Anna Agoncillo, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

What Not To Buy Before Christmas

Can you feel the magic in the air? Well, that is partly brought by the Christmastime. We are about 24 days away from this whimsical event and retailers are well aware of that.

It is easy to get lost in the sea of discounts that hit every holiday season. As a bargain-seeker, it is definitely one of the best times of the year. But, please think twice if you are planning to purchase these items:

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

As a symbol of everlasting love, you might consider gifting a ring or any form of glistening jewelry for Christmas. Basking in the glory of attractive jewelry ranks high on many people’s wishlist. You can get a better deal on glistening bling if your recipient is open to flexibility. Wait for a few weeks after the holidays before purchasing the “perfect gift”.

Worthy steals for quality jewelry typically peak in January – two weeks before Valentine’s day. It comes as no surprise that these deals are in preparation for the Day of Hearts.

FOOLPROOF FITNESS RESOLUTION

Research showed that Singaporeans are more invested on healthier choices (e.g., wholemeal bread or brown rice) than before. This increasing importance posed on wellness contributes to the abundance of fitness resolutions. For instance, a friend of mine is currently getting rid of starch and simple sugars in her diet. One way to motivate her journey to fitness is to purchase new exercise apparel or equipment.

While sports retailers may provide tempting sales during Christmas, I will have to pass. Nationwide discounts on fitness equipment are better in 2018. Retailers seem to take advantage of the New Year’s resolutions to get into shape!

CONTEMPORARY SCHOOL ESSENTIALS

Our reliance to modern technology paved way for lecturers to distribute their PowerPoint or video lessons online. If you are planning to give a useful present for a young student, a cheap tablet or a starter laptop may have crossed your mind. Let us start with the former.

It is not unusual to find a low-priced tablet during Christmastime. At the sight of an ambiguous and dirt-cheap product, it is tempting to swipe the card and finish your shopping. However, people tend to be particular with their tablets. You do not want your money to go to waste!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Now, let us move on to bargain laptops. The joyous season offers affordable prices for low-end laptop models. Young students may settle for laptops with smaller screens, minimum RAM, and limited hard-drive space for daily use. Stay away from these products if you value longevity. Better laptop deals happen during the Back-to-School season.

What other items should you steer away from before December 25th? Please feel free to leave a comment below!

Sources: 1&2

Sensible Strategies To Split Expenses with Your Partner

There is truth to the idiomatic expression – “it takes two to tango”. With a relationship that spans for nearly a decade, I came to realize that giving and taking is an essential element to success. Arriving at an agreeable place avoids potential conflicts from rising. Compromise is vital when it comes to financial matters.

Who would be primarily responsible to pay the bills or to account for outstanding debts? Use the following strategies to help you split the expenses.

STRATEGY #1: DOWN IN THE MIDDLE

Living together entails the discussion of bills, loans, and other expenses. The most concrete way to divide an expense is to split it in half. From groceries to rent, you may share the household responsibilities by contributing an equal amount of money.

Keep track of your purchases and bills by creating a document or a spreadsheet file. You may want to consider setting a monthly price threshold to avoid conflicts.

STRATEGY #2: SET A PERCENTAGE

If you and your partner belong to similar salary divisions, the first strategy is beneficial. However, it can be difficult to split everything by 50-50 if you belong to both ends of the salary spectrum. Contributing S$1,000 per month to the household expenses may mean nothing to you. While, it can mean everything to others!

One of the most sustainable ways to conquer this situation is to contribute a certain percentage of your income. For instance, you can agree to allocate 30% of your income towards household expenses and other miscellanous. Both parters will be paying the same percentage to other expense categories such as utilities and transportation.

STRATEGY #3: TOGETHER AS ONE

Some couples prefer to establish a joint account with a foundation of trust and mutual understanding. With this account, you may allocate a percentage for entertainment. Entertainment includes funds for hobbies as well as vacations. Maintaining an account to fund an expensive vacation allows you to team up to achieve a common financial goal.

Motivation is elevated as you work together. Furthermore, your dual streams of income widens the resources for your funds.

STRATEGY #4: TOGETHER YET APART

Another strategy that can be just as effective is separating the expense categories based on one’s financial capacity. You will be responsible to pay for specific bills from your own account or savings.

Under this strategy, each person remains their individual bank accounts and identifies which expense they are responsible for. According to Andrea Rizk, the founder and CEO of of Risk Public Relations, this arrangement maintains maximum financial independence.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

At the end of the day, you must choose a strategy that works well with your personalities and relationship dynamics.

Sources: 1 & 2

5 Dollar-Worthy Personal Transformations

The year 2017’s closure is upon us! There is always something about the turn of the calendar that makes people itch for a dramatic change. Dramatic life change begins in personal transformations. Reinventing yourself can be the most profitable investment that you will make.

The unwavering effort that you put into investing in yourself plays a significant role in determining your quality of life at present and in the future.

TO THE FIERCELY BOLD

One of the quickest transformations that you can employ is wearing a red lipstick. Its classic and feminine shade is universally wearable for all skin tones. It makes your teeth look whiter too! Furthermore, it can leaves a lasting impact on job interviews or first dates.

Choosing the perfect red lipstick is similar to choosing the perfect jewelry. You must go for the piece that attracts you the most. I, for one, recommend MAC’s Ruby Woo or Smashbox Bawse by Lilly Singh.

LEAN TOWARDS SELF-CARE

Even at a young age, my father imparted the importance of fitness. Fitness is more than just a hobby for him – it is his way of life. He makes an effort to choose healthier options as much as possible. Awareness of your physical health is a crucial part of self-care. Improve your holistic health by getting sufficient sleep, having a balanced diet, and taking a break.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You do not have to spend too much to recharge yourself. You can either eat out with your workmates, briskwalk at the nearby park, or binge watch on Netflix. Unloading your stress every once in a while reduces the damage in your “overloading system”.

POLISH YOUR BRAND

Recruitment officers typically receive a volume of video and PowerPoint resumes. These methods shape one’s professional brand. You know that you live in the 21st century when you have to think of your online and offline branding.

Our dependence to the Internet paved way for the emergence of social media. Use social media to your advantage by keeping your online profiles relevant or current. Ensure that your pages carry the same profile picture, contact details, and writing style. Headhunters or recruiters can easily reach you when you reguarly update the essentials.

IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS

One of the core values that my alma mater embedded on us was the importance of lifelong learning. Investing in the expansion of your knowledge and skills can take various forms. The common route is to take a graduate degree. You can also advance by taking extra classes, relevant certifications, or online courses.

Other forms of skill investment avenues include creative workshops such as painting and pottery workshops. It is no secret that the scope of your education and the variety of your skills increase your employability.

TO THE GLOBETROTTER

Who says that personal transformation and endless entertainment do not go hand in hand? Roaming the globe entails immersing into someone else’s culture while having a relaxing getaway.

Traveling enables you to taste different cuisines, to smell different aromas, to listen to different types of music, and to observe other people’s opinions. Engaging in conversations with people from various ethnic backgrounds opens your mind to new perspectives. That mental transformation contributes to your maturity.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Personal transformation begins with cultivating a newfound thought. Whether or not you are open to change, it is inevitable that it will happen. You can either experience minute changes such as cutting your hair or widescale adjustments such as starting a family.

Once you have committed yourself to a decision, take confident action. Remember what the Latin proverb once highlighted: “Fortune favors the bold!”

Sources: 1 & 2

Ideal Places To Visit For Year-End Travels

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure to spend quality time with my childhood friends. Our lengthy conversations led to a topic surrounding our itch to wander overseas. They were highlighting that they want to travel as a group, before the year ends. The brief cycle of months dawned on me!

In the blink of an eye, 2017 is coming to an end. Bid the fruitful year in the best way possible by arranging a memorable vacation or staycation. You do not have to break the bank to experience great adventures.

Consider these 3 ideal destinations:

THE IRRESISTIBLY WELL-ROUNDED BALI

Empty your mind and close your eyes. What is the first thought that pops into your mind when you visualize a relaxing getaway? Personally, I envision strolling at pristine beaches that overlooks the majestic mountains. Bali lets you experience this and more!

From historic temples to luxurious villas, Bali provides opportunities for interactive family sessions. You can climb the famous Mount Batur or take part in a rejuvenating yoga retreat.

Read Also: Tips For Hiking Alone

Saving Tip: Browse through the travel packages that your trusted financial institutions offer. For instance, UOB has the “3D2N Explore Bali Your Way” and “3D2N Ossotel Legian” packages. The former includes a round-trip airfare, airport transfer, accommodation, daily breakfast, and a 10-hour car disposal service. While the latter includes a tailored stay at a aesthetically-pleasing contemporary hotel. Prices for these said packages start at S$448.

THE BRIGHT CITY LIGHTS OF HONG KONG

One of the most accessible countries in the Southeast Asia is Hong Kong. If your fantasy vacation includes the vibrant nightlife and mouthwatering street food, Hong Kong is the place to be!

How can you think twice about going anywhere else when the tempting aroma of Cantonese food breezes past you? Well, delicious meals are hard to resist especially for food-loving Singaporeans. You can also shop until you drop as you discover its bargain shops and markets.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Saving Tip: Absorb the technique of travel agencies by using comparison sites such as skyscanner.com.sg and cheapflights.com.sg. Thanks to modern technology, you do not have to spend countless hours on the tedious search through every airline out there.

THE ECCENTRICALLY ARTISTIC MELBOURNE

Looking forward to showcase your collection of sweaters and coats? Experience the chilling winds brought by the South Pole as you explore the wonders of Melbourne. Navigate bravely through this city to be greeted by friendly inhabitants and culturally-rich establishments.

As an art junkie, I can recommend visiting their museums. You can drop by the Heide Museum of Modern Art or the Melbourne Museum. You do not want to miss the “Melbourne Cup” every November. This is a massive horse-race event that is celebrated throughout their nation.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Saving Tip: If you are a spontaneous traveler, consider spotting the last-minute bargains. Last-minute deals come in handy with an occupation of ever-changing schedules. Try visiting Expedia to book for a last-minute flight to Melbourne.

Practical Ways To Share The Bill With Friends

It is no secret that splitting the bill is a source of conflict among friends, especially if one person is trying to ditch the contribution at all costs. Most Singaporeans do not want to be perceived as cheap, nor do they want to embarrass themselves.

Run through these methods when caught up in this seemingly awkward situation:

#1: BE ASSERTIVE

The person who speaks first is usually on top of the social situation. With an independent persona, I am one of those people who are not afraid to decide in behalf of a group. I initially blurt out my suggestions concerning our dining experiences (e.g., eating at a restaurant versus eating at my flat). Agreeing upon a specific strategy beforehand avoids the potential conflicts.

Take matters to your own hands by brainstorming about the payment strategy prior to booking a table or ordering food online. You do not want to awkwardly stare at each other when the bill arrives!

#2: SHARE EVERYTHING EVENLY

If you have no qualms with maximizing your budget and sharing your food (unlike “Joey” from F•R•I•E•N•D•S) then, by all means, split the bill evenly. This communal approach welcomes the relatively equal consumption of appetizers, mains, desserts, drinks, and so on. You all pay for the service charge too.

Having a great time while sharing delectable experiences – isn’t that what friendship is for?

#3: REQUEST FOR SEPARATE BILLS

Looking for the most logical method to split the restaurant costs? Well, you can politely ask for separate bills or checks! Having separate bills makes it clear that you will only pay for the meals and drinks that you have consumed. The only downside is the added load you posed on the server, but you can always compensate by giving a generous tip.

This method comes in handy when you are leaving earlier than the rest of your friends.

#4: DOWNLOAD AN SMART APP

In these days, there is almost always an app for everything and anything. Consider leaning on technology for a helping hand. You read that right! There are several apps on the market that allows to ease this social situation. For instance, you may download the Splitwise app for free. Splitwise allows you to keep track of the total amount that your friends owe you. When they are ready to pay their debts, they just have to complete the transaction through PayPal.

Another no-cost app that has a similar function is the Venmo (for Android and iOS). Venmo allows you send payment requests to your friends without the awkward money conversations. You can also pay your friends back if they sent a request to you.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

No matter what method you end up employing, sensitivity is bound to be an element in this situation. Overcome the bill splitting by clearly communicating your expectations and opinions.

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