Anna Agoncillo, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

How to Deal with a Micromanaging Boss

Imagine watching a puppeteer manipulating an inanimate object for a show, except that show represents your professional life and the puppeteer is your boss. Isn’t it upsetting?

Having a micromanager as a boss can be a source of stress and frustration as it impacts your day-to-day life.

A micromanager tries to control every aspect of the work, no matter how small the detail can be. Employees can feel distrusted, dissatisfied, and disrespected. Prolonged control over all the aspects of an employee’s work may negatively affect his or her wellbeing and productivity. Quitting can be seen as a viable option if the employee can no longer deal with the situation.

However, it does not have to be this way!

#1: IDENTIFY THE TRIGGERS

Trying to understand the triggers for your boss’ micromanagement can help you be better equipped to deal with the situation. Start by identifying the reasons why he or she micromanages.

Often, micromanagers do not realize what they are doing. Perhaps, your boss micromanages because he is under a lot of stress, or he has a terrible experience with the previous employee.

Experts say that micromanaging can also be rooted from a personality trait. Individuals with strong organizational tendencies find it difficult to delegate tasks to others. These people find it hard to trust someone else to do the job as well as them, or to complete a task within their expected timeframe.

#2: ASK WHERE YOU CAN IMPROVE

Being polite and direct will serve you best. Ask your boss about the areas that you can improve on to address the company’s needs.

You can also be open about how your boss’ management behavior makes you feel by providing specific examples.

After sharing your thoughts on your intention to improve the collaboration and support, advise your boss that you are most productive when you are given the autonomy to meet those needs. You can also set weekly check-ins to alleviate the hovering.

#3: PROVIDE UPDATES REGULARLY

Micromanagers want to be in control. They want to check-in on your work to make sure that things are going smoothly to the schedule. Since micromanagers cannot do everything by themselves, they do their hardest to stay as involved as possible.

Try being proactive when sending regular updates before your boss has a chance to ask for these from you. List the things you want to accomplish within the day and email it to your boss. Regularly sending updates can serve multiple purposes.

Firstly, your boss knows exactly where your current workload stands. Questioning can be minimized. Secondly, your boss will realize how detail-oriented you are and that you can manage your own responsibilities without intervention. Lastly, it can help your boss address immediate concerns at one glance, which can reduce frequent check-ins.

#4: BUILD CONNECTION AND TRUST

Do you agree that trust is the key to any healthy relationship? Be it personal or professional, trust can build a solid foundation for you and your micromanaging boss.

When your boss does not trust your decisions and abilities, he or she will always monitor you. Developing synergy and building trust by creating time to connect and sharing what you are currently doing can help your situation. This allows your boss to create a space for growth.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Shifting your micromanaging boss’ leadership style is not easy, and change is not immediate. As an employee, you can show your boss that you are trustworthy and responsible to inspire that change over time.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Singapore Bids Farewell to Passport Stamps for Short-term Visitors

Passport stamps have long been regarded as a keepsake of your time abroad. It can function as a conversation starter to show off your adventures. However, many countries are ditching this practice to opt for alternative tracking methods.

A passport stamp is an inked impression found in a passport, which is a symbol given upon entering or exiting a territory. Authorities have used stickers apart from rubber stamps (e.g., entry stamps from Japan).

While most countries issue both entry and exit passport stamps, a few countries issue entry stamps alone. Other countries do not stamp passports upon entry nor exit. These countries include Hong Kong, Israel, Macau, and South Korea. These countries issue landing slips as documentation to travelers.

What about Singapore? The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) recently announced that all short-term visitors will no longer have their passports stamped. Instead, electronic visit passes (e-Pass) will be issued. This transition is a part of ICA’s efforts to provide a “more secure, safer, and more seamless immigration clearance” as Singapore gradually reopens its borders, according to the agency.

e-Pass Provides Seamless Immigration Clearance

e-Passes were first issued at Changi Airport in October 2021. Since then, its issuance has been progressively extended to all checkpoints.

Short-term travellers will now receive the electronic passes through the email addresses they provided in their arrival cards after clearing immigration. The email will contain details of the visit pass granted, such as the maximum days of stay and the last day of stay allowed in Singapore.

To support the travellers, ICA launched an enquiry portal where they can check their short-term visit pass records.

e-Pass Promotes Greater Convenience

The lack of pages in your passport is no longer an issue! ICA said: “With the full implementation of the e-Pass, all foreign visitors on short-term visit pass will no longer have to worry about the lack of pages in their passports to accommodate immigration stamps.”

Visitors just need to enter the Disembarkation/Embarkation (DE) number issued to them through the portal after they have submitted the SG Arrival Card application. They will have the convenience of retrieving their e-Pass information through the ICA’s e-Pass Enquiry Portal on the SG Arrival Card e-Service platform any time they want.

Visitors were reminded to provide an accurate and valid email address in the SG Arrival Card. This card should be submitted within three days before the date of arrival in Singapore.

How about for family members without personal email accounts? You can provide a proxy email address.

e-Pass Leverages Technology

The implementation of the e-Pass is an important part of its shift towards automated immigration clearance.

According to ICA: “The e-Pass is one of the building blocks for ICA’s New Clearance Concept (NCC). The NCC, which would be operationalised at our checkpoints from 2023, will automate immigration clearance for all travellers.”

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Governments and immigration authorities relied on passport stamps to monitor the travel movements of travellers. Due to technological advances, many countries including Singapore steered away from the old practice. Adapting to these new policies is essential to future automation.

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

7 Financial Commandments for Your Thirties

Hitting your thirties signify that you are halfway to retirement. After establishing a financial foundation in your twenties, it is up to you to use the following decade of your life to build and protect your wealth.

Whether you want to purchase a flat or to travel the world, these seven financial commandments can help you stretch your dollar.

#1: YOU SHALL LEARN SELF-CONTROL

Throughout your childhood, your parents or teachers taught you to practice self-control. The sooner you learn the importance of delayed gratification, the better off you will be. Applying self-control makes it easier to stay on top of your finances.

Select consciously spending cash rather than swiping your credit cards. Credit cards are convenient, but you must pay your bills on tip to maintain a good credit score. Do you really want to pay interest on a pair of jeans or a box of cereal? Think about it.

#2: YOU SHALL GET YOUR INSURANCE IN ORDER

Let us face it! You are not getting any younger. You need to sort out your health insurance, life insurance, and other policies. Considering a life insurance is prudent, especially if you have people depending on you.

#3: KEEP ADVANCING IN YOUR CAREER PATH

Developing your skill set occurs in your twenties. In your thirties, you will need to apply these skills to increase your earnings. Start by researching potential career paths and identifying companies where you can fit in. If you have the resources, you can go back to school to further your studies. Alternatively, you can take free online courses to boost your career.

#4: YOU SHALL INCREASE YOUR EMERGENCY FUND

The pandemic highlighted the importance of keeping an emergency fund. Having an emergency fund can help cushion the financial blow of unexpected events. If you started an emergency fund in your twenties, you followed the standard rule of keeping at least six months’ worth of your expenses.

Image credits: unsplash.com

As your income increases in your thirties, you should also boost the balance in your emergency fund and take your family in consideration. Make it a habit to save money and to pay yourself first!

#5: HONOR YOUR PAYCHECK

Stop spending your entire paycheck in less than a month! Live within your means and do your best to save a portion of your paycheck to propel your future. Gradually increase the amount you save while decreasing the amount from which you live off.

Use the 60-80% of your income to fulfill your needs and allocate the remaining 20-40% of it to your savings and investments. Transferring the money automatically to your savings ensures that you will not be tempted to use it.

#6: YOU SHALL WRITE YOUR WILL

Do you still think that you are invincible? Try waking up in your thirties after a night of heavy partying! Protect the people you love by writing a will. Without one, others will have the power to decide how to split up your estate and how to raise your children.

#7: YOU SHALL NOT COVET THEY NEIGHBOR’S THINGS

As you reach your thirties, you may find yourself in a place where you tend to compare your accomplishments to your peers. Scrolling through your feed can highlight the milestones that your friends have reached such as purchasing a flat or getting married. You can admire your neighbors’ new car or new job. However, you do not need to stretch your budget to keep up with them. Doing so will ruin your finances.

Focus on your financial goals, live within your means, increase your savings, and do your best to be content. Acknowledge your inner strengths and use it to succeed!

Sources: 1 & 2

Which Instant Camera is Worth Buying in Singapore?

Do you miss the days of snapping vintage pictures that you can easily put inside your wallet? These pictures can be displayed in an album or in a frame to beautify your home. If you are yearning for this, you will find a lot to enjoy with today’s best instant cameras.

While the Instax Mini is one of the most popular choices when it comes to instant cameras in Singapore, there are other great options out there.

Let’s begin by defining what an instant camera is and highlighting the things to consider when purchasing one.

WHAT IS AN INSTANT CAMERA?

You do not need to apply advanced developing techniques to print your photos through instant cameras. You see, instant cameras use film that self-develops.

These instant cameras have a few buttons that can be easily used by everyone, typically consisting of a flash and a shutter button. In terms of its physical features, each camera differs based on size, quality and style of the photos, type of films, and other unique features. Features that may be good for you, may not suit your friend’s personal preferences. One size does not fit all!

Apart from these, instant cameras have a maximum number of films that can be held inside at once. Instant cameras are entertaining, and it takes practice to shoot beautiful photos, but the results are worth it.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO CONSIDER AS A BUYER?

#1: PRICE OF THE FILM

When doing your research to compare which instant camera suits your budget, do not forget about the cost of the film. It is important to keep in mind because films can be expensive, and they get used frequently.

For instance, a pack of Fujifilm Instax Plain Mini Film can go for S$10.50 as of writing. You will be surprised that this number quickly adds up!

#2: QUALITY OF THE PHOTO

Just like any other camera, the photo quality of instant cameras varies depending on the film ISO, the built-in settings, the distance between you and your subject, and other factors.

Photos from Fujifilm seem to be consistent when it comes to the colors and white balance. On the other hand, Polaroid film brings unique style and colors to its photos. It is important to know your personal preferences.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: STYLE OF THE PHOTO

Identify the photo style that you desire. For instance, Polaroid cameras provide a vintage-style photography, which is what many people are looking for in their first instant camera. This makes your photos look different in each setting in which you are shooting.

In comparison, Fujifilm does a fantastic job in getting accurate coloring each time you snap a photo. It may not be able to give you that “vintage look” that you are looking for.

#4: BATTERY LIFE

Instant cameras can last a long time because they do not need to power a bright, high-resolution display or other complex features that drain the battery.

While some instant cameras need batteries, other models charge via USB. Often, they last for around 100-300 shots.

WHICH INSTANT CAMERAS ARE WORTH BUYING?

#1: FOR BEGINNERS WHO OPT FOR EASY-TO-FIND FILM

You cannot deny the popularity of Fujifilm Instax among the instant cameras in Singapore. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is a good choice for creating memories with your family or for snapping travel-friendly photos with your companion.

Despite its size, the high-performance flash can calculate the brightness in the environment and adjusts shutter speed. You will always have quality shots, even in the dark. Unlike the other models on this list, this camera is easy to find, and it comes with an array of fun film presets such as comic strips or pastel borders.

Price: from S$95 at Carousell

Film: Instax Mini Film

#2: FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE RETRO PHOTOGRAPHY

The retro looks of Polaroid OneStep+ would make a delightful addition to your collection of vintage cameras. This camera comes with close focus so you can seamlessly switch between landscape and portrait shots.

It can also be connected to your handphone via Bluetooth for creative shots that use double exposure, light painting, and so on. You can even digitally scan your photos to keep them if you do not want to print them yet.

These modes can be accessed through the Polaroid Original app, which includes other features such as enabling shots to be taken with a noise trigger and using different flash options. With a self-timer and a variety of flash options, what is not to love?

Price: from S$195.69 at Amazon
Film: i-Type and 600 film

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: FOR PEOPLE WHO ENJOY THE CONVENIENCE OF PRINTING FROM MOBILE

You can enjoy the convenience of printing photo through your phone with the Kodak Mini Shot 3. This instant camera is a 2-in-1 device, which has photo-taking abilities as well as the ability to print any photo from your phone via Bluetooth.

It uses LED display with self-time and auto-flash mode. You can also select options for filters and borderless photos, giving you a freedom to choose your preferred style.

Price: from S$148.00 at Lazada
Film: Kodak Instant Print 3” x 3” Cartridge

Sources: 1 & 2

Best Places to Get Fish Tanks & Aquatic Supplies in Singapore

Add vibrance and soul to your space by maintaining beautiful aquatic creatures! Setting up your aquarium or fish tank can be overwhelming at first. Among the essential elements that you need to consider is choosing the right tank in terms of size, quality, and personal preference.

Where do you begin? Well, you can start by identifying the best aquatic shops in Singapore.

#1: FRESH N MARINE

Website: freshnmarine.com
Location: 79 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455219

Bagging the South East Asia Best Online Aquarium Store 2021 by APAC Insider, Fresh N Marine boasts its offerings of freshwater and marine aquarium systems. Fresh N Marine’s collections come in different shapes and sizes. While some are made with crystal glass and light wood, others are made with marble finishes and more. The store also offers accessories, decorations, fish food, and freshwater plants.

Its array of quality equipment includes brands such as KESSIL, Tunze, and Red Sea. Keep an eye out for its online exclusive deals and deluxe aquarium sets. Products include Betta Box D-651 for S$5.90 and Betta Tank 10x10x15cm for S$10.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#2: EAST OCEAN AQUATIC TRADING CENTRE

Website: eastoceansg.com
Location: Blk 22 Havelock Road #01-699, Singapore 160022

East Ocean Aquatic Trading Centre is one of the longest-running companies that sell aquariums in Singapore. Besides fish tanks, the store offers a myriad of aquarium supplies such as feeding essentials, water pumps, water test kits, fish medications, lighting equipment, and decorations.

Their services also expanded to producing solutions for paludarium, pond, and marine setups. If you are planning to start your aquarium business, partnering up with them would be a good start. Be sure to visit their website to reap its free delivery (for orders above S$80) and special sales.

Their products include the VENY BBT2S Betta-Bow Tank Kit for S$3.40 and the YINSHENG Breeder Box for S$4.50.

#3: GREEN CHAPTER

Website: greenchapter.com
Location: 565 Macpherson Road #01-00, Singapore 368234

Aquarium enthusiasts who desire something unique can go to Green Chapter! Green Chapter offers personalized aquariums to suit your wants and needs.

Begin the customization process by sharing your concept and collaborating with the staff. The store will help you build the tank and install it in your home or office. Newbie aquarium owners may also tap their aquarium maintenance services.

Services include maintenance and restoration as well as building personalized aquariums.
Products include the Betta Fish Display Case for S$4.20 and GEX Glassterior FIT Glass Tank for S$14.50.

#4: AQUATIC DREAMS

Website: aquaticdreams.com.sg

Individuals who are in search of premier custom-made aquariums and cabinets can go to Aquatic Dreams. Aquatic Dreams ensure that their clients enjoy high quality, safe fish tanks. You see, it only uses Germany-made aquarium silicone from Wacker 121. Furthermore, the cabinets are made from plywood with metal or solid kapur wood beams. These materials are highly durable to resist heavy loads of water.

Thus, this store specializes in creating premier aquariums suitable for homes, restaurants, hotels, and more. Best of all? It provides warranty against leakage due to its workmanship. Products include the 60cm Oblong High Quality Acrylic Tank for S$800. Yes! Prices are also on the premium side. Get a quotation from them through their website.

Whether you are an aquarium enthusiast or a newbie in the scene, searching for the places where you can find the best tanks for your beloved pets in Singapore can be overwhelming. May this list help you with your journey!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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