MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

We get it; life is hard.

Upon graduating, you spend the bulk of your time at work, have meals with entertainments in between, sleep, and the routine basically repeats itself. Sounds like your typical 9 to 5 routine you are in now? What about venturing to start your own business through partnering with a reputable international brand? If it’s the latter, we might just have a solution for you.

Before embarking on a new business, there are many things to consider, including your initial capital, products, and staffing. What if we tell you that 7-Eleven is presenting us with a superb opportunity to begin a business with minimal funds? By that, we mean lessening your load with a franchise fee waiver of at least $30,000. Thus, all you need is $20,000 to be your own boss of a 7-Eleven franchise store.

Sounds like something you can do? Read on.

Franchisepreneur Management Trainee Programme (FMTP)

Through the Franchisepreneur Management Trainee Programme (FMTP), as long as you have a tertiary education and less than six years of combined working experience, you will qualify to apply through the FMTP.

The FMTP route promises a waiver of the franchise fee, and you just have to fork out $20,000 (usually $40,000 under standard franchise scheme) as your capital to get started. This amount is also refundable at the end of your contract. You will also be taking over a ready store, fully renovated and stocked with past Sales Track Record to further lower your business risk. Very reasonable, right?

On top of that, you don’t even have to worry about having minimal experience managing a store. That’s because you will be employed by 7-Eleven for up to 6 months while training to become a top-notch franchisee. The contract term will be for 2 years and can be renewed for another 2 years.

Okay, so what if you don’t happen to meet the FMTP criteria of educational qualifications and working experience? Not to worry, as you can still apply to be a franchisee under the standard franchise scheme.

A comparison table for your consideration

Scheme	7-Eleven Franchisepreneur Management Trainee Programme (FMTP)	7-Eleven Standard Franchise Scheme	Starting your own business elsewhere
Eligibility	21 Years, Tertiary Education with less than 6 years of working experience	Open to all above 25 years of age	N.A.
Initial Setup Cost: Renovation, Stocks, Equipment	$0	$0	$200,000
Franchise Fee	$0	From $30,000	$0
Initial Deposit – Cashflow (Refundable)	$20,000	$40,000	$100,000
Franchise Contract	2 Years	5 Years	N.A.

Reach out and apply now!

With all that said, please refer to 7-eleven.com.sg/franchising or download the PDF brochure for more details.

Need to connect with someone from the team? Email them at franchise@7-eleven.com.sg. Once you’ve understood the full terms and conditions and ready to sack your boss, download the franchise application form and be well on your way to establish your own business!

Here’s wishing you all the best with the process.

Listen To These Motivating Podcasts To Brighten Your Day

We all deserve a little boost to help us get through the day. With a myriad of ways to feel motivated, you can try listening to podcasts. Whether you are enjoying a nice bath or cooking a hearty breakfast, tune in to these inspiring and informative podcasts to keep you energized.

#1: THE HARDCORE SELF HELP PODCAST

Amidst the chaos brought by the pandemic, people became more aware of their mental wellness. Know more about mental health by listening to The Hardcore Self Help podcast! It is a weekly podcast that answers your queries about mental health such as getting more information about dealing with anxiety, depression, relationships, addiction, and more.

Hosted by Psychologist and author Robert Duff, each episode invites other professionals to voice out their expert opinions on various mental health issues and related topics.

#2: TED HEALTH

The TED Health podcast, much like the TED Talks, provide the best educational talks from their conferences and events. Get your daily dose of innovative and significant health-related contents to uplift your spirits. For instance, one episode showcases a program that trains grandmothers in Zimbabwe to treat depression.

Hosted by Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, the TED Health podcast covers everything from smart daily habits to new medical breakthroughs. It can answer some pressing questions you never knew you had and share ideas that you won’t hear anywhere else.

#3: GOOD LIFE PROJECT

What does it mean to have a good life? What is the role of happiness, love, kindness, and friendship to our lives? How does race, identity, gender, and economical status influence our lives? All these questions and other topics are explored every week in the stimulating conversations of the Good Life Project.

Thought-provoking, educational, and relatable, the “Good Life Project” exists to empower people to take action in important areas of their lives. Each episode features inspiring people including research professor Dr. Brené Brown, Bishop Michael Curry, activist Glennon Doyle, actor Matthew McConaughey, and many more.

#4: OPTIMAL HEALTH DAILY

As the name suggests, Optimal Health Daily is a podcast crafted for people who are looking for ways to improve their lives one step at a time. Let this podcast accompany you to your commute, workout, or regular routines. Each episode brings realistic and practical information about various topics such as activated charcoal, exercise, and dieting.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

What’s more? Each episode is under 15 minutes, with an average running time of 10 minutes. You do not have to read lengthy academic journals or blog entries; all you need to do is to listen and learn.

Sources: 1 & 2

What you need to know about the stages of Parkinson’s disease

As our parents grow older by the year, there is a higher possibility of catching Parkinson’s disease. According to Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s disease usually develops among old folks who are 60 or older.

We’re sure you have heard of the condition, but if you have not, it’s essentially a brain disorder that results in specific symptoms like:

Stiff limbs
Unmanageable tremors
Delayed movements (also known as bradykinesia)
Balancing difficulties thus leading to issues standing up

To identify the severity of the condition, doctors may use the Hoehn and Yahr rating scale to aid them in assessing. Here’s what you need to know about the five stages of Parkinson’s disease.

Stage 1

At the first stage, the symptoms may not be that obvious. Even if they present themselves, it’s not severe enough to impact daily activities and current lifestyles.

However, watch out for slight changes in an older person’s walk, posture, or facial expressions. There may also be mild tremors and movement restrictions on one side of the body. Should you notice such signs, bring your parents to the doctor so they can receive medications to minimise the possibility of it worsening.

Stage 2

As Parkinson’s disease progresses to the second stage, facial expression changes can appear more vividly. Your parents may also feedback that they are experiencing more trembling and stiffness.

Due to muscle contraction resulting in stiffness, an individual may take more time than usual to complete a simple routine. But at this stage, it should not impact their balance. Some may start to feel the symptoms on both sides of their body. Selected people can even find it tough to express their thoughts verbally.

Stage 3

Image Credits: todayonline.com

The third stage is the midpoint of Parkinson’s disease. At this phase, a person suffering from the condition will start experiencing loss of balance, decreased reflexes, and slower movements overall.

Stage 3 is important because the elderly person may be more prone to falls. While tasks are significantly affected at this juncture, individuals are still able to complete them. Do consider sending your loved one for occupational therapy as they continue to consume medication to reduce the symptoms.

Stage 4

As we approach the second last stage of Parkinson’s disease, know that stage 4 is a critical phase because individuals won’t be able to stand and complete daily tasks alone.

With significant drops in movement and reaction times, the senior person at this point will require either a walker, assistive device, or a physical person to assist them in their lifestyle. It’s not an exaggeration to say that leaving someone with Parkinson’s disease at stage 4 to handle their daily routine is dangerous.

Stage 5

This is the final stage of Parkinson’s disease, a phase where an individual will require 24-hour attention to prevent unnecessary falls due to heightened stiff legs.

Apart from physical challenges, older people at the last two stages of the condition are likely to experience confusion, delusions, and hallucinations. Dementia may also come into the picture, and medications taken previously will start to exhibit its side effects.

If you’re new to Parkinson’s disease and need more information, please head to parkinson.org.sg for support initiatives and reliable resources by the Parkinson Society Singapore.

These are the local firms adopting flexible time-off policies

More so recently, you must have heard of overseas firms adopting flexible work weeks and unlimited annual leave. It seems like the trend is moving over to Singapore, with some firms implementing these time-off policies.

Want to know the names? Stay on this page.

#1: Mambu

Mambu is a Berlin-based startup with offices across the globe, including Singapore.

The fintech firm has a summer four-day workweek policy in place for all of its offices worldwide. Specifically, from June to August, its employees in Singapore get to enjoy an additional day off a week.

To senior application consultant Heemank Verma who works in Mambu’s Singapore office, this is something exciting. He mentioned that employees are always looking forward to the three months early on at the start of the year.

“Our company does not (condone) micromanagement, people take ownership of their work. I feel like that is a fundamental basis of the four-day work week,” he added.

To that, Mambu’s APAC managing director Myles Bertrand noted that the company focuses on productivity, output and results instead of the quantity of time spent working. With policies like that in place, people are likely to be more motivated when reporting for work.

#2: Deloitte

Deloitte is a professional services firm that has jumped on Netflix’s famous “no vacation policy”.

Instead of keeping track of the number of leave days an employee has, individuals have the freedom to decide for themselves. To be exact, different leave types like compassionate leave, marriage leave, and public holidays in-lieu are combined into a flexi-leave arrangement.

According to Melvin Wong, senior account manager at Deloitte Singapore, he meets with his supervisors to plan the calendar of events at the start of each financial year. This, in turn, allows him to plan his annual leave around major client activities.

In addition to the flexi-leave arrangement, Deloitte has also introduced a flexi-work scheme as part of its work-life integration programme. Employees will have the privilege to choose to work from home or alter office hours if they have to attend to other personal commitments.

#3: Facebook

Last on our list, we have a familiar name – Facebook.

Apart from the 20 days of annual leave employees have, Facebook also awards two Choice Days. Choice Days are times where individuals can take days off to volunteer, celebrate a special event, or simply do something they enjoy.

In the past year, the multinational conglomerate also came up with special leave days to support its workers amid the ongoing pandemic. This year, its Singapore office will give its employees three additional company-wide days off, all in the name of rest and recharge.

Final thoughts

Image Credits: vulcanpost.com

Jealous? Don’t be. Ms Deanna Lim, a representative from recruitment agency Robert Walters Singapore, said that more companies are expected to welcome such flexible leave policies.

“This allows them to stay competitive within their industry. Increasingly, we also see more firms adopting different initiatives and revising their existing employee benefits so they can support the formation of family units,” she added.

Get Better Sleep To Function Better At Work

Many people sleep less than the recommended hours and are under-performing at work due to sleep deprivation. A good night’s sleep includes both the quantity and quality of your slumber.

Pulling an all-nighter may provide short-term results, but regularly skipping sleep can be detrimental to your ability to focus and to perform higher-level brain functions for the days to come.

It is essential to give your body the restorative rest it deserves. Here are four ways to improve your sleep.

#1: REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO LED LIGHTS

Exposure to LED lights inhibits the increase in sleepiness during nighttime. Aside from watching television, using your hand phones and tablets before you go to sleep can suppress melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone primarily released by the pineal gland at night. It has long been associated with the control of the sleep–wake cycle. Thus, having a lamp with a lower color temperature is recommended at night.

#2: AVOID DRINKING CAFFEINE

Caffeine is a strong stimulant that can interfere sleep. It can increase your adrenaline production and block sleep-inducing chemicals in the brain. Get better sleep at night by avoiding the consumption of caffeine. The National Sleep Foundation recommends avoiding coffee, tea, chocolate, and soft drinks before bedtime.

Apart from coffee and tea, chocolate contains caffeine in varying degrees. A dark chocolate bar may have about 30 milligrams of caffeine. This is equivalent to the caffeine content in a cup of instant tea.

Chocolate has other stimulants too! One of its stimulants is theobromine. Theobromine is the compound that makes chocolates dangerous for cats and dogs. Theobromine, found in small amounts in chocolate, increases heart rate and causes sleeplessness.

#3: HAVE A CONDUCIVE SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT

Ensure that your bedroom is welcoming and relaxing. Remove unnecessary distractions like the television and other devices with blue light. Moreover, you must keep the room temperature cool and use curtains to block the natural light. Natural light can keep you awake, while blue light will disrupt your sleep.

#4: CREATE A SLEEPING ROUTINE

Sleeping routines can improve the length and quality of sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep is vital to maintaining long-term healthy habits. Enjoying a quality slumber is free and is perhaps the most budget-friendly step you can take towards wellness.

At least 6 to 8 hours of sleep is ideal for teens and adults. Learn how much sleep you really need and maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Then, set up a conducive sleeping environment without distractions. You can also develop a curfew for your electronics usage.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Please reduce the intake of caffeine and avoid physical activity before you go to bed. Practice calming activities such as taking a warm bath or listening to relaxing music instead.

Have a wonderful rest!

Franchisepreneur Management Trainee Programme (FMTP)

A comparison table for your consideration

Reach out and apply now!

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

#1: Mambu

#2: Deloitte

#3: Facebook

Final thoughts

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