MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

Vans x Simpsons: A vibrant collection of footwear, apparel, and accessories from 12 SGD

Diehard fans of The Simpsons, take a deep bow to Vans as they bring to you their latest collaboration with the American animated sitcom. Launched today (7 August), Vans honours The Simpsons with a vibrant collection of footwear, apparel, and accessories that celebrate iconic moments of The Simpsons family.

Let’s take a look at what’s available for purchase.

#1: WOMEN’S CHECK EYES SOCKS

Price: 12 SGD

We shall start the ball rolling with the women’s Check Eyes Socks. It is a jacquard fashion crew sock featuring an allover checkerboard print showcasing The Simpsons family eyeballs. Gentlemen, don’t be dismayed. Refer to the next item.

#2: MEN’S CREW SOCKS

Price: 19 SGD

Similar to the women’s Check Eyes Socks, the Men’s Crew Socks has an allover checkerboard design and The Simpsons family portrait jacquard art. Here’s the bonus – an embroidered Vans logo.

#3: LISA FANNY PACK

Price: 49 SGD

The Lisa Fanny Pack is a waist pack with front and back zipper pockets, an adjustable strap, contrast colour blocking, and a Lisa Simpson For President screen print. It’s made of 100% polyester and measures 3.75 H x 13.5 W x 3 D in inches.

#4: TODDLER FISH SLIP-ON V

Price: 59 SGD

Inspired by Blinky the Three-Eyed Fish, Toddler Fish Slip-On V is the upgraded version of the iconic Vans slip-on style. Along with padded collars, elastic side accents, and signature rubber waffle outsoles, it also includes heel pulls and hook-and-loop closures for an easy on-and-off fit.

#5: FAMILY RAGLAN T-SHIRT

Price: 69 SGD

Adore all of The Simpsons family members? You’ve got to get this Family Raglan T-Shirt that features a checkerboard The Simpsons family portrait at the chest, colourful Vans graphics at the left sleeve, and raglan details.

#6: FAMILY MEN’S T-SHIRT

Price: 69 SGD

If you prefer a classic no-frills The Simpsons family portrait, get the Family Men’s T-shirt. It features a collaboration logo graphic at the left chest and The Simpsons family portrait at the back. Made of 100% carded ring spun cotton.

#7: BART T-SHIRT

Price: 69 SGD

Fans who are used to wearing dark colours can still show their love for The Simpsons by buying the Bart T-shirt. It features an allover tonal Bart skull, crossbones jacquard knit print, and a collaboration woven label at the hem.

#8: KID CLASSIC SLIP-ON

Price: 69 SGD

And of course, how can we leave out the most beloved The Simpsons family pets? Say hello to Snowball and Santa Little Helper with this Kid Classic Slip-On. It also includes padded collars for support and flexibility, elastic side accents, and signature rubber waffle outsoles.

#9: CHECK EYES BACKPACK

Price: 79 SGD

The Check Eyes Backpack would make a perfect pair with the women’s Check Eyes Socks. Don’t you think so? You will find one large main compartment with a laptop sleeve, a front zip pocket with an organizer for quick access, and padded shoulder straps. The bag measures 16.75 x 12.75 x 4.75 in inches.

#10: OLD SKOOL

Price: 109 SGD

We can’t decide if we prefer the characters and details from Moe Tavern or the one with embroidered patches featuring the Bouvier sisters. Both are made of leather though. What’s your take?

Shop the full Vans x Simpsons Collection here.

Reasons for hair loss and products under 30 SGD to help counter it

Did you know that losing up to 100 strands of hair per day is considered normal? If you have longer locks, it may be more obvious as they appear on your bathroom floor or on top of your pillowcase. But if you’re starting to notice unusual clumps of hair, bald spots, or patchiness, it’s time to do something about it.

In this article, we will take a quick look at the five reasons for hair loss first. Thereafter, we will introduce to you a range of products under 30 SGD to help you counter hair fall. Let’s roll!

Reasons for hair loss

Image Credits: AsiaOne

#1: Hairstyle

Your current hairstyle may be the culprit behind your excessive hair loss.

For the ladies, tying your hair up in a high ponytail or tight bun for long periods of time pulls on the roots, causing damage and breakage. For the gentlemen, constantly applying hair styling products may cause clogged hair follicles, leading to build-up and eventually hair fall in the long run.

#2: Diet

While you may be obsessed with shedding a few kilos off the weighing scale, taking on an extreme diet plan could be the very reason for your hair loss.

To make sure your hair gets the nutrients it needs to grow, feed your body with nourishing foods. Opt for iron-rich, protein, omega 3-fatty acids and B vitamins foods, such as eggs and salmon, and green leafy vegetables like spinach.

#3: Stress

With the ongoing pandemic, most of us are under huge amounts of stress. If that is you, your body might be producing more cortisol, which is also known as the stress hormone. High levels of cortisol can disrupt your hair growth cycle, resulting in hair fall.

#4: Genetics

If you think you’ve been loading up on nutritious food and not under any excessive stress, then hair loss could be hereditary. To fix it, it’s wise to seek professional advice.

#5: Scalp neglect

Not many of us put a focus on taking care of our scalp. According to the L’Oreal Professionnel Academy, our scalp ages six times faster than facial skin. If you think it’s important to take care of your skin, it should apply even more so for your scalp.

Products to counter hair loss

#1: Silkpro Scalp Care Expert Treatment Conditioner – Hair Thinning (200ml)

Price: 6.80 SGD

Buy now

Silkpro’s conditioner that targets hair thinning uses a combination of eastern and western specially extracted herbs to improve your hair health. It also contains bamboo and honey extract to nourish, strengthen, and smoothen your hair texture.

You can choose to use it together with the Silkpro Scalp Care Expert Hair Tonic Concentrate (50ml) for thinning hair. FairPrice is running a sale from now till 1 September where you can get the hair tonic at a discounted price of 21.50 SGD (usual price: 28.90 SGD).

#2: TRESemme Shampoo – Scalp Care (670ml)

Usual Price: 13.90 SGD

Sale Price: 10.50 SGD (till 1 September)

Buy now

Specially formulated for Asian hair and scalp types, the TRESemme scalp care shampoo contains tea tree oil and ZPTO. The substances help to unclog build-up on hair follicles and address dandruff and hair fall problems.

#3: KAMINOMOTO Super Strength Hair Serum Gold (150ml)

Price: 22.90 SGD

Buy now

The product contains a medicative ingredient, Hinokitiol, which is extracted from the Hinoki tree (Japanese cypress). It has the antiseptic power to prevent dandruff, itchiness, and falling hair. It is neither sticky nor oily so you can generously apply it on your scalp even before bedtime.

#4: Ryo Hair Loss Care Essence (75ml)

Price: 26.90 SGD

Buy now

The Ryo hair loss series was my go-to treatment solution while staying in Korea. It has 20 times more active ginseng ingredients compared to its hair loss care shampoo counterpart. This essence can help to strengthen your hair from the roots to the tip!

#5: Yves Rocher Hair Rinsing Vinegar Shine (400ml)

Price: 28 SGD

Buy now

We love how this rinsing vinegar has more than 99 per cent of the ingredients from natural origins. It is also silicon, paraben, and colourant free. It doubles scalp microcirculation and restores your hair’s radiance. Say hello to naturally shiny hair again!

#6: Biosys Hair Scalp Care Shampoo (300ml)

Price: 28.90 SGD

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Other than the TRESemme’s scalp care shampoo, the Biosys Hair Scalp Care Shampoo is also another to consider. It delicately cleanses your scalp while preventing dandruff and bacterial growth. Suitable for use on itchy and oily scalps.

#7: The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea™ Refreshingly Purifying Cleansing Hair Scrub (240ml)

Price: 29 SGD

Buy now

The Body Shop’s product can be used on both normal or oily hair and scalp. It is 100% vegetarian and formulated without silicones. Simply massage the product onto your scalp. Your scalp will instantly feel refreshed after all the impurities are removed.

#8: Klorane Peony Serum – For Sensitive Scalp (65ml)

Price: 29.90 SGD

Buy now

If you’re suffering from sensitive scalp and have to be extremely careful about using products, how about giving Klorane’s Peony Serum a go? The serum immediately soothes, moisturizes, and protects irritated scalps. To use, simply spray and massage onto wet or dry scalp.

Looking for a job? Haidilao S’pore is still hiring, pays up to $5,000 for Junior Sale Executive

Haidilao is hiring

Even though, the COVID-19 situation has caused companies to cut jobs and freezes hiring, there is still a wide variety of companies that are hiring.

One such example is popular restaurant chain Haidilao.

Haidilao Singapore has posted several job offers on their Facebook’s page and several online career portals. As for today, they are looking currently to hire service crew, receptionist, food runner, dishwasher, electrician/maintenance staff, midnight crew/cleaner, management trainee on both a full time and part time basis.

The working locations are where their restaurants are located at: Clarke Quay, Somerset 313, Jurong East IMM, Bedok Mall, Novena Royal Square, Plaza Singapura, Seletar Mall, Sembawang Sun Plaza, Paya Lebar Quarter, Tampines Century Square.

The remuneration package is stated as S$2,350 – S$2,750 a month. Interested job seekers can call them at +65 67334985 or WhatsApp them at +65 90679607.

If you prefer back end jobs, they do have several entry level job offers that you can consider.

They have listed the following vacancies on Joblum:

Management Trainee (Restaurant Operation): S$2,600 – S$3,200
Junior Sales Executive (Basic + Commission): S$3,000 – S$5,000
Quality Assurance Executive: S$3,200 – S$4,000

Haidilao has also posted several job offers on career portal MNC Jobs:

Business Analyst (Investment): S$3,500 – S$5,000
Management Trainee: S$2,600 – S$3,500

To apply for the jobs, simply click through and follow the instructions.

Long-term financial security: 7 key steps to follow according to CNBC’s personal finance journalist

Has the pandemic led you to think more about how you manage your finances? If you’ve been recently thinking about long-term financial security, this article might help.

As advised by CNBC’s personal finance journalist, Carla Fried, here are seven key steps to focus on to help you to work your way towards long-term financial security:

Step 1: Set short-term and long-term goals

Think about what would make you feel great money-wise. Next, list down your goals before deciding whether they fit into the short- or long-term.

Short-term goals

This could fall under plans that you can reach in a few months or by next year. Consider putting in place an emergency fund that can cover at least three months of your current living expenses.

Long-term goals

Do you find your salary gone up in smoke after a few days from payday? Time to look into saving at least 10% of gross salary every year for your retirement.

Step 2: Create a budget

Set a budget and stick to it. A budget exists to lay everything out in front of you so you can see for yourself the ins and outs of your balance. If needed, make little changes to help you stay on track to meet your goals.

Step 3: Build an emergency fund

We briefly mentioned this in step one – it’s good to have at least three months’ worth of living expenses saved in your emergency fund. With that said, of course, the more the merrier. If you can afford three, see if you can save up for six months and beyond.

Step 4: Pay off costly credit card debt

This applies to you if you have credit card debts to pay off. You don’t want to let the interest rates roll by delaying repayment of what’s due.

Step 5: Save for retirement

Image Credits: MoneyOwl

As stated earlier in step one, it’s right that you start saving for retirement. If you’re the sort that rides on ‘YOLO’, think again.

The writer suggests these steps to take at different life stages:

IN YOUR 20s:

Start saving at least 10% of your gross salary ASAP.

IN YOUR 30s:

Aim to contribute 15% of your gross salary.

IN YOUR 40s:

Having at least two to three times your annual salary saved in retirement funds.

IN YOUR 50s:

By 50, you should have six times your salary saved. By age 55, have seven times your salary saved.

IN YOUR 60s:

By age 60, have eight times your salary saved. By age 67, have 10 times your salary saved.

Step 6: Invest for retirement with a long-term focus

Your body won’t be able to keep up with the work when you’re old. Investment is the way to go for a comfortable retirement. Time to look into stocks and/or bonds to reap the benefits 10 years down the road.

Step 7: Borrow smart

To borrow smart, you will need to identify your true needs from wants. Do you really need to get a loan to buy that new car? Or would it be better if you settle for a second-hand vehicle? Or do you even need one in the first place? Ponder over these things.

‘Thrive with Grab’: New financial products including the opportunity to invest on the Grab app

Last Tuesday (28 July), we wrote about how Grab might be implementing a 0.32 SGD platform fee on each ride to help cover its costs.

Today (4 August), Grab Financial Group, the financial services arm of the ride-hailing company has announced a few new financial products including a micro-investment scheme that would allow you to invest as you spend on the Grab app.

The new features are part of the ‘Thrive with Grab’ strategy which aims to tap into Southeast Asia’s mass-market financial services opportunity.

According to Grab Financial Group senior managing director Reuben Lai, the strategy will allow consumers to “build their wealth, manage their finances and protect what they value during this uncertain period”.

Here are the deets.

#1: New third-party consumer loan

You will soon be able to access personal loans offered by Grab’s licensed bank partners. The group is working with its bank partners to integrate their application programming interfaces (APIs) so you can securely apply for loans directly from the Grab app.

#2: Micro-investment scheme: AutoInvest

After Grab Financial Group’s acquisition of robo-advisory start-up Bento Invest, they have created AutoInvest. AutoInvest is a new micro-investment product that will allow the public to invest at least 1 SGD per transaction on the Grab app.

The good news? You will earn returns of about 1.8% per annum and the amount will be paid out to your GrabPay wallets.

“AutoInvest sets GrabPay apart from other e-wallets by allowing users to invest their wallet balance easily. The invested sum can then be withdrawn at any time, with no penalties, to spend on Grab services or at any merchant accepting the GrabPay Card,” said Grab in its news release.

And of course, nothing comes for free. When AutoInvest rolls out in early September, you will need to pay a fee to use the service.

#3: Expansion of “buy-now-pay-later” payment plans

Following the launch of AutoInvest in September, expansion plans for its “buy-now-pay-later” scheme will also come to play in October.

You can look forward to PayLater Instalments, giving you the ability to split your purchases into monthly instalments. In addition to that, there’s also PayLater Postpaid, where you can defer your payment to the following month. It will only be applicable to selected e-commerce stores in Singapore and Malaysia in October.

The news comes after a report yesterday (3 August) that Grab is raising 200 million USD (275 million SGD) from South Korean private equity firm, Stic Investments.

What are your thoughts on Grab’s new initiatives?