Love-hate relationship is a perfect description of my affair with deadlines. Deadlines are important because they give you a structured workflow but, it can be very stressful at times. Not to mention, you may encounter several due dates scheduled all at once.
Picture yourself heading towards the end of the day while accomplishing about 30% of your task or project that is due tomorrow. The clock is ticking fast. The real pressure is on. If you feel like panicking – pause! Calm yourself down. You do not want your clients to end your collaborations nor do you want your reputation to be destroyed by your lack of time management skills. Instead, eliminate the distractions and focus on the task itself.
Also, avoid this stressful situation from happening again by following these tips:
1. SET REALISTIC GOALS
No matter how excellent your time management and organization skills are, you will still find yourself in a difficult position if your deadlines are not realistic. If you are a freelancer, clients will typically ask you to assign a deadline by yourself. When this happens to me, I make it a point to have at least 1-2 days in excess in case emergencies arise such as requested revisions. But if you work in the office, ask your boss for at least 1-2 hours in excess to create a high-quality project.
2. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS
In a world where the cat videos rule, you must eliminate all the distractions. Close the unnecessary tabs, keep your handphone on silent, and refrain from logging onto your social media accounts. By doing so, you will find yourself to be more productive than ever.
3. TAKE THINGS SERIOUSLY
Beating the deadlines is a serious act. Commit yourself entirely to the tasks by writing them in a piece of paper or in an Excel spreadsheet. Refer back to the list to reduce your procrastinating tendencies.
4. RANK EACH TASK
Before you begin, you must look at your list and contemplate on which project is the most important. Mark it as “high priority”, which you will aim to finish first. After getting passed the time-consuming and complex tasks, you will find yourself accomplishing more as you finish the smaller tasks quickly.
5. REWARD YOURSELF
After a hard day’s work and seeing your clients or boss satisfied, you must reward yourself for a job well done. No other questions asked.
Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)
No matter where you are planning to go, it is always a good idea to keep some cash in your wallet in case of emergencies. A general rule of thumb that I employ myself is to store as much money as I am willing to lose (i.e., no more than S$50).
Aside from this, there are other advantages if you carried spare cash such as avoiding ATM service fees and controlling your spending. Purchasing items in cash is Psychologically beneficial than paying with credit cards because it makes you more aware and cautious of your spending.
2. USE WHAT YOU HAVE
Use the money you have while avoiding the inconvenience of carrying loads of cash by bringing your debit card along with you. Maintain security by refraining from putting notes of your PIN or password beside it. Believe me, some careless people do this!
3. RECEIVE THE REWARDS
Having your credit cards handy will only tempt you to shop for more. But if you pay off your credit card balance consistently each month, you might as well maximize its rewards and discounts.
For instance, use your credit card for grocery shopping. Grocery shopping can be costly at times especially because businesses are becoming more competitive. And if you were to use a credit card, be sure to indulge on all of its discounts. Check out this list for more information.
4. KEEP THE COUPONS
Couponing is a strategy used by a consumer to pay less in shopping for groceries, tickets, and more. You may shy away from coupons but once you see the real value of their savings by looking at the receipt, you would realize how great it is.
In order to receive its benefits, you must always put the coupons of your favorite stores inside your wallet. Aside from the coupons handed by the salesperson, get coupons for dining, leisure, toys, pets services, and just about anything at cuponation.com.sg or groupon.sg.
5. STORE LOYALTY/MEMBERSHIP CARDS
One of the surefire ways to save money while you shop is by organizing your loyalty or membership cards in your wallet. These types of cards deliver discounts and rewards points that will lead to bigger savings in the long run.
If you frequent Sephora, do sign-up for their loyalty program and receive up to 10% discount and other exclusive benefits – for free! Simply fill up quick form by approaching the cashier or by politely asking their staff.
6. PASTE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
In case of emergencies such as accidents or loss of belongings, a kind stranger will be able to help you if you keep a list of your most important contacts. This list must contain at least three of the phone or handphone numbers of your most trusted peers or family members.
Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)
*Simple Reminder: Do not place all of your personal information inside your wallet as it can lead to identity theft if it falls into the “wrong hands”.
It is that time of the year again! We are about three weeks from the festivities of the Chinese New Year. Family reunions, abundant food, and small red packets called “Ang Bao, Hongbao, or Ang Pao” shall grace Singapore once again.
The color red embodies luck that is supposed to ward off the evil spirits. Along with its potent color, here are 5 Ang Bao Facts Every Singaporean Shall Know:
1. AMOUNT TO GIVE OUT
There is no specific standard on the lowest or the highest amount to give but the amount definitely reflects your character as a person. A simple survey on TheAsianParent Facebook Page showed that readers usually give out S$2 – S$80 to children in 2014. Although, Singaporeans usually give out S$6. If you are truly in touch with your Chinese roots, you will give out an amount ending with an even digit as odd digits are traditionally associated with funerals.
2. NOTES TO PUT IN
Generally, the number of notes you put it does not matter as long as the amount you gave is in the range of what is expected. Most Singaporeans do not mind if you opt for putting four S$2 or two S$5 notes! However, leaving even-numbered notes is believed to bring out future success!
3. NUMBER FOUR
Some people are likely to avoid giving amounts in fours such as S$40, S$44, and S$400. This is due to the fact that the number “4” is similar (or rhymes) with the word “death in several Chinese dialects.
4. DIFFERENT NATIONS
Since Singapore is a mixture of different cultures, we as a nation have created practices centering red packet gifting. It is not uncommon to have marriages between two different races, leading to traditional practices being modified or ignored. But aside from the Chinese, nations such as Vietnamese, Japanese, Filipinos and South Koreans have similar customs.
5. DIFFERENT CELEBRATIONS
Aside from Chinese New Year, red packets are given to religious practitioners and lion dance performers as a payment for their excellent service. Also, it is given to couples during wedding banquets. The minimum Ang Bao amount for this event is about S$50. It certainly is “little” compared to the minimum of S$150 handed out in Taiwan.
Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)
Let us be the first to greet you, advance Happy Chinese New Year!
Shopping is Entertainment. That’s the slogan for Japan’s No.1 online shopping Mall Rakuten.
Launched in Singapore in 2014, Rakuten believes that shopping should be a fun experience, and they do so by creating an engaging environment for customers to do their shopping. Besides providing a platform for retailers to showcase their products, there are various interactive campaigns for shoppers.
The Rakuten Super Points was introduced as a reward program where customers can earn points to help save on their next purchase. Just like how airlines reward travellers with frequent flyer miles, Rakuten Super Points is awarded every time you make a purchase.
Rakuten carries over 330,000 goods from close to 500 merchants, with more than half of the retailers from Japan. Start your retail therapy with Rakuten today as we put together 10 Rakuten shopping hacks to help you be a smart shopper and save on your next purchase.
1. Bookmark the Deals page
This is one of the most important page you need on Rakuten. It showcases thousand of deals at up to 80% off and Buy 1 Get 1 free. It also includes a range of items from categories such as Food & Beverages, Health & Beauty, Electronics, Travel & Living, Women Apparels and many more.
*Tip: Simply drag the image below and place it in your Bookmark Toolbar on your browser.
2. Rebates, rebates and more rebates
Every dollar spent will earn you 1 Super Point and 100 Super Points = S$1 discount.
Accumulate your Rakuten Super Points to become a privileged Gold Member and once you achieved this milestone, there will be special perks and secret coupons mailed to you periodically! For example, Gold Member is eligible for the surprise Golden Member Days where you get a 24-hour Rakuten Super Points Day with exclusive discounts!
Update: Rakuten has recently launched a 5x Rakuten Super Point-back programme to help you accumulate your points faster. Every dollar spent will now earn you a whopping 5 Super Points (rather than 1) and that is equivalent to an impressive 5% rebate on any products, on any day.
Tip: Look out for Bonus Super Points Promotion Campaigns, Rakuten will reward you with 20x, 30x, 40x, etc, Bonus Super Points to help you save even more.
3. Shop on Tuesday
TGIT. Thanks God It’s Tuesday! Every Tuesday, you can enjoy an additional 5% off your shopping if you pay with your MasterCard.
Tip: Remove all the MasterCard sitting in your wallet. Find out which of these cards provide more points or rewards when you charge your online purchase.
4. Shop from Ebates
Haven’t heard ofEbates? You have been missing out where everyone’s cashing in. Ebates is a cashback website that helps you stretch your dollar on your online shopping from over 300+ online retailers such as Groupon, Redmart, Foodpanda and more. Is Rakuten included in their cashback scheme? You bet. Register with an account with them and shop from their platform to earn an additional 5% cashback on your purchase.
5. Subscribe to Rakuten’s Newsletters and Follow Them on Facebook & Twitter
Be the first among your peers to know of the latest promotions and contests! Rakuten is on Facebook and Twitter, so follow them closely on their social media accounts and sometimes it pays to be kiasu!
You would have missed out on a chance to participate in their contest if you’ve spent $190 — $10 short to earn 1,000 Rakuten Super Points! Don’t miss out on such opportunities and start following them on Facebook!
Tip: There’s a $288 Rakuten Super Points giveaway today on 14/1 if you simply like their page, share and comment on the pinned post today. Otherwise, there’s also the Win a Free Trip to Shizuoka, Japan contest ongoing until 20/1.
6. Be a smart shopper: Know what to shop on Rakuten
If you have been a savvy shopper, you know what are the best deals to buy at Rakuten. But what if you don’t? Don’t worry, we have done the homework for you.
Mega Discount Store: Because of Rakuten’s generous 5% cashback from its Super Points (+ additional cashback from credit cards), it makes purchasing big ticket items attractive. That means you can essentially save up to hundred of dollars when you buy home appliances such as refrigerators, LED TV and massage chairs.
Snaffle’s: Being a fan of Hokkaido’s catch cakes, Snaffle’s is one of my favourite store on Rakuten. Although they have physical stores in Singapore, you rarely see their catch cakes on promotion. However, if you have been following them on their online store, you can actually snag a deal at times when they are running their 1-for-1 catch cakes promotion, 20% off, free delivery and other bundled discounts.
Henri Charpentier: When French-inspired Japanese patisserie Henri Charpentier opened their first online shop at Rakuten late last year, i was jumping for joy. I no longer have to travel to the inaccessible Dempsey Hill to satisfy my craving for their famed financiers and madeleines. I can simply order at the comfort of my own home or office, and with a few clicks, i can get it delivered to my place fuss-free.
TokiChoi: Fast fashion label Toki Choi (東京著衣) is a popular fashion brand in Taiwan. Their fashion collections are a hit amongst the ladies, as they are reasonably priced for their quality! Look out for their $9.90 or 50% off campaign! TokiChoi, with its original designs and vast selections at reasonable prices could give local blogshops a run for its money.
NanoJapan: Ladies would love this. NanoJapan brings in quality beauty & health products directly from their Japan’s factory. Their beauty collagens has received good reviews so far and a trial can can be bought for just $39.90. For the month of January, you can get 1 can at the price of $39.90 and $36.90 per can for a set of 4! Wow!
Soup Stock Tokyo: Fans of Japan food chain Soup Stock Tokyo rejoice! They not only have an outlet at 313 Somerset but are also retailing their frozen soup stock exclusively on Rakuten. Get your hands on the CNY trial sets retailing at only $14 now!
Tip: Check out the Top 100 Best Sellers to see what are the popular items on Rakuten.
7. Use the right credit card
There are several cards you can use to enjoy additional perks when shopping at Rakuten:
Citi Rewards Card: 10% off storewide with code “RTCITI10” (max discount $50)
Standard Chartered SingPost Platinum Visa Credit Card: 7% cash rebate (min $600 spend a month)
DBS Live Fresh Platinum Card: 6% cash rebate (min $500 spend a month)
MasterCard (any banks): 5% off storewide on Tuesday + any points or rewards from your bank
Tip: Tuesday: Any MasterCard | Other days: Citi Rewards Card, Standard Chartered SingPost Platinum Visa Credit Card or DBS Live Fresh Platinum Card
8. Make full use of free shipping
Don’t want to pay for shipping cost? Several merchants on Rakuten offers free shipping with no minimum amount, so if you are the type of shopper that want to maximize your dollar, you can shop at their Free Shipping page. Rakuten will display all the products that are eligible for free shipping.
Tip 1: Save on shipping cost by combining orders with your friends or colleague. Some stores offer free shipping when you make a minimum spend. The key here is to buy in bulk for items such as diapers, ramen, rice seasoning, etc.
Tip 2: Most free shipping are on weekend so look out for weekend campaigns!
9. Do your homework. Use Price Panda or Priceme
Don’t shortchange yourself. With many e-commerce platforms online, make sure the item you want is competitively priced. I personally use Price Panda or Priceme to compare the price to see if i’m getting the best deal. And often, Rakuten seems to edge because of the various cashback, rebates and offers.
Take for example:
The GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition is retailing at S$750 at both Courts and Challenger according to Priceme.
(Click to enlarge)
The cheapest set displayed on Priceme: Lazada at S$619
(Click to enlarge)
Galaxy on Rakuten is selling it at S$650
Although it may seems cheaper at Lazada, it is an export set that doesn’t come with warranty. Whereas, the one by Galaxy (Rakuten) comes with a 1 year local agent warranty. And that is not all – Rakuten also offers 5X Rakuten Super Points which is equivalent to a 5% cash rebates. This works out to be a $32.50 discount which brings the total nett price to S$617.50! Now, which is more value for money?
*Tip: Charge your purchase with a a MasterCard and get an additional 5% discount on Tuesday + Points or rewards from your bank
10. Don’t miss out the Shop Campaigns
You thought that Rakuten’s campaigns was mindblowing? What if i say stores can run additional campaigns on top of Rakuten’s campaigns? Keep your eyes peeled when you visit a store’s page. There arecertain campaigns run by stores and this include giving away free gifts and voucher when you make a purchase.
For example, Mega Discount Store is currently giving away freebies such as free bread maker and $50 voucher when you purchase certain promotional items from their shop.
Tip: Subscribe to individual stores to get the latest updates on campaigns and promotions.
We hope you find these hacks useful!
To get your started, we have collaborated with Rakuten in the MoneyDigest X Rakuten Super Points Giveaway. 2,000 Rakuten Super Points (worth $20) will be given away to our readers who have yet to sign up for a free account at Rakuten. Do note that only the first 25 valid entries qualify.
The unwavering popularity of K-Pop and Korean dramas brought forth the satisfying dessert called soft serve.
Soft serve, a type of ice cream, is perfect for the sunny Singapore climate and its increasing health conscious inhabitants. It is generally lighter, smoother, and creamier than the regular ice cream because of the air introduced during freezing. Due to its formulation, soft serve ice cream melts rather quickly so you must eat lick its goodness rather quickly. Worry not if you consume more than expected as it has generally less milk-fat than regular ice cream.
Inexpensive does not always come with bad taste if you know the right places to look. That being said, here are 3 delicious yet affordable places to satisfy your hunger for Korean soft serves…
1. THE POPULAR ONE
Boasting with lengthy queues daily, Honey Crème’s soft serves are silky and rich. Showing a balance between flavors, all the ingredients are mixed well together by the hand to give a smooth consistency. Customers can avail occasional flavors aside from its classic flavors such as Caramel Popcorn, Comb Honey, Affogato, and Organic Mixed Grains.
If you are a fan or cotton candy or fairy floss, their nice spins are made with organic sugar and natural flavoring. Furthermore, it is stuffed with Italian rock salt to give a twist and even out the sweetness of both the ice cream and the cotton candy.
Hailing from South Korea, Milkcow offers ice cream made with 100% organic milk from Italian farms. Much like Honey Crème, Milkcow has a loyal following that proves how addicting their products are.
With 14 special flavors, Milkcow’s wide selection of sort serves can be topped with organic honeycomb, cotton candy, fruits, jelly beans, chocolate syrup, and so much more. And if you are confused on which flavors to purchase, consider trying Snow Drop, Milky Peace, and Milky Cube.
Locations: 8 locations nationwide, visit milkcow.sg for more information.
3. THE RISING STAR
Sweet Monster is the new Korean soft serve on the block. With its adorable characters, unique flavors, quality ingredients, and American festival vibes – you are sure to have a wonderfully satisfying experience!
Feast your eyes on their visually pleasing Popcorn Ice Cream (S$6.80) that is in complete dichotomy in taste, texture, and temperature. Is it sweet or salty? Is it crunchy or smooth? Is it hot or cold? Find the answers to these questions yourself by heading to one of their outlets.
