Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. That’s one reason Singaporeans are such go-getters. We like being ahead of the curve - the view is better and, of course, we like to be first!
We don’t need convincing that it can be easier and cheaper going online to get stuff done. But the internet is a big place, and we don’t always find our way to those surprising gems that are guaranteed to help with life in Singapore. For example, did you know you could take free courses at Yale, MIT and Stanford?
The team at Budget Direct Insurance is all about finding easy ways to do things better. Here are four ideas to inspire you and help you save online.
1. Free courses at Yale, MIT and Stanford
No way! Yes way…
Open Yale Courses provides free and open access to a selection of introductory courses taught by distinguished teachers and scholars at Yale University. The aim of the project is to expand access to educational materials for all who wish to learn.
MIT OpenCourseWare is a web-based publication of virtually all MIT course content. OCW is open and available to the world and is a permanent MIT activity. Materials from 2,340 courses with 200 million users to date. Phew!
A Crash Course in Creativity is an ambitious open online class offered by Stanford Professor Tina Seelig to students worldwide. Students learn how to unleash their creative potential for problem-solving, form collaborative teams, and work on innovative projects.
The crash course puts the spotlight on the students and encourages them to be creative in a variety of ways through interactive challenges and assignments. A Crash Course on Creativity has enabled students from over 150 countries to turn on their imagination and innovate! Who knows where you could go…?
Tina Seeling’s Stanford Tedx talk here
2. SeatGuru
Having first-hand experience of the vast differences between airline seats, frequent flyer Matthew Daimler launched SeatGuru.com in 2010. Over ten million visitors later, SeatGuru is the go-to resource for smart flyers. This handy website helps you quickly and easily identify the best seats on your airplane of choice. No more paying good money for a terrible flight!
3. Real-time parking lot availability
If, like us, you dread the thought of looking for parking in Singapore, One.Motoring has the perfect way to soothe your stress. You can check the number of lots available in real time via their website. Just think of all the time you’ll save.
Check for real-time parking lots availability in:
Marina Centre
HarbourFront
Orchard
Jurong Lake District
4. Price Panda
Looking for a new smartphone, tablet, or perfume? You can save hours of mall or website trawling using PricePanda Singapore. Founded in 2012 and headquartered on the Little Red Dot, PricePanda is SE Asia's leading price comparison shopping network.
Simply type in the product that you are looking for, click enter and voila! You can compare prices for that product from different retailers and shops both online and offline along with product specs and short reviews
5. Save on insurance – buy direct
“When some Singaporeans think of insurance, they still get nightmares of their army or university friends whom they haven’t spoken to for ages suddenly giving them a ring to “meet up for coffee”. Others recall harrowing experiences of complicated claims procedures, and having to fill in form after form, only to reach a dead end and realize they aren’t going to be able to make their claim.” Mark Cheng, moneysmart.sg
The nightmare is officially over! Buying insurance online is a no-brainer. It’s quicker, cheaper and it works just as well or even better than doing what your family has always done. Here are simple equations.
Insurance + middle man + commission = expensive + complicated
Insurance + online direct = cheaper + quicker
For more tips on how to save online, look out for future posts in this series.