Priceless Things That Money Cannot Buy

The world may revolve around money but, it cannot buy everything. There are some things in one’s life that are more important than money itself. The most valuable things found on this capitalist world do not come with a price tag. Many people lose sight of that!

#1: TIME

We race against time. No matter how rich you are, you cannot get back lost time. It is given free for everyone and we only have 24 hours to maximize one day. Each passing second can never be replayed again. Despite all the medical advances and scientific efforts, there is no surefire way to extend one’s life significantly. Our time will pass. Hence, we must be grateful for everything that we are experiencing.

#2: PURPOSE

Your life’s purpose in life is beyond the pages written by Psychologists, Philosophers, and Scholars. You may perceive that “having all the money in the world” is the ultimate goal in life. However, money is just a tool to help you achieve your purpose. You can never get all the money in the world. If that drives you, your life may be meaningless once you get rich. Greediness can brew as you strive to make more money.

#3: LOVE

You can buy sex and intimacy. Some people have hired workers for the “boyfriend or girlfriend” experience. No matter how much you pay for intimacy, you can never buy true love. In many cases, money makes finding genuine love more difficult. It may bring suitors that are only after the depth of your pockets. The same goes for finding true friends. Having a hefty amount of money can bring out the worst in people.

#4: HEALTH

Health is one of the crucial things in life that money cannot buy. We all know that by now.

As Dalai Lama once said: ”What surprises me most is “man” sacrifices his/her health to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.” Maintaining good health throughout your life is ideal. You should not become powerful at the expense of your health. Paying medical bills and expenses are things money can buy, but it can never bring back your vibrant health.

#5: MANNERS

Manners are deeply ingrained in one’s character. Manners and class cannot be bought by money alone. You may seek the aide of professionals to help you shape your behaviors, but your attitude will remain the same if you are not willing to put the effort in.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Being on top of the world may make you feel that you do not gave to answer to anyone. Notice how some people act after winning the lottery. It is a great feeling to be respected by someone, and money cannot buy it.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Quit Sending These Job Interview Red Flags

The new year beams with career possibilities and job opportunities. As more and more stores have opened, many eager candidates have been given the chance to shine. These candidates bring their best behavior during job interviews. They give answers that the employer wants to hear and attempt to convince him that he or she is the right person for the job.

Knowing which interview red flags to watch out for can help you speed up the process of screening and hiring. You do not want to feel the costs of hiring badly, nor do you want to send the wrong message to an interviewer. Consider these tips.

#1: ARRIVING LATE FOR THE INTERVIEW

Tardiness demonstrates a lack of respect for people and their time. It is the hallmark of unsuccessful people. When a candidate arrives late, he or she gets flustered and apologetic. This type of person can keep meetings from starting, conduct customer visits following their schedules, and constantly say that they will be late for work.

With so many qualified candidates, why would an interviewer hire someone who is late? An employer must not hire someone who is late for the most important meeting of his or her career.

#2: LACK OF COMPANY KNOWLEDGE

Red flags are shinning when you show little to no knowledge about the company’s products or services, customers, and target audience. It is essential for a candidate to research on the company’s background as they prepare for the interview. Start by reading through the pages of the company’s website.

A candidate who has no knowledge about the company shows lack of preparation and interest about the prospective role. You may come across as someone who fits poorly within the company’s values and goals.

#3: LACK OF OWNERSHIP

Another red flag is a candidate who does not admit to any responsibility for his or her past mistakes. It is unpleasant if you blame your co-workers, bosses, and previous company for failed projects and more.

As an interviewer, you must listen carefully to the reasons why someone left his previous job. The right candidate will admit to errors, make thoughtful mistakes, and do their best to repair their problems.

#4: BRAGGING ABOUT OTHER OFFERS

If you want to convey that you are desirable, bragging about your other offers is not a good idea. Arrogance is not an attractive quality. However, mentioning about other offers may not always be a red flag. At the later stages of your job application, it is alright to be transparent when it comes to your other offers. You can say something like this:

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“I am very interested in the position you have offered me. Please let me know the timing and details for the next step, because I am also evaluating another offer.”

Sources: 1 & 2

 

 

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Avoid These Job Interview Red Flags

As we ring in the new Year of the Ox, there are several personal and professional milestones that we can climb. You are not alone in the battlefield of job hunting. While some interviews are pleasant, others can leave you disappointed. Throughout my career in the education field, I have been in both sides of the story.

I was able to interview talented teachers as a Directress and was able to sit through countless of interviews myself. When an interview turns sour, what do you do? You can either run away to other opportunities or settle for less than what you deserve. It is easy to walk away from a bad interview when you feel that you have more opportunities waiting in store. However, there are some people who have taken positions despite the red flags. These people are worried that they might not get another job. Given the current situation, I cannot blame them!

If you are caught in this situation, it is likely that you will feel emotionally and physically worn out as the months pass. Consider politely refusing an offer and search for better opportunities instead. On that note, here are some red flags that will make you run away from an interview.

#1: WHEN THE INTERVIEWER IS LATE

It is understandable that hiring managers will encounter emergencies from time to time. Being late for a couple of minutes is forgivable. However, not respecting someone’s time is rude and bad for business. Most hiring managers need to give themselves at least 10 minutes of prep before the candidate comes in. They use this time to read the C.V. and to prepare the application forms of the candidates. If your interviewer is late during the appointment, imagine how they will act as your boss.

#2: WHEN THE INTERVIEWER SAYS INAPPROPRIATE WORDS ABOUT YOUR PREDECESSOR

While it is appropriate for the interviewer to describe the current roles in the department or how the company is structured, be cautious when the interviewer starts to badmouth the person who left. Speaking poorly about a person they are replacing shows a view of his or her character. I cannot guarantee that the interviewer will not do the same thing to you.

#3: WHEN THE SCHEDULING IS DISORGANIZED

It is common to experiences a few missteps when it comes to the interview scheduling process. It is not simple to coordinate multiple people with strict schedules. Moreover, managers and leaders are often pulled into last-minute meetings. These are normal. However, you need to be concerned when they reschedule over and over again. This shows that they do not value your time or that you must adjust your schedule to accommodate to their needs.

#4: WHEN THE COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION HAS A HIGH TURNOVER RATE

Do your research before a job interview. Check LinkedIn to see what the working culture is like and which of your friends may have worked at the given company before. If the interviewer mentions that they are refilling the role for the second time this year, it is important to ask why. If the turnover rate is high in an organization, please proceed with caution.

#5: WHEN THE INTERVIEWER DISPLAYS OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOR

Inclusion, diversity, and equity play a crucial role in a company. A workplace free from racism, sexism, harassment, discrimination, and political intolerance is ideal. In reality, these exists in varying degrees in different companies. Be observant when it comes to offensive behaviors during your interview. Exit politely, if necessary.

#6: WHEN THE INTERVIEWER IS CONFUSED ABOUT YOUR ROLE

Is the interviewer belittling your profession? Is he or she confused about your role? Be concerned! Your responsibilities and duties must be given to you clearly. The leaders and the rest of the team must be completely aligned with the company’s vision, mission, strategy, and roadmap.

Image Credits: unsplash.come

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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8 Ox-picious Items To Purchase This 2021

#1: SINGPOST’S OX-THEMED STAMPS

Last month, SingPost released a set of stamps that marked the arrival of the Year of the Ox. This year’s stamps featured two graphical illustrations of the ox by artist Lim An-Ling. She previously designed the 2020 Year of the Rat and 2019 Singapore Bicentennial stamp sets. The set of mint stamps has two denominations namely, 1st Local (S$0.30) and S$1.40. These stamps are part of a new collection of SingPost Zodiac stamp series.

#2: LIFEBOUY’S DISNEY TSUM TSUM OX HAND SANITIZER

Lifebouy released an exclusive hand sanitizer featuring the ox, rooster, snake, and Fu. This collection also offers designs with other Zodiac animals. It is up to you to choose which is the most “incredi-bull”. You can get your own hand sanitizer in Lazada, FairPrice, FairPrice Online, Watsons and Watsons Online for as low as S$3.25.

#3: PANDORA OX CHARM

I, for one, am a collector of Pandora charms. I am amazed by the wide selection of classic charms, collaboration charms, and limited-edition charms that Pandora houses. This year is no different! Pandora’s Chinese New Year 2021 Collection features an ox charm, a Fortune Cat charm, a mahjong dangle charm and other huat symbols. It retails from S$89 at sg.pandora.net.

#4: TWG TEA GREEN OF FUJIAN TEA

If you have S$48 to spare, you can enjoy the TWG Tea Green of Fujian tea pack. It is a blend of green teas from a remote garden on the celebrated Tai Mu Mountain of Fu Ding in Fujian Province. Let abundance and prosperity enter into your Year of the Ox by checking the nearest TWG Tea Salons & boutiques or by visiting TWGTea.com.

#5: SEPHORA OX COLLECTION

Are you looking for a beautiful yet cow-venient palette that can take you from day to night? Look no further than the Sephora Ox Collection Eyeshadow Palette (S$45)! It features highly-pigmented matte and pearlescent eyeshadows. You can pair your shimmering eye look with the soft pink satin lipstick in their Ox Collection (S$26). The Petal Pink Satin Lipstick has a smooth and silky texture. Get yours at sephora.sg.

#6: BIODERMA SENSIBIO H20 MICELLAR WATER (CNY LIMITED-EDITION)

After applying your makeup, you may cleanse your face with the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water. Its packaging showcases a grazeful ox. This CNY limited-edition product was designed for sensitive skin. You can buy this festive bottle at Watsons, Guardian, Lazada, and Shopee.

#7: STARBUCKS’ OX-THEMED COLLECTION

Starbucks welcomed the Lunar New Year with their ox-themed collection. It showcases a combination of mugs, tumblers, bearistas, and seasonal snow globes. All these products feature intricate ox prints and designs. The price of these products range from S$18.90 to S$62.90.

#8: CNY GIFT TINS BY YOKU MOKU

The 2021 Chinese New Year limited-edition tin box by renowned Japanese confectionery brand Yoku Moku costs about S$48. The box contains an assortment of cookies such as eight pieces of matcha butter cookies and eight pieces of Cigare. Cigare are delicate cookies rolled with a vanilla flavor and buttery crunch. These treats are packed in a beautiful red tin. Order yours at yokumoku.com.sg.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Is Regifting Okay?

The practice of gift recycling or re-purposing gifts is often considered as taboo. While we all have given gifts to our loved ones and friends in several occasions, finding the right gift is extremely hard. There are many factors such as the time spent on travel, queues in the malls, and overwhelming options. It comes as no surprise that Singaporeans will opt for alternatives to the gift giving process such as giving personalized items.

It is probably safe to assume that we all, at some point, have regifted something. I will not blame you if you deny it. It is typical to feel a sense of guilt when passing along an item that was picked out just for you. A gift is something special and you do not want the giver to feel that his or her efforts were put to waste.

However, regifting is acceptable. The rising popularity of sustainable goods has welcomed the process of regifting. Why toss something that may be cherished by someone else? It is alright to regift as long as you follow certain guidelines.

#1: AVOID RECYCLING GIFTS WITHIN THE SAME CIRCLE

As obvious as this may sound, you must not regift to someone who interacts with the original giver. You will be caught in an uncomfortable situation if you give your co-worker’s present to your boss. Keep in mind that some of your social circles may overlap.

#2: REGIFT ITEMS IN PERFECT CONDITION

When re-purposing a gift, ensure that the item is brand new or still in its original packaging. Inspect the gift to look for signs of wear and tear. Moreover, the present must not be personalized for you. Watch out for engraved monograms or hidden letters inside the box.

#3: DO NOT REGIFT FAMILY GIFTS

Do not give family heirlooms away. Your mother may have given your grandmother’s ring as a Christmas present. The design may not be your cup of tea, but you have a friend who loves vintage items. As much as she would love the ring, please do not regift the ring. Hit up a thrift store or a flea market instead. Your grandmother’s ring belongs in a jewelry box to be passed down to your future daughter.

#4: BEAUTIFY THE PRESENTATION

Elevate the presentation by rewrapping the gift. If the cardboard box or the original packaging is crumpled, purchase a fresh box. Then, pick out a beautiful wrapper that the recipient will like. Add ribbons and bows too!

#5: PUT THE RECIPIENT IN MIND

When regifting an item, you must think about what the recipient will want to receive. Regift an item that you would have purchased for the individual had you gone to the store. Who would be excited to own the item?

SUMMARY

There are certain situations when regifting a present is acceptable. You can only regift an item that has never been been opened before, that does not belong to the same social circle, and that has the recipient in mind. You can also regift something generic such as a box of Valentine’s Day chocolates. In the event that you get caught regifting, opt for honesty. Be upfront about it, especially to the people close to you.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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