Tips For Setting Budget Aside When Renting

7 / 31 / 19

Singapore, the world’s most expensive city for expatriates where the biggest portion of your living expenses is rental costs. We are not trying to scare you off by making you worry but you do have to get worried because the rental rate is crazily expensive in Singapore whether if you are going to rent an HDB in Potong Pasir or a private condominium like Tre Ver condominium. We are going to show you how to keep things in check.

Before that, let us give you the average rental of condominium around Singapore.

Average rental rate for a condo in Singapore: approx. $3,056 monthly

Average rental rate for a Core Central Region (CCR) condo: approx. $4,969 monthly

Average rental rate for a Rest of Central Region (RCR) condo: approx. $3,873 monthly

Average rental rate for an Outside of Central Region (OCR) condo: approx. $2,474 monthly

Now, that you have the average of the condominium rental rate, we are going to guide you in setting your budget for rental in Singapore.

Initial deposit budget

After deciding on your unit’s rental, you will need to sign the Letter of Intent (LOI) with the landlord. As part of this process, you may be asked to handover a good faith deposit of the first month’s rent (this can be negotiated where some tenants insist that they see the Tenancy Agreement before they hand over a deposit, for example).

Do keep in mind that you don’t need to keep a budget for a security deposit after that, which the good faith deposit will be handed over during the LOI will turn into the security deposit. Due to this deposit, you should factor in another month’s rental at the start (you will get it back when you end the tenancy agreement and assuming the house is still in good conditions).

Keep aside at least $350 monthly for utilities

Tenants in Singapore usually will need to pay for the utility bills by themselves (inclusive of air-conditioners servicing cost and internet access). However, most internet plans will reach around $60 on a monthly basis. Overall, the realistic amount to set aside is $350 to $400 per month.

Due to Singapore’s tropics weather, our weather is humid and temperatures usually go up to 32 degrees. Air-conditioner in Singapore will always be fully utilized unless you have a real love for the 32 degrees. The humidity and frequent rain often that necessitates the use of a dryer.

Don’t forget your insurance

Compared to other countries, Singapore’s landlord home content insurance may not inclusive or cover their tenants. If there is a fire or water damage, you could have ended up having to refurnish or replace some of the costs.

Thus, it is highly recommended that to ask your landlord to include you in the insurance especially the home content insurance and not just some fire insurance. While the latter covers only rebuilding costs that are irrelevant to you,

However, if you are not covered, it is best to get it for yourself especially the valuables that exceed the payout limit. For instance, if you have a few expensive and luxury items that worth more than $1,500 payout or renter’s insurance policy won’t cover it.

Setting aside for your property agent’s commission

While Singapore is landlord friendly but there are no standardized contracts for all tenants which makes it possible for a landlord to slip in special requests or unique clauses that could be potentially unfair to you. We advise that it is better to have a property agent representing you. First timer new renters can ask a property agent about what to look for, what each separate form does and others. The commission paid to the agent is almost always worth the assurance provided.

Here is how much you will need to pay:

Two years lease, with rental above $3,500 per month:

Usually nothing (the landlord’s agent will split their commission with your agent)

One year lease, with rental above $3,500 per month:

You pay half a month’s rent in commission

Two year lease, with rental at $3,500 per month or below:

You pay one month of rent to your agent

One year lease, with rental at $3,500 per month or below:

Half a month’s rent to your agent

Agent commissions are technically negotiable but most tenants’ agents won’t budge on the above.

Shopping For A New Dining Table

7 / 26 / 197 / 26 / 19

My current dining table is a round shape marble top table. We have this table for 11 years already. It comes with 6 chairs and they are showing signs of wear and tear. I have been looking around for the right dining table to replace the current one. I would love to get a solid wood dining table for our home. One of the reasons I love solid wood furniture is because I can admire its natural wood grains. Ahh, the beauty of nature.

Do you know that solid wood furniture is better than furniture that is made of other materials? The main reason is because of its durability. A piece of well-made furniture using high wood quality can last for decades. Wood is the strongest building material on the planet. It is extremely resilient and requires little maintenance. The beauty of solid wood furniture lies in its strength and natural textures. According to an article which I read online while searching for a nice dining table, solid wood is one of the earliest materials being used for making furniture. Archaeological research reported that in 5 B.C., the Ancient Greeks began carving and building beds and tables from maple and oak.

I came across some beautiful solid wood furniture at Mason home decor, a furniture store that is a huge favorite in Singapore. Mason has the widest range of affordable designer furniture and is famous for its solid wood collections. I really like this Torell Extendable Dining Table. This table reminds me of the first dining table I bought when I was staying in Toronto. It was a small table that is extendable too. An expendable dining table is great as it utilizes the right amount of space and can be adjusted when not in use.

This lovely solid wood dining table is 1.8m long and can be extended to 2.6m. It has a lot more than the regular ones as its multifunctional and versatile. This table can easily be converted from a table for 6 adults to 10 adults.

Solid wood furniture gives a comfortable, warm and rich feeling to the home. If you are one of those people who love solid wood furniture and are planning to buy that amazing furniture piece you fell in love with, it is very important to do some research and check all the details and quality before you make the final step. Solid wood furniture is a great way to invest in a home and it remains a popular choice in the modern household.

What Is The Right Way To Clean Your Floors?

4 / 30 / 194 / 30 / 19

No one learns how to clean floors in school, especially not nowadays. And, if your parents were handy or domestic around the house, it’s likely most people didn’t learn at home. So, how are you supposed to know the right way to clean your floors? In general, the most important rule is to know exactly what type of floor you have before trying anything. Afterwards, you can follow this guide to find the right way to clean your floors.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is designed to be attractive and durable. It mimics a lot of other materials, especially wood and tile, but has special cleaning standards. The right way to clean a laminate floor is simple and basic. First, it’s important to sweep and vacuum away any debris so the actual surface of the laminate is cleaned. To find the best vacuum for laminate, get complete details here.

After vacuuming, it’s important to avoid applying moisture to the surface. Instead, focus on sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming. If you are worried about disinfecting the floor, use special laminate flooring cleaners that can be bought from most hardware and general stores.

Hardwood

Hardwood floors are beautiful but fragile. Like with laminate, it’s a good idea to vacuum hardwood before focusing on the actual cleaning and disinfecting to help pick up dust. Sweeping or using a dry “mop” is also a good idea. Avoid too many liquids.

After removing dust and debris, gently mist water on the surface of the hardwood. Avoid using excess fluid because it can seep into the boards. Once the water is lightly applied, gently run a mop over the surface to pick up any random stains. Leave the floor to air dry. Every month, it’s important to polish the floor.This will allow the floor to last longer than otherwise expected from daily use.

Carpet

Most modern homes now have short, microfiber carpets that are designed to be soft and easy to clean. Once again, the best way to lift up dust and debris is to use a vacuum, especially since sweeping a carpet is almost impossible. Don’t believe this article – try it for yourself. After vacuuming, the best way to truly lift out dirt, stains, allergens, and bacteria is to steam clean. Machines can be purchased or rented, and they will supply hot steam that will lift away any irritants from the carpet.

To lift up small stains, simply use a cleaner from a store, allow it to sit, and then remove it following the instructions on the bottle. For smaller stains, you can combine water with vinegar for a homemade cleaner and then allow it to dry or rinse it away with water. All cleaners should be tested in an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t damage or bleach the carpet.

Tile

Tiles are durable and classy. They don’t stain easily, and most stains can just be easily wiped up using a damp cloth. To get a full clean, individuals will need to put in a little more effort. First, of course, you need to vacuum and sweep. Then, wet a mop and apply a light detergent or floor cleaning to the tiles. Simply mop and rinse the tiles to get a thorough clean.

To clean the grout between the tiles, wipe away dirt and debris with a damp cloth and then spray it with a mixture of 50/50 water and vinegar. This disintegrates the dirt and it can be easily wiped up. Most stores also sell specific grout cleaners, especially those that specialize in hardware and cleaning supplies. If the grout is not becoming clean, it might be time to consider topping off or replacing the material.

Conclusion

The right way to clean your floors is going to largely depend on the type of material you have over all of the concrete and plywood that makes up the underside of the floor. All of the steps will require some form of dust or debris removal, so be sure to have a high-quality broom and vacuum to help you pick up small particles. Once it comes down to actually getting rid of stains and disinfecting, remember to be careful before putting any material on the floor and to always test on an inconspicuous spot.

Move Over Boys, Girls Can Grill Too! Check Out These Ideas To Put Some Flavor In Your Cookout This Summer

4 / 30 / 194 / 30 / 19

Even though women tend to be stereotyped as home cooks, grilling has long been considered a man’s domain. However, this isn’t the case, especially in modern times. There are millions of female grillers seeking fun new ways to inject flavor into their traditional recipes served at barbecues, family gatherings, and general neighborhood cookouts. While everyone seems to enjoy a good hamburger or hotdog, truly creative chefs seek ways to add seasoning to steaks, chicken, fish, and other unlikely grilled delicacies like crab legs. So, girls, if you want to put some flavor in your cookout this summer, check out these three ideas!

Try New Spices

Some diehard grillers out there will insist that all a decent cut of meat needs is some salt and pepper. However, if you find that this motto leaves you wanting more flavor in your cookout, consider getting freaky with the spices. Depending on your personal tastes, there is an entire universe of seasoning at your disposal – all it takes is some experimentation and a trip to the supermarket.

You don’t have to get fancy right away. You can start with something simple as adding garlic and onion powder to a steak or hamburgers before grilling. Other fun spices for these red meats are brown sugar (for a sweet taste), red pepper, ground mustard, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and even ground ancho chile pepper.

For chicken, there is a world beyond supermarket poultry seasoning and regular barbecue sauce. One of the best ways to add flavor to the grill is to season chicken with a dry rub or use a marinade. Some popular spice choices are olive oil, coriander, cumin, garlic salt, ground mustard, salt and pepper again, and good old-fashioned cajun seasoning. Fish, as another lean protein, shares many of its flavors with chicken but also tastes delicious with some lemon and other citruses.

Flavor the Smoke

If you don’t have a lot of money to invest in equipment but you do have a charcoal burning grill or one that produces smoke, consider adding some flavor directly to the fire. Meats tend to hold on to some of the smoke used to cook it. This means bad grilling can result in chicken, steak, or fish that tastes like charcoal, especially if the food is left on the rack too long. However, it also means it’s possible to ingest some new tastes into your diet.

Some chefs have discovered that an easy way to add zest to any grilled food is to lay dried orange, lemon, or lime peels directly on the charcoals before lighting the fire. As they burn, the peels release some of their delicious citrus flavors, which will become infused with the proteins of the meat. This method is especially effective at adding zest to fish, which is the most adaptable and tender of the grilling meats.

Add An Offset Smoker

An offset smoker is an unusual device rapidly gaining popularity among grillers. The smoker is separate from a grill and contains two chambers designed to smoke meats more effectively and efficiently than a traditional design. There is one chamber that resembles a standard grill, and then there is another box that is attached to the side. This side grill is where users can place their chosen woods and charcoals to pick their smoke flavorings. All meats go in the central grill chamber, where there tend to be multiple racks for smoking.

An offset smoker is perfect for grilling because it flavors meat slowly, allowing the spice and seasonings to grow more complex like a healthy marinade. While most powder seasonings and charcoal flavorings are great, they tend to be surface level. An offset smoker can go all the way.

Conclusion

There are tons of ways to inject more flavor into the traditional grilling scene. Some can be done with a regular grill, while others require some specialized equipment. But whether it’s reaching for some new spices at the supermarket, drying out some citrus and throwing it on hot coals, or actually investing in some new equipment, there’s a variety of methods available to boost the flavor in the traditional summer grilling scene. Get out there and have some fun!

Five Things You Need In Your College Dorm

4 / 30 / 195 / 2 / 19

Everyone knows that, besides the cost, one of the worst things about living on campus at a college is dealing with the dorm room. Besides having to share with a complete stranger if you didn’t meet anybody, there are also used mattresses, concrete walls, and ancient furniture. The best way to make the dorm feel like home is to spruce it up and be careful about space and comfort. This list details the five things you need in your college dorm to make the best room out of the dungeon you’re given.

A Good Reading Pillow
Ladies and gentlemen, you need to be comfortable. Dorms tend to have the bare minimum of wooden or metal furniture, meaning an old bed, a desk, and a chair – one of each for both you and your roommate. Walls tend to be made of concrete or are absolutely bare with old drywall. This means you need to bring blankets and pillows, and lots of them. Most students choose to invest in a good reading pillow where you can prop up at night to do your homework when you’re sick of sitting on the tacky chair you’re given. You can view more details on WifeKnows.com to find the best varieties.

A Mattress Protector

If you’re a germaphobe, dorm mattresses are going to freak you out. While some colleges clean theirs over the summer, you have no such guarantee. These plastic rectangles tend to be filled with old springs and the memories of dozens of college students who have slept on them before doing who knows what. This is why you should always pack a mattress protector. A mattress protector is a special piece of fabric or nonporous material that covers the entire mattress and goes on before sheets. The protector will stop germs and any other unwanted organisms – like bacteria – from ever touching you or your bedding.

Underbed Storage
Dorms tend to be smaller than the average bedroom, and there are two people who need to share. Be sure to bring some plastic tubs that can be stored under the bed to hold clothes and toiletries, as well as hobby materials like books or drawing equipment. There is no closet, so the underside of the bed must become the closet. Storage is also a great way to keep clothes smelling fresh if you pack them with dryer sheets and your coats and seasonal clothes.

Temperature Control
Freshmen do not get to stay in the good dorms, and this is simply a fact of life. You will most likely be relegated to the oldest, cheapest hall available, and this means ancient buildings with poor electricity and plumbing. The heat is likely to either burn you or be non-existent, and you can forget about air conditioning.
You won’t have a thermostat in your room, so invest in a fan for the spring and perhaps a small space heater or heating pad in the winter. These temperature control devices will help keep the room pleasant and prevent you from sitting around naked or bundling up in every sweater and pair of socks you’ve ever owned.

A Wall Calendar
Let’s be honest: Most people have terrible memories. Some students are capable of writing everything down in a planner and checking it on a daily basis, but most are forgetful. If you don’t want to end up with late assignments, missed appointments, or a serial killer wall of sticky notes, it’s a good idea to invest in a hanging, paper wall calendar.

These handy tools can be written on and are a constant reminder that life goes on. If you know your kid is forgetful, work on filling out the calendar and hanging it up. Write down the class schedule, important dates, and even schedule laundry days so you know where you have to be and when.

Conclusion
Don’t let dorm life get you down. In many ways, college is much better than high school since the classes are more relaxed, you get to meet a ton of new and interesting people, and you have more free time. Dorm rooms can be a bummer, but you can definitely improve the situation by investing in these five must-have items.

Decluttering the Marie Kondo Way

4 / 4 / 194 / 4 / 19

Once in a while, when I feel edgy and just looking at my wardrobe or cupboards in the bedroom, living room and kitchen, makes me mad, I would start decluttering. I do not like looking at the mess especially when things are not organized. Clothes are not folded properly and kept orderly, too many things piling on top of one another and etc. Yes, I do have OCD but I have mellowed down over the years. Still, I do not like to see clutter everywhere.

Decluttering does not only mean that we are cleaning out the home for more space. It could also mean that we are creating more space for our mind. The act of decluttering is a way of generating fresh energy, creating mental and physical space for more clarity. We can also release some of those negative vibes that we have been holding on.

People often hang on to material belongings for security or comfort. Letting go of this emotional baggage would allow people to enjoy more quality of life. In my case, I usually keep things and not give away or throw them away because I am afraid that I may need them later on. Organizing gives me peace of mind and it makes me feel lighter. Decluttering is important for our mental health and for our soul. I did a round of decluttering Konmari style 2 months ago.

The above is my wardrobe and below is the chair where I ~~pile~~ keep all my bags. I think I need to #KonMari this weekend.

I always ask myself these questions when I am decluttering. “Do I need this? Do I want this? Do I use this?.” Then I would put them in 2 bags, one to giveaway and another to throw.

You can try this if you are feeling stressed out or overwhelmed. If clearing brings up uncomfortable feeling for you, please understand that you do not need to deal with them alone. You can also reach out for help. Talk to family, friends, or https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/counseling/councilor-vs-counselor-there-is-a-difference/. Do remember that you are never alone.

How To Store Handbags

2 / 22 / 192 / 22 / 19

I love bags. Who doesn’t eh? I have many bags and I am at my wits end on how to store them. All my bags are piled on top of one another on a chair.

Such an eyesore right? Not only that, I have a hard time finding the bag that I want to use. At times I even forget what handbags I have *roll eyes*

A week before Chinese New Year, I decided to do spring cleaning and went online to look for handbag storage ideas. I found these bag storage compartments from Shopee and I ordered 2. They cost about RM15 each and has compartments on both sides.

I can hang 6 big to medium sized bags on one storage. I hooked it onto my clothes hanger.

Front view of the bag organizer.

They are pretty useful can be hung behind the door too. At least now, my bags are better organized. I still need to get a few more of these bag organizers. You can find them here or here.

KonMari Method of Tidying Up My House

2 / 15 / 19

Almost everyone is following Marie Kondo, the Japanese organizing consultant and author of 4 books, way of tidying their spaces. She has been helping people around the world on how to declutter their homes into spaces of serenity. The KonMari Method way of tidying is by going from room to room and keeping things that only spark joy. Firstly, start with clothes, then books, papers, miscellaneous items and lastly sentimental items. She encourages that we only keep things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. We have to thank them for their service and then let them go.

I started KonMari-ing just before Chinese New Year. I actually love re-organizing my things but my family gets really scared when I start doing it because they know that I would be ‘throwing’ things away, their things too, to be precise *chuckle*.

It is always a constant battle on what I should give away/donate/throw. The “What-ifs” is always playing in my mind. “What if I still need it later?” This is actually a rather scary thought which resulted in the accumulation of things that I do not actually need.

So I started with the kitchen drawers first and threw away many plastic containers that I have been keeping for years. Can’t imagine the things I have been collecting all these while. Gosh! It feels great to see my drawers looking kinda empty.

Some of the things from the kitchen that I gave away. Didn’t take photos of the rest of the stuff in that area.

Next is my bedroom. I have this big black garbage bag in the room for months. Whenever I see clothes that do not spark any joy anymore, I would put them in this bag to be given away. I usually pass them to the Salvation Army which is near my house.

Last night I took out 2 boxes of accessories and #KonMari them.

I really cannot believe how much I have spent shopping for clothes and accessories. By organizing and tidying my things, I am more mindful about what I should or should not buy in the future. Will be doing more #Konmari-ing from now on. It’s great to reduce and declutter.

DIY Chinese New Year Wreaths

1 / 17 / 191 / 17 / 19

Chinese New Year is less than a month away. This is my most favorite time of the year. If you have following my blog, you’ll know that I love doing crafts. I did some Chinese New Year Wreaths last year. I am back at it again this year. Went to Petaling Street last Saturday to get my supplies for the DIY Chinese New Year Wreath craft. I love soaking in the Chinese New Year atmosphere in Chinatown.

These are my loot from Petaling Street. Love the vibrant colours. I bought the wicker colander from my favorite basket shop there.

I want a red Chinese New Year wreath hence I have decided to keep this twig wreath as simple as possible. I ordered the twig from Ezbuy.com.

I did this wreath with the wicker colander and decorated with peonies, cherry blossom and the word Fu printed on a piece of paper. Finished the look with a bell tassel. It is a gift for a friend.

What do you think of my DIY Chinese New Year wreath? Check out the ones I did last year here.

Where To Look For Therapist For Online Marriage Counseling

1 / 16 / 19

Do you follow news about celebrities? Some of us may not be a fan but when we flip the newspaper open, we are inundated with celebrity news. Those news include scandals, engagements and high-profile celebrity divorces. Though Hollywood couples may look perfect, the reality is that celebrities struggle through relationships just like everyone else. Why do so many celebrities get divorced? Is there some sort of a celeb curse that we are not aware of?

It is not easy being in the spotlight. Their love life is constantly under a microscope. Fame may change how a person thinks and act in relationships. Many high profile people jump too quickly into relationships. Then only to realize that the person who they are infatuated with does not actually have qualities that are compatible for a long-term partnership. While no one likes to think that their favorite celebrity couples would cheat on one another, the reality is that famous folks face a lot more temptation. Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos is the latest high-profile person who announced his divorce from his wife of 25 years.

The relationships of celebrities are often blink-and-you-miss-them moments, therefore it is very refreshing to read about celebs like Will Smith who admits that keeping a marriage going, especially in Hollywood, takes a lot of work. Apparently, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett sought therapy after their marriage reached a breaking point. Recently, many famous couples have also opened up about their marital struggles and confessed to using couple marriage counseling as a tool to keep their relationship working.

Couples counseling can help to keep a relationship working. Some seek therapy to maintain a healthy marriage. Many people have a hard time expressing their feelings, especially to another person. Some need time and space to reflect on emotionally-challenging questions before knowing how to respond. Therefore online couples counseling is a good way for couples to share their thoughts with the therapist whenever they are ready.

Why Online Couples Counseling?

Research studies have also shown that couples therapy can be more effective than individual therapy for each partner alone. Online couples counseling is becoming rather popular. The therapy can be done in the comfort of their own home during the sessions. No more sitting in a strange, new place like an office which makes it a lot harder for couples to share their intimate feelings. It works excellent for busy people as it is easy to set up and make the appointments with the therapist.

If you or anyone you know are going through issues and trying to find out how to fix them, then online couples counseling may be the thing you need to resolve the issue. Click here to find out more information.