5 Entirely Free Ways To Maximize Your Small Flat

Flats ranging from 45 to 110 square meters are popular among the Singaporean masses. These spaces may be considered as tiny to some people. But, small is highly subjective (besides my height). Making your space livable comes down on how well you can divide the function of your rooms or how well you can store your things.

On that note, here are 5 Entirely Free Ways To Maximize Your Small Flat:

USE A TRUNK

Avoid spending hundreds of dollars on a bedside or coffee table by using an old trunk. Ask your mother and other relatives if they have a trunk to spare. A trunk not only provides an additional storage space, but it also acts as a neat conversation starter.

It is recommended to place the trunk in the living room or in an accessible area. Put all your DVD collection, magazines, console controllers, and games inside the trunk. This way, you do not have to “flip your home” when the guests arrive.

CREATE VISUAL DISTRACTIONS

Visual distractions give off an illusion of bigger space. Welcome the beaming rays of the sun by keeping the curtains open. Then, you may disrupt the unified order of your furniture by fixing them diagonally. The diagonal order can help to make room for more.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

INCREASE THE USE OF YOUR SPACE

Until you can realistically afford a spacious flat, you must mold your rooms to a variety of purposes. Your clutter-free dining table can double as a home office. While, your living room can transform into a play area for your children. Do not forget to store the toys in a single box after using it.

KEEP EVERYTHING CLEAN

In contrast with massive spaces, you can easily notice the clutter exposed in smaller spaces. Why is this so? For starters, you can discretely put away your unwanted items in various shelves. You cannot do that with limited spaces!

Smaller spaces take less time to clean. That is the upside! Get things in order by allocating at least one hour each week. Make this an automatic cleaning regimen so, you can have the rest of your time to relax.

OPT FOR MONOCHROMATIC

Say your next stage in renovation is choosing the colors of your walls. Consider the underlying mechanics of Color Psychology. Unified color scheme helps to maximize your space as it creates a relatively “open” look. When your walls are divided by several colors, people can easily spot the “start” and “end”. Thus, consistency conceals the limited space. 

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

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Great ways to make Valentine’s Day special

The big day is coming. 14th of February is one of those days that doesn’t leave anyone indifferent. We either love it or hate it. And our attitude isn’t always the result of our relationship status – it’s the fact that we either want to conform with certain standards of behavior or not.

If you’re one of those people who appreciate the power of love on that particular day, this is the text for you. No matter how much money you have on your hands, there are ways you can razzle dazzle your partner on the 14th of Feb and beyond. Read on for some dating ideas for V’Day.

Dress to impress

You know best what your clothing style is and even if you’re a tomboy, you can always do something to look extra special on that day. If you’re looking for a dress that will make his jaw drop, there’s no point in buying it at its regular price, since you’re not going to have much use of it throughout the year. You can look in places like Picodi Sale that specializes in showing you discounted clothes any woman can afford. Not looking for new clothes? No problem, invest in lingerie that will give you more confidence and make the night more fun.

Eat to impress

It’s no surprise that most people like to go out to eat on Valentine’s Day. Certain foods are considered to be aphrodisiacs, which means they raise your libido. Chocolate ganache will help you relax, while shrimp cocktail can inspire you to be more sensual. Remember to book your table beforehand, because on that particular night, eateries are full from early afternoons until late nights.

You can always decide to stay in your apartment and engage in cooking together. Look for a great recipe, buy everything upfront and prepare a nice bottle of wine. Start cooking a bit earlier and have everything ready for his or her arrival. Remember to have a playlist of great hiredts ready for dancing, or a film to watch

Entertain to impress

If you don’t think fancy restaurants and gourmet meals are for you two, you can easily create romantic atmosphere wherever you go. Some people just like to have fun and KKday has prepared various types of experiences for two. You’ll be able to visit a film studio, view underwater wildlife, go to Garden by the Bay or see animals from all over the world in the famous Singapore Zoo.

IMG_0382.JPG

(Source credit: www.abetterflorist.com)

Flower to impress

It’s always nice to show your partner love and you don’t need to restrict yourself to Valentine’s Day. However, this article is all about the celebration on the 14th of Feb so if you’re looking for the right bouquet, check out places like A Better Florist. It gives you an opportunity to order flowers online, which saves you plenty of time. Any woman would love to receive flowers on Valentine’s Day and if you want to save a bit (hush, hush, we won’t tell anyone!), Picodi offers discount codes and promotions for you to use. Don’t wait for her to give you hints – be proactive and you’re guaranteed success.

Pretend to impress

Old married couples don’t always remember what it was like when they celebrated their relationship. They tend to forget about things like passion, butterflies in their stomachs and the willingness to get to know the other person. You can, however, easily bring that spark back by pretending you don’t know each other. Simply recreate your first date or go on a whole different one. You’ll see why exactly you fell in love with each other and be able to see your ‘old ball chain’ in a completely different light. Worth a shot!

The most important thing to remember, though, is that you should celebrate love throughout the year. Use V-Day as an inspiration to be with the other person more, show them your appreciation. It’s the company that matters the most, and all the other things and ideas are just an addition to your relationship. Have your Valentine’s Day every month and you’ll never be alone on any other day in your life.

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4 Must-Read Books On Pregnancy (Under S$40)

1. THE PREGNANCY COUNTDOWN BOOK: NINE MONTHS OF PRACTICAL TIPS, USEFUL ADVICE, AND UNCENSORED TRUTHS

The eye-catching title of the book bears it all. Expect practical advice as the authors take you on a nine-month journey towards parenthood. Singaporean moms will enjoy reading this book because it avoids sugarcoating. The tone of the book is not too harsh either. Simply, it gets straight to the point!

I am mostly impressed about three parts. Firstly, it elaborates on the pregnancy issues that you are probably afraid to ask (e.g., stretch marks or eating regimen). Secondly, it pays attention on the relationship dynamics between the husband and wife. Lastly, it seeks to educate the expectant fathers on the trials that the pregnant partner is about to face.

Get the uncensored truth for as low as S$24.25 at Popular Bookstore.

2. MAYO CLINIC GUIDE TO A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

If you are a health-conscious individual like me, chances are, you have read several Mayo Clinic articles. Mayo Clinic is a non-profit medical research group based in Minnesota. The institution provides free online resources for everyone. The professionalism manifested in their website translates to the information packed inside the “Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy” book. This elaborate book functions as a reference guide, which you can browse from time to time.

The book includes three main sections: the pregnancy, the childbirth, and the newborn. The first part gives you week-by-week explanation of the changes that your body and mind will go through. Also, it shows the complete illustration of the baby’s development.

What will draw you closer to the book is its ability to give you informed decision by highlighting several pros and cons on important topics such as breastfeeding. Stand your ground after getting this 36-dollar book!

3. THE EXPECTANT FATHER: FACTS, TIPS, AND ADVICE FOR DADS-TO-BE

Let us turn the tables around by focusing on one of the best pregnancy books for dads-to-be. I have to admit! There is a limited amount of pregnancy books tailored for men, but The Expectant Father is highly recommended. The author of the book speaks from his firsthand experience as a dad. This makes the book personal and relevant.

Most expectant dads are full of anxiety about the whole process at hand, but this book aims to ease your worries. The organized chapters of this book includes dealing with labor as well as the potential emergencies that can arise. Hopefully, you can prepare for all types of scenarios.

What you will enjoy most about this book is its witty and humorous tone. Grab your own copy for only S$18.32.

4. BE PREPARED: A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK FOR NEW DADS

It seems like humor is a common writing style for authors who offer pregnancy books that are tailored for dads. This is not a bad thing! Aside from humor, Be Prepared boasts a wide array of topics from basic newborn care to selecting the ideal stroller.

Are you wondering how to successfully read your baby’s temperature? Or, do you need a step-by-step illustration on how to swaddle a newborn? All these are covered by the book. You read that right! This 29-dollar book is suitable for men who have no previous experience on fatherhood.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

[Disclaimer: Due to the public’s clamor for these helpful books, local bookstores occasionally run out of stocks. You can either wait patiently for the re-stock or consider the alternative options of purchasing. Thank you!]

Sources: 1 & 2

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Bad Money Habits That You Need To Drop When In A Relationship

Maintaining a healthy relationship with your significant other entails stabilizing the disposition of your finances.

Read thru this article to know how bad monetary habits can potentially harm your relationship. Furthermore, you will get an idea on how to conquer these habits.

#1: AVOIDING FINANCIAL CONVERSATIONS

A healthy long-term relationship is built on trust and transparency. As things get serious with your partner and marriage becomes a viable option, consider discussing about finances. You need to resolve your potential spouse’s money problems before it is too late.

Fully disclosing about your financial circumstance to your partner can be uncomfortable at first but, you have to at least try. Tell your partner about your outstanding debts, financial obligations, income sources, and other assets. This will make you empathize with each other more. From time to time, do not forget to check if your goals are in lined with each other.

#2: STICKING TO YOUR OUTDATED BUDGET

Improve your financial state this 2017 by establishing a robust budget. The budget that you created when you were single may be efficient, but you are now budgeting for two. Being in a committed relationship means that you have to take on more expenses with more resources. Begin by studying each other’s spending habits. Then, trim down unnecessary expenses after compromising. You may also adapt the budgeting techniques of your partner.

I, for one, allocate a small portion of my income to date nights. Let us face it! We belong in a generation where it is acceptable for women to split the tabs with their dates. Give this new perspective a chance as a loving relationship is a two-way street.

#3: LOANING YOUR VACATIONS

I know how much travelling can ease the stress of a hard working Singaporean. However, consistently deducting your romantic vacations on your credit card can take a toll on your wealth. Spending money that you do not have is a dangerous habit to possess. Imagine the arguments that boil down due to the frustration of not being able to meet up with the outstanding debts. This is why you must cultivate a travel fund in advance.

#4: SKIPPING THE BUDGET FOR GIFTS

According to the internationally-acclaimed book by Gary Chapman, there are five ways to express your love to your partner. These five ways include gift giving, quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, and acts of service. Understanding your partner’s love language will help you to strengthen your bond.

I am only going to focus on one love language – the gift giving. For people who place importance on the tangible symbols of affection, it is important to remember your special dates. You are bound to celebrate various occasions together such as anniversaries and birthdays. Not to mention, Valentine’s Day is coming up soon. Is your wallet ready?

It is a good idea to allocate a budget for gifts before buying one. Otherwise, you have to face budget trimming and other financial woes.

#5: KEEPING A MONETARY SECRET

Secrecy is rarely beneficial to a relationship. Research showed that 1 in 10 people considered breaking up with their partners upon the discovery of a financial secret. Millennial participants were even less forgiving as reaped a figure of 1 in 5. These numbers convey how secrets can strain a “loving” relationship.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The impact of keeping a monetary secret depends on the couple’s income, the item purchased, and the frequency of purchases. Another significant monetary secret is having a stash for escaping the relationship. Having undisclosed assets and secret bank accounts can affect the level of trust given by your partner. The primary source of damage is not money on its own, but it is the unpleasant habit of concealing the truth.

Sources: 1 & 2

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What On Earth Is ERP?

As far as the majority is concerned, ERP is something that you must avoid during peak hours. Many Singaporeans plan their routes beforehand in order to drive away from the relatively costly charges. But, have you ever wondered why ERP exists?

ERP or Electronic Road Pricing emerged as a means to control the traffic conditions. Managing the congestion is a must as there is a limit to the number of roads that one can build in Singapore.

I have a simple task for you! As you travel to developing countries, observe how demanding it is for drivers to queue up to the appropriate toll booths. The ERP scheme diminishes this problem by deducting your payments in a wireless manner, without seeking further actions from the drivers.

Image Credits: www.lta.gov.sg

Image Credits: lta.gov.sg

Its robustness paved way for the significant expansion from 2 to 80 distinct gantries (i.e., bridge-like overhead structure with a platform). You see, ERP was activated on the 1998. Its predecessor was known as the Area Licensing Scheme. Drivers in the late 70’s will remember this.

You may wonder how ERP rates are determined. In complex terms: “rates will be adjusted accordingly based on an optimal speed range of 20-30 km/h on arterial roads and 45-65 km/h on expressways”. In simpler terms, ERP rates are determined by a quarterly review of traffic speeds on certain roads. Factors that affect the rates include:

a. the passenger car unit equivalent,
b. the time you entered the restricted zone, and
c. the systemic pattern during peak hours (i.e., charges alter every half hour during peak hours).

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The future of ERP takes form as a Global Navigation Satellite System. NCS Pte Ltd. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine System Asia Pte Ltd. were appointed to develop this new-age ERP. It will be operational by 2020.

Are you ready for this contemporary shift and its potential effects on the road rates?

Sources: 1 & 2

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