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3 Budget-friendly Places To Do Your Shopping Before Chinese New year

There are 2 reasons why all of us would be looking forward to Chinese New Year in 2015. Not only because there would be a long weekend for us to take a break from the flurry of work or school, it is also the time for us to indulge in all the festive goodies that are usually only rampant during this time of the year!

On the other hand, some would be groaning at the vast amount of work needed to prepare for the festival, such as the preparation of red packets and being laden with the overwhelming responsibility of whipping up a sumptuous meal for the entire family for the occasion. Not only do you need to feel the pinch of giving money away to the young and old, you are also expected to spend a lot of money on buying exorbitantly priced ingredients to prepare the meal. Besides having to buy ingredients in large amounts since the extended family would be present for the reunion, prices of the ingredients would have risen sky high due to the rise in demand and low in supply during this point of time.
Many dread the process, but we help you make it a little more enjoyable!

Woodlands Industrial Park

(Image credit: ST)

Many have raved about it, but just how many people really know about its hidden gems? Mainly well-known for their good bargains for food and goodies, many flock there during festive period to stock up.
Despite being an industrial area, there have been tours to Woodlands Industrial Park organised by community centres and other organisations to bring people to the popular outlets for grocery shopping. Honestly, I would admit that it is very much more convenient to travel there if you have a car as it is quite inaccessible where you can only get there via bus. But if you must, there is always bus service 964 from Admiralty MRT Station which can bring you there!

Personally, I have been patronising several distributors found there for my goodies fix such as J&C Fong’s Confectionary (they have excellent pineapple tarts and butter cakes) and Melvado’s with my family since young as my family love the good food and attractive bargains that can only be found there. Apart from the big companies like Frangrance, we can also find smaller suppliers opening booths at their stores selling items such as nian gao (traditional rice cakes) or even steamboat ingredients just for the occasion at a much lower price as compared to NTUC and the like. Customers can grab their groceries at wholesale prices and if you’re re to make a quick calculation, you actually would save a lot more from all the purchases you have made there.

Chinatown on Chinese New Year’s eve

(Image credit: bestofsingapore.sg)

Visiting Chinatown during the Chinese New Year period is mandatory, not just because one would go there to soak up the festive atmosphere, but also because that is a place to buy CNY goodies at crazily low prices. If you are one who don’t mind squeezing in the massive crowd, going to Chinatown on dates closer to the Lunar New Year would be one of the best times because that is when vendors start slashing the prices of their stocks, especially perishables like the Taiwanese Sausages, sweets and pineapple tarts in a desperate bid to get rid of them.

Johor Bahru

(Image credit: elgenahearts.blogspot.com)

If you are able to grab hold of your passport, go take a bus from Woodlands checkpoint to JB to do some shopping! Right outside the Sultan Iskandar CIQ Complex (if you are lost, I am talking about the Malaysian customs) are 2 large shopping malls just side by side, linked by a connecting bridge – City Square Mall and Komtar JBCC – where you can shop til you drop. Within City Square itself, there are various hair salons, nail parlours, massage parlours and boutiques to prepare for the occasion! Komtar JBCC has many sports outlets and beauty stores as well. Not to mention the number of restaurants and cafes in both malls that you can visit to rest your aching body from all the shopping. Definitely you would be able to find many things that you need for CNY!

Apart from these places, there are other means to purchase necessities such as going online to shop for clothes etc. because there is no change in the price. But always remember that the best way to avoid hassle is to start early!

An 86-Year-Old Woman Spends $164,000 A Year To Retire In A Luxury Cruise Ship

After countless years of routinely work, most people cannot imagine a life without it. Retirement, a course that can happen either by choice or by circumstance, came as an easy decision for Lee Wachtsetter.

Lee Wachtsetter or commonly called as Mama Lee has been spending the past seven years on the luxury liner named Crystal Serenity.

Image Credits: YouTube.com

She told USA Today that she was always fond of cruises. In fact, she has been on more than 283 ships since 1962. She spends about $164,000 a year to live cruise-ship lifestyle, which includes a single-occupancy seventh deck stateroom, all her meals, and the cruise’s entertainment.

In order for her to afford this, she sold her five-bedroom Fort Lauderdale-area home after her husband died.

Before her husband died in 1997, he told her to never stop cruising because both of them have deeply rooted love for it…and so cruising she shall! She chose the luxury liner because of their dance programs. Aside from frequent cocktail parties, Mama Lee enjoys watching movies, interesting lectures, and other free daily entertainment such as ballroom dancing.

Image Credits: Gary Bembridge via Flickr

The sea life has brought Mama Lee nothing but joy but the hardest part of her retirement is being away from her three sons and seven grandchildren. Luckily, technology paved way for regular Skype and email conversations.

She has been on the Crystal Serenity since 2008, a period of time that is longer than most of the crew. The relationship she built with the crewmembers made her feel close to home. On an interview, she once said: “The crewmembers bend over backwards to keep me happy. Some are almost like family now. If they don’t have what I want, they get it. Even if they have to buy it off the ship or make it to my specific needs.”

A YouTube clip of their Christmas dance show proves that she can still shake it even at 86…

To retire on a luxury cruise is truly a dream of a lifetime. It makes you realize how to live in the moment like Mama Lee — Dancing, Cruising, and Enjoying Life.

8 Excuses Young People Use To Justify Their Spending

Admit it…when you are about to make a remorseful purchase, you will rationalize your spending with a whole lot of things. Oh how lovely it feels when you’ve refreshed your whole wardrobe! But, it may not be wise for your finances in the long run.

From being stressed to needing to look good for a special occasion, here are 8 Excuses Young People Use To Justify Their (Unnecessary) Spending…

1. I HAD THE WORST DAY. I DESERVE THIS.

Isn’t it the worst feeling in the world when you’ve studied so hard for a final exam and failed the next day or when you’ve prepared so hard for a crucial presentation and choke the minute you went up on stage?

Certainly, it can change your mood negatively. Too boost your self-esteem you will buy the prettiest lipstick from MAC cosmetics or a new phone.
2. CELEBRATING MY GOOD GRADES, NEW JOB, or NEW APARTMENT

Since you have been promoted from your job, you better get a new coffee table, work dress, or a sparkly jewelry. You definitely feel that you shouldn’t look like old self. You want to embody an up-gradated version of yourself. Version 2.0!

3. I AM SO STRESSED. RETAIL THERAPY PLEASE!

That moment when you feel cannot do it anymore. You feel helpless and stressed with the situation you have been given. Hence, you will dive into retail therapy and drown yourself with material things to make you feel better. You may also swipe an expensive massage from your Visa Card. Ohh la la!

4. BEING AT MY PARENTS’ HOUSE SAVED ME ENOUGH MONEY.

After spending a week at your parents’ house you rationalize that you’ve saved so much money from eating home cook meals and using your their utilities. It helped you save enough money that you can now spend on the stuff you like.

5. SINCE I AM SPENDING, I MIGHT AS WELL GET THE BEST.

You feel that your money is more worth it if you bought nothing but the best beer, blouse, shoes, or concert tickets. After all, it is your own money.

Image Credits: Amélie Verleene via Flickr

6. THE “JUST THIS ONCE” PHENOMENON

You will be quick to purchase when everything is on sale and the item you like only has one size left…and it is your size! Just this once (you tell yourself).

Then you will feel that you have been eating too much processed food or instant noodles while you are living in your dorm. So, you will eat somewhere pricey but super nice for a change. Just this once.

7. I NEED TO LOOK GOOD FOR MY BF, GF OR MYSELF

The urge to buy an expensive article of clothing due to the constant need to look good for your boyfriend, girlfriend or yourself. Other than that, the person you dislike might be in the reunion party you will attend. You feel that it will be nice to show him/her how amazing you look now.

8. IT IS OKAY TO SPEND AS LONG AS I AM HAPPY.

Along with the previous excuses above, many have fallen prey to this statement: “It is okay to spend as long as I am happy”.

For instance, you went to a Game Console store with a single goal in mind—to buy the new GTA V XBOX game. But, you walk out the store with 2 games in hand (that is a 100% over your budget). At least you are happy!

Image Credits: Jason Devaun via Flickr

I hope that by knowing these excuses, you will be aware and more cautious in your daily spending.

Personal Loan 101: Golden Information You Should Know

Like a kid in a candy store, consumers have various loans to choose from. From education loan to home loan, we shall look at personal loan through a microscope.

Personal loans are used for family emergencies, home furnishings, or consolidating other debts. These loans are often short-term.

1. APPLICATION PROCESS

You will be asked to complete a loan application that may include: your name, NRIC, date of birth, address, current and previous employers, length of employment, occupation, sources of income, total monthly income, and information about existing credit accounts.

Image Credits: Chris Potter via Flickr, (stockmonkeys.com)

Your credit card report includes your bill-paying history, amount and type of accounts you have, late payments, collection actions, outstanding debt, and so on. This along with your application shall help the bank decide if you are trustworthy and credible enough to pay the personal loan.

2. THE MORE PARTICULAR IT IS, THE CHEAPER IT GETS

When getting loans, be as specific as possible. The reason behind it is that loans that are particular often have lower interest rates. So, do not take up a personal loan to pay for a school debt when you can just apply for an education loan.

Personal loans tend to charge about 6% to 8% interest while Renovation Loan, Education Loans and etc. tend to have interest rates that are as low as 2%. Know what is best for your situation.

3. REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS

You may be tempted to immediately contact your current bank but that may bite you in the back. Personal loans and its interest change outrageously across time.

When there is less people borrowing from the banks (e.g., bad economy), they tend to lower the interest rates or give more lenient payment terms. So, look for a bank that is willing to give you the best offer and the maximum rewards.

4. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PAY LATE

Before venturing in, you must find out the clause of the payment penalties first. Like credit cards, it is not impossible to get an “interest adjustment” for a late payment.

Frets not…banks understand that certain circumstances such as unemployment or chronic illness can make it difficult to meet the bills. If this happens, contact your creditor, explain your situation and work out a repayment schedule together.

4 Things to Consider Before Applying For An Educational Loan

Tertiary Education and Graduate Studies can be too costly especially to people who live by one cost at a time without any savings plan what so ever. On the other hand, just because a bank tells you that you are qualified and approved for an education loan does not mean taking it is a good idea.

Here are 4 Things to Consider Before Applying For An Educational Loan:

1. EDUCATE YOURSELF

Before applying for any education loan, it is tantamount to understand what the student’s course aspects are such as the eligibility criteria and the loans needed to complete the whole course.

Educate yourself about the loan’s dimensions such as repayment, pre-payment fees, and cancellations.

2. SWIM THROUGH THE WHOLE POOL

Study all the possible options by swimming through the whole pool. Some banks offer the best interest rate while others offer the best processing fee. So, to save you money, enquire about all the loan schemes available in the market.

3. KNOW THE TOTAL COST

Be aware of the interest, pre-payment fees, additional processing fees, repayment options, and cancellation fees. It is always better to get rid of the debts as soon as possible but some banks may impose additional charges for pre-closure of the loan. So, ask yourself if is worth it.

Usually loan applicants concentrate only on the principal and interest to reach repayment amount. By doing so, you will have to pay extra charges that the bank authorities have not clarified. This is why it is vital to ask after educating yourself.

4. CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES TO REACH THE GOAL

Explore if there are cheaper ways to reach the same goal. Other universities offer online diploma courses that are cheaper than if you take it up on the university’s premises.

Image Credits: Will Folsom via Flickr

But, if you have done the math and your financial account cannot cover the expenses just yet…fret no more. Be resourceful instead. Volunteer works, internships, and a Polytechnic diploma may help you acquire the necessary skills without going back to undergraduate school.

By obtaining a diploma in the same field you will take in undergraduate school may help you get other subjects exempted. I have a couple of classmates who are exempted for a couple of semesters or even a year just because of the subjects and electives they have taken up in Polytechnic. Hence, it will not only save you time but it will also save you money.

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