Anna Agoncillo, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

9 Budget-Friendly Ways To Look Younger And Beautiful

1. MAINTAIN A GOOD POSTURE

People who stand up straight would convey a figure that looks more attractive and smarter. Also, research show that it facilitates breathing, increases happiness, and improves concentration. Give it a try. It is a free boost anyway.

2. GET A LONG SIDE-SWEPT FRINGE

If you are ever going to get a haircut, ask your stylist for long side-swept bangs to cover any obvious wrinkles in your forehead.

3. CUT YOUR NAILS INTO SQUARE-OVALS

Square tips with rounded edges tend to look more youthful and clean. Cut your nails straight across then smooth the corners round with a nail file.

4. HAVE A FREE EYE-LIFT

Curl your lashes and finish it with mascara. Curly and thick looking lashes give you an instant eye-lift that makes you seem alert and younger. For best results, wash your curler with hot water or blow-dry it for at least three seconds before using it.

5. SWITCH TO CREAM

Face powder can produce fine lines and lifeless look. So, switch to BB or CC cream instead. It will give a natural radiance to your glowing skin.

6. GO FOR BERRY LIPS

Go for a color that softens your lips by being not too nude, sheer, and bright. A berry hue is just right. Also, it is universally flattering for all skin complexions. Try Clinique’s Berry Blush Butter Shine Lipstick for S$16 or Broadest Berry Chubby Stick Lip Balm for S$17.

7. TRY MIXING IT UP

Pair two solid color or two patterned clothing together to give a bold and youthful statement. For example you may pair a floral skirt print with a striped blouse.

8. WEAR CLOTHING ARTICLES THAT FIT

My mother is one of the women who buy one size larger so that the clothing is more comfortable but it is less flattering. Whether something is too tight or too loose, the result remains constant: looking larger that you really are. So, shop and wear clothes that fit you well.

9. RENEW YOUR EYEWEAR

Image Credits: Ansel Edwards via Flickr

If you do not want to wear contact lenses, a new color of frame shape will take years off your face. A frame shape that you may try is the modern take on the cat-eye. The upward tilt has a lifting effect. For the colors of the frame, warm hues exude youthfulness.

How To Teach Your Kids (Aged 3-10) To Be Financially Responsible

Aged 3-5

1. PEOPLE MAKE MONEY BY WORKING

Describe your job to your children. You may even bring them along one in your workplace and give them a tour. Then, introduce this video of a farmer that gets paid for supplying milk. This short video explains the concept of money to children in a simple and animated manner.

2. MONEY IS NEEDED TO PURCHASE THINGS

Like the farmer in the video, he needed money to buy what he wanted. Help your child understand the concept of being able to buy things by identifying items that cost money (e.g., house, car, table, or iPhone) and those that are free (e.g., hugs and kisses from Daddy).

3. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEEDS AND WANTS.

When you are shopping with your kid, highlight what are the essentials such as vegetables and fruits. Then, let your him pick the items that are considered as wants.

Tell your child that an individual must wait before buying something he/she wants. Make him realize this by putting money into two jars: 1 for savings, 1 for spending. Ask him to save a dollar of his allowance for savings and a dollar for spending every week.

Aged 6-10

4. IT IS GOOD TO COMPARE PRICES.

Teach your child how to look around the shops first before buying anything in order to get the best deal. In spending money, choices must be made. So, include your child in small decisions to increase their awareness.

5. THERE ARE DANGERS IN SHARING PERSONAL INFORMATION ONLINE.

Discuss to your child how dangerous and costly it is to enter personal information (e.g., address or bank account details) online because someone may steal it. Encourage purchasing online only when you are beside them.

6. INTRODUCE BANKING AND INTEREST.

Describe how the banking and interest works. Savings account will protect your child’s savings and it will also generate more money due to interest. You may open a junior bank account that you supervise. Let your child watch this video to understand the concept better:

5 Times Drugstores Take Your Money

If you enter a drugstore to buy a shampoo and a toothpaste but end up buying S$50 worth of nail polish, buy 1 get 1 offer of contact lens solution, and holiday decors along with your needs…keep in mind that you are not alone. Most drugstores employ sneaky and clever ways to entice you with their products that are rather unnecessary.

So, be a savvy shopper by educating yourself with the 5 Times Drugstores Take Your Money through clever strategies…

1. HUGE WINDOW DISPLAY

As you walk in the wall you see a flashy window display of a fever medicine and you immediately rushed in since that is what you needed and you thought that they are having a special offer on it. Not so fast! A special window display does not necessarily mean that the product is a good deal.

2. ENTICING ENTRANCE

The seasonal items such as Christmas balls for Christmas season or artificial flowers for Valentine’s Day are presented to entice the shoppers in the entrance. Even if you did not come to buy these holiday decors, you get excited because of the claimed price drops at that moment.

3. ALLURING AUTHORITIES

Some sales representative are dawned in special uniforms or even lab coats to entice you with sweet-swelling shampoos or dermatologically tested cosmetics that you did not come to buy. So, if you are there to buy sunscreen, dandruff or hair growth shampoo then go directly to the respective aisle and buy the less expensive brand, which usually contain the special active ingredient.

4. SHELF GAMES

Drugstores place complementing products together so you end up buying not just the duster refills but also new sweeper handles and other attachments. To avoid this, focus on the shelf cards and look for the special deals or the special rebate items.

5. FAR PHARMACY

Drugstores are usually designed to encourage consumers to walk in a circular layout where the “must-haves” are tempting you along the way. And the highly needed pharmacy is located the far end.

Image Credits: Mike Mozart via Flickr

So, head straight to what is on the list and stick to it. You can also leave your credit card at home and bring only the certain amount of cash that is sufficient.

Clear These Hoarded Items To Save Money, Space, And Effort

Start your year with a clean slate by tossing out, repurposing, or donating these 5 hoarded items that are scattered all over your house…

1. OLD GREETING CARDS

One of the common things that people hoard are greeting cards because of its sentimental value. You may keep the special or handmade greeting cards given to your by your family and friends as long as they hold a significance.

But toss the cards that are for novelty, company greeting cards, or those who are given to you by people whom you barely know. It is nice to cherish these cards during the season but once the holiday is over, all these cards do is just create a stack of clutter.

2. CONTAINERS WITHOUT A LID OR VICE VERSA

When you store your leftovers, you will realize that some plastic containers do not have a lid while other lids do not have containers. Save your effort of trying to find these missing parts by tossing the extra pieces. Another thing that you can do is to use big containers as a place to store your make-up or remote control. This way, you do not have to buy a new organizer.

3. CARTON OF CORDS AND CABLES

Every house has a carton of cords filled with extra cords that are perceived to be useful in the near future. Guess what? They never are. Cords and cables get obsolete as technology advances so, toss everything to the garbage bin. Label your current cords and cables by putting placing a masking tape so that you can easily find what you are looking for.

4. OLD AND MIS-MATCHED CLOTHING

Arrange your closet and search for old t-shirts and mis-matched clothing. Toss your mis-matched socks because you do not have any use for it. While, your old t-shirts can be used as rags. But, if it is still in good condition, donate it for charity.

5. FREE MUGS, CUPS, AND WATER BOTTLES

Who can resist something that is free? You probably got one to many free company mugs or water bottle freebies from your rewards card. These things only stack up so, unless it fits your home decoration and you actually use it, sell everything online.

Image Credits: Tomi Tapio K via Flickr

Go to Gumtree, eBay, and Carousell to sell your mugs, cups, and water bottles that you have not used. By doing so, you did not only save space but you also made money.

5 Financial Steps You Must Take After Getting Your First Job

So you got your first full-time job after graduating…what happens next? You may be lost and unfamiliar with the new responsibilities ahead. So, it is best to keep your finances in check. These steps will help:

1. ALLOCATE YOUR FINANCES BY BUDGETING

List down your expenses (i.e., fixed and variable), your income, and debts. Be aware of your cash flow for at least 2 weeks to help you set up a budget. Do not panic if you still have to pay your student loan because a budget will help you plan your income allocation.

2. REDUCE YOUR STUDENT LOAN

Do not wait until the lender notices you have graduated, start now. The earlier you start making payments, the more you will save. Furthermore, if you have a private loan that you took out when your credit score was lower, there is a potential to borrow again at lower rate.

3. THINK ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

You may be living from paycheck to paycheck at the first few months but how about 4 years from now? Think about your long-term financial goals and start planning your budget accordingly. You may consider buying a house, traveling, or having kids, so start setting aside some money every month towards your goals. This will lessen the load and the stress.

4. CONSIDER BUYING THE INSURANCE YOU NEED

Insurance maybe in the back of your mind because you are young, healthy, and you got your life ahead of you. But, it will be the best thing you have ever invested on once accidents and unforeseen things happen. It is cheaper to buy insurance now while you are young because the risks are low. Many employers offer group life and group disability insurance, so it is more affordable and cheap enough to consider.

5. OPEN YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT

I stressed this issue so much before and I will say it again. The best time to start your retirement savings is before you hit 35 years old. Wouldn’t you want to have a relaxing life with no financial worries once you retire?

Image Credits: 401(K) 2012 via Flickr

Then, set aside at least 5-10% of your income per month for retirement fund. Also, avoid debt as much as possible and get educated about your finances. Know how and why you should save for retirement before your mid-30s here.

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