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Travel affordably with virtual experiences from the comfort of home

Travel enthusiasts are probably suffering the effects of not being able to travel internationally at the moment. With the ongoing pandemic, no one can predict when planes can take off normally again. However, this doesn’t mean that we simply stop travelling altogether.

For those who can’t wait to get out and start seeing the world again, we’ve got you. Take a look at these virtual experiences where you can travel affordably right from the comfort of home. Sure, it won’t be the same as stepping onto an unknown land, seeing the sights, and hearing the sounds, but let’s be contented with this for now. Shall we?

#1: WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE

We will start the ball rolling with Winchester Mystery House, a mansion located in San Jose, California. It is part of the history of Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, a lady who underwent tragedy with the death of her infant daughter and husband.

The eight-room farmhouse she bought and had it renovated from 1886 to 1922 remains a mystery today. Rumour has it that the Winchester Mystery House was built because Sarah Winchester was motivated by supernatural powers and haunted by ghosts.

Curious? See for yourself through a video access tour from 8.34 SGD (5.99 USD) or tread through the grounds with their immersive 360° tour for 12.52 SGD (8.99 USD).

#2: SAN DIEGO ZOO & HOUSTON ZOO, USA

Not so much a fan of scary things? How about some cute and cuddly animals? What’s more, you don’t have to pay a single cent watching these animals online. It’s an instant mood lifter too!

Both San Diego Zoo and Houston Zoo have kindly provided live streams and videos of their lovely animals going about their day-to-day activities at their various habitats. Whether you’re keen on observing the majestic tigers, laze with the pandas, or join the giraffes during their feeding time, there’s something for everyone.

#3: AIRBNB ONLINE EXPERIENCES

You can sort the list of Airbnb online experiences based on the price. We did a quick check and for less than 10 SGD, you can learn how to make Indian snacks and tea, admire the street art of Buenos Aires, or attend a piano meditation concert in Paris.

In fact, there’s so much more you can do with Airbnb’s online experiences with activities starting from 2 SGD. They are adding more to the list as more travel hosts come on board to offer their expertise. We’re sure you will find something that interests you.

#4: THEME PARKS

Theme park fans can rejoice as you relive your favourite rides from popular theme parks. The Coaster Views on YouTube has uploaded playlists of theme park rides and we’re loving the range of what’s available for viewing.

Alternatively, you can follow Virtual Disney World for a variety of interactive 360º videos of everything related to Disney. Go on an adventure with Peter Pan’s Flight, tour the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and riding the Disney Skyliner… we’re just scratching the surface by naming some.

Best of it all, it’s free.

#5: GOOGLE ARTS & CULTURE

Visit the Google Arts & Culture website and you can access free content curated by partner cultural organizations around the world. It’s also available to download as an app on the Google Play Store and App Store.

Thanks to this online platform, we could enjoy incredible views from the top of iconic landmarks. This includes buildings such as Tokyo Tower, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and The Eiffel Tower. Via the street view, you can also explore European heritage sites like the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and the Palace of Versailles in France.

Your access to the world is literally within a few clicks right from the comfort of home.

Keep Yourself Busy With These Brilliant Stay-At-Home Ideas

Not all establishments are opening during Phase 1. This means that many Singaporeans are still working from home. Staying mostly indoors for long periods of time can take a toll on anyone. One way to get rid of the unpleasant feelings you have been having is to keep yourself busy. Here are five stay-at-home ideas that you can explore to spice up your days!

#1: BOOST YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Increase your child’s grades by using technology to your advantage. Distance learning is no longer limited to schools as more enrichment and tuition centers have been opening their doors to modern possibilities. Companies such as 88tuition and ThinkersBox can help your child excel in various subjects.

The former provides video-based learning materials suitable for students from Primary 1 to Secondary 4 for subjects such as Mathematics, Mandarin, and English. The child will be able to take his or her own pace through reviewing and re-watching these videos. The latter provides enrichment classes for kids geared towards enhancing their brain development. ThinkersBox enables your child to concentrate well with its Brain Booster sessions focusing on developing concentration, stronger attention span, and other cognitive abilities. See these websites for yourself!

#2: SPARK JOY IN YOUR WARDROBE

Your routine may consist a cycle of: eat, sleep, and repeat. However, this does not mean that you have to forgo dressing up. You still need do occasional grocery and office runs. Do this in style by de-cluttering and mixing up your wardrobe. Start by cleaning up your closet and searching for items that you can donate or dispose. Get rid of these items. Lastly, you can purchase online to avoid coming in contact with the mall crowds.

Buying your new outfit online is so convenient these days. Virtual Boutiques such as Zalora and Love, Bonito have a wide array of selection. Take advantage of their seasonal promotions such as the previous Chinese New Year sale.

#3: EXPERIMENT IN THE KITCHEN

While following the CB period, my sister unleashed her talents in baking. She recently cooked the most delicious and chewy chocolate chip cookies. She had everyone involved and so can you! Make cooking a family affair or a friendly competition among parents. The two opposing dishes can be judged based on the taste, affordability, and presentation. Who says dining at home has to be boring?

Your family’s routine may have changed due to the pandemic, but you do not have to lead a bland life. Take this time to spend quality moments with your family such as when you cook together in the kitchen.

#4: RE-VISIT YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

With time in your hands, take this opportunity to re-visit your financial goals. What were you aiming to achieve in the new decade? What were the financial steps that you put on hold, before the pandemic? Browse educational articles online to help you brush up on your financial knowledge or gain new money insights through in-depth research.

You can consider opening a trading account as you begin your investment journey. Or, you may educated your children about the basic concepts of money. It pays to integrate a sense of curiosity in them at an early age.

#5: DO MENTAL CHECK-INS

Mental health is as important as your physical health. Ask yourself, your friends, and family members a simple question. “How are you feeling today?” This question can unlock many underlying issues or problems faced due to the COVID-19 situation. Some people have a hard time sleeping at night. While, others cry due to their anxiety of not going back to work.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Checking the emotional state of people close to you can show how much you care for them. Allow yourself to experience these complex emotions and know that you will not be in the same state forever.

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Secure Your Device When Shopping Online

In a recent survey, 1 in 4 Singaporeans have adopted mobile payment. In 2016 alone, over 30,000 retail points in Singapore enabled cashless payment. The most popular online wallets include DBS Paylah!, Apple Pay, and Android Pay.

You can only imagine how much growth the cashless payment received due to the Circuit Breaker period! People have been leaning towards this payment scheme due to the lack of face-to-face interaction that comes with it.

A mobile wallet stores payment information on your mobile device and lets you transact painlessly. It is fast and convenient. The downside? You are vulnerable to cyber hacking. On that note, here are several tips that you can use to secure your device while you shop.

#1: ENABLE THE TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION

Two-factor authentication gives you an added layer of protection. Enabling this will let you control your purchases. You will be notified whenever your card or your online wallet is in use. You will get a message or an email asking for your verification code. This is something you have to put to pursue the online transaction. This will alert you in case fraudulent transactions are about to take place.

#2: BE VIGILANT AGAINST BOGUS SITES

Notice every little detail such as the web address. Cyber criminals use similar characters in the web address to virtually trick you into putting your bank details and other personal information. For instance, you may shop in amaz0n.com instead of amazon.com. Consider using tools such as Google Safe Browsing to check the current safety status of a website.

#3: PAY WITH CREDIT CARD

Credit cards are not tied to your savings account. Furthermore, it often offers fraud prevention and protection services compared to debit cards. If you use a debit card on purchases, the money will automatically be taken out from your savings account. Treat debit cards like cash. In contrast, credit cards enable you to have enough time to dispute fraudulent charges. Seek the help of the bank to investigate the incident. It is a good habit to regularly check your billing statement and your weekly transactions online.

#4: DO NOT SAVE YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION

Some online retailers, like Lazada, offer the option of storing your credit card or debit card information after you have made a transaction. While it is convenient for you to do this, you must never put your personal information at risk. Major companies have suffered data breaches where consumers’ information have been stolen. Do not let this happen to you! Moreover, never provide your credit card or debit card details over an email or a phone call.

Protect yourself! Be vigilant and strategic whenever you purchase online.

Sources: 1 & 2

Should You Wear Face Shields In Singapore?

According to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines, plastic face shield offers adequate basic protection and can be worn if you need to go out of your home during this period.

For the general public who need to go out of their homes during this period, any mask including reusable masks, DIY masks or plastic face shields, offer adequate basic protection.

Face shields have a number of advantages over masks. It can be more comfortable to wear than a face mask and it is easier to clean and disinfects after each use.

Video by Lindsley et al, 2014/NIOSH

According to a report from JAMA Network, face shields were shown to reduce immediate viral exposure by 96% when worn by a simulated health care worker within 18 inches of a cough. Face shields also protect your eyes and other parts of the face not covered by the face masks.

While face shields offer more advantages, they are are not 100% foolproof. Experts have recommend wearing with face masks to be effective. In addition, practicing good personal hygiene and social distancing should form the first line of defence against the coronavirus.

If you are considering to get a face shield in Singapore, here are some places where you can get them:

Should You Buy Your Essentials Online Or In Store?

Welcome to the new normal! The Circuit Breaker period allowed us to stay at home out of necessity, while we anxiously spray disinfectant on every item around the house. WE all know that we have to follow the social distancing measures and to wait for the COVID-19 updates. However, it is hard to stay at home when you are running out of home essentials and grocery supplies. How do you shop for your essentials? Is it safer to buy online or in store?

GOING OUT TO SHOP IN STORE

Stepping outside to buy groceries and household supplies is the quickest and simplest way to restock. It is also accessible, whereby everything you need can be found in one place. The shopping mall can also provide you with different brands and packaging sizes. You can even return a damaged item on the spot.

Going outside to shop is no longer simple and safe as it used to be. Since most stores close earlier and some ceased their operations, you will have to time your shopping accordingly. You need to wear a mask and carry a disinfectant with you. Without the usual public transport measures, you will have to walk to the store or to avoid the peak hours. You will also have to line up for hours to fulfill your grocery journey.

Going outside also increases your chances of getting sick. You can contract the illness from surfaces, from crowded lines, or from the cash. This is according to the World Health Organization. Not to mention, the germ exposure that you can get from ATMs and banks. Remain safe wherever you are by practicing social distancing and by keeping your hands clean at all times.

The use of cash can be prevented by carrying your debit or credit card. You may also use cashless services such as Apple Wallet and PayPal. These methods are convenient and safe.

STAYING INDOORS TO SHOP

Shopping online has become more popular than ever. Getting deliveries right at your doorstep lets you skip the countless hours you spend in the store and the anxiety of getting infected. Most stores have strict disinfection practices, encourage no-contact deliveries, and accept contactless payments. It is easier to find specialty items online such as bubble milk-tea shops or freshly-baked goods.

The only downside is that you will have to visit several websites to look for everything you need. Stocks are limited too. You need to tick the item into the cart before you lose your chance. Most online stores have delivery delays due to the surge in demand. You have to be patient. Nonetheless, you can always order in advance.

FairPrice and Lazada Singapore are just a few of your online grocery options. These shops accept electronic payments and cash on delivery. After filling in the shop’s bank account details and amount, review your details and confirm. You will be spoiled with their item selections found online.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

For Singaporeans who only need a set meal without having to shop, food delivery apps can provide cravings for an entire family. This options offers all the advantages of shopping online, minus the long queue. There are upsides and setbacks to any way you choose to shop, and it is up to you to decide which best suits your lifestyle.

Should You Wear Face Shields In Singapore?

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