There are countless joys in welcoming a new member to the family. A child’s cheery smile and mesmerising gaze have miraculous effects: they melt hearts and boil away the remnants of worry and misery.
However, raising a kid in Singapore is increasingly an uphill task. Singapore is known for its soaring cost of living and having one more mouth to feed does not make living in this overcrowded city any much easier.
In addition to the financial strain, parenthood also poses another competing use for time. Not surprisingly, it remains a constant struggle for dual-income households to balance work and family life.
Therefore, there lies no simple answer to the question of whether one should bear a child and, by extension, invest significant amount of resources, time and effort in the process of raising the child. Nonetheless, the flowchart below aims to delineate the emotional and financial considerations involved in parenting, though they are by no means prescriptive.
Knowing that pregnancy bills, documents, clothing, accessories, and so much more can cost more than S$10,000 in total, parents in Singapore must find savvy ways to manage their money because a baby will depend on them in everything. Here are some incredible ways to save money along the way:
1. SAY “YES” TO BREASTFEEDING
One of the empowering things that only women can do is to breastfeed their baby. As much as you can, opt for breastfeeding because it will not only be healthy but also be able to save you as low as S$1,500 per year.
To help you draw milk, you may use an electric breast pump but it comes with an expensive price tag of S$90-500. So, it is best to borrow a breast pump from a friend but make sure to change the plastic attachments. You can buy those for far less.
2. SAVE ON CLOTHES
Start saving for baby clothes by asking your friends and family if you can have their child’s outgrown clothes. You will not only help your friends or family members to de-clutter their space but you will also save more. Believe me when I say that babies can have sudden growth spurts so, it is unnecessary to buy loads of baby clothes in advance. It goes the same for shoes, as socks will be sufficient to keep their cute toes warm.
Also, you may invest two big T-shirts rather than bibs. All you have to do is to look for T-shirts that fits a baby (i.e., 1-2 years older than yours) while you are in a flea market. Then, use these big T-shirts while your baby is feeding instead of a bib.
3. SAY “NO” TO FANCY BABY TOYS
Several parents came to the conclusion that babies are not hard to please. In fact, their favorite “toys” such as plastic cups, cardboard boxes, and utensils often come with friendly price tags. They are not even the traditional toys! Buying a toy for less and still make your baby happy is such a win-win situation. You may even try to make your own toys such as a rattle made with a jar and a few coins.
4. SAVE ON FOOD
Preparing homemade baby food is simple, quick, and less costly. Having this power over your child’s food choices, you will be able to know exactly how much nutrition he or she is getting.
Before you begin feeding your baby, make sure that he or she is ready for solid food. It is recommended to wait for at least 6 months to feed solid food while you must wait until 10 months to feed them with gas-inducing foods such as broccoli, wheat, cauliflower, garlic, onions, beans, and dairy products. Be cautious of the common allergens as well.
Nonetheless, here are the recipes you can try for babies aged 6 months and beyond:
Having a toned and sexy physique for the wedding day is at the top priority of almost every bride. And, there is definitely nothing wrong with wanting to look good for the “Big Day”!
Although the body is capable of cleaning or detoxifying itself, our unhealthy lifestyle can slow down that natural process – leading one to feel lethargic, unmotivated, and bloated. To lighten up the load of your body, a nutritious detox may be the best way to go.
Before we get into the specifics, I shall define what “Detoxification” really is. Detoxification or commonly known as detox is a physical or medical elimination of toxins or contaminants from the body, which are mainly carried out by the liver. According to Cambridge Dictionaries Online, it is a period when an individual stops ingesting harmful or unhealthy foods, drinks, or drugs the body for a period of time. All these are conducted to improve your health.
As you find ways to reach your ideal body goal, consider these Nutritious (Yet Inexpensive) Detox Ideas:
1. SUBSTITUTE COFFEE WITH GREEN TEA
A minimal level of caffeine is okay but you have to be aware of how much you take within a week. A brewed coffee has a caffeine level of up to 95-200 mg while a green tea only has 24-45 mg. Change things up a bit by choosing the one with the least caffeine level. Green tea offers vital antioxidants in the most natural form. Furthermore, since it is still caffeinated, you will get the extra morning boost that you need for wedding planning!
2. STAY HYDRATED
Aside from drinking green tea, you shall stay hydrated by drinking the good o’ll water. Water is the simplest way to detoxify your body as it flushes out the impurities when you drink sufficiently. Sufficient intake of water can contribute to properly functioning organs, clearer skin, and better digestion. Make sure you drink enough. As medically advised, drink a minimum of eight glasses a day.
3. WORK OUT
Yes! Exercise shall still be a part of your regimen. Sweating out through running, yoga, or any type of physical activity (e.g., shopping for wedding essentials) for at least 15 minutes can help you get rid of the body’s toxins. Do this on a daily basis. Friendly reminder, as you dive into the physical activity at hand, always stay hydrated.
4. GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
A well-rested woman is more likely to shed some weight than a woman who is sleep deprived. This is because your body is more tempted to eat junk food when you are not getting enough sleep. Moreover, sleep deprivation wears the body down and weakens your immune system. So, as much as possible get 6-8 hours of sleep each night and give your body the recuperation it deserves.
Image Credits: TipsTimesAdmin via Flickr With CC License Attribution-ShareAlike
Brides should learn to practice healthy choices in everyday life. They have to make some adjustments, that might be difficult at first, but they are all worth it. 🙂
Wanting a wedding that is immensely personalized and stylish yet money-saving? Then, consider including a myriad of lovely Do-It-Yourself (DIY) crafts. These DIY crafts can be used in wedding ceremonies, bridal showers, and receptions. Budget for these elements depend on the type and quantity of materials necessary to fill in the needs of the guests.
Since time is of the essence, here are 3 wedding DIY ideas that are easy and quick to make:
1. PAPER FLOWERS
DIY paper flowers with beads or laces could be presented at the centerpiece, at the wedding shower, or given as souvenirs. To flourish an elegant touch to your big day without breaking the bank, you can make the classical wedding pomander:
2. RIBBONS
Ribbons are beautiful to look at, especially if they shine with vivid patterns. You can just hang these at the entrance arches, doors, or bouquets to add a dramatic flair.
What’s more? You can even decorate a chair with 9 shades of ribbon colors or 10 types of ribbon patterns. Here is how:
a. Gather either the 9 strips of ribbon or the 10 types of ribbon patterns.
b. Tie the strips sideways and rotate these toward the middle.
c. The excess shall create a pretty fringe effect cascading down to the center.
For a portrait of the ribbon arrangements, click here.
3. MASON JARS AND CANS
You need not to have a degree in design to brighten up the special reception. Just place several mason jars or cans on the table and put small candles inside.
Image Credits: sugarspiceandnice.wordpress.com
Alternatively, you may place your family’s old wedding photos or your pre-nuptial photos too.
Image Credits: sugarspiceandnice.wordpress.com
Look no further for the perfect candles and mason jars. IKEA sells a pack of 12 small scented candles for S$7.90 while mason jars are sold as low as S$2.90!
It is no secret that most of the flats available in Singapore are relatively small. It is done so as to expand the area available in our wonderful country. Aside from condominiums, HDB flats, ranging from 45 to 110 square meters, are the popular choice of the masses.
Whether you recently got off your parent’s estate or you relocated in the city center, the limited space of a flat can pose different challenges ahead. To live comfortably in it, here is the “5 Simple Ways To Renovate Your Tiny Flat Without Spending Too Much”:
1. SHOP AT IKEA
This Swedish super brand is a hub for home decorating while on a budget. IKEA’s two Singapore stores sell multiple organizational items and furniture that are perfect for small living spaces. For example, you may purchase the BRIMNES slim mirror with 4 storage squares for S$99 or the BYGEL removable dish drainer for only S$6.90.
What’s more? You can get free #homeinspo from their in-store displays or website catalogs.
2. AFFIX YOUR APPLIANCES TO THE WALL
Instead of getting huge drawers for the flat screen television or microwave oven, mount or affix them on the wall. This inexpensive trick is a surefire space saver for a small-scale kitchen or living room.
3. ADD MIRRORS
Adding mirrors to a modest room can make it appear bigger. Wide and oversized mirrors can fool the eyes by reflecting more light and by brightening the room. Save money by mounting two 70×70 cm IKEA STAVE mirrors costing to S$29.90 each.
4. OPT FOR SOFA BEDS
Buying a mattress, a headboard, and a bed frame can be costly and space consuming. Opt for a sofa bed instead. For about S$100, you can purchase a multi-purpose coach that expands into a bed for yourself or your guests.
5. NO-COST VISUAL DISTRACTIONS
You can easily maximize your space for free! All you have to do is to create visual distractions. Keep the room bright by opening the curtains. Then, make room for more by fixing your furniture diagonally.
Image Credits: Jim Cramer via Flickr with Creative Commons License (Attribution-NoDerivs)
