Hock Siong & Co.

Hock Siong & Co. is best known for its exciting curation and selection of second-hand furniture that always has a story to tell. If you love vintage furniture or simply looking for an everyday item with a minimum budget, Hock Siong & Co. could be the first option. They have an in-house manufacturing facility, which gives a new life to even the used furniture and doors.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Offer second-hand furniture at low prices: At Hock Siong & Co., the team is best known for its choice of handpicking the second-hand furniture and refurbishing them to give it a brand new look while maintaining all its dignity past. With this model, they save the cost of manufacturing the table and pass on this benefit directly to the customers.
Wide range of options based on your budget: Hock Siong & Co. might be the most suitable preference if your purchase decision is heavily based on the budget. In their shop, you can have a large variety of second-hand furniture that you can purchase based on your pocket.
Open to bargaining requests of the customers: Even if you’re not satisfied with their reduced price tags, you can request the shopkeepers at Hock Siong & Co. to reduce the prices. Guess what? They reduce it based on the customers’ requests, and the better you bargain, the lower the expenses.
Offer accessible 7-days return facility: If you did not get a chance to check the furniture before purchase physically, you can still have it in your bedroom to see how it looks. If you are not satisfied with the design or the item purchased has any problem, you can return it within seven days, and they will be happy to make it up to you.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:

Tables
Storage units
Seating
Antique furniture
Outdoor furniture
Wooden doors
Mirrors
Wall arts

PRICES:

Tables starting from $120
Storage units starting from $220
Seating starting from $50
Antique furniture starting from $60
Outdoor furniture starting from $350
Wooden doors starting from $1,000
Mirrors starting from $450
Wall arts starting from $1200

Journey East

With the experience of more than a decade, the team at Journey East is obsessed with the design, uniqueness, and eco-friendliness of the furniture products. The company source furniture products from Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. For their manufacturing, the environment is one of the primary concerns, and this is why they proudly claim their furniture products as sustainable.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Have more than 20 years of experience: When it comes to manufacturing, nothing beats the skillset other than the craftsman’s experience. At Journey East, they have a home-grown set-up with staff having multiple years of experience to ensure high quality and unique output.
Offer curated and unique furniture products: One of the best parts of Journey East is the uniqueness associated with its furniture products. If you love having your surroundings filled with unique furniture, you must visit their showroom as they have hundreds of items to impress you.
Furniture is eco-friendly: One of the growing concerns over wooden furniture is its impact on environmental sustainability. At Journey East, they either manufacture the furniture from reclaimed wood or sourced from the responsible forests to ensure that you get the best in your home without compromising the environment.
Offer impressive customer services: Are you confused about the set of furniture that will better suit your home’s brand new look? The staff at Journey East can listen to all your concerns and offer you consultation without any additional cost.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:

Living room furniture
Dining room furniture
Workspace furniture
Lighting
Bedroom furniture
Décor Accessories

PRICES:

Living room furniture starts from $1,200
Dining room furniture starts from $1,500
Workspace furniture starts from $500
Lighting starts from $60
Bedroom furniture starts from $1,000
Décor Accessories starts from $150

Grey and Sanders

With a motto of “life’s too short for boring furniture”, Grey and Sanders are passionate about their craftsmanship and unique ability to transform natural materials into most loved furniture items. Their staff carried years of experience and ensured excellent finishing of the furniture. They have two showrooms across Singapore and can be accessed based on your convenience.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Provide top-notched and sustainable furniture: Environmental sustainability and climate change are certainly a growing concern of consumers across the globe. If you are also on the list, don’t worry, as Grey and Sanders ensure their products are carbon neutral without compromising their quality and performance.
Every piece of furniture has a story to tell: The accurate assessor of furniture and art will understand that each item of furniture comes from its past and its design reflects a complete story. Staff at Grey and Sanders is passionate about their skill and craft each item with utmost interest and enthusiasm to deliver you unparalleled quality.
Offer free delivery with a minimum order of $500: If your order has a value of over $500, they can deliver the furniture at your doorstep in safe and sound condition without charging you anything extra for that. Even if the order value is lower, they provide the facility at a minimal charge.
You can customize the furniture: Grey and Senders is also a retailer of wooden slabs, and you can contact them to purchase those as well. With this, you can either do your customization if you’re a techie, or you can take their help to craft that raw wood into a masterpiece for your home.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:

Sofa
Chairs
Dining room furniture
Living room furniture
Storage material
Accessories

PRICES:

Sofa starting from $75
Chairs starting from $200
Dining room furniture starting from $250
Living room furniture starting from $180
Storage material starting from $90
Accessories starting from $50

Nail Lodge

Don’t let Nail Lodge’s simple exterior fool you. This popular nail salon along Maju Avenue has gained a host of loyal customers through its 8 years of existence. It offers all-nail services like classic manicure and pedicure, nail art, and nail extensions. Nail Lodge also offers bespoke services at your preferred venue. Just give them a call to book your desired date.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Nail Lodge’s expert manicurists provide meticulous service with attention to detail. They are also very gentle so you can just sit back and relax throughout the whole session.
Satisfied customers of Nail Lodge rave about the warm and friendly staff. They make you feel right at home the moment you enter the salon.
You can book Nail Lodge for special occasions like weddings and debuts. They are also available for corporate events like exhibitions and roadshows.

SERVICES & RATES:

Express manicure: S$12
Express pedicure: S$15
Express manicure & pedicure: S$25
Express gel manicure: S$38
Express gel pedicure: S$48
Express gel manicure & pedicure: S$78
Classic manicure: S$25
Classic pedicure: S$35
Classic manicure & pedicure: S$55
Deluxe manicure: S$40
Deluxe pedicure: S$55
Deluxe manicure & pedicure: S$90
Gel polish manicure: S$58
Gel polish pedicure: S$68
Gel polish manicure & pedicure: S$118

AgnesG Nails

AgnesG Nails is a one-stop nail salon that also offers lash and brow services. It has two branches in Singapore, each with its own loyal following. If you love artistic yet functional nail jobs, this salon is recommended for you.

Some of our team members recently tried the popular Squid Game design, the latest offering from the salon, and they totally love it! You can also try out any of their nail spa packages for extra pampering.

HIGHLIGHTS:

AgnesG Nails is known for its unique and creative styles. Their designs are fully customizable. You can go for fun and funky or simple and conservative with their wide range of nail color and design options. The choice is yours!
Proficient and experienced therapists will give you the best care. They are well-trained and highly skilled. Just describe to them the look that you want and they will take care of the rest.
AgnesG Nails has been recognized as one of the top nail salons by many fashionistas.

SERVICES & RATES:

Princess manicure/pedicure (For 12 years old and below): S$10
Express manicure/pedicure: S$15/20
Classic manicure/pedicure: S$28/38
Express gel manicure/pedicure: S$40/50
Classic gel manicure/pedicure: S$60/70
White Radiance Spa manicure/pedicure: S$48/58
White Radiance Spa gel manicure/pedicure: S$78/88
Collagen Essence Spa manicure/pedicure: S$70/90
Collagen Essence Spa gel manicure/pedicure: S$100/120

LOCATIONS:
@PLQ Mall
PLQ Mall B1-06, 10 Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 409057
Phone: (65) 6962 6887

@Serangoon
myVillage #01-03, 1 Maju Avenue, Singapore 556679
Phone: (65) 6636 9887

Nails & Good Company

If you are looking for toxin-free nail care in Singapore, then Nails & Good Company is for you! This 3-year old nail salon uses a wide range of products that do not contain harmful chemicals. Brand options include Orly, LCN, Zoya, Very Good Nail, and From The Nail. These products are certified safe even for kids and pregnant women!

HIGHLIGHTS:

Nails & Good Company advocates for business practices that are friendly to the community and the environment. They use products that are vegan, paraben-free, and cruelty-free.
Nails & Good Company puts a premium on the health and safety of all its clients. Once you step into the salon, you will immediately notice the cleanliness of the place. Seats are cleaned after every session, tools are sterilized after each use, and hands are sanitized in between appointments to ensure maximum hygiene.
Prices are kept pocket-friendly even with the use of higher quality and safer products. You can even get a special deal if you are a first-time customer. Talk about good value for your money!
Nails & Good Company has been feted by various fashion magazines as the Readers’ Choice for Best Classic Manicure and Best Signature Nail Treatment.

SERVICES & RATES:
First Trial Deals

Express Gel Manicure: S$35
Express Gel Pedicure: S$35
Classic Gel Manicure + Classic Pedicure: S$85
Classic Gel Manicure + Pedicure: S$125
Deluxe Gel Manicure + Pedicure: S$165

Manicure

Express: S$15
Express Gel: S$40
Classic: S$30
Classic Gel: S$65
Deluxe: S$60
Deluxe Gel: S$90
Men: S$35
Kids (12 and under): S$12

Pedicure

Express: S$18
Express Gel: S$45
Classic: S$40
Classic Gel: S$80
Deluxe: S$80
Deluxe Gel: S$110
Men: S$45
Kids (12 and under): S$15

Nail Art

French Tips: S$20
Chrome Tips: S$20
Cat-Eye Tips: S$20

LOCATIONS:
@Tampines 1
10 Tampines Central 1 #05–K1 Tampines 1 Shopping Centre, Singapore 529536
Phone: +65 6260 3889

@Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road #04-38 Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Phone: +65 6337 7966

The Ultimate Guide for Muslims While Dining Out

Similar to other religions, Islam has a set of dietary guidelines for its followers. The food and beverages under the guidelines are divided between those that are allowed, known as halal, and those that are prohibited, called haram. These rules originated from the teachings found in the Quran to help Muslims maintain a strong and healthy body so they can contribute to the welfare of society. Also, Muslims believe their prayers will be rejected by Allah if they consume any prohibited food mentioned in a Hadith, which is a collection of traditions and sayings by the prophet Muhammad.

When food is prepared in their homes, Muslims typically have no issue following the rules about eating and drinking permitted foods. The challenge lies when they are dining out and are not in control of what goes on in the kitchen. The easiest way to ensure they are eating halal is by researching which restaurants and stores serve halal foods. In case they are having a difficult time finding halal places, downloading an app like Muslim Pro can help direct them to nearby halal dining options.

If Muslims find the selection of restaurants in the Muslim Pro app is too far from where they are, they can still dine in other restaurants that don’t specialize in halal dishes. They can simply scan through a menu and see their next best option. Muslims looking for halal options can also request to know more about how foods are prepared and what their ingredients are so they can make sure they are eating halal meals.

To know more about the type of foods and beverages Muslims can consume while dining out, read on.

How to determine if food is Halal?

As mentioned in the Quran, Muslims are permitted to eat food that is “good”. These are foods and drinks that are considered pure, clean, nourishing, and pleasing to the taste. Unless specified by the Quran as forbidden, everything is halal. These foods include rice, pasta, milk, eggs, nuts, fish, seafood, and all types of vegetables and fruits whether they are raw, frozen, canned, or juiced. For cheese, yoghurt, and ice cream, they need to be made with bacterial culture to be considered halal. However, these halal foods must not be mixed or prepared with any haram ingredients or else, they are not permissible for consumption.

In certain circumstances, Muslims can consume prohibited food and drink without being considered as a sin against Allah. For Islam, the law of necessity allows prohibited acts if there is no other alternative. For example, eating haram foods is not a sin if the individual is at risk of starvation and there is no halal food available.

What are Haram foods?

In the interest of their health and cleanliness, Muslims must abstain from eating certain foods. By refraining from consuming specific foods and drinks, Muslims show their obedience to Allah’s rules. In the Quran, the following are listed as prohibited:

Blood
Pork, bacon, ham, or any meat from a pig
Gelatin made from haram sources
Alcoholic beverages or any food with alcohol
Vanilla extract due to its alcohol content
Animal fats
Meat from a carcass
Meat of an animal not slaughtered in the prescribed Islamic process

When is animal meat considered Halal?

In Islam, meat needs to be prepared in a certain way before it can be considered halal. This is because one of the teachings of the religion involves valuing all lives. Even if killing an animal means it will provide food, it must be done in a humane manner and with God’s permission.

Lamb, beef, goat, and chicken, are some examples of meat Muslims can consume as long as they are slaughtered according to the Islamic way. Muslims must slaughter the animal by slitting its throat in a swift motion with a sharp knife to ensure the animal is free from any suffering. While this is happening, a prayer is recited to ask consent from God for killing the animal for food.

Before being slaughtered, the animal must not see the blade or other animals being killed. Also, the knife to be used must not bear any blood from a previous slaughter. Once all of the animal’s blood has been drained, only then can the meat be processed. When meat is prepared this way, it is called zabihah and is considered halal.

To cater to their Muslim clients, a lot of commercial meat packers are getting certified so their foods can comply with Islamic dietary guidelines. This increases the availability of halal meat and other processed halal-certified foods, providing Muslims with more options when they shop for groceries or dine out.

Muslims must follow certain dietary rules to show their obedience to Allah. While the rules on halal and haram foods are easy to follow when at home, it can be challenging when Muslims are dining out in a new place. If you are eating in a restaurant that does not specialize in preparing halal foods, select vegetarian or seafood meals. This way, you can have a pleasurable restaurant experience and remain faithful to Islamic teachings.

5 Best Nursing Homes in Singapore

Our parents would undoubtedly be a priority for many of us as they have a crucial role in building us to where we are right now. However, the busy routine of modern life in Singapore will always get plenty of tasks that may restrict us from providing them with the care they actually deserve.

Fortunately, there are plenty of nursing homes in Singapore that can offer even better care for your elderly parents than you due to their specifically designed facilities. Such facilities are undoubtedly a blessing as you can focus on your life goals without compromising your beloved parents’ comfort and safe keeping.

Undoubtedly, selecting a nursing home for your parents would be the right decision, but finding the best option among several nursing homes in Singapore will always be a headache. Well, worry not, as our team has compiled a list of the 5 best nursing homes in Singapore for you to make it easy. So let’s have a look!

1. The Lentor Residence

With a serene view of the lush green surrounding and a cozy environment in its interior, The Lentor Residence is among the best-in-class nursing homes within Singapore. Starting from the essential services such as rooms having Wi-Fi, washrooms, emergency call buttons, and air-conditioning, they have Assisted Living Program that provides extreme care to your elderly parents. Having this, they can ensure complete peace of mind, safety, and comfort of the senior citizens.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Greener surroundings and peaceful environment: The Lentor Residence has been built perfectly, offering a mesmerizing view of nature all around. Besides an excellent surrounding, the interior is comfy that would match perfectly with the choice of your elder ones.
Offer Assisted Living Program: The Lentor Residence completely understands the special caregiving requirements for medical attention people need. Their specifically designed Assisted Living Program will take care of the residents’ special nutrition and medication needs.
Multiple rooms are available: Depending on your parents’ choice and budget, you can select either an ensuite room, double bedroom, or 8-bed room. All rooms come with basic facilities, including air-conditioning, emergency call buttons, and the Internet.
Offer home care and residential services: Some of us might not want to send our parents away from us, but at the same time would be looking for the best care. To cover the needs, The Lentor Residence also offers domestic elderly care services with their expert staff.

CONTACT:
Address: 51 Lentor Avenue Singapore 786876
Phone: +6564516300
Website

→ Read The Lentor Residence review (Services, pricing & key details)

2. St. Andrew’s Nursing Home

St. Andrew’s Nursing Home is operated by St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital and Singapore Anglican Community Services, the community service arms of the Anglican Diocese of Singapore. It has four facilities around the island with a total capacity of more than 1,000 beds.

The pioneering branch at Buangkok was opened in 2013, coinciding with the 100^th anniversary of St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital. The 3 other facilities, located at Henderson, Queenstown, and Taman Jurong, opened in 2017 and 2019.

The company also operates 4 senior care centres for one-day elderly care.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Holistic and person-centred care for the elderly: Andrew’s Nursing Home provides a broad range of programs and activities to help residents achieve a better quality of life.
Personalized rehabilitation programs: The nursing home develops its own rehabilitation program that considers each resident’s needs.
Consistent award-winning nursing home: Andrew’s Nursing Home is a consistent winner of the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards, the Community Care Service Award, and the Nurses Merit Award.

CONTACT:
Address: • Buangkok
• Henderson
• Queenstown
• Taman Jurong
Phone: +6568805330
Website

→ Read St. Andrew’s Nursing Home review (Services, pricing & key details)

3. Ling Kwang Home for Senior Citizens

With over 350 people, Ling Kwang Home for Senior Citizens is a leading nursing home for senior citizens in Singapore. The place is best known for its customized services that you can tailor according to the specific requirements and care needs. With an experience of more than thirty years, Ling Kwang Home for Senior Citizens provides holistic experience in a home-like environment.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Offer comprehensive caregiving services: At Ling Kwang Home for Senior citizens, the team provides wide-ranging nursing services for your aged parents that you can adjust based on your requirements. This includes both short-term and long-term benefits adjusted to the attention that your parents need.
Have over 30 years of experience: Nothing can provide better assurance of quality and skills except the nursing home experience. With the diversified expertise of staff, they can exactly understand the caregiving needs of the residents to offer best-in-class services.
Offer daycare services: Sometimes, you might not want to leave your parents among strangers for a more extended period no matter what. This is why Ling Kwang Home for Senior Citizens provides daycare services, where your elder ones can spend their whole day with friendly staff and trained professionals looking, after all, their needs.
Guided by Christian values: For people who are conscious about their religion, Ling Kwang Home for Senior Citizens might be the best choice. Specifically, for Christian elderly citizens, this place offers a state-of-the-art experience enriched with religious values.

CONTACT:
Address: 156 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 556055
Phone: +6562875466
Website

→ Read Ling Kwang Home for Senior Citizens review (Services, pricing & key details)

4. FCC Family Care Centre

FCC Family Care Centre offers a spacious and natural environment to let their client feel closer to nature. Due to this, they are among the most sought-after nursing home in Singapore. Besides this uniqueness, they also make sure to meet all necessary requirements of its residents. Unlike other nursing homes in Singapore, they can accommodate people from different age groups and offer them personalized care.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Offer rehabilitation services: Sometimes, your loved ones would require the support of an expert to deal with the trauma they have gone through or have an ailment that requires consistent monitoring. If you also have a similar case, FCC Family Care Centre gets you covered as they offer state-of-the-art health and mental recovery services.
Maintain an in-house therapeutic garden: FCC Family Care Centre has an objective to use nature’s excellent healing power, and this is why they have an internally maintained medicinal garden. The clients can spend their time there to ensure good health by interacting with beautiful nature.
Have trained and experienced care associates: Noone can take better care of your loved ones other than the professionals with relevant expertise and capability. The nursing staff at FCC Family Care Centre is carefully chosen, and they come with years of knowledge to offer their clients nothing less than the best.
Maintain a separate retirement and wellness village: When your parents retire and take your career ride, they deserve friendly colleagues and a peaceful environment. Designed explicitly for retired senior citizens, FCC Family Care Centre offers a retirement and wellness village with a perfect setting for them.

CONTACT:
Address: No. 7, Jalan Resam 7, Taman Bukit Tiram, Ulu Tiram, Johor Bahru 81800
Phone: +6527900792
Website

→ Read FCC Family Care Centre review (Services, pricing & key details)

5. Green Avenue Home for the Elderly

Green Avenue Home Review — Image by Green Avenue Home

The serenity and comfort that your loved one receives at Green Avenue Home for the Elderly are priceless. This place meets all your needs with its homely atmosphere surrounded by a large, green backyard. You need not be concerned if your beloved suffers from any ailment or another condition as they have trained staff that can take good care of them with good food and medication.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Offer personalized meal plans based on individual needs: Green Avenue Home for the Elderly is best known for its food to the residents. What’s more? The food plans are customizable to meet the individual needs in case of any nutrition requirements or diseases.
Have dementia care facility: Dementia is becoming more and more common among elderly individuals, and sometimes, this becomes very difficult to manage. Well, at Green Avenue Home for the Elderly, they have qualified staff to deal with patients from similar backgrounds while ensuring inclusive practices.
Offer a range of physiotherapy services: Maintaining health and fitness during old age often becomes a problem due to limited mobility of the individuals. At their specifically designed facility and trained crew, Green Avenue Home for the Elderly offers physical therapy services to ensure the wellbeing of occupants.
Have a person-centric approach: At higher age, individuals often require personalized attention as the behavior varies from one individual to another. The experienced staff at Green Avenue Home for the Elderly consider each client separately based on their discrete needs.

CONTACT:
Address: No. 1, Lorong 23 Geylang, Singapore 388352
Phone: +6567432887
Website

→ Read Green Avenue Home for the Elderly review (Services, pricing & key details)

The Lentor Residence Review: Pros, Cons & Verdict

HIGHLIGHTS:

Greener surroundings and peaceful environment: The Lentor Residence has been built perfectly, offering a mesmerizing view of nature all around. Besides an excellent surrounding, the interior is comfy that would match perfectly with the choice of your elder ones.
Offer Assisted Living Program: The Lentor Residence completely understands the special caregiving requirements for medical attention people need. Their specifically designed Assisted Living Program will take care of the residents’ special nutrition and medication needs.
Multiple rooms are available: Depending on your parents’ choice and budget, you can select either an ensuite room, double bedroom, or 8-bed room. All rooms come with basic facilities, including air-conditioning, emergency call buttons, and the Internet.
Offer home care and residential services: Some of us might not want to send our parents away from us, but at the same time would be looking for the best care. To cover the needs, The Lentor Residence also offers domestic elderly care services with their expert staff.

SERVICES:

Residential care services
Daycare activities services
Private nursing services
Home care services
Ambulance services
Care-giver training services
Rehabilitation care services
Respite care services
Transitional hospice care services
Assisted living services
Ambulance and wheelchair services

Ling Kwang Home for Senior Citizens Review (Costs, Services & What to Expect)

HIGHLIGHTS:

Offer comprehensive caregiving services: At Ling Kwang Home for Senior citizens, the team provides wide-ranging nursing services for your aged parents that you can adjust based on your requirements. This includes both short-term and long-term benefits adjusted to the attention that your parents need.
Have over 30 years of experience: Nothing can provide better assurance of quality and skills except the nursing home experience. With the diversified expertise of staff, they can exactly understand the caregiving needs of the residents to offer best-in-class services.
Offer daycare services: Sometimes, you might not want to leave your parents among strangers for a more extended period no matter what. This is why Ling Kwang Home for Senior Citizens provides daycare services, where your elder ones can spend their whole day with friendly staff and trained professionals looking, after all, their needs.
Guided by Christian values: For people who are conscious about their religion, Ling Kwang Home for Senior Citizens might be the best choice. Specifically, for Christian elderly citizens, this place offers a state-of-the-art experience enriched with religious values.

SERVICES:

Nursing services
Rehabilitative services
Medical services
Dental services
Medical social work services
Allied healthcare professional services
Respite care services
Integrated home and daycare services

FCC Family Care Centre Review: Is It a Good Choice?

HIGHLIGHTS:

Offer rehabilitation services: Sometimes, your loved ones would require the support of an expert to deal with the trauma they have gone through or have an ailment that requires consistent monitoring. If you also have a similar case, FCC Family Care Centre gets you covered as they offer state-of-the-art health and mental recovery services.
Maintain an in-house therapeutic garden: FCC Family Care Centre has an objective to use nature’s excellent healing power, and this is why they have an internally maintained medicinal garden. The clients can spend their time there to ensure good health by interacting with beautiful nature.
Have trained and experienced care associates: Noone can take better care of your loved ones other than the professionals with relevant expertise and capability. The nursing staff at FCC Family Care Centre is carefully chosen, and they come with years of knowledge to offer their clients nothing less than the best.
Maintain a separate retirement and wellness village: When your parents retire and take your career ride, they deserve friendly colleagues and a peaceful environment. Designed explicitly for retired senior citizens, FCC Family Care Centre offers a retirement and wellness village with a perfect setting for them.

SERVICES:

Stay-in home care services
Daycare facilities
Rehabilitation therapy and social activities
Wellness rooms for accompanying family members

Green Avenue Home for the Elderly Review: Is It a Good Choice?

HIGHLIGHTS:

Offer personalized meal plans based on individual needs: Green Avenue Home for the Elderly is best known for its food to the residents. What’s more? The food plans are customizable to meet the individual needs in case of any nutrition requirements or diseases.
Have dementia care facility: Dementia is becoming more and more common among elderly individuals, and sometimes, this becomes very difficult to manage. Well, at Green Avenue Home for the Elderly, they have qualified staff to deal with patients from similar backgrounds while ensuring inclusive practices.
Offer a range of physiotherapy services: Maintaining health and fitness during old age often becomes a problem due to limited mobility of the individuals. At their specifically designed facility and trained crew, Green Avenue Home for the Elderly offers physical therapy services to ensure the wellbeing of occupants.
Have a person-centric approach: At higher age, individuals often require personalized attention as the behavior varies from one individual to another. The experienced staff at Green Avenue Home for the Elderly consider each client separately based on their discrete needs.

SERVICES:

Nursing services
Rehabilitative services
Medical services
Integrated home and daycare services
Physical therapy services
Dementia care services

Walking On Sunshine

Walking on Sunshine is undoubtedly the most Instagrammable hair salon in Singapore. It is a garden-themed salon and café in one located at Orchard Central. There is no better way to feed and pamper yourself than a quick escape to this oasis right in the heart of the Garden City.

HIGHLIGHTS:

World-class customer service: Walking on Sunshine has a loyal following for its brand of customer service. The staff is very friendly and professional, assuring clients that they are under the best care.
Hand-picked A-list stylists: The founder personally hand-picked the team of the most sought-after hairstylists in Singapore. They are the best in their field and possess years of experience and training here and abroad.
Multi-awarded hair salon: Walking on Sunshine has won numerous awards from various media outlets such Her World, Media One, Expat Living, Vanilla Luxury, Women’s Weekly, Bazaar, Elle, and many more.
Free consultation: If you are unsure of the style or look you want, you can drop in for a free consultation on Mondays to Thursdays.
Complimentary refreshments: All customers get a free salad and juice combo. That certainly adds value to your money!

RECOMMENDED HAIRSTYLISTS:

Cherry – Men Haircut, Women Long Layer, Colouring, Styling, Rebonding, Hair Perm
Jessica – Magic Setting, Volume Rebonding, Colouring, Highlights
Lanny – Trendy Men & Women Haircut, Color
JJ – Haircut, Styling, Highlights
Leonard – Colour, Ombré, Balayage, Highlights, Long Wavy Perm (S-curl)

SERVICES & RATES

Haircut: S$50 – S$120
Wash and Styling: S$40 – S$50
Perm: S$120 – S$410
Rebonding: S$220 – S$360
Colour: S$90 – S$260
Hair and Scalp Treatment: S$90 – S$450

Leekaja Beauty Salon

Leekaja Beauty Salon is touted to be the best Korean hair salon in Singapore. It was founded in 1972 and became the first franchised hair salon brand in South Korea. It finally reached the shores of Singapore and now has more than 200 branches in Korea, China, Singapore, Australia, and the USA.

HIGHLIGHTS:

8-Day Promise for guaranteed satisfaction: If you are not fully satisfied with Leekaja’s service, you can go back for a free retouch within 8 days from your original appointment. That’s how confident they are with their service! Customers seldom leave their salon unhappy.
Innovative and highly skilled professionals: Leekaja’s team of beauty experts is composed of well-trained stylists with vast experience. Under their care, you can expect to get the latest and trendiest look ahead of everyone else! Of course, you can also go for a classic hairstyle if you are the conservative type.
Personalized care fit for a queen: At Leekaja, you are treated like royalty. From the moment you walk in, you will be transported to a sort of magical garden. The staff will offer you your own set of slippers and escort you to your cosy spot amid the lush interior. A dedicated barista is on standby to brew fresh coffee to perk you up or a healthy juice to quench your thirst.
Winner of multiple awards: Leekaja is a proud recipient of the Best Overall Hair Salon Award plus 3 other awards at the 2021 HW Hair Awards. It is also often featured in various media outlets and magazines and has won several past awards from Women’s Weekly, Media One, Cleo, Vanity, Elle, Expat Living, and Singapore’s Finest.
Excellent customer feedback: Leekaja is one of Singapore’s most well-loved hair salons, as proven by its customer rating in public review sites like Google and Beauty Undercover. You can go and see for yourself what these happy clients are raving about.

RECOMMENDED HAIRSTYLISTS:

Jun Park – Trendy Women & Men haircut, Korean Perms
Kazu – Gentlemen Haircut, Women’s Trendy Haircut, Perm, Color
Von Seah – European/Caucasian/Asian Hair, Haircut, Creative Colour, Soft Perm, Scalp & Hair Care, Hairstyle Correction
Eddie – Men & Women Trendy Hair Cut, Pixie Hair Cut, Perm & Colour
Sam – Haircut, Colour, Man Perm

SERVICES & RATES:

Haircut: S$50 – S$150
Styling: S$45 – S$150
Perm: S$50 – S$390
Straightening: S$200 – v330
Colour – S$80 – S$ 270
Hair & Scalp Treatment: S$45 – S$450
Intensive Scalp Care: S$120 – S$250

Four Tips for Packing Up Your Kitchen for Moving

Moving into a new home is a significant life change. Setting up in a different environment means creating new spaces and routines, which can feel like a fresh start. It’s undoubtedly an exciting time but before you begin the process of settling in, you first need to pack up all the things you’ve accumulated in your old home so you can safely move them into the new one.

Getting your belongings ready for the move can be a time-consuming process, especially if you own a lot. However, it is necessary to pack everything carefully so nothing gets damaged or left behind. This is especially true for the items in your kitchen, which often include fragile objects like glass and ceramics. A home kitchen appliance such as your fridge also needs to be prepared well as moving can jostle motors and other mechanisms, which can affect its functions.

You may need to clean up as you go, so along with your packing materials, get your cleaning supplies ready and follow these tips for packing up your kitchen.

Wrap All Breakable Items

If you have heirloom china, a favourite teapot, or a matching set of cups and plates, you’ll definitely want to protect these from accidental breakage during the move. Marking a box container with a “fragile” label isn’t enough; it’s best to wrap each piece individually so that they have ample cushioning if the box moves around. You can use old newspapers for more durable items like mugs and glass bakeware but thin and delicate crystals like champagne flutes and wine goblets are best wrapped in bubble wrap. Wrapping items in bubble wrap or even just old newspapers also prevents them from banging against each other, which can cause hairline cracks.

While your pots and pans are not as fragile, it is also a good idea to wrap these individually before packing them into a box. Some cookware is finished with special treatments like non-stick coating, which can get scratched off if not handled carefully. Wrapping ensures that these treatments stay intact and the pans don’t damage each other.

Empty Out Your Fridge

Imagine how difficult it would be to move the refrigerator with everything else inside. Not only would the contents add to the overall weight, but it is also likely that moving would cause them to get jostled around and possibly result in spills. To prevent making a mess, remove all the contents of your fridge and freezer. If the food is highly perishable, it’s best to consume them right away or to dispose of them as the refrigerator needs to be unplugged for at least 24 hours before moving the appliance. The fridge will also need to rest unplugged for between a few hours and an entire day, depending on the model, after moving. This resting time gives the compressor oil and coolants a chance to settle back in after the move.

Once all the contents are removed from the fridge and the freezer has been defrosted, clean the shelves and insides with warm, soapy water to remove all traces of food. You can also wipe the surfaces with bleach diluted with water to deal with any odours. Dry everything, then either remove the racks to transport them separately or use tape to secure them in place. You’ll also want to tie or tape the door shut so it doesn’t open during the move.

Clean Your Stove

If you’re also bringing your stove into your new home, make sure to prepare it by disconnecting electrical or gas lines ahead of time. To ensure that this is done safely, you can request the gas company to send personnel to check for leaks and any parts that might need to be repaired or replaced. They can also assist you with installing your stove in your new home.

Clean the stove thoroughly once disconnected, If there are removable burners, either put them in a separate container or tape them into place. Do the same for oven racks, drip pans, and other parts that can come loose during transport. Make sure to also tape doors and covers shut. If you are wary of the appliance getting scratched in the process of moving, you can use large cardboard pieces to cover the exterior.

Put Small Appliances in Boxes

Small appliances like coffee makers, toasters, and blenders often have loose parts and accessories that can easily get lost during your move. To ensure that you don’t lose anything important, it’s best to place the appliances in their original boxes to fit perfectly and everything is kept together. For this reason, some people make it a habit to keep the appliance boxes, but if you have already disposed of the containers, you can buy new ones just for your move.

First, check if the appliance is still functional before deciding to take it along. If it’s broken or you don’t really use it much, it may be best to dispose of the appliance instead. Make sure to wrap breakable pieces like glass carafes and pitchers before putting them into the box. You may also want to label the boxes with the item name and where it will be used so that the movers know to place these boxes into your new kitchen.

Moving can be an exciting but stressful process that requires a lot of hard work. Since many of your home appliances are likely in your kitchen, you have to take extra care with their transport. Following these tips can help ensure that your fresh start in a new home goes smoothly.

Universal Employment Agency Pte Ltd Review (Services, Pricing & Key Details)

Universal Employment Agency Pte Ltd is one of the best maid agencies in Singapore, operating since 1986 with expertise in the placement of foreign domestic helpers.

Over 10,000 customers have trusted the company as they have one of the highest retention rates, as reported by MOM.

Their expert views are often sought after by the media, which includes the following, just to name a few: Straits Times, AsiaOne, SimplyHer, The Guardian, etc.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Has over 39 years of experience: Universal Employment Agency Pte Ltd, with more than three decades of experience under their belt; rest assured that they are always passionate about understanding your requirements and will assist you in the placement of foreign domestic helpers, mainly from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, for your family.
Highly-rated maid agency in Singapore: You will often see great reviews by happy customers on Google, Facebook, etc, with many complimenting their professionalism and the high-quality services rendered by Universal Employment Agency Pte Ltd, which proves that they are a maid agency that always aims to deliver.
Transfer helpers’ availability: Hiring a transfer helper during this pandemic is especially difficult, but Universal Employment Agency Pte Ltd is one of the few maid agencies in Singapore that always has a ready pool of transfer helpers for your selection.

SERVICES

Placement of transfer maids
Direct hire of maids
Placement of first-timer maids
Direct hire of maids
Placement of ex-Singapore maids
Application for a maid (FDW) work permit
Placement of ex-abroad maids
Renewal of maid (FDW) work permit
Maids for newborn and infant care
Comprehensive insurance coverage for maids
Maids for children’s care
Maids (experienced caregivers) for elderly care
Maids for housework and cooking
Home leave application for Filipino maids
Settling-in-programme (SIP)
Maid repatriation service

X-Terminate Review: What You Should Know

X-Terminate has experience of more than 20 years and they have expanded gradually to offer best in class pest control services in the residential and commercial sector of Singapore. To guarantee their client’s satisfaction, they work closely to understand the requirements and the pest control method is formulated accordingly. The expert crew at X-Terminate can handle different pests and a wide variety of services in this regard are offered.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Have professional and friendly staff: You will find hundreds of existing customers praising the professionalism and welcoming behaviour of the workforce coming into your home for pest control. They will always understand your problems and will provide efficient solutions to your requirements.
Takes care of the safety of the residents: Specifically, for the pest control services, different aspects of human safety must be considered to avoid any adverse health impacts. The staff at X-Terminate understands this very well and takes every possible measure to prevent any health and safety issues before starting their procedure.
Have certified pest-control services: To operate in Singapore, contractors require a licence from Building and Constructing Authority. Besides a registered contractor there, X-Terminate also holds SPMA and bizSAFE certification, which is an additional guarantee of their high-quality services.
Offers cost-efficient services: X-Terminate uses optimal procedures from their traditional expertise and modern technologies to provide you with the most efficient pest control services. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the cost as they are among the most affordable services providers in Singapore.

SERVICES:
The company offers pest control services for:

Flies
Lizards
Booklice
Cockroaches
Rodents
Ants
Mosquito
Bed bugs
Termites

Other services include:

Disinfectant misting services
Disinfectant wipe down services

5 Best Hair Replacement & Hair Transplant Salons in Singapore

Hair thinning and permanent hair loss are among the most common problems faced by men and women. There might be multiple reasons behind hair shedding, i.e. ageing, genetics, stress and side effects of the medicines. Nevertheless, seeing the head of your glory going is always a painful experience.

Fortunately, modern technologies and medical science has developed several successful techniques to replace your hair. The treatment options may include medicines to let your hair regrow, and in severe cases, the hair follicles can also be grafted by getting the same from any donor area of the body.

Although hair replacement techniques have a successful track record, the process is complex and requires a high level of expertise. Therefore, considering all the matters, our team has compiled a list of the 5 best hair replacement & hair transplant salons in Singapore. Let’s check it out!

Rehair Lab

If your hair loss has also diminished your confidence, Rehair Lab is one of the best places to get a renewed look without a surgical procedure. The hair replacement specialists at Rehair Lab consider each client with their unique facial features and requirements to design the hair system or toupee. Don’t worry about the cost, as they are among Singapore’s most affordable hair replacement salons.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Have expert hair replacement specialists: Even in the non-surgical procedure, the expertise of the professionals would matter a lot. Specifically, in designing a hair solution, the styling needs and overall look of the person is to be considered to provide a natural look. With experts at Rehair Lab, you can stay confident and trust them for all their selections.
Offers painless, non-surgical hair replacement solution: Although surgical and invasive procedures are permanent solutions, you might not prefer these because of discomfort and the high cost carried by them. At Rehair Lab, the team is best known for being non-surgical to give you a completely natural look at a fraction of cost.
Have a high-quality hair replacement system: When going for a non-invasive or non-surgical solution, hair quality is the prime thing to consider. Rehair Lab is renowned for selecting only natural human hair to develop the hair replacement system following the individual styling needs of their client.
Offers free consultation: If you are still confused about selecting the proper treatment for your hair loss problem, the experts at Rehair Lab can be accessed on a single tap. You can get in touch with them using WhatsApp or phone to get a price quote.

SERVICES:

Non-surgical hair replacement solution
Eyebrow embroidery services

Follicle Singapore

If hair thinning concerns you, Follicle Singapore is among the top hair salons in Singapore with their expertise in medical solutions. They have years of experience, and their experts have developed their hair regrowth technologies with the finest ingredients. You can also select them for your hair styling needs at an affordable cost.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Have multiple hair regrowth treatments: Sometimes, surgical or non-surgical hair transplants might not be the options you are looking for. Thinning hair can be stopped with scalp treatments offered at Follicle Singapore by carefully inspecting the reasons behind your hair fall.
Award-winning services: Millions have trusted Follicle Singapore for their excellent services and the perfect blend of traditional treatments with modern technology. They have been awarded SPA Awards by Women’s Weekly and have also attained the award of Trusted Salons, which is an additional assurance of their high-quality services.
Operates during Sundays and public holidays: Specifically, visiting a hair replacement salon during weekdays is difficult if you are an office-going individual. Understanding your needs, Follicle Singapore stays operative during weekends and public holidays. You can visit them without having to leave your office.
Offers hair styling services at affordable cost: Follicle Singapore offers expertise in hair transplant solutions and provides the best hair treatment services at reasonable rates. No matter you want to get your hair colored or simply requiring a regular haircut, this is one of the best salons to go for.

SERVICES:

Hydro-Dahra treatment
Aqua punch treatment
Radiofrequency treatment
Meso scalp treatment
Korean regenerative treatment
Hair dying
Algana hair treatment
Nano keratin re-bonding treatment

PRICES:

Dry end Treatment: $98 to 108
After color treatment: $98 to 108
Scalp treatment: $168 to 188
Hair & scalp treatment: $300
Hair wellness treatment: $198 to $318
Hair SPA treatment: $238 to 388
Algana oil treatment: $238 to 388

Freia Medical

Freia Medical is named after the God of beauty and aims to provide outclass services to individuals looking to regrow their lost hair. This clinic focuses explicitly on scientifically proven technologies to ensure that customers are getting practical results. They also focus extensively on patient safety, and all treatment options provided by them are entirely safe.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Offers non-surgical laser therapy: Technology has changed the way medical experts look into different hair loss problems. Focusing on innovative technologies, Freia Medical is among the few experts within Singapore that can successfully resolve various hair problems using laser therapy.
Focuses on patient safety: Hair transplants, specifically those involving surgical procedures, can be complex if not handled appropriately. At Freia Medical, the professionals are trained to put customers’ safety ahead of everything, and this is why all their surgical procedures are entirely safe to go for.
Have over 15 years of experience: Being in hair transplant for the past 15 years, Freia Medical has seen the rise and fall of different technologies. Building on their experience, they use a perfect blend of medication and other treatment options to quickly regrow your hair, which will undoubtedly be a confidence boost.
Have US FDA and Singapore HSA approvals: Having FDA and HSA approvals ensures the treatment’s safety, reliability, and effectiveness. Freia Medical operates with all these necessary approvals, which guarantees professional treatment.

SERVICES:

FUE hair transplant
FUE eyebrow transplant
Regenera Activa
Artas hair transplant
Scalp micropigmentation (SMP)
Laser therapy
Oral treatments
Topical applications

Counto Review (Costs, Services & What to Expect)

Counto was founded by a couple of computer engineers with the mission of reducing accounting costs for start-ups and small businesses. True enough, Counto has remained true to its mission and is one of the most sought-after accounting firms in Singapore today.

Counto relies on its own tax system which has achieved IRAS ASR+ Tier 3 qualification, the highest possible accreditation in Singapore, which efficiently eliminates the need for manual processes and drastically lowers services costs. This AI-powered technology also simplifies accounting tasks, resulting in faster and quicker transactions.

Counto offers a wide range of accounting services including bookkeeping, tax filing, data analytics, forecasting, and payment solutions.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Counto is composed of finance executives and technologists who possess decades of work experience with top global companies like Credit Suisse, JP Morgan, and Google.
Pricing for Counto’s service packages is based on the client company’s revenues. The lesser your income, the less you pay.
Counto runs a well-designed and secure platform that is easy to navigate even for non-tech savvy business owners. Newly transferred clients can also smoothly integrate their existing systems and software to the Counto system, hassle-free.
Counto’s customer service team works round the clock and is available 24/7. You can rely on them even on weekends, holidays, or in the middle of the night.

SERVICES:

Accounting services for regular businesses
Accounting services for tech start-ups
Accounting services for online sellers
Tax filing services
Incorporation services
Company Secretary services

PRICES:

Annual reporting: Starts from S$850/year
Monthly reporting: Starts from S$100/month
Virtual CFO: S$500/month
Tax preparation package: Starts from S$300
Incorporation + Company Secretary: S$600
Incorporation + 1st year compliance: S$1288/year
Foreigner Incorporation + Company Secretary: $2350/year
Company Secretary: Starts from S$270/year

5 Ways Singapore Educators Can Help Protect Students from the COVID-19 Pandemic

When the SARS-CoV-2 virus spread and caused the first significant global pandemic since the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic, many of the world’s most important social and economic sectors came to a standstill. One such sector was education. Teachers, administrators, and other employees of educational institutions scrambled to make ends meet in the absence of students. The students themselves, although not initially classified as a vulnerable demographic, eventually bore the mental and emotional brunt of living through a health crisis and having their school-related routines taken away from them.

The ramifications of the pandemic will be felt for a very, very long time. Knowing that, those who are in a position to protect the next generation of learners from further physical, mental, and emotional strain must already prepare to do so. To that end, here’s what educators can do to safeguard the wellbeing of students in Singapore schools. If everyone does their part, school communities can remain safe, healthy, and happy places for young pupils to learn in.

Enhance the Alternatives to Face-to-Face Schooling

Like other social and civic spaces, Singapore schools had to follow health measures like social distancing in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. This is true whether in public high schools run by the Ministry of Education or in private international primary schools in Singapore. Virtual instruction and online learning protocols were rolled out so that students would be less exposed to the virus and could continue their school activities from the safety of their home.

As of this time, there’s a consensus within the education community that online learning will be here to stay in some form. Though Singapore is eyeing a reopening of its local economy, schools must reflect the government’s cautious approach when transitioning back to full face-to-face schooling. That also means that there’s a lot of opportunities to strengthen online schooling programs for even better delivery of educational services. Educators can look into leveraging interactive play, socialization, and parent-assisted learning in ways that mimic the spirit of classroom learning. That way, students will not only be safer from the threat of exposure—they will also feel less like they are missing out on the best parts of their school life.

Explain in Simplest Terms the Rationale Behind Each Health Guideline

Another way that school staff can protect their students from COVID-19 is through health education. It’s up to educators, as well as parents, to cascade the Singapore government’s most current guidelines for combating COVID-19 to families.

Note that it may be easier for adults to understand the rationale behind the health guidelines that are currently in place. Conversely some students—especially those of a very young age—may have trouble understanding why they have to do certain things, like wear masks or keep a distance from their friends. In these situations, it’s good for educators and parents to determine age-appropriate language and concrete ways of demonstrating the value of mask wearing, cough and sneeze etiquette, hand washing, and social distancing. Above all, these adults must act as good role models for younger children in following best health practices and being considerate of the well-being of others.

Clean, Disinfect, and Air Out the Campus Grounds

In anticipation of students’ gradual return to campus—either in a hybrid learning setup or in full face-to-face classes when they are finally deemed safe—the school needs to be adequately prepared. The environment should be clean, sanitized, and well-ventilated so as to keep the virus from circulating in the air and from contaminating surfaces.

One thing that schools can fully control is their preparation for any imminent arrival of a group of students, parents, or staff. For the students’ protection as well as that of the adults, school administrators should keep a schedule and rules for entering the campus and ensure that campus grounds are properly cleaned and aired out.

Keep and Update Contact Information of Students and Their Families

Singapore’s aggressive contact tracing measures have demonstrated the importance of keeping people in the community fully in the loop about the status of their health. In the same spirit, schools can collect information about students and their families and let them know in real-time about COVID-related emergencies, like local community outbreaks.

It isn’t just an issue of disseminating information to students and their families; it’s also an issue of making sure the message arrives in a timely manner. Thus, teachers must remind parents to update their students’ contact information and inform the school of any major developments, like a change in phone number or address.

Watch Over Students’ Mental Health as Well as Their Physical Health

Lastly, educators must be able to watch out for their students’ mental health as well as their physical health. COVID-19 isn’t the only ailment that schools and families must watch out for during this health crisis. The disruption to their everyday routines, as well as feelings of loneliness and isolation, can affect the mental and emotional health of all students, whether they’re in preschool, elementary school, or secondary school.

Now more than ever, teachers should ensure that their students are eating well, getting enough sleep, and feeling adequately supported by their friends, family, and school personnel. The warmth and care for students’ wellbeing—something that they miss experiencing in person—must also be adapted for them in these trying times. If you are an educator looking to supplement your resources, you can read these additional guidelines for schoolchildren on how to keep safe from COVID-19. Stay abreast of the COVID-19 situation in Singapore and be on the lookout for how this will affect your students and your education program. Here’s to securing the safety of children and continuing to do the noble work of nurturing young minds.

How much does it cost to develop a mobile app in Singapore?

As time goes on technology continues to become more important in our everyday lives. From sending messages to friends over Whatsapp, emailing colleagues with Gmail, and watching videos on Tiktok, you can pretty much do anything over your phone or computer. With the rise in popularity of apps there has been a huge increase in demand for mobile app development in Singapore.

Entrepreneurs want to develop unique products to improve our lives and enterprises want to build apps for their customers and internal processes. This is where price comes in. Both enterprises and startups want to develop a cost effective solution. A top quality app at an affordable price. In this article we will explain exactly how you can do that.

We will look at all the factors that contribute to the total cost, the different approaches you can take in terms of technology used, the app developer you hire, and the different kinds of apps you can build and what it will cost you to develop in Singapore. It’s important that you know this before talking to a development company so you can be sure the price they quote you will be fair and the quality you receive is what you expected.

The main factors are:

The development company (size, reputation, and quality)
The development company’s location (US, UK, Singapore, India, Australia, etc)
The technologies used to develop the app (Swift, Kotlin, Javascript, React, etc)
The platforms needed to develop for (web, Android, iOS, etc)
The timeframe in which you need the project to be completed in
The features and complexity of those features in the app

The development company

Software development companies like Potado are the builders of the digital world. Instead of skyscrapers and houses, they build apps and websites. Just like some builders construct better properties than others, some software developers build better apps than others. A development company can differ based on these factors:

Size – how many employees do they have

The more the merrier you might think, but the honest truth is that this factor doesn’t matter much. Having a big team obviously means the company is more successful in terms of revenue, but that doesn’t mean they build the best software. It just means they have a larger marketing department. That’s not to say that a smaller app development company is better either, it’s just to highlight that it doesn’t matter. The reasons why some developers might have a smaller team is because they don’t want to manage a large team, or they aren’t very business savvy. They just want to build apps from dusk till dawn without managing many people. If you think about it, these developers can build any app. Why don’t they just build their own and launch it, become billionaires and retire? Because they are developers not business people. They love learning about new technologies and don’t want to spend a second of their time on Instagram or TikTok. So when hiring a team to work with don’t worry about the size. A bigger company will charge much more than a smaller team, so keep that in mind.

Reputation and quality – which apps have they built or which clients have they worked with and was the client impressed

This is one factor which contributes to the price of developing an app which is also fair. If a company has proven themselves again and again, you can expect it to cost more and that’s because many people want to work with them. They can pick and choose their clients so they are able to push up the price to make sure they only attract the best clients. It’s also a bit of a snowball effect because as a company’s reputation improves over time because of experience they also know the importance of hiring the best people and the best people don’t come cheap. An app development team usually consists of multiple software developers, UI/UX designers, product managers and software testers or quality assurance specialists. More advanced projects also require experts in AI, machine learning, data science or other technologies such as blockchain.

A nice way to get an initial preview of a developer quality is to look at their website. A lot of app development companies have very bad websites. If they can’t even build a nice site for themselves, how would you trust them to build one for you! Then take a look at their portfolio. How do the app designs look? If you see they use old and outdated designs, you should avoid them. A quick way to spot a low quality developer is to see the designs they use. The developers that have well designed apps on their portfolio are going to be asking for a higher price but you can expect a well designed, well engineered app that can handle all the needs of your users and rank on top of the app store.

The app development company’s location

Thanks to the work of app developers themselves at Google and others, we now have access to a network of people from all around the world. So do you need to hire an app developer in Singapore, when you have access to developers in the United States, Australia or India. The short answer is, yes, local is always better! A lot of people have tried working with offshore development houses in India because of the lower costs. The reason prices differ depending on the country is because of the cost of development. If you compare developer salaries in India to the United States, there will be a huge difference. The US is a lot more expensive to live in so salaries tend to be much higher. The same goes for Singapore. While the cost to develop an app in Singapore is less than the United States, it’s not cheap either and that’s because Singapore is an expensive place to be. The quality of the app also tends to be higher 99% of the time when developed in a place like Singapore or the United States. More so than quality is the importance of communication. To build a successful app a developer should also have a bit of a sense for the local market and what the others are doing.

The technologies used to develop the app

Different technologies often require developers with certain specialized expertise and this can contribute to the cost of developing an app. Software developers often specialize in a language like Javascript, Python, Swift or Kotlin. On top of that they need to use certain frameworks that need to be learnt as well. For example an app like Grab on Android was built using a language called Dart on a framework called Flutter. Other mobile apps are built using Javascript and a framework called React Native. Some apps for iPhone are built natively using Swift and the Xcode platform. Not a lot of developers specialize in Swift so these developers can charge higher prices. For an app development company they will need to increase the cost of an app if it is built in Swift for example because they need to put their Swift developers on that project.

More than that software projects often rely on third party tools we call API’s. These tools allow us to do certain tasks within the app without having to rebuild it. Some external company manages this and developers can just plug it into their apps. Using these can both increase or decrease the cost depending on how advanced the integration is. They can also decrease the cost by saving time. A good company will always suggest these to their clients where they feel it could be beneficial and the client will make the final decision on whether they want to use it or not based on research and also the pricing of the tool.

The platforms needed to develop for

Nowadays people want to access a service anywhere it’s convenient for them to use it. Desktop computers, mobile devices, and even in their cars. On mobile we have Android and iOS as well as web and on Desktop we have Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Safari as well as web. One app won’t work on all platforms and some platforms are simpler to develop software for. For example, let’s take a look at Spotify or Whatsapp. You can download them on the Google Play Store or Huawei App Gallery on Android or the App Store on iOS. You can also access them from your web browser on your mobile or desktop and you can even use them in your car or on your smart watch. So if you just wanted to develop for mobile you would need to develop 3 apps. Android, iOS and web. That means taking the quote for your project and times it three. That is if you develop it natively.

Native development means to develop an app specific to the platform. These are best used for apps like the Camera and Calculator. For most other apps we can rely on Cross-Platform development tools such as React Native and Flutter. They allow developers to create one app that works on both Android and iOS and that lowers both the development time and cost. It’s a no brainer! The company you work with should be able to offer you the best platform advice depending on your project.

The timeframe in which you need the project to be completed in

This one is simple. The cost of developing an app depends on the number of hours required to build it. If you have an urgent deadline a company would be able to make that deadline by assigning more developers. So if you need the project to be completed in a shorter timeframe than planned, it will cost much more.

A quick note about changes during development. Once a project is underway it’s not uncommon to want to change things or deviate from the plan. Sometimes a small thing to a non technical person could mean a big thing to a developer as they need to restructure to allow for that. So do understand that planning is essential and any changes could lead to price increases. A good company will spend a lot of time on planning and specifications before starting.

The features and complexity of those features in the app

The most obvious factor contributing to the price would be the features your app has. Simple features such as viewing information about something would cost much less than having to implement mapping and tracking like Grab. The more custom a feature is, the more work it would take. The same goes for design. An app that takes on the design of the OS is a lot quicker to create, than a custom design. It’s always best to look at what the top apps are doing so you can provide your users with an experience that they are used to and comfortable with.

So now that you know about the main factors that influence the cost, let’s take a look at the types of apps as well as the cost to develop it in Singapore.

App Development Cost In Singapore

The average cost to develop a simple app with standard functionality in Singapore is around $50,000 in a 3 month timeframe. The cost might be lower or it could also extend to $150,000 with a 4 or 5 month timeline depending on the complexity. Large projects for multiple platforms and complex features can take close to a year to develop and can cost $300,000+. So let’s dive into some examples of apps and what an estimated cost would be. Please note that these are just rough estimates and the price varies depending on your specific software needs.

1. Informative Mobile Apps

These are probably the simplest kinds of apps you can build. They don’t typically connect to servers and usually display information about something.

Some examples would be a guide, restaurant menu, or conference app. A conference app for example would have information about the lineup, venue, speakers etc all viewable in the app. An app like this would cost $10,000 – $40,000 on average.

2. Productivity Apps

These kinds of apps typically have very few views. They just help users complete specific tasks like storing documents and images online (Think Google Drive or Photos), managing projects (like Trello), or planning your daily tasks (Google Keep, or any other TODO list app).

The focus is on the backend here as the server needs to be able to sync data between devices. You want to be able to see the same thing on your desktop as you would on your phone. These apps also don’t allow you to interact with other users. It’s all about improving your own productivity and they could cost around $15,000 – $50,000.

3. Utility Marketplace Apps

Utility marketplace apps are apps that allow us to complete certain tasks by booking a service. For example in Singapore we can book a taxi with Grab, we can order Food on Grab Food and Deliveroo, and you can do pretty much anything you can think of through apps like these. These apps are a little more complex to build as they require authentication, mapping, payments, and connecting of the user to the provider. These apps also provide some of the best opportunities for startup founders. In Singapore an app like this will set you back around $20,000 – $90,000 depending on how complex your initial build will be.

4. Lifestyle Apps

These apps are there to help users improve their lives. Diet apps help people eat food to live a healthier lifestyle. Workout apps help people keep fit by showing them routines, exercises and tips. Dating apps like Tinder and Badoo help people find love or create new friendships by matching them up. These apps vary by which features they include so can cost anywhere from $20,000 – $70,000 to develop in Singapore. The price would be a lot higher for example if you wanted to include complex AI algorithms to match people up based on specific criteria.

5. Gaming Apps

Gaming is one of the industries that has seen the most growth in recent years. Gaming now takes home about 30% of the mobile market share and are one of the top grossing apps. Gaming used to be a very niche thing, now you see people of all ages and genders giving it a go! The growth isn’t going anywhere and building a game app is a great investment.

These apps are not easy to build though. A simple 2D game will cost you around $80,000 to $150,000 to develop in Singapore. While a 3D game will require the use of 3D graphics, physics and gaming engines such as Unreal and Unity. It’s a large time commitment and will cost around $150,000 – $500,000 to develop.

6. Travel Apps

Since the Covid-19 pandemic travel has been a bit of an unpleasant topic, but travel apps such as Agoda and Airbnb allow you to book a place to stay in any city in the world. Other apps like Skyscanner allow you to search through flights to specific airlines to find a flight that best suits you based on departure time, price or airline. These apps are similar to marketplace apps and cost around $20,000 – $90,000 to develop in the Lion City.

7. Social Media Apps

Social media apps can be both simple and complex but what makes them a bigger project than productivity apps is that they are multi-user apps. They require you to be able to interact with other people on the platform. Think of TikTok or Instagram. You can upload photos and videos, but you can also interact with pictures and videos other people upload as well as message those people. Another example would be messaging apps like Whatsapp or Telegram. Anyone can create an account and then you can send messages to anyone who uses the app. Because of the nature of creating accounts and allowing them to interact with others these apps can be quite complex and can cost $40,000 to $100,000 to develop in Singapore.

8. E-Commerce Apps

E-commerce has been all the hype as the fastest growing niche to be in South East Asia. Companies like Shopee and Lazada are some of the biggest players. Shopee and Lazada are not typical e-commerce apps though. They are e-commerce marketplace apps because they allow third parties to sell via the platforms so it is a lot bigger of a project. A typical e-commerce app would be for a store to develop its own platform to sell its products. This is great for growing the brand and also customer loyalty. Once these companies no longer need to rely on a platform for growth it is best to build their own. These apps typically feature product filters, shopping carts and payment and cost around $15,000 – $60,000 to develop.

9. Enterprise Apps These apps are usually used by large companies to manage processes or staff. Think about logistics tracking for example. An app could be built to track the package as it moves to its final destination. An app like that would cost around $20,000 to $50,000 to develop but an app that is used to manage accounts, securely store documents and manage multiple internal processes can easily cost 150,000 if it is going to take several months to build.

Ever Higher Data Recovery Centre Review (Services, Pricing & Key Details)

Ever Higher Data Recovery Centre is a champion in getting back the lost data no matter the device they are playing with. Including PC, laptops, and tablets, they can do their magic on mobile phones, external hard drives, solid-state drives, network-attached storage, flash drive, and even SD cards. The team is best known for its expertise in data recovery, with a high success rate compared to other service providers in Singapore.

HIGHLIGHTS:

One-stop data recovery solution for all your devices: Sometimes, bad luck may hit you real hard, and you may lose your essential data from multiple devices. In that scenario, Ever Higher Data Recovery Centre would be your savior as they have the expertise to recover data from almost any digital device.
Maintain data privacy: When handing over your device to someone for data recovery, the confidentiality of critical and personal data might be your primary concern. For the expert technicians at Ever Higher Data Recovery Centre, you can trust them for their integrity as they are driven by the noble core values of the company.
Trusted by several laptops and hard disk manufacturers: Dealing directly with the renowned manufacturer. A company can reach this level only due to its professional expertise and outclass services. Ever Higher Data Recovery Centre is also one of those few companies in Singapore that operate directly and has been trusted by multiple laptops and hard disk manufacturers.
Have a fast turn-around time: We can understand the trauma you may go through while waiting for your essential data to be recovered back. At Ever Higher Data Recovery Centre, their expert crew members ensure that the waiting time is minimal. They provide you a quick inspection and quote within a few hours, followed by data recovery in no time.

SERVICES:

Laptop data recovery services
Complex disk data recovery services
Solid-state disk data recovery services
RAID data recovery services
Mobile phones data recovery services
Network attached storage recovery services
USB and flash drive data recovery services
SD card data recovery services

Top 3 Reasons Why Your Business Needs Digital Marketing

Every business must engage in marketing of some sort. It’s a basic business function, and without it, no business would be able to determine what to sell, at what price, to which customers, and so forth. If a business decides to forego its marketing efforts, it may as well shutter its doors and turn out the lights, because driving and delivering revenue – the main point of being in business in the first place – would be next to impossible without engaging in marketing.

This, then, is the same argument for why companies need to be involved in digital marketing as well: simply put, to do so would be detrimental to a business’s capacity to operate. While revenue may continue to flow for a while thanks to more traditional marketing efforts, it would only be a matter of time before a company’s market share would be consumed by more aggressive, more digitally savvy competitors.

For a more broken down exploration of why digital marketing is vital to today’s business landscape, here are the most important reasons you need to engage a digital marketing company in Singapore today.

Your Market is Online

Unless you and the rest of your board of directors have been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that a lot of people have turned to the internet for whatever they need. For context: around half of the world’s population, or around 4.6 billion users, are online and using the internet at any given time. Of these, around half, or 2.3 billion, are accessing the net from a mobile device. While COVID-19 is keeping most prudent people locked indoors, this is still an indicator of how widespread internet usage is; assuming the absence of the pandemic, it’s likely that all those users would still be able to access the internet, no matter where they were.

These numbers indicate the ubiquity of the net, but not necessarily its potency as a market, so here it is: as of 2019, the total evaluation of the global e-commerce market was estimated to be US$3.5 trillion, and was expected to exceed US$5.4 trillion by the end of 2021. As it turns out, this expectation is likely a conservative one. The global pandemic has encouraged people to shop online even more than initially expected, and has actually had a positive impact on global online shopping.

Clearly, there is revenue to be collected online as people become more and more comfortable shopping online, a trend that is likely to continue on into the future.

Your Competitors are Already Doing It

If your company has been dragging its feet to make the transition to online marketing, you can be sure that your competitors have not. In all likelihood, they have already taken advantage of their less digitally savvy competitors’ unwillingness or inability to embrace digital marketing and have realigned their marketing budgets to account for spending online. As a result, the total spending worldwide for advertising online has exploded, exceeding US$378 billion in 2020 and tracking to exceed US$455 billion by the end of 2021. In the US alone, digital advertising comprises the largest portion of total advertising spending throughout the country, accounting for US$152 billion of the total US$282 billion spent on advertising in 2020.

The explanations for this widespread use of digital advertising and marketing tactics are varied and multifaceted. These include the almost universal adoption of both smartphones and 4G and 5G connectivity, allowing anyone to be online almost anywhere. Brands, no matter their size, must respond to this new, always-connected consumer, and must shift their focus away from more traditional forms of advertising to account for new user preferences and expectations.

It Can Supplement Your Offline Marketing

While more traditional advertising is currently being outstripped by its more modern counterparts, this does not mean it no longer delivers some value. In fact, digital marketing can support and refine offline marketing initiatives in several ways.

One of these is by delivering immediate user feedback. Digital marketing is different from more traditional forms of marketing in that it’s a two-way communication channel, rather than one-way. Users who interact with a digital ad or a brand’s piece of content can immediately provide feedback on it, whether positive or negative, which will allow brands to refine and improve their own communications strategy. This improves a brand’s advertising initiatives and brings it more in line with what their market would prefer.

As an added bonus, brands who release ads and content that are especially interesting or engaging can benefit from virality that simply isn’t available to more traditional advertising and marketing initiatives. Customers may feel inclined to share a brand’s content via their own social media, effectively doing the brand’s job of promoting its products and services.

Ignoring digital marketing would be a mistake in today’s business landscape. Prudent brands would be quick to embrace the digital revolution, pursue their market, and reallocate their marketing budgets accordingly.

Andrew Yap Education Centre Review

Andrew Yap Education Centre was founded by the husband-and-wife team of Andrew and Jasmine Yap. Both are alumni of the National University of Singapore and former Mathematics mentors at Hwa Chong Institution.

After his stint at Hwa Chong Institution, Andrew Yap went on to head the Mathematics Department at River Valley High School. On the other hand, Jasmine Yap continued to teach at Hwa Chong Institution and became a consultant in the Mathematics Department. She was twice awarded for Best Teaching Practice.

Andrew Yap set up the education centre in 2010, specializing in Junior College and Secondary Level Math Tuition.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Andrew Yap and Jasmine Yap are both authors of the H2 Math Ten Years Series solution book published by SAP.
Andrew and Jasmine Yap personally oversee the mentoring of their students in alignment with the MOE syllabus.
At least 70% of their students get an A at A-Levels Mathematics, higher than the national average.
Crash courses are available during holiday breaks for students to build up their skills for topics they are weaker at.

FEES:

Secondary Level

Sec 3 IP Math – S$300
Sec 3 Additional Maths – S$300
Sec 4 IP Math – S$300
Sec 4 Additional Maths – S$300

JC Level

JC1 H2 Math – S$380
JC2 H2 Math – S$400

Crash Course – S$100 per lesson

NOTES:

There is a non-refundable registration fee of S$30 for each regular class.
The fees indicated under Secondary and Junior Levels are for every 4 lessons.

Debbie’s Learning Cove Review

Debbie’s Learning Cove is named after its founder, Mrs Debbie Wong. She was a government scholar and earned her First Class Honours and Masters in Mathematics Degree from the University of Cambridge, UK. Her passion for teaching Mathematics led her to open her own tuition centre in 2014.

Mrs Wong is well-loved by her students for her patience and evident desire to help students improve their grades. She answers questions in a way easily understood by young minds, and she never stops until she is sure that her students have learned every concept.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Mrs Wong has taught Mathematics for more than 12 years in Singapore’s top schools such as Hwa Chong Junior College, Temasek Secondary School, and Temasek Junior College.
Classes are taught in small groups of 6 to 15 students to promote a better learning environment through expert guidance and open communication between students and teachers.
High-quality learning materials are provided to students to prepare them better for upcoming examinations. Worksheets contain the same type of challenging questions that are often included in A-Level or school exams.
Mrs Wong uses innovative teaching methods to keep students interested in their lessons. In addition, her excellent mentoring techniques keep them motivated to study, learn and earn good grades.

TRACK RECORDS:

Students became more confident in mathematics and even started to love the subject.
Nearly all the students experienced at least 2-grade improvement after joining.
Many have turned their grades around from a fail to A.
Mathematics became the strongest subject for many.
Some students have improved from average to the top of the cohort for math.

FEES: $320 to $400 per four lessons (2 hours each) + $30 registration fee

Aspect Mover Review: Is It Worth It?

Aspect Mover is one of the most reliable moving companies in Singapore. Although it is a young company, its team is composed of well-trained and highly skilled workers. Aspect Mover is a one-stop-shop that offers solutions to your various relocating needs, be it for a residential, office, or international move.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Efficient and friendly staff: Aspect Mover gives priority to excellent customer service. Their crew members are polite and friendly. They even offer tips on proper packing and storage.
Affordable prices with no hidden costs: With Aspect Mover, you get transparent pricing with no surprise fees. You also get good value for your money.
Prompt and fast service: Aspect Mover is known for its timeliness. Their moving teams are never late and always finish the task on time or ahead of schedule.
Proper care of clients’ belongings: This is the most important aspect when it comes to relocating. Aspect Mover makes sure that all items are packed well then handled and transported carefully so that they will reach their destination in good shape.

SERVICES

Household move
Office relocation
International move
Local move
Packing & unpacking
Storage solution
Piano moving, loading, and unloading

5 Reasons to Choose a Healthcare Facility for Your Aging Parents

Are your parents or loved ones getting old? Are you searching for ways to provide them the best kind of care and support? If that’s the case, then this blog post might help you out.

Aging can be a difficult process, not just because of the very idea of it but mainly due to the complications that come with it. Some seniors struggle to look after themselves let alone live independently because they have physiological or cognitive impairments that render them helpless. Their quality of life is simply lowered by the changes happening in them.

With that said, it’s extremely important to provide the elderly with the nurturing care, support, and assistance that they need. But if their children or familial caregivers have jobs and families to take care of, how are they going to do it? This is where senior health care facilities come in.

Where can I find a good health care facility for my aging loved one?

A health care facility is a place where people can receive high-quality health care services. Since adults are prone to developing medical conditions as they age, they need to have easy access to things like medical check-ups, therapy, medical escorts, and many others.

Many nursing homes in Singapore as well as nursing home alternatives like Assisted Living provide healthcare services for the elderly. This is a part of their program in improving the quality of life of seniors. Here, family members will no longer have to worry about the health and overall well-being of their elderly loved ones. Everything will be taken care of by the caregiving staff and on-call doctors and nurses.

5 reasons to choose a health care facility for your aging loved one

If you are having second thoughts or feeling overwhelmed about choosing a health care facility for your elderly loved one, here are compelling reasons that might help convince you why this is the best choice for them:

1. A wide range of healthcare services

A healthcare facility can provide long-term and short-term medical services that seniors need. Facilities like this offer services like around-the-clock nursing care, medical check-ups with physicians and other needed specialists, medication management, pain management, medical escorts, and many more. There is also medical equipment available so as not to require the care recipient to rush to a hospital right away.

2. Extensive rehabilitative services

For seniors experiencing any form of disability, this is where they can get the right treatment. You can find extensive rehabilitative services in nursing homes and other types of senior care facilities. This includes speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy led by professionals in the field. This way, seniors can reverse or at least reduce the progression of whatever disability they may have and experience a better quality of life.

3. Nutritional meals

Nutrition is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Eating the right food will enable seniors to strengthen their bodies and reduce the risk of developing diseases and chronic illnesses. Nursing homes offer well-balanced meals that are also monitored by a nutritionist. This way, your elderly loved ones will be disciplined and controlled when it comes to the food that they eat.

4. Assistance with activities of daily living

Some aging adults need help with even the most basic of tasks, especially those centered around self-care. Healthcare facilities do not just offer medical-related services but also ones that are essential for their day-to-day living. Activities like feeding, bathing, dressing, and others will be assisted by highly trained caregivers and nursing staff.

5. Social events and recreational activities

Social interaction and cultivating activities are important in improving the mental and psychological health of seniors. As they age, they are also prone to developing depression and anxiety which may stem from the changes that they feel or being separated from their families. Nursing homes and nursing home alternatives alike provide fun events and recreational activities where they can connect with like-minded individuals and find new passions and hobbies. Living healthily is also made possible by living happily.

Factors to consider in choosing a health care facility

Before you move your elderly loved one into a nursing home, make sure to take these factors into careful consideration:

Credibility of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals

Make sure to assess whether or not their medical consultants and staff have an extensive background in caring for the elderly. Seniors are not as strong and healthy as younger adults. They’re much more delicate so they must get medical advice and be continuously monitored by good doctors and nurses (who are also compassionate and caring towards their patients).

Respectfulness of caregiving staff towards residents

It’s also important to do a background check on the caregivers and nursing staff. Find out if they are caring, patient, and respectful toward their care recipients. Elderly abuse is real and prevalent in some areas so it’s important to be vigilant about this matter since you are entrusting the safety and welfare of your loved ones to another person.

Safety and cleanliness of the facility

This is a crucial point, especially if your loved one will be staying there for a very long time. Make sure that the facility has safety features that will protect your loved one from getting lost or injured. Most facilities have senior-friendly fittings installed. Also, check if the facility is clean and sanitary. Some diseases can stem from dirty surroundings.

Variety of amenities and activities

Find out if the activities are fun and would leave a positive impact on the well-being of your loved ones. Knowing that your loved one will engage in social events and make new friends will lessen your worry of them feeling isolated or depressed. They should also have amenities like self-care establishments (e.g. salons) or those related to entertainment. This will make their stay more fulfilling.

Welcoming toward visitors

If you want to check on your elderly loved one from time to time, make sure that the facility is open to visitors coming over anytime. They should be considerate of the residents’ needs to see their families.

If you’re struggling financially or looking for the cheapest nursing home, you can turn to financial assistance or subsidies offered by the government. These exist in order to help seniors that come from a low income-earner household. This way, your elderly loved one can still move into a quality nursing home and have access to healthcare services that he or she needs.

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