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Alternative places you can get your groceries online

As Singapore sees an uptick in community cases, especially unlinked ones, it’s better to heed the government’s advice to stay home as much as possible.

“If you’re at home, you’re not going out, then there is no likelihood for the virus to spread. So stay home,” said the co-chair of the government’s COVID-19 task force, Lawrence Wong, on 18 May.

For those who don’t feel safe heading out to do your essential activities, how about turning online to get your groceries? Apart from the big brands like FairPrice, Giant, or Cold Storage, there are other alternative places you can get your marketing done online.

#1: Classic Deli

Classic Deli may not be a familiar name to some, but it promises quality products and next-day delivery services. Being an ingredient supplier to local hotels and restaurants, you can expect the same standard by Classic Fine Foods since Classic Deli is a branch-out from the group. Meat lovers should not miss out on its cold cuts and meaty selections.

Free delivery is possible with orders over S$100. Visit classicdeli.market/sg for more details.

#2: Grand Marketplace

Do you want access to top-quality gourmet produce, meats, and dairy items? Then you’ve got to give the Grand Marketplace by Grand Hyatt Singapore a chance to impress you. Using the same ingredients served at the five-star hotel restaurants, you will get only the best products to feed your stomachs.

Do note that only self-collection or drive-through pick-up is available at Grand Hyatt Singapore when you shop at grandhyattsingapore.whyqueue.shop.

#3: Little Farms

Other than its freshest produce, Little Farms is the go-to place for keto dieters, organic lovers, and dairy alternatives. You will also love their fresh meats from free-range farms, including premium grass-fed beef and ready-to-bake kebabs. Those who are staying away from gluten will be glad to know that you may shop via a complete list of gluten-free products.

Place an order through littlefarms.com and enjoy free same-day delivery if you order before 11am.

#4: Huber’s Butchery

Where are our meat lovers at? Huber’s butchery is the place to shop if you want a range of fresh meats to store in your refrigerator. We’re not just referring to the usual pork, beef, and poultry but options like veal, lamb meat, and even assorted sausages! Place an order early if you want more options for delivery slots.

Click through hubers.com.sg to bag your meat selections back home.

#5: Foodxervices Inc

Foodxervices Inc supplies not only to F&B trade professionals but also to home consumers like you and me. We navigated the website and found out that they have a “multi-product search” engine that allows the website to find all your products at one go rather than having to do it individually.

Orders above S$60 can enjoy free delivery. What are you waiting for? Shop now at foodxervices.com/en/home.

Tighter COVID-19 measures have led to Singapore shares reaching more than two-month low

The tighter measures made known by the Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday (14 May) probably came as a shock to many.

However, it’s absolutely necessary in response to the spike in COVID-19 community cases recently. As we gear up to work from home, there are also daily and social routines to make adjustments to.

In terms of investments, Singapore shares aren’t looking that good. With the latest restrictions announced, investors are reacting accordingly.

Straits Times Index (STI) fell more than 3% initially

After the news report, the benchmark STI dropped by 3% before closing down at 2.2% or 3,055.02 points. Since 8 March, the decline on 14 May marks STI’s lowest level.

DailyFX’s strategist Margaret Yang commented that the market is not ready for the newly set COVID-19 measures, considering that the social gatherings group limit was only cut from eight to five people just a week ago.

“On the economic level, there will also definitely be some adverse impact on the services and travel sectors,” she added.

To that, IG’s market strategist Yeap Jun Rong said that the current situation had cast doubt on the pace of economic recovery ahead. Since a significant portion of STI’s constituents is cyclical, the economic cycle will have a massive impact on its numbers.

Aviation-related counters most badly hit

Image Credits: CNBC

It’s probably not a surprise that the aviation-related counters are the ones most affected.

To give you some numbers, Singapore Airlines (SIA) fell 5.7% to an 11-week low of S$4.50, while flight caterer SATS plunged 3.9% to S$3.69. Integrated resort operator Genting Singapore also dropped 3.1% to S$0.79.

Ms Yang noted that investors were hoping for the vaccine roll-out to spur economic recovery and border reopening. But with Singapore now reversing, this means that it will probably take more time for the aviation industry to get back on track.

What’s next for the stock market?

According to CMC Markets analyst Kelvin Wong, the unlinked community cases will play a vital part in deciding how the stock market will react for the rest of May. Should it see an increase, more stringent measures may pass and, travel-related stocks will further weaken.

While it is too early to comment, Mr Yeap expects retail, hospitality, and entertainment-related stocks to come under pressure if the COVID-19 situation continues to spiral downward in Singapore.

“That said, the overall downside impact may be limited considering that prompt action was taken to limit the virus spread and more than 20% of Singapore’s population has been fully vaccinated,” he added.

Send your kids to these schools to groom them to be coding geniuses

Coding and programming for kids have seen an upward trend in recent years.

In fact, since five years ago, primary and secondary schools have adopted the Code for Fun enrichment programme thanks to The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Ministry of Education (MOE).

But now, preschools are starting to jump on the bandwagon with curriculums or enrichment lessons revolving around programming robots.

Parents with children who suffer from FOMO may want to send their kids to these schools to groom them to be coding geniuses.

#1: Saturday Kids

Image Credits: saturdaykids.com

Locations: Bukit Timah Plaza, Parkway Centre, Orchard Central & King Albert Park

Saturday Kids pride themselves as the first coding school for children in Singapore. Established in 2012, they have taught children not just in programming but also in electronics, digital art, and design thinking.

Have a look at their on-site and online course schedule here.

#2: Coding Lab

Image Credits: codinglab.com.sg

Locations: Bukit Timah & Parkway Parade

Next up, we have Coding Lab. This enrichment centre is a four-time award winner of the Best Enrichment and Learning School voted by parents. Its founder is an MIT alumnus who has worked in Silicon Valley. You can expect a top-notch inquiry-based curriculum for your kids and teens aged 4 to 18.

Check out their classes and special programmes here.

#3: Computhink

Image Credits: facebook.com/computhink.com.sg/

Location: Toa Payoh Central

Third, on our list, we have Commputhink. The programming school for kids is led by trainers who are NUS Master of Technology graduates. Centring their teaching philosophy on interest, your child will possess the freedom to create, write, and understand computer programs.

Not too sure if you want to commit? Sign your kid up for a trial class first.

#4: Children’s Worklab

Image Credits: facebook.com/childrensworklab

Location: Forum Shopping Centre (Orchard)

Children’s Worklab focuses on delivering applied-technology lessons to children aged 4 to 12. It promises a 100% hands-on and mind-stimulating curriculum that will bring out the creative juices of the little ones. With a low teacher to student ratio, your child will also be given the right amount of attention from highly qualified teachers.

View their course schedule or consider some holiday camps for the upcoming June break.

#5: LCCL Coding Academy

Image Credits: facebook.com/lcclcoding

Location: Tanglin Shopping Centre

LCCL is an acronym for “learning to code, and code to learn”. The academy aims to inspire computational thinking among young learners. For parents unfamiliar with computational thinking, the centre defines it as a mental skill and a range of analytical and problem-solving strategies one can apply in life.

There are both regular and holiday programmes at LCCL Coding Academy. Click through the link for more details.

With tighter measures kicking in from Sunday, 16 May, do enquire directly with the respective enrichment centres on their latest COVID-19 protocols and e-learning arrangements before enrollment.

Most Common Car Insurance Mistakes

The biggest mistake that you can make when it comes to car insurance is not having any at all. Purchasing the first insurance policy that you find is often not the best idea either. Car insurance is an expense that you have to pay if you own a car and because of this you should make sure that you choose a policy not just based on price, but also on your needs as well. Here are some of the common mistakes that people make when they are purchasing car insurance.

Types of Coverage Needed

There is a minimum coverage necessary provided by the government. While it may seem like a good idea to just purchase the minimum amount of car insurance needed and be done, this is not necessarily the best idea. Every person has unique needs when it comes to protection and the needs depend on factors such as the type of car you drive, experience, how often you drive, and the weather and driving conditions where you live.

Full coverage would be ideal for everyone, but the cost is very high. The best option is to choose coverage that balances the coverage with the cost. Consult with your agent about what type of policy will be right for your needs.

Comparisons

Many people simply find an insurance company and go with them. This is a mistake as you should shop around and find the best rate. When you get options from several companies you are going to be able to make a car insurance comparison in Singapore for the coverage that you get for the price you will have to pay. This is the best way to make sure that you are not overpaying for car insurance.

Lying on Application

Another mistake that people make is not telling the truth on the insurance application. Your insurance company is going to have access to your driving records so there is no reason to lie. A company can refuse coverage if they find too many inconsistencies, so make sure that you are telling the truth.

Deductible

Many people do not choose the right amount for their deductible. A lower deductible will mean that you pay more for the policy, but if you are in an accident you will not have to pay as much out of pocket. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums, but you will pay more if you are in an accident. Make sure that you choose an amount for your deductible that you can afford to pay if you are in an accident.

Research

Another mistake that people make is simply not researching insurance policies online. There are many great comparison sites that will provide you with information from several insurance companies all right on one page. This is the easiest way to find the best price for the type of coverage that you need.

Excessive Coverage

Just like you can purchase too little insurance you can also buy too much. If you have a car that is old and not worth much, you do not likely need to pay for a comprehensive insurance plan. If you purchase this type of plan you are going to be paying a lot of money for coverage that you simply do not need. Make sure that you think about how much you can afford to pay if you are in an accident and choose the right amount of coverage for the type of vehicle that you drive.

Ask Questions

The most important thing that you can do when you are searching for car insurance is to make sure that you ask questions. If you do not understand something, make sure that you ask about it. Do not let an insurance agent talk you into coverage that you simply do not need. Remember to consider the deductible as a way to lower the cost of your insurance overall as well. Know what your budget is and try to get a policy that is within that range.

Overall, make sure that you take your time when you are searching for car insurance and ask any questions that may arise. If you do this you should have no problem getting a quality car insurance policy that is affordable.

Korean Food Pairings To Try In Singapore

As Korean cuisine evolves over time due to cultural trends and environmental changes, one thing remains the same. Food has always played a significant part in their national identity. In fact, there are over 200 varieties of their globally known Kimchi (김치).

Let us take a look at the unique Korean food pairings that you can try in Singapore.

#1: CHIMAEK

Kicking off this list is a classic food combo that dates back in the ’70s. Chimaek (치맥) is one of the most popular option when dining out or when ordering in. It is a slang that combines 치 [chi] from 치킨 [chikin] or fried chicken as well as 맥 [maek] from 맥주 [maekju] or beer. Sounds like the perfect comfort food, right?

Chimaek’s popularity peaked during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup when many Koreans went to bars to watch the games and eat fried chicken with beer. Singaporeans may enjoy this combo by ordering at Korean eateries such as 아띠식당Ahtti.

#2: ROASTED SWEET POTATOES WITH KIMCHI

Roasted sweet potatoes (고구마) are commonly eaten as a winter snack by children and adults alike. Start by roasting your sweet potatoes in an oven or an air fryer. Once you are done, you can pair it with Kimchi. Put a generous of Kimchi on a slice of your sweet potato before taking a bite.

Indulge in the fusion of sweet, spicy, and sour flavors! Find authentic Kimchi and Korean sweet potatoes in local Korean marts such as Chorok Market.

#3: KOREAN BBQ AND SOJU

The rich aroma of freshly grilled Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) wrapped in lettuce and Kimchi is gloriously delicious. Add a shot of Soju to improve your experience. Soju goes well with Korean BBQ because it washes away the greasiness of the meats. This allows you to reach out for your next piece.

What are you waiting for? You can either eat at a Korean BBQ place such as the Korean Fusion BBQ restaurants or order at foodpanda.

#4: SUBAK-SOJU OR WATERMELON SOJU

As the name suggests, Subak-soju (수박소주) combines the freshness of a watermelon and the distinct taste of soju. Fresh watermelon soju was trending before flavored sojus graced the stores. This combination is perfect for people who are newly introduced to soju and are eager to try sweet alcoholic drinks.

A bottle of soju is available at FairPrice for as low as S$9.90.

Begin by removing the contents of the watermelon. Measure 4 cups of blended watermelon juice. Put this in a pitcher. Then, add equal parts of soju and mix it well. Pour this mixture into a “watermelon bowl” and add ice cubes. Serve it cold and enjoy!