MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

Loving on a Budget: 5 Ways to Save Money on Dates

Love shouldn’t be costly! You can keep the romance alive without draining your funds with a little creativity and intention.

Whether you’re in a new relationship or deep into forever, here are some fun and thoughtful ways to date smarter and spend less.

#1: DRESS TO IMPRESS

You don’t need a new outfit every time you go out. Co-ords are having a moment and for good reason. They’re cute, comfortable, and make styling effortless. A matching set gives you candlelit dinner energy without the hassle of putting a look together. No co-ords? No problem. Shop your closet, borrow from a friend, or upcycle what you already own.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Paint a denim jacket, crop an old tee, or swap out buttons on a cardigan for something more current. It’s cheap, fun, and totally personal.

#2: PLAN MEANINGFUL DAATES

Think quality over cost. Cook dinner together, explore a new hiking trail, or check out local free events and pop-ups. As long as you’re doing something you both enjoy, the connection will shine through.

#3: CREATE A SHARED BUDGET

Having a money plan is not unromantic. It’s smart. Set a weekly or monthly amount you can comfortably spend on outings. Swap lists of restaurants, movies, or events you’d love to try and take turns picking. This keeps things fun and financially stress-free.

#4: OPT FOR THOUGHTFUL GESTURES

A handwritten note, a playlist of your favorite songs, or a homemade dessert can mean more than anything store-bought. Celebrate milestones with intention, not just money.

#5: GET CREATIVE & COZY

Once you’re feeling comfortable together, bring the date night home. Cook a full meal, light a few candles, turn on your favorite playlist, and end the night with a movie marathon. With a little effort, home can feel even more special than a night out.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Building a beautiful relationship does not mean spending a lot. It means showing up, being thoughtful, and finding joy in the little things you do together.

Sources: 1 & 2

6 very well-rated accommodations in Vienna, Austria to book a stay in 2025

Planning a trip to Vienna this year and wondering where to stay?

Well, we guess you will love this curated list of very well-rated accommodations we have for you here.

Prater, Schönbrunn Palace, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral are calling so hurry with your bookings!

Hotel Sacher

Agoda Rating: 9.5 (1.4K+ reviews)

We will start our list off with Viennese grandeur at the Hotel Sacher, your 5-star gateway to Austria’s capital.

This luxury hotel occupies prime real estate across from the world-renowned Vienna State Opera and within 600 m from the Historic Center of Vienna and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

It’s also just a 30-minute drive from Vienna International Airport.

Room options range from deluxe to various suite types.

Hotel Indigo Vienna – Naschmarkt

Agoda Rating: 9.2 (3.9K+ reviews)

Scoring top honors from Agoda travelers in 2024, Hotel Indigo Vienna – Naschmarkt oozes contemporary cool while serving up a central location.

A mere minute’s stroll from Pilgramgasse subway station, it keeps Vienna’s attractions like the Vienna State Opera and Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna in easy reach, too.

Parents, rejoice for your kids under 18 can stay for FREE when bunking with you.

It’s also pretty fresh-faced, having opened in 2022.

Hotel Kaiserhof Wien

Agoda Rating: 9.2 (2.8K+ reviews)

A stay at Hotel Kaiserhof Wien means you can step outside to world-class museums and the iconic Vienna State Opera within a kilometer’s stroll.

Choose your room: from various double rooms or suites and spacious premier suites.

Just approx. a half-hour drive from Vienna International Airport and 400 m from Karlsplatz subway station, you’re well-positioned to experience the city’s highlights.

Hotel Kaiserin Elisabeth

Agoda Rating: 9.2 (2.5K+ reviews)

Vienna’s historic heart beats just steps from Hotel Kaiserin Elisabeth, a short 250-m stroll from St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the city’s storied center.

The Stephansplatz subway station is equally close by, letting you easily explore Vienna’s top sights.

Upon returning from your adventures, the hotel’s bold interior pops with red accents to welcome you.

We also like how there are various single-room options to cater to solo travelers.

MOOONS Vienna

Agoda Rating: 9.1 (6.3K+ reviews)

Vienna has never looked better than through the signature circular windows of the MOOONS Vienna hotel.

Select rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows for soaking up Vienna’s sunshine.

Located a half-kilometer from the Belvedere Museum and steps from Südtiroler Platz subway station, the MOOONS Vienna puts the city’s top attractions within easy reach.

After days exploring Vienna, unwind with cocktails on the breezy rooftop bar before heading indoors to catch up on your ZZZs.

Citadines Danube Vienna

Agoda Rating: 9.1 (2.6K+ reviews)

Last but not least, we have Citadines Danube Vienna which opened its doors in 2023, offering a modern stay in the heart of Vienna.

Kagran subway station is just a 2-minute stroll away, where you can get to top sights like Prater, an amusement park about 3.9 km from the hotel.

With studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and connecting rooms, you will find accommodations suited for couples, families, and larger groups.

6 liquid contours & contour sticks from $30 to sculpt your face for a perfect shot

With the right liquid contours and contour sticks, you can highlight your best features and define your face with ease.

So let’s explore some standout products from $30 that will help you with your contours for a flawless finish every time.

A picture-perfect look starts with these options!

Sephora Collection Contour Stick

Price: $30

Why contour with powders that leave harsh lines when you can sculpt with cream?

This melting cream contour stick instantly chisels cheekbones and adds depth to your features.

Buildable pigments let you dial up the intensity and the powder finish sets your sculpted look in place without creasing.

Hollow out cheeks, slim your nose, or define your jawline in seconds.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Contour

Price: $48

This liquid blend glides on, sculpting and defining your best angles while mimicking the natural play of light and shadow.

The fade-proof formula lasts all day without fading.

Just a few strategic swipes are all it takes to coax out your favorite features.

And with 6 shades spanning the spectrum, you will find THE match for a naturally lifted look.

Layers well under or over makeup.

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick

Price: $51

Fenty Beauty’s Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick is a multitasking cream-to-powder contour stick that lets you sculpt, shade, and define features with its buildable, long-wear formula.

With 9 shades available, this velvety coconut oil-infused stick glides, and then sets to a natural-looking matte finish that stays put.

It’s a makeup bag must-have!

Nudestix Tinted Blur Sculpt Stick

Price: $52

Or consider this ingenious sculpt stick, all you need to define your natural features.

Available in three blendable shades, the Nudestix Tinted Blur Sculpt Stick lets you play sculptor with your bone structure.

Swipe, blend, and watch as the vegan, cruelty-free formula melts into the skin, creating a soft-focus sculpted effect that mimics those real shadows and contours.

Shade and contour wherever you please.

Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt™ Shaping Stick

Price: $62

Makeup By Mario Soft Sculpt™ Shaping Stick is an oil-free, creamy contour stick that defines your features with a natural matte finish that never looks overdone.

Its buildable, blendable formula shades and shadows wherever you want to create depth and dimension.

We like how there’s an included angled buffing brush so you can achieve artist-level contour with zero muddy residue or dreaded streaks.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand

Price: $66

Lastly, get runway-ready contours in a snap with this blendable cream contouring wand.

The easy-lock cushion applicator glides on like butter, delivering a weightless texture that layers easily over your makeup.

With five shades to choose from, you will be able to sculpt and chisel your way to a fresh-from-the-red-carpet glow.

The secret lies in the light-blur hydra technology, which diffuses light for a soft-focus, 3D sculpted effect that looks natural.

Bonus: a botanical boost of lindera root essence included keeps skin hydrated.

7 Tips to Stretch Your Dollar While Raising Kids & Fur-Kids Under One Roof

My late-night scroll led me to a video of a mom getting her two-year-old to train alongside her dogs. One of the pups has a history of biting, so she was teaching her daughter to be gentle while helping the dogs adjust to her presence. Parenting and pet parenting don’t come cheap, especially in Singapore.

Consider these no-fluff ways to stay financially sane while keeping your baby and pets happy.

#1: DITCH THE FANCY PET FOOD

You don’t need to splurge to give your pets healthy meals. Many premium pet food brands like Wellness Core and Taste of the Wild come in affordable “family pack” formats or generic equivalents with similar ingredients. Remember, look for real meat as the first ingredient and avoid meat by-products or corn.

#2: AVOID SPENDING ON PET FASHION

Yes, they look adorable in tiny tutus. But instead of splashing out on pet couture, invest in essentials like a durable collar, ID tag and comfortable leash. Your pet doesn’t care about trends, but your wallet will definitely feel it.

#3: GET INSURANCE FOR YOUR BABIES

Vet visits in Singapore can cost hundreds or even thousands. For instance, a single emergency surgery could set you back S$3,000 or more. So, consider pet insurance providers such as Happy Tails by AIA and Liberty Insurance. These insurance providers offer plans from S$24 per month with coverage up to S$10,000 per year.

The same goes for your baby. MediShield Life automatically covers Singaporean newborns. You can opt for a life insurance plan to protect your family if anything unexpected happens to you.

#4: DIY GROOMING AT HOME

Professional grooming can cost between S$50 and S$100 per session. With the right tools like a good brush, nail clippers and pet shampoo, grooming your pet at home becomes simple and affordable.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Tip: Flea-fighting shampoos with ingredients like tea tree oil, oatmeal or coconut extract provide a natural and effective boost.

#5: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GOVERNMENT BABY GRANTS

Take full advantage of Singapore’s Baby Bonus Scheme including cash gift, Child Development Account (CDA), and dollar-for-dollar matching up to S$15,000 (depending on the child’s birth order). Moreover, CDA funds can be used for preschool fees, medical expenses, and purchases from approved merchants like Watsons or Guardian.

#6: REVAMP YOUR HOUSEHOLD BUDGET

Children and pets bring along a range of new and ongoing expenses such as formula, nappies, vaccinations, checkups, grooming, and gear. It’s important to revisit your household budget regularly to reassess priorities, distinguish between essentials and non-essentials, and set clear financial goals. From baby enrichment classes and pet training to long-term tertiary education planning, there’s plenty to factor into your overall financial strategy.

#7: BUILD A MONEY BUFFER

Unexpected costs are bound to pop up. Whether it’s an emergency trip to the vet, a sudden medical bill, or replacing the stroller your toddler just destroyed mid-outing, having a safety net of three to six months’ worth of living expenses saved up can make a world of difference in keeping your finances stable and stress levels low.

IN A NUTSHELL

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Raising toddlers and pets in Singapore doesn’t have to come with financial stress. With smart planning and a few practical changes, you can give your kids and fur-kids the best things in life.

Sources: 1 ,2,3, & 4

6 vanilla-scented products from $10 to get for a vanilla fragrance fan

Know of someone who is a vanilla fragrance fan?

We’ve curated a list of vanilla-scented products from $10 to delight their senses.

From moisturizing hand creams to body & massage oils, these finds from Bath & Body Works will add a touch of vanilla to their everyday routine.

Vanilla Romance Hand Cream

Price: $10

First up, we have Bath & Body Works’ Vanilla Romance hand cream, a treat in a tube.

The fragrance bursts with creamy vanilla absolute, cardamom, and smoldering woods—igniting the senses like a love affair.

Its velvety texture is infused with shea butter and vitamin E.

Each application envelops skin in hydration, leaving hands soft and supple.

Dermatologist-tested and utterly addictive.

Cozy Vanilla Almond Gentle & Clean Foaming Hand Soap

Price: $15

Vanilla orchid.

Sugared almonds.

A whisper of sweet musk.

This hand soap is a gentle cleanse made with natural oils, vitamin E, shea, and aloe leaving hands soft and nourished.

The light foam lathers up quickly with its formula.

Lavender Vanilla Travel Size Ultimate Hydration Body Cream

Price: $15

This lavender vanilla body cream cocoons in 24-hour hydration and a heavenly aromatic haze.

Rich butters and oils like shea, cocoa, and vitamin E melt into a creamy formula that sinks in with a lavender vanilla fragrance that’s unbelievably dreamy.

No parabens or artificial dyes are added, just clean, dermatologist-tested ingredients.

Even the bottle gets an eco-conscious thumbs up with 82% recycled plastic.

Cinnamon Spiced Vanilla Single Wick Candle

Price: $30

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of sugar and spice wafting through the air—unless, of course, that spice comes from this cinnamon vanilla candle.

With notes of fresh cinnamon, sugar crystals, and Tahitian vanilla bean, this soy wax blend candle smells so warm you might mistake it for a fresh-baked treat.

Burning for up to 50 hours, this spiced vanilla candle creates an atmosphere so nostalgic you may never want to leave home.

So go ahead, light a wick, and chill.

Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Wash

Price: $31

This warm vanilla sugar body wash is a fragrance blend of creamy vanilla, white orchids, sugar crystals, fresh jasmine, and sandalwood’s sultry embrace.

Lush and velvety, like sinking into a plush cashmere blanket, this body wash melts away life’s stresses.

Yet its delights are guilt-free, infused with pro-vitamin B5 and soothing aloe to reward your skin.

Rose Vanilla Body and Massage Oil

Price: $37

Last but not least, prepare to swoon over this rose vanilla body and massage oil.

Inspired by romance, the floral and vanilla notes envelop you in a close-knit embrace.

It’s made using nourishing oils and butters—including rose essential oil, vitamin E, shea, and argan.

Quick-absorbing with a dry finish, the lightweight formula leaves no uncomfortable greasy residue.

Simply massage it in for long-lasting hydration, or use it to set the mood for a relaxing couple’s rubdown.

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