save money Archives | Page 3 of 9

Here’s How You Can Save Money When Visiting Japan

Amazingly dense cities, mountainous national parks, and historically-rich shrines are some of the things that encapsulates Japan. It is one of the sought-after spots that globetrotter Singaporeans target when they have time to spare. Tourists are drawn by the array of food and the unique culture, but it has so much more to offer!

With the relaxed visa policies (i.e., Singapore citizens don’t require a visa to enter the country for temporary visits) and increased flights between Singapore and East Asian countries, here are some tips to keep in mind when discovering to Japan.

1. CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

One of the most impressive things about Japan is its value for cleanliness. Even the relatively cheap hostels are well-maintained and are equipped with high-tech toilets. So, do not be afraid to be adventurous when it comes to trying alternative options such as the famous capsule hotels with a starting rate of about S$35 per night. Some dormitory beds at guesthouses are advertised as low as S$19 per night.

As a friendly reminder, please read the online reviews before booking.

2. TRAVEL DURING OFF-PEAK SEASON

No matter what season you are booked for, you will always find something interesting in the “Land of the Rising Sun”. It is best to book during off-peak season to save more money.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

People typically flock between March to May because they want to see the witness the beauty of the Sakura (or Cherry Blossoms). During this peak season, one can expect higher rates for accommodations and air fares. Avoid the Christmastime and the Obon season (around mid-August) too!

3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EFFICIENT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

As I was peacefully scrolling through my Instagram stories, I saw a picture that my longtime friend posted. She just boarded the Shinkansen or Japan’s high-speed bullet train. Fueled by my curiosity, I made her share about her transportation experiences. She told me about the expensive cab ride that she took from Shimbashi to Funabashi (i.e., a distance of 24km). It costed 10,000 JPY or 121 SGD. That is ridiculous!

Cabs in Japan are generally expensive. This is partly due to their efficient and punctual public transportation system. Opt for taking the train or bus. Or better yet, you may explore the wonderful place by foot.

4. MAXIMIZE YOUR DINING BUDGET

There are two ways to save on Japanese food: you can either splurge during lunchtime or shop at the supermarket before closing time. Let us start with the latter. If you have access to the kitchen, you can cook on your own. Head to the supermarket at least 30 minutes before closing time to find amazing deals. The same idea applies for food courts and convenience stores.

Superb quality of food can be savored in almost every area in Japan. It is best to splurge during lunchtime as many restaurants give lunch discounts, especially on the weekdays.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

May these tips help you stretch your dollar while having an unforgettable trip! 🙂

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

6 Practical Solutions For A Sustainable Home

These practical lifestyle changes can often save your money and energy.

LET LESS WATER FLOW

Score up to 60% less than your regular water usage by installing a low flow shower-head. Some modern shower-heads are adjustable, which means that you can change the settings to low flow. Imagine having a controlled water flow while lathering up and an active rush while rinsing!

Alternatively, you can buy a low flow shower-head for only S$14.74 at Monotaro. Installing one could mean huge savings on your water bill.

CREATE PROPER VENTILATION

There are two ways to freshen up your space naturally. You can either build a proper ventilation system or make use of shading. Install ventilation by switching to ceiling fans that can facilitate air flow throughout the room. On the other hand, shading is done by closing the blinds at certain times of the day.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

If you are undergoing the process of renovation, ask the architect to include passive cooling designs to put your air conditioner to rest.

PATRONIZE INTELLIGENT DESIGNS

Energy (and cash) is wasted when there is a mismatch between your appliances and your lifestyle. Instead, you must patronize energy efficient appliances that boost its intelligent designs. Pick the right appliances by understanding your family size, frequency of use, and capacity requirements.

You may also adjust the energy consumption of your appliances with the innate smart programming.

COOK WITH RESIDUAL HEAT

I can still recall the day when my uncle imparted a practical solution, which saved me a considerable amount of cash. He knew that I usually boil pasta on a regular basis due to my fondness for Italian cuisine. So, he taught me to cook with residual heat. Simply cover the pot and switch off the stove after the pasta has been boiling for 7 minutes. Let the pasta sit for 5 minutes more.

You may also apply the same technique when boiling noodles.

SWITCH TO A DIFFERENT BULB

If environmentalists were tasked to replace your bulbs, they would turn to the power of Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL). CFLs were introduced in the ’80s and were improved a decade later. These are perfectly suited for study rooms, home office, and other spaces that need extra brightness. You see, CFLs last longer than traditional bulbs and use up to 80% less energy.

Philips Singapore has a range of CFLs. The only catch is that the price of these bulbs are more expensive upfront. However, the steeper cost of your utility bill makes it worth your money.

HOST A RUMMAGE SALE

Embody the “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” slogan by hosting a rummage sale in your community. Doing so allows you to save more space in your closet and to earn extra money on the side. There will be no resources or energy wasted on producing new stuff.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Furthermore, you may include your neighbors to attract more customers.

Source: Greatist

How To Celebrate Valentine’s Day Without Spending Too Much

Valentine’s Day is one of the most expensive “holidays” in Singapore.

But, it does not have to be!

You can always celebrate love without breaking the bank.

ELICITING GENUINE EXCITEMENT

One of the best ways to start a date is by handing over a sweet letter that will elicit genuine excitement. Crafting your own Valentine’s Day card costs practically nothing! Simply use the art materials that are available in your own home. Pouring your heart and soul into written words is more personal than signing your initials into a mass-produced holiday card.

Apply your personal skills to your homemade cards to boost its quality. Consider these scenarios:

a. An illustrator may draw the image of his or her significant other.
b. A digital enthusiast may animate a romantic message and send it via email.
c. If you like to bake, you may place the card on the top of a delicious box of cookies.
d. If you like to blog, you can create a beautiful post for your lover.

These things are more likely to be treasured than the items bought at the store.

FUELING THE ARTISTIC CLIMAX

Appreciating the arts is often perceived as something exclusive to affluent individuals. Purchasing concert tickets at Esplanade can be costly! Not to mention, purchasing art at galleries can cost thousands of dollars. Fortunately, locals and permanent residents have the option to hop around several museums for FREE!

Build up on the excitement by taking your beloved on a “not so typical” date at our very own Singapore Art Museum. This innovative museum houses a great collection of contemporary Southeast Asian art ranging from sculptures and paintings to installation art and moving media. They regularly collaborate with the leading international museums to cover both the local and international art practices.

Your date will be amazed with its current exhibition entitled: Singapore Biennale 2016: An Atlas of Mirrors.

LEAVING A LASTING IMPRESSION

Close your lovely day with a hearty dinner. Going to a restaurant on Valentine’s Day takes guts as you need to brave the waves of people and to make early reservations. Save money and avoid stress by preparing a romantic meal in the comfort of your own space.

Great recipes are available at Epicurious, AllRecipes.com, and RasaMalaysia.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

If your budget does not allow you to celebrate on February 14 itself then, consider choosing an alternative day. It will not only be cheaper, but it will also be less crowded. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you spent the gift of love with your partner.

Sources: 1 & 2

Welcome The Auspicious Chinese New Year By Spending Less

According to a recent survey by United Overseas Bank (UOB), Singaporeans are planning to minimize their overall spending for the Chinese New Year (CNY).

It is interesting to read that 3 in 4 people intend to use their red packets to grow their savings. Furthermore, the participants’ budget for the joyful event is S$2,503 on average. This number is 11% lower than last year’s intended budget of S$2,805. Just take a gander at this info-graphic:

Image Credits: http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/articles/2017/01/13/uob_cny_2017_infographic_12jan_fa_2-3.jpg

Image Credits: straitstimes.com

To help your wallet and your cause, here are some tips to lower your CNY spending:

GO LIGHT ON SNACKS

The vibrant festivities of the CNY will not be complete without the delectable snacks. You may notice that that homemade snacks are all the rage these days.

Many small-time retailers had to hire helpers in order to satisfy the demand for these special snacks. The act of labeling a snack as “homemade” can increase its worth by approximately 25%. For instance, a fifteen-dollar box of sweet almond cookies will cost S$18 or S$20 instead. The meticolous process poured into homemade snacks make it generally acceptable to charge more.

Reminder: Set a fixed budget for your snacks. Focus on amplifying the quality of your party rather than the food.

GET RID OF THE BAD MOJO

Sales are everywhere! Instead of spending your hard-earned money on shopping, put your unused energy into good use. Get rid of the unpleasant mojo from the years past by employing something similar to “spring cleaning”. Tidy up your entire home thoroughly with your family. It is important to keep your broom, vacuum, and mop before the CNY too.

Remember: Superstition dictates that whatever you do during the CNY season will characterize how you will live through the following 12 months. This is why you must keep your home and finances in order. For instance, you must avoid borrowing money in the first two weeks of 2017.

ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR ANG BAO

Red packet or Ang Bao will grace the country once more to mark the first day of the CNY. It exudes “good luck” and is supposed to ward off the evil spirits. The red packet contains as low as S$2 and as high as S$200 on average.

Married couples are usually the ones to distribute the red packets to single people. Now, let us discuss how much money shall be put inside. A red packet containing a minimum of S$2 to S$20 is appropriate to give for children, while it ranges from about S$8 to S$88 for parents. You may give the same amount of money to your friends or colleagues’ children as you did with your own children.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Reminder: Innocent children are likely to misplace the red packets. Give the money directly to the parents instead.

Sources: 1, 2 &,3

How Frugal People Can Save On Home Improvements

Many people dream of reinventing their nests to blissfully usher the New Year. Whether you intend to make DIY projects or something massive, you will need more money and consideration.

On that note, here are four tips to help you save as much of your hard earned cash as you possibly can:

WHY WALLPAPER MAY NOT DO THE TRICK

Owing to its unique geographical location near the equator, Singapore experiences a tropical climate characterized with high humidity and abundant rainfall. It is not advisable to decorate your walls with wallpaper as the distinct climate can make it discolored or curled up.

Bestowing your walls with wallpaper is not only expensive, but it can also face the risk of discontinuation of products. You will have to endure the sight of inconsistent patterns or the hefty cost of redoing your entire flat. Prevent this from happening by opting for painting instead.

PLAN YOUR BUDGET IN ADVANCE

Planning ahead can be a lifesaver! Just imagine a driver who ignored the steps of adjusting the side mirrors, locking the doors, and fastening the seat belt. Accidents occur everyday and you must not take the risk. It may seem rehearsed or limiting at first glance. But, you will reap its benefits soon after.

Know what renovations you desire to make. Getting a LED mirror might be more cost effective than buying a separate light to pair with your mirror. Prevent going beyond what you can realistically afford by researching the costs of the materials and labor. Shop around the physical and virtual stores if you have to! Lastly, add a cushion of at least 20% to your intended spending. Say you want to repaint your walls for S$2,000. Be prepared to spend about S$2,400 as additional costs may rise.

SHOP DURING SALES AND CLEARANCES

Frequent your local home improvement, hardware, and home decor stores as much as possible. Expect that your first couple of trips can be overwhelming. You may not find significant bargains right away! Do not give up just yet.

Take your time to review the prices of the materials or products that you intend to buy and compare these with the online retailers. For instance, Horme Hardware has an ongoing “Chinese New Year Promotion” until January 18, 2017. Shoppers will be rewarded with free delivery.

NEGOTIATE WITH THE CONTRACTORS

Before committing to a team of contractors, negotiate well to earn the best deal. Avoid partnering with contractors who offer insanely low prices for their services. You may end up hiring a different contractor to fix the flaws of your previous contractor. Follow your common sense! It may know when things are getting “too shady”.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Collect at least three quotations from reputable contractors in Singapore. Then, discuss about the probable discounts that can compete with the raging market.

Sources: 1 & 2

Search the site