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Claire Vorster
- Nov 29, 2017
- 2 min
3 Ways to Give the Best Things in Life, for Less
Here are some things that are cost nothing to give. A smile Encouragement Thanks Hope Yes, it’s true what they say - whoever ‘they’ are - the best things in life are free. We always remember the people who make a positive difference in our lives; they’re priceless. Back in the world of the monthly budget, there are certain times of year that can blow a hole in your otherwise stable bank balance. Birthdays and festivals come to mind. Getting everyone together is not always che
Claire Vorster
- Nov 29, 2017
- 3 min
Love History, Arts and Culture? 9 Free Things to Do in Singapore
Visiting, or living in Singapore, you are on to a good thing, The Lion City is high on the list of The New York Times 46 Places To Go in 2013. Here is our insider’s guide to making the most out of your time in the city without breaking your budget. If you are looking for free things to do in Singapore, new adventures are here for the taking. History 1. Chinatown Early Chinese settlers flocked to Chinatown and you can still soak up a strong sense of history and vitality as you
Claire Vorster
- Nov 29, 2017
- 3 min
End Boredom Now! 7 Great Family Activities in Singapore
Want motivation to dust off the cobwebs, get up and out with your family? Our top 7 picks for family-friendly attractions, events and activities. Whether you're looking for free things to do, or ideas for getting away from it all, you'll find it right here.
1. For Walks and Picnics By The Sea Changi Point has been a popular area for family picnics since the 1840's. If you want to take a picturesque stroll, suitable for little ones, there are plenty of options. The Changi Boa
Claire Vorster
- Nov 29, 2017
- 3 min
How To Test Drive A Car – Important Check List
After a house or HDB, a car is the most expensive purchase many of us will make. A proper test drive is essential. Why? Because it's your opportunity to make sure the car is right for your needs and comfortable for you. After all, you are going to spend a significant amount of time in it! If you're buying an older car, this test drive will be even more important. Now you can find out if everything works as it should. When you get into a car you want to drive and are excited a
Claire Vorster
- Nov 28, 2017
- 2 min
Our Singapore Heritage – So Much To Celebrate!
Singapore is abuzz. And why not? The month of August is peppered with reasons to be cheerful as together we celebrate Hari Raya Puasa and Singapore’s own Birthday. The Lion City is a lively place at any time, but come National Day, there are all manner of parades, stunts and fireworks, aimed at retelling the nation’s colourful history. Singapore’s first National Day was held at the Padang in 1966 shortly after the nation gained independence from Malaysia, bringing with it th
Claire Vorster
- Nov 28, 2017
- 4 min
Just The Thing! Long Weekend Trips for Families, Couples and Singles
We don’t travel to escape, we travel to experience life in all its vivid colour. And Singapore is the perfect springboard for a long weekend taking in the beauty (or the thrill) of the unknown. If you want to travel as a family, couple or prefer your own company, here are our top picks: On The Doorstep - Malaysia Just across the causeway, Johor Bahru is good for a change of scene, cool places to eat, and is great for shoppers who like lower prices. Barely an hour from here,
Claire Vorster
- Nov 28, 2017
- 3 min
Get Active, Be Healthy. 8 Free Things To Do In Singapore
Singapore is officially The Garden City. A recent study by The Economist magazine’s Intelligence Unit ranked Singapore as the greenest city in Asia. Here are our top tips for ways to getting (mainly) outdoors and active without breaking your budget. If you are looking for free things to do in Singapore, go get some of these! Out & About 1. Walk the Southern Ridges The Southern Ridges Trail winds its way through 10 km of verdant forest and canopy walks. Along the trail, you wi
Claire Vorster
- Nov 28, 2017
- 2 min
What Makes Singaporeans 68% Happier? Love, Music, Cars
The results are in. Singaporeans have a love affair with their cars. It may be a small island, but 77% of drivers spend more than five hours each week in their vehicles – more than the amount of time spent on other well-loved pastimes such as shopping (51%), cooking (49%), seeing friends (64%) or watching TV (74%). Our newest survey reveals how this unique relationship brings us happiness, and the most memorable life moments we have in our cars. Love Machine Cars = romance f
Claire Vorster
- Nov 27, 2017
- 2 min
First Time Buyer? 5 Expert Tips To Help You Get Ahead
Buying your first home. It’s exciting, something we all dream about, but how to make your dream a reality? It can all be a bit overwhelming. When and where should I buy? How much cash will I need? How can I get the best loan? We like nothing more than helping you with tough questions, here are our top 5 first time buyer tips to help you get ahead: 1. Research First Find out if you're eligible for any housing grants. For example, significant CPF grants are available for first
Claire Vorster
- Oct 3, 2017
- 3 min
Fire Insurance v. Home Insurance. Avoid This Expensive Mistake
If you are about to buy a house or you are already a homeowner, take a minute to read this. It could save you 1,000s of dollars and a lot of heartache. Buying a house is often the most significant investment we will make; yet many of us are not aware of the difference between fire insurance and home insurance. A home loan in Singapore comes with the requirement that you take out basic structural or fire insurance. HDB or landed property, you have to comply. If you are buying
Claire Vorster
- Oct 3, 2016
- 2 min
How cars are priced in Singapore? Your 2-minute guide
The study of mathematics has been likened to a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that isn't there. A bit like buying a car in Singapore then. What’s worse, buying a car here doesn’t simply involve math, it involves acronyms like ARF, COE and MAS. If you are starting to get a feeling of impending doom or signs of a panic attack – relax. Imagine you are a water lily floating in the breeze on a beautiful lake. Then breathe. We’ve got this covered. Here is an easy
Claire Vorster
- Aug 3, 2016
- 2 min
Worst car accidents in Singapore involving rivers. What can we learn?
Pic credit: Toine Garnier/Unsplash Singapore is a fast moving city with over half a million cars on the road. The city is also located one degree (137 km) north of the equator. This means one thing – rain, lots of rain. Torrential and persistent rain requires drainage systems, both natural and man-made. The road safety team at Budget Direct Insurance asks the question – what can we learn from car accidents that have involved one of Singapore’s rivers? Following these examples
Claire Vorster
- Sep 16, 2013
- 3 min
Lee Kuan Yew is 90. Legendary (And Little Known) Facts
Lee Kuan Yew’s 90th birthday was notable, as much for the wealth of greetings from other legendary public figures, as for his age. The UK’s Queen Elizabeth II and Germany’s Angela Merkel remarked how Lee’s life has been “inextricably interwoven with the history and development” of Singapore and reiterated that Singapore will remain a key partner in Asia.
China's former vice premier, Li Lanqing paid tribute to Lee’s efforts in forging the friendship between China and Singapo