7 Budget Tips for Chinese New Year 2023

When you consider all the additional expenses involved in Chinese New Year (CNY), it can come with a huge price tag. On top of handing out all the red packets, there is the expectation of buying new clothes and throwing family parties.

Given the festive atmosphere, it is easy to throw away your hard-earned money and year-end bonus to achieve an extravagant Chinese New Year celebration. However, a prosperous celebration can happen without breaking the bank.

#1: CONTROL THE SNACKS

Mandarin oranges and delicious CNY goodies are sold everywhere you go. With the recent price hikes, you may want to reconsider how much you spend on snacks. Allocate a fixed amount for snacks and focus on the festive snacks that you think your family members and friends will enjoy.

#2: MANAGE YOUR ANG BAO

For married couples, you must begin by paying off your financial commitments and setting aside a portion for the red packets afterwards. This will help you keep your finances in check. Please be realistic. You do not need to be competitive as ang baos or red packets are meant to be symbols of luck.

#3: REVAMP YOUR CNY CLOTHES

Buying new clothes for the festive season can be wasteful. Bring good luck by updating your previous CNY looks with accessories. You can also sell your old clothes and get extra cash to fund your new outfit purchase. Watch out for online CNY sales!

#4: LOOK FOR DINING DEALS

Restaurants may be closed for the holiday. If you are keen on taking your family to a nearby restaurant, opt for checking out food delivery websites instead. Catch special dining deals to help you boost your savings.

#5: GO EASY ON THE DECORS

CNY is all about attractive decorations. This year, you do not have to go overboard with countless lights and lanterns. If you still have last year’s decorations, be sure to reuse them this year. You can also watch YouTube tutorials to DIY your CNY decors.

#6: DONATE TO THE NEEDY

If you have received too many CNY gifts, consider donating them to the needy or sharing your blessings with family members and friends. This gesture of love helps save the environment too!

#7: SKIP THE OVERSEAS TRAVEL

Leaving Singapore for a vacation is popular during Chinese New Year. Group tours, air fares, and hotel prices often go up during the holiday season. If you are travelling with the entire family, you will be paying a premium price. Instead, you can book a staycation in the city or go for local tours. Take time to plan for the next year.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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Bring Good Luck to Your Home with 2023 Feng Shui Tips

The Rabbit symbolizes longevity, peace, and prosperity in the Chinese culture. Having said that, we can look forward to 2023 as the Year of Hope. The Year of the Rabbit begins on January 22, 2023 (Chinese New Year).

The Rabbit is described as gentle, quiet, elegant, alert, quick, skillful, kind, patient, very responsible, and faithful to those around them. There are five types of rabbits including the five elements – Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. This year is the Water Rabbit. The Water Rabbit is known for being amicable, flexible, and gentle.

Increase your luck by wearing the luck colors of blue, green, and white. To welcome good fortune in your home this coming Chinese New Year, add touches of blue. You may also wear metallic colors such as gold, silver, and grey jewelry to increase your luck.

#1: FOR THE BEDROOM

It is vital to have your bed in a commanding position. You should be able to see the door, but it should not face you directly. Remove the clutter or obstructions in your bedroom. Moreover, you must be able to get rid of your aquariums or water bodies inside your bedroom. Water is meant to diffuse the fire, which can decrease your passion in the bedroom.

#2: FOR THE KITCHEN

The stove should be in a commanding position and the fridge should be tidy. A mixture of water and salt is recommended to cleanse off bad energy and attract good energy. Feng Shui advisors recommend using hues of green, blue, white, grey, yellow, and brown in your kitchen. You may also add red or orange or inspiration. No matter what happens, you must steer clear of keeping broken items.

#3: FOR THE BATHROOM

Bathrooms have the lowest source of energy. Hence, you must use light and warm hues like light blue, turquoise blue, green, peach, pink, white, creamy white, and yellow here. It is recommended to decorate your bathroom with oval mirrors and mellow lighting.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Feng Shui advisors strongly advise against the use of suspended harsh lights. Above everything else, you must frequently deep clean your bathrooms.

Sources: 1 & 2

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