Lifestyle Archives | Page 489 of 580

Score Great Deals At Hotels In Just 6 Ways

1. BE FLEXIBLE

The quickest way to save money on your next hotel booking is to shake up your travel dates. If you are flexible enough to travel a few days earlier or later especially in the midweek, you will be able to avoid the hefty prices of the weekend rooms. Also, traveling during the off-peak season is usually advantageous. Aside from the lower prices of the hotel rooms, you will be able to indulge more on sightseeing as there is less crowds.

For example, you can host your stag party in Las Vegas on August instead of December to save about 50% off on hotels.

2. INCLUDE THE HOTEL’S PERKS

When choosing a hotel, include the its free perks to your travel budget as they can impact it significantly. For instance, the complimentary breakfast meals help you save a couple of dollars for your whole trip. And if your hotel has a game room, a gym, and a swimming pool, you can spend countless hours on free entertainment. Some hotels even go beyond by offering free drinks at the their bar, discounts at their spa, and free shuttle services.

3. TALK THE “TALK”

Much like any other professions, hotel staff has their own jargons or “lingo” that you must be aware of in order to increase your chances of getting the best price. Instead of asking for the “best deal on a room”, you must ask for the “cheapest non-refundable rate”. Reduce the ambiguity of your statements.

4. USE CREDIT CARDS WITH HOTEL REWARDS PROGRAMS

When paying for hotel reservations, use a credit card with hotel rewards program. Your credit card can either reward you with points to avail a free hotel room or discounts at the affiliated hotels.

In Singapore, redeem OCBC$ to get free hotel stay packages with your OCBC Titanium MasterCard Credit Card or enjoy 12% savings at several hotels with the American Express Personal Card.

5. DOWNLOAD AN APP

Worry not about your emergency accommodation! HotelQuickly, as the name suggests, allows you to book last-minute discounted hotels within seconds. They bring you exclusive deals on Asia-Pacific’s top-rated hotels located in New Zealand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Laos, and Australia. Keep an eye with their featured accommodation to enjoy discounts up to 70%.

It’s available on Android and iOS.

6. COMPARE PRICES

Most people avail the services of travel agencies thinking that they offer the cheapest prices in town. However, they add service fees to the prices and make it more expensive. On the flip side, some people compare the hotel prices of 2 specific websites thinking it is enough. But it is not! A better option is to use our hotel comparison tool- hotels.moneydigest.sg. It is an extensive tool that helps you narrow down the best deal on various websites such as Expedia, Hotels.com, HotelTravel.com, and so much more.

Never underestimate the money you will save by comparing hotel prices! It may just boost your travel fund by a lot.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Surefire Ways To Get Things Done…Fast!

1. WAKE UP EARLY

Waking up early gives you an opportunity to get more things done and to earn more in the process. As mornings are typically the time of the day when your brain is most focus and alert, you will be more productive. Not to mention, there are fewer distractions in the early hours of the day anyway. You can really achieve more things smoothly.

2. ANSWER EMAILS SWIFTLY

One of the most useful tools invented in the last 4 decades was the electronic mail or email, for short. It can also give way to procrastination despite its efficacy. You see, the Psychological pay-off of checking emails is seemingly the same as gambling. It is addictive because the behavior is reinforced. This is why you must answer your emails at defined and discrete times throughout the day.

Stretch your productivity even more by learning the keyboard shortcuts to Gmail, such as Ctrl + Enter or ⌘ + Enter to send a message.

Screen-grabbed from support.google.com/mail/answer/8260

And if you want to insert a link to your text, type Ctrl + k or ⌘ + k.

3. TAKE BREAKS

Much like a computer, your brain needs resetting, refreshing, and de-fragmenting of data in order for the information and memory to work smoothly. And if you are able to organize your memory and thoughts properly, you will receive and digest new information easily. Furthermore, you can even solve the problems you had pending.

So break up your day into timed chunks with at least 5-20 minutes break to refresh the processes of your brain.

4. LEARN TO SAY “NO”

Every time you agree to help out a fellow employee at work, you are increasing your personal workload and inhibiting your ability to quickly tackle tasks assigned to you. It is hard to refuse to friendly requests from colleagues especially if you are the type of person who loves lending a hand. However, if you want to jumpstart your productivity, it is important to learn to say “NO”.

According to a study by Vanessa Patrick and Henrik Hagtvedt, putting the words “I do not” into your workplace vocabulary can do the trick. Rather than telling your colleagues that you cannot help them out, they will respond better if you tell them that you do not have the time to do so.

5. STICK TO A SCHEDULE

It is a no brainer! If you want to get things done quickly, you must stick to a fixed schedule with the conscious thought of having limited time. Allow your schedule to guide you until it becomes a routine. Once the routinely operations become automatic, you will be able to do the tasks faster and better!

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Genius Ways To Save Money On Your Next Laptop

A laptop is a computer device designed for users who prefer to keep their workstations portable and lightweight. Even with the popularity of modern products such as tablets and smartphones, laptops remain to be a timeless staple. With an array of choices available, it is best to find the best laptop to suit your preferences, needs, and budget. Here are some tips to help you with that:

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Before purchasing anything, it is good to read the reviews and to compare the prices so that your money would not go to waste. For example, if you are planning to purchase a new lipstick, consider searching for Sephora’s products as they are affordable and well-reviewed. And as for your laptop shopping, browse at PricePanda.

PricePanda.com.sg, the leading price comparison website for emerging markets worldwide, provides its users with prices, technical details and other information about the latest gadgets. Aside from Singapore, PricePanda is available in Argentina, Colombia, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Mexico and Philippines. Laptops can go for as low as S$269 according to the latest data.

DO SKIP ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY

Most consumer advocates agree that extended warranties are a complete waste of your money. If your laptop has a problem, it will most probably present itself within the first few months. And if something happens to your device’s hard drive after the warranty, ask your company’s IT personnel to help you change it.

DO NOT SHY AWAY FROM REFURBISHED LAPTOPS

Many consumers associate the word “refurbished” to “junk or used” products but, that is not always the case. A refurbished product is once returned to the manufacturer due to several reasons such as faulty battery or minor dents. These laptops are then fixed, overhauled, and repackaged for resale. They basically behave and look like brand new laptops but sold at lower prices.

Buy refurbished laptops from established and trusted retailers to ensure safety. You do not want to be fooled by a Sim Lim Square scam artist just because you want to save some cash!

DO NOT PAY FOR UNNECESSARY FEATURES

Nowadays laptops are fraught with a multitude of features such as back-lit keyboards, greater storage space, and extra SD card slots. But do you really need to spend thousands of dollars for all these features?

If you are just going to use your laptop for the basics, all you really need is the HP Stream 13. This laptop does not come with the flashy features but it is suitable for simply surfing the net, taking notes or making documents. Unless you are using specialized software for your audiovisual work and high-powered computations, this gets the job done for an extremely affordable price.

Image Credits: https://www.facebook.com/Hp-Stream-13-Laptop-Includes-Office-365-1526839064222287/?fref=ts

Image Credits: facebook.com/Hp-Stream-13-Laptop-Includes-Office-365-1526839064222287/?fref=ts

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Singaporeans, Must You Discuss Your Salary To Your Spouse?

If you were tasked to participate in a television game show to test your knowledge about your spouse, how well do you think you will do? Getting your spouse’s full name correctly is easy. But will you still get it correctly if you were asked about your spouse’s exact income?

According to a 2015 survey by Fidelity Mutual, 43% of the participants had no clue about each other’s earnings. The percentage of couples who were ignorant about their incomes have grown compared to the survey 3 years ago. Furthermore, 1 in 10 people was off by US$25,000 (S$33,700). This is no laughing matter.

You cannot blame these numbers on poor communication alone as the ever-changing economy may also be the malefactor. A shift in the workplace is seen as many employees become freelancers while others work on multiple jobs with unpredictable hours (much like Uber drivers). If your spouse belongs to the cluster of people whose income is relatively unpredictable, you still have to be informed.

Asking anyone how much they make is a taboo subject especially in our Asian culture but if you are planning to spend the rest of your lives with the person, you have the right to know. Your annual household income dictates how you are able to save and your quality of life in general. Knowing each others’ assets and liabilities can help plan your future well (including your plan for retirement).

To put that in perspective, you have to realize that our lives are filled with uncertainties. Emergency expenses, hospitalization fees due to chronic illness, loss of a spouse and unemployment can affect your finances. You have to be prepared. This is why it is vital that married couples communicate and cooperate in managing their finances no matter how much they earn.

As you begin to open up about this subject, it can be uncomfortable for some and fight-inducing for others. Given the extent to which our society judges the person based on how much they earn, this particular subject is susceptible to dangers. Dangers that the other person can feel insecure, frustrated or inferior. But as Richard Vondra, the first Vice-President of Spire Investment Management, once said: “You don’t have to be rich, but you do need to make sure you’re able to support each other.”

Beyond your fear of being judged, knowing your spouse’s income is one of the most basic elements of your finances. Moreover, it may just be the key to your marital bliss! Studies have shown that the happiest couples talk about money and stay out of debt.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Ask yourself: “Will having this financial information change my life?” Then take action based on your answer.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6

Important Money Matters In Marriage

As you may know, money is one of the biggest reasons why couples get divorce. Perhaps the reason why people fight most about finances is because of its measurable nature. With money, the give and take parts are quantifiable. Thus feelings of inequality and resentment can arise.

Discussing money matters may not seem romantic but it is very essential. Here’s where you shall start:

1. DETERMINE YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Setting long-term and short-term financial goals such as establishing realistic budget should be done together. Along with the goals, you must assign financial responsibilities to each other. Who shall pay the utility bills? Who shall do the bookkeeping? Consider various factors such as time, knowledge and skills when deciding which of you shall take the primary responsibility for each task.

2. CONSIDER GETTING INSURED

The vow of “for better or worse, for richer or for poorer…” entails an important promise to live in a financially able home. Buying appropriate insurance coverage, to safeguard you from unforeseen financial hardships, can help embody this vow. Consider these types of insurance:

a. Life Insurance: This policy protects you and your dependents by giving the sum assured under certain circumstances such as being permanently disabled or critically ill. The agreed amount of money is intended to help you and your dependents meet your financial needs.

b. Health Insurance: This policy covers accidents, illnesses, and disabilities that affects your health. To help you and your family deal with the expenses, different health insurance policies are available in the market.

c. Home Insurance: This policy is designed to protect your home and its contents as well as covering any renovation work. Usually, homes that are less than 10 years old or those that are renovated within the last 10 years cost less to insure.

3. ESTABLISH A REALISTIC BUDGET

If you are planning to spend your lives together, it is only fitting that you learn to manage your finances as a unit. Once a month, evaluate your expenses and review important documents (e.g., credit card billing statement or utility bills) to help you create a realistic spending and budget plan for the weeks ahead. Make this a healthy habit to shield your family from piles of debt.

4. DISCUSS ABOUT THE NECESSITY OF A WILL

A Will is a legal document that communicates an individual’s final wishes. It determines not only the distribution of your properties but also the guardianship over your children in the event that both you and your spouse die.

Some people find it difficult to discuss about creating a will as the thought of it seems unpleasant, pessimistic, and morbid. However, think of it as an insurance tool that protects your assets and ensures its smooth transition. It is ideal to make a Will before having children or while they are still young.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Search the site