Newbie’s Guide To Affordable Kids’ Clothing In Singapore

Are you in need of stylish threads on a budget? From adorable dresses to casual boys’ loungewear, I have gotten it all covered for you!

#1: FOR EVERYDAY WEAR: FOX

Due to having a huge family, my childhood was certainly colorful. One of the things that I enjoyed was the Christmas rush. Accompanied by a long list, my mother frequently buys children’s gifts from FOX. This shop houses an extensive range of everyday wear.

For over 14 years in Singapore, FOX has grown tremendously with 17 retail stores islandwide. What I like most about this brand is its ability to offer casual, yet stylish outfits accompanied by accessories. Surely, your little one’s personality will shine!

Website: foxfashion.sg

#2: FOR THE BASICS: UNIQLO

If you believe that shopping for basics is more practical as your children grow rapidly then, you must frequent Uniqlo. This Japanese store tops my list when it comes to basics and loungewear. For instance, “KIDS Packaged Colour Crew Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt” costs S$5.90 only.

You will be able to choose some insanely comfortable shirts and jammies, which are great for the country’s warm weather. Stylish selection does not stop there! You may indulge in the occasional collaborations featuring Disney, Marvel, and other anime characters.

Website: uniqlo.com/sg

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: FOR ALL AGES: COTTON ON KIDS

Australia’s Cotton On is a brand that needs little to no introduction. Thriving on cheap yet trendy clothing, Cotton On has since expanded to include the kids and baby’s section. Said section caters to infants up to their teens. What I admire most about this brand is its dedication to regularly updating the collections to keep up with the latest trends.

What’s more? Cotton On Kids has exclusive online sales. Make it a habit to check the website to get more discounts.

Website: cottonon.com/SG/kids

#4: FOR URBAN CHIC PIECES: NEXT

Looking for funky patterns that will suit a fancy party or a stroll to Orchard Street? Try Next Singapore. It is an online shop that has you covered for every occasion. Personally, I am a fan of its dress collection. The quirky patterns on the “Teal Ditsy Print Dress” (about S$11) are incredibly attractive! The teen’s collection is worth checking out too.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Enjoy free shipping for orders over S$50. Otherwise, you will be charged S$6 per order.

Website: next.sg/en

Sources: 1 & 2

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How to Protect Your Assets in a Divorce

Divorce – it happens to the best of us. Statistics show that in the UK there were 106,959 divorces of opposite-sex couples and 112 divorces of same-sex couples in 2016 alone. Although it is, of course, very sad to go your separate ways, it’s important to remember that your assets must be protected in divorce proceedings.

Here are a few words of advice about how a divorce doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll automatically lose half of your assets. Here’s how you can best protect your finances in divorce proceedings:

Don’t Let Emotions Cloud Your Judgement

There’s often a lot of hurt feelings that come hand-in-hand with divorce. However, when it comes to protecting your finances, there’s no room for emotion and ultimately, playing a game of ‘tit for tat’ could be bad news for your assets.

Divorce isn’t cheap and sending short letters to each other through your divorce lawyers about trivial matters could end up costing you hundreds of pounds. Be savvy with your money and pick your battles carefully.

Get Your Property Valued

Almost all property can be divisible in divorce proceedings so the only way to get ahead is to know what your property is actually worth. How else will you get your fair share when you come to part ways?

Dividing your property is always going to be a complex arrangement, especially if you have contributed different amounts to your household. Take time to understand how your home can be divided, whether it’s putting it up for sale or arranging a buy-out.

Get to Know Both of Your Finances

In many households, there’s often one person who manages the majority of the finances and this creates a power imbalance when you’re negotiating settlements. Make sure you know both of your finances thoroughly – any hidden debt that’s incurred during the marriage could be owned by the couple, even if only one spouse signed the paperwork.

This is incredibly complicated so you should protect yourself by seeking advice from your divorce lawyers. They can advise you on how to make informed financial decisions when filing for divorce.

Also, consider your biggest assets – many people think it’s property but it could be a pension account. Bear in mind the court may take into account its future value when dividing assets, which would certainly affect you financially.

Consider Mediation

Mediation is the most cost-effective way of negotiating a divorce. It could help you reach an agreement by yourselves through direct discussions and allow you to negotiate a deal that works for you.

This could help you save money, although you may still need some independent legal advice tailored to your unique circumstances. This could include advice on financial proposals, the information you need, whether the practical arrangements will work and all of the necessary parts of your divorce settlement.

Mediation is an empowering way to keep some level of control over the proceedings and make sensible decisions after all the options have been discussed with your ex-spouse.

If you’re going through a divorce and you’re concerned about how it could affect your financial affairs, follow our tips on how to be smart with your assets even when emotions are running high. These can help you protect yourself and your future, to help you look forward to a positive new start.

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Who Handles Money Better: Men Or Women?

Each gender may argue that they are better in handling finances than their counterpart. That is completely understandable! From being more conservative when spending money to comparing investment plans, men and women generally have different attitudes toward money. So, how will we know which gender is better?

#1: WHO HAS MORE CPF?

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is a mandatory comprehensive savings plan for working Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. It is primarily used to fund retirement, housing, and healthcare needs. Whether you believe it or not, Singaporean women were observed to leave a greater part of their CPF untouched compared to the Singaporean men. Said women enjoyed a better rate of interest in the long run.

The conservative trait of these women extends to their choice of cars. Women tend to own more “practical cars” with less running costs than men. Does this conservatism extend to investments?

#2: WHO IS MORE CONFIDENT IN INVESTING?

When it comes to investing money, a study showed that men are more confident than women. Attitude towards investments can influence the growth of wealth.

As I have said above, women seem to steer away from risks. They tend to stick to low-risk low returns instruments such as the bank account. On the other hand, men were more knowledgeable in diverse investment instruments. They prefer to invest their money in asset classes with high returns and low risks.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: WHO IS MORE LIKELY TO ASK THE PROFESSIONALS?

Women are more likely to ask for directions than men. The same idea applies to their management of financial woes. They are not afraid to ask for help.

A report published by an Australian publication found that 53% of women against 44% of men were more likely to seek professional advice from financial planners. Women do whatever it takes to keep their finances healthy!

#4: WHO IS MORE LIKELY TO PAY IN ADVANCE?

Spending habits can significantly affect how one saves money. Empirical evidence claims that women spend a greater percentage of their earnings on daily expenses whereas men seem to spend their earnings occasionally. Personally, my partner rarely shops for his own clothes. Do not get me started with how often I shop!

Additionally, men and women differ in debt payment. Men are more likely to use the cash advances than women. You see, an American survey found that 92% of female participants paid a late fee at one point or as opposed to only 23% of male participants.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

In conclusion, each gender possesses a superior trait in specific categories. While, the less “superior” gender compensates in other categories. Working together to balance out your strengths and weaknesses can be the best bet!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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How To Save Money For Your Child’s Education In Singapore

GO LOCAL

As parents, you are well aware that deciding your child’s school involves various choices and costs. It is quite a task to run through every option available in Singapore. Budgetary constraints start from pre-school onwards. To play things safe, choose a government-associated institution. The public school system provides globally competitive education without putting a strain on your pocket.

LOCATION IS VITAL

Location plays an important role when choosing a tuition center. If you value tuition then, opt for the centers close to your home. Alternatively, you may organize a carpool program to cut down your transportationc costs.

Say that you intend to enroll your children in a private tuition. Consider asking for their package or discounted deals.

HONE THE HOBBIES

Academics is not everything! Raising a well-rounded child involves shaping his or her hobbies. You do not need to spend cash on workshops as there are many free amenities found in your town park. Go to the nearby park and let your child play on the swings.

Is your child interested in reading? Spend quality time at home by reading your child a storybook during bedtime. Furthermore, the National Library Board hosts free educational events such as the sold out program entitled: “Let’s Science Together! – Science Experiments for Parents and Kids”. For more information about their upcoming events, visit: nlb.gov.sg.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Lastly, you may stroll in Esplanade to experience their free artistic events such as the “A Monsta Party”!

TREASURE IN THE BOX

Dig through your child’s closet and toy box to find some hidden treasures! Instead of throwing away your children’s outgrown clothes and used toys, you may sell them online or through a consigment store. Selling your stuff away will not only help you clear out, but also provide you extra cash.

INVEST ON BONDS

Investing your money on the stock market help you grow an education fund. One of the most popular investment options for education funding is bonds. Singapore Government Bonds is believed to be close to risk-free. Choose long-term bonds with periods ranging from 2 to 30 years in order to get higher returns.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Birthdays are important to your children as gifts come along with it. In lined with this, you may try asking your relatives to provide experiential gifts. Experiential gifts refer to soccer classes, swimming lessons, or other enrichment programs that your child can benefit from.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Not only are these gifts more memorable than toys, but it can also help you save for your child’s future education.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Surefire Ways To Save Money On Diapers In Singapore

For many Singaporeans, purchasing baby products is a costly affair. Do not get me started with diapers! These product end up on the rubbish bin on a regular basis. So, is it worth all the money?

Since diapers play a vital role in your baby’s grooming, you must get creative in shopping. Try the following tips!

#1: GO BACK TO BASICS

As a child, my mother devotes her time on changing my cloth diapers. The ones I used were passed on to my siblings. Cloth diapers are washable, adjustable, and suitable for sensitive skin. Taking a step back to the old school routine can help you save years worth of cash.

Anything that you can reuse or recycle is a bonus for your wallet. Disposable diapers contribute to your monthly expenses. While, washable diapers can last you for years. Consider purchasing the six-dollar cotton diapers from Lazada.

#2: BE SLOW IN CHANGING SIZES

Diapers come with suggested weight per size. It comes as no suprise that bigger diapers are more expensive. Furthermore, it contains fewer pieces per package. This is why you must take things slow when switching sizes.

The numbers on the cover are merely suggestions. Some children could wear sizes beyond the time suggested on the package. Instead of going with what the company recommends, change sizes once you see a significant amount of leaks.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: LOOK AT THE PRICE PER DIAPER

Diapers come in different brands, sizes, and quantities. More often than not, you judge a brand by its price tag. Instead of looking at the price per package, look at the price per piece! This way, you will be able to access whether you are paying for the cheapest diaper price.

For instance, your child requires a taped diaper in small. Pampers offers 82 pieces for S$24 (i.e., 0.29 each). While, Merries offers 54 pieces for S$20.95 (i.e., 0.38 each). Which one is a smarter choice?

#4: PURCHASE IN BULK

When it comes to disposable diapers, it is best to buy in bulk. Bulk purchases are cheaper compared to buying per package. Some stores even offer additional discounts for bulk purchases.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Do not fret about wastage. You will go through countless amounts of diapers once the baby is out!

Sources: 1 & 2

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