November 7, 2020

How To Alter Your Budget To Suit Your Work From Home Lifestyle

Lobang: https://www.moneydigest.sg/how-to-alter-your-budget-to-suit-your-work-from-home-lifestyle/

According to the multi-ministry task force handling COVID-19, Singapore may enter Phase Three by the end of 2020 should the community cases remain low in the country. The restrictions reflected by this upcoming phase may last for a year or more. That being said, more and more people are working from home.

This huge shift in the global workplace has brought many changes in our lives. Whenever big transitions occur, it is a good opportunity to re-assess all the aspects of our lives including our finances. What has changed in your budget ever since you started working from home?

Reduced costs on transportation, work clothing, daily coffee stops, and dining out were usually observed in the previous months. In contrast, many experience a spike in utilities, groceries, and online shopping fees. How can you better prepare for your future with this new set-up?

#1: RE-EVALUATE WHERE YOUR MONEY IS GOING

Get a realistic view of your finances by pulling out your bank statements, credit card bills, and other month expenses from the past three months. If you are using a budgeting app such as Mint, you may track your spending using the information inside the app. Look for unnecessary categories or recurring expenses that you can do without. This will help you spend less than what you have originally planned.

Aside from your spending, concentrate on other parts of your personal finance such as investments and emergency funds. You have the luxury of time to re-evaluate how much you are saving in your emergency funds. Ensure that the money you put inside will be sufficient to cover unforeseen events such as unemployment. We must overcome complacency during these tough times.

#2: CONSIDER DIFFERENT BUDGETING STRATEGIES

As you establish your new budget to suit your work from home lifestyle, you may employ different strategies such as goal-specific budget and the 50/30/20 method. The former focuses on the goal and not the percentages. You may start with a specific short-term goal such as saving S$50 for your emergency fund this week or a long-term goal such as putting away S$5,000 for a vacation next year. Break down your goals and allot how much you need to save per week or per month. Ensure that you meet your other financial responsibilities as you prepare for your goals too.

The 50/30/20 method entails putting 50% of your take-home pay to your fixed expenses including groceries and rent. 30% needs to go to your variable expenses such as entertainment and clothing. While, 20% is dedicated to your savings. Choose a strategy that will best work for you.

#3: STORE EXTRA CASH IN YOUR HOME

Many of us are working from home because there has been a shift in the economy due to the unpleasant effects of the pandemic. It helps to be prepared as we live within the realms of uncertainty. Store extra cash in your home for emergency situations. You may label this as your emergency fund, which can cover your expenses for at least six to nine months.

Knowing that you will be alright for a considerable amount of time before needing to use other financial resources can help you sleep better at night. This will prevent you from incurring debts.

#4: MAXIMIZE YOUR TELECOM AND INTERNET PLANS

Because most of our time are spent at home, it comes as no surprise that our utilities are higher now. Do your best to ensure that you are getting the most out of your telecom and internet plans. If your plan has an inclusion of data, try to substitute a costly mobile call for calling over at WhatsApp or Telegram. Various online platforms offer free calling and video-conferencing services worldwide. Take advantage of that!

#5: CONSERVE ENERGY

This new living and working arrangements have considerable effects on our electric bills. As much as possible, conserve energy on the devices and appliances that you work with. Unfavorable habits such as leaving your laptop constantly plugged in or forgetting to unplug your smartphone charger can cost you.

Image Sources: unsplash.com

One of the easiest ways to save energy is by ensuring that your cables or chargers are unplugged. Most devices work best with the 40-80 battery rule. You must plug the charger when your battery drops below 40% and disconnect the plug when the battery reaches 80%. Leaving a laptop or handphone constantly plugged in can cause extra wear and tear to the battery. Take care of the devices, which you use on a regular basis.

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

 

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10 Burger King Coupons for use from now till 31 Dec 2020

Lobang: https://www.moneydigest.sg/10-burger-king-coupons-for-use-from-now-till-31-dec-2020/

Enjoy great savings with these BK coupons

Burger King Singapore has just released a set of dining coupons for use from now till 31 December 2020.

Scan these coupons at their kiosk to purchase or order via BK app to skip the queue!

Check them out below:

 

Share these coupons with your friends and loved ones!


Get FREE Apple Watch SE (worth $419) When You Apply For The Following Credit Cards From 1 – 30 Nov 20

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11.11 Sale: Get Fresh Produce From 3 Popular Wet Markets At Discounted Price

Lobang: https://www.moneydigest.sg/11-11-sale-get-fresh-produce-from-3-popular-wet-markets-at-discounted-price/

Get veggies and other fresh produce delivered to your doorstep

If you are someone who prefers getting your fresh groceries from the wet markets but at the same time dislikes the crowd, can never wake up early enough (or simply wish to avoid getting your feet wet), you definitely need to check this out!

From 6 to 15 November, 3 popular wet markets in Singapore — namely Tekka Market, Tiong Bahru Market and 216 Bedok, will be partnering with TADA Fresh Market to bring you the freshest produce at competitive prices.

TADA Fresh Market, Singapore’s largest multi-wet market delivery platform, will be running their first ever Super Wet Market Sale so you can order your daily staples at the best price without even stepping out of your home. The items on sale include fresh fruits and vegetables, poultry and live seafood.

“Wet markets offer delicious, fresh produce that the supermarket, with its packaged or processed food, cannot provide. “

It is super convenient and easy as you can order directly from the TADA Fresh Market’s website. What’s more, Money Digest’s readers enjoy $5 off at check out with the promo code: “MDSAVEMORE” with minimum $60 spend. Valid for the first 200 customers from now till 15 November 2020.

* Items featured in the mailer above are available across all three wet markets.

Here are more items that are on sale:

Dole Papaya (小木瓜)

$3.75 (U.P. $4.20)

Wet Market: Tiong Bahru Market
Stall: Ang Mo Kia Fruit Stall

Dole papayas are non-GMO products imported from the Philippines and they are sweeter and tastier than regular papayas. They are also a good source of fibre, potassium and folate and an excellent source of vitamins A.

Fish Bones (1kg)

$5.35 (U.P. $6.00)

Wet Market: Tiong Bahru Market
Stall: Pan’s Fish

The cool thing about wet markets is that you can get Fish Bones as a legit product there and make it into delicious cooking stock which brings out the best taste of your soups and stews.

Premium Fried Fish Balls (4pcs)

$1.35 (U.P. $1.50)

Wet Market: Tiong Bahru Market
Stall: Tiong Bahru Fish Ball Original

Founded by Mr Loh (a true-blue Teochew) in 1962, Tiong Bahru Fish Ball Original has been delighting generations with their fish balls made from only the freshest Ikan Parang.

Halal-certified Fresh Mutton Marrow Bones (500g) 

$4.45 (U.P. $5.00)

Wet Market: Tekka Market
Stall: Seeni Mohammed Lamb & Mutton

Make your own soup tulang with fresh mutton bone marrow from Tekka Market. It is a great base for making stock as it is tantalising and flavorsome.

Thai Coconut Milk (250ml)

$1.95 (U.P. $2.20)

Wet Market: Tekka Market

Coconut milk is a key ingredient in cooking and is used as the base in many dishes, like soups and curries. Thai coconut milk is richer and creamier and is ideal for cooking a variety of dishes.

Dried Oysters (100g)

$4.90 (U.P. $5.50)

Wet Market: Tekka Market
Stall: Hai Kee Goods

Dried oysters is a great way to add that briny sweetness to your soup stock. If you want to stock up on these flavourful dried oysters, then check out Hai Kee Goods located at Tekka Market.

Fried Beancurd Stick

$1.80 (U.P. $2.00)

Wet Market: 216 Bedok
Stall: Lucky Essentials

Fried bean curd sticks can be stir fry or slow cooked in a variety of different Asian dishes. Our favourite way of enjoying it is to have it braised with pork belly!

Halal-certified Beef Short Ribs (500g)

$10.70 (U.P. $12.00)

Wet Market: 216 Bedok
Stall: M.Zaini Halal & Chilled Meats

The best cut of beef for slow cooking. Beef Short Ribs get the rich marbling of rib steaks and the deep beefy flavor of chunk roast. It is an indulgent treat for anyone who loves beef!

Handmade Chilli, Veg Fishcake 

$1.30 (U.P. $1.50)

Wet Market: 216 Bedok
Stall: Uncle Seng Cooked Fish

Get tasty handmade fishcakes from Uncle Seng Cooked Fish located at 216 Bedok. The fishcakes are springy and have a silky texture making it a super easy snack to go with any food.

About TADA Fresh Market

TADA Fresh Market started in May during the Circuit Breaker. It is a project initiated by TADA – the ride-hailing company – in hopes of supporting local wet markets while creating delivery jobs for private-hire vehicle drivers. To date, TADA Fresh Market has its regular customers consisting of fresh produce lovers, healthy eating gurus, parents and even professional chefs. Inspiring more people to do fresh grocery shopping “at” local wet markets is on its agenda.

TADA Fresh Market is featured in the latest season of <For Food’s Sake! Wake-Up Call> which discovers Covid-19’s disruption to the food industry and introduces new ways of shopping for food.

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