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Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Birthday While Overseas

Year-end travel bookings are fast approaching! How can you celebrate your birthday without disappointing your guests? Fret not! It is possible to embrace the strangeness of celebrating while overseas.

Take a moment to plan your virtual party. From virtual party games to virtual potlucks, here are some fun and budget-friendly ways to honor your big day while you are overseas!

#1: ENJOY A MOVIE NIGHT

The Netflix Party app allows you to watch a movie simultaneously with multiple viewers. It lets one person start and stop whatever you are watching for the whole group to stay on track. What’s more? It gives you a chat room to discuss what you are watching.

#2: HAVE A VIRTUAL POTLUCK

Nothing beats a party filled with food. If you and your relatives or friends love cooking, pick a cuisine or a theme for your potluck. Allow everyone to showcase their dishes while you are at a virtual party. Everyone can eat together and describe their creations in entertaining ways. The most creative entry will win!

#3: OPEN THE VIRTUAL VISITING HOURS

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Who can decline to a party when the visiting hours are forgiving? Post a message that they can come any time from “0:00am to 0:00pm”. You can set the Zoom meeting to a recurring one to allow visitors to drop by any time. Just send them the link to your party and be ready to say: I am so glad that you could make it! This is especially helpful when you are separated by different time zones.

#4: PLAY CHARADES

Virtual parties can have a variety of games such as Bingo and Charades. When attempting to host a party via video meeting, embrace the technical glitches that can happen. No activity is better suited to this platform than charades. Pick a topic that the majority enjoys such as the famous singers or iconic Singaporean food.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Britain Enters a New Era Marked by Mourning & Economic Uncertainty

The death of Queen Elizabeth II marks the start of a new era for the United Kingdom, but it is fraught with economic uncertainty and the loss of one of its pillars of stability.

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at the age of 96. She died peacefully last Thursday at Balmoral Castle, Scotland. She is succeeded by her eldest son, who was proclaimed King Charles III hours after her death.

Queen Elizabeth II was one of the pillars of stability and continuity as her reign spanned from the aftermath of WWII to the 2016 Brexit vote and the 2020 global pandemic. She symbolized consistency in a world of constant change. With the news of her passing, thousands of Brits gathered outside Buckingham Palace in the pouring rain to pay their respects.

Her passing will be followed by a period of solemn ceremony, during which no government announcements will be made until after her funeral. This will then be marked with a public holiday in approximately 10 days. Moreover, the Bank of England has postponed its monetary policy meeting by a week.

SUSPENSION OF NORMAL POLITICS

The Queen’s final act of public service was the appointment of UK’s new prime minister Liz Truss. Merely days after her appointment, the suspension of normal politics went in place.

Truss enters at a time when the country is experiencing its worst economic outlook in years, a deepening energy crisis, and an increased inequality.

Hours before the Queen’s passing, Truss outlined her plans to combat the UK’s cost-of-living issues, unveiling a broad stimulus package, which is designed to help households and businesses struggling to cope with the soaring prices of energy bills. The package could cost as much as £150 billion (about S$243 billion), according to analysts at Berenberg. Finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng is set to confirm the package’s price tag later this month.

INCREASING RECESSIONARY RISKS

Goldman Sachs warned that the UK could fall into recession in the fourth quarter of this year, which echoed the earlier forecasts from the Bank of England. The British pound has already been on a downward spiral over the past several months, hitting a 37-year low of $1.1469 last Wednesday.

Historian and Professor of King’s College London Andrew Roberts said: “We are facing a massive cost-of-living crisis in the UK, obviously, and what people want to see is the Royal Family reflecting that.”

CHANGES IN BANKNOTES

The UK banknotes which feature the portrait of the Queen will continue to be legal tender, according to the Bank of England. Additionally, it would announce its plans to print new banknotes with a portrait of King Charles III after the period of mourning.

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Exercise Self-Control When Shopping?

The ability to regulate and alter your responses to avoid undesirable behaviors and increase desirable ones is called self-control. Self-control helps you achieve your long-term financial goals. Studies showed that having self-control can be important for your health and well-being.

People use a myriad of terms for self-control such as discipline, determination, willpower, grit, and fortitude. The ability to delay gratification and resist unwanted urges is self-control.

Achieve your long-term financial goals by reducing your spending. Start by applying self-control when you shop.

#1: SHOP WITH A FRIEND

Shopping with a friend is a good strategy for dealing with compulsive spending. Salespeople are trained to play the role of your friend to encourage you to buy more. Hence, having your friend along can help you weigh your options.

Compulsive and impulse shopping play on your complex emotional urges. Avoid shopping while you are angry, sad, or hungry. If you are feeling these states, you cannot rely on the internal resources that are used to curb your impulses.

#2: CARRY CASH AROUND

It is easy to get carried away when you are paying for the items via credit card. Increase your awareness while you are shopping by opting for cash. Paying by cash slows down your transaction because you must think about your purchase.

When you pay with cash, the impact of buying is more dramatic. You are forced to see and feel what is happening to you now.

#3: HAVE A 24-HOUR RULE

Although you are eyeing an item for a while, ensure that you are getting a good deal by setting the 24-hour rule. Ask the physical store to hold your item for at least 24 hours. This will give you enough time to think about the item before purchasing. This rule can be applied to online stores too. Put the item in your cart and wait for the next day to buy it. Do you really need to buy it?

The ability to delay gratification or to wait to get what you desire is an important part of self-control. Delaying gratification involves putting off short-term desires in favor of long-term rewards.

#4: STEER AWAY FROM TEMPTATION

Reduce the temptation by going on shorter shopping trips or by visiting fewer websites. Spending less time window shopping can help reduce the number of products you see and like. By exposing yourself to fewer temptations, you will have more energy to make thoughtful spending decisions.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

Enjoy 1 FOR 1 Boston Lobster (U.P $78) from 29 July till 14 August at Orchid Live Seafood!

Celebrate the nation’s birthday from 29 July till 14 August with a seafood feast from Orchid Live Seafood with 1 FOR 1 Boston Lobster (U.P $78) when dining in. What’s more, you can opt for your favourite cooking style such as cream cheese, porridge, chilli, or garlic steamed!

Two other promotions include 50% OFF Southern Australian Lobster (U.P $288/kg) where diners can opt for their favourite cooking style such as porridge, sashimi, garlic steamed, cream cheese or white wine garlic, and 20% off Braised New Zealand Black Gold Abalone (U.P. $20) for the abalone lovers.

In the often-overlooked Northern region of Singapore, Orchid Live Seafood in HomeTeamNS Khatib cooks up quality live seafood that will have foodies salivating for more. The restaurant prepares its live catch right out of the tanks in a signature Teochew style, all at unbelievably affordable prices.

This August, enjoy specially curated set menus that are ideal for 2 pax, 4 pax, and 8-10 pax starting from $128++. Savour signature seafood dishes such as their bestselling Live Boston Lobsters with 4 cooking styles to choose from; Live Lobster Porridge, a dish it is proud to be the first to introduce to Singapore and which has since become a crowd favourite; Butter Garlic Bamboo Clams, extra-large bamboo clams are steamed with butter garlic and vermicelli, letting its natural sweetness shine, the HK Style Steamed Soon Hock Fish, steamed with soya sauce to play up the natural fragrance of the fish, and Thai Style Crispy Baby Squid, where juicy little morsels are lightly seasoned and deep-fried to a golden crunch before served with red onion and cucumber strips for crunch and topped off with a sweet and spicy Thai sauce for a sweet and spicy punch.

Other treats include their Signature Steven Chicken (from $16) where the chicken pieces are kept on the bone and pushed to the ends before deep-fried and then coated in a homemade marinade of marmite and honey sauce before tossed in sesame seeds.

Set A
2 pax / $128++

Live Boston Lobster* (2 pcs)
Butter Garlic Bamboo Clams (2 pcs)
Steven Chicken
Stir-fried Baby Kai Lan
Udder’s Ice-cream

Set B

4 pax / $258++

Live Western Australia Lobster Porridge
Live Boston Lobster* (2 pcs)
Thai Style Crispy Baby Squid
Steven Chicken
Stir-fried Baby Kai Lan
Udder’s Ice-cream

Set C

8 – 10 pax / $888++

Live Southern Australia Lobster (2 pcs)
Live Boston Lobster* (4 pcs)
Braised Live N.Z. Gold Abalone (10 pcs)
Butter Garlic Bamboo Clams (10 pcs)
Steven Chicken
H.K. Style Steam XL Wild Soon Hock
Sauteed Scallops with Green Dragon Vegetables
Teochew Yam Paste

Call 67560311 to reserve your seats today!

Address: HomeTeamNS Khatib, 2 Yishun Walk #03-01 S767944

Opening hours: Daily: 11am-2.30pm, 5pm-10pm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orchidliveseafood/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orchidliveseafood/

How Can You Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

Living from paycheck to paycheck can cause stress, especially when you cannot cover all your needs and wants on a monthly basis. Constantly scrambling to make ends meet can feel like running on an endless financial treadmill.

A combination of practical strategies and a positive attitude can help you make real progress. The most crucial step is to start – now!

#1: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

When you are struggling to pay for all your current expenses, it can seem impossible to put anything aside for your future. However, unforeseen circumstances can happen anytime. Job loss or accidents could put you in a bigger financial trap. Cushion these circumstances by building and emergency fund.

While people usually put six months’ worth of expenses in their rainy-day fund, you can aim for saving at least S$1,000 first. Even if you start with just S$50 per paycheck, you will become more confident in managing your finances as time passes.

#2: CREATE A REALISTIC BUDGET

Be honest! Do you know where all your money goes to? If you are merely paying for the incoming bills and ensuring that everyone is fed, you may not have a system in place. When you have a budget, you can easily monitor where your money goes and where it should be.

A budget also uncovers your spending habits. Examine these spending habits to make necessary changes. Cutting down on non-essential expenses can help save money for your future.

#3: TACKLE THE FOUR WALLS

According to financial author Dave Ramsey, you must take care of your Four Walls first. These fundamental walls include food, utilities, shelter, and transportation. Put these on the top of your budget priorities and write down other categories that you need to pay for. List these categories based on their importance.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

When you run out of money, that is it. Stop spending!

#4: LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS

Don’t get a part-time gig to keep living a lifestyle that you can’t afford! Increasing your income streams can help with your situation, but you must be responsible with your money. Remember why you took on that additional job in the first place.

Seek the help of others to ensure that you are not tempted to spend your extra money. Stay intentional and stick to your budget.

#5: AVOID THE CREDIT CARDS

Are you trapped in a mountain of debt? Well, you won’t get out of it if you continue using your credit cards.

As much as possible, avoid using your credit cards until you are completely out of debt. This will help you control your spending. If you lack the willpower, eliminate all your credit cards except for one. Put all your credit on this card and pay off the minimum each month (on time).

#6: BE PATIENT

Getting out of this situation can’t be achieved overnight! Start with small positive steps toward money management. Think of money that you can save and watch it add up. This process takes time and commitment, but you can do it.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Just have the courage to start now!

Sources: 1 & 2

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