I’m an avid Telegram user and besides using it as a platform to chat with my friends peppered with silly Telegram stickers, I also love the fact that I get fed news and updates on almost everything.
This however, depends on the channels, groups and bots that you join.
We’ve already compiled a list of useful Telegram channels so you can enjoy good deals and have all the information you need at your fingertips here.
This time round, we’ve put together another list of unique and interesting Telegram channels that are also worth following:
1. Singapore Freebies
Founded by National Technological University business undergraduate Jonathan How, he aims to reduce unnecessary waste by making it convenient for people to upcycle their unwanted items.
As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
The admin describes it as a “blessing channel”. Users can put up any item(s) they want to give away for free, although some items are subject to postage charges.
It’s a win-win situation for all. Lesser waste means saving the environment, you get to clear your unwanted stuff, and others get to have your items that they want or need for free.
There are currently over 56,000 listings and items range from furniture, clothes, cosmetics to miscellaneous items like vouchers.
Click here to join.
2. RecyclablesBot
This Telegram bot acts like an on-demand ‘karang guni’ platform.
Gone are the days when you would have to wait around for the familiar incessant honks made by karang guni men as they make their rounds around the neighbourhood.
Founded by a group of National University of Singapore (NUS) students from NUS Social Impact Catalyst, this bot aims to improve Singapore’s domestic recycling efforts by partnering with the local ‘karang guni’ community.
“Our karung guni uncles have always been the unsung heroes and the backbone of our household recycling scene, being the touchpoint between residents and recycling,” said the team in a Reddit post.
With this bot, you can simply enter your postal code for an eligibility check (they unfortunately only serve Yew Tee and Choa Chu Kang areas for now).
Following that, you can then schedule the doorstep collection of recyclable items. Do take note that they operate every Friday and Saturday with limited slots per day, and collection timing will be around 11am to 2pm.
Click here to join.
3. SlurpeeBot
The Singapore heat can get overbearing at times, and we often reach out for an ice cold drink to cool us down.
An ice blended Slurpee drink is particularly refreshing, but it’s unfortunate that not every 7-Eleven outlet has a Slurpee machine.
One Redditor has come up with an ingenious idea to create a Telegram bot that lets you locate the nearest outlet with a Slurpee machine.
Using it is extremely straightforward — simply tap the “magical button”, share your location, and it will give you a list of nearby outlets that are equipped with Slurpee machines.
The store ID acts as a location pin, so you know exactly how to make your way down to the outlet.
Click here to join.
4. BTO Buddy
HDB Build-To-Order (BTO) flats are a popular choice among aspiring homeowners because of its affordability, though a major downside of it is its long waiting time.
Telegram bot BTO Buddy aims to help you save time by monitoring the BTO unit selection process on your behalf.
It shows which units are popular among fellow applicants so that you can plan to avoid disappointment. You can also set alerts on your favourite units and get notified immediately once they are snapped up.
Additionally, you will receive a summary of all selections in your BTO project at 7pm daily.
This bot really helps to simplify the whole BTO process, and all information relevant to your BTO project can be found with just a click of a button.
Click here to join.
5. UglyFood Fresh Produce
When we shop for groceries, we tend to pick out perfect-looking produce and tend to overlook those with blemishes.
Although they are imperfect, these ‘ugly’ groceries are still edible.
To help reduce food waste in Singapore, Telegram channel UglyFood Fresh Produce sells surplus fresh produce from their suppliers like wet market stall owners.
Besides saving the environment, you also get to enjoy these fresh produce at cheaper-than-retail prices.
To buy the produce, you simply need to fill in a pre-order form listed in the channel.
Orders close at 3pm every Thursday, and they offer doorstep deliveries on Saturdays. Otherwise, self-collection is also available on Fridays and Saturdays.
Click here to join.
6. BooksThief
If you are a bookworm, you will definitely love this Telegram channel.
The admins have curated books each week, and released e-book versions of it for your reading pleasure. Best of all, all the titles are available for free!
This means that you don’t have to busy yourself with making a trip to the library and browsing through shelves of books to find a good read.
All the titles listed in the channel are specially hand-picked, and are guaranteed to be a page-turner.
Click here to join.
7. Bhabie’s Market
If you check your closet now, you will probably find plenty of clothes that you don’t wear anymore.
Why not turn these unwanted clothes into extra cash for yourself?
On the flipside, you can also buy second-hand clothes for cheap to fill up your wardrobe.
This Telegram channel lets you buy or sell your pre-loved clothes, though it’s only open to females. Each user is only limited to one listing every hour, which can be posted from 2pm to 6pm daily.
Click here to join.
8. ClassPasSG Swappers
ClassPass started out as a fitness subscription app, but it has since branched out to also offer beauty and wellness booking services.
Although ClassPass has expanded its suite of services, ClassPass is primarily a fitness booking app — evident by its overwhelming number of fitness partners.
Its fitness services is also wide-ranging, covering from outdoors, yoga, pilates, HIIT, cycling, barre to gym studios.
ClassPass works based on a subscription model and users can choose from different plans to cater to their needs. For instance, eight credits go for S$19/month, while 150 credits go for S$315/month.
If for some reason you are unable to utilise all your credits, Telegram channel ClassPasSG Swappers lets you buy or sell unused ClassPass credits for cheap.
Click here to join.
9. Sqkiibox
This Telegram channel is founded by Singapore startup Sqkii (pronounced as ‘squeaky’).
It describes itself as a “company of mice that solves real-world problems by mobilising crowds through gamification”.
Since its inception in 2014, it has been getting Singaporeans to participate in a large-scale treasure hunt and reward them with real cash.
With COVID-19, it has pivoted to virtual treasure hunts, encouraging participants to #HuntFromHome. Most recently, it has kickstarted the hunt for a cash box of S$10,000!
Its Telegram channel will have a ‘mouse’ that will guide you in your search.
To start, simply initiative a conversation with the ‘mouse’ and each day, it will release three hints about the secret location.
Click here to join.
10. EatWhatSia
Deciding on what to eat is a very real, yet first-world problem. If you don’t know what to have for your lunch or dinner, this Telegram bot will solve the problem for you.
Just think of your preferred cuisine first, and its “crystal ball” will suggest a dish to you. If it doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can always get the bot to offer other suggestions.
Beyond that, the bot can also help you locate nearby eateries that sell said dish so you can easily make your way there!
The bot creator shared on Reddit that he is currently still working on allowing users to set their preferences so that the suggestions will be tailored to their diet requirements or preferences (eg. halal, vegan, healthy options).
Click here to join!
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If you know of any other cool and useful Telegram channels/bots/groups worth following, let us know in the comments section below!
Featured Image Credit: BooksThief / ClassPass