If there’s anything Singaporeans can agree on, it’s that free things must take. After all, the only thing better than a good deal is not having to pay a thing at all. A new set of CDC vouchers was released on 25th June 2024. Each household will be able to claim $300 from now till 31st December 2024.
This time round, the use of the CDC vouchers has been split 50-50 between hawkers and heartland merchants, and supermarkets, meaning you get $150 to spend on either category. But that doesn’t mean you’re relegated to just
If you thought you only had hawkers and participating supermarkets to spend at, we’re here to prove you wrong. Here are 16 things to spend your CDC vouchers on, including things to do, eat, and buy that you might not have known about.
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The CDC vouchers released on 25th June 2024 is the second disbursement for the year. This set of vouchers is worth $300 and must be used by 31st December 2024.
Vouchers are given to households, not individuals, where there’s at least 1 Singaporean citizen registered at that address. Meaning, if you haven’t updated your NRIC with your new address, your CDC voucher would be tied to your last registered address.
The CDC vouchers are in fixed denominations of $2, $5, and $10, so it’s likely you’ll have to pay any balance in cash, credit card, or bank transfer like PayNow or PayLah!. There’s no change given if you spend less than the voucher amount stated.
CDC vouchers can be redeemed via the RedeemSG portal. Take note that each residential address has its own unique voucher link, so be careful of who you share the link with.
Any unused vouchers will be forfeited, however, you can also consider donating your CDC vouchers to charities, but details on this will be announced at a later date in 2024.
You can read our full guide on CDC vouchers for more details.
2 things Singaporeans can never have enough of: Japan and cafe hopping. Which is why Cafe Wabi Sabi hits all the marks with their Japanese-themed menu. They’re known for their sandos that are made with housemade shokupan.
The fluffy milk bread is what holds classic fillings like tamagoyaki ($9.9), which also has egg salad and mixed greens; and beef steak ($16.90) that comes topped with caramelised onions. The sandwiches are stuffed to the brim, but if you want to fill up further, you can add on fries for $3.50.
Sukiyaki don.
Image credit: Eatbook
If you must have rice, there are also various donburi bowls that are served with miso soup. Popular ones include sukiyaki don ($15.90), which has pork belly and an onsen egg; and salmon mentai don ($22.90) with sashimi salmon and mentaiko sauce.
Long regarded as one of the hardest desserts to perfect, macarons are known for their crisp outer shells and chewy centres. At Milleaville Macarons, the normally serious French pastries are prepared with a playful twist – coming in a number of different flavours and designs.
Image credit: @milleaville_macarons via Instagram
While they do make classic macarons (from $25 for 10pc) in flavours like Ondeh Ondeh, Lemon, and Speculoos, they specialise in character macarons (from $32 for 6pc) that are perfect not just for kids, but also those who wish they were still kids. The store also makes vegan macarons (from $18 for 6pc) that don’t make use of eggs or dairy for those with dietary restrictions.
Image credit: Eatbook
Wood-fired pizza sounds like something you’d get at a fancy Italian restaurant, but they’re readily available at Cafe Fufu, a hole-in-the-wall eatery under a HDB block in Redhill. These pizzas are made from sourdough, which adds a tangy kick to the crust. What you get is crunch on the outside, and a tender chew on the inside.
Pizza Salami.
Image credit: Eatbook
The signature is the Pizza Fufu (from $18), which uses a coriander pesto base that is topped with prawns, dried tomatoes, and chilli flakes. If you want something more conventional, there’s the Pizza Salami (from $16), which sees salami slices on a tomato base. The whole pie is drizzled in a savoury and fragrant oregano olive oil.
Tucked along Depot Road lies Bailey and Whiskey, a pet-friendly cafe serving all-day brunch. Known for their Whiskey’s French Toast ($16), the safari-themed cafe has all wooden furnishings and plenty of plants to really complete the nature theme. The floor is even carpeted with artificial grass on which the kids can make themselves at home.
Image credit: @ilivetoeat_jpg via Instagram
For those looking to truly embrace their wild side, they have outdoor seating open to all, fur friends included.
With over 30 craft beers, wines, and spirits on tap, Little Island Brewing Co – a microbrewery in Changi Village – is perfect for those who enjoy their booze. Made in-house using traditional methods, the beers are brewed fresh – from grain to glass.
Image credit: @kevinteosy via Instagram
Available on a rotational basis, signatures include the Stars & Bars, an American IPA, and Naked Lager, which has notes of malt, vanilla, and honey. Prices start at $12 per serving, and vary depending on size.
Do note that while Little Island Brewing Co also has outlets at South Beach and Gillman Barracks, only their Changi Village location accepts CDC vouchers.
Nestled deep in Bukit Timah is The Cat Cafe – with 14 snuggly kitties under one roof. Unlike most other animal cafes that don’t really sell food, they have a pretty substantial menu here, with signatures such as Lasagna ($10) and Chicken Mushroom Pie ($6).
Image adapted from: The Cat Cafe via Facebook
$18 gets you 2 hours with the fluffy felines and a canned drink, thereafter, additional half-hour blocks are charged at $4.50 each, in case you can’t bear to leave your new furry friends so soon. While the cafe has another branch in Bugis, do note that only the Rail Mall outlet accepts CDC vouchers.
Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but if they’re a little too far out-of-budget, you can never go wrong with a bouquet of fresh flowers. Since nothing shows sincerity like a handmade gift, go the extra mile with Flowers By Sadha’s floral arrangement workshops where you can make your own bouquet.
Image credit: Flowers by Sadha
In addition to the workshops and countless colourful pre-made arrangements, the florist also hosts intimate art jamming sessions, where you can paint and draw to your heart’s content. Like their pre-made bouquets (from $25), the classes are affordable, at $15 for the art jamming sessions and $45 for the workshops.
Nobody wants ants crawling around their desks, but these little critters make great pets once you give them the right tank to reside in. You can find out more about these low-maintenance pets by paying Just Ants in Yishun a visit.
Image credit: @justantsss via Instagram
The hobbyist shop has all the essentials you might need to turn these would-be pests into pets. They’ve got food (from $1), decorations (from $1), and even formicariums (from $8.90) – pre-built ant farms so you can observe your ants through glass without disturbing their ecosystem.
Image credit: @lintelier via Instagram
CDC vouchers aren’t just for you to spend on goods and services, you can even spend them to learn a new skill, like leather crafting at Lintelier. The boutique and studio at Everton Park has leather crafting workshops that are beginner-friendly. From $29/pax, learn how to cut, score, and fit hardware onto leather to make your own coin purses, lanyards, and cardholders.
Image credit: @lintelier via Instagram
If you’ve mastered the basics and want to improve your craft, there are intermediate and advanced workshops too. Make your own bifold wallet ($288) or bespoke handbag ($688) using leather from European tanneries and under the tutelage of experienced instructors.
In addition to rods, Fishing Buddy stocks a number of reels and lures.
Image adapted from: @fishingbuddy_sg via Instagram
Fishing Buddy SG, quite simply, sells all the reels, rods, and lures you could possibly need for a successful day out on the water. Taman Jurong might be out of the way for some but you’ll just be minutes away from Jurong Lake, one of the legal fishing spots in Singapore.
Since you’re already out West, take a gander through the neighbourhood. There are plenty of things to do in Jurong, such as a Japanese onsen and Singapore’s oldest dragon kiln to check out.
Image credit: The Red Marker via Google Maps
You don’t need to be a weeb to know what konbinis are – high-level convenience stores that are iconic in Japan, but practically non-existent in Singapore. Not entirely though; on Upper Bukit Timah road sits Hitoyoshi Yakiniku & Mart, a Japanese-style konbini that may very well be one of the only ones of its kind on the island.
Image credit: @taroxtaco via Instagram
Split into mart and restaurant sections, the former stocks nostalgic Japanese snacks, drinks and fresh foods while the latter specialises in yakiniku, made with special cuts of imported Japanese Wagyu beef.
If you grew up in the 90s, department store runs were probably a big part of your childhood. Though most of the OGs like Tangs and John Little are now obsolete, Kiddy Palace is a close reminder of what once was.
Image credit: @kiddypalacesg via Instagram
Specialising in children’s and maternity products, the department store chain is a one-stop shop for parents, with everything from toys to toothbrushes in one place. Plus, most of their products are heavily discounted in comparison to retail, a welcome surprise considering how expensive parenting can be.
*While the chain has branches all over the island, do note that only the Toa Payoh outlet accepts CDC vouchers.
“Hair” By Common Studio is known for doing, well, hair. Located in both Queenstown and Serangoon, the minimalist salon specialises in organic hair treatments. On top of that, they also use eco-friendly products in all their services because it’s just as important to take good care of the planet as it is your hair.
Image credit: “Hair” By Common Studio
More than just being eco-friendly, their services are wallet-friendly as well – treatments start from just $68, while a cut will only set you back $25.
“Hair” By Common Studio Serangoon
Address: Block 261 Serangoon Central Drive, #01-41, Singapore 550261
Opening hours: 10.30am-8pm, Daily
Contact: 8860 8358 | “Hair” By Common Studio website
We all know that the CDC vouchers can be used by humans – I mean, duh. What many people don’t know is that the vouchers can also be used to pamper man’s best friend; located in the heart of Yishun, Fur Friends’ Pet Grooming & Salon offers grooming services for dogs, cats, and even rabbits.
Image credit: Fur Friends’ Pet Grooming via Facebook
Though they are able to work with all fur-styles, they specialise in teddy cuts, a special technique in which the fur is cut in a rounded manner to create an end look similar to a bear.
Buried within a sea of much newer establishments in Bendemeer Market is Beng Watch Service and Repair, an old school watch and clock repair shop. With a quirky, retro interior, stepping into the shop feels like going back in time.
Image credit: Shi Kai via Google Maps
It’s run by a sweet elderly couple, and there are no prices here – in true old school fashion, the services are charged on a case-by-case basis. Still, this doesn’t mean they overcharge customers; in fact, several online reviews state that the couple have, on many occasions, insisted no payment be made at all.
They say that the brows are the windows to the face – whoever “they” may be, it’s undeniable that a tidy set of eyebrows can have a dramatic effect on one’s appearance. If your caterpillars are looking sparse, eyebrow embroidery creates the illusion of fuller brows without the need for extensive drawing, spooling, and shaping.
Image adapted from: Brow Art Asia
You can get that at Brow Art Asia. Hidden in Clementi, the shop is especially popular among residents in need of an eyebrow groom. They’re known for their detailed work and minimal pain during the tattooing process. If your brows are gucci, they also offer eyelash extensions and eyeliner embroidery to hasten your makeup process in the morning.
*While the chain has other outlets around the island, do note that only the Clementi outlet accepts CDC vouchers.
The short answer is yes, you can. For the second tranche of vouchers, each household is given $150 to spend at participating supermarkets and grocery stores, such as Sheng Shiong, Hao, and NTUC Fairprice.
From now till 30th June 2024, you can also score cash vouchers when you use your CDC vouchers at selected supermarkets. At Giant, you’ll get a $6 return voucher with a minimum spend of $60, and at Cold Storage and CS Fresh, you can get an $8 return voucher with a minimum spend of $80. Do note that you must use your $60 or $80 worth of your CDC vouchers to redeem these vouchers.
Until about 10 minutes ago, chances are you were one of many who thought that your CDC vouchers could only be spent at the same hawker stalls you’ve been frequenting all your life. From this list, though, it’s clear that that is not the case.
From pet grooming to eyebrow threading, you can not only spend your vouchers on yourself, but your pets too. Heck, you can even spend them grooming the hair pets above your eyes.
Cover image adapted from: Eatbook, The Cat Cafe, @kevinteosy via Instagram, Bakefresh Studio
Originally published on 16th June 2022. Last updated by Raewyn Koh on 26th June 2024.
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