5 Budget-Friendly Ways To Improve Your Digital Life

#1: HAVE A HEALTHY DOSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

During the pandemic, more and more people are turning to social media to occupy their time. Many people use their social media accounts to air out their frustrations and rants on different topics. This may be overwhelming for your self-esteem and overall mental health.

Only follow the accounts that post insightful and useful content such as recommendations for delicious recipes, financial books, home decorations, and more. Tune out or mute accounts that are negative and toxic.

#2: USE SPREADSHEETS TO BOOST YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

It is easy to lose track of your schedule or important tasks when the usual 9 to 5 routine is gone. The line between work and play can be blurred, especially when you are working from home. This is why you must manage your tasks and expenses through spreadsheets.

Record your daily activities and the amount of time you spend on each task. Make adjustments and plan for the next week. For your expenses, you may use a spreadsheet to guide you towards necessary and unnecessary expenses. Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel are some of the popular tools.

#3: USE RSS FEED READERS FOR YOUR NEWS CONSUMPTION

Apart from this website, you can get a digest of the stock market or the marketing industry without a wave of fake news by following reputable websites through their RSS feed readers (e.g., Feedly or Digg Reader). This will help you curate your reading consumption without the daily noises from others. You can do this if you do not want any unnecessary triggers to dictate the flow of your day.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: REDUCE THE NUMBER OF APPS ON YOUR PHONE

A surefire way to cleanse your phone is by reducing the amount of apps on it. Apps can be very helpful, but they can also be very distracting. Choose apps that help enhance your relationships with your friends and family, your productivity in the workplace, your clarity in your mental and spiritual well-being.

Some essential apps include your transportation, food delivery, private messaging platforms, banking and finance, and emails. Remember that you can always adjust your notification settings to work efficiently.

#5: USE EDITING AND VISUAL PLATFORMS THAT INSPIRE YOU

Vision boards or photographic lists can help you develop ideas and reach your goals. Some visual platforms that ignite inspiration are Pinterest and Evernote. Some of the free graphic design platforms that I swear by are Canva and PosterMyWall. These two are helpful in creating posters, flyers, covers, and so on.

You may use these tools to visualize your business plan or to create your financial vision board. Pleasure is felt when a person achieves what is inside his or her vision board or lists, amidst all the uncertainties.

Source: 1

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Splurges That Turn Out To Be Wise Savings

Having money allows you to live the life you desire to live, if you spend it wisely. You have to weigh whether an item is an essential (need) or a non-essential (want) expense. In some cases, you have to spend more at the moment to save more in the long run.

Certain items are worth splurging on to help you earn more money or experiences in the future. Here are just some splurges that are actually wise savings:

#1: PURCHASING AN INVESTMENT FOR YOUR CAREER

Purchases that help you advance in your field are good investments. Know which tool you cannot work without and list them down. For instance, you must invest on a high quality camera and a reliable laptop as a photographer. There are also online classes and software programs that a photographer can benefit from on a daily basis. If an item supplements your future growth, it could be a smart move to spend extra cash on it.

#2: PURCHASING ITEMS THAT YOU USE A LOT

Before spending your hard-earned money on a product or a service, think of how long you are likely to use it. Then, breakdown the price using these factors (e.g., cost per wear). You may realize that the iPad you have been eyeing for so long may only cost you S$1 per day due to your current academic needs.

Home appliances and cookware are just some of the items that we use frequently. You can save so much money by cooking at home. Splurging on quality kitchen items such as knives and refrigerator can make a difference. It is recommended to invest more money on home appliances and cookware that you will use heavily because you will only end up spending more on repairs with low-quality appliances.

#3: PURCHASING ITEMS THAT YOU WILL CONSUME

Now more than ever, it is important to consume items that can strengthen our immune system. You really are what you eat! So, do not feel guilty about spending more money on fresh produce and healthier food items. What you spend on these items may help reduce your hospital bills.

Along with grocery shopping comes the ability to save more time. You may get your groceries delivered to your doorstep instead of going to the store. This will minimize your contact with the crowded places and will enable you to have more time to enjoy your day.

#4: PURCHASING SOMETHING YOU HAVE SAVED UP FOR

It is alright to splurge on an item that you have strategically saved up for in advance. For instance, you may have kept a portion of your monthly salary to splurge on a good laptop or a luxury bag at the end of the year. Some non-essential items are worth spending money on as long as you have saved enough funds to cover your significant expenses. Furthermore, it is a rewarding and a joyful experience to see the fruits of your labor.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

It is more than fine to get spend your hard-earned money on the finer things in life as long as you are smart about your purchases. Consider the points that were previously discussed above.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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On-Trend Wedding Themes For Your Intimate Wedding

If you are one of those couples who have been planning for their 2020 wedding, I cannot fathom how much stress you are feeling right now. What should have been the most exciting day of your lives has now been overwhelmed by the uncertainties of the global pandemic. While others have postponed their Big Day, some are willing to make the most out of the situation.

For instance, 240 couples tied the knot on the auspicious Aug 8 despite coronavirus restrictions. A spokesman for the Registry Of Marriages told The Straits Times:

“With the recently announced revised safe management measures, couples who want to solemnize their marriage need not delay their plans. They can still have intimate and meaningful wedding celebrations.”

Couples are allowed to have up to 48 guests in venues such as places of worship or hotels. Safe management measures such as wearing face masks and checking in via SafeEntry are to be followed for ceremonies held at external venues.

On the other hand, couples are allowed to have 8 guests for solemnization ceremonies held at home, at the Registries of Civil, at Muslim Marriages building, or at the National Museum of Singapore. These 8 guests may include non-immediate family members such as your videographer or photographer.

Make your intimate wedding celebration meaningful by considering one of these themes:

#1: CLASSICALLY ROMANTIC WEDDING

Influenced by the unwavering appeal of royal and celebrity weddings, sweet garden weddings that are utterly simple yet outright romantic. For this look, guests are typically greeted with gorgeous lush garlands and floral centerpieces. Worry not about the venue as you can either celebrate a classically romantic wedding indoors and outdoors.

For the indoors, decorate your home with floral centerpieces and indoor plants. You can have a subtle color scheme of blush, champagne, and cream. You may also have a church garden-themed wedding with the colors of lavender, silver, and white.

#2: GLAMOROUS WEDDING

For wedding ceremonies at hotels, you may sparkle the night away! This glistening wedding theme starts with a dapper groom in tuxedo and an elegantly glam bride in a long dress. You may exude glamour by adding decor to a ballroom such as glittery linens or huge centerpieces.

Nonetheless, you may experience this theme in your own home by adding gold foil or glitters to your customized gift boxes and invitations. Having glamorous virtual background for your guests can add a thematic surprise. You may also decorate the flat with touches of gold and silver.

#3: CREATIVE WEDDING

With the freedom to decorate your own home with a theme that hits your hearts, use your artistic abilities to channel unforgettable creative weddings. From Star Wars to the Greatest Showman, the creative theme of your intimate wedding has no limits. Simply sprinkle parts of your personalities to the wedding elements to achieve this unique look.

You can even start with your handmade invitations. Comic-book enthusiasts may release virtual “cartoonized” wedding invitations to their guests.

#4: BOHEMIAN CHIC WEDDING

If you are the type of person who is laid back, simple, and free-spirited then a bohemian styled wedding is perfect for you! Inspired by the popular music festivals all over the world, a bohemian chic wedding fuses the layered textures, quirky prints, and rustic elements all together in a uniquely beautiful way. Eye-catching bohemian elements such as ribbons, gold accents, embellishments, and printed blankets will captivate your wild hearts.

Take the comfort up a notch by opting for sandals instead of the traditional heels. Aside from this, the bride can wear blooming flower crowns instead of the veil. Search through Pinterest for inspirations on how to make your own bohemian wedding elements.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

At the end of the day, what matters is that you have each other. Be honest when it comes to what you can afford and what is feasible given the current situation. Communication is essential when it comes to planning a wedding – this year or the next.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Master Working From Home With Kids Around

With the restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic and our compliance to social distancing guidelines, many of us have transformed our homes into offices. Your home is an oasis, except when you are forced to mix your personal life with your professional life. Schools may have opened last June, but some rotate between online and on-campus lessons. It is a gradual transition that comes with the new normal.

The “no kids allowed in the office” rule no longer applies to us. Employees and business owners are now juggling their household duties with their workplace tasks. Some find it a struggle to create a peaceful environment free from the distractions created by their children, pets, or younger siblings. Just take a look at the video below!

TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN

It is important to talk to your children about what is happening around them. Ensure that you are explaining the situation at an age-appropriate level. Some children may understand the safety restrictions, while others may see the pandemic as an unreasonable limitation.

Explain to them that we are looking out for each other during this pandemic. Part of how we help each other right now is by staying at home. Sometimes, a change in perception is all that we need.

ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE

One of the benefits of working at home is flexibility. Write down your priorities for the day and set them within your working hours. If you’re married, you may explore alternating schedules in coordination with your partner and your children. This will help you manage your household chores and office tasks accordingly.

Have an agreed schedule with your employer to ensure that you are filling in the required number of hours per day. Given that most of us work from home, some employers may understand the need for non-traditional schedules.

FOCUS ON YOUR PRIORITIES

Prioritize your work by accomplishing important tasks first. There will be interruptions along the way and it will take longer than usual. This is why you accomplish urgent tasks in the morning and save the minor tasks later in the day.

Avoid unexpected yells and loud noises in the background by hitting the mute button during conference calls. Toddlers will not understand that they cannot always have your undivided attention. If your toddler seeks your attention during a business call, you may ask to reschedule if you can. Minor tasks such as replying to client comments on social media may be done while your children are sleeping.

CREATE SNACK AND PLAY STATION

Find a spacious corner in your home and assign that as the “snack and play station”. Prepare a bunch of snacks and drinks for your children and instruct them on how much they can consume per day. Aside from this, you may let your child’s creativity run wild through free-play. Provide books, art materials, and other learning materials such as puzzles and blocks within this station.

Tackle your workload while your kids are having fun and playing safely on the corner.

PLAN FOR INTERRUPTIONS

Think of alternative strategies to minimize the disruptions from your family members. Firstly, you can take advantage of naptime. Do bulk of your heavy tasks during this time. Whether your child sleeps for one to three hours, use this time to complete tasks that seek your focus and concentration.

You may also setup a virtual meeting between your children and your relatives while you work. Ask a friend or a family member for a favor to teach your children a new skill while they are chatting online. Connecting your children to their friends and their grandparents through Skype, Zoom, or Facetime can be helpful to their well being too.

SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Let us face it! There are no professional advantages to pretending things are the way they used to be. Reduce your anxiety and manage everyone’s expectations by being honest with your coworkers. Tell them what is going on in your home office.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Similarly, you must be honest with yourself when it comes to your abilities in handling your children. You cannot turn into a good teacher overnight. Be patient with yourself and your children throughout the process.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

 

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A Helpful Guide To Business Recovery

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a significant toll on many businesses and individuals all over the world. It is as if we are living an alternate universe where our global economy gradually collapses and we are left to make sacrifices in order to survive. The pandemic has negatively affected many lives and has caused business closures from different industries. These are the hard realities that we face now.

As time goes by, we see glimpses of hope at the end of the dark tunnel. Singapore’s Phase 2 has made steady progress towards reopening the country to more business activities such as nail salons, bookstores, fitness studios, tuition centers, and more. We moved into the next stage while successfully keeping the community transmissions low.

Despite this, businesses must reopen with caution. It is crucial to prepare for gradual business recovery with adequate planning. Here are some things that you may consider as you open your doors to others.

OPEN WITH MINIMUM OPERATIONAL CAPACITY

One of the biggest mistakes that you may make is to eagerly start full on day one. This can incur unnecessary costs (i.e., includes wages and utility expenses) and can increase the risks of closure. View the situation with realistic lenses. Many consumers are slimming down their budgets in order to make ends meet. If the demand is low, you must adjust to the situation by operating your business with minimum capacity.

What is the bare setup you need to complete your monthly business cycles? Stick to that. This bare setup includes your essential staff, minimum inventory, and main products or services. As you reawaken your ecosystem, it will gradually grow in time. Your only goal on day one is to restart.

MAKE PERSONALIZED CALLS TO CLIENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS

Everyone will expect a different level of business productivity during the recovery period. It is unreasonable for others to require you the same amount of outcome as you achieved a year before. This leeway is not excuse for you to lose your communication channels with your loyal clients and stakeholders. Assure them that you are taking active steps into restarting the business.

Make personalized calls to these important people. Be honest and genuine as you hear out their concerns and grievances. Prepare for the personalized calls by having a list of possible questions and by offering practical solutions to their possible concerns. You can regularly update them as soon as you are able to address certain challenges on your way to business recovery.

CALCULATE THE TOTAL BUSINESS IMPACT

From the beginning of the Circuit Breaker period down to the present, you must calculate the profits and losses that your business incurred. Doing so, you will be able to have a numeric goal for your business to achieve in time.

Several business continuity models suggest that you must calculate the business recovery costs, audit the liquid assets and know the projected sales to paint the picture of a realistic business recovery timeline. Business recovery costs are liability that you will slowly pay off with liquid assets, then with projected sales. Going through this process will give you an idea of how long you should plan for business recovery.

CREATE A BUSINESS RECOVERY PLAN

Much like one’s journey to starting a family, business recovery cannot be rushed. You must plan for it with a sense of control. Use your realistic timeline to bring your business back to its healthy shape. During this recovery period, you must operate at a minimum capacity and explore other sources of income. For instance, a construction company may look into offering demolition or dismantling services.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

It is important to be aware of the relevant national rules that govern your industry. The changes in the demand for your products and services must be taken into account too. Activate the non-essential parts of your operations as your business increases its sales. Take things slow!

Sources: 1 & 2

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