The Ramadhan month in Singapore means that there are food bazaars and special discounts at malls. You can see endless lines at stores and your social media will be swamped with pictures of bazaar food, homemade or store-bought cookies, and the latest Raya trends. 

Even though there’s still about a month before Hari Raya, the whole island gets busier to welcome this festival season. Although we cherish the good and meaningful celebration, it is undeniable that the expenses can easily rake up. From home décor to personal styling, everything can easily get out of budget. 

While your list gets longer and fuller for this Hari Raya, you can definitely use some tips and tricks shared in this article to help strengthen your financing skills. After all, it would be nice to enjoy a celebration without worrying about the costs once the celebration is over.

Homemade food vs catered food 

What is Ramadhan without beef rendang and kuih Raya? It is a common debate in every household to either prepare homemade meals and cookies or save time and buy from the store. Essentially, the choice would depend on your budget and expected visitors to your house. 

The crowd will be a big NO this year, so you can always opt for the cost-efficient option which is cooking your own food. The meals and cookies we make and enjoy during Hari Raya make the festival celebration even merrier. And for a small group of people, you could certainly save your money by cooking your own recipes.  

Cut down the cost of your Raya OOTD 

Festive seasons are clear invitations for the stores to throw their biggest sales on the trendiest Raya outfits. The temptation to own a new Raya outfit can be greater with the whole island giving away exclusive deals. There is also mounting pressure to post the compulsory social media Raya OOTD. 

The sales and temptations are not entirely bad to your financial management if you are able to source an affordable and lasting outfit. Hunt for cheap bargains online to save more money. If you have decided to buy new outfits, think about how often you get to use them. It would be a waste if you only use it once. Hence, buy outfits that you can wear again for other events. 

And if you want to be more prudent this year, you can always reuse your old garments. Mix and match your clothes from previous Hari Raya celebrations which you never or barely used. The minor alterations or additions of a few accessories are much cheaper than spending for an entirely new look again. 

Credit card for smart-spending

If you are looking for a way to smart-spend your Hari Raya, this is the best time to own a credit card. You will be rewarded with cash, air miles, and reward points when you make payments using a credit card. It is a smart way to save money while you spend and to earn some rewards for yourself. 

There are plenty of credit card promotions in Singapore. You can sign up for a credit card that offers you the highest cashback rate for your daily household needs. You could also apply for a cashback credit card that comes with no minimum spend limit when you spend on shopping and entertainment. 

Instead of paying cash and not earning anything in return, you can use a credit card to receive cashback or rewards to compensate for your spending. Nevertheless, holding a credit card is a huge responsibility. Therefore, you need to carefully read through the terms and conditions before you apply for one. Here are some tips!

Maximise online shopping sales

Today, there are many online platforms selling a long list of items that you can get easily by browsing through your laptop, computer, or even your phone. As you shop on platforms like Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, and more, you can get great discounts and offers during Hari Raya. 

Online shopping can save you time and money. You can get a lot of items without worrying about cramming your cart and your car. Additionally, you can save your money from the trouble of paying the parking fees. You can also avoid being cramped in crowded places especially during a pandemic. 

As the whole city gets busier, you can skip all the hassle and enjoy your time looking for the items you need from your home. Other than receiving discounts and rebates as you shop in bulk, you can get free delivery services as well. All your purchases will be at your doorstep, that too with lower cost. 

Save money and make your Raya even more memorable 

Who says you can’t be happy when you spend less? As you celebrate Hari Raya this year, be sure to inculcate healthy money habits while you make the celebration more meaningful with family and friends.