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6 Affordable Home Remedies For Common Travel Sickness

According to a survey, 6 out of 10 people fall sick overseas every year. There is a higher susceptibility to common travel sickness such as colds, sunburn, throat infection, constipation, and insect bites.

You do not need to visit the doctor just yet! Be healthy after traveling with these 6 Home Remedies For Common Travel Sickness…

1. COLDS

If you travelled in country at wintertime and came back immediately to sunny Singapore then, you can really catch a cold. The main virus that causes cold is still unknown. This is why the body relies on its own defenses. However, you can effectively ease its symptoms with these remedies:

a. STAY HYDRATED

Drink plenty of water, juices, or warm lemon water with honey to help prevent dehydration and loosen up the congestion. Stay away from alcohol, coffee, or caffeinated sodas as they can worsen dehydration.

b. ADD MOIST IN THE AIR

Add moist in the air by purchasing an air humidifier that retails for as low as S$15.90. This helps loosen the congestion as well. But, remember to change its water daily and clean the machine according to the manufacturer’s manual. Stay away from steams as some can cause burns.

2. SUNBURN

If you overexposed your skin to the sun just to get the perfect holiday selfies then, you can end up with painful sunburn. Until it naturally goes diminishes on its own, ease the discomfort with these remedies:

a. MAGIC POTATO

An aged-old remedy for sunburn relies on the magic of potatoes. Get two washed potatoes, cut them into small chunks, and put them inside the blender or food processor. The potato must reach its liquid form before you can pat the burned areas with it. Then, wait until the potatoes dry up so you can take a cool shower.

b. APPLY COOL COMPRESS

You shall not apply ice a pack of it to the burnt area. Instead, soak a cloth into cool water and apply it to the burnt area for several minutes. Apply this multiple times to help relieve discomfort throughout the day. Strengthen the cool compress by adding soothing ingredients such as baking soda or oatmeal to the water.

3. INSECT BITES

Without consulting your doctor, most insect bites and stings heals naturally. Unless if you feel other symptoms such as fever then, it could be Dengue. Otherwise, relieve the itching, pain, and swelling with these remedies:

a. RUB TEA BAGS

Gently rub damp and cool tea bag over the bites. The natural tannins in the leaves will remove the excess fluid to decrease the swelling and pain felt.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

b. APPLY LEMON JUICE

The natural antioxidants and alpha-hydroxy acids found in lemon juice are good for healing and cleansing the skin. Apply a few lemon juice particles over the mosquito bites with a cotton ball then, let it dry. Afterwards, you must rinse it well. You have to be careful when applying this remedy outside of your house because the oils in citrus fruits can make the skin more susceptible to sunburn.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

A Safer Way to Shop Online

You can’t deny that shopping is one of Singapore’s favourite pastimes. With online retail giants setting up basecamp on our shores including the likes of Zalora, Lazada and Rakuten among others, consumers are spoiled for choice when it comes to the goods and services we can purchase from the comfort of our own homes.

But are you aware of the security risks involved when using your credit or debit card to shop online?

Getting the facts

Singapore’s online shopping industry is projected to reach US$3.45 billion in 2015. While this is only a tiny fraction of the US$525 billion for the entire Asia Pacific region, the average Singaporean spends around US$1,800 annually. The yearly increase in online spending is also a healthy sign of the rapidly growing popularity of e-commerce in Singapore.

However, in tandem with the meteoric rise of online shopping in Asia over the last few years, authorities have also reported a surge in online scams and credit card fraud. Last year, the Monetary Authority of Singapore claimed that businesses lost an estimated US$1.6 billion due to cybercrimes, a marginal sum when compared to the global losses of over US$400 billion.

But it has never happened to me before.. so I’m safe, right?

Well, not exactly. Do you know whether the website you are buying from is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)? Have you ever let a website save your credit card information for the sake of convenience and a faster checkout?

In 2014, less than a third (28.6%) of online merchants managed to remain fully PCI compliant less than a year after getting their certification. This means that even though a website’s security may have been validated before, this doesn’t mean their current business processes or newly adopted systems are PCI compliant.

One of the largest global online retailers, eBay, fell victim to a security breach last year when a handful of their employee accounts were compromised and used to gain access to their customer database. Just last month, Google found a vulnerability in the Android operating system that allows hackers to access the phone’s data remotely via a multimedia message.

With the rise in cybercrime, consumers need to find a way to protect themselves when shopping online.

Preventing online fraud

You can take precautionary measures to minimise the risk of fraud, but there is only one guaranteed way to prevent it – that is to stop using your credit or debit card to shop online altogether. Sounds impossible? Well, there are many other methods you can pay for goods online that don’t necessarily require you to use your credit card.

MatchMove Pay is one such solution that lets consumers shop online using a virtual MasterCard or American Express® Virtual Pay prepaid card. The concept of a prepaid credit card is commonplace in the USA but seldom talked about here in Singapore. MatchMove Pay takes it one step further by enabling anyone to get their own virtual prepaid card online or on mobile instantly.

How does it work?

Consumers top-up their MatchMove card only when they have something to buy. This can be done via secured top-up channels including the ATM, your bank’s online banking website and others. After adding funds, simply use the prepaid card to checkout your online purchases. It’s safer than a debit card because it is not linked to your bank account and works just like any credit card.

So even if a hacker manages to gain access to your MatchMove card details, they wouldn’t be able to use it without any funds. What’s more, MatchMove provides an additional layer of security through a dynamic card verification code (CVC) feature which generates a unique code every time you checkout a purchase.

There are also other benefits for using MatchMove Pay including monthly cash rebates of up to 50%, attractive lifestyle and travel offers, and a soon-to-be-launched loyalty rewards programme.

Is MatchMove reliable?

The company is invested in by Japan’s third largest credit card issuer, Credit Saison, an affiliate of the Mizuho Financial Group. MatchMove is also an official card issuer for MasterCard and American Express® and work closely with these financial institution to ensure the customer’s lifestyle needs and security are well taken care of. But don’t just take our word for it, find out what MatchMove users have to say:

Register Now to Receive Free $5 Credit!

Signup for a free MatchMove MasterCard wallet by clicking on this link to receive a $5 credit in your account. Limited to the first 100 Money Digest readers who register before 31 August 2015. All eligible signups will receive the $5 credit directly into your MatchMove wallet account by 7 September 2015.

(This article is brought to you by MatchMove Singapore)

Things You Should Not Be Spending Too Much On

As all the expenses adult life throws at you outpour, it can be difficult to manage your finances regardless of how much you make. One of the best ways to improve your situation is to trim your daily costs. Figure out what exactly you are paying for by knowing which things you are spending too much on.

1. FOOD

If you have been eating restaurant food almost everyday because you do not cook much then, you really need to cutback on your food expenses. Here are some viable suggestions:

a. If eating out is unavoidable, you must eat smart by making healthier and cheaper choices in just 5 ways.

b. When you are shopping and cooking at home, think about these awesome veggies and fruit hacks that will help you to be healthy and to save more.

c. Just because the food is deemed or claimed as healthy – that does not mean it always is. For example, most diet often has enough protein intakes already but some people still add the protein powder. By doing so, the person is at risk of excess protein, which is actually bad for the health. When your normal eating diet is protein sufficient then, save on expensive medical bills by skipping the protein powder.

2. HANDPHONE INSURANCE

Yes! It is better safe than sorry but some of the Smartphone mishaps can be fixed or even prevented for less. Spare yourself some money and time by subtracting handphone insurance and Smartphone repair to your expenses. Here are some viable suggestions:

a. Instead of paying 3-4 months of handphone insurance because you are scared of water damage, a well-reviewed waterproof case will only cost you S$21.

b. With continued use; your charger may not fit as well into the port as it did before. The simple way to fix it is to use a sharp toothpick to remove the lint and dirt from the port. Clean the rest of your phone by using cotton swab/ cotton buds/ cotton tips with drops of distilled water on it.

c. Overtime, you may experience hearing an inferior sound when you plug the earphones into the “jack” (usually on the upper-right hand corner of the phone). To fix this audio quality, stick a cotton swab into the jack and use it to clear out any dirt.

3. GREETING CARDS

I know everyone would agree that those stores bought greeting cards are too pricey for its materials. A minimum of S$4 per card (i.e., price of a common brand) for every occasion and for every special someone can add to your expenses fast. Do not get me started with the price of famed Hallmark cards!

A frugal alternative is to print free greeting cards that are available online. I personally recommend the free printable cards, invitations, and envelopes from greetingsisland.com.

4. DIAMOND RINGS

Since wedding and engagement are events that happen once in a lifetime, people often rationalize their spending for the diamond rings. Jewelry, in general, is an expensive category in itself. Expensive jewelry plus an emotional event can result to overspending. If you try to spend less, you will feel guilty and cheap. Fortunately, you can negotiate with the prices by knowing the 4 C’s namely carat, clarity, color, and cut.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Now, you may ask the local jeweler if he or she is willing to change the setting of the ring for a discount or even for free. That will surely lower down the overall amount.

Sources: 1 & 2

10 countries beyond Southeast Asia you may consider visiting next

Deciding on a country to visit can be a perpetual headache, especially when group consensus is needed. Indeed, given that there are 195 countries in the world today, reading up on the attributes of each country and comparing the alternatives can be painfully time-consuming. Determining whether a travel destination fits your personal preference is another uphill task.

However, with plummeting airfares and the plethora of fun-filled and enriching tourist activities available, it makes economic sense to take full advantage of them to gain maximum exposure to the world and widen one’s horizon.

Thus, this article aims to shorten this search-and-evaluate process by cherry-picking 10 popular destinations that appeal to most folks. It is specifically useful for potential tourists who plan to venture beyond the Southeast Asian territories and want to make the most out of their limited holiday budget.

Click to enlarge:

Is Italy next on your bucket list?

The Almafi Coast, Italy (Image credit: http://benvenutoamalficoasttours.blogspot.sg)

Should you visit The Almafi Coast or Cinque Terre? Both are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. BENVENUTOLIMOS has done a comparison for you here.

Disclaimer: Individual experiences may differ and this flowchart is not meant to be exhaustive.

6 Amazingly Affordable Toys That Can Make Your Child Happier And Smarter

I smiled when I saw the definition of the word “toy” at dictionary.com. According to it, toys are supposed to serve as a diversion rather than practicality. It is also an object that typically represents something familiar for children or others to play with. As a children’s teacher I can vouch for that meaning. Sometimes, we use toys to divert the kids’ attention while we prepare for the class. I am sure some moms use toys as a distraction for them to do chores too!

If toys are so helpful and pervasive, are there cheaper alternatives? Fortunately, there are. You can use your imagination and creativity to make handmade toys. Not only can you save more money but you can also increase the toys’ safety.

Two types of toys are mainly in the market today namely: educational toys and entertaining toys. Let us start with the latter…

FUN TOYS

1. MADE OF MILK CARTON

It is vital for kids to consume more milk in order for their bones to grow stronger. And, after they finished the whole carton, do not throw it just yet. You can transform an empty milk carton into a sailboat that can survive sizable splashes of water.

Full instructions – here.

2. MADE OF SPONGES

Have you ever played Jenga or Tumbling Towers? It is a fun game that you and your little ones can get addicted to. But, a new box can cost over S$19. Save more money while retaining its structure by making block pieces out of sponges.

Image Credits: facebook.com/pages/Toddler-Approved/179029702145360?fref=photo

Alternatively, you can practice making patterns or letters out of it. Full instructions – here.

3. MADE OF SHOEBOX

Have you saved up old newspapers, shoeboxes, and rubber bands? Well, you can turn those things into an old-fashioned toy guitar. Browse here for full instructions.

SMART TOYS

1. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S TOUCHING SENSATIONS

Various childcare and preschool centers include sensory tables to improve the fine motor skills and touching sensations of the young minds. Make your own by taking a simple wooden base out of a plastic bin. Then, you can fill it with colorful beads, dried beans, handful of rice, and so much more. This set toy will keep your child occupied for hours!

Image Credits: https://www.facebook.com/RingAroundtheRosies

Full instructions – here.

2. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S VISUO-SPATIAL AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Say the weather is not friendly enough to go to the nearby playground, what you can do is to round-up your kids, take a large sheet of paper, and several shaped blocks. Then, challenge them into a giant block puzzle. Let them figure it out on their own. Full instructions – here.

3. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S PHONETICS

A toy made out of inexpensive materials can go a long way in terms of improving your child’s language abilities. Repeat the letters and add sounds as you read along the alphabet board (full instructions – here).

Image Credits: nicandkate09.blogspot.com

Also, you can incorporate magnetic letters for your child to match it with the alphabet board accordingly. This activity is both educational and enjoyable! 🙂

Reminder: Although the ingredients and materials used are safe, it is still essential to look after your child from time to time to avoid any unforeseen events.

Sources: 1 & 2

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