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DIYInsurance’s First-of-its-Kind Baby Protection Package and Price Beater

DIYInsurance (Do It Your way Insurance) is Singapore’s First Life Insurance Comparison Web Portal launched in June 2014.

As its name suggests, you can now purchase insurance based on your own agenda and not the insurance agent’s agenda. Besides having the option to compare different kind of insurance plans across various insurers, they also rebate 30% of the commissions back to you. That’s an added bonus for making conscientious effort to take care of your own future financial needs!

Good news for every responsible adults out there!

DIYInsurance has unveiled a first-of-its-kind insurance packages last month to provide a more holistic cover to two groups of people that require protection the most — Baby and Young Working Adult.

For every parents, the birth of your baby signifies happiness and it also means assuming greater responsibility.

As parents, we want to give the best to our children. Besides giving them a memorable childhood, we want to give them a good education and adequate medical treatment if they fall ill or get injured.

The Child Protection Plan is an insurance package that protects your newborn from day one and it covers everything from child-related critical illnesses to death and disability. A complete hospitalization plan is also included to ensure that their hospital bill are taken care of.

Premium can be as affordable as less than $100 a month, depending on your needs. For more info, visit DIYInsurance here.

As responsible parents, we want our children’s education to be well taken care of and if your budget permits, the Baby Package also offers an Education Savings Plan that provides cash payout each time when your child reaches the next education milestone. Imagine how grateful your child will feel when they receive a cash payout of $2,000 each time they progress from Primary School to Secondary, and then to College?

An additional lump sum payment will be paid out when they turn 18, 19 and 20 (If your child is a girl) or 20, 21 and 22. (If your child is a boy)

Get rewarded for being responsible. You are entitled to cash rebates of around $300 for signing up for the Baby Package. A $50 shopping voucher will also be thrown in if you sign up for both the Child Protection Plan and the Education Savings Plan.

Enquire more about the package on DIYInsurace’s website here.

* Nobody like being shortchanged, and they understand that. DIYInsurance has also launched the Price Beater option which guarantee to offer you the best insurance deals out there. Got a better quotes from other insurers? Contact them and they’ll beat the price you have been offered and in addition they will give you up to $50 in shopping vouchers to spend! [Until 31 Dec 2015]

More information on Price Beater here.

(This article is brought to you by DIYInsurance.)

5 Tips You Need To Know Before Hiring A Tutor In Singapore

Singapore’s most prized resource is its people. This is why the government has invested immensely on education. From standardized curriculum to national benchmark tests, the Ministry of Education (MOE) ensured that its citizens are offered world-class education.

That said, it is understandable if you want to give your child a head start or extra support that he or she needs for school. To help your child get ahead from the curve, you can hire a tutor.

But first, here are some tips you must consider:

1. KNOW A TUTOR’S AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

When choosing the right tutor for your child, it is important to know their qualifications and specializations. Some tutors are not able to guide or answer students sufficiently because they are not familiar with the updated syllabi from MOE.

On the other hand, it makes sense that a specialized teacher is suited to teach a particular subject matter. For instance, if your child struggles in Mathematics, do you hire a tutor that only focuses on English?

2. CAREFULLY CHOOSE THE TYPE OF SERVICES

You can either choose from agencies or private tutors. A friend of mine hired a tutor for her Secondary 2 child that costed her about S$25-30 per hour. This amount includes more than 2 subjects already!

As you can see, the price that you are bound to pay really depends on the type of service and the student’s educational level. Certainly, it is cheaper to hire the same tutor to teach a Primary 1 student than a Secondary 5 one.

3. RESEARCH ON THE RECOMMENDED TUTORS

To get the most of your money and ensure high quality services, it is best if you gathered information on the top or recommended tutors in the area. Doing a Google search of the keywords tutor and Singapore will lead you to many popular tuition centers or agencies such as ChampionTutor and EliteSG Tutors.

ChampionTutor consists of a variety of private tutors that are qualified to teach students from preschool to university level. You can hire them for music lessons too. While EliteSGTutors focus on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry subjects. You can hire them for PSLE and other elementary level exams too.

4. DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF HOURS

Most parents hire tutors for 1-1.5 hours a week while intensifying it with 2-3 hours a week as important examinations draw near. This is why, the schedule and the fee for tutors may change every month.

Organize your finances and promptly pay the tuition fee by having a personal copy of the tutor’s working hours in an Excel Spreadsheet or in a small notebook.

5. COMMUNICATE WITH THE TUTOR

Much like a box of assorted chocolates, every tutor has a distinct “flavor and spice” when it comes to working one-on-one with children. Sit down with the potential tutors and ask them about their proposed study plan, schedule of sessions, and learning goals.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

This way, you can examine if you two are on the same ground.

Sources: 1 & 2

How to navigate the tough economic climate with systematic stock-picking skills

Recent news has been dominated by political and economic slowdown issues in both emerging and developed countries and it shows little sign of abatement. Global and local investors are increasingly feeling queasy about the financial market performances that has inevitably led to spikes in volatility.

While uncertain economic times may take a typical investor on a rough ride, it presents a cornucopia of gainful opportunities for the learned eye. Indeed, as detailed in the diagram below, the key is to align your risk appetite with the right investment strategies sorted by industry type and size. Next, an insightful analysis would also consider company-specific attributes that could potentially act as a lever or a damper on the stock returns.

It is also crucial to understand and consistently apply the Singapore context to the specific industry and company under review. For example, as shown below, it is paradoxical to categorise the real estate industry as non-cyclical. However, given Singapore’s major land constraint, strategic location, extensive infrastructure and favourable policies for trade and investment, real estate would be significantly less prone to cyclical influences than our counterparts.

A step-by-step basic investment guide

Send Out More Love Than Money With 4 Couple Saving Tips

When it comes to love, some people go all out just to make their partners smile.

However, dating with a limited budget can sometimes be stressful and embarrassing. Not anymore!

Manifest your affection in these budget-friendly ways:

1. AVOID UNNECESSARY CELEBRATIONS

Some couples are fond of “weeksaries and monthsaries”. That weekly or monthly celebrations can accumulate to a huge sum of money by the time the year ends!

Save cash and still do something unforgettable by having an anniversary celebration when he or she least expects it. Explore your options and stick to your budget with gifts such as a romantic home-cooked dinner, a handwritten love letter, or a well-decorated scrapbook of your memories.

2. SPLIT THE BILL

A couple with a healthy relationship is comfortable with the idea of give and take. This can be applied when paying the bills. In a society where more women feel empowered with their finances, splitting the bill is usually accepted. Ignore the gender norms that urge men to pay for all the dates!

Image Credits: TheeErin via Flickr (CC License)

Value each other’s money and treat each other once in a while.

3. BUILD A COUPLE FUND

If splitting the bill is not your cup of tea, consider creating a “couple fund” wherein both of you can contribute a decent amount of money to use for special occasions or milestones.

Your total couple fund will dictate the nature (i.e., place, time, or itinerary) and the budget of your date. You can enjoy a dinner at the Singapore Flyer or a weekend trip to Bali!

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

When both of you are really determined to reach your goals, nothing can stop you.

4. BE PRESENT

As cliché as this may sound, your presence is enough to make someone feel appreciated. Spend quality time with your special someone without breaking the bank with these ideas:

a. Learn A Skill

There is nothing sweeter than sharing your interests to your partner. If you are a fan of cooking and baking then, teach him or her the basic recipes and techniques. But, if neither of you have an expertise, lookup free online tutorials and make DIY projects together.

b. Enjoy A Romantic Date Night

Get to know each other while playing the infamous childhood game of Truth or Dare. Or, learn a lot about his or her boiling points while playing poker and wage it with anything other than money (e.g., kisses or cupcakes).

c. Go To Illusionary Museums

Indulge your partner’s addiction for Selfies by taking good photos inside the illusionary museums in Singapore such as Trick Eye Museum and Alive Museum. These unique places boast with eye-catching 3D and 4D artworks, which combine 3D painting techniques, installations, and state-of-the-art technologies to make things appear real.

Get the most out of your money at the Trick Eye Museum by buying tickets online to get 15% discount and by going on 31 October onward as a new batch of artworks will be available then. Tickets to both museums range from S$17-S$25 each.

Image Credits: instagram.com/agoncilloanna

There is absolutely nothing wrong about staying frugal while dating! After all, you are investing on your future as a couple.

4 “Hidden” Costs Of Flying With Budget Airlines

How can you pay for a trip if your budget is too tight? Certainly, saving for travel money is not an easy task, which is why a mixture of effort and creativity will make your dream getaway a reality.

While scouting for affordable prices, you can consider flying with the popular Budget Airlines namely: Tigerair, Jetstar, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia.

However, the true reason why you are able to purchase low-cost plane tickets with Budget Airlines is that they provide the basic amenities on-board while charging you for the additional services you might require. These “hidden or sneaky” fees for anything extra can take a toll on your pocket. This is why, you shall keep an eye on the following costs:

1. TIME

Usually, the cheapest fares and special promotions are available during off-peak season or in the most inconvenient times. Examine if you are really willing to wait for the off-peak seasons or if you are willing to sacrifice sleep to save money.

2. EXCESS BAGGAGE

For short trips, I suggest to pack light. Although majority of Budget Airlines provide you with a free carry-on baggage allowance (of at least 7kg) aside from your check-in baggage, exceeding this will cost you a lot! For example, Jetstar charges a minimum of S$20 while Tigerair charges a minimum of S$25 per kilo in excess.

3. CREDIT CARD PROMOTIONS

Some credit cards offer deals with Budget Airlines but, they might require a minimum amount of purchase or a minimum amount of people. A credit card that is exclusive to the airlines itself will give you the advantage you need.

For example, Tigerair Platinum Credit Card lets its holders enjoy free luggage upgrades, free seating selections, early access to Tigerair deals, and priority boarding.

4. SERVICE EXTRAS

As you confirm your ticket, remember that you will have to pay for all your extras including food, beverages, blankets, pillows, and entertainment systems. Save money by packing your own food but, check if the carrier allows outside food first. Then, finish your drinks before going through security because there are on-board liquid restrictions.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

To ensure that your bargain airfare does not break your budget, review the fine print with hawk eyes and consider the unexpected costs!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5

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