3 Car Accessories Worth Spending On

1. DASHBOARD CAMERAS

UNIQUE SELLING POINT: A dashboard camera has the ability to record any unforeseen events.

PRODUCT PRICE RANGE: Quality dashboard cameras can cost you hundreds of dollars. However, the cheapest one I saw was S$10 in Lazada.

The dashboard camera, better known as dash cam, is an on-board camera that continuously records the view of the vehicle’s exterior or interior. It can be attached in many spots including on the dashboard or on the windshield. Due to its suction cup or adhesive mount, dash cams are movable. Find a spot that will not obstruct your view while you drive.

Image Credits: Paul Townsend via flicker.com/creativecommons

Dash cams are useful for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it allows you to keep track of the exact location of your vehicle and the route it has taken. Secondly, it is your first line of defense when claiming insurance. It can record suspicious activities while you are parking or driving. Imagine capturing a video of a perpetrator vandalizing your car in the mall’s parking lot! A newbie driver will surely benefit from this feature.

2. PARKING SENSORS

UNIQUE SELLING POINT: Parking sensors covers your blind spots by detecting the obstacles while you park.

PRODUCT PRICE RANGE: The company Singtech produces parking sensors that go for as low as S$15 and as high as S$90. Each product has its own special features.

I have to admit! As a novice driver, parking is the area that I lack strength on. It is challenging for me to measure the approximate distances of each stationary car without having the help of a guide or a sensor. I am referring to the trusty parking sensors. These are proximity sensors for road vehicles, which are designed to alert its drivers of the obstacles ahead.

Whether you are choosing an electromagnetic or an ultrasonic device, a parking sensor is one of the optional car accessories that you must consider. You see, even veteran drivers have a lapse in judgement in difficult parking spaces. Having an SUV fit through a narrow space through parallel parking is another challenge! I cannot stress how large cars can benefit from installing said sensors. Preventing an accident or two can make your life easier.

3. BLUETOOTH CAR KIT

UNIQUE SELLING POINT: Bluetooth car kits provide a wireless mode of communication and entertainment throughout your journey.

PRODUCT PRICE RANGE: Bluetooth car kits are sold as low as S$8 at Lazada. While, premium quality devices are sold for S$80 and above.

The recent amendments in the Road Traffic Act entail a wider scope of restrictions on the usage of mobile devices while driving. Any driver caught holding hand-held equipment can be found guilty of committing an offense. The market has thought of a solution to combat this. Said solution is by using a hands-free connection such as Bluetooth.

With modern technology, Bluetooth provides a standard for wireless communication. It allows its users to talk while on the move without having to hold a physical equipment. This feature is worth investing on especially if you are fond of navigating through the city while listening to music or while answering important phone calls.

As I search the web for credible and affordable Bluetooth car kits, I found the brands Kinivo and Jabra. Kinivo (available in Amazon for US$35.99 or about S$50) gets power from the car’s cigarette lighter and connects to your radio through an auxiliary jack. It allows you to manage your playlist and acts as a speakerphone during calls. Thanks to its built-in microphone!

Let us move on to the user-friendly Jabra Drive. Jabra Drive’s voice-guided instructions tell you how to connect to your mobile phone. This Bluetooth car kit allows you to use the dedicated control buttons to answer calls. Furthermore, it lets you play your tunes too. It retails for a whopping S$98!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sometimes, a car’s extra features depend on the individual’s preferences. Are there any car accessory that we missed? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Father’s Day Gifts To Make This Instant

You do not have to burn your allowance to show how special your father is!

On that note, here are some DIY gift ideas that you can make at the last minute:

#1: A MONEY TREE

I have to admit! Men can be tough to shop for at times. For instance, my father has a set of criteria clothing articles. Everything he purchases must tick all the boxes! To prevent disappointing him, it is easier to hand over some cash. Do you agree?

If you are looking for an original way to give cash, you may design a “money tree”. A money tree is a tabletop arrangement decorated with Singapore dollar bills. Said dollar bills can be folded into flowers or leaves. Try the easy peasy money tree by SunburstGifts.

Image Credits: www.sunburstgifts.org

#2: A BASKET OF SWEETS

Satisfy your husband or father’s sweet tooth by creating the “perfect basket” filled with his favorite treats. Gather his guilty and paste the free printables by The 36th Avenue. Other materials that you will need include: a basket or container, a picture frame, and a paper straw. All these can be purchased affordably at Daiso.

Image Credits: www.the36thavenue.com

#3: A DAD AWARD

It goes without saying that adults crave for recognition as much as children do. Show how much you appreciate your father’s or spouse’s efforts and sacrifices by making a golden medal. Small Fry blog started with whipping small paper plates, glue, gold paint, and a template together. Begin by printing the free template. Then, put the small paper plates together and attach the decorations.

Image Credits: www.smallfryblog.com

Putting the paper plates side-by-side adds a cool dimension to it. While, the golden accents add prestige.

#4: A DADDY TIE

The “daddy tie” is my favorite homemade gift on this list. For fathers who have been working on their 9-5 jobs, you may delight them with cards that can be worn. Add a sentimental value to your gift by allowing your little ones to complete the project with you.

The daddy tie can be completed in 5 minutes or less. Simply download and print the free template on craftingchicks.com. Cut and fold the edges according to the instructions. Then, fill out the questionnaire with your children. I can only imagine their cute handwritings!

Daddy Ties free Father’s Day printable

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Efficient Ways To Socialize On A Budget

You do not have to miss every opportunity to socialize because of your tight budget! Here are some tricks that you may follow to keep both your finances and friends happy:

#1: EMPLOY THE HONESTY SYSTEM

In Philosophy, the “honesty system” refers to endeavours ran based on trust and honor. Rules are typically applied to stay honest. Establish a similar system by sorting out your financial circumstance with the people who matter to you. Opt for the economically sound choices when hanging out with your friends or relatives. For instance, you may suggest splitting the bill with your workmates when celebrating the department’s increased sales.

Money may be a tough subject to hit, but genuine friends will understand. Said friends will avoid putting a strain on your finances!

#2: PLAN AHEAD OF TIME

Birthdays, weddings, and New Year festivities are some of the fixed events that happen in a year. With their nature, you have an ample amount of time to prepare for each one. Filling out a planner is a good strategy to accomplish. Having a planner helps you to remember special dates and to see the bigger picture.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Plan a category of your budget according to the events that you foresee. Set aside at least a month to save up for future events. It may be easier said than done. However, you may start small. Prioritize events that are important to you. You do not have to give everyone a birthday present!

#3: SPOT HAPPY HOUR DEALS

As a young professional, sharing a few drinks at the nearby pub is one of the most popular ways to meet new people. Socializing in the bar, club, or pub helps some people to vent out their heated stress from work. However, I cannot deny the hefty prices that come with alcoholic drinks.

Have a good time while cutting your bill significantly by researching the “happy hour deals” nearby. Most bars in Singapore have deals between 4 PM to midnight. Not to mention, there are other promotional events such as “ladies’ night” where women pay less than the male patrons. For the cheapest happy hour drinks, you may check out this list!

#4: SCORE WITH FREE EVENTS

Last but not the least, you may take advantage of the country’s free events. Whether you are eyeing for live music or art workshops, these events may help you uncover a new talent or skill. Furthermore, it will not poke a hole on your wallet!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Do not be scared to get out of your comfort zone by trying something new with your friends. To find free events, you may check out your community’s website or eventbrite.sg.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Why Personal Loan Is Not As Daunting As It Sounds

All is fine and dandy when your life is nicely panned out for you, but as Singaporeans, we can never be too cautious. What if a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity knocks, and you suddenly require a larger-than-expected sum of money to seize this opportunity?

Opportunities can come in different forms in your various stages in life. There may be investment opportunities, a chance to go abroad on an exchange programme, or a chance to further develop your skill sets.

If you find yourself short on cash and need a sum of money to tide you over a short period of time, a personal loan can come in useful.

When we think about loans, most would frown upon it. We would assume that borrowers are incapable of managing their own finances, or that they are financially irresponsible. That is but a misconception, as personal loans are merely tools that can improve our lives if used in a responsible and wise manner.

As compared to home loans, car loans or educational loans which have specific purposes, personal loans are a more flexible type of loan which can be used for almost any purposes you wish. The most straightforward of which are personal instalment loans, where you borrow a lump sum of money from a bank. You can use the borrowed cash for any reason you like. Payment is in fixed monthly payments over a specified time period.

You never know when you might need a loan, but it’s always good to be aware that there is this option out there without breaking the bank. A loan can be useful in the following situations:

  • A buffer for depleting all your savings – taking a personal loan instead of using up your emergency savings in case of, well, emergencies, and you need the savings
  • Seizing opportunities with smaller cash outlays – taking a personal loan for immediate cash to enrol in a workshop or class to improve your skill sets and employability, which will result in an eventual higher return
  • Fulfilling aspirations – perhaps an exchange abroad, a hobby you’ve always wanted to master or even an important bucket list item
  • Repaying a high-interest loan first – taking a personal loan to pay off higher-interest loans, such as credit card bills

Not all banks and money lenders are created equal. Different financial institutions offer different incentives – some offer lower interest rates while others have lower minimum criteria.

Ultimately, it’s always good to compare loans before applying for one, so you end up with the best bang for your buck for your personal goals and budget – one that has the lowest interest rate, the lowest fees, meets your requirements and has the best welcome offers.

SingSaver offers a convenient platform for comparing between different financial institutions. For a limited time only, get the first 3 months of interest FREE when you apply from SingSaver’s website. That’s not all — SingSaver has also partnered OCBC to offer 0% interest free loan applicable for loan with 2 years tenure.

Not only does choosing the right loan mean meeting your goals earlier, it also means that you can pay off your loans faster.

So while you’re all up for borrowing, be aware of the higher interest rates accounts that you’re liable to paying, so that you clear off those loans first.

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Must-Have Travel Essentials Under S$20

PASSPORT CASES

Imagine spilling liquid droplets on the first page of your passport. What is more? Your flight is a few hours away! How can you travel now? Well, this frightening scenario happened to me before. Prevent this from happening to you buy purchasing a passport case.
Keep your valuable identification piece dry and clean by getting a passport case for as low as S$2 at Daiso.

EYE MASKS

If you are greatly affected by beaming lights or vivid stimulations, you may want to wear an eye mask during your long flight or road trip. Eye masks provide soft shades to survive the longest of trips.

Inexpensive eye masks are available at Daiso. However, you may invest in a S$19.90 eye mask designed to let you dwell in deep restorative stages of sleep. I am referring to the ErgoDream™ 3D Ergonomic Eye Mask. It comes with free high-density earplugs too!

ErgoDream™ 3D Ergonomic Eye Mask for Back Sleepers

SMALL PLASTIC CONTAINERS

One of the best gifts that I received last year was a set of reusable bottles from MINISO (i.e., less than S$5). I was able to transfer various liquids such as my shampoo, soap, essential oils, and hand cream.

Makeup addicts can benefit from these airline-approved bottles as well. You do not have to carry the full-sized weight of every product during your trip! You can transfer your setting spray, BB cream, cheek tint, and so much more.

BANDAGES

Some of the most common injuries experienced by travelers are cuts and scrapes. Hence, bandages are vital in a travel first aid kit. It is recommended to buy a set of adhesive bandages containing different types and sizes. This set will help you cover blisters from hiking or cuts from cycling.

Ensure that the bandages are of good quality to prevent it from slipping away. For instance, you may get a pack of waterproof bandage from Watsons for only S$2.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

BONUS: The search for travel-friendly bathroom paraphernalia is over! You may purchase a set of shampoo, conditioner, and body soap for only S$12.90. It is from the Japanese brand Ma Cherie!

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