Why you should make time for quiet moments every day

by  in Lifestyle
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sitting alone by the beach

You’re always on the go, and you barely have time for yourself.

But what if we told you that making time for a few quiet moments every day is crucial for your health and well-being? You might not believe us, but it’s true.

In this post, we will look at the importance of including some calm moments in your daily routine, and share some tips on how to make that happen.

Set intentions for the day ahead

What do you want to achieve? What do you want to get done by tomorrow? When you have time to yourself to set these intentions, it’s easier to stay focused and avoid getting sidetracked.

During these moments, you can also review your intentions and brainstorm steps to make things happen. So make time for yourself, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day.

Help connect us with our inner thoughts

When we take a few minutes to ourselves, we’re able to connect with our inner thoughts. This is a time when we can reflect on our day, set goals for the near future, or just unwind and de-stress. It’s a time when we can do some self-reflection and figure out what’s essential to us.

Quiet moments can be anything from taking a walk in the park to sitting in silence in your favorite spot or designated meditation room. The key is to find something that works for you and stick with it. And don’t forget to set recurring alarms if you tend to forget.

Help us to appreciate the little things in life
a woman staring out of the window

Image Credits: unsplash.com

There is a lot of noise and chaos in the world, but that’s precisely why it’s crucial to take some time for yourself each day. During those quiet moments, you’re able to look back on the time that has passed and appreciate all the little things that you might have missed.

You can sit in silence or listen to calming music while doing so—whatever helps you to relax and clear your mind. Taking some time for yourself each day is a terrific way to recharge your batteries and prepare yourself for whatever might come your way.

Can be used to practice meditation or mindfulness

When you take some time out for yourself, you can use it to practice meditation or mindfulness. These practices can help you focus on the present moment and clear your mind of all the distractions that are constantly swirling around us.

When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, taking a few minutes to yourself can be beneficial. It allows you to center yourself and find some peace amidst the chaos. And that’s something we could all use a little more of in this digital era.

You’re probably busy every day, running from one task to the next. But what happens when you don’t take a moment to yourself, to just breathe and relax? You end up feeling crushed. Adding a few quiet moments into your daily routine is a great way to de-stress and catch up on some much-needed break. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes each day, taking some time for yourself can make a big difference. So set alarms in your schedule this week to chill, and enjoy the serenity that comes with it.

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4 Things to Consider Before Living Near Your Child’s School

by  in Marriage & Family
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Singaporean parents want to provide their children the leverage in life through providing quality education. Some parents are willing to spend their savings to move to a property within proximity of their chosen primary school.

The question remains, is it really worth it to move near your child’s school to increase his or her chances of getting in?

#1: AMENITIES IN SCHOOL ZONES ARE PRICIER

Living near your chosen primary school is convenient for commuting. However, being near the school zone comes with other inconveniences such as noise and traffic in the morning.

Elite primary schools tend to be situated in prime districts. Properties in the prime districts are expensive. For instance, ACS Junior in Newton is surrounded by private properties amounting to S$3-7 million. Apart from shelling out millions, it is not uncommon for supermarkets or MRT stations to be further away from residential areas. In contrast, neighborhood schools are often surrounded by HDB Developments.

#2: PRIORITY ADMISSION IS NOT GUARANTEED

Staying near your chosen school does not immediately guarantee that you will be given the slot, which is why many parents are hoping to improve their chances by participating in volunteer work. If you cannot get into your preferred school and have no alternative options nearby, that means that you could be facing a lock-in period of at least three to five years as part of the home loan agreement.

On the other hand, if you can successfully secure a place for your child due to proximity, you will need to stay at the address for at least thirty months from the start of the registration exercise as required by the Ministry of Education.

#3: SOCIAL SUPPORT CAN BE A FACTOR

Apart from prioritizing quality education, childcare should also be a factor in planting your roots. Do you opt to live near the homes of your parents and in-laws? If so, you will be able to ask for their support after school hours. For instance, your child can go over to his or her grandparents’ home after school.

#4: ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET PRICE CAN MAXIMIZE PROFIT

If you found a home within a kilometer away from your chosen primary school, you will reap its rentability and value benefits. Many parents would want to rent a flat near their children’s school.

A study done by NUS found that 1.4% and 6.9% price declines of private and HDB homes, respectively, within 1km of a school that relocates. Apart from your proximity to the school, it is essential to assess a property’s size, age, and nearby amenities to ensure a tidy profit once you decide to rent it out or to sell it in the future.

For owners of private properties, you can seek the help of licensed appraisers who are members of the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers to determine your property’s valuation. While HDB homeowners should not worry about researching the valuation cost as they can get a valuation report on their unit from the HDB office.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

BOTTOMLINE

Choosing where to live is a personal decision. Consider all the factors that will affect your move. Some people are content with being near any primary school, while others feel that getting a good start in life is tied to an elite primary school. The choice is up to you.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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Top 5 Things You Should Know About Getting a Home Loan

by  in Credit & Loan
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Getting a home loan can be one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make, and while the process can seem overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. If you know what to expect and how to prepare, you’ll be better equipped to get the best deal on your mortgage and secure your home faster than ever before. Here are five things you should know about getting a home loan.

Top 5 Things You Should Know About Getting a Home Loan

1) Understand the process

The home loan process can be confusing and even overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t have to be. First, get your paperwork in order: gather your pay stubs, credit report (including your latest report), bank statements, property tax records, homeowners insurance records and any other supporting documents that may help with qualifying for a mortgage. Remember that the amount of loan you need and will receive will depend on the type of home you are looking to purchase, for instance if you are looking for places that have indoor gas fireplaces versus a small one bedroom with no windows, the insurance amounts among other variables will differ, hence impacting the overall loan.

2) Save for your down payment

One of the most important things to know about getting a home loan is that you will need to save for a down payment. The amount you will need to save will depend on the type of loan you get and the lender you use, but it is typically around 3-5% of the purchase price of the home. If you have questions about how much your down payment should be, talk with a real estate agent or mortgage broker to see what they recommend. They can also help you figure out if you are able to afford the monthly payments and provide more information about what kind of loan might work best for you.

3) Calculate how much your monthly mortgage payment will be

When you’re ready to buy a home, one of the first things you’ll need to do is get pre-approved for a mortgage. This will give you an idea of how much money you can borrow and what your monthly payments will be. Here are the top five things you should know about getting a home loan. Before buying a house, it’s important to understand how much you can afford. That’s why pre-approval is such an important step in the process. It will tell you what kind of house you can afford and the size of mortgage payment that would be best for your budget.

4) Choose your mortgage type (Fixed, variable, interest only or offset)

If you’re looking to purchase a home, you’ll likely need to obtain a mortgage. There are many different types of mortgages available, and each has its own pros and cons. Fixed-rate mortgages, for example, have a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan, but this means your monthly payments will be higher. Variable-rate mortgages have an interest rate that is adjusted periodically at set intervals or whenever the bank changes their prime lending rate. It can fluctuate up or down as well. Interest only mortgages allow you to pay only the interest on your loan during the first few years while the principal stays unchanged. Offset mortgages allow you to offset your savings account against the outstanding balance on your mortgage so that when you make repayments, it reduces both what’s owing on your mortgage and what’s in your savings account by the same amount.

5) Have patience

The process of getting a home loan can be long and frustrating, but it’s important to be patient and understand that the lender is just trying to protect their investment.

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Should you tell your boss if you’ve been backstabbed by your team leader?

by  in Career and Enterprising
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two colleagues having a conversation

You’ve been backstabbed by your team leader. Should you tell your boss?

There’s no easy answer to this question since it could be seen as a betrayal to tell your boss about the situation. Also, you may not be sure if what’s happening is actually backstabbing or if it’s just a conflict or disagreement.

In this article, we will explore more on this issue and hopefully assist you in making your decision.

Should you tell your boss?

After all, it’s a pretty serious situation, and you don’t want to make things worse by throwing accusations around without any evidence. But on the other hand, you deserve to have your voice heard, and you have a right to be protected from bullying in the workplace.

If you do decide to tell your boss, be sure to have concrete evidence to back up your claims. Telling your boss is a big decision. It could result in the team leader getting fired and making things smoother. But it could also backfire and make things worse for you.

How to report backstabbing to your boss
two female coworkers have a serious conversation

Image Credits: hrvietnam.com

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to make a report:

  • Consider the severity. If your team leader has been spreading malicious rumors about you or actively trying to sabotage your work, then it’s worth reporting.
  • Try to document everything that has happened in black and white. This will help make your case stronger and ensure that there’s no confusion about what’s been going on.
  • Talk to your HR manager privately first. It’s necessary to air these kinds of grievances in a confidential setting, otherwise, it could cause even more drama and disruption in the workplace.
What to do if your boss doesn’t believe you

So you’ve confided in your boss that you’ve been betrayed by your team leader. You were hoping for his or her support, but instead, you get the cold shoulder. Your boss doesn’t believe you. Now what?

Well, first of all, don’t get discouraged. If your boss still doesn’t believe you after reviewing the evidence, then it might be time to start looking for a new job. But don’t make any rash decisions—talk to your boss about your concerns, and see if there’s a way to work through this. Who knows, maybe this will help your boss realize just how much toxicity has been moving around just because of that one person in the office.

Generally speaking, if you have been backstabbed by anyone at the workplace, you should raise the issue. This is because the situation has the potential to impact the company dynamics, and it is likely that your boss doesn’t know what is going on. Telling your boss may help to resolve the situation and improve communication within the team. But ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not to report the issue. Just be sure to weigh all of the pros and cons before making a decision.

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Learning from failure: What to teach your kids when they fail a test or exam

by  in Marriage & Family
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a boy upset with his test results

As a parent, it’s hard to see your child struggle.

When they get a low grade on a test or flunk an exam, it feels like disappointment is looming right around the corner. But remember, defeat is a part of life. It’s how we learn and grow.

Allow us to share some tips for helping your kids learn from their failures and stay motivated when things don’t go their way.

Use failure as motivation

Hey, we know you’re upset your kid failed that test. But it can be a learning experience for them—failure is an opportunity to do better next time. And most importantly, don’t let them wallow in self-pity. Encourage them and tell them that you believe in them. They will need your support now more than ever.

Talk to your kids about their feelings
a father talking to his son in a park

Image Credits: nfcr.org

Failing repeatedly can be a tough experience for kids, and it’s natural to feel a range of emotions, from disappointment and frustration to anger and sadness. As a parent, it’s vital to talk to your kids about their feelings.

This will help them understand what they’re going through and give them the space to express themselves. Then, encourage your kids to keep trying! Failing is a great opportunity to learn and grow. With the right attitude, your child can use this experience to bounce back stronger than ever.

Teach kids how to learn from their mistakes

Failure is a part of life. We all make mistakes, and it’s how we learn from them that determines our success. This is something you need to teach your kids when they fail a test or exam. It’s not the end of the world. It’s just the beginning.

There are a lot of valuable lessons to be learned from defeat, and it’s up to you to guide them toward the light at the end of the tunnel. Teach them how to learn from their blunders, and how to pick themselves up and move on. So when your kid comes home with a less-than-ideal report card, don’t panic. Help them see it as an opportunity to learn and grow, and be there for them every step of the way.

No one is perfect, and your kids will learn that the hard way on their way to adulthood. When they fail a test or exam, it’s a chance for them to correct their errors and grow stronger. Remind them that failure is a part of learning and growing. It’s okay to be a little disheartened, but it’s much more beneficial to push through that worry and emerge better than before.

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