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You’d Be Surprised At How Much It Costs To Get Pregnant In Singapore

Once you have confirmed that you are pregnant, your mixed emotions will take a while to settle. Then, it is time to prepare for your much-awaited pregnancy. Before you deliver your child, it is vital to determine the costs related to your pregnancy here in Singapore.

PRE-NATAL

Expecting mothers need to visit the OB/GYNs or gynecologists regularly. As a result, you will have to pay about S$60-75 per visit. But to save more, you may take on the maternity package that costs about S$400 in the public hospitals. This already includes charges for consultation and needed supplements.

Routinely care for both your baby and you includes: monitoring blood pressure and weight gain, lab tests for blood and urine, and monitoring your baby’s position, heartbeat, and size. Additional tests include ultrasound and fetal health screening.

PRE-NATAL CLASSES

To prepare you physically and emotionally to giving birth in Singapore, you may join pre-natal classes that cost about S$150-250. These classes will impart knowledge on handling labor pain, post-natal exercises, and nursing for your newborn baby.

DELIVERY AND HOSPITALIZATION

Hospitalization for two days will cost you about S$3,000 in a private room at a private hospital. But, you can lower down the cost significantly by choosing a private room at a public hospital. Aside from the varied hospitalization fees, delivery fees vary depending on whether you have normal or C-section delivery. For normal deliveries, you can give birth with or without epidural. This costs about S$2,000-3,000 and the C-section only costs more.

POST-NATAL

Expect your bills to increase from the minute your give birth. You will have to pay not only for your gynecologist but also for the pediatrician of your baby. Also, you must get your newborn immunized against several diseases. All the compulsory immunizations are free but if you want to save more, then opt for the services by polyclinics.

CONCLUSION

Giving birth to a baby is a lovely experience. Couples may consider it as a miracle that they had dreamt of for long. But the reality is, getting pregnant in Singapore can bring hefty costs. Bills include pre-natal consultation, lab tests, fee for birth certification, baby immunization, baby clothing and accessories, and more. As a couple, you may prepare a minimum of S$10,000.

Fortunately, Permanent Residents and Singaporeans can deduct a percentage of the delivery costs through the Central Provident Fund (CPF) for their first four children. Furthermore, the Medisave Maternity Package allows you to use your Medisave savings to pay for the pregnancy and delivery expenses. Click here to know more.

Image Credits: John Spade via Flickr

3 Splendid Singapore Spas With Services Under S$70

Want to blow off some steam and relieve your stress from work or school? Try these spa places that offer good services at very affordable prices.

1. TRADITIONAL JAVANESE MASSAGE HUT

As the name implies, Traditional Javanese Massage Hut offers an ancient system of oil massage by predominantly using strokes with strong thumb pressure to ease joint and muscle fatigue and soreness. There are five massage types that costs S$65 for 60 minutes. These are Hut 67 (signature service that is highly recommended), Smooth and Soothe, Back Breaker, Tired Feet, and Stress Buster.

The hut also offers the “Ginger Treatment” that is meant to improve one’s blood circulation for S$35.

Locations: 6 locations islandwide, visit here.

2. RULE OF THUMB

Close to the business offices is an interiorly neat and modern spa called Rule of Thumb. Do you want to see the spa for yourself? Click here for a panoramic view of the interior.

Price range for 60 minutes Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Relaxation, Back, Javanese, Aromatherapy, Swedish, or Traditional Chinese Herb Massage is S$48-S$60. While add-on services such as cupping, ear candling, and body scrub are only S$15. Stuck at work? Worry not. It is opened until 4 am every day!

Location: 289 Beach Road, #01-01, Singapore 199552

3. HEALING TOUCH

Winner of a silver award for “Best Value Spa” in Cosmopolitan Singapore 2013, the Healing Touch spa offers inexpensive massages while giving for your money’s worth. Indulge your senses with 1 hour Deep Tissue Oil, Javanese Fusion Oil or Shiatsu massage for S$58.50. What a cheaper price? Better take advantage of their Asian Fusion Oil massage promotion for S$49.20.

Why not pamper your body even more with body scrub options? You can choose from Moisturizing Rose Salt, Nourishing Almond, Detoxifying Ginger Salt, Refreshing Lemongrass Salt, Anti-Oxidant Apple Aloe, and Softening Grapefruit Goat Milk Scrub. These are priced at about S$35 for 30 minutes.

Locations: 6 locations, visit here.

Image Credits: healingtouch.com.sg

Do-It-Yourself Gift Ideas Your BFF Would Love

As Samuel Butler once said: “Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.”

This is why it is so special to have a best friend whom is there with you for the longest time. What better message of gratitude can you convey when you pour your heart on handmade gifts? The good news is that you do not have to spend loads of cash since you can just use the materials you already have at home!

1. FOR YOUR BOOKWORM BFF

If you have beautiful earrings but you lost the other piece, do not throw it away. You can still use it as vintage looking bookmarks. Simply follow these instructions by Jewelry designer, Andrea Singarella. You can buy a meter of ribbons for only S$1.50-3 at any Spotlight or Daiso store.

Image Credits: www.countryliving.com

2. FOR YOUR JEWELS LOVING BFF

So you bought an inexpensive and simple gloves in the Flea Market or in the online shops such as Zalora and Forever 21 but you realize that it is so plain. You can make a DIY present by adding jewel embellishments that you can buy in Daiso for S$2.

Image Credits: www.clonesnclowns.com

3. FOR YOUR WORKAHOLIC BFF

The best way to reward your workaholic BFF is by giving the present of an enjoyable bath time filled with relaxing fragrance. Achieve that by making bath bombs that are similar to the ones sold at Lush Singapore.

Image Credits: www.lushsg.com

Here are four ways you can make different types of bath bombs from basic to herbal type.

4. FOR YOUR FORGETFUL BFF

Does your friend misplace his or her keys a lot? Well, you can make a special keychain for her that is easy to find. Turn your printed fabric extras or used clothing into fabric keychains. To personalize these keychains even more, you can add some finish touches such as the first letter of your BFF’s name or assorted buttons and sequins.

Image Credits: www.craftinessisnotoptional.com

Full instructions are available here.

5. FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY-JUNKIE BFF

Bring your wonderful memories to life by turning photos into very personal greeting cards. Print his or her favorite Instagram photos in JPEG format using glossy or matte photo papers available for as low as S$2 at Popular bookstores.

Image Credits: www.sayyes.com

Have fun crafting!

9 Clever Uses For A S$2 Bottle of White Vinegar

Who would have thought that S$2-3 bottle of white vinegar can lighten your teeth, clean up your toilet, and soften your feet? This all-purpose kitchen spice can do so much more to help you save time, effort, and money.

1. GET THE SHINY SMILE

Lighten your teeth by brushing it once a week with distilled white vinegar. Also, it helps to fight bad breath.

2. AVOID CRACKED EGGS

Cooking hard-boiled eggs with your Kaya Toast? Try adding two tablespoons of white vinegar to the water. The eggs and its shells will stay in place.

3. CLEAN UP YOUR BATHROOM

To clean the toilet, pour a cup of distilled white vinegar into the bowl and let it stay there for 5 hours or overnight. Then, scrub it well and flush. To clean your tub and kill the germs, spray white vinegar around the tub. Then, wipe it with wet cloth to clean.

4. STOP ITCHING FROM INSECT BITES

Treat your mosquito or insect bites with a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar. This helps disinfect the area and stop itching sensations.

5. GET SHINY COFFEE CUPS AND TEA CUPS

Easter is coming up! Showcase bright cups to your guests by scrubbing stains with ½ white vinegar and ½ salt solution.

6. RESTORE PAINT BRUSHES

Repainting your flat? There is no need to buy new paintbrushes because the old one has paint stuck on them. Simply place the brushes in a pot or vessel with white vinegar. Let it soak there for an hour then, turn the stove on and let the white vinegar simmer. Rinse the brushes to clean.

7. REMOVE CRAYON MARKS

Sometimes, children get too excited that they draw on the wall with crayons. Believe me, it is hard to remove crayon marks. For an inexpensive and non-toxic route, dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and gently scrub the surface.

Image Credits: Brandie Heinel via Flickr

8. UNSTICK OLD SCREWS

Loosen up some old screws easily by pouring white vinegar on it.

9. GET SOFT AND SMOOTH FEET

What to go to the Siloso Beach but afraid of your callused feet touching the sand? Say goodbye to calluses and cracked heels by soaking your feet in one part white vinegar and two parts lukewarm water at least 20 minutes a day. It works as the vinegar removes your dead skin.

White vinegar, you are a life saver!

Source: AllYou

4 Community Centres’ Workshops That Can Really Make You Money

Do you want to learn a life skill without breaking the bank? Then, consider going down to your community centre (CC) and find out the courses they offer. Far more than saving money, you can transform these awesome skills you learned into viable freelance businesses or occupations.

1. MASSAGE

Having a spa addiction or aspiring to become a massage therapist can become costly loads to your budget. Solve your problems with the Massage Therapy courses offered by several CCs. Learn the art of traditional Thai massage that relieves one’s stress levels by for only S$20-30 at Tampines North CC. This workshop will teach you how to engage sensorial experience and fuse it with health care. While, acupressure point massage is available at Bishan and Serangoon. Beyond getting paid for massage services, it can also serve as a sweet bonding activity for you and your partner.

2. HAIRCUTTING OR HAIRDRESSING

If you are tired of constantly paying for minor hair trims or are dreaming of becoming the next big thing in the hair scene then try the hair courses offered by CCs. CCs offer various techniques for hairdressing such as basic hair cutting, hair braiding, and hair perming. From April 14 to May 5, Punggol Park CC is offering hair-cutting basics for about S$65. This course is ideally for beginners or those who wish to update their knowledge on hair dressing. It not only offers the fundamental theories but also the practical lessons.

3. KNITTING

Every since the rise of “bohemian or gypsy chic” fashion, knitting is no longer an old woman’s hobby. Knitting can be found in hair accessories, jewelry, clothing, and more.

Image Credits: Guangzhou Hanyige Clothing Co., Ltd.

Toa Payoh CC offers knitting courses for about S$100. In this course, you’ll be taught the basics of knitting and use it to make your own clothing and jewelry. Using your creativity can help you create whatever your heart desires.

4. BALLOON SCULPTING

Have you ever noticed those people who are hired to make twisted balloons in order to entertain the children? They are everywhere from children’s party to company events. Making almost everything from cartoon characters to colorful flowers, this talent of balloon sculpting can now be learned. Woodgrove, Ulu Pandan, Tampines North, and Yew Tee conduct single-session workshops amounting to S$10-25. Learn the basics then, teach yourself more techniques by watching free videos on the Internet. This will not only save you money once you decided to have kids but it can also be a fun part-time job.

Image Credits: Erwin Soo via Flickr

Source: www.pa.gov.sg

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