DBS Visa Debit Card X Multi-Currency Account: Fuss-free Shopping Online & Overseas!

Do you travel the world frequently, or are you a savvy online shopper, like I am? ;) If you're like me, I'm sure you totally understand the frustration and pains of shopping and paying in foreign currencies both online and overseas - I sometimes get a rude shock when I see the poor foreign exchange rates and high conversion fees on my purchases! :(

One of my favourite overseas-based online shops!

For instance, Shopbop is one of my favourite overseas-based online shops, but it only charges in $USD, and we all know how much the USD can fluctuate from time to time.



I really don't have patience when it comes to shopping. When I want something, I want it straight away, and usually just bite the bullet to buy what I want at a more expensive price even when the foreign exchange rates aren't the best or the conversion fees are high HAHA.

It's just not ideal to wait for exchange rates to drop or the most favorable time to shop from my favourite online websites (what if the item I want goes out of stock???), you know what I mean? It's like Murphy's Law - Those darn foreign exchange rates always soar sky-high just when you're about to need that particular currency, yet when they're at their all-time lows, you have no use for them! I've experienced this phenomenon more than once, and it's downright frustrating!

Here's where DBS x Visa's overseas payment solution for travellers and e-commerce shoppers, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, comes into the picture - It's an easy, fuss-free and smart way to shop online and overseas!

Skip FX fees & Conversion Charges with DBS x VISA!

All you need is a DBS Visa Debit Card linked to a DBS Multi-Currency Account (MCA), and you'll no longer need to fuss over foreign exchange (FX) fees and conversion charges for cross-border payments - Ultra convenient when it comes to online shopping or even shopping overseas!! D:

Best of all, it's so simple to apply for a Multi-Currency Account (MCA) and DBS Visa Debit Card!

Step 1. Sign Up For A Multi-Currency Account!

I already have a DBS account, so it was easy peasy to sign up for my Multi-Currency Account. For existing DBS/POSB customers, your MCA Account will be opened instantly online.

You can even link your MCA to an existing ATM/Debit Card so that it's totally fuss-free! 

With your MCA account, you can access up to 12 foreign currencies and the Singapore dollar conveniently with one account and transact at your preferred rates wherever you are.

The 12 foreign currencies are Australian Dollar (AUD), Canadian Dollar (CAD), Euro (EUR), Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), Japanese Yen (JPY), New Zealand Dollar (NZD), Norwegian Kroner (NOK), Sterling Pound (GBP), Swedish Kroner (SEK), Thai Baht (THB), US Dollar (USD) and CNH (Renminbi).

Note: CNH (Renminbi) is not available for direct Visa Debit payments as it is a restricted currency. 

I also applied for my DBS Visa Debit Card, which was sent to me within a few days time. 

Do make sure that your DBS MCA is linked to your DBS Visa Debit Card as a primary account! When applying for the visa debit card, just select your MCA in the primary account field to link your new DBS Visa Debit Card to your MCA account.

YAY! (And also my new DBS Visa Debit Card has Visa PayWave, ultra convenient woohoo!)

Step 2. Do A Foreign Currency Fund Transfer Into Your MCA To Lock In The Rates

No need for any hassle, it can be done via DBS iBanking or mBanking! There is no waiting or processing time, the fund transfers will happen instantly.

It really is straight forward, just keep an eye on the foreign currency exchange rates (you can find them on DBS's website) and once you see favourable rates for the foreign currency you wish to purchase, you can then transfer from your own savings account in SGD to your Multi-Currency Account and select the foreign currency to hold in your MCA!

For instance, I did a fund transfer into my MCA for Thai Baht - I frequently travel to Thailand, so if the exchange rates are good, it's definitely a good idea to keep my money in Thai currency for my future spending ;)

You'll also be shown the exchange rate as well as the transfer currency's equivalent amount.

With these foreign currencies held in your MCA, you can then transact directly in foreign currency with your DBS Visa Debit Card!

All Ready To Go!

Be it overseas and online purchases as well as cash withdrawals from global ATMs, you won't have to bear any foreign exchange conversion fees ever again, or worry about carrying huge amounts of cash in foreign currencies on you! You can also check your transactions and balances on-the-go via mBanking, no matter where you are.

For example, if I know that I'll be heading to Europe later this year, I can choose to do a fund transfer to my MCA and hold EUR currency at any point of time in advance. If I wish to make a EUR300 purchase in Italy using my MCA linked DBS Visa Debit Card, this EUR300 purchase will be deducted directly from the funds in my EUR wallet, with no foreign exchange conversion fees and additional FX administrative card fees at purchase! :)

One huge benefit I really enjoy from using my MCA and DBS Visa Debit Card is that I can access and convert Singapore dollar and foreign currencies conveniently no matter where I am, and at the best possible rates simply via DBS iBanking or mBanking!

For a frequent traveller like me, it saves me a whole lot trouble because I don't need to waste time making trips to the money changer, or even looking for money changers when I run out of foreign currency abroad!

Shopping made easy no matter where you are. Gotta love that!

Online shopping just got a whole lot better and more convenient too! You can bet that I'm waiting for the next time the USD and AUD dips so that I can buy in on those currencies and shop to my heart's content hehehehe.

This DBS x Visa Debit Card that's linked to my MCA is going with me where ever I am!

Keen to sign up for your own Multi-Currency Account and DBS Visa Debit Card too? Find out how you can skip FX fees and conversion charges with DBS x VISA and visit DBS's website here to sign up straight away! :)

My Spark: Spreading the love for music

Many people ask me why I sing in the SYC Ensemble Singers.

That is, outside of running my online boutique, TheVelvetDolls, being a blogger contracted with Nuffnang and working part-time with GetKlarity as the Editor-In-Chief.

With some fellow choristers in Hondarribia, Spain.

A group polaroid in Pamplona, Spain with the SYC Ensemble Singers

That's right folks, for the past seven years, I've spent seven hours (on average) a week in rehearsals with the SYC Ensemble Singers, which I joined the year I turned 21 years old. Apart from the seven-hours-a-week rehearsals, the SYC Ensemble Singers also travel every year, performing (concerts), competing (in international choral competitions) and learning (in choir ateliers/workshops). It is a huge commitment for me, especially in light of my super busy schedule, and I've had to work hard to keep myself in the choir in recent years, due to the high level of commitment required.

But when I ask myself if I should call it quits, or to leave the choir all together, I know that being able to sing as part of the SYC Ensemble Singers has become something that's grown to be a very important part of my life, and perhaps even somewhat part of my identity.

Because outside of work and personal commitments, this is how I'm doing something not just for myself, but for something that's profoundly bigger than just a singular me. When I'm singing in the SYC Ensemble Singers, I'm lending one voice to a cause to keep music well and alive in today's pragmatic society that sometimes doesn't pause to listen to such alternative voices.

Yes, we listen to pop music, we listen to the oldies, and we listen to the classics. But what about the living modern-day composers, that may become the Beethovens and Bachs of the future? If there is no one to give voice to our living talents, these voices will die out and face extinction.

When I first joined the SYC Ensemble Singers 7 years ago, I just thought it'd just be my way of keeping my passion for singing alive, but after so many years under the helm of the wonderful Jennifer Tham, I have learnt that I'm doing so much more than just keeping a passion alive. 

The one and only Jen Tham

As a singular SYC Ensemble Singer, I not just learn to become a better musician (coming from someone who cannot read music or sight-sing, even I'm impressed that I'm still here after seven years, and that is a testament to both the choir and how passionate I am for it!), I'm connected to like-minded souls, I experience different cultures through our international exchanges, I truly discover what commitment, discipline and dedication means. 

A treasured photo with the President of Singapore Mr Tony Tan and his lovely wife during the Cultural Medallion Award Ceremony.

In Turin, Italy for one of the largest festivals in Europe! Team Singapore Represent!!!

What it looks like before every concert. Game faces on!

..And after. Beer, food and laughter!!

As a collective group, we seek to promote the music of today through active commissioning and performance of the works of living composers. We explore the musical boundaries of what “choir music” is, what singing together means, we hope to showcase what a choir as a means of musical expression can be, and to inspire the proliferation of local choral works, choirs and choristers. 

There's so much I feel for music and singing in a choir that is too much for me to express: Read my previous blog post written some time ago about "Thoughts on Being a Chorister".

Having fun in Turin, Italy during an amazing choir festival!

Singing with two other choirs: Ateneo (from the Philippines) and Gaia (from Japan) during our massive THREE concert held last December.

Of course, it's also super FUN, there's always laughter, joy and a wonderful sense of camaraderie amongst my fellow members. I have been to soooo many foreign lands I would otherwise never have the privilege of experiencing and loving.

Aini, Woon, Fish and myself exploring Grenada, Spain after we ended an international choir competition.

I have made amazing friends like Woon, Fish, Aini and many more, because of the heartfelt experiences we've shared together, it takes some really serious stuff (like intense choral competitions!) to build such deep friendships. I love you all much!

Random trivia: Did you know that YZ and I met and fell in love (at a music cafe) because we both love to sing as well? :D

Circa 2007: YZ and I on stage at 木船民歌餐厅, The Ark Music Cafe where we first met

Random Trivia 2: The SYC Ensemble Singers sang together with Mick Jagger and the rest of The Rolling Stones during their last concert in Singapore *fan girl screams*

Woon and I with our memorabilia during the day of The Rolling Stones concert, SO so psyched!

All the above I've shared is why I started a Spark: Because music is something magical that speaks so loudly to me, beyond all tangible needs and wants. Singing and making music is something that speaks to my soul and satisfies me at a deeply spiritual level.

 And I want my magical experience and the love for music to be able to be shared with the people around me, my loved ones and friends!

My spark is for MORE ears to hear our voices and to keep our local music scene alive and well!

Some of my uber supportive friends who came down and enjoyed our concert on previous occasions!!

I'm hoping that more of my friends will come for my concerts frequently even if they can't understand half of what's going on at first. Hehehe. Look at YZ, he's a superb example! He really really enjoys SYC concerts now even though they left him confused the first 1-2 times.

And I've been doing what I can to share the music to my loved ones and friends, and I knew I had to have them sing for my big day, to which they so lovingly did.

These wonderful people accompanied our first wedding march-in with their beautiful voices and music. I love you all much!

I hope that my passion for choral music and my love for singing can spark off more widespread appreciation and support for the local music scene in Singapore! It's just a small wish of mine, but I truly believe in this cause. :)

Maybe take a first step by listening to some of these wonderfully composed pieces performed by us on SYC Ensemble Singers' Youtube channel first? (Psst, try to spot me if your eyes are sharp enough!)

What's your spark?

Spark off something you're passionate about at: www.dbs.com/spark, and take a step closer towards igniting your passion and to bring it to life :')

Find out more about DBS Spark Something on Facebook: www.fb.com/dbs.sg

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dbsbank 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/dbsbank


xoxo

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