Travel Hack: How To Keep Your Phone Bills Low When Travelling

By Akansha Priyadarshi

Despite being excited about your upcoming vacation, you can’t help but notice the lump in your throat when you remember the $1,000 inflated phone bill you faced after your last trip. Having your phone during your travels is essential; from finding cheap things to do in Phuket, looking at maps and snapping photos with your camera, the average traveler today can’t travel without their phones. However, keeping your phone bills low is a challenge when overseas. The cost of cellular data and phone calls can swell ridiculously the moment your phone goes on international roaming. Try using the following hacks to avoid moaning over your phone bill after your next vacation.

Switch off your data roaming

This is one of the simplest things you can do to avoid exorbitant additions to your phone bill if you don’t have an international data plan. Keep the data switched off by sliding off the cellular data in your phone. To turn off cellular data on most phones, go into settings and turn off cellular data and data roaming to avoid data roaming charges.

Buy a new local SIM

Buying a new local SIM when you visit a new country is the easiest and cheapest option. This is perfect if you know you’re going to need cellular services and internet. The new SIM card will provide you with a temporary local plan without slaying your account. Most networks have a counter at the airport after baggage claim to assist tourists, so be sure to keep a look out for those to get your local SIM card.

Disable push notifications

You don’t need push notifications while travelling. Who wants to know the growing number of emails  piling up in that inbox when you are enjoying a day at a beach? To top it all, it costs you your data usage.

Download your maps in advance

It always pays off when you plan your trips in advance. You can download maps for the locations you are going to visit beforehand, when you have a planned itinerary. Use free Wi-Fi services in your hotel or any other place where free Wi-Fi is available to download the maps before you head out. It will save you from expensive cellular data costs. You can use apps like Citymapper or Google Maps that have functions for users to save maps for offline use and to navigate around without using unnecessary data. Here are more travel tips on using Google Maps.

Keep a check on your data usage

Last but not least, you can track your data usage. It is easy to forget how much data is being used when you’re watching YouTube videos and have numerous photos to post on your Instagram, Facebook and other social media accounts. You could save yourself a lot of trouble if you set a limit for data usage and be mindful of it. There are several data tracker apps such as 3G Watchdog, My Verizon Mobile, DataMan and My Data Manager, that can help you in tracking your usage. And if you use an iPhone, you can simply reset the data statistics by going on setting and adjusting your cellular usage.

Leave your holiday on a high note, knowing that you’ve kept your phone bill low.

Read More...

Fantastic Fitness Tips For Busy Singaporeans

Most Singaporeans desire to improve their health, but many find it difficult to squeeze an adequate amount of time for a fitness regimen. Not for long! Money Digest has you covered.

#1: WORKOUT AT THE OFFICE

You will be surprised to know how much you can accomplish by merely spending 5 minutes to exercise at your desk. You may do a few lunges while you are waiting for the meeting to start or a few arm stretches while you are on the phone. There are a variety of quick workouts online. This is a good example of total body toning:

#2: CHOOSE A “HEALTHY” HOTEL

When you are travelling for business, choose a hotel that has its own gym. This ensures that you can practice your exercise routines outside from home. Alternatively, you may avail the “guest or tourist” pass at a local gym.

#3: PREPARE HEALTHY SNACKS

A surefire way to cut back some weight is to switch your junk food with healthy snacks. It takes less than 5 minutes to whip a pack of container filled with sliced fruits and assorted nuts. Keeping these healthy bites at a convenient reach will prevent you from indulging on the candy bars from the office’s vending machine. Also, these snacks will increase your energy to survive the day.

#4: EAT OATS FOR BREAKFAST

Whenever I am running late or feeling ill, one of my go-to healthy fixes is the oatmeal. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber which helps lower your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Embrace the power of oats by topping it off with grated apples, almonds, or honey.

Try the Quaker Quickcook Oatmeal Hearty Supreme as it retails for only S$2.95.

#5: RELAX WITH BREATHING EXERCISES

After a day of hustling through a mountain of tasks, your stress levels may be off the charts! This is something that you must wary of as prolonged stress may impact your overall well being. Thus, you must learn how to relax.

Spending 10 minutes or less in breathing exercises will help. Know about the 6 breathing exercises: Equal Breathing, Progressive Relaxation, Guided Visualization, Alternate Nostril Breathing, Skull Shining Breath, and Abdominal Breathing Technique by clicking this.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Go! Take the stairs for someone who is busier than you is exercising at this moment.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Read More...

10 Websites Singaporeans Must Stalk Now For Black Friday Deals

Standfirst: This is the moment you’ve been waiting for all year — to make your biggest savings by stocking up on gifts, every-day essentials and clothes from Amazon to Courts

As you know, Black Friday is just around the corner. In fact, it’s so close you could almost touch it. You might have read news reports that this year, Amazon has decided to shorten the wait to this annual Sale of the Year by three weeks — yes, it the e-comm juggernaut has already started the “countdown” to D-Day by offering a slew of attractive daily deals. With that news, we couldn’t help but wonder if other e-tailers — overseas and right here in our backward — might have jumped on the bandwagon with early-bird teasers, too.

So we did what we do best — scout, dig and ferret out all the sites and even brick-and-mortar stores that you should be stalking from now to bag the best deals, whether it’s gifts for the festive season or essentials for the new year ahead. Ready, set, shop!

  1. Amazon
    The race to the best buys is already on. Make a beeline for the “deal of the day” section, and you’ll be spoilt for choice for items going for up to 70 per cent off. It seems like a good place to start looking for stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts, if you ask us. Some of the crazy deals spotted so far include “The Hunger Games Complete 4-film Blu-Ray series at US$24.99 (46% off), TaoTronics Bluetooth Nano-Coating Sweatproof Sport Headphone at US$25.49 (58% off) and SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB SDXC Flash Memory Card at US$34.95 (45% off). Be sure to log on every day to check for new deals and steals.
  2. Zalora

Word is out. Zalora Singapore will have conducting their Black Friday sale from November 27 to 30 with discounts of up to 80 per cent. If you download their app, you’ll get an additional 18 per cent off. We don’t know about you, but we’re already shopping and adding our 2017 wardrobe to wish list. As soon as the clock strikes 12 on November 27, we’re checking out.

  1. Sephora

Hey beauty-philes! Last year, Sephora Singapore offered Black and White card members 15 per cent off their purchases with a minimum spend of S$100. We expect no less from the our beauty fairy godmother this year. If anyone needs us, we’ll be stalking Sephora.sg and their social media for the latest updates.

  1. Uniqlo

You know you can trust the Japanese to be precise. Last year, Uniqlo gave us 20 per cent off storewide (a minimum purchase was required only at their online store). The promotion was valid precisely on the day of Black Friday, and the it’s come to our attention that they almost always launch their promotion at the stroke of midnight. So, if you’re looking to stock up on winterwear, Heattech underwear or — gasp! — Uniqlo’s Carine Roitfeld collection (if they’re still available by then), set your alarm!

  1. Shopbop

From indie to designer labels, Shopbop is a one-stop shop for fashionistas. Have you been searching for the perfect pair of mules or embroidered bomber jacket? There’s a pretty good chance you’ll find it here — and at a sweet discount come Black Friday. If the last two years are any indication, you can expect up to 25 per cent off your order, plus free express shipping worldwide. Keep your eyes peeled.

  1. Nasty Gal

In the Nasty Gal-axy, Black Friday is the new black. Looking at the history books, #Girlbosses everywhere enjoyed 30 per cent off their favourite black styles with a bonus 30 per cent off for Black Friday. Details of their deals are usually up a few days before Black Friday, and include early access for their social media followers. So, start following, go.

  1. Love, Bonito

If you’re a fan of homegrown fashion e-commerce site Love, Bonito, chances are you’d have enjoyed up to half in 2015 with an additional 10 per cent off when you enter a promo code. We are rubbing our hands in anticipation of what’s to come this year. Stay tuned, and support local, people!

  1. Robinsons

Calling big spenders! Are you moving house and in the market for big-ticket items? In case you missed it, Robinsons offered up some seriously delish discounts (up to 80 per cent!) and gifts including limited quantities of the iPad Mini 3 (with a minimum spend of S$3,500) and the iPhone 6 64GB for those who spent at least S$5,000. It’d be wise to start keeping your eyes and ears open a week before Black Friday, and be ready to strike when the time comes.

  1. Qoo10

Love it or loathe it, you can’t deny that Qoo10 does have some good stuff to offer — if you could bring yourself to wade through the clutter. Last year, we spotted Havaianas for S$9.90, Kindle Paperwhite for S$79.90 and Kate Spade wallets for S$59. It could be worth a stakeout.

  1. Courts

This is perhaps the best time of the year to refurbish your home or think about renewing some of your age-old furniture and appliances. At the last Black Friday, Courts rolled out irresistible offers that promised up to 90 per cent in savings. Sure, you can jostle with other bargain hunters at their brick-and-mortar stores, but the promotions are also available online if you’re busy making other purchases the world over.  

This article was contributed by SingSaver.com.sg, Singapore’s #1 personal finance comparison site for credit cards and personal loan.

Read More...

Why Many Singaporeans Are Not Tying The Knot

About 4 out of 5 Singapore residents express their intentions to get married. But, why are they not pursuing what their hearts deeply desire?

In 2013, 83% of the participants in the survey by National Population and Talent Division said that they want to tie the knot. This figure is slightly lower than the reported 85% in the previous survey (2007). We can only predict that the decline will continue by 2019.

The leading reasons why most of the respondents are not employing immediate marital plans are saving up for the wedding and saving up for the housing. Furthermore, 84% of the 4,646 participants intended to have 1-2 children only. Those people who are not planning to have any children or to have an extension to their family cited financial costs as one of their top reasons. It does not take a notable genius to understand how money gravely influences the Singaporean’s approach to marriage and parenthood.

Many residents of Singapore are delaying the the event of matrimony as they want to earn more money, to build an attractive career, and to be financially independent. These factors push up the national median age of first marriages.

MAKING MONEY IS HAPPINESS 

“Making money is happiness…”, said Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. Along with happiness, money seems to go hand-in-hand with marriage. Many Singaporeans perceive that the primary focus of life is building careers and gaining more pay. A relatively significant amount of the population delay marriage to save money for cushioning the high cost of living. They are wary about certain expenses too. I cannot deny the fact that the wedding ceremony, home renovation, and infant care costs an overwhelming wealth!

The recent report by the Department of Statistics Singapore support these sentiments. It found that the median age for grooms at first marriage rose to 30.3 years old in 2015. During the same period, the median age for brides rose at a faster rate to 28.2 years old. These respondents wanted to attain “some level of success” to attract potential partners.

I AM A STRONG WOMEN WITH OR WITHOUT THIS OTHER PERSON

“I am a strong woman with or without this other person…”, said American performer Queen Latifah.

It is probably no coincidence or sorcery that as women gained more economic power in the recent decades, they have been less likely to get married. Women are less likely to wed due to financial security alone. Dr. Norman Li, the Associate Professor of Psychology at Singapore Management University, has his own take on this trend. He said that: “Women are now becoming more and more educated and earning increasingly more income. So, there are increasingly fewer men who meet their standards.”

Do you agree with Dr. Norman’s statements? Well, one thing is for sure. Birth rates have been hit due to women marrying later or not marrying at all.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

In order to entice more Singaporeans to get married and have children, institutions may employ different rewards. Banks may start to offer matrimony loans that specialize on the expenses of the wedding and the early years of marriage. Moreover, employers may provide a baby bonus (i.e., a cash gift) or a paid maternity leave.

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

Before You Kick The Bucket, Visit These Beautiful Local Places

Whether you like it or not, our time on Earth eventually comes to an end. Most people take this as an opportunity to live within their greatest potential. Keeping this mind, you may create a “travel bucket list” filled with the places that you desire to visit before you die (or at least before you turn 60).

You may think that Singapore is exclusively blessed with luxury malls and highly-rated hotels, but there is more to our country than the sheen of wealth. It is surrounded with diverse cultures and a vibrant history that you must discover.

Consider visiting these beautiful places first:

HIKE AT PULAU UBIN

Have a blast from the bygone years by observing how the villagers of the Pulau Ubin live without the glamorous skyscrapers. Pulau Ubin is an island found in the Northeast of Singapore. It is one of the last rural areas in the country with an abundance of fauna and flora. It is a great place to hike, cycle, and experience other outdoor activities. Make sure you pack the best hiking gps for your trip!

You may take a guided tour to explore the picturesque beaches and mangrove areas.

DISCOVER THE ASIAN WONDERS

Before the optimum condition of your senses deteriorate due to old age, consider savoring the beauty of treasured artworks by visiting local museums. On the top of my list is none other than Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM). Nestled at the mouth of the Singapore River, ACM will take you on a journey of historical discovery as they preserve the heritage of Asia.

It boasts with about 1,300 artifacts from China, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. Upon walking inside its halls last year, I was amazed by the abundance and diversity of the Buddha statues as well as the 12 zodiac animal heads donated by Jackie Chan.

To shake things up, they accompany the permanent exhibits with special exhibits such as the “South Asia and the Islamic World”. You will be glad to know that admission is FREE for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

STROLL ABOVE THE TREES

Tick one item off your bucket list by conquering your fear of heights!

Take your special someone to a morning hike while watching the sunrise at the MacRitchie Reservoir Park. MacRitchie Reservoir Park houses several long hiking routes including the famous TreeTop Walk. The TreeTop Walk consists of a freestanding suspension bridge that connects two highest points namely: Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang. This is the first of its kind. You will truly appreciate the unique experience of looking over the variety of plants and animals while being about 25 meters off the ground.

POSE WITH ALL THE MERLION

Wouldn’t it be nice to share the stories of how you posed beside all the Merlion statues in Singapore? I am sure that your grandchildren will be fascinated to know that their grandparent stood face-to-face with the nation’s “mythical creature”.

As you may know, the Merlion has the head of the lion and the body of a fish. It is regarded as Singapore’s icon since the 60’s. There are seven Merlion statues built islandwide. Among these is the statue located next to One Fullerton. Take a snap with this water-spouting statue before you walk around Marina Bay.

RELAX AT A TROPICAL OASIS

Recently featured inside the pages of the Louis Vuitton City Guide Singapore, Blue Bali is the closest tropical oasis in the bustling city. The serene place consists of a restaurant and a spa where guests can indulge on contemporary Indonesian cuisine while overlooking the surrounding greenery.

Worry not about breaking the bank as the prices of the meals are reasonable. Mains start from S$16 while the kid’s meals start from S$8.

Image Credits: facebook.com/BlueBaliOnCluny

Image Credits: facebook.com/BlueBaliOnCluny

What are you waiting for? Tick “urban paradise” off your bucket list.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

Read More...