Lifestyle Talk – Ebates

Besides working out and eating, my next favourite past time is SHOPPING and do you know that you can actually earn cash back just by shopping? I actually could not believe it, until I scrolled down to a huge variety of brands that are under Ebates Singapore!

I now know where to get Nike items that are not available in SG! :P

Of course, there are other supplement brands that interest me too, like MYPROTEIN and Nutri-Health Supplements, etc. Read on to find out more about Ebates Singapore!

Ebates Singapore

What is Ebates?

Ebates is a pioneer in online shopping cash back and operates by giving members up to 26% cash back. Founded in 1998, Ebates Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, but also runs dedicated sites for customers in Canada, China, Russia, and South Korea. In 2014, members globally spent close to US$3 billion shopping through Ebates. Ebates Singapore was launched this week to cater to the Singaporean shoppers.

What are some online stores that Ebates work with?

Ebates currently liaise with over 2,600 online stores globally that range from men’s/women’s clothing, travel and vacations, health and beauty, electronics, baby and children products to office supplies. Some familiar brands include eBay.com, Nordstrom, Ralph Lauren, Shopbop.com, Victoria’s Secret and others.

Does Ebates Singapore work with any local online merchants?

At present, Ebates Singapore has Rakuten.com.sg on board with them and they are definitely interested to partner with local online merchants for their localized Singapore website and are in talks with other local merchants to support the growth of Ebates in Singapore. So we can look out for more local online merchants on board with Ebates Singapore in the near future!

Rakuten Super Sale

Rakuten is having a huge sale right now and I’m eyeing the BenQ CP70 Portable 4R Photo Scanner (going from $124 to $29.90 now!!!) and the Beats SOLO HD by Dr. Dre (going at $195.50, with almost $40 off!!!). Get up to 90% off from Rakuten Super Sale + 15% Cash Back (highest in the market) when you shop via Ebates Singapore.

There are more discounted items on Rakuten.com.sg so go check it out! :P

How to start using Ebates

1. Sign up for a free account with your email, password and enter my personal code (which will be revealed below)

2. Browse or search for your favourite brands

3. Click through Ebates to complete your purchase on your favourite store

4. Cash back will be credited into your Ebates Singapore account 3-7 days after your purchase

I’m sure there would have been some burning questions at this point in time so I have compiled some of the enquiries that I have personally questioned during my own shopping and research on Ebates Singapore so here goes!

Common Questions

Where does the money come from?

Ebates generates additional sales and traffic to their partner stores. After shoppers complete their purchase, Ebates earns commission from merchant and shares it with customers.

How do consumers receive their cash back? And how often do these payouts occur?

Every consumer who signs up with Ebates will own a personalized account. Once the consumer makes a purchase, most cash back will be reflected in the user’s Ebates account within 3-7 days. Some stores, however, cannot confirm the user’s purchase until the return period is over and may take up to thirty days to confirm the cash back.

Actual cash backs are paid quarterly in the form of a cheque, through PayPal or credited back to the consumer’s credit/debit card.

Do note that if the shopper has earned less than US$5.01 cash back, Ebates will carry over their cash back to the next payout.

Link to cash back payout schedule: www.ebates.sg/help/most-shoppers-want-to-know#faq_section_3_question_1

How do Ebates members ensure that they are earning cash back?

Purchases shoppers make at Ebates stores are only credited if they shop through Ebates.sg and click to a store via an Ebates link.

How do I store and ship my purchases when I shop on an overseas site that does not provide direct shipping?

Shoppers will have to key in their free U.S. address which they get from signing up for an account with a freight forwarder like comGateway.

Good news!!

You will all get a USD$10 signup bonus just by keying in my personal code (limaran-EbatesSG) here!

After clicking on the link, you should be able to see this:

Only valid if you try out Ebates and spend USD$50 within 90 days upon signing up though so what are you waiting for? It’s time to get your loots and enjoy cash back rewards now! :P

SG50 – A Funpack from Me to You

Everyone is getting excited about this year’s NDP celebration because it is SG50 this year (and also my birthday every year :P)!

This year, every Singaporean and PR household will receive a SG Funpack while NDP 2015’s spectators will receive a NDP Funpack! Households can expect to receive instructions on the collection of the SG Funpack through mail by July 2015.

50 Unique NDP 2015 Funpack Designs

A total of 50 unique Funpack designs were picked from the NDP 2015 Funpack Print Design Contest, which invited Singaporeans to submit designs based on what they thought made Singapore special. Be amongst the first to see the complete range of designs, and read more on the inspiration behind each entry here!

I received a design by Carlo Gozon, 19 and a student.

“The inspiration behind my design is the Singapore Island shape. I chose the stars because even though Singapore is a little red dot, Singapore shines across the world. On the bottom left, 5 stars are shaded in red and shaped like a crescent moon. The number ‘50’ represents how far we have come.

I wish Singapore a Happy 50th Birthday!”

Content of Funpack

I got mine last week and immediately checked out the content! So here are some of what you will be expecting soon!

A Singa Lion Figurine

To celebrate our unique Singaporean identity, a commemorative figurine of the Singa Lion will be included in every Funpack. The Singa Lion was chosen as an icon of kindness and graciousness that Singaporeans have grown up with. There are a total of 15 different designs and mine is the light turquoise, 4th on the first row!

The full set of Singa figurines can also be purchased at The Kindness Gallery (140 Hill Street #01-09 Singapore 179369). They will be available for sale individually as well as in a collector’s box set. The proceeds of the sale will go to the Singapore Kindness Movement’s Seed Kindness Fund.

Nostalgic Snacks and Games

Expect to find a nostalgic snack and games pack in both the SG and NDP Funpacks, and reconnect with family and friends across generations through shared stories based on snacks that were eaten and games that were played. I received a pack of lollipop and the chocolate bangle candy which I used to buy when I was still in Primary school, and a set of country erasers and pick up sticks! Those were the days, when everything was simpler, and we could make do with simple games and still be very content with whatever we had.

‘Birthday Wishes for Singapore’ postcards

Singaporeans can also look forward to being involved in activities and initiatives in the lead up to NDP. The NDP 2015 Exhibition will be held in conjunction with the ticket collection exercise at the Marina Square Central Atrium from 5 to 14 Jun 2015. Families can expect a sneak preview of the various chapters in the integrated show of NDP 2015, have fun at the various family-oriented interactive exhibits and stand to win attractive prizes including NDP tickets. Other initiatives aimed to engage the different segments of society include the “A Funpack from Me to You” project involving voluntary welfare organisations and schools, as well as getting Singaporeans to pen their well-wishes for Singapore under the “Birthday Wish for Singapore” project.

2 more months to NDP 2015 and I’m sure it will be a huge celebration of the great 50 years we have come by! I cannot wait for it and I hope you will all enjoy your Funpacks!

Sports Talk - International Premier Tennis League in Singapore

If you are a fan of tennis, you are in for a treat! Tennis fans and entertainment seekers can now look forward to seeing tennis superstars Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, and Patrick Rafter teaming up with the Singapore Slammers for the Singapore leg of the inaugural International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), which is set to liven up the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 2 to 4 December, 2014. The second stop of the four-city tour – sanctioned by the ATF – promises a dose of exciting sporting competition with the Singapore Slammers vying for top honours and a US$1 million prize purse against the Manila Mavericks, Indian Aces and UAE Royals.

The IPTL brings together NBA-style entertainment and world-class tennis, featuring the best current and past ATP & WTA champions in a team tennis competition from 28 November until 13 December 2014. A star-studded line-up of 24 champions has committed to play in Singapore. In addition to current World Number 1 Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, and Patrick Rafter, notable players include Tomas Berdych, Daniela Hantuchova, Bruno Soares, Lleyton Hewitt, Nick Kyrios, Ana Ivanovic, Eugenie Bouchard, Daniela Hantuchova, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet, Goran Ivanisevic, and Carlos Moya.

This is where the good news is: In conjunction with the upcoming Halloween, I will be giving away 3 pairs of Category-3 tickets for one day (worth $98 per pair)! All you need to do is to dress up as your favourite tennis players and replicate their idiosyncrasies on Instagram in a photo or video (e.g. replicating Serena William’s grunt, Roger Federer's twirling racket habit, etc). Afterwhich, simply use the hashtags #IPTLSG, #ChangeOverSG and #SgSlammers!

You are free to post anytime from today till 2nd November and we will be picking our top 3 favourites on 3rd November, Monday! Have fun! :)

For more information about the event: www.iptlworld.com

For more information on Singapore Slammers: www.singaporeslammers.com
Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SingaporeSlammers

Tickets are also on sale at Sports Hub Tix on the Sports Hub Tix Website: www.sportshubtix.sg 

Restaurant review - BoCHINche

Brought Jason to check out BoCHINche earlier this month. It was our first Argentinian cuisine and we were looking forward to a good, exotic cheat meal.

This is my first official restaurant review so bear with me if the photos are not very well-taken! :P

We love the ambience of the restaurant because of its comfortable, dim lighting and the industrial touch to its decor, leaving its customers feeling relaxed and at-home.

Bar appropriate for happy hours after work!

Chefs at work!

Decided to snap a couple of shots before we were being served our lunches.

Interesting Argentinian facts on the coasters

Jason picked the Sea Bass for his starter..

And mine, undoubtedly the mushroom soup! The toppings are nut bits if I'm not wrong, best one I've tried, ever.

Jason's lamb sandwich..

And my Saba fish with potato salad and tuna by the side. Never been a fan of saba fish but this was really good!

Unfortunately, both desserts are MINE! hurhurrrrr.. Creme Brûlée with crushed macarons (I think). Well, I need not say more, all of my female friends love Creme Brûlée, LIKE ME. :D

Jason actually picked this but I finished it for him! BoCHINche's homemade Mango and Black Orange Sorbet! Love it because they aren't too sweet and the after-taste is very refreshing! YUMMMMS!

Last photo before we left the restaurant feeling well-served (by the wonderful, smiley staffs) and so well-fed!

Thank you for having us BoCHINche!

BoCHINche

22 Martin Road

#02-01

(Parking available at basement)

For reservations, call +65 6235 4990.