Satisfy Your Bubble Tea Cravings in These 5 Stores

Did you know that Southeast Asians spend about US$3.66 billion (i.e., S$5.1 billion) on bubble tea annually?

The Singapore-headquartered venture outfit Momentum Works and digital payments solution firm qlub’s report showed that the average price of bubble tea in Singapore is double that of the other countries in the region. The Lion City has the highest spending power despite its relatively small population.

The study gave valuable insights on the business dynamics behind bubble tea in Southeast Asia. It highlighted its largest market in the region, which is Indonesia. Indonesia had about US$1.6 billion annual turnover. Thailand came in second with US$749 million across more than 31,000 bubble tea stores and other retail channels. Vietnam ranked third with US$362 million. While Singapore came in fourth place at US$342 million. Lastly, the study found that Taiwanese and homegrown brands have “long dominated” the Southeast Asian bubble tea market.

Food trends may come and go, but our craving for sweets remains. There is a good chance that you have tried at least a couple of drinks from bubble tea stalls in Singapore, especially because of its convenience and prominence. Happy hormones sure know how to become more active when they encounter bubble tea.

On that note, here are some of the most delicious bubble tea offerings in town. Apologies in advance if you get addicted to bubble tea.

#1: THE ALLEY

Fans of brown sugar can search no further than The Alley. The Alley offers flavorful drinks with its matcha and cocoa options. If you prefer fruit teas, you can try the Lulu series of strawberry or orange infusions. Alternatively, you may opt to take an IG-worthy shot with its Aurora line of vibrant goodness.

Image Credits: facebook.com/singapore.thealley

The Alley is available in multiple locations including Jewel Changi Airport and Clementi.

#2: HEYTEA

Experience the appeal of sweet and savory mixtures once you taste Heytea’s cheese foam and tea options. Heytea also sells an array of fruit teas and unique ice cream flavors such as salted egg yolk.

Image Credits: facebook.com/HEYTEASG

Heytea is available on multiple locations including Westgate and ION Orchard.

#3: PLAYMADE

Playmade offers contemporary teas and the classics such as green tea lattes and Earl Grey milk teas. Aside from your regular tapioca pearls, Playmade introduces quirky toppings such as pearls in pink cactus, black sesame, burnt caramel and chrysanthemum varieties. As the name suggests, Playmade plays with flavors and creativity to bring twists to the bubble teas.

Image Credits: facebook.com/playmadeonezo

Playmade is available on multiple locations including Chinatown Point and Tiong Bahru.

#4: GONG CHA

When you crave bubble tea and you need instant gratification, Gong Cha is one of your best bets. With its several locations scattered in the country, Gong Cha brings familiarity with taste and consistency. Its bestsellers include Earl Grey milk tea, mango green tea and alisan milk tea, among others.

Image Credits: facebook.com/gongchasg

Gong Cha is available on multiple locations including Funan and Bugis Junction.

#5: LIHO

Homegrown brand Liho offers cheese teas and other varieties of bubble tea. It still draws in a regular crowd and keeps things fresh with its limited-edition drinks and collaborations.

Image Credits: facebook.com/lihosg/photos

Liho is available in multiple locations including Raffles City and Suntec City

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

What Do We Expect to See from the iPhone 14 Models

Apple is set to unveil the newest iPhone models during its event on 7 September 2022. Analysts and Apple fans have been buzzing about this launch event dubbed “Far Out”. For those of you who are in the market for a new phone, should you buy a new device right now or wait for the iPhone 14?

THE RUMORED IPHONE 14 PRO MAX

It is expected that Apple will add another 6.7-inch iPhone to its lineup this year. This phone will reportedly be a bigger version of the standard iPhone 14. Adding another 6.7-inch phone to the lineup could diminish the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s appeal. Is it necessary? Keep in mind that consumers are cutting back on spending.

To make the iPhone 14 Pro Max stand out, it is rumored that it will have a higher resolution camera, a new processor, and a redesigned camera module on the front. However, those who love bigger displays won’t have to splurge on the Pro Max as Apple is expected to release a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max as well this year.

With inflation putting a dent in smartphone shipments, companies like Apple may have to work harder to convince its consumers to spend more money on high-end models.

DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN STANDARD AND PRO MODELS

If the rumors are true, iPhone 14 will have a new hole-punch and pill design for its camera module. This will be the first time Apple moves away from the iPhone X front-camera module look. The new design will be exclusive to the Pro models since the standard models will likely remain the same notch that iPhone 13 has. Analyst Ross Young also verifies this report.

A15 BIONIC CHIP FOR IPHONE 14 MODELS

Respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple might steer away from tradition this year by releasing some iPhone 14 models with the same A15 chip as the iPhone 13. The A16 chip is believed to be reserved for the more expensive models such as the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. As of now, it is unclear whether Apple will rebrand the A15 Bionic chip for the standard iPhone 14 phones or instead use the more powerful version found in iPhone 13 Pro.

UPGRADE ON THE FRONT-FACING CAMERA

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro will get a significant camera upgrade with the smartphone’s main sensor being improved to 48-megapixels. If this is accurate, this would be one of the biggest upgrades Apple has made to the iPhone in years.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

However, Gurman says that only the Pro models will get the 48-megapixel camera upgrade, while the standard iPhone 14 models will have the existing 12-megapixel main sensor. This is the same 12-megapixel main camera sensor since the release of iPhone 6s in 2015.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Read More...

Dealing with dishonesty: A parent’s guide to responding to a lying child

a mum talking to her daughter

You’ve just learned that your child has been lying to you.

Maybe they’ve been caught red-handed, or maybe you’ve just had a feeling for a while and pondered over what to do. Either way, it’s a challenging situation to deal with, and you’re not sure how to respond.

You’re not alone. Many parents find themselves in this situation, and it can be tough to know what the right thing to do is. In this post, we will share some tips on how to deal with dishonesty, and how to respond when your kids have been caught lying.

Understand why your child is lying

There could be various reasons why your child is lying, and it’s crucial to explore all of them. Maybe your child is lying to avoid getting into trouble, or maybe they’re trying to protect someone else. Or maybe they’re just trying to fit in and they think that lying is the only way to do so. No matter what the reason is, you should let your child know that you’re not going to tolerate it.

Decide whether or not to confront your child

Some parents choose to take a more passive approach, while others feel that a stern talking-to is the best way to go. There are pros and cons to both approaches, of course. But whichever route you choose, make sure you’re calm and collected when you talk to your child. Lying is bad, and you want to make sure your child understands that there are consequences for their actions.

Choose the best way to confront your child
a mum disciplining her son

Image Credits: drbeurkens.com

For one, don’t accuse your child of lying. This will only make them defensive and less likely to open up to you. Instead, try to focus on the facts of the situation and ask questions to help your child explain what happened.

In addition, don’t punish your child hastily for lying. This will only make them more likely to lie in the future. Rather, try to use the situation as an opportunity to teach your child about the consequences of lying and why it’s better to be truthful.

Be prepared for your child’s reaction

Chances are, they’re going to be upset, defensive, and maybe even angry. They may try to convince you that there’s no such thing as truth, or that lying is no big deal.

Don’t fall for it. Lying is a big deal, and it needs to be addressed. Stay calm and let your child know that you’re disappointed in their behavior. Let them know that they need to be honest from now on, or there will be consequences.

And then follow through with those consequences. Lying is a sign of a trust issue, and it needs to be tackled promptly. Be consistent in your parenting approach, and your child will learn that this is no laughing matter.

Help your child learn from their mistakes

This means that you need to react in a way that’s constructive and not just disciplinary. Yelling or grounding your child isn’t going to do anything to help them understand why they lied in the first place.

Instead, try to get to the root of the problem. Ask your child what made them feel like they needed to lie. What were they trying to protect themselves from? And most significantly, how can they make sure they don’t make the same mistake again? By helping your child learn from their mistakes, you’re setting them up for a future where honesty is paramount.

What do you do when you catch your child lying? This is a challenging question for any parent, as there are no easy answers. But we suggest that you stay calm and collected when you catch your child in a lie. Reacting in anger or disappointment will only make things worse. Get to the bottom of why your child lied in the first place. There could be several reasons, such as peer pressure, fear of punishment, or a desire to be seen in a favorable light. Whatever the reason, it’s wise to address the issue head-on and let your child know that dishonesty will not be tolerated.

Read More...

How to tactfully stall a job offer

a man holding a briefcase

You’ve just received an amazing job offer, but there’s a catch: you haven’t heard back from the other company you interviewed with and you’re waiting. What do you do?

You could politely decline the offer, but you’re not sure if the other company is going to get back. Well, it might be better to stall for a little bit until you hear back from the other company. Here are a few tips on how to do it diplomatically.

Explain that you need some time to think over it

When you receive a job offer, it’s always a good idea to take a few days to think it over before you make a decision. This gives you time to weigh your options and make sure that the offer is really what you want.

You can say something like, “Thank you for the offer. I appreciate it and I will need some time to consider it.” This shows the company that you’re serious about the position and that you’re not just going to accept any offer that comes your way.

Give a timeline for when you will be able to make a decision

After letting the employer know that you appreciate the offer and are grateful for their time, break the news that you are still waiting to hear back from another company. Explain that you will be in a position to decide within the next week or two.

Thank the hiring manager for their patience and understanding
a woman speaking on the phone

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Thank the company for their time and for considering you for the role. Let them know that you will be in touch soon. You could say something along the lines of: “I appreciate the offer and am grateful for your consideration. I am confident that I will be able to make a decision soon. Thank you once again for your time and effort.”

When you are ready, politely inquire if the offer is still on the table

When you’re ready, let them know and inquire if the offer is still on the table. Most likely, it will be, but you want to make sure before committing. This gives you a bit of leverage, so you can negotiate a higher salary or better benefits. And don’t forget to thank them for waiting and for the offer itself.

You’ve received an offer for a new job but you’re also waiting to hear back from another company. How do you stall the job offer without damaging your relationship with the potential employer? Well as we’ve mentioned above, explain that you need some time to think through it and give an estimated timeline of no more than two weeks. Express your gratefulness for the opportunity and respectfully ask if the job offer is still valid once you’re ready to move forward. As simple as that!

Read More...

How to teach your kids about money when you’re not great with it yourself

teaching kids about money

Let’s face it: when it comes to our finances, sometimes we’re not the best role models for our kids.

But that doesn’t mean they can’t learn about money from us. It just means we need to be a little more creative in teaching them.

Allow us to outline a few ways you can teach your kids about money, even if you’re not great with it yourself.

Talk about money openly

Speak with your kids about what you’re doing to get your finances in order, and ask them for their opinions. And while you’re working on your finances, be sure to model accountable behavior.

Show them the importance of working hard and understanding the value of a dollar. Kids are smart, and they will learn a lot just by watching you. So make sure to set a good benchmark, and they will be on the right track in no time.

Model saving and spending

If your kids see you routinely raiding your savings account, they’re going to get the impression that it’s okay to spend money carelessly. And that’s not the message you want to send.

On the other hand, if they see you carefully budgeting your money and setting aside a portion for savings, they’re going to learn that it’s crucial to be liable for their finances. So be a standard for your kids and show them how to handle money responsibly.

Help them set financial goals
a child smiling at the coins he saved

Image Credits: realsimple.com

One of the best ways to teach kids about money is to help them set financial goals. This could be anything from saving up for a new video game to putting away money for a university fund.

The key is to make the goals realistic and achievable. You don’t want to set your child up for disappointment by telling them they need to save up to $100,000 for a new car when they’re only 10 years old.

Start small and work your way up. Break down the destination into smaller steps, and make a plan of action that outlines how your child can reach their goal. Offer support and encouragement, and celebrate each accomplishment along the way.

Encourage kids to make mistakes with play money

You don’t want your kids to grow up making the same mistakes you did with your money, so what can you do? Encourage them to make mistakes—with play money, that is.

When they’re young, give them a bunch of fake money and let them experiment. Let them figure out how to save and how to spend, and how to make the right choices when it comes to their finances. It’s a safe way for them to learn, and it’s a lot of fun too.

Plus, it will teach them about responsibility. When they’re handling real money, they will be more careful with it because they know the consequences of making mistakes. So start early and let your kids learn about money in a fun and safe environment.

You’re not alone if you’re not great when it comes to money, but that doesn’t mean you can’t teach your kids how to handle their finances. Start by setting a good example yourself. Show your kids that you’re working hard and being responsible with your money. Then, talk to them about money. Explain what it is, how it works, and why it’s necessary to be smart with it. Finally, give them some hands-on experience with money. Help them open a savings account, or have them do chores in exchange for cash. By teaching them about money from an early age, you can help them avoid common financial mistakes in the future.

Read More...