How Can I Plan Affordable Dates, Gifts And Staycations?

Why Plan Your Fun Money?

Dates, gifts and short breaks are part of a good life, and they need not come out of your savings. Give them their own monthly amount, then make that money go further. The best memories often come from time and attention more than from the price.

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Which Dates Cost Nothing?

• Light shows: Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay’s Supertree Grove runs daily at 7.45pm and 8.45pm, and Spectra at Marina Bay Sands runs nightly from 8pm. Both are free.
• Gardens and walks: the Singapore Botanic Gardens are free to enter. The HSBC TreeTop Walk at MacRitchie is free, and Henderson Waves is lit from 7pm to 2am daily.
• Museums: Singapore Citizens and PRs get free general admission to National Gallery Singapore and the National Museum’s permanent galleries.
• Shows: the Esplanade’s Outdoor Theatre has free performances every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday.
• Sentosa: island admission is free if you walk in along the Sentosa Boardwalk.

What Can Four Dates A Month Cost?

Take a couple who are Singapore residents. Week one: Garden Rhapsody, then Spectra, for S$0. Week two: the Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid Garden, at S$5 each for local adults, so S$10. Week three: the Flower Dome, at S$12 each for resident adults, so S$24. Week four: a weekday afternoon of badminton at an ActiveSG court, S$3.50 for an hour.

That is S$37.50 in tickets for four dates. Add food and transport at whatever level suits you, and you still know your number before the month starts.

What Can You Do As A Group?

Splitting a booking makes group outings cheap. An ActiveSG badminton court costs Singapore Citizens and PRs S$3.50 an hour off-peak and S$7.40 at peak times, so four friends at peak pay S$1.85 each. Tennis courts cost S$3.50 off-peak.

NLB’s MakeIT workshops, with tools such as 3D printers, are free for library members. Community clubs run courses in sports, fitness and lifestyle, which you book on onePA. Picnics, park walks and the free shows above work for groups too.

How Do You Get More From A Staycation?

The SingapoRediscovers Vouchers are long gone: bookings closed on 31 December 2021 and stays ended on 31 March 2022. Value now comes from timing and booking well. Rates often differ between weeknights, weekends and school holidays, so compare a few dates before you choose.

Join the hotel’s free loyalty scheme and book direct. Marriott Bonvoy’s member rate is at least 2% off. ALL Accor members get up to 10% off at more than 35 Singapore hotels. Hilton Honors is free to join, and Hilton’s Price Match Guarantee gives an extra 25% off if you find a lower qualifying rate within 24 hours of booking.

Compare the total with taxes and fees, check what is included and read the cancellation terms. Check your credit card’s hotel perks, and see current offers on our Deals page, each with its conditions and end date.

How Do You Budget For Gifts?

List the year’s occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries and festive seasons, with an amount for each. Add them up and divide by 12. If the year comes to S$600, set aside S$50 a month, and no gift catches you short.

MoneySense suggests saving at least 20% of your monthly take-home pay, so fund savings first and gifts from what is left. Gifts that show thought often cost less: a planned day out, something handmade, or a shared experience.

What Should You Do This Month?

1. Set a monthly amount for dates and outings.
2. Plan at least two free dates.
3. Book courts and tickets at off-peak times.
4. Join hotel loyalty schemes before you book a staycation.
5. Compare the total price, including taxes and fees.
6. List the year’s gift occasions and save for them monthly.
7. Check offers’ conditions and end dates before you pay.