Lifestyle Archives | Page 474 of 580

Why The Local Telecoms Are Ceasing The Sales Of Samsung Galaxy Note7

Before its release, people have been clamoring over the great possibilities that the Samsung Galaxy Note7 can bring. Its innovative design focuses on offering better usage with the dual-curved screen and shaping a comfortable grip with the 5.7-inch unit. Continuing the legacy of the preceding Galaxy phones, the latest Note7 along with the S Pen is waterproof. The privacy features went up a notch with the “iris scanning”. The improvements did not stop there!

Samsung came up with a larger battery that minimizes the charging speed and expands the longevity of the phone. However, this turn out to bring more problems than solutions. The battery of several Note7 units all over the world either bloated or exploded. In UAE alone, the Consumer Protection Depart at the Ministry of Economy has removed about 19,000 faulty Note7 off the market.

To control the damage and to address the gravity of the situation, Samsung has taken the full responsibility by issuing prompt recall of these units. All the local telecoms adhered and they ceased the sales of the device. This is followed by the introduction of an exchange program.

As the name suggests, customers who can exchange their defective units from September 16 to October 2. Given that these said customers purchased their Note7 from any local telecom operators, authorized mobile retailers, Samsung Experience Stores, Samsung’s Lazada Singapore online store, and major electronic shops. Self-collection of the new devices in the same color is done by visiting the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre or by having it shipped in your home.

If you are eager to get your defective unit exchanged, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to samsung.com/sg/note7exchange and enter a preferred collection time slot. This link will only be live on Friday (September 9, 2016).

2. Booking period begins from September 9 and extends until September 25. Register yourself if you are eligible for the replacement.

3. You shall return your Note7 afterwards. Worry not about having no means of communication as courtesy devices will be available for loan while you wait for a better unit of Note7.

4. If deemed to be qualified, your warranty period will be extended to commence from the date of the exchange.

May these information ease your worries about your newly purchased Note7!

Source: Vulcan Post

Frugal Mums’ Guide To Saving Money In Singapore

Here are five ways to save money as the head of the household:

SHOP ONLINE FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES

There are many retailers that offer promotions and clearance sales on their own websites. You will not save money on the supplies but you will also save a lot on gas or transportation costs. If you have the time, purchase online.

Lion Stationery and Evergreen are the two local stationery websites you can visit.

LEAVE YOUR KIDS AT HOME

If you have the option to leave your children behind with a family member or a babysitter then, do so. Children play a huge role on what goes inside your basket. This is why marketers and store strategists put their items on a child’s eye-level.

You do not have to give in to what your playful kids wants if you go to the store alone. This will help you to save a lot more money!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

MAKE A LIST AND STICK TO IT

Say you have no choice but to bring your precious little ones along. Turn grocery shopping into a fun task by making a game out of it. Start by planning your menu throughout the week. Then, list down the ingredients and other products you need to purchase. Save more money by opting for the generic or store brands.

Have your children find each item on the list (much like a treasure hunt). The person who finds the most items at the end of the shopping trip will win a prize. It is up to you to choose which prize will entice your children.

SAVE ON KIDDIE PARTIES

You are not forced to send invites to everyone in your kid’s entire class. If your budget does not allow you to invite your kid’s entire class, employ the “age plus one rule”. For example, you are planning to throw a party for your 6-year-old son then, invite 7 guests. Keep the numbers down by making it clear that the guests’ siblings are not invited.

Aside from that, you can forgo printing services by sending out electronic invitations through Facebook or email. This gets the job done – fast.

STOCK UP DURING GSS

An easy way to save money in Singapore is to take advantage of the “Great Singapore Sale”. This event which happens once a year includes numerous retailers from all over the nation. Bargain hunters like you can get good deals on baby clothing, child’s school supplies, toddler’s toys, and so much more. Stock up on these items to cover your annual needs but, do not go beyond your budget!

You may also buy several gifts to be prepared for the upcoming festivities (e.g., Christmas or Chinese New Year).

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Are You Ready To Stake Your Claim On A Property?

How many times have you heard the statement: “housing is one of the biggest investments that one can make”? It is true!

Whether you want to become a successful property investor or a proud flat owner, you must use a logical and a practical buying system to make good decisions. For starters, it is ideal to choose a unit that has attractive features, wide appeal, and low maintenance.

There are many factors that can pinpoint whether you are ready to stake your claim. Here are some of them:

1. YOU CLARIFIED YOUR PURPOSES.

In the business perspective, the needs assessment is one of the first steps to building a strategy. Do the same thing when you are hunting for a new pad! Know your needs, intentions and purposes in order to guide your decisions.

Do you desire to move right away, to rent it out, or to sell it in the future? You do not want to dive in the market unprepared as everything may sound good to you at first sight.

2. YOU DID YOUR RESEARCH.

You know you are in the process of getting all the aspects settled when you have done substantial research. Use both the Internet and a pool of professionals (i.e., reliable real estate agent or lawyer) as your resource. Compare essential factors such as unit layouts, transport systems, unit locations, and building amenities.

It is ideal to move to a flat that has easy access to the shops, schools, and public transportation. And if you are renting a property, find a layout that can attract diverse groups of individuals, couples, and families.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

3. YOU DETERMINED YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.

It is crucial to know where you stand financially before purchasing a property. Who wants to be stuck in a mountain of debts, anyway?

This is why you must know how much you can realistically afford, how much you are willing to loan, and how much you can shell out immediately. Research about the various payment schemes that are available in the country. Do not forget to prepare a fund for additional (mandatory) costs too!

4. YOU KNOW WHICH TYPE OF PROPERTY YOU DESIRE.

Much like the abundant number of gyms in the Pokémon universe, there are numerous real estate options which one can choose from. You must equip yourself with the knowledge of knowing the differences between these options. Let me define three types, namely: Build-To-Order (BTO), Design, Build, and Sell Scheme (DBSS), and Executive Condominiums (EC).

a. BTO allows locals to apply for flats at a location of their choice. The construction work begins once about 65% of the flats are booked.

b. DBSS is a public housing scheme under the HDB (Housing and Development Board) system, which is curated by private developers. It can be found in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, and Tampines.

c. ECs are sold by private developers and have the facilities that are comparable to that of the private condominiums.

5. YOU SAVED ENOUGH MONEY FOR THE HIDDEN COSTS.

Aside from allocating money for the total price-tag of the property, you know you are ready when you saved a great deal of money for the hidden costs. I am talking about the late payment fee and its similar expenses. As an example, developers may charge you for insurance and maintenance costs. Be prepared!

Image Credits: wikihow.com/Buy-Property-in-Singapore

There are more factors that can affect your buying decision. However, may aforementioned factors give you a head start in figuring out your dream property!

Boost Your Social Media Feed By Using These 4 “Beauty” Apps

Do you want to share beautiful selfies but think that it needs several tweaks and extra filters? Fret not because several beauty apps that have near-professional quality are available for free on iTunes and Google Play Store.

Look more attractive in an instant by taking advantage of these four apps:

For Flawless Features

1. CAMERA360

Available on Android and iOS

Aside from their music, Korea and Japan are known for their skincare products. Since its release in 2010, Camera360 has been one of the go-to beauty apps of many Korean and Japanese celebrities. Take it from them and look good in every angle by downloading this app.

There are endless possibilities as you can apply over a hundred of filters and options such as lightening your image or putting cartoon effects. To improve your looks, you can capture images using the “beauty selfie” setting.

Image Credits: Camera360 via Itunes

2. BEAUTYPLUS

Available on Android and iOS

I will let you in with a little secret of mine. Like most of you, I occasionally get acne and blemishes. What keeps my pictures flawless is enclosed in a magical app called BeautyPlus. There is no need to visit the dermatologist, dentist, or plastic surgeon as you can achieve similar results by tapping a few buttons in this app.

BeautyPlus allows you to slim your face, erase your pimples, whiten your teeth, and enlarge your eyes, among others. Take a look at the before and after versions of my self-portrait:

Image Credits: instagram.com/agoncilloanna

For Gorgeous Filters

4. PHOTO EDITOR BY AVIARY

Available on Android, iOS, and Windows

Try adding stickers or filters to amp up your selfie game! Photo Editor by Aviary includes a comprehensive set of basic editing tools such as crop and rotate as well as a set of lovely filters such as Arizona and Lucky. Other highlights of this app include adding drawings, stickers, and text. If you own a Smartphone that operates on Windows then, this is one of the premium editors you will meet!

Who says that you can only edit individual snaps? Here is an example of a glamorized photo of two women:

Image Credits: pixabay.com

5. VSCO

Available on Android and iOS

This list will not be complete without the “filter-packed” app – VSCO. This popular app can improve your #OOTD shots. It gives you a wide range of filters and a complete set of editing tools. The filters are coded in the format of letter and number such as X1, G3, B1, and my favorite HB1.

Its editing tools include contrast, brightness, fade, tint, crop, rotate, highlights, shadows, sharpness, and so much more. Not bad for something that is free, right?

From virtually applying makeup to removing your pimples, these are some of the best beauty apps to download now.

Sources: 1 & 2

3 Ways To Get Affordable And Quality Hair Removal Services In Singapore

Not all hair removal services in Singapore are cheap! Some may cost you over S$1,000. Fortunately, there are other ways to achieve an incredibly smooth skin…

1. INDULGE ON GROUPON

GROUPON is probably my all time favorite shopping companion. Used by many Singaporeans, GROUPON is a website that offers discounted deals on events, luxury goods, bags, watches, beauty products, lifestyle services, and getaways. I recommend going for these current deals below that range for only S$25-45:

a. S$28 (U.P. $1,248) for a session of Brazilian IPL Hair Removal and a Lifetime Underarm IPL at Ginza Calla

Ginza Calla is a Japanese brand that is backed by over 20 years of experience. The salon seeks to provide the best possible experience to its clients by using latest technology. In fact, the estimated number of sessions to completely remove the unwanted hair using the IPL method is about six sessions.

b. S$45 (U.P. $324) for 3 sessions of Brazilian IPL Hair Removal at Clare De Beaute

Nestled at the Orchard Road, Clare De Beaute offers a sanctuary to unwind your tensed mind and body. Its dimly lit reception sets the serene tone of the place that transitions to a series of aesthetic pampering, facials, and massages.

The particular promotional treatment above includes a cooling gel application.

c. S$25 (U.P. $60) for a session of Brazilian Waxing and Antioxidant Treatment at Plush

Plush is an award-winning beauty salon that serves top-notch beauty products and includes highly trained therapists to satisfy its clients. It also ensures that cleanliness is maintained in all its treatments.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Hair removal treatment at a fair price brought to you by GROUPON! You can conveniently pay through for Debit/Credit Card, Paypal or American Express.

2. LOOK FOR PROMOTIONS

Still have your heart set on the best beauty salons in Singapore such as Musee Platinum Tokyo, Strip, Pink Parlour, and Browhaus?

The good news is that these salons offer promotions for waxing, IPL treatment, and other hair removal services every once in a while. Musee Platinum Tokyo and Pink Parlour are currently having two irresistible promotions. For Musee Platinum Tokyo, its promotion is S$38 for unlimited sessions (1 session every 2-3 months) for the underarms and bikini line.

Image Credits: www.musee-sg.com/promotions/index.html

While, Pink Parlour has a tea-time offer of 1 for 1. Does it sound tricky? This simply means that you can enjoy 2 sessions of Alpha Light Brazilian, Alpha Light Bikini, or Alpha Light Underarm treatments until August 31. You may share your extra session to a friend too.

Image Credits: facebook.com/pinkparlour

3. SERVE YOURSELF

If your budget for hair coloring is less than S$10 then, try the magical services provided by you! Go to the nearest Watsons store and purchase either the house brand of hair removal cream or the renowned Veet removal cream. Prices of these products range from S$8.90-22.45.

Watch this short instructional video to know more about Veet:

Sources:1 & 2

Search the site