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5 Dollar-Pinching Strategies For Halloween

The spooktacular time of the year will grace our calendars once again. Halloween festivities is just around the corner. Are you ready? Many Singaporeans love this event and hate the price tags attached with it.

Let us be honest! It is easy to mindlessly toss some items into your cart until you reach the cashier. As you dig in your wallet for payment, you may regret some of your hefty purchases. Certainly…there is a better way to celebrate this eerie event!

1. DECORATE IT YOURSELF

What makes Halloween unique is its spooky aesthetics. For a flat or an establishment, you can expect to spend around S$100 to transform the it into a stellar space. This price includes fake spiderwebs, vibrant inflatables, dangling decorations, and other appropriate ornaments. Lower your expenses by purchasing decors at the dollar store or by making your own decors.

Drop by the nearest dollar or discount store to collect basic decorations and supplies. You may unleash your craft bug by revamping small ornaments into massive centerpieces or wall decor. For instance, you can create a lasting impression by pasting “monsters” on your door. Use thick and colorful papers to cut the face, nose, eyes, and mouth. Let your children help you when it comes to creating the silly-looking monsters!

2. SAVE ON COSTUMES

There are two primary ways to spend less on a Halloween costume. You can either raid other people’s wardrobes or use the items that you already have. The former tip highlights the common dilemma of parents – underused costumes. So, ask your friends and family members if they are willing to lend their previous costumes for free. Just ensure that you or your child will keep it in good condition throughout the day.

The latter tip focuses on your artistic prowess. Take a look at your children’s closets as well as your own. Key items such as hats, belts, scarves, and over-sized shirts may be used as funky costumes. Use this list to get an idea.

3. CHOOSE AN ALTERNATIVE

No Halloween celebration is complete without giving out tricks and treats. In the market, there is a wide variety of candies and chocolates that you an choose from. You must not pick out the biggest bag of assortments that you can buy! It is wiser to shop around. It is usually cheaper to go for fruity and hard candies than chocolates.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Furthermore, buying sweets in bulk is cheaper at Value Dollar or Daiso. Walk the ailes of these discounted shops with a set budget in mind. Know how much you are willing to spend and stick firmly by it. Other alternatives for sweets include stickers and glow-in-the-dark bracelets.

4. SCORE FREE ACTIVITIES

If your budget is too tight for hosting spooky parties and you want to immerse yourself with the festive spirit, search for no-cost activities within your community. You will not believe how many there are out there! Said parties are generally organized by community centers, schools, museums, and parks.

Start by finding events on the local newspaper or the Facebook pages. I found one by visiting the Asian Civilisations Museum’s page directly. On October 28, ACM shall host a “Horror Mash Up”. This is an annual event which includes activities and performances inspired by their galleries. Activities will run from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm while the museum operates until 12:00 midnight.

5. TEACH VALUABLE SKILLS

It is impossible that your kid will like everything inside his or her loot bag. There is bound to be some organic popcorn or sour gummy bears that your child may not be interested in. This is a good opportunity to learn the value of negotiation.

After they have accomplished the trick-or-treating, encourage your children to trade with each other (or with their friends). Swapping their sweets can help determine how much they value a particular candy or chocolate. Is a Snickers Candy Bar worth three fruity lollipops? See for yourself!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Here’s how much you may get when you sell your old iPhone to pay for the iPhone X

Singaporeans looking to support their iPhone habit would do well to heed Apple’s release schedule

SINGAPORE, MONDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2017 – Now that the iPhone X is straying perilously close to costing an actual kidney, trading in your old iPhone to help defray the cost of a new one is a more popular option than ever. But because the market has a tendency to push prices down when there are more people looking to sell their old iPhones (a well-observed economic principle – price goes down when supply goes up), you wouldn’t know if the trade-in price offered at your telco or handphone shop is a good deal or not.

To help you avoid rip-offs, we asked everyone’s favourite online marketplace Carousell what your soon-to-be-replaced iPhone is worth on the second-hand market. Here’s what we found out.

What Do the Numbers Mean?

We apologise for triggering all the traumatic flashbacks of Statistics class you’re probably suffering right now. We wanted to make sure we dealt in scientific data, and not simply hearsay from a lazy walkabout at Tanjong Pagar Plaza. Quick explanation: The median price represents the midway point of each model’s price range. So in the case of the iPhone 7, 50% of all handsets were sold for more than S$820, and 50%, less than that. How much higher or lower? For that, we look at the numbers in the next two columns to the right. These give us a good idea of what low and high prices look like for that particular model. They do not represent the absolute lowest nor highest prices for each model. So, putting it all together: If you get offered S$800 for your iPhone 7, that’s a bit on the low side. S$850 to S$950 would be an ok price, and you shouldn’t hesitate to take any offers coming in at S$1,000 or more.

The Value of Older iPhones Declines Exponentially

Eyeballing the figures from Carousell, you can see that the value of your old iPhone suffers a dramatic decline after one generation. As at September 2017, an iPhone 7 commands a respectable median price. You’ll also notice that the spread between prices is still relatively tight.

But when it comes to an iPhone 6, the median price plunges by more than half. And it gets worse as we go down the ladder to older iPhone models, but you were probably expecting it anyway.

Actual Selling Prices Differ According to Condition

The actual price you will get for selling your old device will depend on a number of factors. Chief of these is the condition your handset is in. “While little scratches and scuffs aren’t deal-breakers – many of our users are upfront about these details and still successful in their sales – people will generally prefer and will pay more for iPhones in the best possible condition,” says Lucas Ngoo, Co-founder and CTO of Carousell. As you’d expect, a perfectly working model with all its original parts intact will fetch a higher price than one that had undergone part replacements. (Think about how damaged the internal circuitry must be after going through at shocks serious enough to shatter the screen.) If you can provide the original box and accessories (such as charging cable and adapter, and never-been-worn headphones) you can probably command top prices. And, because this is Apple we’re talking about, you can expect to charge a little higher for devices with larger storage.

Is it Worth Selling Your Old iPhone?

At this point, you may be wondering if it is even worth selling your old iPhone. The answer is: yes, especially if it’s the latest model. As Carousell’s data show, the iPhone 7 is trading hands at prices near to those of a brand-new set direct from the Apple store. This is probably as good as it gets. But even if all you have is an iPhone 6 or earlier, you can still sell it off and use the money to pay for other things you need or want. For example, while the S$60 you’ll get for selling your iPhone 4 puts nary a dent in what you have to pay for the iPhone X, you could still get a decent pair of shoes for it, or a new computer game.

A Result of Planned Obsolescence?

In case you’re not familiar with the term, planned obsolescence is an actual thing that manufacturers are doing. Basically, the products we buy are designed to last only up to a certain period. Beyond that, they are expected to fail. This practice corrals consumers onto a schedule for replacing the things that we’ve come to rely on. And it’s not just consumer electronics, car or light bulbs either. When it comes to iPhones, the message seems to be: keep up with Apple’s schedule; it’s the most rewarding way to enjoy their products. Especially in light of the record-breaking price of the iPhone X.

This article first appeared on SingSaver.com.sg.

Singapore On A Budget: 7 Ways To Be A Tourist For A Day

Many Singaporeans are passionate about traveling. They are keen to absorb new cultures, to adapt with unique environments, to discover quality eateries, and to find the “rawness” of a city. Due to several factors, traveling overseas is not always possible. Fortunately for us, exploring the Lion City is amazingly doable!

Consider these seven interesting ideas:

1. The crowds clamor over places with colorful lights, luscious trees, and high-end malls. Experience all these and more by taking a walk around the Singapore River. Follow the The Poor Traveler’s route from Raffles Place to Gardens by the Bay. You will not be needing a tour guide to enjoy this enriching walk.

2. Satisfy your thirst for electrifying musical performances by knowing the right places to look. No-cost performances usually occur at Singapore Botanic Gardens and Esplanade. For instance, Singapore Botanic Gardens recently featured the “A Cappella Festival 2017”.

3. Aside from scoring seats from various performances, you may schedule a karaoke night with your friends. You may invite new co-workers or acquaintances to witness an array of live performances. Karaoke nights offer opportunity for you to socialize and to express yourself. After all, tourists are open to meeting new people.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

4. Paint a bird’s eye view of the beautiful city by exploring the rooftops. Witness the magnificent aerial view of the city by stepping into the ION Sky. ION Orchard’s observatory is open from 3 to 6 PM daily.

5. Man-made skylines are captivating. However, nothing beats the charm of Mother Nature. Take Instagram-worthy photos as you stand in the MacRitchie Reservoir’s Treetop Walk. This is a suspension bridge that connects two highest points (i.e., Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang).

6. Many travelers focus on the vibrant art scene of the city. Visiting the local museums is a great start. Improve your knowledge of the Singaporean and Asian culture by visiting the Asian Civilisations Museum or the National Gallery of Singapore. Then, feast your eyes as Esplanade highlights the essence of Chinese arts and culture. Connect with others, be inspired with unique artworks, and open your heart to new artistic experiences.

7. Embody the complete “tourist persona” by capturing your memories at the popular spots in Singapore. Snap cheesy pictures at Sentosa’s Merlion or bright pictures at Haji Lane.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Do not be afraid to translate your quirkiness in front of the camera. After all, you will only do this for a day! 🙂

6 Money-Saving Tips For All Supermoms

ACCEPT THE PRELOVED

Until the credit statement arrives on your doorstep, you may have no idea about the money you spend on clothing and baby items. Cushion the expenses by embracing the hand-me-downs offered by friends and family members. Accept the toys, home accessories, and maternity items.

You can always donate the unnecessary items on the block’s donation drive. Doing so will not only help you declutter, but it will also help the ones in crucial need.

FILL THE PANTRY

Juggling the corporate and domestic life is challenging. Due to the limited time, you may either frequent the grocery for last-minute shopping or the nearby restaurant for take-out meals. A healthier solution is to keep a well-stock pantry. Purchase items that will last the family for at least a week.

As Holly Clegg, culinary expert and food author, once said: Think of a well-stocked pantry as a permanent shopping list. This tip will enable moms to cook more meals efficiently, timely and more affordable.”

Image Credits: pixabay.com

LEAVE YOUR MONEY

Are you planning to hangout with your buddies any time soon? Consider bringing the exact amount that you are willing to spend and leave the rest at home. Suggest affordable yet entertaining activities such as art appreciation (e.g., roaming ACM or SAM) and game night (e.g., themed dinner at someone’s home). If your girl friends insist on shopping, you will not be tempted to purchase anything that you cannot afford.

Do you really need those tempting items anyway? I do not think so!

LISTEN TO OTHERS

I can vividly recall the time I was strolling the mall with my significant other. My feet were sore due to the high-heeled shoes that I opted for. Brought by strong emotions, I would rather purchase a new shoe that I do not need than to tolerate the pain. We visited a store that I previously ignored. Then, my partner reminded me that none of the products appealed to me last time I was there. The collection did not change. “You only like this because of the momentary use and not because you will use it again”, he said. He made a fair point! I saved a decent amount of money that day.

Listen to the opinions of other people who care genuinely about your financial future. Tally your monthly savings to remind yourself and your spouse about your recent accomplishment. Use this as a motivation to go further.

GIVE THEM ALLOWANCE

A sizzling topic among Singaporean parents is whether or not children shall receive allowance at such a young age. Some parents are concerned about the wastage of money on ridiculous items, while others want to cultivate financial responsibility. Bekah Jorgensen (blogger of Mother Moment) highlights the advantage of giving an allowance as it “sets a policy that if they want something that isn’t a need, they buy it themselves or wait for the next gift-giving holiday.” Children are empowered to save their money to buy what they want.

Furthermore, it avoids the embarassing tantrums in store and the impulse purchases that comes with it.

PROTECT YOUR INDIVIDUALITY

Who knew that you will become a devoted mom further down the road? Well, life is unpredictable. You will never know which turns will come next. You just have to make the most out of what you have and exhaust all your resources. Speaking of resources, it is best to keep your own personal account. This account will help maintain your financial autonomy and support your spouse’s credit history.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

For significant commitments such as a car or a flat, you will have to work together to pay the loans. Having two streams of account will help speed up the process.

Sources: 1 & 2

Beat The Rushed Deadlines With These 4 Tips

Singapore’s highly competitive society values the ability to work at a faster rate. The problem with focusing on urgency is the maintenance of quality. You may question whether there are smarter ways to get things done quickly without sacrificing premium standards. For starters, you can consider adding these four tips to your work or academic routine.

#1: THE ENERGIZING HOUR

Be honest with yourself! Are you an early bird or a nocturnal owl? The good news is, either of these personas can work to your favor. Determine the specific time of the day when you are most productive. Exhaust your creative juices to the important tasks and use your “low-energy hours” to fulfill less essential tasks such as household chores.

#2: TIME IS GOLD

Parkinson’s Law is among the most relevant concepts in business. It highlights that “work expands to fill the time available for its completion”. In other words, the effort you exert on a task stretches to suit the allotted time. Work at a quicker pace by setting a clear schedule. Doing this will motivate you to beat the clock!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: CRUSH THE DISTRACTIONS

It goes without saying that procrastination is an enemy during crunch time. It is best to eliminate all the possible distractions that are within your reach. Please toss your handphone and other electronics on the side. To power through a long period of concentration, you may increase the volume of your preferred music. Jazz and classical tracks may soothe your mood to focus better on the tasks.

#4: ONE STEP DOWN

No matter what you are working on, you can always breakdown the process into smaller chunks. Examining each step aims to make an efficient progress. Furthermore, your “mini victories” will motivate you along the way.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Imagine that you have to write an essay as a Poly student. The first step is to choose an interesting topic. Secondly, you need to do an extensive research and make a rough outline. Thirdly, you must accomplish a draft. The fourth step is to edit and review your draft. Lastly, you must proofread and print your assignment. Tackle the task…one step at a time!

Sources: 1 & 2

Singaporeans looking to support their iPhone habit would do well to heed Apple’s release schedule

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