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Extremely Entertaining Games To Educate Your Kids About Money

Before diving into the rising world of freelance, I previously worked as an early childhood teacher for children aged 5 to 12. I can encapsulate my teaching experience with a single word – fulfilling. One of the most profound lessons that I absorbed was that children learn best when they are having fun. You may let them think they are playing a game with an underlying agenda. For instance, you may turn counting into entertaining games for your family.

Games like these act as great teaching tools for parents and guardians alike. It ignites a kids’ curiosity and encourages them to ask questions about money.

1. ASSORTED CURRENCY MAGNETS

Many Singaporeans have a hobby of collecting magnets from the countries that they previously visited. Mimic this concept by plastering currency magnets into your fridge. Begin by purchasing self-adhesive magnets online (for about S$28.39) or on Daiso (for as low as S$2). Attach the adhesive to the back of the 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents. Make another set by attaching the adhesive on the coins’ front side of coins with the same denominations. You can complete different activities with these currency magnets.

On the first challenge, you may ask your child to match the coins’ backs with their fronts. The second challenge may entail your child to “pay” for every favor or toy that he or she asks.

2. AMAZING UNO CARDS

Teach your kid about the basics of counting and recognizing numbers by buying the UNO cards. UNO is not your average matching game! It is a card game that entails color, number, and symbol coding. The premise is too straightforward that your child will be able to absorb it right away. Alternatively, you may modify the instructions to suit your child’s level of thinking.

Image Credits: besttoys4toddlers.com

For instance, you may ask your 3-year-old child to match the cards that have the same number and color. Keep track of the winner by employing a point system.

3. MAKE YOUR OWN CASH

Art is one of the children’s main modes of communication. So, communicate to your children in a language that they understand by letting them design their own versions of the dollar notes. Whose faces shall they feature? What buildings or infrastructures shall they put at the back?

Provide different art materials and get them to think creatively!

4. SHOP ‘TILL YOU DROP

Gather at least 8 toys and place a price tag on each one. Divide your Singapore notes and coins to your children and let them decide which toys they want to “buy”. In this round, you are the cashier or the owner of the shop. Mix and match the prices of the items and the roles of the players (e.g., your children are the co-owners while you shop).

Image Credits: pixabay.com

This fun activity will help your kids to figure out the best way to divide and spend their cash.

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Deal With Relationship Feuds About Money

The moral values that we learned taught us that relationships are far more important than money. Conflict is bound to happen when people put more weight on material items over interpersonal relationships or when they see money as a measure of the relationship’s worth.

Deal with the monetary feuds to save your various relationships.

1. PARTNER’S PERSPECTIVES

Differences in each others perspectives is inevitable when two people come together. Although you love each other dearly, it is rare to find couples who always see eye to eye. This is why it is important to start understanding each other’s views about money. Explicitly discuss about your beliefs on financial issues and spending habits. For instance, a partner who is a hardcore saver may view money as an important currency that shall not be wasted.

Learn to put yourself in your partner’s situation by recognizing his or her financial strengths. Let us put this in perspective by imagining that two people are buying a flat screen television. Half of this relationship is a spender while the other half is a saver. They can compromise by combining the spender’s ability to commit to a new purchase with the saver’s ability to get a good deal!

2. FIGHTING FOR INHERITANCE

The authors of the informative book entitled “The Family War: Winning the Inheritance” vividly explained what it is like to be tangled in estate disputes. Envision your own family tree with interconnected branches that share a single trunk. After it has been shaken by a strong force (i.e., war over inheritance), one or more of its branches are broken down. The sad part is that they may never grow back.

As you can see, money and death can do strange things to a close-knit family. Lawyers find this scenario as one of the most challenging cases to handle. This is why some of them advocate the drafting of a will and planning for estate distribution while the client is still alive. You must also appoint a trusted person to make medical decisions should you become incapacitated.

3. MARITAL WOES

Financial issues is among the top reasons why Singaporean marriages fight and eventually part. A committed couple who suffers from serious monetary problems will usually face loads of tension and stress, which often translates to heated quarrels.

Prevent a fueled fight by fully disclosing your financial circumstance to your significant other. This is uncomfortable and awkward at first but, you have to try. Tell your partner about your outstanding debts, financial obligations, income sources, and other assets. This will make you empathize with each other more. From time to time, do not forget to check if your financial goals are still in sync.

4. BORROWER VS. LENDER

To deal with the disputes over the money that you loaned, you can show your written agreement and other supporting documents.

You may have dodged the constant knocking of the bank by loaning from a friend or a family member but, you must still treat it as a business matter. Putting the terms of the loan in a handwritten format protects both parties as well as your relationship. After all, borrowing a substantial amount of money is not the same as borrowing a vehicle!

Get everything in writing if you are borrowing a large sum of money or if the lender is strict when it comes to full repayment. The agreement is called a promissory note. Have the promissory note signed by both parties and and a lawyer (if possible). This will ensure that pursuit of legal actions when necessary.

5. GRANDPARENT’S FAVORITE

If your mature child and his or her spouse are having a hard time drawing a healthy financial conclusion, you may offer to help them out especially for the sake of your grandchildren. As a grandparent, it is acceptable to give out money to your family for a specific purpose. You may also highlight that the money must be used for that purpose. However, it does mean that you are entitled to manage all their financial affairs.

Financial advice should be given only if asked. You do not want to be a “know-it-all” parent who constantly dishes unsolicited advice. Your children are no longer toddlers that you have to guide. Although, you can always make a polite offer.

6. FRIENDLY DISPUTES

No matter how much you disagree with your friend’s unhealthy spending habits, you must take a step back from those negative feelings. Do not immediately burst into anger when you see his or her credit card bills. Blaming your friend for his or her outstanding debt will not help too. It is crucial for you to remove anger and frustration out of the equation.

Break the cycle of constant fighting and help your friend out by discussing the matter maturely. Agree to support each other along the way.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Do not let your financial woes to get the best of your meaningful relationships!

Sources: 1 & 2

Frugal Mums’ Guide To Saving Money In Singapore

Here are five ways to save money as the head of the household:

SHOP ONLINE FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES

There are many retailers that offer promotions and clearance sales on their own websites. You will not save money on the supplies but you will also save a lot on gas or transportation costs. If you have the time, purchase online.

Lion Stationery and Evergreen are the two local stationery websites you can visit.

LEAVE YOUR KIDS AT HOME

If you have the option to leave your children behind with a family member or a babysitter then, do so. Children play a huge role on what goes inside your basket. This is why marketers and store strategists put their items on a child’s eye-level.

You do not have to give in to what your playful kids wants if you go to the store alone. This will help you to save a lot more money!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

MAKE A LIST AND STICK TO IT

Say you have no choice but to bring your precious little ones along. Turn grocery shopping into a fun task by making a game out of it. Start by planning your menu throughout the week. Then, list down the ingredients and other products you need to purchase. Save more money by opting for the generic or store brands.

Have your children find each item on the list (much like a treasure hunt). The person who finds the most items at the end of the shopping trip will win a prize. It is up to you to choose which prize will entice your children.

SAVE ON KIDDIE PARTIES

You are not forced to send invites to everyone in your kid’s entire class. If your budget does not allow you to invite your kid’s entire class, employ the “age plus one rule”. For example, you are planning to throw a party for your 6-year-old son then, invite 7 guests. Keep the numbers down by making it clear that the guests’ siblings are not invited.

Aside from that, you can forgo printing services by sending out electronic invitations through Facebook or email. This gets the job done – fast.

STOCK UP DURING GSS

An easy way to save money in Singapore is to take advantage of the “Great Singapore Sale”. This event which happens once a year includes numerous retailers from all over the nation. Bargain hunters like you can get good deals on baby clothing, child’s school supplies, toddler’s toys, and so much more. Stock up on these items to cover your annual needs but, do not go beyond your budget!

You may also buy several gifts to be prepared for the upcoming festivities (e.g., Christmas or Chinese New Year).

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Do’s And Don’ts When Loaning Your Money To Family And Friends

Family gatherings and friendly reunions can be less awkward if you follow these tips:

DO FIGURE OUT THE WEIGHT OF REPAYMENTS

A friend or a family member asked for financial help from you instead of loaning from a credible financial institution. Before anything else, you must ask yourself about how important it is for a person to repay you. Are prompt payments necessary or will intermittent payments work?

Keep in mind that if an individual approaches you, it is typically due to weaker credit history. This means that there is a risk of not receiving the repayment. You must figure out the weight of repayments earlier on before emotions get in the way.

DO NOT EXPECT FOR ANYTHING IN RETURN

When you do good deeds for others, it best to not expect anything in return. There is nothing wrong with earning the cash you previously had. However, you may feel disappointment if you are expecting more than what you have agreed upon.

Reciprocity is not a part of everybody’s values. This is why it is unfair to place personal expectations on unsuspecting family members or friends. This statement does not only apply to loans.

DO GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING

If you are releasing a relatively large sum of money or if you are strict on full repayment then, you must get everything in writing. Make an agreement that states the terms of the loan. This agreement is called a promissory note. Have the promissory note signed by both parties and and a lawyer (if possible). This will ensure that pursuit of legal actions when necessary.

You may also document the entire process before handing over the money.

DO NOT BE TERRIFIED TO SAY “NO!”

Your hard-earned money belongs to you and you are in charge of it. If you do not feel comfortable in lending money to a friend or a family member then, be assertive. Genuinely say that you cannot loan the money at the moment due to your financial responsibilities. Discuss the matter in a mature manner.

People who care about you will understand. If they take it against you, you may be better off without them.

DO OFFER GENTLE REMINDERS

All was said and done. To approach the situation in a warmer light in respect to your relationship with the borrow, offer gentle reminders instead of asking direct questions. You are not in the business of interrogating or threatening people about repayment. Instead, you want to cultivate an smoother discussion.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Are You Ready To Stake Your Claim On A Property?

How many times have you heard the statement: “housing is one of the biggest investments that one can make”? It is true!

Whether you want to become a successful property investor or a proud flat owner, you must use a logical and a practical buying system to make good decisions. For starters, it is ideal to choose a unit that has attractive features, wide appeal, and low maintenance.

There are many factors that can pinpoint whether you are ready to stake your claim. Here are some of them:

1. YOU CLARIFIED YOUR PURPOSES.

In the business perspective, the needs assessment is one of the first steps to building a strategy. Do the same thing when you are hunting for a new pad! Know your needs, intentions and purposes in order to guide your decisions.

Do you desire to move right away, to rent it out, or to sell it in the future? You do not want to dive in the market unprepared as everything may sound good to you at first sight.

2. YOU DID YOUR RESEARCH.

You know you are in the process of getting all the aspects settled when you have done substantial research. Use both the Internet and a pool of professionals (i.e., reliable real estate agent or lawyer) as your resource. Compare essential factors such as unit layouts, transport systems, unit locations, and building amenities.

It is ideal to move to a flat that has easy access to the shops, schools, and public transportation. And if you are renting a property, find a layout that can attract diverse groups of individuals, couples, and families.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

3. YOU DETERMINED YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.

It is crucial to know where you stand financially before purchasing a property. Who wants to be stuck in a mountain of debts, anyway?

This is why you must know how much you can realistically afford, how much you are willing to loan, and how much you can shell out immediately. Research about the various payment schemes that are available in the country. Do not forget to prepare a fund for additional (mandatory) costs too!

4. YOU KNOW WHICH TYPE OF PROPERTY YOU DESIRE.

Much like the abundant number of gyms in the Pokémon universe, there are numerous real estate options which one can choose from. You must equip yourself with the knowledge of knowing the differences between these options. Let me define three types, namely: Build-To-Order (BTO), Design, Build, and Sell Scheme (DBSS), and Executive Condominiums (EC).

a. BTO allows locals to apply for flats at a location of their choice. The construction work begins once about 65% of the flats are booked.

b. DBSS is a public housing scheme under the HDB (Housing and Development Board) system, which is curated by private developers. It can be found in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, and Tampines.

c. ECs are sold by private developers and have the facilities that are comparable to that of the private condominiums.

5. YOU SAVED ENOUGH MONEY FOR THE HIDDEN COSTS.

Aside from allocating money for the total price-tag of the property, you know you are ready when you saved a great deal of money for the hidden costs. I am talking about the late payment fee and its similar expenses. As an example, developers may charge you for insurance and maintenance costs. Be prepared!

Image Credits: wikihow.com/Buy-Property-in-Singapore

There are more factors that can affect your buying decision. However, may aforementioned factors give you a head start in figuring out your dream property!

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