8 Tips to Look Elegant on a Budget

We all desire to look elegant and classy. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to spend a hefty amount to look and feel like a million dollars. You can follow certain tips and tricks to present yourself in the most elegant way.

Not only can you make your wardrobe look fancy, but also your bank account!

TIP #1: INVEST IN STAPLE PIECES

Key fashion pieces consist of the most valuable clothing items in your closet, which can provide a foundation for every great outfit. Choose quality over quantity to look expensive while on a tight budget. You can purchase fewer high-quality pieces rather than purchasing more fast-fashion items every month. This will save you money in the long run.

For instance, you can spend S$45 on a premium white shirt instead of purchasing a S$5 poorly made white shirt every month. Staples include basic tees, classic black dresses, pairs of jeans, and flats.

TIP #2: GO FOR THE NUDES

Choose neutral or nude shades to achieve a classy, minimal look. While bold colors are fun to add into your outfits every once in a while, you can make a chic entrance with neutrals.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Neutral shades include black, white, grey, olive green, brown, and taupe. Neutral shades never go out of style, so you can keep these pieces in your wardrobe for years. These shades are extremely versatile too, which can result in an effortlessly expensive-looking outfit.

TIP #3: LESS IS MORE

Wearing minimalist outfits with sharp tailoring in neutral shades and paired with timeless accessories will elevate your style. Keep things simple. For instance, you can match a black dress with a gold necklace or bracelet.

TIP #4: WEAR FLATTERING CLOTHES

Elegant people know that focusing on their assets and drawing attention to the body parts they love can help them look more stylish. Clothes that fit you like a glove and flatter your body can help you look classy.

Not everyone has the same body type, so select clothes that flatter your body. For instance, petite women can find a tailor to achieve the best hemlines.

TIP #5: MATCH BAGS WITH SHOES

The importance of a good shoe can never be underestimated. A good pair of shoes can either be durable black high-heeled shoes or a pair of nude flats. Learning to match these shoes with your back does not necessarily mean you have to match the colors. Rather, you need to match the materials used in the shoes and bag.

You can go for a leather bag and pair it with leather mules. You could still match colors as it is your choice. Invest in quality shoes and bags that are long-lasting and timeless.

TIP #6: WEAR MODERATE MAKEUP

Avoid heavy makeup and false eyelashes. These are not bad ideas, but you can elevate your style by keeping things simple and fresh.

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Do not forget about proper grooming too! Wash your hair properly, brush the edges well, and put it together.

TIP #7: KEEP YOUR ACCESSORIES TO A MINIMUM

Those who are trying to stay within a budget will be happy to apply the “less is more” method when accessorizing. Tasteful accessories have the potential to elevate your style from looking basic to fancy. Stick to dainty, sleek accessories such as simple gold chain bracelet and pearl drop necklace.

TIP #8: FIND THE RIGHT FABRICS

Expensive-looking style is complemented by luxurious materials. Some fabrics you can consider include linen, cotton, silk, cashmere, and wool. Stay on budget by finding quality fabrics at end of season sale or shop on pre-loved sites such as Facebook Marketplace and Carousell.

Sources: 1 & 2

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8 Money-Saving Hacks for Young (& Broke) Adults

Saving money when you are young and broke can seem like an impossible task. With the right mindset and strategy, you can save money despite the hurdles ahead. Putting your spare cash each month can make a world of difference. All you need to do is be willing to commit to your financial goals! The following hacks can help.

#1: DRINK MORE WATER

You will save more money if you stop buying bottles of soda and cups of take-away coffee. Bottled water is cheap and tap water is cheaper. There are many great options for filtering your water if you are not a fan of water from the tap. Nonetheless, eating out with a family of 3 can easily save you money just by drinking water alone.

#2: GET A PART-TIME JOB

If you just graduated and you are trying to reach a goal that seems to be taking longer than expected, you can get a part-time job. This job can be a temporary solution to get past whatever situation you are in. Moreover, it is a wonderful way to pay off your dues and debt. If you are building an emergency fund, having another source of income can aid your quest. Market your skills online to boost your job search.

#3: CREATE A MEAL PLAN

Whether you are living alone or living with your roommate, you can save more money by planning your meals. It eliminates food wastage and helps you create more affordable meals. Rather than buying what looks good at the grocery store, you can opt for budget-friendly alternatives to complete your dishes.

#4: CANCEL YOUR UNNECESSARY MEMBERSHIPS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

You are cash-strapped! You do not need your hefty gym membership or subscriptions to different music and entertainment apps. Think about all the wasted money because of not taking the time to cancel the things that you no longer use.

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#5: ALWAYS BRING A SHOPPING LIST

One of the easiest ways to go over budget is going inside the grocery store without a plan! If you do not want to spend too much money in one place, always bring a shopping list with you. Only go down the aisles that you truly need to grab what you need. Skip the rest!

#6: KEEP YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT SEPARATE

Are you breaking because of your shopping habits? Keeping this from happening again by having your savings completely separated. Find an online savings account or open a separate checking account. Make it a little more challenging to take money out of your savings. Your future self will thank you.

#7: EMPLOY THE 30-DAY RULE

When you are considering making large purchases, use the 30-day rule. If you still want it just as much after 30 days, consider saving money for it. Having a waiting period eliminates impulsive purchases made out of excitement or other overwhelming emotions.

#8: DO REGULAR CHECK-INS

Before spending a large amount of money on a significant purchase, have your trusted partner or friend assess the situation with you. Have regular check-ins to look into your current financial situation. This might sound silly at first, but it can keep you from spending money impulsively on things that are not in your budget. Find someone that can help make you accountable for your spending.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Birthday While Overseas

Year-end travel bookings are fast approaching! How can you celebrate your birthday without disappointing your guests? Fret not! It is possible to embrace the strangeness of celebrating while overseas.

Take a moment to plan your virtual party. From virtual party games to virtual potlucks, here are some fun and budget-friendly ways to honor your big day while you are overseas!

#1: ENJOY A MOVIE NIGHT

The Netflix Party app allows you to watch a movie simultaneously with multiple viewers. It lets one person start and stop whatever you are watching for the whole group to stay on track. What’s more? It gives you a chat room to discuss what you are watching.

#2: HAVE A VIRTUAL POTLUCK

Nothing beats a party filled with food. If you and your relatives or friends love cooking, pick a cuisine or a theme for your potluck. Allow everyone to showcase their dishes while you are at a virtual party. Everyone can eat together and describe their creations in entertaining ways. The most creative entry will win!

#3: OPEN THE VIRTUAL VISITING HOURS

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Who can decline to a party when the visiting hours are forgiving? Post a message that they can come any time from “0:00am to 0:00pm”. You can set the Zoom meeting to a recurring one to allow visitors to drop by any time. Just send them the link to your party and be ready to say: I am so glad that you could make it! This is especially helpful when you are separated by different time zones.

#4: PLAY CHARADES

Virtual parties can have a variety of games such as Bingo and Charades. When attempting to host a party via video meeting, embrace the technical glitches that can happen. No activity is better suited to this platform than charades. Pick a topic that the majority enjoys such as the famous singers or iconic Singaporean food.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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How to Cope with Money Anxiety

Financial or money anxiety has become more common than ever. If you have found yourself worrying about cash lately, you are not alone. In the American Psychological Association’s 2022 Stress in America Survey, 87% of the participants listed inflation as a trigger of significant stress.

Moreover, Traveloka found that 51% of Singaporean men respondents named financial stability as the top stressor in its wellness survey. The rise in prices coupled with the effects of the global pandemic has people from all backgrounds worried.

To know whether you are undergoing money anxiety, you must watch out for some signs. A few signs your anxiety surrounding finances is becoming a serious concern include:

a. Avoidance of bills and other important statements
b. Aches and pains such as headache or upset stomach when you look at your financial situation
c. Analysis paralysis when it comes to decision making
d. Lack of work-life balance
e. Rigidity in planning and its outcome
f. Rumination of money matters such as your retirement fund or credit card bills
g. Sleeping problems due to your financial situation

You see, financial anxiety preoccupies your life and can cripple your day-to-day work. It is more than just worrying about having enough money in your bank account as it manifests similarly to the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, such as tension and irritability.

Nonetheless, here are some ways you can employ to cope with money anxiety.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#1: CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY

We were taught about money during our childhood. If the values and practices you were taught in the past do not match with your own adult financial situation, it can lead to avoidance and isolation. One of the best ways to establish a relationship with money is to treat it as a problem to be solved. Look at your values, behavior, and practices objectively and learn more about yourself.

Creating a money practice or starting a habit of regularly assessing your finances is the simplest way to shape your relationship with money.

#2: DO REGULAR CHECK-INS

In situations where you feel highly stressed and anxious, your body thinks that it needs to react quickly to danger, so it goes into a flight or fight mode. Others tend to freeze and avoid their finances altogether. Thus, it is important to set a time to look at your money. This approach is more focused and safer for your wellbeing.

For instance, you can choose a random weeknight to examine your finances. Rather than waiting for an unfortunate situation, you can decide ahead of time to prevent a certain financial issue.

#3: CONSIDER GETTING SOCIAL SUPPORT

Many Singaporeans hide their financial issues because they feel embarrassed, or they blame themselves for their situation. However, many people undergo financial trouble often. Keep in mind that anyone can experience money anxiety or financial concerns, despite wearing expensive clothes or having prestigious jobs. We do not know how they keep up with their luxe lifestyle!

These issues can be less frightening when you face them with your social support. Your trusted social support may include your friends and loved ones. These people can help by providing a helping hand or by brainstorming solutions with you.

If your money anxiety is interfering with your daily life, seeking help from a professional can provide relief. Search for a mental health practitioner or a financial expert near you.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Money Topics to Discuss When in a Long-Term Relationship

Like everything else in your relationship, it all boils down to communication. Your quest to find the right person may include someone with a pleasing personality, someone whom you share interests in, someone who gets along well with your family and friends, and other factors that affect your chemistry. As your journey to the “one” comes to an end, you must remember one crucial component: money.

Money has been known to be a leading cause of stress in relationships. This topic is often off-limits, and many couples steer away from conversations involving one’s financial situation. Maybe you are skipping money conversations because you do not want to deal with the consequences of your spending habits. Or, perhaps you have been dating for less than a year and you fear that bringing up a serious topic is going to put a pause on your fun times.

When in a long-term relationship, it is important to discuss your finances with your partner. Everything would not simply work itself out. Your relationship with money will take effort and time.

#1: TALK ABOUT YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY MANAGEMENT

What are your partner’s views on spending and saving? Start the conversation with a non-judgmental tone. You can also share some examples of past experiences that may have influenced your current views and behaviors surrounding money.

This is where you and your partner will go in-depth into how your finances look now and whether your financial habits and views are compatible with one another.

#2: ELABORATE ON YOUR MONEY GOALS

Say you have always dreamed of owning a flat, and you want to do it sooner rather than later. You may want to forgo large expenses such as a European vacation or paying rent near the city-center. Is your partner on board with the plan? Is she or he ready to purchase a flat with you? You need to talk about your money goals and work together to accomplish them.

#3: DISCUSS YOUR ASSETS AND DEBTS

Let us face it! The reality is that, even if you and your partner do not combine finances now or ever, your partner’s money situation is going to affect yours. Do discuss your assets and debts. Big expenses and potentially thousands of dollars of debt can impact any short-term or long-term plans you have.

#4: ASK IF YOUR PARTNER PAYS BILLS ON TIME

If you always pay your bills later, this could affect your ability to borrow money. Your inability to borrow money can affect your future plans with your partner. To check your credit, consider requesting a copy from one of the reporting agencies or your financial institution.

#5: DECIDE HOW YOU ARE GOING TO COMBINE FINANCES

Some couples choose to set up a joint bank account as soon as they decide that they are in it for the long haul. While others have kept their money separate for their entire lives. Decide whether you are going to combine finances or not.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

No matter how you structure your accounts, a joint spreadsheet is a helpful tool to keep track of your household expenses and income. Remember that you can affect each other’s financial situation, especially when entering matrimony.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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