You Can Afford to Travel Cheap in 2023!

Believe it or not, you can travel from one country to another on a tight budget.

Learning how to travel within your budget is about taking advantage of useful websites and using different techniques that save you money. To help you enjoy your vacation, here are some ways to stretch your dollar when you travel.

#1: BE EQUIPPED WITH A PLAN

Coming up with a plan will help you maximize your budget, wherever you go. You do not have to be immensely strict with the day-to-day budget. However, you have to know how long you will be spending in each city or country, how much you can shell out, and how you will be able to get there. Leaving less to chance means fewer unexpected fees and last-minute bookings.

#2: CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION WISELY

Some places are usually much cheaper than others. Start by researching which places are doable to visit within your budget. Maybe it’s somewhere within Asia or somewhere that is easy to get to. You can also search for countries that would give you excellent value because of their exchange rate.

#3: STEER AWAY FROM TOURIST TRAPS

Big cities and tourist spots such as the Pyramids of Giza or Santorini are often more expensive than lesser-known destinations. Even within your destination, avoid restaurants on the main strip and try to eat something from the sidewalk. Seek help from the locals as they can give valuable advice.

#4: COOK YOUR OWN MEALS

The best way to save money while in a different country is to cook your own meals. Whenever possible, you can spend a week’s worth of groceries and cook hearty meals with your partner or kids. Imagine how much you will save if you skip on restaurants when you travel to expensive destinations like Iceland and Norway.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Pro Tip: You can save even more money by booking your flights using a VPN, switching the incognito mode, or after deleting your cookies.

#5: BE SMART WITH ACCOMODATIONS

Trade lavish hotel suites for rooms in hostels. Sharing a room divides the costs between you and your friends or family. Moreover, having communal areas will allow you to meet more people. Websites such as CouchSurfing and Airbnb provide an inexpensive option for travelers. Your host can be your gateway to insider-tips for the best eateries and tourist attractions in that neighborhood.

#6: BOOK IN ADVANCE

It goes without saying that booking in advance is usually cheaper than last-minute bookings. Prices increase, the closer you get to your departure date. Accommodation, air fares, and activities can have deals and early bird rates.

#7: USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Buses and trains cost less than travelling everywhere by cabs. A journey overnight on a train also means that you have one less night in a hotel or hostel to pay for. Transportation passes such as Eurail Pass (Europe) and JR Pass (Japan) can help you save money during your travel. If you are travelling around the area for a while, passes such as this can be significantly more inexpensive than just booking individual trips.

#8: PACK THOUGHTFULLY

One of the most valuable tips for travelling on a budget is to take only what you need. If you forget something, it could cost more money to buy that essential missing item. So, list down what you need and review your baggage list. Pack light whenever possible because additional baggage can cost you more. For instance, Singapore Airlines can charge you anywhere between S$6 to S$225 for additional baggage.  Do you want to pay for that?

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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How to Juggle the Countless Demands at Work and Home

No matter how exhausted you are by the time you get off work, you still have to cook dinner, help with homework, and answer emergency calls. On top of this, you need to manage your bills and spend quality time with your family. Constantly shifting gears to keep up with the demands of work and home can be stressful.

If you are under a lot of stress, it may start to drain you both physically and emotionally. High stress can lead to headaches, back pain, muscle aches, and stomach aches. Moreover, you may suffer from poor sleep, lack of concentration, and low morale.

Take care of your overall health and wellbeing by finding a good balance between your work and home responsibilities. Here are some tips that can help:

#1: SEEK HELP

Do not be afraid to ask your co-workers, partner, and family members for help. Share the household chores with your partner or older children. Even younger children can set the table or sweep the dust. Working as a team can ease your worries.

#2: SET BOUNDARIES

Boundaries are important to keep your sanity. Learn how to say “no” when tasks are not realistic for you to fulfill at work. Be careful not to promise more than what you can deliver. Make it clear that if you work on another project, you may have to push back the deadline on the current project. Setting your priorities at home can support the fulfillment of your tasks at work.

#3: TIME YOURSELF

Perfection is impossible, but you can maximize your time. Spend a week writing down everything you do from your job to your personal life. Once you have finished this list, you will have a comprehensive and surprising perspective of where your time goes. Cut down on the unnecessary and change it for the better.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: BE PRESENT

As much as people strive for the perfect work-life balance, it is never going to happen. It is much more achievable to focus on the present situation. Some days you will focus more on work, some days you will spend more time with your family—and that’s completely acceptable!

A tip I got from a recent workshop I attended is to be fully immersed with the environment where you are standing. If you are standing in your kitchen, be present with your family.

#5: STAY HEALTHY

To be able to give your optimum performance, you must be healthy. Eat a balanced diet and do not skip meals. Steer away from junk food and welcome regular exercise into your daily routine. Manage stress by enjoying a little quiet time.

Whether you like to listen to Jazz music or read a few pages of a book before sleeping, be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. Don’t sacrifice rest just to accomplish more tasks. I know! It’s easier said than done.

#6: EASE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

We all want to be the most attentive partner to our spouse, the most helpful parent to our child, and the most competent employee in our organization. As painful as this might sound, we cannot always do our best in everything. Try to use self-compassion when this happens.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Allow yourself to think this: “The world won’t fall apart if I do not do everything I am supposed to do today. I can accept doing a little less.”

Soures: 1 & 2

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Changi Airport T3 has Rilakkuma-themed carnival with fun rides and insta-worthy photo spots from now till 1 May 2023

Changi Airport has transformed into a tropical paradise with the launch of Rilakkuma’s Vacation Adventure, an interactive experience featuring the beloved bear and his friends. From now until 3 May, visitors can enjoy a beary relaxing holiday with Rilakkuma and friends at Terminal 3 Departure Hall.

Get ready for a beary fun time as you step into the Departure Hall of Terminal 3 at Changi Airport. Rilakkuma and friends are waiting to take you on a whimsical adventure through a bustling carnival filled with pastel hues and exciting rides. Take a break from the ordinary and let your imagination run wild on the Samba Balloon ride or the Ferris Wheel near Central Immigration. Swing by Check-in Row 11 for a spin on the Swing Chair and Tea Cup rides, and experience the joy of being a kid again.

Go for a spin in any of the Rilakkuma-themed carnival rides at T3’s Departure Hall.

But that’s not all – the first 3,000 lucky carnival-goers will receive an exclusive Rilakkuma souvenir card designed specially for Changi Airport. This nifty card doubles as a bookmark, making it the perfect memento to take home and remember your beary fun day at the carnival.


The experience includes interactive installations, photo spots, and adorable Rilakkuma merchandise, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the world of Rilakkuma. The vacation adventure is a perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and soak in the laid-back vibes of a tropical paradise.

Visitors can snap a photo with their favorite characters and create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. The interactive experience is suitable for all ages and promises to be a fun-filled adventure for the whole family.

In addition to the interactive installations and photo spots, visitors can also shop for adorable Rilakkuma merchandise at the pop-up store located within the experience. From plush toys to stationery, there is something for everyone to take home as a memento of their beary relaxing holiday at Changi Airport.

So why wait? Pack your bags and head down to Terminal 3 Departure Hall to experience Rilakkuma’s Vacation Adventure for yourself. The experience is only available until 3 May, so don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy a beary relaxing holiday with Rilakkuma and friends at Changi Airport.

For more information of this event, visit www.changiairport.com/rilakkuma

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7 Simple Ways to Stay Positive at Work

Psychology defines attitude as a set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviors toward a particular object, person, or event. It involves a person’s perspective or mindset.

What does it mean to have a positive attitude at work?

There are times when it is crucial to have a positive mindset at work. Whether you are meeting with difficult clients or giving an important presentation to your supervisors, you need to solve problems with zestiness to arrive at a beneficial outcome.

Having and practicing a positive attitude is not about being blindly optimistic or avoiding negative scenarios. Instead, it means being realistic about people and situations at work, while acknowledging both failures and successes. With a positive attitude, setbacks are not interpreted as a sign to give up because they motivate the person to begin improvement and problem solving.

When you feel exhausted or disappointed because of constant work-related failures, it is harder to keep a positive attitude. Thus, you have to learn strategies to maintain a positive attitude at work. Maintaining this will enable you to stay productive, motivate others, and achieve your organization’s goals.

#1: INTERACT WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE

It only takes a few rotten apples to spoil the barrel. Surrounding yourself with co-workers who complain about everything can make you see the world in a different light. You might think that radiating your positivity can help change them, but that is not always the case. It is best to surround yourself with positive people.

Connect with people who ignite innovative ideas, enjoy their tasks, and who are interested in many things outside of work.

#2: ALTER YOUR VOCABULARY

Your overall work attitude can improve by adjusting your vocabulary. Consider replacing negative words with positive words in conversations and performance appraisals. Let your team members know what they are doing right and how they can improve in other areas rather than only focusing on what they are doing incorrectly.

#3: FOCUS ON THE SOLUTIONS

Focusing on the solutions will enable you to think of the best ways to address an issue. If you feel that a co-worker is not contributing to the team, consider assigning the person to a new task or offering one-on-one coaching.

#4: SMILE MORE

Smiling more often may improve your mood, according to studies. It can also help clients and co-workers feel more comfortable when interacting with you. Make an effort to smile several times throughout your workday.

#5: SHOW YOUR GRATITUDE

Appreciating others and extending your gratitude are priceless gestures that can impact a person. Selfless acts of kindness most often result in appreciation from your co-workers or your boss, which can make you both feel good. For instance, you can give a card or a simple gift to your co-worker who recently got married.

#6: REWARD YOURSELF

As much as you appreciate others, you must also reward yourself. Improve your attitude while at work by rewarding yourself when you attain milestones or small wins. For instance, you can take yourself out to your favorite restaurant after accomplishing a certain number of tasks throughout the week. Doing something you love can help motivate you to continue working.

#7: TAKE (MUCH NEEDED) BREAKS

Taking breaks during the day can help lessen stress and negativity. Go for a short walk during your lunch break or do some light stretches when you have time. To ensure that you have more time to slow down at the end of your shift, consider completing your complex tasks earlier in the day.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If you are feeling immensely stressed, it may be beneficial to your mental health to take a day off work.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Financial Challenges of Wedding Preparation and How to Overcome Them

Weddings are notoriously known for being expensive and stressful.

Be prepared to plan for a year for an event that will happen instantly in a day. The possible options are overwhelming! Not to mention, countless wedding vendors are vying for your attention. You might want to brace yourself, because the average cost of a wedding in Singapore ranges between S$22,200 and S$52,800.

During the process of wedding planning, engaged couples often make financial mistakes that affect their future. Here’s how you can avoid these common financial challenges.

#1: NOT SETTING BOUNDARIES FROM THE GET-GO

Failure to discuss your financial boundaries can affect your other wedding decisions. The decision to unite as a family isn’t merely about spending the rest of your lives with your true love. It is also about the practical areas of building a future. You need to either rent a flat or buy a flat. Do you plan to have a baby in the next five years? Do you want to travel to Europe for your honeymoon?

It is important for couples to discuss the specifics and mutually agree on a financial plan. Know which funds are “ours”, “yours”, and “mine”. Decide which expenses should be paid for by the “ours” bucket (e.g., venue rental) and which part should come out from your “mine” bucket (e.g., wedding gift to your partner).

#2: BEING TRAPPED BY THE CONTRACTS

Let’s face it – weddings are a lucrative business! The contracts you have with the suppliers are binding. So, don’t simply sign on the dotted line without asking questions. Studying the contract will enable you to bargain strategically. For instance, you can remove unnecessary inclusions such as upgraded linens for VIP guests.

Some contracts leave you financially responsible for empty rooms and chairs that you reserved for the event. This added expense can create a hole in your pocket. Be sure to read the contracts thoroughly.

#3: INVITING PEOPLE OUT OF OBLIGATION

It’s easy to get into the mindset of having to invite everyone from your secondary school friends to your second cousin whom you have not seen in a decade, but having a huge guest list may turn out to be a big financial mistake. As uncomfortable a conversation may be, you must decide together to only extend an invite to those people who you really want to be at your wedding.

Set clear rules about your guest list such as “no kids” or “no plus ones”. With fewer people, you will be able to maximize your wedding budget and assign your funds to more key areas including catering and venue rental. Best of all? You will only be celebrating this special occasion with the ones closest to you.

#4: FAILURE TO FACTOR IN THE UNEXPECTED EXPENSES

You have booked and paid for the flowers, venue, photographer, and catering. Everything on your list is accomplished and small details have been polished. However, unexpected expenses can come on the day itself. While paying for an extra person might not break the bank, before you know it, you receive a bill that you did not foresee. Thus, it is important to create some wiggle room and be ready for unexpected expenses.

#5: SPENDING MORE THAN WHAT YOU HAVE

Common wedding expenses that you must prepare for include

a. ROM and solemnisation fees,
b. Venue rental and banquet,
c. Photographer and videographer, as well as
d. Wedding party entertainment.

Many engaged couples splurge on their wedding because of this mindset – you only get married once. Coming from someone who has recently had her civil marriage ceremony, I am now planning to have our Church wedding ceremony. Sometimes, you do not get married once. Moreover, going into debt to wed is never the right foot to start your marriage on.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Having a realistic wedding budget can help you stay within your limits. Have a firm idea of how much money is available for your wedding. Then, create a wish list of the things that you would like to have. Prioritize your list while taking your current financial situation into consideration. There are no wrong or right priorities, just preferences to complete your special day!

Sources: 1 & 2

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