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3 Quick, Easy, And Affordable Meal Ideas Under S$20

Assuming the basic ingredients including salt, pepper, sugar, garlic, onions, and eggs are available at your home, here are the affordable meal ideals you can simply and swiftly prepare for the whole family:

1. CRISPY ROMAINE SALAD

Increase the vitamins absorbed by your body through this low-calorie dish that takes only 15 minutes to prepare.

INGREDIENTS (SERVING 4 PAX)

1 large Romaine lettuce (S$3.50 per 300g at Quan Fa Organic Farm)

2 medium carrots (S$0.80 per 500g at FairPrice)

0.30 cup of mayonnaise (S$2.65 at FairPrice)

2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar (S$6.50 at Delicia)

1 small clove of garlic

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1 cucumber (S$0.65 per pack at FairPrice)

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

DIRECTIONS

Cut the unpeeled cucumber vertically in half then, cut it horizontally into thin “half-moon shapes”. Then, coarsely chop the Romaine lettuce. Get a huge serving bowl and place your cut cucumber and lettuce there. Afterwards, peel the carrots directly into the serving bowl.

On a separate small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper well. Then, add this sauce mix to the serving bowl.

2. VELVET SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH HERBS

Give your good ol’ scrambled eggs a twist by adding fresh herbs. This recipe takes a total of 20 minutes to prepare.

INGREDIENTS (SERVING 4 PAX)

9 eggs

1/4 cup of milk (as low as S$2.40 at FairPrice)

1/4 cup of butter (S$3 per 250g at FairPrice)

1 tablespoon minced oregano (S$4.35 per 15g Mccormick Whole Mexican Oregano at FairPrice)

1 tablespoon minced thyme (as low as S$4 at FairPrice)

2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese (S$5.55 per 125g Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese at FairPrice)

Chives (follow self-preference)

Salt and pepper (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

Whisk the eggs and milk in a medium bowl for about 1 minute. Melt the butter over medium to low heat in a large sauté pan (preferably non-stick). Then, pour the mix of eggs into the pan and gently stir it with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Cook it over low heat.

When the eggs finally lose the “raw look”, put the thyme, oregano, chives, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in the pan and stir these ingredients to distribute. Immediately pour an additional 2 teaspoons of milk to the eggs once it is very creamy and moist. Finally, remove the egg from the heat.

3. CONFETTI RICE PILAF

This is a colorful compliment to any of your chicken dishes. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare.

INGREDIENTS (SERVING 4 PAX)

1 small onion

1 carrot

1 celery stalk (S$1.60 per pack at FairPrice)

1 tablespoon of butter

1 clove of garlic

1 cup of white rice (as low as S$4.95 at FairPrice)

1 chicken broth (S$1.75 per 60g of Knorr Chicken Cubes at FairPrice)

0.25 cup of water

0.25 cup of Parsley leaves (S$3.85 per 7g of Mccormick Parsley Flakes at FairPrice)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan, heat the butter on medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, garlic, celery, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir all this for 6 to 8 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the white rice to the pan then store for 1 minute. Then, put the chicken broth and water into the pan while boiling it on high.

Reduce the heat to low then cover and simmer for 16-18 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed and the white rice is tender. Afterwards, you must turn off the heart but keep it covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with the fork and stir the parsley.

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

Isn’t it incredible that you can make yummy dishes of four servings under S$20? Try it now and enjoy! 🙂

Sources: 1,2, & 3

Local Companies That Offer Space-Saving Furniture For Your Small Flat

In response to the admiration that the “5 Simple Ways To Maximize Your Small Flat Without Spending Too Much” got, here is the list of the companies you can buy space-saving furniture from. This way, you can store more and keep more of your beloved items while maximizing the space. Interestingly, most of these companies are on a mission of decreasing the constraints of living on small space as our population continues to boom.

1. HWB Concept Pte Ltd (click for official website)

HWB, short for Hidden Wall Bed, is a company that specializes on wall-affixed beds that come in basic or designer style. What is amazing about their beds is that it can hold up to 70 KG with a mattress as thick as 5-11 inches. Furthermore, it can open at any angle even at 30 degrees without slamming down. They claim that their products can also endure the mounting of a 42″ LED TV. Such strength for a product that saves space!

If you have a style in mind, their beds are fully customizable to any ceiling height and you are free to choose from a myriad of finishes.

Here is a sneak peek at their iCON@CHANGI Small Home Office Showroom:

2. Space-Saving Furniture Systems

Established in 2012, Space-Saving Furniture Systems offers beds that are designed and imported from the United Kingdom. To assess the safety of the beds, they were tested for thousands of cycles and were verified by the UK wall bed manufacturer itself. They guarantee highest standards that do not harm the price. For instance the Cosy Beds collection follow these prices…

Cosy vertical wall-bed with hanger at the back: S$1,500-2,100

Cosy vertical wall-bed: S$1,450

Cosy horizontal twin wall-beds: $2,600

What separates them from most is that, beds are super customizable! You can add features such as cupboards, bookshelves, and mattress. The wall-beds have 3-year warranty while the mattress have 5-15-year warranty. The two different brands of UK beds they carry are Next and Alpha. Lastly, they sell wardrobe closets too! The wardrobe closet is priced at S$900-1,200.

3. Spaceman

Last but certainly not the least is the media acclaimed company called Spaceman. Spaceman delivers innovative and stylish space-saving furniture to beautify your place and meet your needs. Featured on The Straits Times, Expat Living, The Business Times, and Home & Decor among others, Spaceman strives to sell affordable products which is why their prices are fixed and displayed on their website.

From hidden beds or wall-beds to kitchen furniture, they have it all for you. Their economical hidden bed starts at S$1,100. While the bigger sizes cost S$3,170-3,552. You may fold it vertically or horizontally, to blend within your walls.

Currently, they are having a sale on this Rise Coffee Table + Dining Table (S$1,988):

Source: 1

5 Simple Ways To Renovate Your Tiny Flat Without Spending Too Much

It is no secret that most of the flats available in Singapore are relatively small. It is done so as to expand the area available in our wonderful country. Aside from condominiums, HDB flats, ranging from 45 to 110 square meters, are the popular choice of the masses.

Whether you recently got off your parent’s estate or you relocated in the city center, the limited space of a flat can pose different challenges ahead. To live comfortably in it, here is the “5 Simple Ways To Renovate Your Tiny Flat Without Spending Too Much”:

1. SHOP AT IKEA

This Swedish super brand is a hub for home decorating while on a budget. IKEA’s two Singapore stores sell multiple organizational items and furniture that are perfect for small living spaces. For example, you may purchase the BRIMNES slim mirror with 4 storage squares for S$99 or the BYGEL removable dish drainer for only S$6.90.

What’s more? You can get free #homeinspo from their in-store displays or website catalogs.

2. AFFIX YOUR APPLIANCES TO THE WALL

Instead of getting huge drawers for the flat screen television or microwave oven, mount or affix them on the wall. This inexpensive trick is a surefire space saver for a small-scale kitchen or living room.

3. ADD MIRRORS

Adding mirrors to a modest room can make it appear bigger. Wide and oversized mirrors can fool the eyes by reflecting more light and by brightening the room. Save money by mounting two 70×70 cm IKEA STAVE mirrors costing to S$29.90 each.

4. OPT FOR SOFA BEDS

Buying a mattress, a headboard, and a bed frame can be costly and space consuming. Opt for a sofa bed instead. For about S$100, you can purchase a multi-purpose coach that expands into a bed for yourself or your guests.

5. NO-COST VISUAL DISTRACTIONS

You can easily maximize your space for free! All you have to do is to create visual distractions. Keep the room bright by opening the curtains. Then, make room for more by fixing your furniture diagonally.

Image Credits: Jim Cramer via Flickr with Creative Commons License (Attribution-NoDerivs)

Sources:1 & 2

Spend Under S$10 To Bring Back The Sparkle Of Your Jewelry

Letting your treasured necklaces, bracelets, rings, or other heirlooms shine again can cost you about $35-139.90. That is the hefty price you may pay if you want to purchase an Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner. So..instead of getting expensive cleaning machines, professional cleaning services, or cleaning solutions, opt for practical Do-It-Yourself ways to clean your favorite bling! Here is how:

1. DIAMOND AND SILVER POTION

This mixture is exclusively for cleaning your precious diamonds and silvers. The ingredients are mostly available in your kitchen thus; you would not have to spend a lot.

Ingredients:

Small bowl

Aluminum foil

Paper towel

Old toothbrush

1-tablespoon salt

1-tablespoon baking soda

1-teaspoon dish detergent

1-cup hot water

Procedure:

Fill the small bowl with a square sheet of aluminum foil then, put the salt, baking soda, and dish detergent. Watch as the liquid buzz while you add the hot water. Afterwards, drop your jewelry there and leave it for 10 minutes. Once the minutes are up, remove the jewelry and use the toothbrush to gently scrub around any prongs, groves, or gemstones. Lastly, rinse and pat dry.

Image Credits: Aleksey Gnilenkov via Flickr with Creative Commons License

*Note: For Pandora’s jewelry, do not use this method as it may be considered too harsh. Instead, check out 3c. below.

2. GOLDEN POTION

One of the biggest reasons why your gold does not shine anymore is because it is filthy! Clean your gold jewelry the right way with this mixture. Much like the diamond and silver potion, ingredients for the gold mixture are available in your home.

Ingredients:

Toothpaste

Old Toothbrush

Soft cloth (dry)

Procedure:

Apply the toothpaste on the toothbrush and scrub the gold jewelry well. If you have a larger piece of gold to shine, repeatedly rinse off the toothbrush and use more toothpaste. Then, rinse it off with water. Lastly, get your soft cloth to dry it. Use circular motions to polish your golden jewelry!

3. OTHERS

a. White Vinegar

If white vinegar had a C.V., its skills would fill 1-2 pages. Yes! That is abundantly skilled this multi-purpose agent is. To clean your bling, mix a cup full of water with a half-cup of white vinegar and stir well. Put your silver pieces onto the mixture and leave it for 2 hours. Once the hours are up, remove the jewelry pieces then, rinse with cold water. Lastly, pat dry with a soft cloth.

Not bad for S$2.60 a pop (i.e., sold at FairPrice)!

b. Beer

A beer that costs you as low as S$3.10-4.50 (i.e., at FairPrice) can not only give you a fun time but also can give you back the shimmer of your jewelry! In a mug of beer, soak your jewelry overnight. On the next day, remove your jewelry and rinse it off in running water. Dry these up and be astonished on how shiny the pieces are!

Image Credits: Aleksey Gnilenkov via Flickr with Creative Commons License

c. Dish Soap

The dish soup sitting on your kitchen sink can also be used to bring back the shine from your jewelry pieces. This is a milder form of cleaning you sterling silver and it works well with your Pandora’s bracelet and charms. Simply add a few drops of the dish soap into a bowl of warm water and let your Pandora sit in it for a few minutes. Clean it with a soft bristle toothbrush if you like and pad them dry individually with a dry cloth. Make sure that if your charms is made of wood, leather or pearl, you should not use this method.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7

Budget-Friendly Ways To Build Your Dream Home Office

If you are waving goodbye to the office life and venturing to the exciting world of freelance or self-employment, you will find yourself in need of a home office. Luckily, due to modern technology, building a home office is easier than ever before. Here are some budget-friendly ways you can start with…

1. DO IT YOURSELF

Instead of hiring an interior designer or other professionals, decorate your office by yourself. You have the freedom to choose your working space. Be creative, as your imagination knows no bounds. For example, you may hang inspiring posters or family photos to motivate you everyday.

2. USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE

Recycle and repurpose your old furniture or decorative materials. Buried in your attic or closets are useful yet forgotten things such as lamps, chairs, or notebooks. Seek for these things. Then, reinvent these forgotten treasures by fixing and painting on them. Not only did you save more money but you also saved Mother Earth. 🙂

If purchasing for other items is necessary, consider to…

3. PURCHASE FURNITURE ONLINE

Looking for stylish yet inexpensive furniture? Then, GROUPON.sg is the website for you! They currently offer a wide selection of discounted furniture but, here are some of my top picks:

a. The classically beautiful Funika 3-Tier 2-Tone Reversible Bookcase priced at S$25.90 (38% off). Available here.

b. The assorted colors of Bolton Swivel Chair with Armrest priced at S$79 (47% off). Available here.

c. The space-saving Set of 2 Folding Chairs priced at $29.90 (30% off). Available here.

d. The maple colored 2-Tier Desk priced at S$59 (54% off). Available here.

4. BARGAIN AT THE FLEA MARKETS

It is possible to buy unique yet affordable pieces of electronics, rags, stationery, paintings, and furniture at Singapore’s flea markets and thrift shops. Some of the known fleas include MAAD (Market of Artists and Designers), Zouk Flea & Easy, and China Square Central Sunday Flea Market.

5. LASTLY, SHOP DURING SALES

To save more money, list down everything that you need for your home office. Then, buy these items one by one once the sale comes up. It is okay to take your time in building up your ideal haven since you are the master of your own time. One of the large-scale brand that offer quality products at low prices is IKEA Singapore. And, they occasionally have special product offers. For example, you may add a tampered glass VITTSJÖ laptop support to your home office for only S$19.90 (U.P. S$39.90).

Image Credits: Jeremy Levine via Flickr

Building your own home office may take time, money, and effort but, once you found something you truly love (whether it be blogging or web designing), all of these will be well worth it. 🙂

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