Here’s How You Can Get Financial Help During The Coronavirus Pandemic In Singapore

Whether or not you are hysterical about the coronavirus pandemic, one thing we can agree on is that several households have been affected adversely when it comes to their financial situations. The economy is bad and retrenchment rates are increasing. People in Singapore are losing their jobs and many businesses have been forced to close due to COVID-19. Anyone who is brave enough to check their savings account will agree that the numbers are dropping rapidly. All banks in Singapore such as DBS, UOB, Standard Chartered and more are lowering their banks’ savings interest rates. Moreover, investors are panicking and events are being cancelled until further notice. Some of the people who have been hardest hit by the impact of the crisis are the people who face job uncertainty and layoffs. These are mostly people who are employed in everyday industries. Small businesses and restaurants have also been struggling in the wake of the pandemic with more and more people wondering how they will get money during Covid-19. On the bright side, there are different ways you can access financial support to fulfil your obligations as the pandemic rages on. Seeking Financial Help From A Licensed Moneylender Borrowing from a licensed moneylender is a legitimate option to get money. Differing to what most people think, licensed moneylenders do not charge exorbitant interest rates like loan sharks. They abide by the rules set by the Ministry of Law and will only offer interest rates between 1 to 4%. As the only moneylender in Singapore with 4 outlets and one of the few piloting new lending programs with the government, Lending Bee even has our own loan packages that offer better rates for some. If you are interested, you can make an appointment to find out more for free. To play our part and help everyone in Singapore, Lending Bee is also giving out free masks to help the community. One of the most important rules to keep in mind when borrowing money from a moneylender is to make sure that they are licensed. Even during a financial crisis, you should not

Your All-In-One Guide To Getting A Driving License Singapore: Cost, Procedures, Driving Centres, etc.

What’s the easiest way to get from Point A to Point B? Grab, public transport, walking? How does driving sound? Taking a cab, asking for lifts, dependable public transport and the high cost of cars are some of the factors that contribute to some Singaporeans having a lukewarm response to driving. However, driving is an essential skill that you should have. While you may not own a vehicle, possessing a driving license can be useful when the time calls for it. For instance when you travel abroad; someone needs assistance with moving their car or during a road trip. If you wish to learn how to drive, you’re in luck! This all in one guide will provide you with a list of things to take into consideration, along with the comparison between the costs of various driving schools within Singapore. Singapore Driving Centres: Fees There are three driving centres in Singapore: Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC) in Bukit Batok, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC) in Ubi and the Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC). It would be a good idea to choose a convenient school in regards to distance and accessibility, but factors such as the passing rate and costs may also influence your final decision. All three schools usually have specific standard fees. Anything that is mandated or conducted by Traffic Police such as the eyesight test, practical test and photo taking is standardised. These aspects are only different in terms of theoretical and practical lessons. Generally, BBDC appears to be the most affordable option for enrolment, taking the required lessons as well as the trail tests before the initial Basic Theory Test that will cost slightly upwards of $173. The most costly option is Singapore Safety Driving Center, with a difference of approximately $7. SSDC charges more for practical lessons. This payment constitutes the majority of the cost because you require over 20 driving lessons to become competent. Below is a comparison table for easy reference: 1. Enrolment Fees The enrolment fee charged as a driving school course is approximately $96.30. This fee is valid for one year regardless of

10 Best Online Marketing Tools For Small Businesses And Startups That Will Bring Results

If you own a small business, you know how important it is to advertise it according to a strategy. But making a plan, building a website, researching your audience, giving them top info, and billing your clients is hard work. It’s all about using not only the best, but the right marketing tools to bring in leads. That’s why you need the best marketing tools that will make your job easier. Start with: 1. MobileMonkey People won’t engage with a business that makes getting in touch difficult. Or, well, more difficult than other businesses that already use Facebook Messenger. But before you jump all the way straight to engagement, you need something that catches their attention and piques their interest. You want your audience hooked. There’s no better tool than MobileMonkey for that. This tool is easy to use for newbies because you don’t need to know how to code. MobileMonkey is a FREE chatbot builder for Facebook Messenger that helps you send targeted messages, answer your customer’s questions, offer live support, or survey your market. If you’re interested in a Facebook marketing campaign, MobileMonkey helps you make the first steps towards attracting more leads and building your reputation. 2. Due Due is an easy-to-use free tool to help you bill time correctly. Tracking the time you spend on different marketing projects is essential for any business. That way, you will have a more precise idea of how much money and resources you need to allocate for each project. In turn, this increases efficiency and profit. You can also use Due to create, save and keep track of your invoices and payments. If you are a freelancer and find billing clients time-consuming, it means things are going great for you. But it also means you need Due to stop spending so much time on writing invoices. 3. Google Analytics Another free platform that rocked the tech world, Google Analytics has raised a lot of controversies regarding the data it collects. But Google Analytics is on the rise, and it’s no denying it provides precious insights into the mind of your

26 Must-Have Apps For Those Living In Singapore (2020 Update)

Think of the last time you used an app for something. As a technologically advanced city, just about everyone on our sunny island uses a smartphone and with that comes the use of a variety of applications. Apps have made it a lot easier to do just about everything from hailing a taxi, buying food, selling or buying clothes and other items, and so much more. These handy apps are convenient and reliable and make life in Singapore a lot easier. Here are some apps to consider. 1. Navigation: Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, Gothere Imagine having to go for an interview, or even a casual thing such as meeting your friend. Then you realise that you have no idea where the location is. This is where navigation apps can prove to be extremely helpful. Navigation apps can help you get to where you need to go. Google Maps is usually the most popular navigation app that people use, with Apple Maps coming in at a close second. Google Maps offers street view, maps out businesses in Singapore, residential areas, and also other places of interest. Apple Maps is only available on iOS, while gothere.sg provides lots of information on store directories and shopping malls but comes at a small price: It is also on iOS only. On the other hand, if you drive frequently, Waze is an app for drivers and offers information in real time about traffic jams, accidents, alerts for speeding cameras and red lights. It’s helpful in that you are able to get live updates on traffic conditions even before you leave the comfort of your home. This way, you’ll be able to plan for alternative routes to your destination. In turn, saving you lots of time. 2. Taxi: Grab, ComfortDelGro, Gojek These are ride-share and taxi apps. Grab is the most popular one and can be used on both Android and iOS devices. It is well known not only for being a ride hailing app, but also an app where you can make relevant payment at selected merchants and get rewards in the process. ComfortDelGro

Here’s 15 Interesting Corporate Team Building Activities In Singapore (2019 Update)

Team building isn’t just about fun; it’s about finding the right activity to help a team grow. As the workplace evolves with better technology and higher education, building a happy and productive team is not all about profits and salary. Teamwork and culture plays a huge role. So, how can you build a united and happy team? The article below discusses 15 of the best corporate team building activities in regards to the abilities they exercise and the skills the participants learn. 1. Singing And Dancing At Team Music Team Music is the award-winner of prizes like Bronze Winner for Human Resources and Best Corporate Team Building & Conference Specialists – Hong Kong. The activities offered by Team Music allow co-workers to interact, bond, learn together and even engage in some friendly competition. The employees learn how to dance, sing, or write and create their music videos. People don’t require any prior musical experience; they will learn how to sing and dance together. Team Music boasts five team building programs that promote collaboration, shaping of distinct roles, creative play, leadership and resilience to stress. We all need a stress reliever sometimes. For instance, BANDINC is a socially-inclusive program that teaches people how to sing together as a band. At the end of the program, they will learn two songs together, regardless of their experience with music. This program, like all the others offered by Team Music, can be adapted for corporate events. As such, the employees can perform at Christmas Parties or at the company’s events. 2. Giant Whack A Mole At The Fun Empire Giant Whack A Mole tries to imitate the popular namesake arcade game. This team building activity is new in Singapore, proposing a giant version of this game, where employees are the moles that emerge from the wholes. One person sits in the middle with a safe-to-use inflatable mallet and tries to catch the moles. People need to work together and develop communication skills. They exercise their ability to think fast, to make good prognosis, while also relieving stress through laughter and physical activity. The game

How To Build A Positive Company Culture And Why It’s Important

“How much are they offering you?” “Is it better than your previous job?” “What’s the role of your position?” These are just some of the questions that a concerned family member or friend might ask you when you’ve landed yourself a job. However, another important question that most of us would have probably left out is to find out how the working culture is like. Though it might not seem as important as things such as the salary drawn, or work scope, it still plays a vital role in shaping the way you view your job. Most employees these days are looking to work in a place that has a great environment. As an employer, you should therefore strive to provide your employees with a positive working environment. Not only does such an environment help your employees stay positive and motivated about their job, it helps with employee retention too and that will help you save on the cost of new hires and training. Ways To Build A Positive Company Culture So what are some of the ways that a company can work on creating a positive company culture? 1. Create Clear Values Your business must have clear core values that are effectively communicated to each employee and discussed with them so that there can be buy-in. The goal is to make sure that the employees take personal responsibility for them to live these values out. You want them to be proud of the core values, and maintain both a positive attitude and positive actions around those values. 2. Transparent Communication Good communication is critical for success. This includes the sharing of information and instructions to ensure that everyone is working off the same page. Not only should communication be informative and clear, it should also be transparent and open to have a positive effect. This makes a work environment that is congenial since everybody knows how they add value to the business and what their role is. Collaboration and teamwork which includes sharing ideas and providing feedback is a great way to create a positive environment. In addition, employees

What Does It Take to Be a Good Leader In Today’s Workplace?

These days, being a good leader is more than having good grades and a stellar CV. If you’re thinking about what it takes to be a good leader, companies today are looking for leaders that believe in collaboration and aren’t afraid to show empathy. Why The Shift? Organizations in the past hired CEOs based on numbers. How many advanced degrees do they have? How many years have they been in the industry? What was the bottom line of their previous company under their leadership? Organizations wanted go-getters. A type of personality that was aggressive. They deemed people with these traits ideal for improving their bottom line. The focus has since changed to the character of the candidate. While numbers are still important, organizations are now seeking leaders that also express traits such as humility, empathy and inclusivity. This shift is mainly a result of the changing dynamics of the workforce. The arrival of the millennial generation in the workforce has seen a great shift in how organizations view leadership. According to a recent survey, this generation rated humility as one of the most important characteristics in a leader. They are more likely to perform better with a leader that seeks to connect with them on a more human level. Another factor is the changing view of employees. In the past, aggressive CEOs were deemed successful. They relied on intimidation and fear to drive their workforce. However, these tactics won’t work with the modern employee. People are put off by arrogance and aggression. Even if such tactics prove feasible, they’ll only last short term. Companies are looking for leaders that can inspire loyalty in their workforce. Sustainable motivation is possible through humility, empathy and a willingness to listen and work with a team. Good leaders in today’s marketplace should be able to operate not just with the mind but also the heart. What Makes A Good Leader Today? To identify the traits of a good leader, organizations must first understand what a leader is. Author John C. Maxwell defines a leader as ‘someone that knows the way, goes the way and

Guide To Getting Rid Of Bad Habits: 10 Powerful Ways To Master Self-Discipline

Having bad habits and lacking self-discipline can be very destructive. If you have a negative habit that you are not willing to change, it will affect your finances, relationships, health and even business. Research has shown that people who are self-disciplined are actually much happier in life. Here below are 10 effective ways that will help you to get rid of bad habits and become more self-disciplined. 1. Stop wasting resources If you have a habit of wasting your time and money, you will eventually end up with massive losses and numerous missed opportunities. Spending time drinking alcohol, eating unhealthy food and sleeping excessively are all examples of how time and money are wasted. You need to make a quality decision to spend your days doing productive and useful activities that will build your life. These could include putting in extra hours of work to get a higher income, or getting into an exercise regime to improve your health. 2. Be honest with yourself If you have a bad habit that you need to break, do not cover it up or attempt to deny it. This will only prolong the negative consequences of the habit. Be honest with yourself and recognise that you need to change your ways. It may also help to have some close friends tell you the truth about what you need to change. You can only make a good decision to change after you accept that you have a problem. 3. Have a clear purpose and vision If you do not know your life purpose, then you will follow any path. There will be a lack of focus and direction in your life and this will make it very difficult to have any self-discipline. Take some time to write down your purpose and vision clearly and have it in a place where you can refer to it regularly. You can then begin to plan your life around your purpose and this will encourage you to eliminate distractions and become more disciplined. 4. Have a plan and stick to it It has been said that failing to

10 Essential Ingredients For A Healthy Lifestyle – Take Stock Of Your Health Today

New year, new goals. You’ll probably have embarking on a healthy lifestyle written somewhere as part of your new year’s resolution. Fast forward to more than half a year later. Did you actually abide by your resolution? There’s a difference between existing and living. If you wish to make the most out of your life on Earth, one of the most important things is to be healthy. That way, you can enjoy the good times and have the energy to fight through the bad. As they all say, health is wealth. However, being healthy does not only mean eating right and constant exercise. Here are 10 ways in which you can keep yourself healthy: 1. Eat Healthily If you’re tired of reading about fad diets and celebrities losing weight with miracle recipes or slimming products, you’re not the only one. The truth is when most people hear the phrase “eat healthily”, they think about eating correctly for a limited amount of time, so they can look a certain way. Even if you’re turning healthy food into a lifestyle, you still dream of cheat days. And that’s not ok. Eat healthily to feel great, to eliminate mental fog and to be more content. Healthy eating helps you be more present at home and better at your job. Pro tip: Various diets claim to be the best – Paleo, Keto, Mediterranean or Vegan are just a few. Choose the one you resonate with, but avoid saturated fats, an excess of sugar, salty and fried foods. 2. Sleep Right Different people have different definitions of getting enough sleep. Some of us thrive when we go to bed early, while others are night owls. Some can make do with 6 hours of rest, while others need 9 hours per night. Research has shown that that sleeping right means going through at least four or five sleep cycles each night, from shallow to deep sleep to REM. If you wish to avoid insomnia or sleep interruptions, limit your screen time two hours before bed. Arrange your bedroom for sleep, with no distractions, no screens, not

13 Must-Visit Nature Hiking Trails In Singapore To Explore And Recharge

Singapore, the green city is endowed with amazing nature parks, spectacular hills, sparkling wetlands and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re looking for a change of sceneries, a memorable hiking experience, or to simply connect with nature, Singapore offers hefty myriad scenic options. Here is sneak preview into some of the country’s most striking beauty and nature trails! 1. Chestnut Nature Park This offers it all-hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, and the chance to connect with nature. The nature park is especially popular with cycling and hiking enthusiasts thanks to the separate hiking and mountain biking trails. Chestnut’s 8.2 km-long mountain biking trail vary in difficulty starting from easy, medium, to very difficult and insanely difficult. For hikers, the park provides a total of 5.6 km of majestic trail. Bird watches will have a chance of photographing some of disappearing species including the rare straw-headed Bulbul. 2. Bukit Timah Reserve Located a mere 12 kilometers from the bubbly city centre, the Bukit Timah Reserve proudly stands tall shining its unmistakable natural beauty on the island as its highest peak. Apart from the deep rich war history, the mountain has one of the nation’s thickest and most versatile ecological systems. There’s also the rare wildlife- including sunda pangolin- and an astonishingly huge collection of plants and insects. It’s such an experience trekking among the rare vegetation and raw tropical forest. 3. Kranji Marshes One of the country’s largest freshwater marshes, the Kranji marshes are a sight to behold. If you’re visiting the area for the first time, you will quickly realise why they are one of the most photographed sites on the island. Visitors have a choice of walking along the Neo Tiew Woods watching out for birds and interesting reptiles including monitor lizards. One can also spend precious time in the multiple natural habitats. When the usual raptor migratory season comes, visiting species like the Black Baza plus the Japanese Sparrowhawk dot the area giving visitors a rare chance to enjoy the interaction between the residents and the excited newcomers. 4. Southern Ridges Another of the crown jewels in the countries landscape,

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