Stop Buying These “Essentials”!

I have to be honest! Since the Circuit Breaker (CB) period started, I have been purchasing essentials (such as sanitary napkin and coffee) and non-essentials (such as make-up and jade roller) online. Online shopping prevents me from being exposed to the possible dangers of the coronavirus. However, I felt that its convenience can trap me.

I had to become more aware of my spending patterns. I gave myself a maximum limit of twice a month to purchase my needs and wants online. This way, I will be able to track my parcels and spending more efficiently.

Two nights ago, Lazada had a Flash Sale on Apple Airpods. I had been eyeing this product for a long time and have been waiting for the perfect occasion to splurge on it. Despite its 20% drop, I decided to seek the advice of my partner. His opinion is of utmost importance to me. Thankfully, his voice of reason prevented me from purchasing the device that I will likely get tired of after several months. He helped me save S$200 that night.

There are many ways to save money. You can reduce your online shopping tendencies, expand your businesses, or invest in stocks. Every little bit counts when you are trying to save money during the CB period. If you have not realized it yet, here are some “essential” things that you should stop buying.

#1: AIR FRESHENER PLUG-INS

Ahhh air fresheners! Air freshener plug-ins have been all the rage in the 1990s. Those pine-shaped air fresheners may be doing more harm than good. According to the environmental testing company called IndoorDoctor, many air fresheners contain a type of chemical known as phthalates as well as formaldehyde. Phthalates are known to interfere with the body’s production of testosterone and have been associated to reproductive abnormalities, says the nonprofit National Resources Defense Council.

For Singaporeans who have pets, the use of air fresheners may feel essential. You need to find an alternative to keep your household fresh. Try creating scented candles by using natural essential oils. Start with this tutorial.

#2: BOTTLED WATER

Singapore’s tap water is generally safe for drinking. On some instances, you may encounter a poor-tasting water due to the chlorination or discolored water. Chlorination is necessary to keep the water safe from pathogens (i.e., bacteria and viruses).

Not only does plastic bottled water add up to the plastic waste, but it also adds up to your costs. Save more by refilling your tumbler or jug from the tap. Ensure that you bring this tumbler or jug while you are out of the house too.

#3: PLASTIC UTENSILS

Yes! Disposable utensils enable you to lessen the time spent on dish washing. However, this cheap and convenient item may add pollution to our environment. Help the future generation by reducing the plastic waste.

Use metal utensils and straws wherever you go. There is a metal utensils and straws set in Lazada, which will cost you about S$7.99.

#4: DISCOUNTED ITEMS

Just because an item is on sale does not mean that you really need it. I know how attractive a Flash Sale can be. In fact, I saved a lot of money from buying my Christmas gifts through Flash Sales. However, problem may start when you purchase several on-sale items without planning to do so.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If you do not need and want the item, skip it. Are you willing to pay for it in full price? If so, then it highlights your essential need for it. Keep these in mind!

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Phoon Huat shows us how to make the popular Basque Burnt Cheesecake the easy way

Here’s Phoon Huat’s version of the famous Basque Burnt Cheesecake that has taken the world by storm. Super simple, great for beginners!

Find all ingredients on RedManShop.com.

Find recipe here: https://www.redmanshop.com/dims/basque-burnt-cheesecake

Ingredients:

  • Royal Victoria Cream Cheese 450 gm (Product Code: 67061)
  • RedMan Caster Sugar 120 gm (Product Code: 1417)
  • RedMan Eggs 3 eggs (Product Code: 12088)
  • RedMan Vanilla Essence 2 tsp (Product Code: 67722)
  • RedMan Corn Flour 7 gm (Product Code:1201)
  • Grand Fermage Whipping Cream 220 gm. (Product Code: 58611)
  • Round Cake tin with removable base 1 pc (Product Code: 50010)

Steps:

  1. Whisk cream cheese and sugar until creamy.
  2. Add eggs one by one followed by the vanilla essence. Whisk till creamy.
  3. Add the sieved corn flour and mix well.
  4. Add the whipping cream and mix till combined.
  5. Line the 6″ cake tin with a removable base with baking paper on the bottom and sides.
  6. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for 40-45mins.
  7. Once baked, let cool at room temperature completely before setting in fridge for at least 2 hours.
  8. When time to serve, remove from cake tin and enjoy!

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Useful Tips To Pass Your IELTS Test

Singaporeans who are applying for a job overseas or are keen on taking on an opportunity to study in United Kingdom or Australia will have to pass the IELTS exam. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is one of the top examinations used to measure one’s English language proficiency. To be considered competent in the English language, the applicant must earn a score of 6 or above in each component.

The International English Language Testing System or IELTS is an international standardized examination that measures one’s English language proficiency, especially for non-native English speakers. Its results are accepted by numerous organizations and institutions worldwide. Institutions include universities, immigration departments, government agencies, and so on. Kick-start your career by taking this test.

While you are in the Circuit Breaker period, you may use the luxury of time to study for your IELTS exam. Here are some practical tips that you may start with.

#1: PRACTICE READING EFFICIENTLY

The reading assessment component typically lasts for 60 minutes. The more you read, the faster you become. To reach this point, you must practice diligently. Moreover, you must not forget the comprehension aspect of reading. Reading fast does not mean that you will be able to digest everything you read. Start with a small chunk of material at a given amount of time. Then, shorten that time-frame.

Allot time for both academic reading and leisure reading. You do not need to focus on IELTS review notes entirely. You may opt to read materials that are heavy by day and light by night. Do not overwork your brain.

#2: READ THE SUBTITLES

Practice reading fast and efficiently by activating the subtitles of the Korean dramas or the movies that you watch. According to a 2010 research entitled “The Cognitive Effectiveness of Subtitle Processing”, subtitles can enhance a child’s reading and literacy skills. Read the subtitles on Netflix as you binge watch. You get to indulge in your favorite pastime too!

#3: LEARN TO SKIM AND SCAN

Skimming is the manner of quickly moving your eyes over the material. This will give you a general overview of the entire content. Scanning, on the other hand, lets you go over a specific material to locate data. This will enable you to scan for the answers in an essay. Both reading techniques will help you save time.

#4: SPOT PARALLEL PHRASES

Many IELTS questions will assess your ability to match similar phrases or parallel phrases. These phrases have the same meaning, but are worded differently. A phrase such as “love to cook” and “cooking is my hobby” are parallel phrases.

#5: GROUND YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Gain confidence by knowing what to expect. This way, you will be able to take the exam without getting caught by surprise. For instance, you will have to take the oral component too whereby you have to speak out loud. Learn the exam’s format by searching free resources online or by purchasing practice materials from the bookstore.

#6: MANAGE YOUR TIME

Take practice tests before your IELTS exam. You need to pace yourself. To mimic the nature of the exam, you must be strict when it comes to the instructions and the time. Allow yourself to finish the reading practice tests in an hour, as officially stated.

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During the examination, you may skip the difficult questions first and move on to the easy ones. Tackle the gaps before proceeding to the next component or the next part of the exam. Good luck!

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Will Mixing Other Brands Of Petrol Harm Your Car?

As you may know, petrol prices in Singapore remain unchanged despite the plunge in oil prices. According to Bloomberg, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude was at a record low of US$1.69 last Monday (April 20). While, Brent crude was at US$25.92 compared to the US$74 usual price 12 months ago.

If you are happy with the performance of your usual petrol, that is great! You can stay loyal to that brand. However, unsatisfied customers may still search for another brand. To save money during tough economic crisis, will mixing other brands of petrol harm your car?

A short answer – it will not. Usually, any commercially available gasoline that passes industry standards would suffice for almost any gasoline-powered vehicle. Putting a higher-octane petrol into your car will neither help nor hurt your car’s performance despite the variations among engines.

The answer may vary from person to person, even among drivers who own the same vehicular models. You see, some people are strictly following the required octane fuel that their vehicles need. This is often due to the engine incompatibility with additive packages in premium fuels. Nonetheless, the brand that will give you the best fuel economy for your driving habits is the best one for your car.

To determine this, you need to monitor your fuel consumption over two to four full tanks. How often do you have to refill your car’s petrol on a monthly basis? Throughout this time, make the conscious effort to note down any driving conditions that you may encounter. The objective is to establish an average of your fuel consumption. The next step is to factor the cost per liter of your chosen fuel and switch to the other brand. Consider significant differences between the two.

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For safety purposes, please do not let your fuel run down the manufacturer’s recommended rating for your car. Check your owner’s manual thoroughly beforehand to cover all your bases. At the end of the day, it is all about choosing the petrol that will best suit your car and your needs. Most of the time, brands have very little to do with it.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Why Working From Home Mashes Dark And Light Sides

Ever wondered what it was like to work from home (WFH)? Wish granted! In line with the social distancing measures posed by the Government, most of the Singaporeans are now working from home. It allows you to earn Singaporean dollars despite being in your pajamas. However, what most people do not know is that this perk come with a price.

Your ability to glide through the setbacks of the home office depends on your personality. For instance, people who are disciplined or conscientious can easily work through the domestic tides. While, people who are procrastinators or crammers may have a hard time fighting the distractions at home. On that note, here are the light and dark sides of WFH.

LIGHT SIDE

It goes without saying that WFH enables you to become your own boss. Without a manager in sight, your deeply rooted passion will motivate you to be creative and productive. You make your own schedule and rules. To illustrate this, a 2014 Stanford University study allowed call-center employees to WFH.

Graduate student James Liang and his Economics professor allowed Ctrip’s employees the opportunity to work from home in a period of 9 months. Ctrip is a travel website owned by Liang himself. The study found that the remote employees had higher productivity levels (13.5%) and lower chances of quitting (50%) compared to their counterparts. Moreover, these remote employees reported that they are happier with their job. Imagine the output that satisfied employees produce!

According to Liang and his professor, the positive results may be attributed to the quieter space that the employees created for themselves. You are free to paint the walls blue or to have classical music on the background as you freshen up your own working environment.

Apart from that, setting your own work hours enables you to do more of the things you want such as baking or teaching your children how to read. You may also initiate a video conference with your workmates whom you miss.

DARK SIDE

As with everything, there are two sides of a coin. A pervasive drawback of WFH is the vulnerability to distractions such as noisy family members, accessible electronic devices, and abundant chores. Chores do not seem to end for some reason!

There is a considerable lack of separation between work and home during the initial stages of having a home office. Based on personal experience, there were days when I worked beyond my designated hours. The absence of a management enforcing strict working time may add to the pressure of grinding endlessly. Case and point, I work on weekends too.

Higher utility costs is inevitable if you barely leave your house. Lastly, you may experience negative states as you were plucked from the “interpersonal office environment”. I am referring to feelings of isolation, depression, and loneliness. This can be prevented if you stay in touch with your co-workers.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

The current situation opens our eyes to the wonders and the unpleasantness of working from home. Comparisons aside, accepting the reality and working with your at-home environment will enable you to embrace the work-from-home structure.

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