Anna Agoncillo, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

5 Budget-Friendly Ways To Enhance Your Eyesight

With each word that we type on our computers, each group message that we read on our mobile phones, and each movie that we watch on our televisions – we rely on our eyes more than ever.

The continuous strain we put on our eyes can cause fatigue and other eye problems. Not to mention, Myopia or short-sightedness has been one of the public’s health concerns. The prevalence of Myopia in Singapore among all ages, was considered as one of the highest in the world.

That said, here are five ways to sharpen your vision and to see a “brighter” future ahead…

1. SEEK THE OUTDOORS

Scientists believe that high levels of light triggers the retina to release a chemical called “Dopamine” that stops the eyeball from lengthening. This belief was supported by studies in the United States and Australia, which showed that children who spent at least 21 hours a week outdoors have decreased their risk of suffering from short-sightedness.

So, it is best to encourage your kids to embrace the outdoorsy lifestyle. Make it a fun and rewarding experience by having family outings or playing outdoor sports.

2. EAT HEALTHY FOOD

Healthy food that are rich in zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and vitamin E can help protect your eyes from age-related vision problems.

Eat your way to a better vision by indulging on leafy green vegetables (e.g., spinach or kale), fishes (e.g., salmon or tuna), non-meat protein sources (e.g., nuts or beans), and citrus fruits (e.g., orange or pomelo) regularly.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

3. QUIT CIGARETTE SMOKING

Smoking affects your health in more ways than one. Aside from increasing our risk of developing heart disease and lung cancer, smoking can lead to vision loss. Smoking increases the risk of Dry Eye Syndrome, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.

If you want to keep your vision in tact, quit smoking cigarettes as early as you can. Do not lose hope if you have tried and failed in the past because more you try, the more likely you are going to succeed. Determination and perseverance are everything!

4. GIVE YOUR EYES A BREAK

Give your eyes the break it clearly deserves by looking away from the computer every once in a while. Rest your eyes about 10 minutes for every 50 minutes you spent in front of the computer screen.

If your eyes feel really tired after work, Dr. Mao Shing Ni (the bestselling author of Secrets of Longevity) suggests putting cooled cucumber slices over your eyelids while lying down.

5. EXERCISE YOUR EYES

Aside from giving your eyes a break, you must exercise it to remove the tension and to improve your vision naturally.

Simply follow these steps…

a. Rub your palms together to create heat then, place it against your eyes for 5 seconds to warm it up.

b. Roll your eyes in different directions by slowly circling them 10 times clockwise and 10 times counterclockwise.

c. Use your thumb knuckles to massage your temples in small circles 20 times in one direction and another 20 times in the opposite direction. Repeat the same motion above the midpoint of the eyebrows and at the forehead.

Or, move along with this “Animated Eye Exercises” video:

Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , & 5

4 Skills That Increase Your Employability And Edge From The Rest

Upon entering the room, every employer is on the lookout for a specific set of skills that is necessary for the vacant position.

You must be aware of these “job-specific” skills as well as the ones that are generally sought after by employers all over the world. Fortunately, most people have these skills to some extent while others can improve these skills through mentorship, training, and professional development.

What skills do you really need in order to get ahead from the rest?

1. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

It is no secret that developing good relationships and successfully delivering your ideas is critical in business. Whether you are looking for a job or wanting to get a promotion, communication skills is an asset that will get you to where you want to go.

Communication skills encompasses your ability to fluently converse through written and oral forms. It builds genuine relationships where you can count on others for information and help. Also, it serves as a tool to convey your thoughts on how to improve the organization. Now, that is a sure-fire way to get noticed!

2. TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS

One of the most important commodities on Earth is time. Once it is gone, you cannot take it back nor can you buy it in bulk. Time is very precious and wasting it can result to loss of profits. This is why employers value job hunters that are able to efficiently divide their time to meet the urgent tasks and deadlines.

Great time management skills produce many benefits such as higher productivity, reduced stress levels, and better quality of work.

Always remember that it is healthy to spare some time for yourself and your family too!

3. PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Henry Kaiser once said: “Trouble is only an opportunity in work clothes.”

Troubles or problems in the workplace are inevitable. And, having strong problem solving skills can help you manage these daily hurdles. Start by defining the situation and the problem at hand. Then think of the available options, resources, and alternatives. After which, you must analyze and select the best solution.

Showcase your creativity and reasoning abilities by approaching the problems from different angles!

4. LIFELONG LEARNING

Your ability to continuously learn is possibly the most important skill you need to cultivate your edge from the rest. Formal education and its resulting qualifications are viable. However, lifelong education maximizes your potential to get better jobs and to earn more.

Lifelong learning involves your motivation to deliberately develop throughout the course of your life. As of now, jobs require you to have the basic understanding of computer softwares and applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and emails.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

So whether it is learning a new technological device, a new skill, or a new attitude…there are untapped worlds to discover and many of which can open remarkable opportunities for you! 🙂

Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , & 4

Everything You Need To Grasp About Compound Interest

As an investor, the longer you keep your money on the account, the more you will make out of it. Elevation of your wealth each year is possible because of COMPOUND INTEREST.

With Compound Interest, you will not only earn interest on your principal deposit but also on any interest that is credited to your account. It helps your money to grow at an accelerating rate!

To better understand the concept, here is an illustration:

Say you invested S$50,000 to an account with a 5% interest per year. With the gains you made from compounding, how much would you earn in 3 years?

Year 1: S$50,000+ (S$50,000 x 5%) = S$52,500
Year 2: S$52,500+ (S$52,500 x 5%) = S$55,125
Year 3: S$55,125+ (S$55,125 x 5%) = S$57,881.25

Compounding adds up faster than you may think. As you can see, you earned S$7,881.25 in just three years!

Aside from its definition, here are some things you really need to know about Compound Interest:

1. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

The longer you keep your money invested, the greater the rate at which your initial investment produces returns. This is why it is advantageous if you started young. And if your “younger years” passed, the next best thing is to start now.

Calculate the possibilities of your accumulated wealth through a Compound Interest Calculator that is available here.

2. PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE CAN BENEFIT FROM IT

You do not need to be as financially literate as the people on Wall Street or as rich as Bill Gates because almost any investment will earn a Compound Interest if you leave your account untouched. The same principle and rules apply whether you invested S$1,000 or S$1,000,000.

3. TAKE CALCULATED RISKS

Yes! Compounding is powerful in almost all the circumstances but, you must not fall into the temptation of getting higher returns through higher risks. Unless you know what you are doing, taking on the higher risks can potentially lead to a chain of bad decisions from now until you retire. It is important to take well-informed and calculated risks to prevent destroying everything you once built.

4. PATIENCE IS TRULY IMPORTANT

Compound Interest requires you to sacrifice today to obtain its benefits tomorrow. It only works if you allotted time and effort in growing investment. The results may seem small at first but, you must persevere.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Certainly, its future rewards are greater than the sacrifice.

Sources: 1 , 2 , & 3

5 Make-Up Essentials You Shall Invest On

Whether you are someone whose cosmetics bag is filled with products or someone who has no clue what to put in it, the best approach to take is to go back-to-basics.

With a S$66 investment, you can fill your cosmetics bag with these essential beauty products…

1. BB CREAM

BB cream stands for blemish base, beauty balm, or blemish balm. This multi-tasking product does the job of the moisturizer, foundation, serum, primer, sunblock, and protector. With a beneficial beauty product like this, what more could you ask for?

For a favorable BB Cream within the budget, I recommend Revlon’s PhotoReady BB Cream. Its fragrance-free formula is made with minerals and synthetic broad-spectrum sunscreen. Blend it smoothly as it is made with lightweight and creamy liquid texture. It retails for about S$10.95 at Watsons.

2. CONCEALER

Concealer is a beauty product that helps you get rid of dark circles and other imperfect spots.

Beauty gurus on YouTube have adored Collection’s Lasting Perfection Concealer that covers blemishes and flaws for up to 16 hours. So, a little application of this creamy tube can go a long way. It comes in four colors namely: light, fair, medium, and dark. Although they have discontinued importing this product here, you can buy it online for only S$12.

3. BLUSH

A Blush or Blusher’s purpose is to emphasize the cheekbones and to provide a youthful glow. Surely, you will look healthier with “reddish” cheeks.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Purchase Inglot’s Freedom Blush & Illuminator as it marries a matte blush with a radiant illuminator. I recommend items 201-204. Hurry now as its limited stocks retail for S$19 at Zalora!

4. EYESHADOW PALETTE

A good Eyeshadow Palette is able to take your look from day to night. Naturally enhance your eyes with a eyeshadow that compliments your skin. For starters, you can try the beautifully packaged Sephora Collection Wonderful Dreams Eyeshadow Palette.

I fell in love with this palette, the moment I saw it online. It consists of eight soft tones in highly pigmented matte and shimmer finishes. From natural warm tones to intense dark tones, you are sure to create a myriad of gorgeous looks with this palette! It retails for US$10 or about S$14.

5. LIP GLOSS

The last fundamental beauty product to complete your makeup kit is a trusty gloss! A lip gloss is designed to add a glossy luster and a subtle color. For a lip gloss that looks pretty on every skin tone, opt for nude and coral glosses. Personally, I recommend NYX’s Butter Glosses.

NYX’s Butter Glosses have smooth texture, rich consistency, sweet taste, and subtle pigmentation. Go for a nude gloss called Creme Brûlée, a coral gloss called Apple Strudel, or a pink gloss called Vanilla Cream Pie. Put a bit more at the centers of your lower and upper lips to make it look slightly fuller.

Image Credits: https://tiaramblesss.wordpress.com/2014/02/18/current-obsession-nyx-butter-gloss

Buy it for S$10 at Sephora outlets or for S$9.30 at Changi Airport.

Sources: 1,2, & 3

5 Clear-Cut Ways To Save Sizable Money As A Tourist In Singapore

If you believe that following your travel budget on one of the most expensive countries in the world is impossible…think again! There are many ways to save a sizable amount of money as you explore Singapore.

Here are just some of them:

1. SAVE ON FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Food and beverages is one of the few categories you will be spending more on as you travel. Singaporean cuisine is unique because of its cultural diversity that is influenced by the neighboring Asian countries. So if you are tempted to try all the mouthwatering local dishes, eat at cost-effective food courts called “hawker centres” or traditional coffee shops called “kopitiam”.

Also, save money on water by drinking safely from the tap. Simply purchase a small bottled water for S$2 and refill it again via tap, for free.

2. SHOP AT THE RIGHT PLACES

Singapore is a haven for food lovers, for digital enthusiasts, and for fashionistas of all ages! It has an abundance of shopping centers. As a first time tourist, shopping for bargain keepsakes for you and your loved ones can be challenging and overwhelming. Ease your search by checking out these posts:

a. Excellent Places To Find Low-Cost Uniquely Singaporean Souvenirs

b. Perfect Places To Buy The Cheapest Perfume And Other Fragrances In Singapore

c. Perfect Places To Buy Cheap Camera And Accessories In Singapore

3. GET THE BEST EXCHANGE RATES IN TOWN

It is quintessential to find the best place to change the currency of your money especially if you are travelling for a long period of time. Luckily for you, Singapore boasts with an array of licensed and reliable money changers that offer the best rates for most foreign currencies. Save more money by comparing the rates of each shop or by reading this concise post.

4. SAVE ON TRANSPORTATION

Singapore is one of the few countries where walking is recommended and enjoyable. Indulge in the picturesque sights and neighborhoods by walking to and from the tourist attractions. Otherwise, take advantage of the efficient transportation services by purchasing an EZ-Link card instead of paying for each ride.

By using an EZ-Link card, you only pay for the distance traveled, rather than paying for the flat fare. For short trips, save even more by purchasing the Singapore Tourist Pass, which allows you to have unlimited rides for 3 days. Thus costing you as little as S$6.70 a day (T&C apply).

5. STRICTLY FOLLOW THE RULES

It is no secret that our country has been dubbed as the “Fine City”. The common penalties range from S$200 to S$1,000. For example, you have to pay S$500 per pack once you are caught bringing it inside the country. Some laws are even popular for its outrageous nature such as banning of chewing gums.

Image Credits: Paul Papadimitriou via Flickr

Avoid breaking the bank by being aware of and complying with the regulations. Be reminded by the warning signs that are plastered islandwide.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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