Get your crisp new dollar notes for Chinese New Year at these POSB Pop-up ATMs from 9 January, 9am to 24 January 2020.
Denominations available are $2, $10 and $50:
$100 ($2 x 50 notes)
$300 ($10 x 30 notes)
$500 ($50 x 10 notes) and
$600 ($10 x 20 notes + $50 x 8 notes)
The Pop-up ATMs are located at the 20 Community Clubs listed below:
Alternatively, you can also reserve the notes online with your ATM / Debit Cards / Credit Cards and PIN. Simply login with your ATM / Debit Cards / Credit Cards and PIN to place your reservations.
Reservation starts from 09 January 2020, 7.00am and ends on 21 January 2020.
Collection starts on 13 January 2020 and ends on 23 January 2020.
From a wide selection of hotel buffets to hawker centers, Singaporeans just love to eat! If you are a devout food enthusiast such as I am, you will be able to relate to the sheer excitement that I get from seeing a well-stocked buffet table. Just think about all the vibrant and glorious food that you can eat in one seating!
What’s more? You can enjoy eating as much as you want without judgment from others. Such freedom comes with a price. Only a fool would walk out the door without ensuring that he or she actually got a good deal. On that note, here are some tricks you can apply to your next all-you-can eat buffet trip.
#1: DO YOUR RESEARCH
Singapore offers a decent amount of buffet options with varying food quality, price, and value. Do your research to find where you can get the best deal. Stay true to your preferences when it comes to the food selection. Go to a buffet whereby you can eat most of their offerings.
Researching will also help you learn about the fine print. Know what is included and what is not. You do not want any nasty surprises at the end of day!
#2: GET AN OVERVIEW
Plan your eating strategy by getting an overview of all the food options upon arriving. Yes! Salads or fresh vegetables may be ideal starters. However, do not get a mountain of lettuce and toppings if you are planning to survive the entire haul. Look around and focus on the premium stuff, which you can indulge on.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
#3: TAKE SMALL PORTIONS
Buffets typically have unlimited refills. You can always go back for more! Do not get stuck with a large serving of pasta that does not taste as pleasant as it looks. Instead, get small portions of everything you want to taste.
#4: TAKE DISHES YOU CANNOT COOK AT HOME
You are celebrating something special as you are blessed with rows and rows of savory food. Choose dishes that you do not or cannot cook at home.
It is rare for me to eat seafood at home. Recently, I devoured several salmon breads topped with caviar as well as all the seafood I can eat in the buffet to maximize my experience.
#5: DO NOT FAST
Most people starve themselves as way to eat as much as they can in a buffet. These people forget that their stomach needs to prepare prior to the battle. The stomach needs stretching before it prepares for any rigorous activities such as eating in bulk.
Drink water throughout the day to stretch it. Furthermore, it is recommended to eat a light meal before you enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet.
#6: STICK TO YOUR PREFERENCES
The Indian buffet place nearby may offer an amazing promotion on their signature dishes. However, it is not amazing if you do not like curry or spiced food.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
You are only trapping yourself if you focus on the price-to-food volume ratio! If you are not keen in eating a bulk of food from a specific cuisine, skip it.
#7: DO DAMAGE CONTROL
Once you are finished eating your glorious feast, the only thing left is damage control. Drinking probiotics is beneficial for your digestion. Another alternative is peppermint tea. Peppermint tea soothes the stomach, reduces bloating, and cures any nausea you may be experiencing.
Consumed by the demands of your daily life, it is easy to lose track of the bigger picture. What are your financial goals? What are your dreams made of? A simple representation of all your hopes, dreams, and goals is a Vision Board.
A Vision Board helps you to clarify your financial goals to enable you to achieve them. Its mechanism is powered by the idea that if we put our desires out there, the universe will be able to bring it to us. It is powerful because it forces the person to be clear and decisive about the kind of life they want to lead. Visual images serve as daily reminders of what we really aspire to become.
A study showed that people were more likely to achieve their goals if they write them down. Vision boards take this notion one step further. It enables the person to be specific when it comes to his or her dreams. It makes your financial goals more concrete and detailed. Better results can be achieved by putting your vision board in a place where you constantly see it. Choose five to ten goals to focus on (e.g., getting a new job or paying all your debt). Put these financial goals on your vision board.
Here is an example of a financial vision board:
To create a vision board, you need:
* Poster board/Cork board
* Pins
* Colored markers
* Glue
* Tape
* Scissors
* Old magazines
Aside from these materials, it is important to follow these steps.
#1: DREAM A LITTLE DREAM
Social media and advertisements have conditioned us to want things we see around us. Material things can bring your short-term delight, but what can really bring you happiness? It is time for you to think about that. Daydream the improved life that you want for yourself and your family. A financial board needs to reflect your ideal reality.
#2: COLLECT AND SELECT
Begin flipping through your stack of old magazines and newspapers to cut anything that speaks to you. Use images or words that embody your goals. You can sort all these later once you get a sizable amount of cutouts.
Edit your cutouts into five to ten goals. Then, paste them on your board as you fit the puzzles together. You can even organize the images per theme or per time-frame.
#3: WISH YOUR HEART MAKES
Mentally commit to your financial goals by gluing or pinning them down on your board. This vision is cemented for the year. It may feel weird at first, but this is the first step toward making your dreams a reality.
Hang your vision board in a place where you can revisit your financial goals. Or, you may consider setting it as your wallpaper on your phone or your laptop.
#4: PLAN AND ACHIEVE
Lastly, you must reflect on your financial vision board and think of ways to achieve each one. Choose to focus on one goal at a time or on the smaller goals first.
Does money and partnership mix well in the game of love? I have to admit, intimacy can be expressed in different ways. Some people showcase their affection through the money and the gems it can buy. Nonetheless, your financial well-being affects your intimate relationship.
Put a spotlight on your finances to increase your bond this 2020.
PAY YOURSELF FIRST
Much has been said about loving oneself first, before loving another. I cannot stress how your capacity to love affects the way you behave in the relationship. Think of it as sourcing water from either a full or an empty pail. The same sentiment applies to paying yourself first.
Aim to grow a robust savings first, before extending your funds to your partner or spouse. I know how tempting it is to invest all your money in your business or your family. So, start small and gradually increase the amount that you will keep for yourself.
CREATE A PLEASURE ACCOUNT
When you and your partner continue to deprive yourselves on a regular basis, you will find yourselves overspending at some point. Avoid being caught in this situation by determining your couple goals and saving for these.
Aside from setting aside a portion for yourself, you must allocate money for the both of you. Use your “pleasure account” to fund entertaining activities that both of you will enjoy. You each must put an amount that is fair to you and your partner.
GO ON FRUGAL DATES
Dates should not always be lavish and expensive. You can spice up the romance by indulging on frugal dates such as a movie-night at home or having a rooftop dinner.
You can also take your partner out for some outdoor activities. Spend some time in nature to refresh your mind and body. You can go to the nearby parks, nature trails, or the Sentosa beach. Keep things simple by unplugging completely whenever possible. Cycling or jogging around can give you a whole new bonding experience. Take this time to immerse yourselves in the present and in the company of each other.
DISCUSS MONEY OPENLY
Open communication without judgment is the best way to work through challenges without fostering resentment. Do not let your partner’s unpleasant feelings build up by communicating crucial parts about your finances.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Discuss your current debt and professional state at least once a month. Go over your finances to determine your financial problems and figure out how to solve these problems. Moreover, you must plan out how you will achieve your financial goals. This will strengthen your relationship in the long run.
Improving your financial well-being does not only involve your earnings as it also involve your spending habits. The latter is important as we live in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Despite this, there are some creative ways you can employ to save money in Singapore.
SWITCH TO KOPI
Yes! I know how a brewed cup of joe can wake up your sleeping spirits. However, you do not have to frequent a signature or a “branded” cafe in order to reap its effects. Save S$6 or more by purchasing a cup of coffee from a local kopitiam. Cut down your savings by letting your Starbucks loyalty card have its break.Or better yet, make your own coffee at home.
DISABLE YOUR AUTO-FILLED INFORMATION
Recently, I was trapped by how quick it is for me to purchase shoes online through the auto-fill feature. You see, smartphones have the seemingly safe auto-fill feature. This allows you to skip typing your credit card and other personal information. I am still not sure whether this modern feature is entirely foolproof. Nonetheless, it heightens the temptation of online shopping.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Remove this temptation and increase your cyber-security by disabling your auto-fill feature.
PRACTICE SAYING “NO”
When faced with peer pressure and budget constraint, remember that you can always say “no”. You may feel bad for rejecting or disappointing someone. However, politely saying “no” can ensure that you spend within your means. You can join your friends next time or give a token of appreciation instead.
AVOID SMOKING
I cannot imagine how hefty it is to maintain a smoking lifestyle in Singapore. The country charges so much tax for it. Not to mention, there is a possibility to get fined when caught in a “No Smoking Zone”. As of the time of writing, smoking cigarettes is banned in Orchard Road (No Smoking Zone). Individuals can only light up their sticks in designated areas within the precinct. Smokers who are caught can be fined with a minimum of S$200 and a maximum of S$1,000 once convicted in the court. Being caught smoking is one of the fastest routes you can take to deplete your budget. Are you willing to risk that?
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE ENTERTAINMENT
The Red Dot may be expensive, but there are still a myriad of free stuff to enjoy. For starters, you may indulge in the scenic views that Gardens by the Bay and Fort Canning Park have to offer. These spots have been pleasing locals and travelers alike.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Aside from the natural attractions, you can search through the island for some free entertainment. Esplanade, Singapore’s performing arts center, hold interesting exhibits and concerts on a regular basis. Free concerts take place within their small amphitheater outside the main building. Search through Esplanade’s website to learn more.
SKIP ON THE BOTTLED WATER
It comes as no surprise to many locals that a bottle of water can cost anything from a dollar or more. Do not get me started with the artisinal bottles that come with the luxurious branding! With this in mind, you must fulfill your needs without having to deplete your daily budget. Drink perfectly safe water by consuming the tap water available around the country, especially in the tourist attractions. Singapore tap water is colorless and odorless. Bring along a tumbler or a collapsible cup to quench your thirst whenever you feel. Check out 10 best reusable water bottles – Globo Surf that comes with filter so you can enjoy smooth tasting water.
