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Fuel-saving tips as we start hitting the roads again

As Singapore moves into phase two starting 19 June, more of us are hitting the roads once again. Whether it’s to work, taking out our favourite local food, or visiting our loved ones, traffic’s going to be bustling again. If you have the privilege to continue owning a car this trying period for many, we’re truly glad for you.

However, we understand the costs that accompany car ownership in Singapore. Car insurance, servicing costs, and road tax are just some of the payments tagged to driving. Hence, we’ve curated a few fuel-saving tips to help you manage some of your expenses. As the saying goes, ‘habits maketh man’ (and women, of course) so read on and see if you can incorporate some changes to your driving style.

#1: GO EASY ON THE GAS PEDAL

If you’re feeling guilty just by reading our first tip, you’re probably not alone. Many drivers on the road seem to be having a racing competition. By that, I mean going full-on the gas pedal when the light turns green. Or suddenly braking on red lights or stop signs.

Presuming that you’ve been driving in this manner for years, it’s definitely tough to change since you’re already accustomed to this style. However, if you want to save some fuel, it’s time to start making changes. Gently step on the gas pedal to start moving and release it slowly when you want to stop. This will greatly reduce your fuel consumption and spending in the long run.

#2: REMOVE UNWANTED ITEMS

Were you expecting this fuel-saving tip? Maybe you think that the picnic mat left in the car a year ago won’t do much damage. But hold on to that mindset and you will realize that your car is currently like a dumping ground.

Apart from spring cleaning at home, do it for your car from time to time. You may be wondering why we’re advising you to do that. That’s simply because the heavier the car, the more energy it needs to get it moving. Just imagine how it was like to move around when you were at your heaviest. To make sure your car is consuming fuel at the right amount it should, start clearing and stop dumping.

#3: IDLE NOT WITH THE ENGINE ON

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Waiting for your significant other to knock off work? Or fetching the kids from their enrichment classes? Often times, we end up waiting for longer than we expect. If you think you’re going to wait in the car for more than five minutes, turn off the engine. Yes, even when you can’t bear to part with the air-conditioning.

Every minute you spend idling around with the engine on burns more fuel than you think. Restarting the engine consumes petrol of course, but you will save a whole lot more restarting, than idling for prolonged periods of time. Of course, be smart and roll down the windows first if you don’t want to open your car doors to allow air circulation.

#4: CHECK YOUR CAR’S TYRE PRESSURE

We pay little attention to our car’s tyre pressure most of the time. But it is recommended that you have it checked at least once a month. Refer back to your car manual to see the optimum tyre pressure for your car, which should be in the 32 to 35 psi range.

Staying in the recommended range is essential because low pressure will increase friction between your tyres and the road. You’ve probably recalled learning in school that energy is required to overcome friction. By now, you should know that any factor that requires energy equates to more fuel consumption. A little inspection will go a long way, my friends.

#5: SEND YOUR CAR FOR MAINTENANCE

Even if you have a can’t-be-bothered attitude, the least you can do is to send your car for regular servicing. Based on the experts, it’s best to send your car for routine servicing twice a year or at every 10,000km mileage interval. Parting with small money now will reap great benefits in the long haul. Be wise!

Products that may help you sleep better at night

Let’s face it. Apart from the warm weather that’s seemingly getting hotter, trying to sleep well during a pandemic is not an easy task. You may be facing a period of uncertainty due to a job loss or trying to strike a work-life balance at home. Longer screen exposures may also be the thief robbing you of some quality shut-eye.

Or maybe you’ve been suffering from insomnia for quite some time now and finding ways to not rely on that sleeping pill. We think you’re at the right place for we will share with you some products that may help you sleep better at night. It may not be foolproof for all, but give it a try and find out if it works for you.

#1: EYE MASK

Exposure to light at night affects your sleep cycle. This has something to do with melatonin, a hormone that directs your sleep-wake cycle. To aid your brain in producing more melatonin, which helps induce sleep, an eye mask might do the trick.

Other than purchasing, you can make your own blindfold using a bandana or cut out fabrics from old clothing. However, be careful not to put pressure on your eyes when wearing one so it doesn’t interfere with your rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep contributes to your learning ability, memory retainment, and mood regulation.

#2: ESSENTIAL OILS

Apart from blocking light, it’s also important to give some attention to your sense of smell. This is why some people prefer aromatherapy to directly consuming medicines. Some of the sleep-inducing essential oils you can try using are lavender, vanilla, rose, jasmine, and sandalwood.

Before you start using these oils, do a patch test to see if you’re allergic to it. Simply apply some diluted essential oil on your skin before heading to bed. If there is no skin irritation over 24 hours, then it’s probably safe to use on your body. However, always start with a small quantity to see how your body reacts to it. You can add it to your diffuser, self-made room spray, or directly on your body.

#3: CALM APP

For once, we’re asking you not to put your phone away… not until you’ve downloaded the Calm app. The Calm app is an award-winning app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation. It was Apple’s app of the year in 2017 and Google Play’s editor’s choice in 2018.

Backed by science and ongoing research, you can access a range of resources through the app. There are meditation guides, sleep stories, white noise playlists, and more. There’s no harm in giving the free trial a go and then decide later if you want to pay the subscription fee to continue using the service. If it works, take it as a sleep investment you’re spending on yourself.

#4: WEIGHTED BLANKET

Given Singapore’s summer season all year round, we probably don’t give much thought to the type of blankets we use. But I was spring cleaning recently and noticed holes on my knitted blanket. Time to get a new one, I thought. How about you? Is your 10-year blanket still doing okay or do you need a new snuggly companion?

If you’re thinking of purchasing a new piece, consider a weighted blanket. As the name suggests, it is supposed to be heavy and much effort is required while you’re making your bed. But the benefits outweigh the weight. It apparently helps reduce anxiety levels like you’re undergoing a ‘deep pressure therapy‘.

It has been tested via several studies and has yielded positive results amongst people with chronic insomnia and anxiousness. Recall seeing babies sleeping with a bean bag on their bodies or have personally experienced that before? That’s the concept.

#5: EARPLUGS

If you’re the sort that gets affected by even the lowest level of noises, earplugs would be your saviour. It doesn’t cost a fortune and is reusable to a certain extent. Get rid of even the slightest noises and improve your sleep quality today.

Get the best bang for your buck on beauty face masks

With face masks being mandatory to wear outdoors, some of us are seeing the negative effects on our skin. Whether it’s skin redness or breakouts, we feel you. Workers in essential services are definitely not having a good time, having to put on face masks for long periods of time.

To give your skin a little treat at night, probably you’ve started stocking up on beauty face masks. Or you were sorting out your fridge and found some loots from the last Korea trip you went. Whatever the reason is, allow us to share with you how to get the most value out of the beauty face masks you’re about to start using.

#1: FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDED TIME

If you refer to the instructions at the back of your beauty face mask, you will probably see the time recommended to put on the mask for. Keep to that.

The experts who manufactured the masks know it best so it’s wise to follow. Some ingredients can cause irritation when allowed to dry on the skin for longer than advised. The last thing you want to do is to spend money harming your delicate skin in the long run.

#2: AVOID USING SEVERAL MASKS AT ONE GO

Apart from beauty sheet masks, there are also masks that come in the form of a gel, cream, or clay. Keeping the recommended time in mind, you should try to multi-mask only when the products have similar usage time. However, if it’s too much a hassle to group them, then avoid it altogether.

Maybe you’ve read that people with sensitive skin combinations should use different types of masks at one time. It may make sense to use a clay mask targeting the T-zone area and a hydrating mask on the rest of the face. However, here comes the problem.

Considering the time it takes to dry, a clay mask would definitely be faster compared to its counterpart. Leaving the drying clay mask on for too long might cause wrinkles. This defeats the purpose of using it in the first place. You don’t want to be throwing your money into the bin.

#3 KEEP UP WITH THE ROUTINE

Too little or too much of something doesn’t always work. Be consistent in your beauty face mask routine if you want to reap the benefits and get the most value out of what you’ve spent.

The frequency? Again, follow the instructions written on the product. Some series require you to only have it on for once a week, while others may advise you to do it at least two to three times a week. It really boils down to individual brands and your skin’s reactivity to the ingredients.

Most importantly, what works for me may not work for you. To get the best bang for your buck on beauty face masks, stick to the rules.

Travel affordably with virtual experiences from the comfort of home

Travel enthusiasts are probably suffering the effects of not being able to travel internationally at the moment. With the ongoing pandemic, no one can predict when planes can take off normally again. However, this doesn’t mean that we simply stop travelling altogether.

For those who can’t wait to get out and start seeing the world again, we’ve got you. Take a look at these virtual experiences where you can travel affordably right from the comfort of home. Sure, it won’t be the same as stepping onto an unknown land, seeing the sights, and hearing the sounds, but let’s be contented with this for now. Shall we?

#1: WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE

We will start the ball rolling with Winchester Mystery House, a mansion located in San Jose, California. It is part of the history of Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, a lady who underwent tragedy with the death of her infant daughter and husband.

The eight-room farmhouse she bought and had it renovated from 1886 to 1922 remains a mystery today. Rumour has it that the Winchester Mystery House was built because Sarah Winchester was motivated by supernatural powers and haunted by ghosts.

Curious? See for yourself through a video access tour from 8.34 SGD (5.99 USD) or tread through the grounds with their immersive 360° tour for 12.52 SGD (8.99 USD).

#2: SAN DIEGO ZOO & HOUSTON ZOO, USA

Not so much a fan of scary things? How about some cute and cuddly animals? What’s more, you don’t have to pay a single cent watching these animals online. It’s an instant mood lifter too!

Both San Diego Zoo and Houston Zoo have kindly provided live streams and videos of their lovely animals going about their day-to-day activities at their various habitats. Whether you’re keen on observing the majestic tigers, laze with the pandas, or join the giraffes during their feeding time, there’s something for everyone.

#3: AIRBNB ONLINE EXPERIENCES

You can sort the list of Airbnb online experiences based on the price. We did a quick check and for less than 10 SGD, you can learn how to make Indian snacks and tea, admire the street art of Buenos Aires, or attend a piano meditation concert in Paris.

In fact, there’s so much more you can do with Airbnb’s online experiences with activities starting from 2 SGD. They are adding more to the list as more travel hosts come on board to offer their expertise. We’re sure you will find something that interests you.

#4: THEME PARKS

Theme park fans can rejoice as you relive your favourite rides from popular theme parks. The Coaster Views on YouTube has uploaded playlists of theme park rides and we’re loving the range of what’s available for viewing.

Alternatively, you can follow Virtual Disney World for a variety of interactive 360º videos of everything related to Disney. Go on an adventure with Peter Pan’s Flight, tour the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and riding the Disney Skyliner… we’re just scratching the surface by naming some.

Best of it all, it’s free.

#5: GOOGLE ARTS & CULTURE

Visit the Google Arts & Culture website and you can access free content curated by partner cultural organizations around the world. It’s also available to download as an app on the Google Play Store and App Store.

Thanks to this online platform, we could enjoy incredible views from the top of iconic landmarks. This includes buildings such as Tokyo Tower, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and The Eiffel Tower. Via the street view, you can also explore European heritage sites like the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and the Palace of Versailles in France.

Your access to the world is literally within a few clicks right from the comfort of home.

Budget-Friendly Tips For Singaporean Teens

Saving money as a teenager is challenging, especially when your social media is constantly flooded with #OOTD posts. Online shopping is so tempting! Your peers may influence your spending habits too. It is important to note that while saving money is hard, it is not impossible!

WIDEN YOUR KNOWLEDGE

They say that knowledge is power. This age-old statement highlights the importance of handling your own money smartly to make less financial mistakes. Educate yourself by purchasing books on financial literacy, by taking free money courses online, or by asking your parents for advice.

Parents and guardians play an integral role in shaping their children’s financial behavior and attitude towards money. May teenagers rely on their parents to set the right example when it comes to spending. Of course, it is not always easy to navigate the tricky waters of personal finance at this time. Hence, parents must teach their kids about the value of money and notice their spending habits.

KNOW WHERE YOUR MONEY IS GOING

Know where your money is going by downloading a software that can help you note down every single expense. I used to use either Mint or Spendee. Both apps are free.

While you crave for independence, you seek for your parent’s help when you run out of cash. Another way to keep track of your expenses is to allow your parents to view your transactions online. You may discuss meaningful ways to use your extra cash upon sitting down with your parent. Some financial apps such as DBS PayLah! allows the parents to monitor the teen’s digital allowance. It is safer as auto-debit is disabled. Furthermore, teens 16 and under will have a limit of S$999 to reduce the risk of fraud or theft.

USE YOUR STUDENT PRIVILEGES

Your student ID is more than just a representation of a less flattering picture of yourself. It can also get you discounts and promotions from different retailers. For instance, POPULAR bookstore offers student cards to teens. This will enable you to have a subscription of about S$8 for a year and S$20 for 3 years. This membership card includes birthday privileges, complimentary magazines, exclusive invites to members-only events, member’s discount, and more.

(Image credit: Anders Steen Nilsen, via Flickr)

Getting all the discounts or maximizing your privileges as a student can make saving a whole lot easier. It ensures you can put more of what you make in a safe place until you need it.

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