Author: Mei Yan

5 Of The Biggest Bills You Will See In Your Lifetime As A Singaporean

Whoever said adulting would be fun was clearly playing a cruel joke on all of us.

As a woman in her mid-20s who is soon to be married and who has recently paid the down payment on her future home, if I could pick just one word to describe adulthood, it would be ‘expensive’.

While many of us were blissfully unaware of how much we were spending during our carefree teenage years, once you reach your late 20s or early 30s and you are standing at the cusp of the next phase of your life (i.e. marriage), you quickly realize how much it costs to build – and to live – a life here in Singapore.

Here are 5 of the biggest bills you’ll see in your lifetime as a Singaporean. A word of warning: Brace yourself for these numbers.

1. A House

Price Tag: ~S$240,000 – ~S$580,000 for a BTO flat

It’s no secret that home ownership is prohibitively expensive in Singapore; everyone who is soon to be married will be well acquainted with this fact.

[caption id="attachment_31404" align="aligncenter" width="1430"] Image Credit: Unsplash[/caption]

One of the most expensive things you will purchase in your lifetime is a house, and it’s the price of the first property you will ever own that will be the rudest shock to your system.

If we consider the BTO launches that happened this year, that bill will be somewhere between ~S$240,000 for a 4 room flat in Woodlands to ~S$580,000 for a 5 room flat in Toa Payoh.

After you subtract off the grants, that comes up to about ~S$180,000 and ~S$580,000 respectively for the two types of property.

Not going the BTO way? If you’re considering resale flats, be prepared to part ways with a sum of between ~S$260,000 for a flat in Marsiling and ~S$1,200,000 for one in the award-winning Pinnacle @ Duxton. Yes, that’s S$1.2M for a HDB flat.

Do we even want to think about the price of private property?

2. Renovation Costs

Price Tag: ~S$40,000 – ~S$70,000

According to Qanvast, HDB homeowners spend an average of S$50,000 on home renovations, while people living in condominiums spend an average of S$75,000.

[caption id="attachment_31405" align="aligncenter" width="1429"] Image Credit: Unsplash[/caption]

Of course, that price tag differs depending on various other factors, such as the size of your flat. People spend an average of about S$35,000 to renovate a smaller 70sqm house, while the average amount spent for larger homes of 140sqm and larger is S$120,000.

[caption id="attachment_31406" align="alignnone" width="1419"] The average amount homeowners spend on home renovation by size of house. (Image Credit: Qanvast)[/caption]

Interior style also plays a huge role in determining how much your total bill will run up to. A simpler Scandinavian or Industrial style home costs an average of S$40,000 while a more contemporary look and feel costs an average of S$70,000. Yikes.

[caption id="attachment_31407" align="aligncenter" width="1430"] The average amount homeowners spend on home renovation by style of interior. Price not inclusive of furnishings and appliances. (Image Credit: Qanvast)[/caption]

All that said, it is not unusual for people to keep within a modest S$20,000 budget when designing their home. At the end of the day, it all depends on what you want, what you need, and how much you’re willing to spend.

Cost-cutting Tip: To shave down home renovation costs, drive across the causeway to Malaysia or go online to sites like Taobao to purchase your furniture pieces!

3. Wedding

Price Tag: ~S$35,000 – ~S$73,000

[caption id="attachment_31408" align="aligncenter" width="1430"] Image Credit: Unsplash[/caption]

While your wedding day may be one of the most unforgettable days of your life, it is also likely to be one of the most freakishly expensive days of your life.

When you’ve factored in key items such as the engagement and wedding bands, the bridal package, wedding banquet, actual day costs, and the cost of your honeymoon, you can rack up a bill of a woman took to social media and revealed that her mum’s care and treatment at the hospital resulted in a whopping S$1,018.469.29 in bills – a figure none of us would wish to see in our lifetime.

Hospital bills are one of the most painful things to pay for, and often, we only discover this too late – when the bill is already in our hands.

[caption id="attachment_31409" align="aligncenter" width="1264"] All bill sizes for Singapore General Hospital (SGH) are complete and include doctors’ professional fees. Bill sizes for Mount Elizabeth Hospital Novena (MNH) may not be complete. All numbers stated are based on the 25th – 75th percentile bill size.[/caption]

Take breast cancer surgery for example. The total bill, for hospitalisation and all procedures necessary, starts between S$1,372 – S$1,909 if you’re staying at the lowest grade C-class ward. Opt for an A-class ward and it can cost you between S$7,619 – S$13,009.

And if you decide to seek surgery at a private hospital? That number can be multiplied three-fold or even more.

While health is important, it’s definitely hard to part with that kind of money just to get better.

Cost-cutting Tip: Choosing yourself a good insurance policy will serve you well in such instances. In the best case scenario, you won’t have to pay a cent for hospitalisation, and in the worst, you only foot a fraction of the bill.

5. Car

Price Tag: At least $65,800

Singapore is notorious for being the most expensive place in the world to buy and own a car.

[caption id="attachment_31410" align="aligncenter" width="1429"] Image Credit: Unsplash[/caption]

This is due to the S$65,800 and S$77,000, COE and all other taxes and fees included. The brands in the mix? Malaysia’s Perodua, China’s Chery and Japanese Mitsubishi.

If we’re talking about the 3 most popular car models in 2016, the Toyota Corolla Altis, Mazda3 and Nissan Qashqai, the price ranges between S$97,800 for a Mazda3 and S$110,300 for a Nissan Qashqai.

Cost-cutting Tip: Can’t bear the thought of spending so much money on a car? Then a second hand car is the way to go!

Protect The Things You Love The Most

Feel poor just reading this article? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one.

Thankfully, some of the things we value most – and that cost us the most – like our homes and our cars can be insured so as to soften the blow in case something bad happens to your home or car.

Freelancers who work from home in particular will benefit from an extensive home content insurance coverage. Not all home insurance policies cover the home office, which means that in the event that your work equipment (e.g laptops, printers) is lost or stolen, you will not be able to make a claim.

There is no sure-fire way of preventing such unfortunate events from happening, so the only way to protect yourself from the huge financial cost of getting back on your feet is to make sure you’ve covered yourself and all your most valued things with insurance.

If you’re new to insurance, the first thing you should know is that not all insurance policies are created equal. In fact, there are 4 different layers of insurance. The more layers of insurance you have, the more protected you are in the case that emergency strikes.

4 Layers Of Insurance

Ranking according to importance, you have Hospital Insurance, Life Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance and Endowment Plans.

Hospital Insurance covers hospitalisation, surgery and personal accidents both local and overseas. This type of insurance ensures that when you have to put yourself through treatment or therapy, you don’t wipe out all of your hard earned savings.

Life Insurance, on the other hand, covers death, terminal illness and total permanent disability. The most basic form of insurance, Life Insurance policies ensure that in the case of an unexpected death or disability, your dependents are well taken care of.

One thing to take note of is that most Life Insurance policies exclude serious illness and the treatments required. Instead of having you and your family dig deep into your own pockets to pay for the exorbitant medical bills, Critical Illness Insurance takes the financial burden off you and your loved ones.

And finally, there are Endowment Plans. More of a savings plan than an insurance policy, putting your money into an Endowment Plan will give you better returns that if you put your money in a deposit account. As an added bonus, you also get basic insurance coverage.

Still don’t know the what’s what of insurance? Why not get a professional to explain it all to you? To gain a better understanding of insurance and what kinds of insurance you’ll need, sign up for a consultation with FRANK here!

This article is written in partnership with FRANK by OCBC.

Also read 8 Houses In Singapore So Extravagant, You’ll Wonder What The Owners Do For A Living 

(Header Image Source: Unsplash)

This Year’s Halloween Horror Nights Brings Your L4D Fantasies To Life And Lets You Shoot Zombies

With National Day done and dusted, we are inching our way closer and closer to Halloween.

This Halloween, Halloween Horror Nights is back, and you’ll be thrilled to hear what they have in store.

Happening from Sep 29 to Oct 29, the 7th edition of Singapore’s ultimate scarefest is fittingly themed after the 7 deadlier – not just deadly – sins.

With 5 haunted houses, 2 scare zones, a zombie laser tag game and more, you’re in for non-stop scares, so brace yourself – there will be even more screaming than before at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights.

First, Meet The Sinisters

We’re all familiar with the 7 deadly sins, but have you heard of the 7 deadlier ones? Cruelty, deception, malice, manipulation, narcissism, perversion and obsession are their names – and they embody the vices of today.

This year, these 7 sins will manifest themselves in 7 new and unique icons known as ‘The Sinisters’. Risen from the Abyss, they will give form to your worst nightmares, casting fear into the hearts of Singaporeans at each new (literal) haunt.

5 Haunted Houses

Ever wondered if you’d survive a horror flick? Find out for yourself at the 5 haunted houses which each promise a cinematic experience with their stories.

1. DEATH Mall

The headliner house, DEATH Mall is filled with ghosts after the mall collapsed due to a structural failure in the building.

2. Hex

Wander through the jungle and you’ll find an eerie hut filled with dark magic and cursed antiquities. Keep a lookout for the Midnight Man, who has no intentions of ever letting you leave.

3. Inside The Mind

Originally planned for Halloween Horror Nights 6, Inside The Mind will bring you face to face with the demons and obsessions that linger inside the minds of evil.

4. TERRORcotta Empress

Escape an army of risen Terracotta soldiers at this haunted house, where the cruel, evil Empress rules mercilessly from the grave. If you find yourself face to face with the dragon lady, make sure to run in the other direction.

5. Make The Cut

Think you’ve got what it takes to be the queen of ‘Gore-pop’? The price of stardom is not cheap – make a deal, or get ruthlessly cut.

2 Scare Zones

When roaming between horror houses, be sure to watch your back!

This year’s edition of Halloween Horror Nights will see 2 scare zones, the Pilgrimage of Sin and Happy Horror Days. (Happy Holidays, get it?)

The first is the sanctuary of the 7 sins, a place infested with unholy beings and crawling with all kinds of evil.

The second will see a sinister twist on your favourite holidays.

Zombie Laser Tag

Don’t want to be scared without being given an opportunity to fight back? A first for Halloween Horror Nights, you’ll be able to defend yourself against rabid flesh-eating zombies in a brand new zombie laser tag.

Form a fearless team of four, and be sure to purchase tickets for specific time slots beforehand. The experience is tagged at $38 for regular park guests and $30 for Frequent Fear Passholders and RIP Tour Guests.

2 Shows

This year, there will be two killer shows.

The first is Laboratorium, which will transport you back in time into the period of the Black Death. Witness the horrifying acts done by plague doctors on human test subjects as they try to find cures to the Black Death. A show that includes international stunt acts, this will happen at the Pantages Hollywood Theater.

The second show is the Slice of Life Tour, where the Slit Face Girls will celebrate the launch of their new album with a special fan meet. Watch the Gore-pop girl group perform their hearts out on the Hollywood Lagoon Stage.

One of the darkest and most technologically advanced Halloween Horror Nights Singapore has seen yet, this year’s Halloween Horror Nights promises more thrills and scares than ever before.

Early bird tickets are already available from now till Sep 5. Each ticket will set you back $55, or you can purchase a bundle of three and get one free! Get your tickets online or at Universal Studios Singapore ticket booths.

What are you waiting for? Gather your friends and scare yourselves silly at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights!

Also read These Exotic Ang Ku Kuehs Are On A Kueh-st To Conquer Your ‘grams And Tastebuds

This Brush Lettering Class Gives You Hope Even If You Have Ugly Handwriting

It’s probably safe to say we’ve all seen pictures of brush lettering.

A trend that’s taken flight in weddings, hipster cafes, and that’s seen on many a motivational quote on Pinterest, many of us find ourselves wishing we too could write such pretty calligraphy! If you’re anything like me, this would promptly lead you down two trains of thought: (1) it’s probably really expensive to learn and (2) I won’t be able to master it anyway.

That’s certainly what I thought, until I came to Witty Studio and tried their Watercolour Brush Lettering Class.

Learn calligraphy without breaking the bank

A relatively new brand, Witty Studio was started up by the friendly, approachable Priscilla.

With her classes priced at just $95 per person per session (and $85/person if you bring a friend), this 4.5h workshop is much more affordable compared to most calligraphy classes, which typically costs between $100 – $150 for a shorter duration of 3 hours.

A warm welcome

The workshop is held at Stamping Ground Coffee, a shared space that houses 3 concepts: coffee, flowers, and space. Stepping through the Stamping Ground doors, you immediately feel inspired and excited by the vibrant, unique space.

When I arrived at the workshop, I was pleasantly surprised to find that we were each given a pretty lace coaster with our names written on it in brush lettering! Pretty and Insta-worthy, this wasn’t the only bit of personalisation done by the team at Witty Studio – everyone also received a small motivational quote card and place card so that people seated at the same table could easily mingle and interact with each other.

Some of the returning students also got birthday cards, which was a sweet touch!

All the materials we would need for the class were set at our assigned spot: a set of worksheets, a brush, a personal palette, and a bunch of water colour papers for us to do any of our rough work. There were also sharing sets of water colour paints at each table.

The next thing you notice when you enter the class is FREE FOOD. Small finger foods like mini donuts, bite-sized pizza coins, brownie cubes and small packets of gummy candy were also neatly displayed, free for students to eat!

Picking up the basics

Once every one of the 20+ students had arrived and had settled down, the class began, but not before Priscilla told the class to “take as many Instagram photos as you want. Nobody is going to judge you here!”

After Priscilla gave a short demonstration on the basic techniques of brush lettering, we started practicing on our own.

From vertical lines, we went to simple alphabets like ‘j’ and ‘c’. After filling our water colour papers with our crummy paintwork, we got the hang of it – some of us faster than others, but we got there eventually!

Fun fact: ‘r’ and ‘s’ are the most challenging alphabets to master – I can testify to this.

After that, we started working on our worksheets, and the three teachers went around demonstrating the motion of different alphabets. They were very patient with us and their instructions were easy to follow.

Like doing primary school penmanship, we wrote each individual letter 7-10 times and got the hang of writing each alphabet. From lower case alphabets, we graduated to upper case alphabets, and finally to full words (this was the tough part).

Once we were done with our alphabets, we were ready to move on to watercolour flowers!

One of the teachers came around to demonstrate it to us and the effect was super pretty!

We experimented with different colours and techniques of creating the beautiful watercolour flowers. Again, practice makes perfect, and eventually, we created some not fantastic, but not altogether terrible flowers. There were some really talented folks in the class who managed to create Pinterest-worthy flower wreaths and borders in just one lesson – we’re not kidding!

Talent definitely comes into play a little bit when it comes to how quickly you pick up the skill of writing and painting, but even for the most talentless student (i.e. me), you can still create some pretty decent work if you put your mind to it – even in the short 4.5 hours. From there on, it’s just practice, practice, practice, and you’ll get there.

Create your own masterpiece

All this learning and practicing culminates in one thing – creating your own masterpiece.

With your masterpiece, you get free reign to do whatever you want. You can paint a quote, a word, a whole sheet of flowers, etc. Use whatever you’ve learnt in the class to create something to call your own and to take home!

Some of our classmates created some incredible final products, proving it’s actually possible to create a real masterpiece, even after just one lesson.

Take your final product to the “flatlay table” and show off your handiwork on your Instagram!

Fun, easy, and oh-so-worth it

When class ended, we were bummed that it was over. We hardly felt the time pass and we were just getting good at our flowers and brush lettering! But the class imparted in us all the basics so it’s definitely possible to take what you’ve learnt, practice at home and become good in your own time.

That said, we enjoyed ourselves so much that we would definitely be back for a second lesson! After all, practicing around fun, like-minded people beats going at it alone in the quiet of your room.

Returning, more advanced students are given separate tasks and are taught different techniques, so you will definitely get your money’s worth on your second class, and subsequent sessions as well.

Aside from your masterpiece, you get to take home all the little cards and knick-knacks that have been personalised for you, as well as all the materials you were given at the start of class. You’ll also be given a brand new set of watercolour paints so you can put to practice all the things you’ve learnt at the workshop!

We absolutely loved the energy and vibe of the workshop – the quick friendships that formed between students, the camaraderie between the patient, fun-loving (and sometimes cheeky) teachers and students, and the fact that you can learn and have fun at the same time here. Unlike a class where you work silently to master a skill, here, you’re chatting, popping gummy candy into your mouth, and having fun while learning an interesting skill!

The workshop definitely proved one thing, which is that no one is beyond hope when it comes to brush lettering.

To sign up for a class, either send a direct message to Witty Studio’s Instagram or email Priscilla directly at [email protected]! Witty Studio conducts classes once a month, so be sure to sign up early to secure a spot!

Also read We Tried Glamping For The First Time And It Was As Awesome As It Looks