Anna Agoncillo, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

Korean Beauty Products That Are Worth Every Dollar

The clamor for Korean beauty products skyrocketed in the recent years. As with any trend, the volume of said products boomed as the global obsession grew. Let us filter out the mediocre products and leave with these amazing products (i.e., which are under S$20).

TONY MOLY STRAWBERRY 3-STEP NOSE PACK

Get it at Lazada Singapore for only S$8.37.

The official Tony Moly stores in Singapore are situated in Jurong Point and Bugis Junction. Here, you will find the Strawberry 3-Step Nose Pack that exudes a delicious milky strawberry scent.

The nose pack has been on trend way back in the ’90s. This Korean rendition stands out as it cleanses your pores and tackles your blackheads, while moisturizing your skin. All these are possible because the product was enriched with witch hazel, lemon, sage leaf, and green tea extract.

ELIZAVECCA MILKY PIGGY CARBONATED BUBBLE CLAY MASK

Get it at Althea Singapore for a discounted price of S$14.40.

From the makers of the painful Hell-Pore Clean Up Mask comes the funky Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask. The Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask took the Internet by storm due to its fizzy and foamy nature. Watch as it cleanses Vivienne Fung’s face:

To maximize the results, the mask is meant to stay in your skin for five minutes until the bubbles are generated.

BANILA CO. CLEAN IT ZERO

Get it at Changi Airport for S$19.70.

Are you hunting for a facial cleanser, which is supported by positive consumer reviews? Look no further than the Clean It Zero. This “scoopable” cleanser starts out as a solid balm and later turns into an oil when you massage it to your skin. It boasts with papaya extract – a gentle exfoliating ingredient that will give you a glowing complexion. No need to brighten your face with a beauty app!

Lastly, it claims to remove even the clingiest of makeup looks!

HOLIKA HOLIKA GOLDEN MONKEY GLAMOUR LIP 3-STEP KIT

Get it Althea Singapore for a discounted price of S$2.70.

Ready to renew your pout? Ladies and gentlemen of all skin types can benefit from the Golden Monkey Glamour 3-Step Kit.

As I have insanely chapped lips, this lip mask buzzes music to my ears. You have heard of a face and a lip mask works similarly. Apply it to your beloved lips to exfoliate and hydrate it.

Sources:1 & 2

The Contemporary Social Media And Financial Affairs

Here is how social media platforms can blend well with your personal monetary affairs.

YOU CAN CREATE A BUSINESS REPUTATION.

Content meets entrepreneurship as modern technology allows you to craft an online business persona. Use social media platforms to reach as many consumers as you can. You are free to advertise your products or service, but be wary of oversharing. Oversharing information may cost you plenty of money.

As Robert Siciliano, the online security expert for McAfee, once said: “Online reputation management and mitigation companies are a booming business because people just can’t stop posting things they shouldn’t, which often have long-term negative effects on their personal and professional lives.”

EDUCATORS CAN SHARE ENLIGHTENING VIDEOS ABOUT MONEY.

To increase mutual engagement between the financial literacy material and the students, educators can present a video inside and outside the classroom. Video sharing websites such as YouTube allows lecturers to upload their lessons, which can easily be shared by the students. This enables the students to process the money issues at their own pace.

Turn up the kinesthetic facet up a notch by asking your students to create a video to supplement their assigments related to budgeting or managing debts. This activity will connect them more to the lessons that you are teaching.

YOU CAN USE YOUR PROFILE AS A LEVERAGE.

One of the “online rules” that you must live by is to assume that your posts are all public. This assumption will make you accountable for your actions. After all, your employer may be stalking your every virtual move.

If you despise your job or your boss, it may be tempting to rant endlessly on Facebook. Posting does not cost a cent! However, doing so could sabotage your career. Do you remember the former NTUC Assistant Director who got fired due to her racist comments on Facebook? Well, NTUC’s Membership Partnership & Alliance took immediate actions as they have zero tolerance for racism. On that note, never post anything negative or unpleasant about your previous or current employer. Always use common sense!

FINANCIAL EXPERTS CAN EASILY COMMUNICATE WITH YOU.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Experts provide significant financial education that will benefit you throughout your lives. This is where the power of social media comes in. Social media platforms present a tremendous opportunity to reach diverse generations, especially the Millennials. Millennials use technology to learn about their personal money matters. So, use specific hashtag such as #financialaid or #guidetobudgeting to expand the discussion to more users.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Top Children’s Financial Books Under S$30

These four books feature the topic of money without making your child feel overwhelmed. The important lessons come subtly as they are sprinkled with sensible humor, lovable characters, and colorful adventures.

A CHAIR FOR MY MOTHER

Buy it at Kinokuniya for S$14.37.

Recipient of Caldecott Honor, “A Chair For My Mother” is an inspiring tale written by Vera Williams. The story revolves around a family who lost everything due to a horrible fire incident. Rosa and her family worked hard to purchase a comfortable chair that will serve as the only furniture in their home. The book highlights the challenges of people who have minimum wage jobs. It is suited for kids ages 4 to 8.

THE LEMONADE WAR

Buy it at Kinokuniya for S$13.31.

Are you nurturing young saleswoman and salesman in your backyard? Consider grabbing the “The Lemonade War” by Jacqueline Davies. Siblings Evan and Jesse compete in a lemonade war to earn the first one hundred dollars. Prepare yourself as their competition will reach amusing heights!

The book conveys the basics of money management and business planning in the context of an entertaining story. It aims to hit the hearts of children ages 8 to 12.

FANCY NANCY AND THE FABULOUS FASHION BOUTIQUE

Buy it at Kinokuniya for S$29.98.

For your beloved princess who loves to dress up, the “Fancy Nancy and the Fabulous Fashion Boutique” is the perfect read. Nancy is a delightful girl who enjoys transforming the most ordinary events into glamorous occasions. She sets up a fashion boutique to make money to sustain her wants. At her boutique, you will find accessories, rhinestones, clothes, and so much more. The items she was selling came in handy when her sister’s party went amiss. This book echoes best to kids as young as 4.

WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON

Grace Lin’s “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” mashes Chinese folklore with the classic elements of The Wizard of Oz. She has written a wonderful story of friendship and fantasy. It starts with a girl named Minli who lived in a ramshackle hut with her parents. Minli seeks to change her family’s fortune.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Inspired by her mother’s old folktales, Minli spends her copper pennies on a magical goldfish. The goldfish is believed to bring good luck. As you may have imagined…the bargain paid off!

Sources: 1 & 2

Amazingly Free Things To Do On Your Off Days

To help you recharge and reignite your passion for life, I listed 15 inspiring things to do when your day off comes. All these activities do not cost a cent!

1. Witness the magnificent aerial view of the city by stepping into the ION Sky. ION Orchard’s observatory is open from 3 to 6 PM daily.

2. If you rarely take time away from work, take this as an opportunity to tone up your body. Begin by brisk walking at the nearby park.

3. Brush up your skills by taking open online classes from institutions around the world. Coursera is a popular platform that offers classes from prestigious universities such as Princeton and National University of Singapore.

4. Listen to your favorite type of music by building your own playlist at Spotify. Take the 7-day free trial.

5. Savor a spotless kitchen by cleaning all your utensils and electrical equipment. Do not forget to switch off these equipment before you start cleaning.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

6. Learn how to make an Origami Paper Crane. This creative skill is not only a good conversation starter, but it is also handy in parties.

7. Lay like a couch potato by employing a movie marathon. Watch the entire Star Wars series for approximately 13 hours or the Lord of the Rings trilogy for about 11 hours.

8. Arrange your living environment according to the principles of “Feng Shui” to help you feel more balanced.

9. Go to the nearby public library. Here, you may read books that will help you to improve your career.

10. Start saving for your future by opening a savings account. If you already have one, you may dedicate this day to making a significant deposit to your account.

11. Watch the glorious sunset with your special someone. Capture the moment by posting it on your social media platforms.

12. Enjoy outdoor movie screenings (and occasional free snacks) with Movie Mob. It is a drive-in event, which is held in various areas. Check out the next screening at facebook.com/apemoviemob.

13. Create homemade spa treatments by using the materials that are available to you. Nothing beats beauty time!

14. Take a relaxing stroll at the MacRitchie Reservoir’s Treetop Walk. This will enable you to connect with nature.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

15. If you are deeply attached to your handphone (like the rest of us), you may want to declare a device-free day. Allow yourself to live in the present moment. Fully enjoy the day with your friends and family.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Budget-Friendly Ways To Motivate Your Employees

Recognizing the efforts of your employees can help show your appreciation, boost their morale, and retain your loyal workers. On that note, here are four budget-friendly ways to reward your beloved employees:

#1: HIGHLIGHT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

Recognize the exemplary performance of your employees by rewarding them with opportunities for growth. Let me share a personal story. Before I got accepted as an educator for an international school, the President highlighted that I will be boxed in a single position for long. He wants us to travel with him to ensure that the school aligns with the global standards of the “main branch”. More so, training will be provided to ensure that we are professionally ready to acquire various roles of the school. Growth is one of the main reasons why I committed for a long period of time.

Growth can be passed down to the employees through seminars and classes that will prepare them for more responsibilities in your company. Afterwards, promote the employee who has manifested that he or she is ready for the next step.

#2: ACCEPT COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

The plain act of being heard transmits a signal that you value your team. Listen to the opinions or complaints of your employees by establishing a company intranet. An intranet is similar to a social media networking platform, but it is exclusive to the company. An inexpensive way to set this up is by creating a closed-group Facebook page. Allow your employees to post their ideas on the wall. Please reply diligently.

Give credit to the person who came up with the brilliant idea. And, do not forget about the organization who brought the idea into fruition.

#3: SHARE THE GIFT OF TIME

What better way to reward your employees than by giving them one currency that you cannot replace – time? Employees in Singapore pose so much value to their work. If your company works on a fixed schedule, you may consider offering the flexitime incentive to the high-performing employees.

The schedule in my first job followed a 48-hour cycle per week (including overtime). This is similar to how most companies operate. Due to the distinctly long and stressful shifting hours at the office, my rest days were deeply treasured. I shifted to freelancing after a year. I realized that flexibility in time weighs more than any cash incentives I received in the past. Some of your employees may feel the same way.

#4: SURPRISE THEM WITH THE WHEEL OF PRIZES

Turn the fun meter up a notch by creating a wheel filled with attractive prizes. Keep your employees motivated by hosting an “Employee of the Month/Term” competition whereby the winner will be able to spin the wheel. The beauty of this wheel is that you will be able to manipulate the prizes based on your budget.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Here are just some things that you can put on your colorful wheel:

a. Gift cards such as a S$25 card from iTunes or a S$50 card from Takashimaya,
b. Voucher for an extra paid leave,
c. A personalized trophy (i.e., make sure it is shining),
d. An electronic announcement of the specific accomplishments via team email, or
e. A free pass to the latest film in the movie house.

Sources: 1 & 2

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