MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

How To Showcase Your Achievements Without Being A Jerk

In an effort to avoid sounding like a braggart, many people become overly modest. Keeping mum about your success and minimizing your achievements can be a problem too. You worked so hard to accomplish your book, brand, and so on. Perhaps, you just had a promotion that you do not want to tell anyone. Consequently, they miss out on celebrating an important milestone alongside you.

There are other ways to showcase your achievements without coming off as a jerk. Consider the following tips.

#1: EXPRESS GRATITUDE

Showing gratitude is one of the ways you can celebrate your achievement gloating. Make it clear that you do not think you deserve prosperity merely because you are a great person. Be truthful when it comes to thanking the people who helped you along the way or the company that gave you the opportunity to grow.

#2: EMPHASIZE ON HARD WORK

People rarely talk about the sacrifices that come with success. Life is not always filled with rainbows and butterflies. Saying “I barely tried” makes you sound arrogant. When you accomplish something, emphasize on your efforts by saying: “I worked really hard to make this happen”. Listeners will respect your achievements when they know the struggles behind them. Furthermore, they will be able to relate to your stories.

#3: AVOID BELITTLING OTHERS

There is no need to belittle others to showcase your status! Leave out the comparisons, as much as possible. Saying statements like: “no one else has made this much sales” or “no one else has achieved this quota” will not elevate your status. Instead, you will just sound arrogant or mean.

If you crossed the marathon and finished in first place, it is alright to say that you came first. However, it is another story if you add things to belittle the second or third placer.

#4: GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE

Remember to acknowledge your support system or the team behind your success. Similar to the contents of the acknowledgments in a book, you are not solely responsible for your success. People are more receptive to hearing success stories when credit is given where it is due.

#5: DO NOT PRACTICE FALSE HUMILITY

Avoid statements like “I hate to brag…” as it comes off as false humility. Sticking to the facts or being direct is a better way to get your point across.

Image credits: pixabay.com

Although it can be challenging to truly honor your wins without sounding like a braggart, these tips will help you deliver the facts to your co-workers and your clients without going overboard.

Sources: 1 & 2

Possible reasons for tooth pain when biting or in contact

You’ve been waiting for the clock to strike 6pm, knock off, and enjoy your quality meat platter. But as the meat sizzles and you’re ready to sink your teeth into the tender and juicy piece, here comes the sharp pain.

If it’s happening too often, it could be a sign of something serious. Here are some possible reasons for tooth pain when biting or in contact.

#1: Cavity

Cavities are also commonly referred to as tooth decay. The small hole that forms in your tooth may not cause pain initially, but it will grow bigger if left untreated, leading to extreme pain and sensitivity.

#2: Sinus toothache

If you’re undergoing several teeth pain in the upper posterior teeth, it could be due to your sinuses. Since your upper teeth’s roots are positioned very close to your sinuses, infection, pressure, or congestion in the area could be the very reason behind your pain.

#3: Pulp necrosis

Healthline defines it as a condition where the pulps (tissues) inside your teeth die. You may find yourself extremely sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks, and sweets in the initial stages. When in contact with the affected tooth, it can cause a tinge of pain.

#4: Malocclusion

Do you know what an occlusion is? According to Healthline, it is the way your teeth meet when your jaws come together.

Peeps who have misaligned teeth have experienced a misalignment of a standard occlusion. Thus, dental professionals refer to it as a malocclusion. Chewing may be severely affected by the condition, hence causing pain to both the jaw and teeth.

#5: Tooth injury

Image Credits: yourtimedentalurgentcare.com

Folks who don’t visit the dentist often may risk not knowing their oral health status.

The sharp pain you’re experiencing could be a result of a cracked tooth. While some people do not experience symptoms, others may go through intermittent pain. Another sensation is that of having something caught between your teeth.

#6: Periodontitis

Other than pain, do you suffer from these symptoms:

bad breath
a build-up of plaque
red, tender or bleeding gums

If you do, it could be a case of periodontitis. It usually starts with a type of inflammation call gingivitis and progresses to a serious infection of the gums called periodontitis. Those who are coping with arthritis may find the pain even more unbearable.

#7: Recessed gums or exposed root

Receding gums is essentially a process when gums start to pull back from your teeth.

When that happens, you will notice more exposed tooth surfaces. In acute situations, recessed gums may even leave part of the root exposed, making it very sensitive to touch. Usually, adults over 40 years old will experience such a circumstance.

Final thoughts

More often than not, we like to dismiss a minor tooth pain or discomfort as something insignificant that doesn’t require immediate attention.

But drag on for a little while more, and it may develop into something that requires a major dental operation. If you’ve been experiencing the symptoms mentioned above for some time now, we urge you to book an appointment with the dentist soon.

Benefits of using influencer marketing for your brand

Influencer marketing, when done right, can advance a company’s branding and lead them onto the road to success.

However, therein lies the question of the type of influencers out there to choose from. With more people joining the influencer network, here’s a good way to segregate them into categories:

Mega-influencers: More than 1 million followers
Macro-influencers: From 300,000 to 1 million followers
Micro-influencers: Between 10,000 and 100,000 followers
Nano-influencers: 100s to 10,000 followers

Keeping the overview in mind, we will focus on the benefits of using influencer marketing for your brand in this article.

#1: Track conversions instantly

If you’re in the business of app-making or selling e-commerce products, then engaging influencers to market your product can allow you to track conversions almost instantly.

In fact, fast-moving consumer goods like beverages or even affordably priced cosmetics stand a higher chance for quick sales revenue since the decision-making process for consumers is relatively short.

#2: Elevates brand awareness

For items or services that are harder to sell instantly, that’s okay. Your marketing dollar invested in engaging the right influencers will not be gone to waste just because there are no conversions.

When your influencers market your product via personal recommendations, their loyal followers get to see it. While they may not buy at once, there’s a high chance of them spreading the information to their friends and family members. This could elevate your brand awareness!

#3: Retain more sticky customers

Image Credits: retailcustomerexperience.com

Research has shown that customers generated via influencer marketing are likely to be more sticky than those attracted via other media sources.

But it’s also wise for the marketing team to plan out a long-term strategy to work with various influencers and keep the ones that help bring in sales or traffic. A one-time off partnership with an influencer may not generate much credibility, so plan for the long run and ensure your marketing budget is taken into account.

#4: Venture into new markets

With COVID-19 still raging strong after more than 1.5 years, businesses may be left in a lurch for their expansion plans.

This is where influencer marketing can help you venture into new markets because no one can speak a lingo better than the locals themselves. It will make perfect sense to engage local influencers if you plan to promote your products to a specific target audience. Try it, and you will see for yourself how effortless it is to reach global communities.

#5: A domino effect on other media spendings

As we come to a close, know that not all influencer marketing campaigns can bring in the revenue you desire (at least not immediately).

However, take heart in knowing that there is a domino effect on other media spendings. With elevated brand awareness, you will probably see more organic traffic to your website. This thus means that the cost of Google Ads may also decrease.

Final thoughts

We recommend that businesses allocate at least 10% of their marketing budget to influencer marketing.

You can choose to start small and experiment with small scale campaigns before you go big to finance your long-term influencer marketing plans. Sometimes, all it takes is a little trial and error before you get the hang of it.

Don’t miss out on the benefits of using influencer marketing for your brand!

Here are the answers to your FAQs on electric vehicles (EVs)

Apart from COVID-19 being a hot issue in Singapore and globally, electric vehicles (EVs) are also gaining much attention in 2021.

Earlier this year in February, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced that there would be more incentives to encourage EVs’ early adoption in his Budget speech. If you’re a car owner or planning to become one, this topic should be on your radar.

Here are the answers to your FAQs on EVs answered by CNA Insider and the Electric Vehicle Association of Singapore’s vice-president, Paul Welsford.

#1: Is it true that EVs are more environmentally friendly?

If we’re talking about lower emissions over a lifetime, the answer is yes. Welsford added that EVs produce no roadside emissions and has less heat and sound, thus making them ideal for the environment.

#2: Can I save more money driving an EV?

You can save about 50% if you drive an EV compared to a petrol car.

To give you some numbers, the average monthly fuel costs of the Kona 1.6 Turbo, with a fuel efficiency of 100 km per 6.7 litres, is about S$250. Compared to Kona Electric, with 100 km per 15 kilowatt-hours efficiency, the cost amounts to only roughly S$120.

#3: What if my battery runs flat on the road?

Image Credits: Yahoo Finance

Then be sure not to let it run flat!

As with a fuel car, there will be an indication of your battery life so you can gauge your journeys better. But if you do ever run out of juice, you will need to engage services to provide you with a quick top-up via a mobile battery or have them tow your car to the nearest charging point.

#4: Can a single charge take me to Johor Bahru?

Yes! But even if you run out of power, be glad to know that there are fast chargers in Johor Bahru that can load you up with additional hundreds of kilometres in approximately half an hour.

More specifically for Hyundai’s Kona Electric long-range version, you can even drive to Kuala Lumpur in one go. However, it is advisable that you charge at intervals and take the opportunity to get some food and rest up.

#5: Is my safety more compromised if I get into a crash?

Your safety is compromised in a car crash, no matter whether you’re driving an EV or a conventional car.

But take heart in knowing that our sunny island is prepared to handle such fires. Also, EVs have advanced battery management systems to regulate power and temperatures. With every passing quarter, car-makers are working hard at making these systems even safer for you.

Need more deets? Watch the video below for a comprehensive comparison between an EV and a petrol car.

Follow These Steps To Acquire Stocks In Singapore

With an abundance of low-cost investment brokerages and a wide range of investment products, we believe that anyone can get started on investing. Unless your ambition is to become a day trader, you do not need to master technical analysis or complex charting techniques.

Simply carve out your path by following these steps.

#1: OPEN AN INVESTMENT BROKERAGE ACCOUNT

Unlike your comfort food, stocks cannot be bought at a store and taken home in a paper bag. You need to go through an account with an investment brokerage. A brokerage is a company or firm that acts as the middleman to connect you to the stock exchange.

Brokerage companies usually receive compensation by means of commissions or fees that are charged once the transaction has been completed. Brokerage accounts charge through minimum fees (i.e., to pay on each trade) or trading fees (i.e., percentage of each trade). These fees will affect your profits, so ensure that you do your research.

#2: FUND YOUR ACCOUNT

It is necessary to transfer money to your account to begin trading. Take note of the brokerage company’s requirements such as the minimum fee.

These companies generally accept multiple funding methods such as PayNow transfer, FAST transfer via online banking, or overseas remittance. Use a method that suits you best.

#3: DETERMINE WHICH STOCKS TO INVEST IN

Do your research, ask financial questions, and compare the facts to determine which stocks to invest in. There are different types of investment products such as Blue chip stocks and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

Blue chip stocks are the stocks of well-known, high-quality companies that are leaders in their industries. Investors usually hang on to these stocks for long periods and collect its dividends. Local “blue chips” include Singtel, DBS, and ComfortDelGro. Many Singaporean investors prefer to invest in blue chip stocks because of its perceived certainty and stability. Local blue chips are deemed to be less risky and are often common household names that most Singaporean investors can relate to.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) allow you to buy shares in a variety of properties. For instance, CapitaLand and Ascendas gives you access to purchase shares in commercial properties such as shopping malls and office buildings. It is one of the most popular options for investors seeking regular income.

#4: ACQUIRE YOUR FIRST SHARES/STOCKS

Once your funds have been sorted out, you can buy your first shares/stocks using your brokerage’s online platform. As a beginner, you may make investing a regular habit by spending a fixed amount every month on generic Exchange Trade Fund. The Exchange Trade Funds (ETFs) are similar to mutual funds in many ways. Although, ETFs are bought and sold throughout the day on stock exchanges.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

The idea is that over the long term, the ETFs will rise. By buying a fixed sum every month, you will be able to spread out your risk through ups and downs. Consistently funding your account is key.

Sources: 1 & 2