CNY SURVIVAL KIT: $8,888 Prize Pot, $8 Collectible Hongbaos and $5 Grab Vouchers

Happy Chinese New Year! Enjoy this holiday even more with these 3 hacks that will maximise the HUAT as you welcome the Lunar New Year with your family and friends! Time to roll in prosperity and abundance, are you ready?  

Grab $5 Voucher Codes

Arrive comfortably in style to all your steamboats and reunion gatherings this Chinese New Year. If you are new to ShopBack, there are $5 Grab Voucher on top of Cashback on any spend

How this works:

  1. Go to ShopBack App and tap on any store
  2. Purchase as usual
  3. Get CashBack + $5 Grab Voucher Code

SHARE THE HUAT – Prize Pot of $8,888

Winning the TOTO is every Singaporean’s dream. But we all know how likely that will happen. ShopBack has a MUCH easier plan for you to win some extra angbao money. 

Make a lucky guess of 6 numbers (in any order) and you might just win up to $8,888. Those with 3 correct numbers will share the $2,020 prize pot. 

Increase your chance of winning by making an order from 20th – 25th January 2020 and get a guaranteed number. 

Need some ideas on what to shop for? Check out these amazing upsizes: 

  • Nike 15% Upsized Cashback (was 2%) from 21 – 24 Jan
  • Agoda 12% Upsized Cashback (was 6%) from 21 – 22 Jan 
  • Amazon Up to 20% Upsized Cashback (was <6%) from 9 Jan – 1 Feb
  • Irvins 8% Upsized Cashback (was 4.5%) on 21 Jan
  • iHerb 14% Upsized Cashback (was 3%) from 21 – 22 Jan

Click here for more CNY deals.

FIND THE HUAT

Surviving Chinese New Year would be a lot easier if you actually enjoy it. Go on a virtual scavenger hunt and win $8 collectible hongbaos if you’re the first lucky 88 to find the “Huat” on the ShopBack App! 

How It Works

  1. Download the ShopBack App
  2. Follow the ShopBack IG Story 
  3. Individual clues will be released on our IG Story at these 8 auspicious hours to hint where the voucher is hidden.
  4. Go to the ShopBack App and find the “Huat” icon below to retrieve code
  5. Go to the rewards page on the App and enter the code to redeem your prize!

Find The Huat is on ShopBack app only*

DBS EXCLUSIVE

Own a DBS/POSB card? Enjoy up to an additional 20% Cashback* for your Travel, Fashion and Grocery spend from now till 31st Jan. Participating brands include ASOS, Nike, Guardian, Cold Storage & more! *T&Cs apply.

How ShopBack Works

ShopBack is a platform that allows users to earn up to 30% cashback every time they make an online purchase from 500+ stores like Lazada, Qoo10, Shopee, Foodpanda, Agoda & more. ShopBack is free to join and is available on desktop, app store, play store and on browser extension. Learn more here.

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5 Obvious Ways Buffets Earn Money

The primary job of an all-you-can-eat buffet manager is to fill the customer’s belly as inexpensive and as quickly as possible. Apart from this, they must employ other strategies to keep the customers back! For starters, Singaporeans must be sold with the idea of the buffet’s capability of providing an ample variety while maintaining high quality. At the same time, food wastage must be minimized.

On that note, here are 5 Obvious Ways Buffets Earn Money.

#1: BEVERAGES ARE HUGE

As you enter an all-you-can-eat buffet, notice how huge the beverage glasses are. There is a method to the madness! Firstly, providing tall drinking glasses fill customer bellies fast. They would be able to eat less for the same buffet price. Secondly, they can up-sell the soft drinks to earn huge mark-ups without spending a lot for it.

#2: MENU ITEMS ARE CHOSEN CAREFULLY

To strike a balance between cost and quality, the menu items have been chosen carefully. You may notice how a restaurant will constantly change their array of meats. A buffet may have a long line of satisfied customers if you offer unlimited lobsters or steaks every night. However, you cannot expect a huge profit by doing this. Managers need to find cheaper cuts of poultry, fish, and other meat products. They get more savings by buying in bulk.

#3: CUTTING IN SMALLER PORTIONS

Have you noticed how buffets cut pricier meats into smaller pieces compared to cheaper breads? Rationally, a person would take two pieces of a buffet item instead of one. Can you imagine if all the guests take two huge pieces of lobster? That would be costly! Instead, they have to follow society’s unspoken rule and offer smaller pieces to keep the line moving.

#4: CHOICES ARE PRESENTED STRATEGICALLY

Buffets apply another strategy that is hidden in plain sight. Pay attention to the layout of the buffet line. Cheaper and more filling carbs and sides are laid out in the beginning of the line. By the time you get your entree, your plate will be so full.

Another trick is placing an expensive item along with a variety of cheaper items. For instance, an expensive protein among several cheaper side dishes. Pricier desserts are surrounded by a platter of fruits.

#5: MENUS ARE FLEXIBLE

Successful restaurants usually keep its food and beverage costs below 30% of its revenues. All-you-can-eat buffets achieve this by offering a flexible menu design. Its menu can change every day based on what ingredients are cheap and what food items are seasonally available.

You can apply the same ideal on your next trip to the grocery.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Get your CNY new notes from POSB Pop-up ATMs located at these 20 Community Clubs from 9 Jan 20

Chinese New Year is around the corner

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.

For more information, click here.

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7 Buffet Tricks To Maximize Every Cent

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.

You can purchase peppermint tea bags for as low as S$3.25 at FairPrice.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Make A Financial Vision Board

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.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Good luck!

Sources: 1 & 2

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