Please note that there is no miles/rebates/points awarded by Citibank for payment at AXS machine.
This is regardless of payment for road tax, insurance etc.
Confirmation from my latest statement from Citibank.
Tags: Citibank, AXS, miles, cash rebate, CitiDollars, award, no more
Wednesday 31 December 2014
Sunday 28 December 2014
NEWS: QZ8501 goes missing! (Updated)
AirAsia flight QZ8501 has gone missing since this morning after losing contact with the control tower. The flight was bound for Singapore from Surabaya and was due to arrive this morning.
There were 155 passengers on board, including 1 Singaporean and 1 Malaysian.
It is still not known where the plane is but unverified sources claimed the plane has crashed into the sea due to bad weather.
Let's pray for the best for the passengers and crew of AirAsia QZ8501.
Lastest update on 30 Dec 2014:
It is confirmed now that aeroplane debris has been spotted during the search and 95% confirmed to belong to QZ8501. More bodies have been spotted and retrieved from the sea. Identities of the deceased still unknown yet.
Lastest update on 30 Dec 2014:
It is confirmed now that aeroplane debris has been spotted during the search and 95% confirmed to belong to QZ8501. More bodies have been spotted and retrieved from the sea. Identities of the deceased still unknown yet.
Tags: plane, missing, AirAsia, Singapore, Indonesia, QZ8501
Friday 26 December 2014
When to use ADVISE and ADVICE
I have seen many people getting "advise" and "advice" mixed up. And yes, my GP tutor taught me the difference between these 2 words again. *GRIN*
What is the difference between "advise" and "advice"?
When do I use "advise" and when do I use "advice"?
Can they be used interchangeably?
These 2 words, "advise" and "advice", CANNOT be used interchangeably and should not be used interchangeably.
So my ADVICE to you is: Learn the difference between "ADVISE" and "ADVICE" and you may start to ADVISE others the difference between these 2 words.
Tags: advise, advice, difference, verb, noun
What is the difference between "advise" and "advice"?
When do I use "advise" and when do I use "advice"?
Can they be used interchangeably?
Advise is a verb. So "advise" is an action word.
Example: She advised me to quit smoking.
Advice is a noun. So "advice" is a name.
Example: This is her advice to me: Quit smoking.
These 2 words, "advise" and "advice", CANNOT be used interchangeably and should not be used interchangeably.
So my ADVICE to you is: Learn the difference between "ADVISE" and "ADVICE" and you may start to ADVISE others the difference between these 2 words.
Tags: advise, advice, difference, verb, noun
Friday 19 December 2014
Is it "compared to" or "compared with"?
I am sure this question has been bugging many people and not many know exactly when to use which. Perhaps only the GP tutors will know when to use "compared to" and when to use "compared with". I was taught this by my GP tutor and I still remember it till this day.
So when do I use "compared to" and when do I use "compared with"?
Can they be used interchangeably?
The answer is "NO". They are used in different scenarios and should not be used interchangeably.
Example: Your dwindling grades can be compared to the stock market during a recession.
Example: The Prime Minister now earns up to 50 times the GDP, compared with 20 times the GDP 20 years ago.
Now that you have learned the difference between "compared to" and "compared with", please make sure that the correct one is being used in the correct context.
Tags: compared to, compared with, english, similarities, differences
So when do I use "compared to" and when do I use "compared with"?
Can they be used interchangeably?
The answer is "NO". They are used in different scenarios and should not be used interchangeably.
Compared to is used mainly to point out the similarities between A and B.
Example: Your dwindling grades can be compared to the stock market during a recession.
Compared with is used mainly to point out the differences between A and B.
Example: The Prime Minister now earns up to 50 times the GDP, compared with 20 times the GDP 20 years ago.
Now that you have learned the difference between "compared to" and "compared with", please make sure that the correct one is being used in the correct context.
Tags: compared to, compared with, english, similarities, differences
Thursday 18 December 2014
Employer's CPF contribution increased by between 1% and 2% for all in 2015!
GOOD NEWS!
EMPLOYER'S CPR CONTRIBUTION WILL INCREASE IN 2015!!!
With effect from 1 January 2015, there will be an increase in Employer's CPF contribution rates! The increase ranges from 1% to 2% for all employees!
If you are below 50 or above 65 years old, the employer contribution rates will be increased by 1%!
This increase will be allocated to the Medisave Account.
If you are above 50 to 55 years old, the employer contribution rates will be increased by 2%!
The increase in CPF contribution will be allocated to the Medisave and Special Accounts.
If you are above 55 to 65 years old, the employer contribution rates will be increased 1.5%!
The increase in CPF contribution will be allocated to the Medisave and Special Accounts.
This sounds like everyone has gotten a salary increment of between 1% and 2% in 2015!
Merry Christmas!
For more information, please visit CPF website!
Tags: CPF, medisave, special account, increase, 1%, 2%, employer's cpf contribution
EMPLOYER'S CPR CONTRIBUTION WILL INCREASE IN 2015!!!
 |
| Image credit: CPF Singapore |
With effect from 1 January 2015, there will be an increase in Employer's CPF contribution rates! The increase ranges from 1% to 2% for all employees!
If you are below 50 or above 65 years old, the employer contribution rates will be increased by 1%!
This increase will be allocated to the Medisave Account.
If you are above 50 to 55 years old, the employer contribution rates will be increased by 2%!
The increase in CPF contribution will be allocated to the Medisave and Special Accounts.
If you are above 55 to 65 years old, the employer contribution rates will be increased 1.5%!
The increase in CPF contribution will be allocated to the Medisave and Special Accounts.
This sounds like everyone has gotten a salary increment of between 1% and 2% in 2015!
Merry Christmas!
For more information, please visit CPF website!
Tags: CPF, medisave, special account, increase, 1%, 2%, employer's cpf contribution
Wednesday 17 December 2014
Enhanced Consumer Credit Report
You may purchase your enhanced consumer credit report from:
Credit Bureau Singapore
DP Credit Bureau
A report will cost you S$6.42 including GST.
So what on earth is revealed in the Enhanced Consumer Credit Report?
You can find the following in the report:
1) Summary
2) Account status history
3) Previous enquiries
4) Bureau score
5) Adverse
6) Aggregate outstanding balances
The above are the more important aspects of the report that I would like to highlight.
1) Summary
In the summary, you will see
a) Date of earliest known credit account
This is the date when you had your first credit card
b) Previous enquiries
The number of enquiries made on your credit report by financial institute etc.
c) Accounts
Total number of credit accounts you have with banks, namely credit cards, loans.
d) Defaults
Number of default on payment
e) Secured credit limit
Total credit limit of all secured credit account (housing, car loan etc)
f) Unsecured credit limit
Total credit limit of your credit card of all banks
2) Account Status History
In this sector, you will all information of the credit card(s) and loans that you have including:
a) Product type (e.g. unsecured credit card)
b) Grantor bank (e.g. SCB)
c) Account Type
d) Date opened/Date closed
e) Overdue Balance
f) Last 12 cycles / Cash advances / Balance Transfer / Full payment
 |
| Explanation for (f) |
3) Previous Enquiries
You will see the date which the enquiry was made and also the banks that made enquiry on your credit report and their purpose for doing so.
4) Bureau Score
This is the score risk grade that you have obtained.
2000 is the max score and 1000 is the lowest score you can get for your enhanced consumer credit report.
Basically, the score is an indication of the probability of you defaulting on payment based on your history and it does not draw any conclusion or make credit decisions for the financial institutes.
AA: 1911 - 2000 (Probability of default <=0.27%)
BB: 1844 - 1910 (Probability of default between 0.27% and 0.67%)
CC: 1825 - 1843 (Probability of default between 0.67% and 0.88%)
DD: 1813 - 1824 (Probability of default between 0.88% and 1.03%)
EE: 1782 - 1812 (Probability of default between 1.03% and 1.58%)
FF: 1755 - 1781 (Probability of default between 1.58% and 2.28%)
GG: 1724 - 1754 (Probability of default between 2.28% and 3.48%)
HH: 1000 - 1723 (Probability of default >=3.48%)
There is also a non-scored risk grade.
 |
| Score Risk Grades & Non-scored Risk Grades |
5) Adverse
I do not know what is under this sector because I got " No adverse information could be found on the subject". But I believe this sector may be negative comments or reports from financial institutes.
6) Aggregate Outstanding Balance
This sector shows your outstanding balances (credit cards, loans etc) from the past 6 months, with the latest month in detail while the preceding 5 months in summary.
I find the only useful information here is the secured balances (home, car etc) where you can see how much outstanding loan you still have on your vehicle and house.
So what do I think about the Enhanced Consumer Credit Report?
All in all, I think the enhanced consumer credit report is a very useful report to purchase and keep as reference. However, you do not need to purchase the report on a regular basis. I would recommend one to purchase a report perhaps every few years to do check on yourself. (I didn't realise I have 30+ credit cards until I purchased the report!)
Sample of Enhanced Consumer Credit Report (courtesy of Credit Bureau (Singapore) Pte Ltd
PS. To CBS, it should be "between XX and YY", not "between XX to YY". Common mistake.
Tags: enhanced consumer credit report, credit bureau singapore, dp credit bureau, credit card, loan, balance, over-draft
Do not waste food.
I was having lunch this afternoon and suddenly thought of this Chinese poem that was taught to me by my mother when I was a child.
The above is a poem by Tang Dynasty poet, Li Shen (李绅).
The poem describes the hardship experienced by farmers during the process of growing grains. But the people who are eating the cooked rice on their dining plates may not know the hardship that farmers had gone through before the grains are harvested, cooked and served to them. And thus, do not appreciate the cooked rice on their plates.
I would like to take this opportunity to urge everyone not to waste food. Parents, please teach your child/children not to waste food unnecessarily. Food does not come easily and there are many countries that are suffering from famine as I typed out this post. Please remember that every grain of rice on your plate does not come easy.
Please help to inculcate this virtue to your offspring(s) and make sure it gets passed down.
Tags: food wastage, do not waste food, tang dynasty poet li shen, famine
锄禾日当午，[chu2 he2 ri4 dang1 wu3]I tried my very best to translate the poem directly. Please pardon my poor English translation:
汗滴禾下土，[han4 di1 he2 xia4 tu3]
谁知盘中餐，[she(u)i2 zhi1 pan2 zhong1 can1]
粒粒皆辛苦。 [li4 li4 jie1 xin1 ku3]
Planting grains using hoe in the mid-day heat,
Perspiration dripping into the earth beneath,
Who would know the grains on their plates,
Every single grain comes with hard work.
The above is a poem by Tang Dynasty poet, Li Shen (李绅).
The poem describes the hardship experienced by farmers during the process of growing grains. But the people who are eating the cooked rice on their dining plates may not know the hardship that farmers had gone through before the grains are harvested, cooked and served to them. And thus, do not appreciate the cooked rice on their plates.
 |
| Image credit: www.yesgood.com.tw |
I would like to take this opportunity to urge everyone not to waste food. Parents, please teach your child/children not to waste food unnecessarily. Food does not come easily and there are many countries that are suffering from famine as I typed out this post. Please remember that every grain of rice on your plate does not come easy.
Please help to inculcate this virtue to your offspring(s) and make sure it gets passed down.
Tags: food wastage, do not waste food, tang dynasty poet li shen, famine
Monday 15 December 2014
Straits Times: $10 billion in outstanding credit card loans by Christmas
I was reading The Straits Times when I came across this article written by Ms Radha Basu. I was reading and shaking my head at the same time and I think a few people might have thought that I was a crazy man.
When I came the this part, I was astonished! Having credit card debts amounting to a year's salary is no joke! You could be paying for years and still owe money to the banks!
What the MAS had come up with is to ensure suspension of credit facilities and repayment of the money owed for this group of people. However, I don't think this is going to solve the problem.
What I suggest to MAS is to raise the bar for credit card application:
The 1 MAJOR problem with most people who cannot make full payment regularly is over-spending. These group of people are spending more than what they can actually afford. Because of the inflated credit limit that ranges from 2x - 4x, these people have the impression that they HAVE the capability to spend! Imagine 10 banks giving you credit cards with limit which is 2x your monthly salary, you will have 20x your monthly salary to spend on! A person earning $3000 per month will have $60,000 at his/her "mercy"! And that should not be the way!
Some of the people I came across had this mentality! They would bust 1 card and jump to the another card! They lived from paycheck to paycheck and paid only the minimum sum to ensure that they can still use their credit cards! And THEIR DEBTS WILL ROLL FASTER than you can say "Merry Christmas"!
Hey people, credit cards are supposed to help us save money by letting us leverage on the discounts, cash rebates, point rewards systems. Not the other way round! DO NOT ever let credit cards be your master!
Come on MAS, if you really want to help people, do consider my suggestion. Curb the issuance of credit cards and curb the problem of "misuse" of credit cards.
Tags: The Straits Times, credit card, debts, rollover, minimum
According to figures from Credit Bureau (Singapore), there were nearly 1.58 million credit card consumers as of October, up from 1.2 million in October 2009.
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
When I came the this part, I was astonished! Having credit card debts amounting to a year's salary is no joke! You could be paying for years and still owe money to the banks!
What the MAS had come up with is to ensure suspension of credit facilities and repayment of the money owed for this group of people. However, I don't think this is going to solve the problem.
What I suggest to MAS is to raise the bar for credit card application:
1) Increase the minimum salary to $50,000 per annum
2) Maximum 2x credit limit of monthly salary (based on monthly salary only, excluding bonus, commission etc)
3) Credit limit is to be shared by all credit cards/credit facilities from all banks. (This will ensure that one cannot max out 1 card and spend using another card from another bank.)
4) Release credit only upon full payment every month
5) Do a credit review yearly (This is to ensure that those who suffered a decrease in income will not get high credit limit based on the previous higher salary and also to ensure that those who temporarily lost their job will rely on their credit cards for their daily expenses.)
The 1 MAJOR problem with most people who cannot make full payment regularly is over-spending. These group of people are spending more than what they can actually afford. Because of the inflated credit limit that ranges from 2x - 4x, these people have the impression that they HAVE the capability to spend! Imagine 10 banks giving you credit cards with limit which is 2x your monthly salary, you will have 20x your monthly salary to spend on! A person earning $3000 per month will have $60,000 at his/her "mercy"! And that should not be the way!
Some of the people I came across had this mentality! They would bust 1 card and jump to the another card! They lived from paycheck to paycheck and paid only the minimum sum to ensure that they can still use their credit cards! And THEIR DEBTS WILL ROLL FASTER than you can say "Merry Christmas"!
Hey people, credit cards are supposed to help us save money by letting us leverage on the discounts, cash rebates, point rewards systems. Not the other way round! DO NOT ever let credit cards be your master!
Come on MAS, if you really want to help people, do consider my suggestion. Curb the issuance of credit cards and curb the problem of "misuse" of credit cards.
Tags: The Straits Times, credit card, debts, rollover, minimum
According
to figures from Credit Bureau (Singapore), there were nearly 1.58
million credit card consumers as of October, up from 1.2 million in
October 2009.
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
According
to figures from Credit Bureau (Singapore), there were nearly 1.58
million credit card consumers as of October, up from 1.2 million in
October 2009.
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
According
to figures from Credit Bureau (Singapore), there were nearly 1.58
million credit card consumers as of October, up from 1.2 million in
October 2009.
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
According
to figures from Credit Bureau (Singapore), there were nearly 1.58
million credit card consumers as of October, up from 1.2 million in
October 2009.
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
According
to figures from Credit Bureau (Singapore), there were nearly 1.58
million credit card consumers as of October, up from 1.2 million in
October 2009.
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
According
to figures from Credit Bureau (Singapore), there were nearly 1.58
million credit card consumers as of October, up from 1.2 million in
October 2009.
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
According
to figures from Credit Bureau (Singapore), there were nearly 1.58
million credit card consumers as of October, up from 1.2 million in
October 2009.
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
According
to figures from Credit Bureau (Singapore), there were nearly 1.58
million credit card consumers as of October, up from 1.2 million in
October 2009.
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
Around one in three cardholders - or nearly 540,000 people - were not paying their bills in full as of October.
And 3 per cent of cardholders - or around 47,000 people at last count - have debts exceeding a year's salary.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/business/more-business-stories/story/10-billion-outstanding-credit-card-loans-christmas-2014121#sthash.ayQAD4t7.dpuf
Radha Basu
Radha Basu
Thursday 11 December 2014
How to give way to emergency vehicle?
I am perturbed after reading the news about the SGF6850J not giving way to an ambulance with sirens and blinkers on along PIE. I am even more disturbed when I see netizens on Hardwarezone forum commenting that the driver of the Hyundai Matrix was not in the wrong because even if he/she gave way, the ambulance would still be stuck behind other cars as traffic was relatively heavy.
Everyone plays a part in situation like this and let me tell you how.
It is not right just to say that only those on lane 1 are required to play their part to give way. In fact, all motorists should play a part. Let me show you how.
Driver of SGF6850J, read this and learn.
1) Vehicles travelling in front of emergency vehicles (assuming on lane 1) should signal left and change lane at the earliest possible chance.
2) On hearing siren and blinkers, vehicles on lane 2 should slow down gradually and create gaps for vehicles on lane 1 to move in.
3) Vehicles on lane 3 and 4 should also slow down gradually and create gaps for vehicles in lane 2 to move in. Just in case lane 2 gets too congested with vehicles.
So you see, everyone plays a part. In matters of life and death, every second counts.
Please be considerate and be aware of your surroundings. Give way to emergency vehicles.
Tags: Emergency, ambulance, give way, SGF6850J, PIE, hardwarezone, forum, EDMW
Everyone plays a part in situation like this and let me tell you how.
It is not right just to say that only those on lane 1 are required to play their part to give way. In fact, all motorists should play a part. Let me show you how.
Driver of SGF6850J, read this and learn.
 |
| Image credit: STOMP |
1) Vehicles travelling in front of emergency vehicles (assuming on lane 1) should signal left and change lane at the earliest possible chance.
2) On hearing siren and blinkers, vehicles on lane 2 should slow down gradually and create gaps for vehicles on lane 1 to move in.
3) Vehicles on lane 3 and 4 should also slow down gradually and create gaps for vehicles in lane 2 to move in. Just in case lane 2 gets too congested with vehicles.
So you see, everyone plays a part. In matters of life and death, every second counts.
Please be considerate and be aware of your surroundings. Give way to emergency vehicles.
Tags: Emergency, ambulance, give way, SGF6850J, PIE, hardwarezone, forum, EDMW
Build your savings slow and steady!
I have met many people during my course of work, during ICT, during networking seminars etc. And whenever the topic comes to something related to finance, many would say that they do not have much savings. Or simply, they could not save from the monthly salary. Every single cent of their salary seems to vanish by the end of the month!
So I always have this advice for those whom I have met and have this problems.
Start small and steady.
Forget about the common advice that tells you to "pay yourself first" then pay others etc. This obviously will not work on people who has loads of bills or people who has no discipline. Many whom I have spoken to had tried this method but still failed to have savings. Because, by the end of the month, they would have used up the money that "they paid themselves first".
So what I advocate is: START SMALL AND STEADY!
So what is this small and steady all about?
First of all, you need to get hold of a piggy bank; one of substantial size and cannot be opened easily.
Next, what you do is, dump all your $1 coins into the piggy bank. Only the $1 coins. I know the Singapore Government and Singapore Mint is going to kill me for encouraging people to hold on to their $1 coins and reduce the circulating amount.
SORRY!
Everyday when you get home, drop your $1 coins into the piggy bank.When you get the hang of it, you may also start dropping your 50-cent coins into the piggy bank.
Just keep dropping your coins into the piggy bank and watch it grow and grow and grow.
On average, I saved between $500 and $1200 in coins every year. And I DO NOT deposit these coins directly into my bank accounts as there are charges for depositing coins. There are times when Singapore Mint or the banks have promotions for FOC coin-deposit services. Watch for these promotion periods and deposit your coins. Otherwise, you may wish to count your coins and change your coins with the hawkers or provision shop owners or any of those in retail business. They will be more than willing to trade notes for your coins.
You will realise that this "small and steady" has little impact on your spending behaviour as most people do not pay attention to "loose change". If you do not see the figure in your account, you tend to disregard the existence of it.
So, start now! SLOW AND STEADY!
Tags: savings, slow and steady, coins, Singapore Mint, piggy bank
So I always have this advice for those whom I have met and have this problems.
Start small and steady.
Forget about the common advice that tells you to "pay yourself first" then pay others etc. This obviously will not work on people who has loads of bills or people who has no discipline. Many whom I have spoken to had tried this method but still failed to have savings. Because, by the end of the month, they would have used up the money that "they paid themselves first".
So what I advocate is: START SMALL AND STEADY!
So what is this small and steady all about?
First of all, you need to get hold of a piggy bank; one of substantial size and cannot be opened easily.
Next, what you do is, dump all your $1 coins into the piggy bank. Only the $1 coins. I know the Singapore Government and Singapore Mint is going to kill me for encouraging people to hold on to their $1 coins and reduce the circulating amount.
SORRY!
 |
| Image credit: wikipedia |
Everyday when you get home, drop your $1 coins into the piggy bank.When you get the hang of it, you may also start dropping your 50-cent coins into the piggy bank.
Just keep dropping your coins into the piggy bank and watch it grow and grow and grow.
On average, I saved between $500 and $1200 in coins every year. And I DO NOT deposit these coins directly into my bank accounts as there are charges for depositing coins. There are times when Singapore Mint or the banks have promotions for FOC coin-deposit services. Watch for these promotion periods and deposit your coins. Otherwise, you may wish to count your coins and change your coins with the hawkers or provision shop owners or any of those in retail business. They will be more than willing to trade notes for your coins.
You will realise that this "small and steady" has little impact on your spending behaviour as most people do not pay attention to "loose change". If you do not see the figure in your account, you tend to disregard the existence of it.
So, start now! SLOW AND STEADY!
Tags: savings, slow and steady, coins, Singapore Mint, piggy bank
Wednesday 3 December 2014
Follow me on twitter for the latest news!
Follow me on twitter @adviseandadvice for the latest credit card deals, promotions and other tips!
Tags: Twitter, @adviseandadvice
Tags: Twitter, @adviseandadvice
Tuesday 2 December 2014
Buying property and budget calculation
More and more people are spending more than what they can afford on their home (especially the 1st one) without realising what kind of trouble they are getting themselves into.
So the question is, how do I know if I can afford the property? How much budget do I have?
Let's rack our brains and do some mathematics.
First of all, you must have the answer to these questions:
Q1) How much are you and your spouse contributing to your CPF OA account monthly (employee's contribution only)?
Q2) How much do you and your spouse have in the OA account currently?
With the answers to the 2 questions, you may now calculate your budget. A practical budget that has no impact on your lifestyle at all.
Case study on Andy and Betty who earn $4000 each, combined household income of $8000:
A1) $800 each. Total of $1600 (Consider employee's contribution only)
A2) $50,000 each. Total of $100,000.
I would recommend one to USE up to 90% for home loan repayment.
With contribution of $800 to the CPF OA account monthly in this case study, Andy and Betty should contribute $700 each to repay the home loan monthly.
I would recommend one to KEEP at least 12 months of monthly repayment amount in the OA account as a safety net. Just in case of non-employment.
With $50,000 in each CPF OA account and a monthly repayment of $700.00 in this case study, Andy and Betty should KEEP at least $8,400 in the CPF OA account as safety net. That means they have $83,200 as deposit/down payment/initial payment.
Assuming interest rate of 2% per annum and loan tenure of 10 years, the maximum loan amount that Andy and Betty should get is $152,000. And the budget of the property is $235,200 ($152,000 + $83,200).
Assuming interest rate of 2% per annum and loan tenure of 20 years, the maximum loan amount that Andy and Betty should get is $276,000. And the budget of the property is $359,200 ($276,000 + $83,200).
Assuming interest rate of 2% per annum and loan tenure of 30 years, the maximum loan amount that Andy and Betty should get is $378,000. And the budget of the property is $461,200 ($378,000 + $83,200).
The above is of course just a case study and one should calculate based on his/her own scenario.
Using the strategy above, you will realise that you do not have to fork out cash for monthly repayment. Hence your liefestyle will not be affected. Moreover, your OA account will be increasing as well due to interests, contribution from employer, contribution from bonus and potentially increased contribution from increased income!
Once you have enough in your CPF, do redeem your home loan and be debt free!
NOTE: DO NOT to take future expected earnings to calculate your budget. You may expect your earnings to increase by how many % in how many years or you may expect promotions within how many years etc. But these are subject to changes which may be affected by uncertainties that no one can predict. No one can predict the futureand you will never know what can happen the next day.
It is always better to be cautious when budgeting.
Tags: Buying property, calculating budget, CPF, OA account, maximum loan tenure
So the question is, how do I know if I can afford the property? How much budget do I have?
Let's rack our brains and do some mathematics.
First of all, you must have the answer to these questions:
Q1) How much are you and your spouse contributing to your CPF OA account monthly (employee's contribution only)?
Q2) How much do you and your spouse have in the OA account currently?
With the answers to the 2 questions, you may now calculate your budget. A practical budget that has no impact on your lifestyle at all.
Case study on Andy and Betty who earn $4000 each, combined household income of $8000:
A1) $800 each. Total of $1600 (Consider employee's contribution only)
A2) $50,000 each. Total of $100,000.
I would recommend one to USE up to 90% for home loan repayment.
With contribution of $800 to the CPF OA account monthly in this case study, Andy and Betty should contribute $700 each to repay the home loan monthly.
I would recommend one to KEEP at least 12 months of monthly repayment amount in the OA account as a safety net. Just in case of non-employment.
With $50,000 in each CPF OA account and a monthly repayment of $700.00 in this case study, Andy and Betty should KEEP at least $8,400 in the CPF OA account as safety net. That means they have $83,200 as deposit/down payment/initial payment.
Assuming interest rate of 2% per annum and loan tenure of 10 years, the maximum loan amount that Andy and Betty should get is $152,000. And the budget of the property is $235,200 ($152,000 + $83,200).
Assuming interest rate of 2% per annum and loan tenure of 20 years, the maximum loan amount that Andy and Betty should get is $276,000. And the budget of the property is $359,200 ($276,000 + $83,200).
Assuming interest rate of 2% per annum and loan tenure of 30 years, the maximum loan amount that Andy and Betty should get is $378,000. And the budget of the property is $461,200 ($378,000 + $83,200).
The above is of course just a case study and one should calculate based on his/her own scenario.
Using the strategy above, you will realise that you do not have to fork out cash for monthly repayment. Hence your liefestyle will not be affected. Moreover, your OA account will be increasing as well due to interests, contribution from employer, contribution from bonus and potentially increased contribution from increased income!
Once you have enough in your CPF, do redeem your home loan and be debt free!
NOTE: DO NOT to take future expected earnings to calculate your budget. You may expect your earnings to increase by how many % in how many years or you may expect promotions within how many years etc. But these are subject to changes which may be affected by uncertainties that no one can predict. No one can predict the futureand you will never know what can happen the next day.
It is always better to be cautious when budgeting.
Tags: Buying property, calculating budget, CPF, OA account, maximum loan tenure
Wednesday 26 November 2014
Best credit card for grocery shopping!
This question has been bugging many people for quite some time. Now, I shall reveal to you, the best credit card for grocery shopping!
I browsed through all the credit cards offered by different banks with benefits for grocery shopping and tabulated the results in a table.
I included most of the credit cards that are offering rebates on grocery shopping except HSBC Visa Platinum which I find ridiculous as you need to fulfill minimum spending per month for a QUARTER before you are entitled to the cash rebate. Most cards do have minimum spending to fulfil but that is on a MONTHLY basis. So I do not know what HSBS is trying to do here.
There are also a few that are offering 3% cash rebate and yet require minimum spend monthly while other banks are offering 5% for the same minimum amount. These are DBS Safra and OCBC 365. Don't they know that there are better cards out there that are better than theirs?
As you can see from the table above, the best credit card for grocery shopping at Cold Storage, Giant, Jasons, Market Place is the UOB Delight credit card. However, that is if you can hit $1000 and above with the card every month. (up to 10%)
Best credit card for grocery shopping at Cold Storage, Giant, Sheng Siong will be Citibank SMRT credit card with 5% SMRT$ + 2% CitiRebates with minimum of $50 per transaction and minimum of $600 spent on card per month. Even if you spent less than $600 a month, you still get up to 4.7% SMRT$ + up to 2% CitiRebate with minimum of $50 per transaction.
Otherwise, Standard Chartered Singpost credit card will be the best credit card for grocery shopping at Cold Storage, Giant and NTUC.(up to 6% with minimum of $500 spent on card per month)
And the best credit card for grocery shopping at Sheng Siong will be the POSB Everyday credit card as it is fuss free with no minimum spending to meet per transaction or per month. (5% cash back)
Just to add on, if you happen to stay near or if you frequent Kallang Wave, Citibank SMRT credit card will be the best for grocery shopping with minimum of $50 per transaction. (7.33%)
Personally, I like to use Citibank Dividend CC for NTUC and POSB Everyday for Sheng Siong as they are fuss free with no minimum spent required per month, though the Citibank Dividend requires minimum of $50 per transaction. Cold Storage and Giant, I would use Citibank SMRT, though I rarely do my grocery shopping there.
Tags: best, credit card, grocery, shopping, BOC, Citibank, DBS, Diners, Maybank, OCBC, POSB, Standard Chartered, UOB, Cold Storage, Four Seasons, Giant, Jasons, Market Place, NTUC, Sheng Siong, Kallang Wave
I browsed through all the credit cards offered by different banks with benefits for grocery shopping and tabulated the results in a table.
I included most of the credit cards that are offering rebates on grocery shopping except HSBC Visa Platinum which I find ridiculous as you need to fulfill minimum spending per month for a QUARTER before you are entitled to the cash rebate. Most cards do have minimum spending to fulfil but that is on a MONTHLY basis. So I do not know what HSBS is trying to do here.
There are also a few that are offering 3% cash rebate and yet require minimum spend monthly while other banks are offering 5% for the same minimum amount. These are DBS Safra and OCBC 365. Don't they know that there are better cards out there that are better than theirs?
 |
| Compilation of credit cards for grocery shopping |
As you can see from the table above, the best credit card for grocery shopping at Cold Storage, Giant, Jasons, Market Place is the UOB Delight credit card. However, that is if you can hit $1000 and above with the card every month. (up to 10%)
Best credit card for grocery shopping at Cold Storage, Giant, Sheng Siong will be Citibank SMRT credit card with 5% SMRT$ + 2% CitiRebates with minimum of $50 per transaction and minimum of $600 spent on card per month. Even if you spent less than $600 a month, you still get up to 4.7% SMRT$ + up to 2% CitiRebate with minimum of $50 per transaction.
Otherwise, Standard Chartered Singpost credit card will be the best credit card for grocery shopping at Cold Storage, Giant and NTUC.(up to 6% with minimum of $500 spent on card per month)
And the best credit card for grocery shopping at Sheng Siong will be the POSB Everyday credit card as it is fuss free with no minimum spending to meet per transaction or per month. (5% cash back)
Just to add on, if you happen to stay near or if you frequent Kallang Wave, Citibank SMRT credit card will be the best for grocery shopping with minimum of $50 per transaction. (7.33%)
Personally, I like to use Citibank Dividend CC for NTUC and POSB Everyday for Sheng Siong as they are fuss free with no minimum spent required per month, though the Citibank Dividend requires minimum of $50 per transaction. Cold Storage and Giant, I would use Citibank SMRT, though I rarely do my grocery shopping there.
Tags: best, credit card, grocery, shopping, BOC, Citibank, DBS, Diners, Maybank, OCBC, POSB, Standard Chartered, UOB, Cold Storage, Four Seasons, Giant, Jasons, Market Place, NTUC, Sheng Siong, Kallang Wave
Friday 21 November 2014
Best credit card(s) for overseas!
FOR THE LATES UPDATE, click the link below:
Best Credt Card(s) for Overseas 2015
I have numerous requests asking for the best credit card for overseas use and after considerable time spent on close examination of different credit cards offered by different banks, I tabulated the results and came up with this table, giving you an overall view of the benefits of recommended credit cards. Also, based on this table, I rocommend the best credit card for overseas use depending on different situations.
I must say there is no 1 card that offers the best deal for overseas spending in my opinion. It all depends on where you are going to and what you are swiping your card for.
Anyway, for your information. And do let me know if you spot any mistakes or if I had missed out any cards.
As I have mentioned earlier, there is no 1 card that is best for overseas use.
If you are travelling to AUS/NZ, the best card is ANZ Travel Visa Signature.
Any other countries, UOB Visa Signature will be your best card, but do remember to spend more than S$1000.00 in foreign currency during your statement period of the maximum rewards.
If you are a small spender or going on a short getaway, and you know your expenses oversea will definitely to less than S$1000.00, bring along your CITI Rewards CC and charged to it at department stores, shops that sell bags, clothes, shoes. Then charge the rest to your ANZ Travel Signature.
Hope this table is useful to those who are travelling in this holiday season!
PS. The table does not take into account of special promotions which may happen from time to time. I also did not take into account of conversion rates, cross border charges etc.
Tags: overseas, spending, credit card, ANZ Travel Visa Signature, Citibank Clear Platinum, Premiermiles, Rewards, DBS Altitude, Maybank Horizon, OCBC Titanium, Standard Chartered Manhattan, UOB PRVI Platinum, Visa Signature, VISA, MASTER, AMEX, cash rebate, miles, shopping, holiday, vacation, getaway
Best Credt Card(s) for Overseas 2015
I have numerous requests asking for the best credit card for overseas use and after considerable time spent on close examination of different credit cards offered by different banks, I tabulated the results and came up with this table, giving you an overall view of the benefits of recommended credit cards. Also, based on this table, I rocommend the best credit card for overseas use depending on different situations.
I must say there is no 1 card that offers the best deal for overseas spending in my opinion. It all depends on where you are going to and what you are swiping your card for.
Anyway, for your information. And do let me know if you spot any mistakes or if I had missed out any cards.
As I have mentioned earlier, there is no 1 card that is best for overseas use.
If you are travelling to AUS/NZ, the best card is ANZ Travel Visa Signature.
Any other countries, UOB Visa Signature will be your best card, but do remember to spend more than S$1000.00 in foreign currency during your statement period of the maximum rewards.
If you are a small spender or going on a short getaway, and you know your expenses oversea will definitely to less than S$1000.00, bring along your CITI Rewards CC and charged to it at department stores, shops that sell bags, clothes, shoes. Then charge the rest to your ANZ Travel Signature.
Hope this table is useful to those who are travelling in this holiday season!
PS. The table does not take into account of special promotions which may happen from time to time. I also did not take into account of conversion rates, cross border charges etc.
Tags: overseas, spending, credit card, ANZ Travel Visa Signature, Citibank Clear Platinum, Premiermiles, Rewards, DBS Altitude, Maybank Horizon, OCBC Titanium, Standard Chartered Manhattan, UOB PRVI Platinum, Visa Signature, VISA, MASTER, AMEX, cash rebate, miles, shopping, holiday, vacation, getaway
Wednesday 19 November 2014
Debit card and the risks of using it!
I have heard and seen a few cases of fraudulent charges made on debit cards. Amounts charged ranged from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars! But luckily, almost all the cases ended on a happy note with the money returned to the owner after investigations by the bank.
Personally I have never used a debit card before (used cash before I had a credit card) but I know the risks faced by debit card users, are the same with credit card users.
Let me give you a few tips to protect your money.
Before that, you must know how a debit card works.
A debit card works exactly like credit card and NETS combined. The parts that are identical to credit card: the card goes through the card terminal, signature may be required and there is a charged slip for the purchase. The part that is identical to NETS: the money is deducted right away! Hence, you need to have money in your account before the transaction is approved.
So how can you prevent or minimise your loss?
1) Never use a debit card at all.
Giving your debit card to the waiter/waitress at the restaurant while you wait at your table is akin to giving your ATM card + your pin number to a stranger. You never know what can happen in between the wait.
2) Never use a debit card for online transaction
Using a debit card for online transaction is as unsecured as using a credit card for online transaction. Your card details may be stolen and you may get fraudulent charges on your card.
3) If you really need to use a debit card, keep the money in your account low like S$500.00 or S$1000.00
Or, keep it low at all times. Transfer the money only when you need to make the purchase.
4) Never use a debit card that is linked to your main savings account
You are giving thieves out there to access your entire piggy bank if you use a debit card linked to your main savings account!
For points (1) and (2), you may argue that the risks faced by debit card and credit card users are the same, then why is using credit cards encouraged but using debit cards is not encouraged?
Firstly, credit cards offer perks which are usually much better than those offered by debit cards. Some debit cards do not offer any perks for some purchases at all. Weighing the pros and cons, the benefit of using a credit card is there but debit cards may not give you much benefit for the same exposed risk!
Secondly, if you get a fraud charge on your credit card, you do not need to pay for it while investigations are ongoing. BUT if your entire kitty has been wiped out due to fraud charge to your debit card, you may not get any cent back until investigations are completed and this may take weeks! Worse if your main account is being wiped out. You will be broke for the duration investigations are ongoing! (Of course, you may seek redress from the bank and they may return the money to you first, but there is no guarantee on this)
The point to take home is, try not to use your debit card and if you really need to, link it to an account with small amount of money.
Tags: debit card, credit card, fraud, fraudulent charge, risk, loss
Personally I have never used a debit card before (used cash before I had a credit card) but I know the risks faced by debit card users, are the same with credit card users.
Let me give you a few tips to protect your money.
Before that, you must know how a debit card works.
A debit card works exactly like credit card and NETS combined. The parts that are identical to credit card: the card goes through the card terminal, signature may be required and there is a charged slip for the purchase. The part that is identical to NETS: the money is deducted right away! Hence, you need to have money in your account before the transaction is approved.
So how can you prevent or minimise your loss?
1) Never use a debit card at all.
Giving your debit card to the waiter/waitress at the restaurant while you wait at your table is akin to giving your ATM card + your pin number to a stranger. You never know what can happen in between the wait.
2) Never use a debit card for online transaction
Using a debit card for online transaction is as unsecured as using a credit card for online transaction. Your card details may be stolen and you may get fraudulent charges on your card.
3) If you really need to use a debit card, keep the money in your account low like S$500.00 or S$1000.00
Or, keep it low at all times. Transfer the money only when you need to make the purchase.
4) Never use a debit card that is linked to your main savings account
You are giving thieves out there to access your entire piggy bank if you use a debit card linked to your main savings account!
For points (1) and (2), you may argue that the risks faced by debit card and credit card users are the same, then why is using credit cards encouraged but using debit cards is not encouraged?
Firstly, credit cards offer perks which are usually much better than those offered by debit cards. Some debit cards do not offer any perks for some purchases at all. Weighing the pros and cons, the benefit of using a credit card is there but debit cards may not give you much benefit for the same exposed risk!
Secondly, if you get a fraud charge on your credit card, you do not need to pay for it while investigations are ongoing. BUT if your entire kitty has been wiped out due to fraud charge to your debit card, you may not get any cent back until investigations are completed and this may take weeks! Worse if your main account is being wiped out. You will be broke for the duration investigations are ongoing! (Of course, you may seek redress from the bank and they may return the money to you first, but there is no guarantee on this)
The point to take home is, try not to use your debit card and if you really need to, link it to an account with small amount of money.
Tags: debit card, credit card, fraud, fraudulent charge, risk, loss
Tuesday 18 November 2014
Error in Straitstimes article: PM Lee Hsien Loong and other G-20 Summit leaders pose with koala bear named Jinbelung
I was reading the Straitstimes during lunch today when I found a common error in one of the headlines:
PM Lee Hsien Loong and other G-20 Summit leaders pose with koala bear named Jinbelung
Article here.
Before I reveal the error, have you spotted it too?
Well, it is the word "bear" after koala.
Strictly speaking, a koala is NOT a bear. It is closer to the wombat family than to the bear.
According to Wikipedia, koala is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia. It is the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae, and its closest living relatives are the wombats.
I have been to Australia and the locals are pretty protective of their native species, and they kept educating tourists that a koala is NOT a bear. They also emphasised the fact that the koala is native to Australia.
Now, Ms Chew Hui Min (writer of the article), better correct your error before the Australians are offended!
PS. PM Lee got it right in his facebook post by using "koalas" instead of "koala bears".
Tags: Singapore, Straitstimes, G-20 summit, Australia, koala bear
PM Lee Hsien Loong and other G-20 Summit leaders pose with koala bear named Jinbelung
Article here.
Before I reveal the error, have you spotted it too?
 |
| Image credit: PM Lee's facebook |
Strictly speaking, a koala is NOT a bear. It is closer to the wombat family than to the bear.
According to Wikipedia, koala is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia. It is the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae, and its closest living relatives are the wombats.
I have been to Australia and the locals are pretty protective of their native species, and they kept educating tourists that a koala is NOT a bear. They also emphasised the fact that the koala is native to Australia.
Now, Ms Chew Hui Min (writer of the article), better correct your error before the Australians are offended!
PS. PM Lee got it right in his facebook post by using "koalas" instead of "koala bears".
Tags: Singapore, Straitstimes, G-20 summit, Australia, koala bear
Friday 14 November 2014
ESSO Vouchers Giveaway - S$5.00 off S$50.00 gross fuel purchase!
Giveaway has ended!
Post updated with payment by OCBC 365 CC.
The vouchers are valid from 1 Dec 2014 to 31 Dec 2015!
Yes! You did not see wrongly! Your monitor is not faulty as well!
The vouchers are valid for a whole 13 months!!! Total of 52 vouchers in the booklet!
And the vouchers can be used in any ESSO station!
Yes! You did not see this wrongly as well!
There are 4 vouchers given for every single month, starting from 1 Dec 2014 and the last batch of vouchers are valid till 31 Dec 2015! Each voucher gives you S$5.00 off S$50.00 gross fuel purchase! So you get to save S$20.00 using the vouchers alone!
Use the vouchers together with the DBS Esso Platinum to get the maximum discount without fuss!
DBS Esso Platinum
S$50.00 - 17% - S$5.00 = S$36.50 (27% discount! And FUSS FREE)
Citibank Dividend
If you only pump petrol at Esso, you will need to pump S$64.00 gross to be entitled to 5% Citibank Dividend cash rebate. (Requires minimum of S$50.00 to be charged to your Citibank Dividend CC)
S$64.00 - 14% - S$5.00 = S$50.04 - 5% = S$47.54 (25.73% discount)
If you purchase a booklet of parking coupons everytime you pump at Esso, you only need to pump S$52.40 gross petrol:
S$52.40 - 14% - S$5.00 = S$40.06 - 5% = S$38.06 (27.37% discount)
Note: 5% cash rebate still applicable because you charged a total of S$50.06 (petrol + parking coupon) to your Citibank Dividend CC.
OCBC 365 CC
S$50 - 14% - $5 - 5% = S$36.10 (27.8% HIGHEST DISCOUNT!)
Note: You have to accumulate $600 every month on this card before you can get the 5% cash rebate
Tags: Esso, $5.00 discount, voucher, Hougang Avenue 3
Post updated with payment by OCBC 365 CC.
 |
| A booklet of Esso vouchers! |
 |
| S$5.00 off synergy fuel with purchase of S$50.00 gross fuel! |
 |
| Terms and conditions |
The vouchers are valid from 1 Dec 2014 to 31 Dec 2015!
Yes! You did not see wrongly! Your monitor is not faulty as well!
The vouchers are valid for a whole 13 months!!! Total of 52 vouchers in the booklet!
And the vouchers can be used in any ESSO station!
Yes! You did not see this wrongly as well!
There are 4 vouchers given for every single month, starting from 1 Dec 2014 and the last batch of vouchers are valid till 31 Dec 2015! Each voucher gives you S$5.00 off S$50.00 gross fuel purchase! So you get to save S$20.00 using the vouchers alone!
Use the vouchers together with the DBS Esso Platinum to get the maximum discount without fuss!
DBS Esso Platinum
S$50.00 - 17% - S$5.00 = S$36.50 (27% discount! And FUSS FREE)
Citibank Dividend
If you only pump petrol at Esso, you will need to pump S$64.00 gross to be entitled to 5% Citibank Dividend cash rebate. (Requires minimum of S$50.00 to be charged to your Citibank Dividend CC)
S$64.00 - 14% - S$5.00 = S$50.04 - 5% = S$47.54 (25.73% discount)
If you purchase a booklet of parking coupons everytime you pump at Esso, you only need to pump S$52.40 gross petrol:
S$52.40 - 14% - S$5.00 = S$40.06 - 5% = S$38.06 (27.37% discount)
Note: 5% cash rebate still applicable because you charged a total of S$50.06 (petrol + parking coupon) to your Citibank Dividend CC.
OCBC 365 CC
S$50 - 14% - $5 - 5% = S$36.10 (27.8% HIGHEST DISCOUNT!)
Note: You have to accumulate $600 every month on this card before you can get the 5% cash rebate
Tags: Esso, $5.00 discount, voucher, Hougang Avenue 3
Credit cards: Let them be your slave and not the other way round!
Recently, I saw and heard a few cases of people owing money to banks due to overspending using credit cards instalment plans, paying minimum sum for credit card bills every month etc. All these can be avoided and should be avoided.
Credit card is like fire. Let it serve you and you are well. Let it climb over your head and you are doomed.
We should make our credit cards work for us and not the other way round. We should exploit discounts, cash rebates, freebies, rewards points offered by credit cards. But never, ever let the banks exploit us by charging us their ridiculous annual fees, late payment and interests.
1) Instalment Plans
Instalment Plans are in place to people feel and think that they can afford certain things when they actually cannot afford.
For instance, a person earning $3,000.00 with zero savings will not be able to afford a television priced at $5,000.00. He does not have the means to cough out $5,000.00 to pay for the television upfront. However, with instalment plans offered by merchants and banks, one can easily pay for the television by 12-months ($417.00 per month), 24-months ($209.00 per month) instalment plans.
Worse still, after purchasing the $5,000.00 television on 24-months instalment plan, the person finds that he still has room for more instalments! And he went on to purchase a new washing machine, a new stereo system etc etc. All on instalment plans! If his monthly instalment payment (assuming all are 24 months IPP) is $1,000.00 (around a third of his monthly salary), that means he had purchased $24,000.00 worth of goods! 8 times his monthly salary!
If this is not over-spending, then I do not know what is.
My advice is:
One should never make use of instalment plans offered by banks. Instalment plans are there to make you feel that the item is relatively "cheap" and "affordable". Instalment plans make you spend more than you can afford in actual dollars and cents.
2) Never use future money
Swipe your card for purchases that you know you already have the cash to pay for.
Never depend on your next paycheck to pay for the current item that you want to buy.
You swipe your credit card and not pay cash for the item, simply because you want to take advantage of the cash rebates/points earned for the purchase! You should never swipe your card because you have no money to pay for the item now and you have to wait for the next paycheck to pay for the item!
3) Pay your bills in full all the time
Always pay your bills in full and never ever pay the min sum and let the debt roll over. With typically 24% per annum interest charged on balance, this is almost the highest interest rates you could be paying your whole life! You will NEVER be able to pay up your debt if you just pay the minimum sum every month because you will be paying for the interest only most of the time!
Follow the above 3 rules and you will be safe!
Remember: credit cards should be our slave; we should not be the slaves of credit cards/banks!
Tags: bank, credit card, interest, annual fee, debt, roll over, instalment, installment, IPP, bills, future money,
Credit card is like fire. Let it serve you and you are well. Let it climb over your head and you are doomed.
We should make our credit cards work for us and not the other way round. We should exploit discounts, cash rebates, freebies, rewards points offered by credit cards. But never, ever let the banks exploit us by charging us their ridiculous annual fees, late payment and interests.
1) Instalment Plans
Instalment Plans are in place to people feel and think that they can afford certain things when they actually cannot afford.
For instance, a person earning $3,000.00 with zero savings will not be able to afford a television priced at $5,000.00. He does not have the means to cough out $5,000.00 to pay for the television upfront. However, with instalment plans offered by merchants and banks, one can easily pay for the television by 12-months ($417.00 per month), 24-months ($209.00 per month) instalment plans.
Worse still, after purchasing the $5,000.00 television on 24-months instalment plan, the person finds that he still has room for more instalments! And he went on to purchase a new washing machine, a new stereo system etc etc. All on instalment plans! If his monthly instalment payment (assuming all are 24 months IPP) is $1,000.00 (around a third of his monthly salary), that means he had purchased $24,000.00 worth of goods! 8 times his monthly salary!
If this is not over-spending, then I do not know what is.
My advice is:
One should never make use of instalment plans offered by banks. Instalment plans are there to make you feel that the item is relatively "cheap" and "affordable". Instalment plans make you spend more than you can afford in actual dollars and cents.
2) Never use future money
Swipe your card for purchases that you know you already have the cash to pay for.
Never depend on your next paycheck to pay for the current item that you want to buy.
You swipe your credit card and not pay cash for the item, simply because you want to take advantage of the cash rebates/points earned for the purchase! You should never swipe your card because you have no money to pay for the item now and you have to wait for the next paycheck to pay for the item!
3) Pay your bills in full all the time
Always pay your bills in full and never ever pay the min sum and let the debt roll over. With typically 24% per annum interest charged on balance, this is almost the highest interest rates you could be paying your whole life! You will NEVER be able to pay up your debt if you just pay the minimum sum every month because you will be paying for the interest only most of the time!
Follow the above 3 rules and you will be safe!
Remember: credit cards should be our slave; we should not be the slaves of credit cards/banks!
Tags: bank, credit card, interest, annual fee, debt, roll over, instalment, installment, IPP, bills, future money,
Thursday 13 November 2014
Get 10% cash rebate at Sheng Siong this weekend (15 & 16 Nov 2014) with POSB Everyday card!
For this weekend only (15 & 16 Nov 2014), get 10% cash rebates
(additional 5% to be credited by 31 Mar 2015) by using POSB Everyday card to pay for
your purchases at Sheng Siong.
Just charge a minimum of S$200.00 (posted local and foreign retail sales, posted 0% interest-free instalment plan, posted recurring bill payment but excludes interest, finance charges, cash withdrawal, balance transfer, smart cash and all fees charged by DBS) to your POSB Everyday CC on this weekend (15 & 16 Nov 2014) to enjoy this promotion!
Max of S$50.00 in rebates to be earned!
Hurry and shop at Sheng Siong this weekend! Of course, don't forget to charge a minimum of S$200 to your POSB Everyday CC to enjoy the 10% cash rebates!
More information here!
Tags: POSB, Everyday, Sheng Siong, weekend promotion, 15 & 16 Nov 2014, 10%, cash rebate
Just charge a minimum of S$200.00 (posted local and foreign retail sales, posted 0% interest-free instalment plan, posted recurring bill payment but excludes interest, finance charges, cash withdrawal, balance transfer, smart cash and all fees charged by DBS) to your POSB Everyday CC on this weekend (15 & 16 Nov 2014) to enjoy this promotion!
Max of S$50.00 in rebates to be earned!
Hurry and shop at Sheng Siong this weekend! Of course, don't forget to charge a minimum of S$200 to your POSB Everyday CC to enjoy the 10% cash rebates!
More information here!
Tags: POSB, Everyday, Sheng Siong, weekend promotion, 15 & 16 Nov 2014, 10%, cash rebate
Receive a S$50 prepaid card from Masterpass!
Sign up and register for a MasterPass account and get a prepaid card with S$50.00!
Offer applies to the first 3,500 registrants only! So hurry up!
Promotion period is from 12 November to 31 December 2014 (both dates inclusive).
Step 1: Register for your new MasterPass wallet with your bank at masterpass.com.sg. A confirmation email will be sent to you upon successful registration.
Step 2: Fill up the short form with your details and you’re done!
You will see this statement after step 2:
Thank you for participating in this promotion!
An email will be sent to you within 3 business days once we have verified your registration.
Stay around and enjoy a little something extra as well with our range of exciting offers from our merchants below.
And you are done!
More information here!
Important terms and conditions to take note:
1) To be eligible to participate in the Promotion, Qualifying Cardholders must first register for a
MasterPass account on the MasterPass webpage at www.masterpass.com.sg (“Registration
Landing Page”).
2) Each Qualifying Cardholder who (i) registers for a MasterPass account on the Registration Landing
Page; (ii) receives an electronic mail (email) notification from his/her preferred MasterCard card
issuing bank (selected when registering for the MasterPass account on the Registration Landing
Page) notifying the Qualifying Cardholder that his/her registration has been successful
(“Registration Notification Email”); and (iii) registers for the Promotion by completing the
submission instructions stipulated in clause II(b) below will be entitled to receive one (1) SGD50
MasterCard branded prepaid card (“Prize”) issued by EZ-Link Pte. Ltd. (“Issuer”).
Tags: Masterpass, S$50.00, prepaid card
Offer applies to the first 3,500 registrants only! So hurry up!
Promotion period is from 12 November to 31 December 2014 (both dates inclusive).
Step 1: Register for your new MasterPass wallet with your bank at masterpass.com.sg. A confirmation email will be sent to you upon successful registration.
Step 2: Fill up the short form with your details and you’re done!
You will see this statement after step 2:
Thank you for participating in this promotion!
An email will be sent to you within 3 business days once we have verified your registration.
Stay around and enjoy a little something extra as well with our range of exciting offers from our merchants below.
And you are done!
More information here!
Important terms and conditions to take note:
1) To be eligible to participate in the Promotion, Qualifying Cardholders must first register for a
MasterPass account on the MasterPass webpage at www.masterpass.com.sg (“Registration
Landing Page”).
2) Each Qualifying Cardholder who (i) registers for a MasterPass account on the Registration Landing
Page; (ii) receives an electronic mail (email) notification from his/her preferred MasterCard card
issuing bank (selected when registering for the MasterPass account on the Registration Landing
Page) notifying the Qualifying Cardholder that his/her registration has been successful
(“Registration Notification Email”); and (iii) registers for the Promotion by completing the
submission instructions stipulated in clause II(b) below will be entitled to receive one (1) SGD50
MasterCard branded prepaid card (“Prize”) issued by EZ-Link Pte. Ltd. (“Issuer”).
Tags: Masterpass, S$50.00, prepaid card
Wednesday 12 November 2014
12 GOOD HABITS motorists should have
1) Signal your intention
The signal indicator is there for a reason - to signal your intention. Quite a handful (and it is a really BIG hand) of motorists do not use the signal indicators at all. And this BAD habit poses a danger to you and other motorists.
Signal when you want to change lane.
Signal when you are going to make turns.
Signal if you are going left/right on a lane where you can go left/right or straight.
Let others know your intention and there will be less accidents. (I'm not joking)
2) Turn on your headlights/headlamps
Turn on your headlights/headlamps when the environment is dark. This includes night time, carparks, dimly lit area, rainy days, tunnels. Let others see you and let yourself see the front.
I seriously do not understand why one would turn into a carpark and turn off the headlights/headlamps. Come on, turn on your headlights/headlamps and when you go up the ramp, others who are coming down the ramp can see you and stop for you.
DO NOT USE THE FOG LIGHTS as a replacement for your headlight/headlamps.
3) Wave when someone gives way
Wave to "say" thank you. And the society will be a more gracious one. Wave when someone gives way to you and the person will feel happier. And it doesn't kill you to wave, right?
4) Give way to vehicles, especially to ambulance, fire-fighting vehicle etc
Give way to vehicles whenever possible without endangering your life or others. Be gracious and others will pay it forward.
5) Drive close to the speed limit (Do not hog the road)
I do not encourage speeding and I do not encourage hogging. Drive close to the speed limit whenever possible. Speed limit in Singapore is 50km/h unless otherwise specified.
Do not drive at 70km/h (for cars) when you are on the expressway with speed limit of 90km/h, especially on lane 1 and 2. There is ERP because of slow speed. If everyone drives as close to the speed limit (or the speed limit of your vehicle for vans/lorries/bus etc) as possible without endangering other motorists, ERP could be a thing of the past (like real).
Do not speed at more than 10km/h above the speed limit (my own limit)! Do not endanger your own life and others' life with your irresponsible antics! Do not exceed the speed limit AT ALL TIMES on normal roads.
Do not hog lane 1 (extreme right lane).
Do not speed on normal roads (non expressways).
Limit your max speed to speed limit + 10km/h on expressways. (My personal max speed limit, not recommendation by Singapore Traffic Police. Follow at your own risk!)
6) Plan your journey and prepare in advance
Plan your route well and move to the correct lanes in advance. Shift to the left lane in advance if you are making a left turn and shift to the right lane in advance if you are making a right turn. Shift to the extreme left lane well in advance prior to your exit on the expressways.
Many delays are caused by last minute lane changing which will create a domino effect of braking, reducing the overall speed.
7) Be alert and prepare to stop on AMBER. DO NOT BEAT THE RED LIGHT!
Amber light is to let you know that you should slow down and stop. When you are approaching a traffic junction, you will see 3 arrows drawn on the floor.
If you are at the 1st arrow (furthest from stop line and can only see 2 arrows ahead of you) and the light is AMBER, you should stop accelerating and start braking to stop at the STOP LINE.
If you are at the 2nd arrow (can only see 1 arrow ahead of you) when the light turns AMBER, you should stop accelerating and start braking to stop at the STOP LINE IF it is safe for you to do so. You may also accelerate and cross the junction if there is a car following you closely or if there is heavy vehicle behind you (as heavy vehicle has longer braking distance).
If you are at the 3rd arrow (cannot see any more arrow ahead of you, closest to stop line) and the light is AMBER, you should proceed to cross the junction. DO NOT E-BRAKE as you may cause a collision!
8) Check your tail/brake lights
Check your tail and brake lights periodically and ensure that at least 2 are working. Driving without working tail/brake lights is dangerous. Do not endanger your own life as well as others' lives.
You can ask your passenger to help check your tail/brake lights.
If not, do a self check by turning on your head lights and look at the wall behind when parked to check if your tail lights are working. Depress the brake pedal and check if the brake lights are working.
You can also check your tail/brake lights when you are stopped at traffic lights and there is a bus/lorry behind your. Just check your rear view mirror and look at the reflection off the bus/lorry.
9) Check your blind spots
Check your blind spots before you change lane. Do not be lazy and rely on your small blind spot mirror. Turn your head and check!
10) Use your hazard lights when you are stopping or when you intend to park
Nobody can read your mind except yourself. Hence, no one will know if you are stopping unless you turn on your hazard light to indicate your intention.
Do not use your hazard lights when there is heavy rain! Otherwise, other motorists do not not if you are stationary or moving. And no one will know if you are turning left or right! Just turn on your headlights/headlamps will do.
11) Turn to the correct lanes
If there is no road marking to guide you, the rule of thumb is:
Turn left, keep left
Turn right, keep right
If there is road marking to guide you, FOLLOW the road marking. DO NOT encroach other lanes!
12) Do not tail-gate
Tail-gating will not make you go faster. Instead you are risking banging into the car in front. Keep a safe distance from the car in front. 2 second rule is a good indicator to follow. Everyone wants to leave home and return home alive. Do not risk your life and others' too.
Tags: good habits, motorists, driving, car, signal, change lane, head light, tail light, brake light, hazard light, parking, blind spot, wave, give way, speed limit, traffic police, amber, red light
The signal indicator is there for a reason - to signal your intention. Quite a handful (and it is a really BIG hand) of motorists do not use the signal indicators at all. And this BAD habit poses a danger to you and other motorists.
Signal when you want to change lane.
Signal when you are going to make turns.
Signal if you are going left/right on a lane where you can go left/right or straight.
Let others know your intention and there will be less accidents. (I'm not joking)
2) Turn on your headlights/headlamps
Turn on your headlights/headlamps when the environment is dark. This includes night time, carparks, dimly lit area, rainy days, tunnels. Let others see you and let yourself see the front.
I seriously do not understand why one would turn into a carpark and turn off the headlights/headlamps. Come on, turn on your headlights/headlamps and when you go up the ramp, others who are coming down the ramp can see you and stop for you.
DO NOT USE THE FOG LIGHTS as a replacement for your headlight/headlamps.
3) Wave when someone gives way
Wave to "say" thank you. And the society will be a more gracious one. Wave when someone gives way to you and the person will feel happier. And it doesn't kill you to wave, right?
4) Give way to vehicles, especially to ambulance, fire-fighting vehicle etc
Give way to vehicles whenever possible without endangering your life or others. Be gracious and others will pay it forward.
5) Drive close to the speed limit (Do not hog the road)
I do not encourage speeding and I do not encourage hogging. Drive close to the speed limit whenever possible. Speed limit in Singapore is 50km/h unless otherwise specified.
Do not drive at 70km/h (for cars) when you are on the expressway with speed limit of 90km/h, especially on lane 1 and 2. There is ERP because of slow speed. If everyone drives as close to the speed limit (or the speed limit of your vehicle for vans/lorries/bus etc) as possible without endangering other motorists, ERP could be a thing of the past (like real).
Do not speed at more than 10km/h above the speed limit (my own limit)! Do not endanger your own life and others' life with your irresponsible antics! Do not exceed the speed limit AT ALL TIMES on normal roads.
Do not hog lane 1 (extreme right lane).
Do not speed on normal roads (non expressways).
Limit your max speed to speed limit + 10km/h on expressways. (My personal max speed limit, not recommendation by Singapore Traffic Police. Follow at your own risk!)
6) Plan your journey and prepare in advance
Plan your route well and move to the correct lanes in advance. Shift to the left lane in advance if you are making a left turn and shift to the right lane in advance if you are making a right turn. Shift to the extreme left lane well in advance prior to your exit on the expressways.
Many delays are caused by last minute lane changing which will create a domino effect of braking, reducing the overall speed.
7) Be alert and prepare to stop on AMBER. DO NOT BEAT THE RED LIGHT!
Amber light is to let you know that you should slow down and stop. When you are approaching a traffic junction, you will see 3 arrows drawn on the floor.
If you are at the 1st arrow (furthest from stop line and can only see 2 arrows ahead of you) and the light is AMBER, you should stop accelerating and start braking to stop at the STOP LINE.
If you are at the 2nd arrow (can only see 1 arrow ahead of you) when the light turns AMBER, you should stop accelerating and start braking to stop at the STOP LINE IF it is safe for you to do so. You may also accelerate and cross the junction if there is a car following you closely or if there is heavy vehicle behind you (as heavy vehicle has longer braking distance).
If you are at the 3rd arrow (cannot see any more arrow ahead of you, closest to stop line) and the light is AMBER, you should proceed to cross the junction. DO NOT E-BRAKE as you may cause a collision!
8) Check your tail/brake lights
Check your tail and brake lights periodically and ensure that at least 2 are working. Driving without working tail/brake lights is dangerous. Do not endanger your own life as well as others' lives.
You can ask your passenger to help check your tail/brake lights.
If not, do a self check by turning on your head lights and look at the wall behind when parked to check if your tail lights are working. Depress the brake pedal and check if the brake lights are working.
You can also check your tail/brake lights when you are stopped at traffic lights and there is a bus/lorry behind your. Just check your rear view mirror and look at the reflection off the bus/lorry.
9) Check your blind spots
Check your blind spots before you change lane. Do not be lazy and rely on your small blind spot mirror. Turn your head and check!
10) Use your hazard lights when you are stopping or when you intend to park
Nobody can read your mind except yourself. Hence, no one will know if you are stopping unless you turn on your hazard light to indicate your intention.
Do not use your hazard lights when there is heavy rain! Otherwise, other motorists do not not if you are stationary or moving. And no one will know if you are turning left or right! Just turn on your headlights/headlamps will do.
11) Turn to the correct lanes
If there is no road marking to guide you, the rule of thumb is:
Turn left, keep left
Turn right, keep right
If there is road marking to guide you, FOLLOW the road marking. DO NOT encroach other lanes!
12) Do not tail-gate
Tail-gating will not make you go faster. Instead you are risking banging into the car in front. Keep a safe distance from the car in front. 2 second rule is a good indicator to follow. Everyone wants to leave home and return home alive. Do not risk your life and others' too.
Tags: good habits, motorists, driving, car, signal, change lane, head light, tail light, brake light, hazard light, parking, blind spot, wave, give way, speed limit, traffic police, amber, red light
Tuesday 11 November 2014
What do I do with points earned in Esso, Shell, Caltex?
Well, I received an email asking me for advice in this area.
I did my research and found the way to make the most out of your rewards points from different petrol brands.
Caltex
The point system in Caltex is known as Thanks! and you earn 1 point for every litre of petrol, with no decimal point.
So what do I redeem with my Thanks! Points?
For Caltex, the best thing to redeem is Car Wash.
Every 220 Thanks! points earn you 1 car wash which is worth S$8.00, which works out to be about 1.81%, assuming petrol price is S$2.00.
Every 40 Thanks! points earn you S$1.00 off your petrol purchase, which works out to be about 1.25%
Rewards catalogue here.
ESSO
The point system in Esso is known as the Smiles Rewards and you earn 1 point for every litre of petrol, down to 1 decimal point.
So what do I redeem with my Smiles Rewards Points?
For Esso, the best thing to redeem is Esso fuel.
Every 750 Smiles points earn you S$30.00 worth of petrol, which works out to be about 2%, assuming petrol price is S$2.00.
Rewards catalogue here.
SHELL
The point system in Shell is known as the Shell Escape and you earn 1 point for every litre of petrol, down to 1 decimal point. 1.2 point for every litre of Shell Vpower.
So what do I redeem with my Escape Points?
For Shell, the best thing to redeem is Car Wash.
Every 200 Escape points earn you 1 car wash worth S$8.00, which works out to be about 2%, assuming petrol price is S$2.00.
Every 600 Escape points earn you $20.00 worth of petrol, which works out to be about 1.67%, assuming petrol price is S$2.00.
Rewards catalogue here.
As you can see, Esso has the most superior rewards system if you would lke to redeem petrol with the points. Shell has the lousiest rewards system in comparison.
However, if you are ok with redeeming petrol or car wash with the points, then Caltex is the lousiest. Esso and Shell are on par.
Tags: Caltex, Esso, Shell, Thanks!, Smiles, Escape, rewards, points, petrol, car wash
I did my research and found the way to make the most out of your rewards points from different petrol brands.
Caltex
 |
| Image credit: Caltex Singapore |
The point system in Caltex is known as Thanks! and you earn 1 point for every litre of petrol, with no decimal point.
So what do I redeem with my Thanks! Points?
For Caltex, the best thing to redeem is Car Wash.
Every 220 Thanks! points earn you 1 car wash which is worth S$8.00, which works out to be about 1.81%, assuming petrol price is S$2.00.
Every 40 Thanks! points earn you S$1.00 off your petrol purchase, which works out to be about 1.25%
Rewards catalogue here.
ESSO
 |
| Image credit: Esso Singapore |
The point system in Esso is known as the Smiles Rewards and you earn 1 point for every litre of petrol, down to 1 decimal point.
So what do I redeem with my Smiles Rewards Points?
For Esso, the best thing to redeem is Esso fuel.
Every 750 Smiles points earn you S$30.00 worth of petrol, which works out to be about 2%, assuming petrol price is S$2.00.
Rewards catalogue here.
SHELL
 |
| Image credit: Shell Singapore |
The point system in Shell is known as the Shell Escape and you earn 1 point for every litre of petrol, down to 1 decimal point. 1.2 point for every litre of Shell Vpower.
So what do I redeem with my Escape Points?
For Shell, the best thing to redeem is Car Wash.
Every 200 Escape points earn you 1 car wash worth S$8.00, which works out to be about 2%, assuming petrol price is S$2.00.
Every 600 Escape points earn you $20.00 worth of petrol, which works out to be about 1.67%, assuming petrol price is S$2.00.
Rewards catalogue here.
As you can see, Esso has the most superior rewards system if you would lke to redeem petrol with the points. Shell has the lousiest rewards system in comparison.
However, if you are ok with redeeming petrol or car wash with the points, then Caltex is the lousiest. Esso and Shell are on par.
Tags: Caltex, Esso, Shell, Thanks!, Smiles, Escape, rewards, points, petrol, car wash
Friday 7 November 2014
Get 10% cash rebate at Watsons this weekend (8 & 9 Nov 2014) with POSB Everyday CC!
Just this weekend only (8 & 9 Nov 2014), get 10% cash rebates
(additional 7% to be credited by 28 Feb 2015) by using POSB Everyday card to pay for
your purchases at Watsons.
Just charge a minimum of S$200.00 (posted local and foreign retail sales, posted 0% interest-free instalment plan, posted recurring bill payment but excludes interest, finance charges, cash withdrawal, balance transfer, smart cash and all fees charged by DBS) to your POSB Everyday CC on this weekend (8 & 9 Nov 2014) to enjoy this promotion!
Max of S$50.00 in rebates to be earned!
Hurry and shop at Watsons this weekend! Of course, don't forget to charge a minimum of S$200 to your POSB Everyday CC to enjoy the 10% cash rebates!
More information here!
Tags: POSB, Everyday, Watsons, weekend promotion, 8 & 9 Nov 2014, 10%,cash rebate
Just charge a minimum of S$200.00 (posted local and foreign retail sales, posted 0% interest-free instalment plan, posted recurring bill payment but excludes interest, finance charges, cash withdrawal, balance transfer, smart cash and all fees charged by DBS) to your POSB Everyday CC on this weekend (8 & 9 Nov 2014) to enjoy this promotion!
Max of S$50.00 in rebates to be earned!
Hurry and shop at Watsons this weekend! Of course, don't forget to charge a minimum of S$200 to your POSB Everyday CC to enjoy the 10% cash rebates!
More information here!
Tags: POSB, Everyday, Watsons, weekend promotion, 8 & 9 Nov 2014, 10%,cash rebate
Wednesday 5 November 2014
Passion Card and its benefits!
Do you know what is a Passion Card? Do you know what benefits this card gives you?
Let me tell you!
1) Shopping at Capitamalls
If you shopped frequently at Capitamalls, PAssion Card members can now earn exclusive 1.5 STAR$® daily at CapitaMalls and exchange them for CapitaMalls vouchers. Every S$1 gives you 5 STAR$® but for Passion Card holders, every S$1 gives you 7.5 STAR$®.
You may redeem 5000 STAR$® for S$5 Capitamall voucher. And this works out to be 0.75% rebates instead of 0.5%!
2) Shopping at participating retail banners under Dairy Farm Singapore
Do you shop at these retail stores?
- Cold Storage
- Market Place
- Giant hypermarkets
- Guardian Health & Beauty stores
This works out to be 0.67% rebates!
(Eligible purchases exclude online purchases at www.coldstorage.com.sg, Guardian Departure Transit Lounge East T1 and Budget Terminal, purchases done at self-checkout counters, statutory services and products, The Choice vouchers, newspapers, magazines, tobacco and infant milk formula products.)
3) Complimentary National Library Board Premium Membership for 5 years
4) Easy travel on buses, MRT/LRT and taxis with EZ-link CEPAS
The Passion Card is also an Ez-link card!
5) Exclusive privileges at all Community Clubs & other PA outlets islandwide, and further 2% off members' rates when you pay with your Cards at all CCs or online
Furthermore, you get discounts with merchants that tied up with the Passion Card. Click here to find out which merchants are associated with the Passion Card.
And the best thing of all, it only costs S$10 - S$12 for a 5 year membership! So hurry, sign up for the Passion Card now! Click here to apply for the Passion Card now!
Tags: Passion card, PA, Cold Storage, Giant, Guardian Pharmacy, Market Place, Ez-Link
Tuesday 4 November 2014
Enjoy up to 20% savings on petrol with SAFRA Nov/Dec Special Caltex coupons!
Pick up a fuel discount coupon booklet from any SAFRA Club to enjoy
up to 20 per cent savings on petrol* - each booklet contains three
discount coupons (worth a total of $9). Each coupon is redeemable with a
minimum of $50 gross fuel pumped!
All SAFRA members
Enjoy $2 off your fuel purchase with each special coupon.
SAFRA DBS Credit and Debit Cards
Enjoy an additional $1 off with special coupon.
(Payment must be made with a SAFRA DBS Credit or Debit Card.)
Collection Details:
From 8 Nov 2014 onwards, 6,000 discount coupon booklets are available for collection at all SAFRA Clubs. Valid for use till 31 Dec 2014.
Now, while the website recommends paying with SAFRA DBS card for additional S$1.00 off, it is not worth it.
Pay with SAFRA DBS Card
S$50.00 - S$2.00 (coupon) - S$1.00 (S$1.00 off for SAFRA DBS) - 14% (Site 5% + SAFRA 9%) = S$40.42 (19.16% discount)
Pay with Citibank Dividend CC to get the most out of this promotion.
S$62.00 - S$2.00 (coupon) - 14% (Site 5% + SAFRA 9%) - 5% (Citibank Dividend) = S$49.02 (20.94% discount)
NOTE: Pump S$62.00 if you are using Citibank Dividend CC because you need to charge min S$50.00 to get 5% cash rebates.
Tags: Caltex, Safra, coupon, petrol, diesel, discount, DBS
All SAFRA members
Enjoy $2 off your fuel purchase with each special coupon.
SAFRA DBS Credit and Debit Cards
Enjoy an additional $1 off with special coupon.
(Payment must be made with a SAFRA DBS Credit or Debit Card.)
Collection Details:
From 8 Nov 2014 onwards, 6,000 discount coupon booklets are available for collection at all SAFRA Clubs. Valid for use till 31 Dec 2014.
Terms & Conditions
- The percentage savings shown are for illustrative purposes only. The total percentage saving of 20% is calculated based on a transaction amount of $50 on Premium 95 with Techron® and an illustrative pump price of Premium 95 with Techron® at $2.24 a litre – SAFRA Card members will be entitled to 5% Caltex site discount and 9% SAFRA card discount on Caltex petrol with Techron®, 1.15% equivalent of Thanks! Points (if applicable) and $2 or $3 discount coupon distributed by SAFRA from 8 Nov to 31 Dec 2014; 40 Thanks! Points are equivalent to $1. Other Thanks! Points. Terms and conditions apply.
- Limited to one fuel discount coupon booklet to each SAFRA member, on a first come, first served basis. Each club has a minimum of 1,000 booklets available.
- Each coupon is redeemable with a minimum purchase of $50 gross fuel pumped in a single receipt at any Caltex service station in Singapore. Only one coupon may be used in each transaction.Other coupon terms and conditions apply. Please refer to the coupons for details.
Now, while the website recommends paying with SAFRA DBS card for additional S$1.00 off, it is not worth it.
Pay with SAFRA DBS Card
S$50.00 - S$2.00 (coupon) - S$1.00 (S$1.00 off for SAFRA DBS) - 14% (Site 5% + SAFRA 9%) = S$40.42 (19.16% discount)
Pay with Citibank Dividend CC to get the most out of this promotion.
S$62.00 - S$2.00 (coupon) - 14% (Site 5% + SAFRA 9%) - 5% (Citibank Dividend) = S$49.02 (20.94% discount)
NOTE: Pump S$62.00 if you are using Citibank Dividend CC because you need to charge min S$50.00 to get 5% cash rebates.
Tags: Caltex, Safra, coupon, petrol, diesel, discount, DBS
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