If you let kids be in this digital age, they will just sit around and play with their smartphones and computers all day. If this persists, they will grow to have many health issues. With this, as parents, you have to instil the importance of health whilst they are young. Getting your kids in shape is the first step.

Here in Singapore, the government is urging parents to get their kids in shape for improved daily performance. By getting in shape it means exercise. Exercise is good in your children’s body as well as their minds. Speaking of exercise, your children might be interested in sports. If this is the case, you have to know some tips on keeping your children safe from sports injuries. Here are some tips that you need to know:

• Submit your kids for physical exam. Before you actually agree on any sports your kids want to join, you have to make sure that they undergo physical exam first. This is important so coaches can gauge their fitness program and their level.

 

• Invest on quality gears. Sports injuries are partly accidental and partly because of negligence. If you want your kid to have better chances against injuries, you need to invest on gears like shoes, protection and clothing.

• Make sure they have enough fluids. Before any sports events or fitness program, you have to encourage your kids to drink a lot of fluids. As much as possible, only water. Avoid giving them caffeinated drinks before, during and after the exercise.

 

• Remind them about proper exercise. You have to stress the importance of warm up and cool down. It should not end there because you need to instruct the kids on proper breathing from inhaling to exhaling.

 

• Spend time with them. Things will be fun if you spend time with kids. Say every weekend, think of something to do that will encourage being active. You can consider Frisbee in the park or indoor rock climbing. There are many things that you can consider if you give it a chance. It can be an excellent bonding moment too.

 

• Do activity challenges. Kids love challenge and you should encourage it. A healthy competition won’t hurt them. In fact, it can help with their getting fit. You can enlist your kid in a marathon or fun run for charity. It will also bring them awareness.

Getting your kids to be physically fit can be daunting especially if they want to just sit around. Consistency is important.

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Employing a professional plumber to handle your plumbing issues can be quite a tricky task, not to mention an expensive one as most contractors in Singapore charge for their services on an hourly basis. Aside from that, you might also end up incurring higher costs as you start purchasing all the necessary materials for your repair job. Fortunately, you can now cut down your costs on your plumbing repairs by just putting the following tips to work.

1. Hire the Right Plumbing Contractor
Plumbers often charge differently for their plumbing services, regardless of whether they are working in the same area. This is the reason why you should consider employing a more affordable plumber, especially if you just need a simple repair and not, say, having your whole plumbing system remodelled. Another good option is to hire a handyman if your repair job does not require the expertise of a professional plumber. Just make sure though that the handyman you are planning to hire is experienced and knowledgeable enough to do the task at hand.

2. List All the Necessary Plumbing Repairs
Create a list of all the repair jobs you want to get done, including the make-do solutions that you performed before contacting a plumbing contractor. It would also be a good idea to have your plumber provide some alternatives for the repairs that you listed down.

Keep in mind that most plumbers charge by the hour for their services, which means repeatedly employing a Singapore on call plumber to handle recurring plumbing issues will cause you to spend more than you really need. So save extra money by creating a complete list of all the repairs that you need before calling in your plumber.

3. Avail of Plumbing Deals and Discounts
One of the best ways to save on your plumbing costs is to sign up to the plumbing deals and discounts offered by your chosen plumbing company in Singapore. Some plumbers often offer seasonal coupons to get new clients, as well as to repay the support of their existing customers. So be sure to find one for the exact plumbing service that you need, in the event that your chosen plumber offers some kind of service discount or deal.

4. Request for a Written, Detailed Estimate
Asking for a written and detailed estimate of your repair job beforehand is another way to cut down your plumbing repair costs. This gives you a clear idea on the plumbing job you are planning to have, as well as the materials that needs to be purchased. Also, instruct your plumber to inform you if an additional work is necessary to complete the job or if your plumbing costs have already exceeded your budget. This is where being specific with the plumbing services that you really need becomes helpful.

5. Buy the Plumbing Materials Yourself
Planning to install or replace some fixtures on your bathroom and kitchen? Then go purchase the materials yourself and have them prepare before your plumbing contractor arrives. Be sure to ask the supplier for some information about the quality of the materials you are planning to purchase. It would also be a good idea to check with your plumber first to see if he has any suggestions on which product brands you should purchase and which to avoid.

Just make sure that you balance the quality and cost equation well as you make your purchases, so as to avoid having to purchase more materials because the cheaper one you bought earlier has a poor quality. By buying all the necessary tools yourself, you will likely end up paying exclusively for the labour of the plumbing contractor.

6. Choose Good Quality Materials
Even if it will save you extra money, never get tempted to purchase cheap plumbing materials. Disposable materials are inexpensive for a reason – they have a much shorter usage span compared with their metal and ceramic counterparts. In fact, purchasing cheap materials might even cause you to spend more since you will need to replace them more often. If you are unsure about what the best plumbing material brands are in the market, ask your plumber or a salesperson at your home improvement shop about it.

7. Get Multiple Issues Fixed in One Visit
Plumbing contractors often use their hourly rate as the price for their labour. That means if he charges hundred bucks an hour, then he will likely charge you that same amount even if it only takes him a few minutes to fix your plumbing issues. This is why you should survey your whole house for any plumbing works it needs before calling in a plumber. Through this, you get to make the most out of the money that you will be paying for his services.

8. Perform Regular Plumbing Maintenance Work
Instead of always relying on the services of your 24 hours plumber, you should also invest some personal time and energy to perform regular plumbing maintenance works. This means checking out the common trouble areas of your plumbing system to determine if some repairs are needed. Doing some maintenance work also helps in identifying issues early on, thus preventing you from needing all the costly repairs down the line. Just make sure that you perform some precautionary measures as well so as to avoid keeping any problem at bay.

Some issues will certainly appear in your plumbing system over time, making the services of an experienced and reliable plumber highly valuable. Luckily, getting such plumbing services no longer need to be that expensive. Simply using the aforementioned tips is already enough to cut down your expenses and put more value to your plumbing repairs.

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Next to a house, a car is the second priciest investment for many consumers in Singapore. However, the expenses don’t stop the moment you drive away from the car dealership. From then on, it is your responsibility to maintain your vehicle in tiptop condition—and that will have some costs.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can do to help you save thousands of dollars from repair cost throughout your car’s lifetime. Heed these advices, so you’ll get more out of your car without spending much on highly preventable repairs.

1. Read the Car’s Manual

The manual contains all the necessary information about your vehicle. It states the necessary car maintenance works you have to do, problems you may encounter and how to fix them. By taking the time to read and understand the manual, you can keep your car in its best condition without the need for frequent drive to a car services workshop in Singapore thus, saving you time and money.

2. Get Regular Maintenance Works

The best way to save from auto repairs is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Follow your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance works and schedule to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Usually, car maintenance is advised every 30,000 miles and oil changes every 7,000 to 10,000 miles.

3. Get Second Opinion

If a mechanic insists on doing a repair or a service that your warranty does not cover, bring your car to another dealer for a second opinion. If you first went to an independent car shop, get a second opinion from another independent servicing company for an alternative approach to fixing the issue that will cost you less money. However, be careful as quality of work is still more important than the amount of money you may save.

4. Find a Trustworthy Automobile Shop

Do not pick a car servicing company based on the service prices alone. Ask around for recommendations from family, friends, and co-workers. Once you find a trusted company, be loyal with it. Automobile shops usually offer regular customers coupons and discounts because they know you will return.

5. Be Aware of the Warning Signs

They are your car’s way of letting you know that it needs some attention. Ignoring these signals puts you at greater risk for an expensive repair. So if you see your check-engine signal lighting up, get your car inspected at a car servicing shop right away. If hearing unusual noises, take your car in before the problem morphs into an expensive repair.

6. Have Your Car Checked Before a Travel

Bring your vehicle to an automobile shop before going on a long drive. Have your technician top off your car’s fluids and check the engine and tire pressure. After all, you wouldn’t want your car to break down in the middle of nowhere and be towed to a shop you don’t know. When you encounter emergency situation and end up in an unfamiliar auto shop, you risk spending more than you need.

7. Take Extra Care of Your Car

Keep your car clean. Wash it at home every day, and have it professionally detailed every month. Aside from keeping your car well-polished, a good looking vehicle discourages people from casually dinging your car in the parking lot. Likewise, park somewhere clear from anything that can scratch your vehicle, such as bushes and cluttered spaces.

8. Go for Independent Shops

Unless your vehicle is still under warranty, which necessitates you to go to a dealer for service, look for an independent car repair shop. While these smaller companies have almost the same prices as dealers, you’ll save more as they will not sell you unnecessary services and repairs.

9. Research the Price

Whatever repair or service you need, research and compare prices from different auto repair shops. Some repair shops have online sites where you can do online estimation to gauge your expenses. If the estimate you get seems highly inflated, you always have the choice to look elsewhere.

10. Look for Discounts

Before driving to an automobile shop, look for coupons online. If you don’t see anything, call the shop and ask them for any ongoing promo. Also, be on the lookout for offers than come in the mail and serve as a reminder that your car is due for regular maintenance service.

11. Purchase Vehicle Parts Online

Particularly when your vehicle is no longer under warranty, you have the option to purchase car parts online instead of directly from a dealer. It’s easier to find discounts by purchasing auto parts from online shops. Try comparing online prices with local auto shops and your dealership, and you’ll see how much you can save from the same purchases.

12. Ask Educated Questions

Do your homework. Search the Internet for basic information about your vehicle’s problem or necessary maintenance works. You could save significant amount of money because you know which repairs are necessary and which ones are just suggested. A reputable auto shop should be willing to answer your questions and explain in layman’s language the things you want to know. If the mechanic seems annoyed to your questions, is trying to intimidate you, sells you unnecessary stuff, or overcharges you, it’s best to find a new repair shop.

If you’re like most people in Singapore, you depend so much on your car for most of your transport needs. It only makes sense to invest time and money for regular car maintenance and looking for the right car servicing company to work with. By keeping in mind these tips and letting certified professionals handle all your car care needs, you’ll surely be able to extend the life of your automobile.

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Beautiful, stylish hair has become a fashion statement. It’s not surprising that hair coloring and other treatments are so popular even when there are risks. Damaged hair can reduce confidence, especially for women.

Here is what you need to know to keep your crowning glory healthy and shiny.

Habits that Damage Your Hair

 

1. Using the blow dryer too often can damage the cuticles that protect your hair. The same is true for ironing.

 

2. Using hot water when washing can cause damage much like using blow dryers.

 

3. Excessive use of chemicals like gels and hair sprays as well as hair coloring, relaxing, rebonding, and keratin treatments all cause damage.

 

4. Thinning hair can be caused by changes in our body or lifestyle like dieting, menopause, medication, and stress.

 

What Damaged Hair is Like

 

1. We lose an average of 100 strands per day. Excessive hair loss can be caused by bad habits or it can be genetic or a symptom of a disease. Hair loss occurs when strands fall out whenever you brush. Bald spots, usually on the top of the head, could appear or a receding hairline.

 

2. Brittle hair that breaks is a sign that it’s damaged. Whenever you comb your hair, a lot of strands come off or break. Split ends mean that the hair cuticle is damaged. The outer layer peels back as a result.

 

3. Dull and dry hair means it lacks moisture and oil. Both of these are supposed to help keep you hair looking shiny and healthy. Greasy hair is likewise unhealthy. It will also make your hair look dull and may even cause dandruff.

 

4. The natural color fades and the strands look and feel rough. Damaged hair also tangles easily and is difficult to manage when wet.

Treatment of Damaged Hair

 

1. Proper diet and hair management can help treat damaged hair. Food rich in Omega-3 moisturizes hair.

 

2. Use mild shampoo and conditioner. You can use natural remedies and hair masks such as aloe vera, avocado, coconut, egg and olive oil.

 

3. Use the blow dryer sparingly. Even better, let your hair dry naturally.

 

4. If you have long hair, it may be time for you to get a trim. Split ends cannot be glued together no matter what the products claim.

 

5. Avoid hair coloring, relaxing and other procedures for now, and let your hair down once in a while.

 

Avoiding Damaged Hair

 

1. Avoid using shampoo with sulfates and don’t change your product too often. Check the labels of all your hair products.

 

2. Keep all your tools like comb or brush, blow dryer, curling and flat iron clean.

 

3. Don’t brush your hair while it’s still wet. If you need to blow dry, set it to the coolest temperature.

 

4. Avoid tight hairstyles that are too tight.

 

5. Swimming pools also damage hair because they contain chlorinated water. Avoid spending too much time soaking in the pool.

 

6. It’s better to have one regular stylist to go to. Remind them of hair treatments done recently.

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A trip to the salon can improve your looks and add self-confidence. But if you fail to get the result you wanted, you’ll feel miserable. Hair could take a while to grow back after all. Here are tips to help you get the most out of it.

For Women

Talk to your stylist about your lifestyle. Your hair needs to be appropriate for your work or school and the time you’ll spend styling it whenever you go out. Don’t go for hairstyles that need a lot of maintenance if you can’t manage it.

Determine your hair’s texture. If you have curly hair, make sure that the stylist has prior experience with your hair type.

Knowing your face shape will help you decide the right haircut to get. Some stylists can give you advice, so don’t hesitate to ask if you need an opinion but you still have the final say. Pick a style that complements or accentuates your face shape.

By the time you get to the salon, you should already have an idea what haircut to get.

Lastly, ask yourself if you’re ready for a new haircut. Regretting it later won’t make your hair grow faster. Bring a photo of the hairstyle you want. It’s better if you already know the stylist so you’d feel more comfortable talking.

 

For Men

Don’t be shy to give clear instructions. When you get to the barber, you should have a general idea of the kind of look you want. When deciding consider your lifestyle and hair texture. You can’t wear a mohawk if your company’s dress code doesn’t allow it.

Be specific with how much you want to be trimmed off. Make sure you know how your arches, bangs, neckline, sideburns and the taper will look.

Arches is the space between your ears and hairline. You can have it shaped naturally or high. Some men might want bangs. Tell the barber how you want it to look. The neckline refers to how the hair on your nape will look like. It can be blocked, tapered or rounded. Decide how thin or how long your sideburns will look. Taper or fade is the gradual change of the hair length from the top of your head to the neck. If you don’t want a taper, tell the barber that you want to keep the same length.

Some salons might also ask if you want a shave.

 

For Children

Some parents give their babies haircut. If this isn’t possible, there are salons with hair stylists specializing in children’s haircut.

Before going to the salon, make sure the child understands what will happen when he/she gets a haircut.

Make the experience comfortable and fun for the child. Let him/her pick the hairstyle. Or give him/her a reward after the trim.

Distract the child if he/she starts fidgeting. He/she should be relaxed and behaved, and not fearful.

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Contractors also play quite a big role when it comes in property management businesses like that of real estate properties. Getting one can really provide a great help in improving your property and make it look more salable. However, there are things that you might need to look out for to ensure that the contractor you hired is someone whom you can trust.

So, here are the things that you need to take note of when you’re going to hire a managing agent in Singapore:

Be cautious of any suspicious tactics or plans suggested by your contractor. Hiring a contractor that you can trust can become a bit difficult at times especially now that scammers have become rampant. However, there are some signs that you can actually look out for when you’re dealing with a potential contractor. Those signs are as follows:

• The contractor that you’re dealing with gives you credentials that you can’t seem to trust or is quite difficult to verify.
• He only accepts cash as your means of payment and would sometimes require large money deposits from you before they start working on the project.
• Another sign is if he would refuse to get building permits and would ask you to apply for the permits instead.
• Lastly, your chosen contractor can be considered as a scammer if he would give you an offer which you know is too good to be true.

Check and evaluate their projects in the past. One way to check the skills of your contractor when you hire a property management company in Singapore is by asking some pictures or drawings of the construction work that they have done in the past. You can ask them to provide photos of their works that are quite similar to what you’re asking them to do. If possible, visit the area of their completed project and talk with the homeowners involved in the project and ask a series of questions about the contractor and their method in doing the construction project.

Check their paperwork. Make sure that the contractors that you’re going to get to develop your property are insured and licensed. You should also check a sample of the documentation that they did on their last project and see if everything that’s related to the construction work was mentioned in the paper.

Be mindful when it comes to payments and bills. If you’re already planning on purchasing the materials needed for the project, it would be better if you give the payment to the supplier directly. Also, do your payments via check and not by cash. Do the payments every time a phase of their work has been completed and before you give the final payment to them, conduct an inspection on the project first and list the repairs and the remaining work that still needs to be done. After that, produce a written document of all the change orders and as much as possible, avoid doing any verbal contracts with your contractor.

As a managing agent of your property, it is important that you check the quality of work and service that your chosen contractor can offer to you and to your business. Because when you decide to hire people for your property management business, you need to make sure that the people that you get are the best.

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Shopping and decorating is great fun for some people—the excitement of looking around, bringing new treasures home, and choosing new paint colours and materials. But what happens to these flawless finishes and great finds months or years later? Before giving in to the urge to replace old with new, consider some of these tips to show off what you already have in the best possible light. You never know, you may find yourself falling in love with your home all over again.

1. Patch Walls

Look at the walls of every room. See any nail holes or unfinished patch jobs? Fill in nail holes with spackle or wood putty, and then spot-paint. Not only is this quick and easy to do, but it helps to brighten everything up.

2. Replace Old Light Bulbs

Nothing makes a home look creepy and gloomy like burned-out light bulbs. Keep in mind that good lighting makes a huge difference. Replace dead and dim bulbs with the brightest wattage you can find. LED lights come in ‘soft white’ and ‘daylight’ variety, so just pick your choice. Now, doesn’t your space look more appealing?

3. Clean the Trim Moulding

Because of fingerprints, dust and vacuum scuffs, the windowsills, baseboards and other mouldings are bound to look grimy. Wipe off dirt with damp microfiber cloth to brighten and clean surfaces.

4. Trim the Plants

Grab your hedge trimmers and trim dead flowers, overgrown shrubs and bushes and other greenery that has grown wild. Weeding wouldn’t hurt as well. You want your yard to look manicured, so be diligent with this. When plants are overgrown, it conveys age.

5. Brighten Dark-Coloured Furniture

A dark sofa can suck the light—and life—out of a room. The solution: colourful throw pillows. Adding pops of colour with your accent pillows can make a huge impact on any space. If you have a huge, black sofa in your living room, put two pillows on each side—solid-coloured and printed ones.

6. Replace Old Blinds

With blinds, the cords break, a slat goes missing or they get covered in dust. When your blinds and shades get to that point, it’s time to replace them. Spending S$20 for a new set of blinds can make a huge difference in making your home look fresher and brighter.

Revamping your home and making it look new again doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Simply by being creative and resourceful, you can repurpose old furnishings, repair damages, and improvise decor to make your home look brand new.

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At any given time, there are trillions of bacteria existing in your gut. This culture of microorganisms, known as a microbiome, plays an important role in your digestive system. What’s more, experts suggest that the condition of your gut also impacts your mood and the ability to ward off illnesses.

Though the market is flooded with different kinds of probiotics that claim to boost your microbiome, it turns out that you can actually improve your gut health by adjusting your lifestyle and your diet.

1. Diversify Your Diet

Most people with gut-related illnesses—or even other diseases like allergies and diabetes—show one thing in common: a lack of variety in their microbial population. Remember that a healthy gut is a diversely-populated gut, and the best way to improve diversity in your microbiome is to eat a wide variety of healthy foods.

2. Watch Your Dental Health

It might seem strange to mention dental health when talking about gut health, but it’s actually connected. Multiple studies have concluded that harmful bacteria in the mouth often make their way to the gut or even to your bloodstream. Regular brushing and dental check-ups keep those harmful microbes in check—and your gut health in healthy balance.

3. Eat More Whole Grains

Whole grains, such as barley, oats and quinoa, are rich in dietary fibre that can’t be broken down by the intestines. This means they will reach your colon intact, where they can be taken by the microbes and help boost their population.

4. Add a Bit of Spice

Adding spices in your food does not only make your meal more flavourful, but also curbs the development of harmful types of bacteria in the gut. Spices like turmeric, ginger and garlic contain powerful antibacterial chemicals, which aren’t bad for good bacteria—only to the bad bacteria.

5. Indulge in Dark Chocolate

Rich in fibre and polyphenols, dark chocolate is a good food to have once in a while to help improve your gut health. Since the said compounds can’t be broken down by the intestines, they can travel deep down to your gut where they serve as food for the microbes. In result, the process releases anti-inflammatory chemicals for your body to use.

For the best gut health, it’s about getting your diet under control. Eat the right food and give yourself enough sleep and rest.

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