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Lost? Here Are Sensible Money Tips From 3 Financial Experts

Tangled in a financial dilemma? Who will you ask for monetary advice or practical financial tips? If a professional is out of your reach, the next best thing is to read about their nuggets of wisdom.

This is why I collated the best financial advice from three experts. These experts are no other than Suze Orman, Cullen Roche, and Jeanne Kelly. Suze Orman is an American Financial Advisor, Author, Motivational Speaker, and Presenter. Cullen Roche is the Founder of a financial services firm called Orcam Financial Group, LLC. Lastly, Jeanne Kelly is a media acclaimed Credit Coach.

1. TAKE CHANCES

Suze Orman tells us that nobody achieved financial security by being frightened and weak. Being confident in one part of your life is contagious, as it will bring more opportunities to you. You won’t get there unless you try!

2. INVEST MORE IN YOU

Cullen Roche shares that the primary way to financial success is more than just saving. It is by investing more…in you. Since your primary source of income is the person you see in the mirror, a good way to maximize your wealth is to make yourself valuable to other people or other companies.

To be valuable and different from the rest, you must never stop learning. Education that improves your skills so you can adapt to the ever-changing economy. I personally recommend you to start with free Internet education from YouTube’s Khan Academy or Crash Course.

3. BAD CREDIT IS EASY TO AVOID

Jeanne Kelly claims that it is easier to maintain good credit by avoiding bad ones than to rebuild a new credit once it has been declined. She says that a quick way to avoid bad credit is by regularly reviewing the credit reports – at least two times a year. In merely 15 minutes, you can minimize the errors of your credit report and save more money!

4. EQUATION FOR YOUR INCOME

Lastly, Cullen Roche suggests for you to try the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. Spend 50% of your income to the basics or essentials such as rent, food, and utilities. 30% should go on your personal needs such as entertainment, vacation, and leisure. And the 20% left should be allocated to your savings.

Image Credits: 401(K) 2012 via Flickr with CC Attribution-ShareAlike License

Take in their knowledge only if it applies to your situation. Then, fuse the elements together and enrich your life.

Sources: 1 & 2

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s Notable Quotations on Economy and Life in Singapore

As the nation bids its final farewell to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, here is a humble homage for his wisdom on money and life matters.

1. “People want economic development first and foremost. The leaders may talk something else. You take a poll of any people. What is it they want? The right to write an editorial, as you like? They want homes, medicine, jobs, schools.”

~The Man and His Ideas, 1997

2. “If Singapore is a nanny state, then I am proud to have fostered one.”

~From Third World to First, The Singapore Story: 1965-2000

3. “Life is not just eating, drinking, television, and cinema…the human mind must be creative, must be self-generating. It cannot depend on just gadgets to amuse itself.”

~Speech at Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Haji Celebrations held at Joo Seng Community Centre, February 28, 1970

4. “But I’m not God, I can’t change you. But I can encourage you, give you extra help to make you do, say maybe, 20% better.”

~Success Stories, 2002

5. “Every Singaporean who owns a flat can double his value in today’s terms within the next 15 to 20 years. In other words, in the next 20 years, we can make everybody worth twice as much, at least.”

~National Day Rally, 1990

6. “If you can’t think because you can’t chew, try a banana.”

~Reply to a BBC reporter, 2000

7. “I am often accused of interfering in the private lives of citizens. Yes, if I did not, had I not done that, we wouldn’t be here today. And I say without the slightest remorse, that we wouldn’t be here, we would not have made economic progress, if we had not intervene on very personal matters – who your neighbor is, how you live, the noise you make, how you spit, or what language you use. We decide what is right. Never mind what people think.”

~Straits Times, April 20, 1987

Image Credits: William Cho via Flickr

To build a strong Singapore during the most difficult years and to transform it from a Third World to a First World country is truly admirable beyond words. Mr. Lee, your outstanding leadership gave us the direction and for that your legacy will on forever.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, and 4

How To Get Desirable Deals For Your Wedding

Looking for good price deals that match your budget may seem like an impossible task at times – but it need not be. Wedding planners and other experts such as Robin Weil showed ways to make most of your special day without over spending.

1. BE HONEST

It is best to be honest while organizing your wedding so that the businesses can give you every price options to explore. It is okay to have different suppliers; in fact most couples have seven. Keep your payments on track by having an Excel spreadsheet for it.

2. COMMUNICATE WITH TRANSPARENCY

Fear not if you are going to ask for what you really want. The wedding organizer or the suppliers’ are responsible to give you options and to tell you if your ideal wedding may work on your given budget. Communicate clearly and with transparency.

3. GET FREE OR AFFORDABLE MUSIC

Do you want a live band without the hefty costs? Try hiring students from a music college or an independent band. How about saving on music but still having the power over the song selection? Then, consider free music streaming services and make your own playlist.

4. BE VIGILANT IN VENUE HUNTING

Venues can take up most of the couples’ budgets. Some venues have hidden service charges such as corkage fee (fee for bringing your own beverage or alcohol). So, carefully check the quote and have a written agreement.

5. VALUE THE GUESTS

Before settling for a venue, get the approximate number of the guests and wedding crew. It is a rule of thumb to allot about 25 square feet per guest. And, if you really want to cut down on your budget then, narrow your guest list. Eliminating a table of 10 can save you as much as S$1,400.

6. BE DECISIVE

The wedding crew and the suppliers value their time. To help lower the costs, be decisive and support them in spending minimum about of time to achieve the best results.

Image Credits: Kelly Sue DeConnick via Flickr

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