, you may try to blend these greens and mix them up with their favourite foods. Be careful not to overdo it since certain food smells in large quantities can be overpowering for a young one.

Mealtimes don’t have to be a struggle if you can heed the above advice. Try it and improvise along the way to see if it works for you?

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6 BABY ESSENTIALS SAVVY MOMS SHOULD BUY IN BULK AT GIANT & COLD STORAGE ONLINE STORES

There are several reasons why buying baby essentials in bulk is a genius idea. For starters, baby supplies are expensive and buying in larger quantities often saves cash. Secondly, running out of baby supplies can be uncomfortable for your little bub. You do not want to run out of formula milk at the wee hours of the night!

During the current pandemic, purchasing your baby essentials online is the way to go. There is no need to brave the crowds or carry the bulky cartons home. Fortunately for you, you can enjoy massive savings from September 16 to 22, 2021 by shopping at Giant and Cold Storage online stores. Save up to 70% with their online exclusive carton deals. Brands on promotion include Similac, Pampers, Mamypoko, and more of your favorites.

If you need to purchase these essentials urgently, delivery can be arranged as early as the next day. What’s more? You can save more money with the free delivery when you purchase above S$59. Less time shopping in-store means you can devote more time at home with your beloved one! 

What are you waiting for? Check out some of the featured products below.

STOCK UP ON DIAPERS

Did you know that babies go through a whopping 3,000 diapers a year? Buying in small packs can cost you a lot. Once get a grasp of your baby’s diaper needs, you can go ahead and buy in bulk.

BOSOMI WONDER PANTS BOY/GIRL 4 X XL26
70% OFF – $25.80 PER CARTON (U.P. $85.60)

Available at Cold Storage and Giant

With 100% cotton materials and its upgraded absorption power, Bosomi Wonder Pants protects your baby’s skin while blocking leaks.

PAMPERS BABY DRY TAPES 4 X M64
43% OFF – $54.70 PER CARTON (U.P. $96)

Available at Cold Storage and Giant

Pampers Baby Dry Tapes has three extra absorption channels to lock away and distribute wetness for a better sleep. Best of all? You can get a free Star Wars Bottle worth S$14.90.

MAMYPOKO AIRFIT PANTS 4 X XL38
30% OFF – $72 PER CARTON (U.P. $103.80)

MAMYPOKO EXTRA DRY PANTS 4 X L38
30% OFF – $54 PER CARTON (U.P. $77.60)

Available at Cold Storage and Giant

MamyPoko is the leading diaper brand in Japan. Both diapers have soft and stretchy material to fit around the waist and prevent leakages when your baby moves.

STOCK UP ON MILK

Newborns start off with three ounces of formula milk every three hours. This bumps up to about eight ounces for each of the six daily feedings by the time your baby is 6 months old. Buy affordable formula milk by purchasing in bulk.

FRISO GOLD 2’-FL GROWING UP MILK STAGE 3 6 X 900G
S$18 OFF – $252 PER CARTON (U.P. $270)

Available at Cold Storage and Giant

This is the natural choice for tiny tummies. Made from high-quality NOVAS Signature Milk sourced directly from their own farms in the Netherlands, it has a distinct characteristic of small molecules with soft structure. In combination with Friso’s LockNutri™ Technology that locks in milk protein structure in its natural form, it is easy for your child to digest. Natural taste, more goodness: Now upgraded with 2′-FL, no added sucrose and flavor. This growing up milk is specially formulated with nutrients essential for your child’s development, such as prebiotic, probiotics, DHA, nucleotides, Vitamin D and Selenium.

Redeem a Fire Engine ride (worth $250) with every carton purchase of Friso Gold 2’FL.  

ENFAGROW PRO A+ 2’-FL GROWING UP MILK STAGE 3 6 X 900G
S$30 OFF – $258 PER CARTON (U.P. $288)

Available at Cold Storage and Giant

SIMILAC GAIN 2’FL GROWING UP MILK STAGE 3 6X850G
$30 OFF – $240 PER CARTON (U.P. $270)

Available at Cold Storage and Giant

This is specially formulated with a unique blend of MFGM (Milk Fat Globule Membrane) and 2′-FL that works with 360° DHA Plus that nourishes your child’s mind and body. Plus, you can get a free Philips Hand Blender (worth $129) with every Enfagrow Pro A+ carton purchased!

This has the added IMMUNIFY® ingredients that support normal immunity function. Its EyeQ Plus nutrition system is improved with Natural Vitamin E, Lutein, and DHA that supports brain and eye development. Get the best for your little one!

All these baby essentials are available at discounted prices from September 16 to 22, 2021 at Giant and Cold Storage online stores.

Enjoy baby essentials at low prices and receive free gifts, vouchers, and more! Shop now!

Click here to visit the wide deals selection at Cold Storage or here to experience great savings at Giant.

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