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Travel Thursday: 3D2N Itinerary to Miri, Malaysia at $204.20/pax (flights + hotel)

Labor Day’s approaching, right?

Have you had your holiday plans set yet?

If not, let me warmly welcome you to this new Travel Thursday series where I bring you a FREE itinerary planned by yours truly.

In this “first episode”, we will look at a 3D2N itinerary to Miri, Malaysia.

We love Malaysia, don’t we? But when trips to Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur get a little repetitive, why not give other cities a go? And that’s why I’ve decided on Miri for us.

Since Labor Day falls on 1 May, a Monday, this itinerary’s prices will be based on research done for 29 April to 1 May 2023 (2-to-go):

AirAsia flights, round trip for 2 pax: $347.40 ($173.70/pax)

Ajang Hotel (superior queen with city view): $61 including taxes ($30.50/pax)

Agoda and ShopBack have a collaboration that could get you up to 15% off so you might want to check that out before booking:

Total: $173.70 + $30.50 = $204.20/pax

Prices reflected are accurate at the time of writing.

29 April 2023, Saturday

Flight: AirAsia

7.15 am Reach Singapore Changi Airport T4 for check-in

10.15 am Flight to Miri

12.15 pm Touch down at Miri Airport

Hotel: Ajang Hotel

1.15 pm Grab/take a taxi to Ajang Hotel

Address: Jalan Sri Dagang, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

1.45 pm Reach Ajang Hotel (estimated time is about 20 minutes but that depends on the traffic too)

Image Credits: ajang-hotel-miri-my.booked.net

Check-in is at 3 pm. So if early check-in is unavailable, leave your luggage and bring your valuable belongings along because it’s time for late lunch.

Late lunch: Restoran Ayam Penyet Ria

There are various options around the hotel but you can try Restoran Ayam Penyet Ria, which is just right beside the entrance of Ajang Hotel.

You should already be starving by now, no need to walk so far lah, hor?

*Plan ahead*

After lunch, you may want to head to Lemongrass Family Reflexology & Spa (Permaisuri) to book an appointment for a massage session tomorrow night (30 April) so you can be guaranteed a spot.

The massage shop has gotten pretty good reviews and it’s just a 3-minute walk from Ajang Hotel. Good choice!

3 pm Check-in, freshen up, and rest a little.

4 pm Take a 3-minute walk to Miri Waterfront to snap some pictures of the iconic seahorse-looking sculpture.

Image Credits: Adrian Lunsong on Google Reviews

4.30 pm Grab or hop on an 8-minute ride to Coco Cabana

Address: Lot 2260, Jln Bandaraya, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

Coco Cabana is one of the top sights in Miri with a 4.4 rating from over 4,500 reviews on Google. It’s certainly worth your time.

Image Credits: Ariel Abriam on Google Reviews

There’s also another seahorse-looking sculpture here at Coco Cabana. Walk around Miri Marina, Miri Central Park, and Marina Bay Park and catch the sunset before grabbing dinner.

Dinner: Wondering Seafood Restaurant

7 pm Head to Wondering Seafood Restaurant about an 11-minute walk from Marina Bay Park.

It can get quite packed in the evening when people start having dinner so you might want to make a reservation first or reach earlier to chope seats yeah.

9 pm Take a 10- to 15-minute walk to Miri Times Square for some pictures and to digest your hearty seafood dinner.

Image Credits: marinaparkcity.com

Watsons and Guardian are available nearby Miri Times Square so you can grab some essentials there.

Food all digested and ready for round 2? Let’s go!

Walk to Recharge Fried Chicken & Beer Cafe within Miri Times Square for some Korean-style food with beer and/or soju.

11 pm Cab back to Ajang Hotel and rest for the day.

30 April 2023, Sunday

All rested from the fatigue from day 1?

Rise and shine, it’s time for day 2.

9 am Breakfast at Hainan Cafe or Wang Sing Cafe. Both eateries are located right behind Ajang Hotel so you will be there in a minute.

Image Credits: See Fong Jong on Google Reviews

10 am Two routes for you to choose from: local markets or shopping malls

If you prefer that local vibe, you may want to check out 2 local markets: Miri Central Market (a 9-minute walk from Hainan Cafe) and Tamu Muhibbah (another 9-minute walk from Miri Central Market).

If you prefer the aircon and shopping mall vibe, then you can consider Permaisuri Imperial City Mall and Bintang Megamall (both are within a 15-minute walk from Hainan Cafe).

12 pm Lunch time! Your lunch place will depend on where you go, whether it’s the markets or the shopping malls. More options at the shopping malls of course.

Or since there’s ample time, you can visit both the local markets and shopping malls!

4 pm Take an 8-minute ride from Bintang Megamall to Saberkas Night Market.

The night market opens at 4 pm according to Google so you will reach just in time for pasar malam snacks and dinner.

Image Credits: جسمي jasmi aris on Google Reviews

6.30 pm Walk about 15 minutes to the nearest Boulevard Shopping Mall for some final shopping/more food before heading back to your hotel area for your spa/massage session.

9 pm Reach Lemongrass Family Reflexology & Spa (Permaisuri) and enjoy your session!

11 pm Head back to Ajang Hotel to pack up and rest.

1 May 2023, Sunday

Happy Labor Day!

It’s your final day here at Miri. Boohoo.

But it’s time to prep for check-out so rise and shine!

7 am Leave for Miri Airport

7.30 am Reach Miri Airport, check-in and have breakfast.

9.55 am AirAsia flight to Singapore

11.55 am Reach Singapore

Time to gear yourself ready to go back to the daily grind on 2 May 😉

Benefits & Drawbacks of Using Cash Versus Credit Cards in Singapore

KEY HIGHLIGHTS
a. Paying with cash can encourage mindful spending, as it lacks the convenience that credit cards have.
b. Credit cards have security features and a rewards program, which cash does not have.
c. Interest charges and late payment fees can pile up if you don’t pay off your credit card balance on time.

With the easing of travel restrictions, you are hearing more family and friends discuss their latest holiday plans. Some may even brag about the “free upgrades” they received on flights and hotels by using their credit cards’ miles and accumulated points.

If you are feeling tempted to get a credit card to reap its benefits when you travel, remember to do your own due diligence, and understand the pros and cons of using credit cards versus cash. Both credit cards and cash are widely accepted as payment methods in Singapore. It is imperative that you weigh your options and consider your spending habits, before deciding.

BENEFITS OF USING CREDIT CARDS

#1: UNDENIABLE CONVENIENCE

Credit cards allow you to make purchases without carrying cash, which can be more convenient when you need to make large purchases. You do not need to worry about queues at the ATM, or whether you have enough cash in your wallet. Simply swipe the card anytime and anywhere.

#2: REWARDS AND PROMOTIONS

Many credit cards offer promotions and rewards such as cashback, discounts, and points. You can earn rewards by swiping your card for everyday purchases, which can help you save money in the long run. If you play your cards right, you could be one of those people who fly for “free” due to their air miles redemptions. Imagine boarding the plane and redeeming the staycation of your dreams, without any additional spending on top of your usual expenses!

#3: SECURITY FEATURES

Credit cards come with fraud protection features such as receiving a notification for each transaction. This means that if your card is stolen or used illegally, you won’t be liable for charges. Call the credit card issuer immediately to inform them of any unauthorized transaction. Moreover, you can cancel a credit card if it is lost or stolen.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

In contrast, cash does not give consumer protection against fraud and theft. In the unfortunate event that your wallet is stolen, all the cash inside would certainly be gone.

BENEFITS OF USING CASH

#1: NO FEES

While having a credit card does make purchases in foreign currencies seamless, they tend to come with relatively high foreign exchange fees and unfavorable foreign exchange rates. When you use cash, you do not have to fret about paying fees or interest. Furthermore, some retailers offer devices that are cheaper when purchased in cash.

#2: SPENDING CONTROL

At one point or another, you have probably gone down the rabbit hole of splurging on an item that costs more than your budget. When this happens, sticking to your available cash will be your best bet to stay within your means. Using cash can enable you to track your spending and avoid overspending. With a limited amount of cash in your wallet, you are more likely to think twice before making a purchase.

#3: WIDELY ACCEPTED

While credit cards are widely accepted in Singapore, there are still some places where you can only pay with cash. Small local businesses, hawker centres, or street vendors may opt for cash transactions.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

The choice between credit cards and cash comes down to your financial situation and personal preference. If you value convenience, rewards, and security, a credit card may be a better choice. However, if you prefer mindful spending and avoiding fees and hidden charges, then cash may be the way to go.

Sources:1,2, & 3

Simple ways to save money every month starting today

I’ll splurge today and save tomorrow.

Sounds familiar?

But having the mindset of doing things “later” almost always turns into “never.”

And if that’s you, this post is for you.

Automate savings

I don’t automate savings because I don’t see the need to.

But those with a fixed paycheck and on rather fixed pay dates may find it useful.

For instance, DBS has this eMySavings Account which promises “higher interest when you save more each month.”

You can save any amount from S$50 to S$3,000 and edit the amount and crediting date anytime via the digibank app.

Not bad.

Or you can…

Use an Excel sheet

I used to spend money without thinking much about tomorrow.

But then having to repay a student loan got me into being more sensitive to the ins and outs of money management.

And speaking of repaying loans, you may be interested in this article I wrote 2 days back:

A student’s guide to navigating student loan repayment

Okay, self-promo’s over. Let’s get back.

I may be far from the money gurus out there but this method has gotten me quite far: using an Excel sheet to track salary and spending.

I have just one monthly log and two main tabs: spending & calorie count. Yep, TMI but I do track my daily calorie intake too.

Every dollar and cent that goes out goes into my spending tab. So whether I’ve topped out my EZ-link card or bought a McDonald’s vanilla ice cream cone, it gets tracked.

At the end of the day, I tally my spending to make sure it says within my daily budget.

No choice, got to do this when you’re not rich.

Review at the end of each month

My Excel sheet refreshes every month, so I get a fresh document ready to track every last day of each month.

At the same time, I’ll be able to see at a glance the total I’ve spent and how much I’ve left.

I used to “roll over” the remaining amount to the next month so I can have more money to spend at the start of each month (especially with bills to pay).

But now, I’ve decided to just shift the “leftover” amount to my savings account instead, since I have other financial commitments ahead of me.

I’ve used this method for years and it’s working very well.

I like how it’s not too complicated and that’s why I’m sharing it with you. It’s simple to implement and doesn’t take a lot of time to track.

Tip: Get the Google Sheets app on your phone so you can always input it right there and then you make a payment.

Using this method, you won’t ever get to the point where you wonder, oops, what happened to my salary?

For folks who want to go a step further, you can break down the spending into various categories, whether it’s bills, transportation, or lifestyle/entertainment costs.

I have never exceeded my budget and it takes a hell lot of discipline.

But if you’re the complete opposite, then maybe having sub-categories would make sense. When the time comes for you to make adjustments, you can straightaway identify the categories that are taking up waaay too much of your budget, and make the decision to cut back wherever necessary.

Or you can try using the newly launched Budgeting tool from OCBC to sync up your spending and paycheck.

Be a little aunty when it comes to coupons and discount codes

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a little kiasu when it comes to getting the best deals.

Every dollar you save adds up and the aunty in you will thank you.

I’m not a very outgoing person so staying at home works for me most of the time. But if you’re always meeting friends and having lots of gatherings to go to, take advantage of coupons, discount codes, and even existing brand loyalty programs.

Some brands may not offer much but as I like to put it: it adds up.

For example, Shopee has this daily cashback voucher (usually a higher percentage on weekends) that allows you to earn cashback coins on most purchases.

There’s also a daily app “check-in system” that allows you to earn FREE coins so you can accumulate and use them on your next cart out.

And for bubble tea lovers, the KOI card offers “leaves” for your top-ups and drinks purchases so you can use it to claim a FREE topping, 1-for-1 drinks at times, and more! There are also birthday privileges on your birthday month. The same goes for the Starbucks card.

And when it comes to local deals, don’t forget to follow the Money Digest Facebook page for all the juicy deals my fellow editors are curating daily 😉

Saving money really doesn’t have to be that difficult. Find a routine that works for you and build on it gradually. Don’t get overly ambitious right from the get-go because a complete change to everything rarely works. You won’t last. Period. So as we close, the main takeaways from this article are: automate, track, review, and be a little aunty with discounts. Now, go feed your bank.

Doing things alone is not that scary. Or is it?

I’ve heard many people telling me:

“Doing things alone? So lonely leh.”

But my stance is, why not?

Doing things alone is not that scary, at least for me. But most significantly, it brings about a range of benefits that would make you wish you’d started earlier.

Peace with yourself

I’m kinda on the extreme side so I’ll try to tone things down just for this article.

I mean, I am almost 99% against doing things with someone else because being alone is so liberating.

Call it inner peace or whatever you like, I find myself better able to tune in to my thoughts when I’m on my own. Being with another person can be fun for some, but when it comes to decision-making, the pressure to “heed” someone else’s advice is suffocating.

Outer pressures are so not my thing. If you like that top, or that pants, or have ice kachang for breakfast, then just do it. Why hesitate because of a passing comment or feedback that shouldn’t matter?

The freedom is unmatched

I sound like a loner but don’t get me wrong.

Wait, what’s wrong with being a loner? Ha!

The freedom that comes with being alone and doing things alone is unrivaled. You make the call, do something new, arrive at decisions out of your comfort zone, and just live life on your terms.

Trust me, there are mental health benefits to it. Yes, being sociable has its fair share of advantages too. But being surrounded by people all the time makes you immune to things. Maybe you’ve been a follower all your life, but having a buddy who has exceptional “leadership qualities” has had you slump into being an extreme follower.

Maybe you think that there’s nothing wrong with that but look at it in hindsight, that’s probably the reason why you haven’t been able to go out and do things alone. It’s scary because you’ve been a “follower” all your life. It’s better to let someone else lead the way, take the initiative, and whatever BS.

This has to stop.

Start traveling the world solo

Reminds me of BLACKPINK Jennie’s ‘SOLO’.

A little out of context but the chorus is so fitting.

You shine when you go solo. And that’s so liberating. The best part? You get to take on solo trips abroad, breaking past the walls of our little red dot. No more waiting for friends to match their annual leave to go on vacation together.

I’ve written an entirely separate post on the magic of solo traveling 3 days ago:

Discover the magic of solo traveling

Click through to read if you’re interested.

You’re welcome.

You only stand to gain from being alone

I’m not going to lie, being alone for the first time (or the first few times) can be quite scary. But after X times, I’m immune to those stares.

I’m not asking you to sever ties with your pals and just be that loner no one wants to talk to. I’m asking you to give it a try if you’re so used to doing things in pairs or groups.

Taking a break from social interactions can be healthy. You know the sort that shoots out negative comments with their ever-toxic mind and mouth? Gossiping can be fun but give it an overdose and you can’t wait to leave that gathering.

And as we’re approaching the end of this post, just know that being alone is not sad or pathetic. It’s your social cells screaming:

“Give me a break, can?”

Doing things alone is not that scary. Or is it? Only you can give yourself an honest response after you’ve tried and tested it. Give yourself an opportunity to break away from being a follower (or a leader) in a group setting, and the need to ponder over other people’s opinions on your decisions. Take the time to please yourself and not go with the flow for once (or twice, or many times) and you will probably not look back ever again.

Maintaining the dignity of your elderly parents when caring for them is a thing

I’m not a caregiver, I’ll put it upfront.

At least not for now.

But as a writer well-versed in various topics, I’ve done my fair share of research about the elderly, and one of the main topics that popped up in my mind was dignity.

Oxford Languages defined “dignity” as:

The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.

As our parents age and require more care, some of us end up transitioning to primary caregiver roles. If you’ve yet to, have you thought about the issue of dignity? How can we take care of our elderly parents without robbing them of their dignity?

Respectful communication

Folks who’ve been following my articles here on Money Digest for quite a while now, you would have realized that I talk about communication a lot.

Words have meaning and I believe that everything can be solved if people are just willing to communicate (and change, of course).

And so when it comes to maintaining the dignity of your parents, I think it’s crucial not to talk down to them, as if they are kids. Yes, their actions might have turned kiddish, but it’s not like they have chosen to.

And wherever possible, involve your parents in the decision-making process. This will preserve their sense of autonomy, knowing that they have some form of control over what happens in their lives.

Personal boundaries at home

Image Credits: goodrx.com

Primary caregivers usually live with their parents and being 24/7 around them can be quite a pain.

We’re human beings and it’s normal to be stressed out by the responsibilities on our shoulders, more so if we have to juggle between work, dating/marriage, and family.

But just as you require your personal space at times, your elderly parents do too. Yes, I know you may be worried that they might fall while doing things on their own, hurting themselves and causing more “trouble” for you, but this is one thing you should compromise on when it comes to dignity.

And you should also respect their possessions. I’m not talking about hogging here. Hogging stuff is an entirely different issue and can cause hazards so that’s a no-no. I’m referring to their sentimental possessions—maybe old photos, keepsakes, or other valuable items. Always ask before you take. If you have to go through their belongings.

The privacy side of things

I like to put it this way: Do things that you would like others to do to you.

Maybe mom or dad requires some help with daily living, for example, showering. Even if you are their flesh and blood, it’s still hard to be naked in front of one’s adult children.

They are likely to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable with needing help from the children they once could care for. So if need be, leave it to other healthcare providers or see if you can meet halfway with the help of some bathroom remodeling, bath tools, and technology.

Consider nursing/old folks home or care options

Maybe some of you out there think is unfilial to send your parents to a nursing/old folks home.

But I beg to differ.

If your budget allows and you want a better parent-child relationship in the long run (lesser fights), there’s nothing wrong with such an arrangement.

In fact, your parents might enjoy their time there, having activities to look forward to and friends of similar ages to jiak kopi with. Most importantly, the professionals there probably know more than you do.

Or if not, you can consider care options like Homage.

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A post shared by Homage (@homagecare)

With various services available, including home care and nursing, you can pay as you go (prices start from $25/hour) or buy a prepaid package (from $220/10 hours).

Full pricing here: homage.sg/pricing

We are all at different life stages and I can’t say for sure that I’m 100% confident in maintaining the dignity of my parents while caring for them in their later years. But one thing is for sure: I would want my future kids/humans to respect me if I am unable to care for myself one day. So put yourself in your parent’s shoes and treat them the way you want to be treated.