3 Tips To Conquer Singapore’s Holiday Shopping

The Holiday Season should not be the primary reason to live out as a Crazy Rich Asian while shopping. Yes! Buying gifts can show how much you love or appreciate a person. However, you do not have to be a big spender or an impulsive buyer to offer meaningful gifts. Take it as a challenge that you can cheerfully give without regrets!

Be a smart shopper this Yuletide Season with these tips.

#1: GOT MY BUDGET LOCKED DOWN

One’s daily or monthly budget rarely includes Christmas gifts and New Year tokens. Instead, these short-term expenses come at the end of the year. The seemingly convenient placing of this expense may lead to mindless or unthoughtful spending. You might as well go all out due to the year-end sales in Orchard Road, right? Wrong! You will realize the impact of your yuletide expenses as the new year chimes in. It is not ideal to start 2019 with a financial shock!

Set a reasonable amount that you can spend on shopping for gifts. Remember that the price tags do not dictate the value of the gifts!

#2: KEPT MY EYES PEELED FOR THESE STORES

Do you know what Popular Bookstore and Muji Singapore have in common? They both house some of the most useful yet affordable items that you can find! Keep your eyes peeled with aesthetically pleasing and inspiring gift ideas such as journals, organizers, bottles of aromatherapy, and travel bags.

Who knows? The book you picked can just spark personal development! My personal favorite is Malcom Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point”. Or, the envelope organizer you gave can ignite one’s financial discipline.

#3: SET A SPECIFIC DATE FOR SHOPPING

Whether you are shopping virtually online or physically in stores, only shop when you made time for it. Allotting a specific date and time for shopping can help you avoid impulsive purchases. You see, smart shopping entails plenty of calculation and decision-making. You need to put careful thoughts on what you are going to buy and to whom you are buying it for.

Amp up your savings by considering these local bazaars:

A. Bugis Junction Christmas Market

Imagine being in the center of the biggest Christmas bazaar in Bugis! You will overwhelmed by different food, retail, and carnival game booths. Get your phones ready because there will be some Instagram-worthy opportunities courtesy of the place’s magical lights and vibrant colors. The Christmas Market runs until December 30 from 12 nn to 9 pm.

B. The Great Christmas Village

Back by popular demand, the Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza will run until December 26. It includes amusement rides, a Santa House, a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, and other retail booths. Festivities start at 11:30 am daily!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Happy Holidays from all of us at Money Digest! 🙂

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How To Survive Awkward Holiday Gatherings

This is the season when party invitations pour in. From family gatherings to company celebrations, the holiday cheer assails you from every angle. Not everyone holds the cheerful tune in the same manner.

If you have social anxiety or have a tendency to be awkward during parties, then you are not alone. Many people experience “holiday anxiety”. Here are some ways to deal with it…

#1: EMBRACE THE SMALL TALK

Whether you like it or not, small talk is the core of social gatherings. If you label yourself as a person who is not good at conversation, you might be so stressed about the things you say that you end up saying nothing at all. Navigate through casual conversations by preparing for it.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Share at least two interests or experiences. Or better yet, dwell on the new things that you can learn from the person that you are talking to. Focus on the other person. Ask simple questions such as “What keeps you busy?” or “How do you see your field changing a few years time?” You may also ask a couple about the story of how they met.

#2: ACCEPT THE PARTY DYNAMICS

Be honest with yourself! You probably get along better with your friends than your family or co-workers. That is completely understandable. You have chosen your friends based on your compatibilities. Being with them this holiday season can be a breeze!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

While, family members are fixed whether you are like-minded or not. Accepting this fact can help you quit expecting to get along with everyone. Instead, focus on loving your family in spite of your differences.

#3: BE OPEN TO STRANGERS

Parties are the breeding grounds of strangers. I know that you are way beyond the “stranger danger” stage, but you might be worried about meeting new people. The anticipation of interacting with strangers can stimulate personal questions such as will you be boring or weird during the conversation. Stop ruminating about these thoughts!

Remember that a conversation is a two-way street. It is not your duty to carry the talk the entire night! If the person seems uninterested or less chatty, he or she may be tired or preoccupied. Who knows? This person may be socially awkward too.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Above all else, you must do your best to stay present in the moment. Post your holiday photos a day or two later. You do not need to compete online or keep up with the people who brag about how amazing their holiday experiences are!

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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5 Things You Need to Know Before Investing In A Property

A property for the purpose of investment is always good to have; it is especially beneficial if you are the type of person who loves to take advantage of the ever-growing real estate market. There are countless reasons why more people are starting to invest in properties, but it’s mostly due to the fact that property investments are income avenues that only require minimal effort.

But before you even consider embarking on this journey, it is important to understand first what it is all about. Here are things you need to keep in mind before investing in a property.

  1. Consider Flipping Your Investment

Before you invest in a property, it’s best to know all the possible options you have to maximize your earning potential. One of the most common ways of making a profit is by flipping your investment.

Most property owners tend to spend a good amount of time and money performing renovations on unappealing buildings or homes. The idea is to increase the curb appeal and overall value of the property.

In real estate, flipping refers to buying an asset with the intent of selling it as soon as possible. Basically, you’ll sell the property for a quick profit instead of waiting for its value to appreciate over time.

Flipping is beneficial if you are looking to make profit fast. It also serves as a learning experience, particularly in home improvement and construction.

  1. Take the Extra Costs into Consideration

Maybe you’re looking for a longer investment and instead of flipping, you’re going to try your hand at renting. There are several factors involved once you decide to rent out space to tenants. These expenses could be the following:

  • Repairs
  • Maintenance
  • Utilities
  • Insurance
  • Taxes

Aside from that, you will have to anticipate the possibility of footing extra bills for the property or space if you do not get a tenant right away.

  1. Understand Your Purpose

Just like any form of investment, an investment property is not something you should decide on overnight. You have to know and understand exactly what your reason behind it is. You might want to consider the following:

  • Are you looking for a way to make quick cash?
  • Do you see it as a means to move forward with an investment in the long haul?
  • Do you have plans for improving the property?
  • Do you want to have it rented out to tenants or sell it for a bigger profit?

If you do not have concrete knowledge why you are investing in a property, you should not be doing it in the first place.

  1. Know the Market Status

Once you understand and decide to invest in a property, the very next thing you need to do is research about the market. This is important because it’ll give you an idea of what to expect when investing in a property.

Basically, there are numerous factors that could help determine whether or not today is the perfect time to invest. When investing in a property, you want to buy low in order to sell high. It is really simple actually. You do not want to buy a property that would disable you from selling it for a better price. To put it simply, you want to know what exactly you are getting from this property when you put it out on the market. Is it only good for renting or does it have better chances of selling? Would it be profitable if you make renovations first before putting it out on the market?

  1. Know About The Neighborhood

Another crucial factor you need to consider before investing in a property is its location. Most buyers prefer houses that are located in ideal areas.

For instance, a property situated near hospitals, schools, police stations, and supermarkets, is likely to be sold faster because of its convenience. On the other hand, a house located in an area with difficult access to necessary establishments might make it hard to attract buyers.

It is also essential to consider the neighborhood. You might want to check the following:

  • Is the place peaceful?
  • What is the crime rate in that particular area?
  • What is the level of security in the neighborhood?
  • Is the neighborhood too crowded?

Conclusion

Investing in property is clearly an interesting journey to take and there are benefits to doing so. However, it is something that you need to heavily consider since you want to make sure it does not leave you and your family in debt. If you want to benefit from this great opportunity, think about all of the aforementioned considerations carefully. Visit https://SolidIncome.NET for all your property investment needs.

 

 

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Practical Strategies To Beat Inflation

Inflation is a sign of a healthy economy as it shows that the country’s wealth is growing. During inflation, you will experience periods of price surge. This is the perfect time to be more conscious of your spending. Do not worry! Inflation rates will eventually taper after several months. When this happens, your wallets can have the sigh of relief!

Ultimately, here are some strategies that you can employ to beat the inflation.

LET YOUR MONEY WORK FOR YOU

Let’s face it! To outpace inflation, having a high-interest savings account or long-term time deposit is not enough. Consider sparing some of your money to investment options that are safe to grow in spite of inflation. I am referring to asset classes such as mutual funds or pooled investments. Nowadays, many financial institutions in Singapore offer mutual funds at friendly rates. Read this article to learn more.

SLASH YOUR TRANSPORT COSTS

The Singapore government has declared this year as the Year of Climate Action. Take a page out of this initiative by getting on board with the public transport. You will not only save money by taking the bus or the MRT, but you will also minimize the carbon footprints.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

People who own cars spend around S$2,600 per year on petrol. Not to mention, there are other accompanying costs of car ownership such as parking and road tax. Taking public transport could diminish your costs significantly! Use your extra money to combat the price surge due to inflation.

CULTIVATE YOUR EMERGENCY FUND

An emergency fund is an account for funds set aside in case of events brewing from personal financial dilemma (e.g., loss of a job or having critical illness). When inflation rates elevates, your emergency fund becomes an added cushion to cover the sudden increase in the prices of goods.

It will keep you secured until you can adjust your budget. Experts recommend that you build an emergency fund covering your expenses for at least six months. If you have a family, then covering nine months’ worth of expenses would be a better target.

HUNT FOR GROCERY DEALS

A major chunk of our expenses is allocated to food. Whether you like it or not, inflation affects all goods differently. For instance, the cost of food rose faster than the general rate of inflation between September and October 2017. This price hike held across all types of food, from dairy products to vegetables.

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To get the best prices on food, you may use price comparison websites (e.g., diffmarts.com) or use online coupons. Spot the latest deals to bring down the cost of your basket!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Celebrate These “Small” Financial Achievements

Do not underestimate the strength of your “small” wins. These are pivotal to tracking incremental achievements and working towards larger goals. You see, most financial goals (e.g., purchasing a flat or saving for retirement) can take a long time to achieve. It can be too intimidating!

Breaking your goals into finer pieces can help you visualize your financial path. What’s more? It can motivate you to work harder.

#1: MOVING INTO YOUR FIRST FLAT

Living alone can be challenging in the first few months. However, nothing replaces the feeling of independence that comes from cultivating your own place. You are free to march to the beat of your own drum – within the bounds of the building management or the landlord. Sometimes, it can get lonely to live by yourself. Your bravery to take the plunge is an accomplishment on its own.

#2: PAYING OFF YOUR DEBTS EVERY MONTH

Along with growing your wealth, you must diminish your mountain of debts. Start spending and saving wisely to cover your monthly balance per month. Are you capable of paying it fully? If so, then consider doing it. Nonetheless, contributing a significant amount to your debts will enable you to maximize your retirement contributions.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Think about that!

#3: GETTING A PAY RAISE

Words cannot encapsulate the wonderful feeling of being recognized and paid for one’s hard work. We are quick to press the “Like” or “Heart” button on Facebook whenever someone announces his or her promotion. It is a celebration indeed! But, remember that you do not have to wait for your coveted moment to begin celebrating. Every pay raise counts! Pour yourself a well-deserved drink and bask in the glory of your accomplishment for a night.

#4: INVESTING IN YOURSELF

Whether you are advancing your degree or continuing your certification in the field, you will more likely to increase your earning potential by receiving further education and training. Not to mention, you will widen your network and knowledge in the process.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Increasing your professional value by investing in yourself can ignite your ability to achieve long-term independence. Hence, I encourage you to set some money and time this cause.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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