Lifestyle
Five ways shopping at malls in Singapore beats online shopping
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Shopping at malls in Singapore offers great experiences you can’t capture on online shopping.
Once you’ve had a taste of the incredible bargains it can net you, how could you shop IRL (in real life) ever again?
Well, don’t pooh-pooh the good ol’ bricks-and-mortar shop just yet. With a little bit of legwork, you can save more than just money by going to town to pick up that brand-new toy.
Here are the things we love most about going shopping at malls in Singapore.
The Freebies
Sure, you might receive the occasional department store flyer in the mail or see ads on Facebook alerting you limited-time offers on certain brands.
What you may not always be alerted to are the freebies sales staff can sometimes throw in to sweeten the deal for you. For example, many cosmetics brands bundle attractive samples with their goods above a certain value.
Or, you could get free accessories thrown in to make your new laptop even more useful.
In many cases, this generosity is often the prerogative of the salesperson attending to you, which brings us to the next reason we love shopping IRL.
Human Interaction
There are times when shopping is best done in your PJs in the dead of night, searching diligently for deals and getting it just-so at your own pace.
Other times, though, it’s really nice to have a human being explain things to you without you having to research until your eyes water.
A good sales experience can be a great way to lift your mood after a long day — and you can’t really put a price on that.
More importantly, that salesperson can explain technical details, and provide tips on maintenance of the item. This something you rarely encounter online, even if you might save some money by buying it over the Internet.
Surprise Sales
The feeling of satisfaction is even further enhanced if you happen to have chanced upon an unexpected price reduction on your item.
Often, shoppers choosing between similar items are persuaded by the one that happens to be on offer. I mean, paying less is more, no?
Thing is, you likely would not have known about the sale item if you hadn’t ventured into the store in the first place.
And while you might be able to get the same thing online for less, there’s shipping costs plus the interminable wait time. It might make more sense to buy it at a mall in Singapore.
Even without surprise sales, certain credit cards confer additional discounts and loyalty points for specific malls. This helps you save on everyday purchases made in-store.
The new American Express CapitaCard, for example, rewards you with 3 STAR$ for every S$1 you spend at CapitaLand Malls.
Once you’ve accumulated a nice collection of STAR$, you can trade them in for CapitaVouchers. 10,000 STAR$ gives you a S$10 voucher, while 50,000 STAR$ gets you a S$50 voucher.
You also get free parking at CapitaLand Malls if you spent at least S$1,200 in a calendar month.
Oh, and did we mention that you also get 50,000 STAR$ if you spend S$888 on the card for the first six months?
Authenticity
Of course, bargain hunting online is fun and amazing — that is, until you get scammed.
Savvy shoppers will already know where to find legitimate deals online, but not all of us are so clever.
That’s where the bricks-and-mortar shop is still useful.
By vouching for the authenticity of their wares, these retailers are eliminating one major worry you might have.
If anything goes awry with your purchase, you could very well bring it back to them and get an on-the-spot exchange. Try doing that with an online shop.
Some Stuff Shouldn’t Be Bought Sight-Unseen
Finally, there’s this, too. I mean, how could you possibly buy furniture without testing it first? Or checking that it fits you or your décor?
This is also true of electronic gadgets like hi-fi systems and TVs, which you really should try out before purchasing (no matter how good the reviews).
A lot of things may look good on paper but is not actually compatible with you — which could turn out to be a major dampening.
So, by all means, shop for good deals online. But don’t forget to get out there every now and then.
You’ll be surprised by how shopping at malls can still be so satisfying.
Singsaver.com.sg, Singapore’s go-to personal finance comparison platform, guides consumers on the best money habits with its credit card comparison tool and allows real-time personal loans product comparison.
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Lifestyle
Living modestly in Singapore on $10 a day: 27-year-old Malaysian man shares insights
In Singapore, a 27-year-old Malaysian man has gained attention on TikTok for his frugal approach to life while working in the bustling city. Jonathan Lim, a civil engineer earning around S$3,700 a month, shares his strategy for spending less than S$10 a day.
He divides his week between Singapore and Malaysia, staying in a hostel and focusing on economical food choices.
Despite some concerns about the extremeness of his thriftiness, many commend his financial discipline, while others suggest a slightly more flexible approach.
SINGAPORE: A 27-year-old man from Malaysia, garnered the interest of social media users on TikTok due to his method of budgeting and practising a frugal lifestyle while employed in the bustling city of Singapore.
Many are left wondering whether it’s feasible to lead a modest life in Singapore without significant sacrifices.
Malaysian civil engineer, Jonathan Lim, has provided some insights through his TikTok documenting how he manages to spend less than S$10 a day while working in the city.
The video’s caption read: “Part 6: Is spending 10 dollars enough for a day working in Singapore?”
His TikTok content primarily revolves around detailing his expenses in Singapore, excluding the costs related to accommodation.
@jonlzx Part 6: Is spending 10dollars enough for a day working in SINGAPORE? #sgvlog #worklife #minivlog #fypシ #simplelife
Hybrid Work Arrangement
Lim, who earns about S$3,700 a month as a civil engineer in Singapore, follows a unique hybrid work arrangement.
He commutes from his home in Kulai, Johor, to Singapore three days a week, with the remaining days dedicated to remote work.
Lim strategically divides his time, with more than half of his week spent in his Johor home.
During the workweek, specifically on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, he opts to stay at a capsule hostel in Singapore.
This arrangement serves the purpose of reducing his expenses on permanent lodging in Singapore, although it necessitates regular commuting between Malaysia and Singapore.
His weekly schedule commences with a Monday morning journey to Singapore at 6 a.m., where he resides in the hostel for two nights.
Hostel Living and Food Choices
During his days in Singapore, Lim stays in a capsule hostel, which costs him about S$35 (approximately US$25.74) a night.
While this arrangement doesn’t include food expenses, the hostel provides free breakfast, helping him save on at least one meal each day.
Lim’s food choices are budget-friendly, focusing on cai fan (economic rice) for lunch and dinner, which costs him about S$3.60 per meal.
Occasionally, he indulges in items like bread and soya bean milk, emphasizing the affordability of such food options in Singapore.
For exercise, he opts for a cost-effective approach, eating grilled chicken drumsticks purchased from FairPrice, and running at public stadiums.
While a dinner consisting solely of protein might not seem substantial to some, Lim clarifies that the two drumsticks he purchased were exceptionally large, providing more than enough sustenance for an adult like him.
Therefore, when factoring in his daily transport costs of S$3, Lim’s daily expenses in Singapore amount to S$13.10, excluding accommodation expenses.
Balancing Thriftiness and Enjoyment
In his most recent TikTok video, Lim responded to both favorable and critical comments regarding his lifestyle of managing on S$10 or more per day in Singapore.
He expressed his belief that such frugal practices can become a standard way of life.
https://www.tiktok.com/@jonlzx/video/7276135975355485441?embed_source=121355059%2C121351166%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&refer=embed&referer_url=mothership.sg%2F2023%2F09%2Fmalaysian-10-dollars-a-day-singapore%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1o-WKyDvXTTGxKWlXGd9u3xXdCO_4zyBOMRSF13kzzdcWs5dU2QI4E_9g&referer_video_id=7276135975355485441
Moreover, he aimed to dispel the misconception that his approach is detrimental to his well-being and happiness, emphasizing that he doesn’t sacrifice enjoyment to save a few dollars.
He acknowledges the trade-offs, such as spending time away from family and loved ones.
However, he sees this period as an opportunity for professional growth.
While Lim’s lifestyle is not his everyday routine, it highlights how one can manage expenses in an expensive city like Singapore.
He also appreciates the safety and amenities the city offers, such as safe streets for late-night jogging.
In the long run, Lim said he will need to decide whether to settle long-term in Singapore or return to Malaysia.
Supporters cheer Lim’s thrifty approach
The majority of people expressed their support for Lim’s frugal lifestyle, offering him their best wishes and advising him to disregard those who ridicule his way of life.
“Good to start saving up at a young age,” they said, while also cautioning against taking frugality to such an extreme that it becomes excessively absurd.
However, some users believe that Lim should consider a slightly higher expenditure than his current approach, asserting that life is too short to subject oneself to such deprivation.
“Can add another $2 la, don’t have to thrift like that,” one user said.
Lifestyle
Rachel Wan speaks out on father’s solitary passing in Singapore hospital due to staffing shortages
Rachel Wan of ‘Kin’ highlighted her father’s solitary passing in a Singapore hospital due to understaffing in an Instagram post. She contrasted Singapore’s overworked healthcare culture with Australia’s, emphasizing the need for a better work-life balance in the nation.
SINGAPORE: On 25 August, Rachel Wan, the 26-year-old star of ‘Kin’, took to Instagram to share a poignant account of her father’s passing, revealing that he had died alone in a Singapore hospital due to understaffing issues.
Wan’s emotional revelation sheds light on the need for a transformation in the prevailing culture of overworking in the nation.
Disparities between healthcare work in Singapore and Australia
In a candid Instagram video, Wan expressed her long-standing desire to address a topic she finds deeply meaningful.
She remarked, “I came to Australia because I felt like there was a better work-life balance here,” before unveiling a recent discovery that profoundly affected her.
The ‘Kin’ star recounted her encounter with a nurse who had previously worked in the same Singapore hospital where her father had spent his final moments.
This nurse later moved to Australia, much like Wan herself.
A stark contrast between working conditions in the two countries emerged.
Wan unveiled that in Singapore, nurses might be tasked with managing “up to 12 patients at any given time”. Conversely, in Australia, nurses are limited to caring for six patients each.
Moreover, Australian healthcare staff are afforded designated rest periods between shifts, a practice reportedly absent in Singapore.
Heartbreaking account of Wan’s father’s passing
Wan’s emotions were palpable as she recounted the circumstances leading to her father’s demise, underscoring the fact that he passed away in solitude at the hospital without any loved ones by his side.
Her poignant Instagram tribute suggested that he passed away in March 2022.
Describing the events of his passing day, she detailed how her father had been transferred from the emergency ward to the general ward as his time grew short.
However, to access him, Wan and her family had to undergo a Covid-19 test, mandatory at the time for hospital visits. Tragically, her father passed away during the testing process.
Distressingly, no one from the hospital informed them of his passing.
Wan expressed her shock, revealing that they discovered his lifeless body alone in the ward without any staff present.
When she inquired about the lack of communication, a doctor allegedly cited understaffing as the reason.
Wan stressed the importance of sharing her experience, noting that the healthcare sector is not the only one grappling with such challenges in Singapore.
She asserted that overworking should not be celebrated as an achievement and urged for a shift towards a healthier work-life balance in the nation.
Her Instagram post resonated with many, drawing a flood of comments from netizens who shared their similar experiences and nurses who opened up about the demanding work environment they face.
Amidst the discussions, Wan clarified that her father’s passing was due to oesophageal cancer, not Covid-19.
A plea for empathy and understanding
In response to differing opinions, including some who highlighted Singapore’s relative advantages compared to other countries, Wan emphasized that her intention was to raise awareness about the lack of work-life balance in Singapore.
Influencer and doctor Zoen Tay also contributed to the discourse, acknowledging room for improvement in both countries’ healthcare systems.
Wan extended her empathy to Singaporean nurses, finding a sense of healing in realizing that her father wasn’t neglected due to a lack of care, but rather due to the strain of their demanding workload.
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