6 Cheap and Entertaining Daytime Activities in Singapore

Living like a Crazy Rich Asian in Singapore can be exhausting, especially for your wallet. While it does not hurt to indulge in the luxuries of life occasionally, you can pay close attention to budget-friendly activities that will bring you excitement.

From eating for cheap to going on nature trips, here are some daytime activities* that you can explore without breaking the bank!

(*As a friendly reminder, please visit the website of these places first before heading down for a trip because the COVID-19 restrictions are ever-changing.)

#1: UNLEASH YOUR INNER SKATER

It may be hot outside, but it is ice-cold wonderland inside the Rink. Get your skate on with your friends or your date in Singapore’s first and only Olympic-sized ice-skating rink!

Apart from opening its doors to the public, The Rink hosts events and international tournaments. These tournaments include figure skating, ice hockey, and ice curling. As a beginner, you may want to use their skating aids such as the Bambi. This experience will only set you back by S$18 for two hours for adults and S$16 for two hours for children.

Image Credits: facebook.com/therink.sg

Address: JCube, 2 Jurong East Central 1, Singapore 609731
Website: therink.sg

#2: ROW YOUR BOAT

Pasir Ris Park is a peaceful stretch of coast with thriving flora and fauna. You and your loved ones can buke along the designated pathways or rent kayaks from the Ohana Beach House. The rates in Ohana start from S$12 per hour for sit-on-top kayaking and S$14 per hour for sea kayaking. People who love to highlight their balancing skills can opt for the stand-up paddleboards, which start from S$15.

Image Credits: facebook.com/Adventurepaddlers

Address: 131 Pasir Ris Road, Singapore 519148
Website: adventurepaddlers.com.sg

#3: GO ON NATURE WALKS

One of my favorite places to visit for nature walks is the MacRitchie Reservoir Park. Its pleasing aerial walkway called the Treetop Walk will give you a bird’s eye view of the forest canopy.

Image Credits: nparks.gov.sg

With so many scenic spots, MacRitchie is an excellent destination for people who love the outdoors.

Address: MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Singapore 298717
Website: nparks.gov.sg

#4: APPRECIATE DIGITAL LIGHT ART

Embrace the boundaries of physical space as you enter the Digital Light Canvas in Marina Bay Sands. Witness a school of fish gathers in the ocean beneath you or paint calligraphy as you watch flowers blossom before your eyes.

What’s more? You can celebrate special occasions with your family or significant other by requesting a display of personalized messages. This message will appear on the LED floor in beautiful calligraphy.

Image Credits: marinabaysands.com

This digital art event is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm with tickets being sold for about S$5. Children under 2 years old and “Future World: Where Art Meets Science” ticketholders can visit this for free.

Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
Website: marinabaysands.com

#5: TAKE FEED-WORTHY PICTURES AT MUSCAT STREET

Amp up your feed by taking Instagram-worthy pictures at Muscat Street. This vibrant neighborhood has more to offer than its stretch of cafes and bars. You see, the back alleys of Muscat Street double as an outdoor art gallery. You will come across mural artworks and paintings by local artists.

Image Credits: asiaphotostock.blogspot.com

Feel free to either get in front or behind the camera as you take artful snaps!

Address: Muscat St, Singapore 198833

#6: SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF HAWKER FOOD

Maxwell Food Centre is lauded by both locals and tourists as the place to go to if you want to taste the magnificent flavors of Singaporean food. Home to a myriad of food stalls that champions different dishes from Nasi Lemak to Hainanese Chicken Rice, Maxwell Food Centre remains to be a favorite for the lunchtime CBD crowd.

In fact, celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Bourdain were impressed by the Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. Fill your stomach with this dish and other dishes that cost less than S$5 a pop.

With these budget-friendly and exciting activities around the island, your date or family will surely have an amazing day to remember!

Address: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Why are IKEA stores designed like a maze?

You start off with good intentions and a robust shopping list in your hands. You walk in with a purpose and determination to beautify your home. However, it only takes a few minutes, and you are distracted with other items that you can put inside your shopping bag. You feel lost in the maze of IKEA. And this happens every time!

Budget furniture giant IKEA lets its shoppers experience the journey of walking into labyrinth of furniture and home décor, and typically they walk out with more than what they anticipated.

Why is this so?

#1: TO ENCOURAGE IMPULSE SHOPPING

IKEA’s confusing layout delays the completion of the shopper’s list. It is designed to stop you from leaving. This emotional process disorients and dissociates shoppers from the outside world.

When they eventually figure out the space and start buying, shoppers feel licensed to treat themselves. By the time you find the stool that you are looking for, you will end up being so impressed by how cheap the table lamp is and end up getting it too. Alan Penn, a professor at University College London, said that this results in impulse buying.

#2: TO CREATE A WALK-THROUGH CATALOG

IKEA said goodbye to its printed catalogs after seven decades of publishing, but it does not mean that you cannot witness its pages in real life. Apart from delaying the completion of a shopper’s mission with its confusing layout, IKEA found a way to spend more time with its shoppers through its interactive spaces.

“Historically, we wanted the flow of our stores and presentation of the products to appear in the same way as they would in a catalog,” said Mr. Marcus Engman, the Chief Creative Officer for Ingka Group.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: TO OVERWHELM YOUR SENSES

Consumer Psychology expert Paul Harrison highlighted that IKEA’s layout overwhelms the senses to stop shoppers from thinking about time and space. According to him: “We’re not very good at imagining. We look to others for ideas and IKEA’s store layout helps you imagine your ideal life, how life could be.”

Cognitively, shoppers are not able to control their behavior and responses because they become more emotional. These emotions cascade to the process of building its products. You see, the furniture’s self-made concept provides shoppers with a sense of achievement.

#4: TO TRY NEW THINGS

Despite its popular maze-like layout, IKEA tried out other store formats last year. It tested two new formats to explore how physical locations can remain relevant in the age of e-commerce and amidst the pandemic.

Ingka Group, which operates most IKEA stores, reopened a location in Shanghai to test its new format. This format provides shoppers with other activities aside from shopping. Showrooms were introduced alongside a theater-like space where shoppers can hangout, a restaurant with sustainable food, and a Maker’s Hub where staff can help shoppers repair old items. This store represented its second test store.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Can IKEA still amaze its shoppers even without its signature maze? Let’s see what the future of IKEA holds!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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How to Bounce Back from a Costly Mistake at Work

Take a step back. We all make mistakes at work, and no one is perfect!

Depending on the gravity of the mistake and your tenure with the organization, a timely resolution may solve your problem. Whether you missed a deadline or came unprepared to a client meeting, the most important thing is to act and address the situation sooner rather than later.

On that note, here are eight steps you can take to deal with your costly mistakes at work.

#1: BE ACCOUNTABLE

There is no point in hiding your mistakes or finding a scapegoat to cover up your problems. Be accountable for the mistakes you have made. These are part of the learning process that can help you become better at your job. Assess your part in the situation and acknowledge where things went wrong.

#2: BE ABLE TO EXAMINE THE SITUATION

Look into the issue with fresh lenses. Pretend as if someone else made the mistake to evaluate what happened with an objective eye.

Ask yourself these questions:

What actions led to the mistake?
What is the severity of the situation?
What should the person have done instead?
What are the consequences of the mistake?
How can the situation be prevented in the future?

#3: BE OPEN TO A PRIVATE MEETING WITH YOUR SUPERIOR

Setting up a private meeting with your boss may not always be necessary, but you could schedule one if your mistake led to serious repercussions.

Be direct, factual, and honest during this meeting. Apologize for your mishaps and explain what happened. Your boss does not need to listen to your excuses!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#4: BE APOLOGETIC

A sincere apology goes a long way. Other people can still be held accountable for the mistake you made. Your boss and co-workers may step in to fix the issue too. So, being apologetic is important in maintaining these professional relationships.

#5: BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS

Instead of whining about your mistake, focus on finding a solution. Once you determine where things went wrong, you can figure out how to fix it. Leaders appreciate people who bring solutions instead of problems. These types of people are usually considered to rise to the top.

#6: BE ACTIVE IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM

Do everything within your power to ensure that the issue gets remedied or fixed quickly. List all the viable solutions and review which one offers the best outcome. Stay in the path throughout the process even if the resolution has been taken out of your responsibilities. It is still vital to know how the solution was executed for future references.

#7: BE OPEN TO CHANGE

You should constantly adjust your flow until you find a work routine that suits you best. If you are always late in submitting your reports or if you are always sending the wrong proposals, you must do something to turn things around. Incorporate healthy habits such as using a planner or meditating for a few minutes. Apply healthy habits to improve your focus, concentration, and productivity.

#8: BE KIND TO YOURSELF

You can be your harshest critique. Eliminate any negative self-talk, learn from the mistake, and move forward. The mistakes you make will not ruin your career. Instead, your reaction to these mistakes can break you!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

 

 

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5 Financial Red Flags in a Relationship

Is your relationship doomed?

While you and your partner are compatible in many areas of your life, it is possible to be financially incompatible. Ongoing financial problems can quickly put a strain on your relationship. As such, these are some red flags that you may keep a lookout for.

#1: YOUR PARTNER HIDES HIS OR HER CASH FLOW

What will you do if you find a receipt or a billing statement for a purchase that your significant other made? Moreover, he or she gets defensive every time you bring it up. Over-spending, lying, and hiding finances can destroy any relationship.

Your partner not only spends money without telling you, but also spends a portion of your joint savings and hides it. You can work through your financial issues by attending counseling together.

#2: YOUR PARTNER CONTROLS YOU THROUGH MONEY

One of the financial issues that counselors observe in a marriage is financial abuse. A spouse tries to control the other through money and allowance. This is more common for people who only have a single-income household. It is nice to have someone take care of financial matters, but decisions need to be made as a team.

Your spouse should not hang financial decisions over you once you are married. Consider seeking help before the situation becomes too serious to manage.

#3: YOUR PARTNER LIES ABOUT FINANCIAL MATTERS

One of the biggest red flags that you must watch out for is dishonesty about financial situations. From small instances such as hiding the amount spent on a dress to big instances such as hiding the amount of debt they have, lying about your bad financial situation and spending habits can hurt your relationship.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Lying sets a precedent for later in the marriage, and it is not a thing that you want to deal with.

#4: YOUR PARTNER HAS AN ADDICTION

It is tough to maintain the stability of your relationship when your partner has an addiction problem. From drug addiction to gambling or shopping addiction, you need to handle your financial issues as a team when addiction is involved.

These types of behaviors can affect your finances and destroy years of hard work. You should certainly see a counselor to work through your partner’s struggles with addiction.

#5: YOUR PARTNER DOES NOT PAY BILLS ON TIME

While everyone makes mistakes, it is a different story if your partner consistently pays his or her bills late. Does your partner notice? Does your partner care?

If you live together, this shows that your partner is not considering you or how unhealthy habits affect the relationship. Discuss this important matter with your partner.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Inexpensive Alternatives to Diamond Rings

You are one step closer to the aisle. Congratulations! Tradition dictates that you pop the question with a ring. With the variety of engagement rings in Singapore, how will you find the “perfect” one?

Diamonds are considered a classic choice for engagement rings. You see, diamonds are one of the strongest naturally occurring substances on earth and are capable of withstanding almost anything. It symbolizes the kind of commitment that comes with marriage. However, diamond rings may not be the best choice for everyone. If you are looking for a less expensive or a more unique engagement ring, you may consider a diamond alternative instead. Look at these five beautiful gemstones that can suit your partner’s taste!

#1: RUBY

Classic and bold are words that encapsulate the beauty of rubies. Ruby is the gemstone of love. Its visually pleasing color comes in shades of deep pink to red. It makes a wonderful contrast when paired with yellow or white metals.

Suitable for everyday wear, rubies are certainly durable. When it comes to its price, ruby is not as inexpensive as the other gemstones. Rubies are priced higher per carat than any other colored gems.

#2: MOISSANITE

In the past several years, moissanite has become increasingly popular as a diamond alternative. It not only resembles a diamond, but also sells at a fraction of the price of the diamond. Active brides can benefit from the durability of moissanite gemstones. After all, moissanites are the second hardest gemstone used in jewelry making today.

#3: AQUAMARINE

Looking for your “something blue”? Opt for a serene and elegant choice such as the light blue aquamarine. Part of the beryl family, aquamarine can be a beautiful family heirloom. Just ensure that you keep it separately from other jewels and polish it over the years. With its hardness rating of 7.5-8, aquamarine can be scratched by diamonds and sapphires.

#4: EMERALD

With its glistening green hue, emeralds are a gorgeous choice for an engagement ring. Emeralds are customizable. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to easily fit your dream ring.

Like aquamarine, emeralds have a hardness rating of about 7.5. Thus, it will require a little more attention and care when being stored or worn. The most appealing emeralds come in deep green with a highly transparent appearance.

#5: SAPPHIRE

Sapphire is a precious gemstone known for its elegance and durability. Sapphires are one of the hardest diamond alternatives and are ideal for everyday wear. It is made to last a lifetime. Moreover, there is less upkeep with these gemstones.

Sapphires are usually less expensive than diamonds of similar carat weight and shape. Because of this, white sapphires are highly sought after as an alternative to diamonds for engagement rings. Couples who are eager to maximize the size of the center stone while staying within a budget can opt for a sapphire.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As you start this life-changing journey, remember what the ring symbolizes for you and your partner. As J.W. Lord put into writing:

“A wedding ring is a symbol of commitment; a promise, a pledge, and a vow. The promise is to forsake all others, to stay devoted and true; the pledge is to honor that promise selflessly, to see the whole thing through; and the vow is to keep that pledge unwaveringly, until the days are few. It is a mutual agreement to become one instead of two.”

Sources: 1 & 2

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