April 7, 2021

Lobang: https://www.moneydigest.sg/6-beautiful-places-to-propose-in-singapore/

If you are popping the question soon, you may be pondering about where it shall take place. May this list help you start planning for the perfect proposal in Singapore. Be honest with your emotions. Your genuine intentions accompanied by the romantic ambiance will make your partner swoon.

HENDERSON WAVES BRIDGE

People say that love takes you to greater heights. What better way to propose to your loved one than by declaring your love in the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore? It is none other than the Henderson Waves Bridge. True to its name, it mimics the distinct shape of a wave as it curves along its entire 274-meter length.

This spot is suitable for couples who love to take an afternoon hike or an evening stroll. Just picture the city lights at night as you prepare for your memorable proposal. It is a popular place, so do not expect much in terms of privacy.

Address: Henderson Rd, Singapore 159557
Visit nparks.gov.sg to know more.

SINGAPORE FLYER

One of the attractions that make Singapore standout is the Singapore Flyer. Feast your eyes on its iconic skyline and famous sites such as Singapore River and Merlion Park. During your special night, you can book a romantic for two with its premium Sky Dining offering.

The Singapore Flyer Sky Dining experience includes:

a. two rotations (60 minutes) on the Singapore Flyer,
b. an in-flight host,
c. a four-course dinner of your choice (i.e., Western, Oriental, or Vegetarian Menu),
d. priority boarding to skip the queues,
e. and complimentary admission to the Time Capsule.

You need to shell out a whopping S$300 (*special online price) to experience this. Remember to book at least one working day in advance!

Address: 30 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039803
Visit singaporeflyer.com for more details.

PULAU UBIN

Home to diverse habitats and overflowing ecosystems, the island of Pulau Ubin is the ideal destination for nature enthusiasts. Depart from the hustle and bustle of the city and explore the island by bicycle or kayak through its tranquil river.

Wait for the golden hour to come. Enjoy the island’s rustic charms as you kneel and ask the big question. Surely, it will be a life-changing moment for the both of you!

Address: Pulau Ubin, Singapore 508329
Visit nparks.gov.sg to know more.

SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

Treat yourself and your loved one with nature’s beauty as you explore the wonders of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. It is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This place has numerous alluring spots on its arsenal. You can ask the most important question of your life in the Swan Lake, Palm Valley, Learning Forest, Symphony Lake, Ethnobotany Garden, or the new Tropical Montane Orchidetum.

It recently unveiled the Tropical Montane Orchidetum. This Orchidetum spans around 2,480sqm and features the largest collection of high-elevation montane orchids in Asia. Embrace the beauty of your surroundings as you pop the question!

Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Visit nparks.gov.sg/sbg for more details.

ST. JOHN’S ISLAND

Nestled in the string of islands on the Southern coast of Singapore is St. John’s Island. What was once a quarantine facility in the late 1800s has since become a destination for locals who want a quick getaway from the cityscape. Take your partner in this place to enjoy a variety of activities.

From dipping on the calm waters of the Swimming Lagoon to keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings, you can find the perfect timing to propose while enjoying a fun-filled day. Do not forget to snap some pictures!

Recommended: Fun Activities To Explore In St. John’s Island

Address: 12 St. John’s Island, Singapore 098600
Visit nparks.gov.sg to learn more.

CHIJMES

With its unique architecture and warm ambiance, CHIJMES is one of the favorite local spots for wedding ceremonies. In fact, its glistened in the big screen through the Crazy Rich Asians film. The place was decorated beautifully to celebrate the wedding of the fictional characters – Araminta and Colin. See for yourself!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6nQvDexL0s?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

Since its inception in the 1840s, the pristine walls of CHIJMES have not aged one bit. You do not have to think twice about considering to propose here. Complete the proposal by making a reservation for a romantic candlelit dinner.

Address: 30 Victoria St, Singapore 187996
Visit chijmes.com.sg to learn more.

 

Note: As a friendly reminder, the places on this list follow safety procedures for the well-being of all its visitors. Please observe these guidelines and ask necessary questions ahead of time. We wish you the best!

Sources: 1 & 2

The post 6 Beautiful Places To Propose In Singapore appeared first on MoneyDigest.sg.

Lobang: https://www.moneydigest.sg/8-ways-to-fine-tune-so-you-can-get-into-the-productivity-zone-asap/

It’s midweek, and you’re dying for the weekend to come.

Most of us who clock a 9 to 5 job often face such situations, so you’re definitely not the only one entertaining such thoughts. But it’s also due to such a mindset that we constantly find ourselves loitering out of the productivity zone.

This can be a massive problem if you have a work schedule to complete but can’t seem to get your head in the game. We’re here to the rescue! Or at least allow us to share with you some ways you can fine-tune to get your productivity engine moving.

#1: Clear your mind

One of the most persistent distractions we face is our mind.

Whether it’s piling bills, housework, relationship woes, or even just random racing thoughts, our mind can be an obstacle to our productivity.

As such, it’s time to take control! Clearing your mind can be as simple as jotting down your thoughts, taking a 10-minute walk around the park, or simply meditating before starting your day. For those who can’t seem to practise mindfulness at home, check out these meditation centres in Singapore to help you get started.

#2: Make changes to your environment

Temperature, lighting, and surrounding noise are environmental factors that affect our productivity.

It isn’t easy to focus on work if you are not physically comfortable. That’s why making changes to your environment can ease you into the productivity zone faster.

We’re sure deskbound people would agree that it somehow affects your typing speed when the office is freezing cold. Since many are still working from home from time to time and don’t have to fight over the air-conditioner’s remote, ensure you’re at ease.

Also, we hope your workspace is already well-lit and uncluttered.

#3: Create a work playlist

While we can control temperatures, we can’t always control background noise.

When working in the office, we may have talkative colleagues, noisy pantries, or other sound sources that we can do nothing to silence. While at home, there is a whole different noise level, from inconsiderate neighbours to chattering kids.

There are benefits to listening to music while working, so slip in your earbuds. Some of us are used to upbeat tempos to get ourselves fired up, while some may focus better on instrumental music. Whatever it is, find the tunes that rock your boat and make that your personalised work playlist.

#4: Keep unnecessary interruptions at bay

Even when we have our environment optimised and our favourite tunes playing, our focus and productivity can be swiftly destroyed by interruptions.

Do you know that according to a study at the University of California Irvine, it is revealed that a person takes about 22 minutes to return to their original task after an interruption?

We can’t eliminate all distractions, but we can take proactive steps to manage the probability of being interrupted. For example, peeps who suffer from nomophobia can set their phones to “silent mode”. Or better still, place those distractive devices in a drawer to practise “out of sight, out of mind”.

You know yourself better than anyone else, so anticipate your needs and meet them before they start creeping into your productivity zone. Yes, go ahead and get that cup of warm water or coffee and use the washroom before settling in.

Little routines like that can help you sink into your work cycle faster.

#5: Practise a pre-work ritual

Rituals can act as a powerful tool to boost performance.

Setting a consistent routine of words, thoughts, or actions before getting to work can help us clear our heads and focus better on the task at hand.

The best thing about rituals is that they do not have to be complicated. For example, watering your desk plant at 8.30am, making coffee at 8.45am, or turning on your laptop at 8.55am can become daily rituals to help you buckle in and get into the work zone.

#6: Give yourself specific deadlines

Deadlines may not resonate very well among people since only a few enjoy having a fixed period to work on a project.

Regardless, they are still an effective way to curb procrastination and enhance your productivity. Setting a deadline such as “update the project board before the next meeting” may be too generic a goal.

A more concrete deadline would be, “Update the project board on 15 April, by 3pm”. The deadline has a specific date and time, so you can schedule right into Asana or your Google calendar. For more significant assignments, it would be best to break them down into smaller tasks so you can still practise setting deadlines.

#7: Find the right balance

The ideal task would leave you feeling engaged but not bored or overburdened.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a psychology and management professor at Claremont Graduate University, shares that you will start feeling the proper flow when there is a good balance between your skills and the challenge presented.

Your work should be neither too easy nor too hard, but it must be challenging enough to generate engagement. Realistically, this kind of work may not always be available. Thus, when work becomes too demanding, ask for guidance or attend a course to improve your current skillsets.

#8: Tap onto social facilitation

As we come to a close, know that sometimes it’s good to have someone you can account to.

Call it an accountability buddy if you would like. This person should ideally be someone you can get along with and assist you to keep your pace at work. It’s very similar to a workout buddy, encouraging you to push on when you feel the temptation to slack off to do something else.

A mutual partnership like this can aid both you and your buddy to stay in the productivity zone when the time calls for it.

The post 8 ways to fine-tune so you can get into the productivity zone ASAP appeared first on MoneyDigest.sg.

Lobang: https://www.moneydigest.sg/three-tips-to-more-easily-managing-your-home-mortgage-payments/

Having a mortgage is quite an exciting experience because it is a physical manifestation of a decision that you have made that has led you to this point where you can literally see all of your determination and hard work coming to life around you. Even so, it is important to recognise and understand that having a mortgage is also quite an overwhelming experience. The financial reality of a mortgage means that it essentially locks you in to an ongoing payment for years until you either sell and move on, or pay off the property in its entirety.

When it comes to managing your mortgage payments, there is so much to be said about the fact that even though it might seem like a stressful practice at times, it does not have to be. Regardless of if your mortgage covers your dream forever home or an apartment in blocks like Pasir Ris 8 Show Flat (or any other type of property, for that matter), there are thankfully some handy tips and tricks to assist you in being able to handle this aspect of your mortgage more easily. So, what are some of the best tips to more easily and successfully manage your home mortgage payments?

1. Work with a budget

There is quite a lot of value in working with a budget in your everyday life not just for the sake of staying up to date (if not ahead) with your mortgage payments, but for your general financial peace of mind and the like. In the specific case of a mortgage, however, working with a budget essentially more or less ensures that you are going to be aware of exactly where your money is going each month and thus more in control of how you are navigating mortgage payments so that you do not somehow end up falling behind.

2. Set up a separate account

Arguably more important than anything else is going through the process of setting up an entirely separate automated account for your mortgage to come out of. This will ensure that every time you get paid, that a certain amount is then automatically funnelled into that separate account and directly accrued into your self proclaimed mortgage account. This account is entirely for your mortgage payments. Having this entirely separate pool of income will ensure that you are prioritising your mortgage payments without having to constantly be thinking about how and when to transfer funds to cover the payments in due time.

3. Get ahead when possible

And of course, if it is ever possible for you to pay more and get ahead on your mortgage payments, this is always a great tip for more easily managing your mortgage payments. Yes, this is only ever a sustainable and responsible action to take if you happen to have that additional money sitting there that does not impact your savings, rainy day funds (both of which should always, or at the very least, nearly never be untouched), daily spendings, and the like. Paying more off when it is possible also puts you in the advantageous position of having the peace of mind that if you do end up going through a rough patch, you are covered (at least for a little while).

The post Three Tips To More Easily Managing Your Home Mortgage Payments appeared first on MoneyDigest.sg.

Lobang: https://singpromos.com/news/coe-prices-results-for-april-2021-first-open-bidding-exercise-on-7-apr-2021-245249/

Here are the results for the latest bidding exercise…read more @SINGPROMOS.COM

Lobang: https://www.moneydigest.sg/read-this-if-you-find-yourself-always-buying-crap/

It’s easy to be enticed with non-stop ongoing promotions online.

Thanks to the pandemic, more companies are also urgently shifting from brick and mortar to embracing digital means to sustain their business. This means customers like us can view a product instantly and make a purchase within a few taps or clicks.

But this also means it’s now easier to shop and buy “crap”. Please don’t get us wrong when we say “crap”. We’re not necessarily referring to a product as worthless but more towards whether it’s indispensable.

If you find yourself constantly buying “crap”, especially since it’s hard to say no to that dollar deal, read on.

#1: Stocktake your junk

Unless you are already living a minimalist lifestyle, chances are you have plenty of surplus stuff lying around at home or in your car boot.

The first step to help you stop buying items you don’t need is to do a stocktake on your current junk. A detailed record of your household items will help you realise how many things you already own.

Chances are, you will also find lost and misplaced items long forgotten over the years. Take these items and set them aside. Before donating, discarding, or reusing, look at it and do a quick sum-up of the costs. This exercise will reveal the potential savings you would have had if not for the purchase of those miscellaneous products.

And as a bonus, take it as an opportunity to declutter.

#2: Set a financial goal

Financial goals are important because they help us make informed decisions with our money. Perhaps you want to save for retirement, get a new car, or take a luxury staycation soon.

Figure out how much money you need for your goal and consider opening a savings account to fund it. Next time you are at the shops and thinking of spending S$10 on something random (just because it’s on discount), consider putting that money in your savings instead.

You will be amazed at how quickly all those seemingly small purchases add up.

#3: Engage in an inexpensive hobby or activity

Shopping is a fun hobby, but it is an expensive one. Consider finding another activity to replace that.

Instead of going to the shopping centre, logging in to your favourite shopping app, or ordering stuff you don’t need during a time sale, do something else. Maybe you could go for a walk, read a book, or develop an artistic interest.

There are many engaging and inexpensive hobbies, such as bird watching or sketching, that can be very rewarding. Having an activity to fill your time can help you stop mindlessly carting out online. This could translate to more savings in the long run!

#4: Implement a 24-hour pause strategy

Even if you find a replacement hobby to keep you from shopping too much, you will undoubtedly find yourself back at the shops from time to time.

To prevent yourself from getting into the shopping routine, implement a 24-hour pause strategy. Before you buy that new phone cover or that shiny baking tray, put it on hold and think it over for 24 hours.

If you think it would significantly add value to your life or you would be using it for a long time to come, buy it. However, if you realise it’s possible to live without it until the current item you own wears out, skip it.

#5: Unsubscribe from marketing emails

Even the strongest among us can succumb to the temptations of promotional emails. New products, attractive coupon codes, and special deals are what marketers use to get inside our heads and tempt us to spend that money.

One of the most effective ways to avoid this temptation is to get it out of sight. There is little to no value in these messages if you’re on the road to stop buying “crap”. Unsubscribing from such marketing emails will help you regain control of both your inbox and your wallet.

#6: Create firm budget limits

It would be unrealistic to say, “I am going to stop shopping”, and then hope it would work the next moment miraculously.

While we’ve worked hard to earn money, and it’s perfectly alright to spend it, the idea here is to spend less of it on “crap” that we don’t genuinely have a use for. The best way to attain this goal is to set a fixed budget in debit or cash.

Giving yourself an allowance in debit or cash helps you exercise more control over overspending. Spending debit or cash feels different than spending money on a credit card or through an app. Having to count and part with physical bills in exchange for an object helps us observe the trade differently now that we see the money disappearing from our possession.

#7: Pen down specific goals

As we come to a close, just saying “I am going to stop buying items I don’t need” may not work as you intend it to be. You want to pen down a more specific and measurable goal that you can attain.

For example, “I will only shop online on weekends,” or “I will only hit the stores on Saturdays with a cash budget of S$50 with me”. Preparing yourself with precise and realistic goals like these will aid you in reducing your excessive spending and break the chain of buying unnecessary “crap”.

The post Read this if you find yourself always buying “crap” appeared first on MoneyDigest.sg.