The Australian dollar has dropped to its lowest level against the Singapore currency since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. The Aussie dollar is weaker this morning after it traded at an intraday low of 1.0816 against the Singapore currency, according to Investing.com
The Australian dollar plummeted after a huge rate cut from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as investors now expect the Reserve Bank of Australia to follow suit, as it did with rate cuts earlier this year.
It is about time to plan a holiday to Australia with the attractive exchange rate.
Whether you are showered with smiles or hugs, the best things in life are free! What is the second best thing for makeup enthusiasts? Well, cheap yet quality cosmetics.
Times have changed for the world of makeup as many drugstore brands have amp up their game. Indie beauty brands and online cosmetics have carved out a niche of inexpensive makeup and beauty products. Read thru this list to learn more about the affordable brands that perform really well.
NYX
A true makeup enthusiast would know that NYX is pronounced as Nicks and not N-Y-X. Whether you are into pigmented powders or creamy lip formulas, NYX has different formulas for you. Its prices are among the most affordable ones available in Sephora Singapore. Hence, it is a good place to start when experimenting with your makeup looks.
Personally, I am a fan of the Lip Smocking Fun Colors collection as it is creamy and pigmented. What’s more? It is priced at about S$10 a pop! Fill your kit with NYX products like this, before splurging on luxury brands.
MAYBELLINE
Did you know that the Maybelline Company was curated by a 19-year-old entrepreneur named Thomas Lyle Williams in 1915? Well, this American brand came a long way since then! You see, drugstores are flooded with Maybelline products that do not disappoint.
For instance, long-wearing liquid lipsticks often do not live up to the expectation. Enter Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick! These liquid lipsticks could outlast a kissing session or an unlimited buffet. It is so clingy that the brand even created a makeup remover for it. You cannot go wrong with Maybelline SuperStay (retails for about S$17.90)!
NEUTROGENA
One of the things that my mom obsess about is body oil. From Argan oil to Coconut oil, you name it and she has it. Her go-to brand for the luxurious sheen is Neutrogena. Neutrogena, founded in 1930, was originally a cosmetics company called Natone.
Neutrogena Body Oil (about S$20) or bath oil has a heavenly scent that would take you back in time. You see, almost every bathroom in the ’90s has that musky almond scent. This product will give you a silky soft skin post-shower.
COLOURPOP
Many of us are familiar with this last inexpensive brand due its wide array of lip products. What’s more? Its products are vegan, cruelty-free, and affordable. I am referring to none other than ColourPop.
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ColourPop is available for your online consumption. Many find ColourPop No Filter Matte Concealer as their holy grail. With 30 shades and long-wearing formula, this concealer covers your dark circles and blemishes. It is only S$11.50 per piece at Lazada Singapore.
Your heart is pounding and your sweat is drenching. Within your hands are your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and other supporting documents. You are about to answer some interview questions. An interview that can either make or break your career.
One of questions that you prepared for was: “What makes you stand out among your peers?” It is a query that underlies your attributes and characteristics. It sets you apart from the rest. This question can also be answered by a well put together CV. Highlighting your distinct characteristics can help the interviewer determine whether you are the ideal candidate for the job.
On that note, here are 5 ways to ensure that your CV stands out from your peers.
#1: PLAY WITH COLORS
Colors play a huge part in creating impressions. Red can ignite excitement while green can induce calmness. You have to understand the association between a color and your brand. This way, you can choose a palette that will best describe your brand.
Stick to darker blue hues to convey loyalty, honesty, and responsibility. Use red to convey passion, aggression, and emotion. Lastly, you may use turquoise to convey prestige and high ideals.
Do a quick search on Color Psychology to determine the colors that you can use on your CV. Use these colors to highlight the headers or as a background.
#2: LIMIT YOUR BULLETS
I, for one, tend to skip on some lengthy bullet points. As an interview, I look for at least four bullet points for each section. I do not need to know the entire story on how you became a professional! Choose your bullet points wisely.
Be specific whenever possible. You cannot put a bullet point stating that you have “improved the sales considerably”. Instead, you must use quantitative measurements (e.g., improved sales by 20% in the last quarter).
#3: CHOOSE YOUR SKILLS
When it comes to CVs, one skill seems to pop up more often. This skills is none other than communication. You see, almost all the jobs require you to have excellent communication skills. Hence, there is no need to claim it. Show off your excellent communication skills through the interview.
If you are still insisting that putting communication skills in your CV is a must, you have to give examples. Say that you have spoken in workshops or company team buildings. You may also narrate your contributions on website or on print.
#4: EMPHASIZE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Your accomplishments can set you apart from the rest. Use powerful verbs when doing so. Begin with enticing keywords such as improved, resolved, initiated, and increased. These go beyond simply stating your duties and responsibilities.
Remember to describe your previous employment experiences by highlighting how you solve the problems. This way, you stress that you added value to the company.
#5: HIGHLIGHT YOUR AWARDS
Aside from accomplishments, awards are tangible form of recognition. Include a category for awards or honors that you received throughout the years. Demonstrating that others value your contributions can greatly influence the interviewers decision.
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Quality recommendations are another form of recognition. Thus, you have to select people who know your skills and accomplishments the best.
There are two types of perspectives that one can have about freelancers. Some people perceive working from home as a coveted dream. They are attracted with the idea of having to work in their pajamas, of avoid the long commute, and of being able to interact with their family without sacrificing income. In contrast, there are other people who view this setup as an impossible environment to be in. It is understandable! Working from home comes with varying degrees of challenges.
However, you must not lose hope. You can successfully transition from a traditional office to a flexible environment with the right strategies. That being said, here are just some tips that you may employ to transition with ease.
CREATE A DAILY SCHEDULE
Much like a traditional workplace, you must follow a daily schedule to stay on track. Set your working hours and avoid personal phone calls or emails that can distract you from your professional time.
Let us face it! It is easy to get swayed by your children or neighbors to work any time of the day. While starting at 10 am sounds exciting, you must manage your time wisely to keep your sanity in tact. Not everyone is hardwired to be well-organized and self-sufficient. So, be honest with yourself before you take this huge leap.
ASSIGN A WORKING NEST
It goes without saying that you must set aside a specific place exclusively for work. Whether it is as tiny as a storage room or as wide as your master bedroom, assigning a working nest will help your mind shift from its restful state to its stimulated state. You need to condition your mind to work despite being in your comfort zone.
More so, you may use your home office as a means to apply for formal records. You see, some institutions require you to assign a special place of business or a place to meet clients.
RETREAT WHEN NEEDED
As mechanic as day to day seems, we are no robots! Burnout can hit you at any moment. This is why you must plan your holidays. Whether you want to book a food trip in Bangkok or a Yoga retreat in Bali, you deserve to unwind.
Say you do not have the budget to travel overseas. Opt to schedule activities that will allow self-improvement instead. You may be interested in painting, pottery, or petting animals. Something that interests you can open avenues of pleasure in the future. Take it as a means to reduce the stress of being a freelancer.
SET A LINE
Last but the not the least, you must set a line between your “work-work” and your “housework”. It can be tempting to clean a dirty sink or to do the laundry, but you must do these chores outside your work hours. If you cannot fight the urge to do housework; you may use your break time. Blurring the line between work and housework can often lead to avoiding the tasks that need to be done.
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It can be scary to take the leap of faith. However, that fear will only make you stronger! What do we say to fear? Not today!
Establishing boundaries is important in living a happier and healthier life. For starters, boundaries can help you protect yourself from emotionally draining people or help you build stronger relationships. Limitations are also vital in creating professional relationships founded by efficiency and awareness.
However, there is one area in our lives that some are not so keen to establish. I am referring to the financial boundaries. It is easy to overstep our own financial boundaries and keep making mistakes that will hurt our goals in the long run.
KEEP THINGS HEALTHY
Restrictions go hand-in-hand with creating boundaries. These are most evident in creating a budget. Use this budget to work around your spending, but you have to be gentle with yourself.
Avoid having too many restrictions as you may torment yourself in the process. Holding on to an impossible budgeting standard can lead you to falling off the wagon.
INCREASE YOUR AWARENESS
Everyone makes mistakes. When it comes to finances, I learned this the hard way! Do not get me started with setting up financial limits while traveling! What is important is that I learn from these experiences.
You need an honest and nonjudgmental reflection whenever you cross a financial boundary. Otherwise, hiding your mistakes increases the likelihood of it happening again.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” This is exactly what time spent reflecting on your life is. You need to sharpen the ax in the decision-making process of your financial journey.
GET PROFESSIONAL HELP
Let us face it! Setting up financial boundaries can be tough. This is why some people seek the help of their partners, their trusted friends, or their financial planners. Having a financial planner can help you to make sound decisions with a goal in mind.
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Furthermore, there are several financial planners in Singapore. Make your life easier by searching thru the financial planner directory of Financial Planning Association of Singapore (FPAS). It is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting unbiased financial advice to the Singaporean public.
