MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

Household Items You Should Not Be Spending Too Much On

Whether you are living alone or you have kids, it can be difficult to manage your finances regardless of how much you make. One of the best ways to improve your situation is to trim your daily costs. Figure out what exactly you are paying for by knowing which things you are spending too much on.

Reduce your household items spending by following these tips:

1. PAPER TOWELS

Instead of buying paper towels constantly as they ran out, purchase Scotch-Brite’s sponge clothes for S$3.50 at Fairprice. This is an amazing product that wipes as a paper towel or a cloth but absorbs like a sponge. All you have to do is to cut one piece in two to make the most of your dollar. Since you can reuse it, this will last you for a month or so. Not only did you help clean your kitchen but you also help save Mother Nature.

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

2. COFFEE FILTERS

A pack of disposable coffee filters can cost you as low as S$2, which you have to restock depending on your needs. Thankfully, they have invented the reusable coffee filters. You can purchase in Qoo10 for as low as S$8.90 – S$11. It can save you so much in the long run!

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

3. COOKING AND BAKING MOLDS

No need to buy perfectly shaped molds for your cookie dough, meatballs, or patties. Use well-cleaned Styrofoam egg cartons instead. Place the ingredients inside to help you freeze each individual portion. Also, you can use this cartoon for potting a small seedling for your garden or for arranging your golf and table tennis balls.

4. COMMERCIAL CLEANERS

You can save more by making your own yet effective counter and shower cleaner mix. For the kitchen counter cleaner, all you have to do is mix water with 5% of vinegar.

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

For the shower cleaner, simply mix three parts water to one-part vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for an enticing scent. This is useful for the tub, shower door, and walls.

BONUS: WRAPPING PAPER

Use your old fabrics to make a reusable gift bag to substitute for a wrapping paper. Kids would throw the wrapping paper anyway! Just cut one rectangle off the fabric then one long one for the “ribbon”. Sew through the fabric seams. Get the full instructions, here.

Sources: 1 & 2

Awesome MUJI Hacks You Wouldn’t Want To Miss

For the past few decades, Japanese brands had been circulating the worldwide market. Valuing their historical significance, contemporary influence, and innovative style, Japan never seize to amaze its consumers. Myself included. Personally, there is one Japanese brand close to my heart and it is called MUJI.

MUJI’s products are not only simple but also efficient. Most of their products are practical such as the “CT LINEN POLY SOFT BOX OBLONG“, a foldable fabric storage box for only S$13.

Curated by Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd., MUJI upholds the philosophy of bringing quality products at lower prices. This is because of their intensive selection for raw materials. A testament of that are their stationery items including office supplies, packaging items, acrylic storage, desktop items, and handphone accessories with prices ranging from S$0.90-S$49.

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

Given that their prices are reasonable, you can still save further by using these tips:

1. SHOP ONLINE WITH CUPONATION

CupoNation has a huge database of the coupon codes and deals across Singapore. If you browsed through their coupon codes and discounted deals for MUJI this September 2015, you would see that you might avail the following offers in MUJI’s online store:

a. 10% on Women’s Linen products

b. 10% OFF + Free Delivery on Selected Travel Items

c. 10% OFF on Spring Accessories

d. 10% OFF on Kids Linen products

e. 10% OFF on Men’s Linen items

2. GO DIRECTLY TO THE SALE ITEMS PAGE

If you are shopping in a rush, you may skip CupoNation but go directly to the “SALE ITEMS” page. In this page, you would see that there are two types of special offers namely: sale items and limited offers. As the name suggests, limited offers are available for a shorter period of time compared to the sale items.

Let me be the good messenger as I tell you that the sale items boast in an array of clothing articles such as French Linen Boat Neck Dress for S$48.30 (U.P. S$69) and Linen Cropped Easypants for S$34.30 (U.P. S$49.00). While, the limited offers include the Gel Ink Pens for S$1.44 (U.P. S$1.60) and the Ochiwata Duster Set for S$7.47 (U.P. S$8.30).

3. SPEND AN AFFORDABLE AMOUNT ON UNIQUE, QUIRKY, AND COOL ITEMS

Feeling adventurous does not have to be expensive! You can save money on unique, quirky, and cool authentic Japanese items by shopping at MUJI. For instance, you may try their selection of special and tasty snacks and desserts such as white chocolate strawberry, scallop rice kit, and pretzel mustard.

Also, dig into the cool and innovative items such as the “HANDY SHREDDER” which is a stand-alone portable shredder for your everyday use. It is available for S$11.

Image Credits: www.muji.com.sg

4. FOLLOW THE DEALS

It can be overwhelming when you go inside the store. So, come prepared by stalking them on social media. Get the inside scoop of their store activities, product launches, and latest deals by following facebook.com/muji.sg.

Currently, the revamped Paragon outlet include the first Café&Meal MUJI as well as the following in-store deals:

Image Credits: facebook.com/muji.sg

4 Work Emails That Can Cost You Your Job

For majority of us, a significant amount of time we spent at work is placed on sending and receiving several emails throughout the day. Because we send and receive hundreds of messages a day, some end up making embarrassing or shameful mistakes that can be harmful in the profession. Yes! Some of your corporate emails may send a bad tone to the receiver. If the receiver decides to forward that said email to your boss then, you might lose your job. Prevent that from happening by knowing the 4 Work Emails That Can Cost You Your Job:

1. “I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR ANOTHER JOB!”

Do I even need to explain why this is inappropriate? If you are sick of your current workplace, looking for another job is one thing but admitting it through a work email is another! You might as well have an “I Hate This Place” sign on your chest!

Do not use your corporate or work email to relay this kind of message even to your most trusted colleagues. You may think that if people know you are seeking for another job then, they will do anything to keep you around. Perhaps you are expecting a raise or a promotion…but that rarely happens! Most likely, you are the first candidate in mind during layoffs.

2. “I AM PASSING AN MC TOMORROW.”

This is not a work email that you want to circulate around unless you really feel sick and you cannot make it tomorrow. Although many people have done this before, it is not professional and it sends a message that you are tired of your job. Not only does the company pay for your MC but they also need to cover for you. If the HR gets this email, you will have some explaining to do!

3. “PLEASE DELETE AFTER READING.”

Having a disclaimer like this is a sign that something shady or something highly sensitive is coming next. If someone outside of your circle reads this, you are going to be in big trouble. The truth is, nothing is ever completely deleted. Take Hillary Clinton for example, whose emails to non-government accounts were out in the public because it was maintained on the Federal government’s servers. So, if it is a sensitive matter, use your personal email or meet up your colleague and talk about it in closed doors.

4. “LET’S ALL PARTY TONIGHT!”

We spend most of our time at work so, it comes as no surprise that parties and get-togethers happen all the time. But, this is a personal event that you must organize and send through your personal email. If anything bad happens in the party, evidence might bring down the company too. Unless it is a workplace party, organize your parties via personal Gmail invites or personal Whatsapp conversations.

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

Oh one more thing! Please avoid sending drunken emails or sending a message that you got really wasted last night using a corporate email. No explanations needed!

Sources: 1 & 2

Perfect Places To Buy The Cheapest Perfume And Other Fragrances In Singapore

Singapore is a haven not only for food or gadget lovers but also for the fashionistas! It seems that the country offers some of the cheapest branded goods in Asia. That being said, most of the tourists that come to the Lion City are in search of the best fragrances available. Ease your search by checking out this list:

1. CHANGI AIRPORT

Fragrances in Changi Airport are cheaper that the rest because they are free of tax. They have a wide range of designer brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Bvlgari, Burberry, Elizabeth Arden, Karl Lagerfeld, and Calvin Klein. Furthermore, there are ongoing specials that you cannot resist such as the S$25.50 ACCA KAPPA fragrance!

You can save more than S$19 by buying the Calvin Klein’s CK Free that is priced at S$45.85 (U.P. S$65.50). Also, one of the best-selling brands out there – Davidoff Cool Water is now priced at S$45.57 (U.P. S$65.10).

2. MUSTAFA CENTRE

This list would not be complete without the only 24-hour shopping center in Singapore called Mustafa Centre. Famed for its bargain prices, shops at Mustafa Centre offer an array of product selections. If you are buying fragrances in bulk, go to Level 1. There, you will find different fragrances, household items, books, cosmetics, electronics, shoes, watches, and so much more.

Image Credits: Fabio Achilli via Flickr

Because of the competitive prices in Mustafa, most would go there to buy in extremely large quantities in order to increase their savings.

3. LUCKY PLAZA

Nestled in the bustling Orchard Road, is a hub for affordable products called Lucky Plaza. While most of the shops along the road are catering to high-end customers, Lucky Plaza is unique as it speaks to the hearts of the budget shoppers. Mostly on the ground floor, you will find varieties of perfumes that are available at the lowest prices. The branded fragrances are cheaper than most because you can purchase them in sample sizes. If you are undecided or are adventurous in your selection then, it is the ideal place for you!

Image Credits: facebook.com/pages/Dollars-Scent-Singapore/215765261882750?sk=timeline&ref=page_internal

Friendly reminders, get the best deal by politely asking if you can bargain for the price. Then, always ask the total price of the purchase including the GST.

Must Read: 5 Tips On Using Credit Cards While Traveling Overseas

If you are traveling soon, arming yourself with sufficient cash and credit cards can conveniently cover all your expenses. When using your plastic card in fancy restaurants or tourist destinations, you would not have to worry about converting the currency (through the nearest money converter) or whether you converted the right amount. The credit card company will automatically do that for you. This process not only comes with simplicity but also extra costs.

Aside from choosing a credit card that is widely accepted across the globe such as MasterCard or Visa, here are 5 tips on getting the most of using your credit cards while traveling overseas…

1. KNOW THE EXTRA FEES

Even if your credit card is widely accepted, you must expect foreign exchange fees and ATM transaction charges. This is why it is recommended to contact your card issuer or bank to inquire about any extra fees or interest while traveling overseas. Through this, you can maintain your travel budget.

2. KNOW THE CREDIT LIMIT AND CARD’S EXPIRATION DATE

Nothing greatly ruins a glorious trip than suddenly discovering that you are unable to pay for your expenses. It is a shameful mess you do not want to get caught on! So, you must know and double confirm your credit limit and credit card’s expiration date with your card issuer or bank.

3. KNOW THE PROTOCOL FOR STOLEN CARDS

Although pick pocketing happens less when you conceal your credit card well, you must be familiar with the protocol for stolen cards. Firstly, you must check all your pockets and bags in case you just misplaced it. Then, report that your card is missing so you will not be charged for unauthorized purchases.

4. KNOW IF THE MERCHANT OR RESTAURANT ACCEPTS CARDS

Before deciding to indulge in the services of a merchant or a restaurant, it pays to know if they accept credit cards first. While some proudly display their credit card partnerships on the walls, others may hide it. You must still carry cash in case you found out that you couldn’t pay via credit card due to unforeseen events.

5. KNOW THE CARD’S TRAVEL BENEFITS

Most credit cards come with travel benefits such as discounted accommodations or dining. Take advantage of these rewards to help fund your vacation. If you want to know the best travel credit cards in Singapore, check this out.

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

Sources:1 & 2

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