Saving money comes more natural for some people than others. There are ones who take it seriously or even make an art form out of it. Regardless of the approach, it may prove to be fundamental in reaching such financial freedom that allows you not to be worried about the future.
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There are several reasons why you should take up saving, and there are many ways to do that. The general idea is quite simple in its assumption, although perhaps not always that easy to execute. You just have to spend less than you earn. That’s it. In order to set some cash aside, income has to overtop expenditure. Not everybody can pull it off at all times, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is the main reason we can accumulate some wealth.
Therefore, if you want to achieve the right financial balance, a careful review of overall spending is crucial to ensure you don’t waste funds on nonessentials. A few tricks, such as looking for sales, buying in bulk, and relying on coupons, might help improve the efforts.
Reducing costs of living and avoiding reckless shopping choices is one thing, and making sure all is good on the other end is something else. Having a high-paying job provides security, but you can always take better care of your budget by getting a side gig. Selling your old stuff or handmade products, renting your house with Airbnb, or providing a driving service with your car are just a few ideas on how to make extra money. A lot of work can be found online these days. If you have an unusual hobby, good knowledge about certain things, storytelling abilities, or simply something to say – freelance writing can be a great source of additional income.
On top of that, it is even better if your savings aren’t just lying around on your bank account. There is no reason why you shouldn’t look for ways to actively expand your money so that it could bring a more impressive effect in the future.
Coming up with a solid investment plan is one way to go. Perhaps, with the assistance of an excellent financial advisor. With a little bit of patience and few smart moves, it could pay out handsomely. The ideal situation and a goal for many people is to achieve passive income, which has a significant impact on personal finances and makes money management all the more enjoyable.
exploring is. To any individual, it’s obvious what exploration is. I have an image in my mind of what exploring looks like, and so do you, and so do kids, and so on. But the thing is, every person pictures a different image. When I picture an intrepid explorer, I see myself hiking across a mountain ridge. Conversely, you might see yourself walking in the forest, and a child might envision themselves conquering the world atop a dinosaur. The term “explore” is a whole lot less defined than we might think.
Therefore, the first thing to do when exploring a new city is to figure out what your group’s definition of exploring is. Some people explore like Lewis and Clark, diving deep into the unknown with nothing but a backpack to protect them for months on end. Other people say those people are nuts; for them, exploring is nothing more than taking a couple of food-n-beer bus tours around town. Those two activities couldn’t be much more different, but they do both fit under the banner of exploration. Gather your whole squad together and talk about what exploring means to you. It can be tough to get everyone to agree, so compromises are often in order. You’ll know you’ve found a good balance of group interests when no one complains about the types of shoes required for scheduled activities.
Next, it’s time to set some goals. Where are we going, and when do we have to be there? If Bob wants to hit every food truck in Portland, and Sarah wants to see every bookstore in Portland, and Bob and Sarah can’t bear to be separated, they’re going to have to come up with a pre-arranged travel plan. If your crew is the kind that likes to see as much as possible, it’s best to plot out an overabundance of places to visit. I did this when staying in the Portland Pearl District, and it was well worth it. My friend Emily wanted to visit Powell’s City of Books, and since she’s a big bibliophile, I knew she’d stay there a few hours. Far too long for my video game-rotted mind. I can only read for about 30 minutes at a time, so after visiting only two or three neighborhoods in the City of Books, I took my leave. There’s virtually no end to the number of indie boutiques and hip bars in the Pearl District. Since I had previously picked out the venues I wanted to check out, it was easy for me to walk to every shop on my list while Emily finished perusing the goods at Powell’s.
Now, not everywhere you go is going to be as closely packed with cool attractions as the Portland Pearl District. I was lucky enough to be able to walk anywhere I wanted to go on that occasion, but we can’t always be so fortunate. That brings us to our third task: figuring out the method(s) of transportation you’re going to use to explore your destination of choice. This is easily the least exciting aspect of planning a vacation, which makes it an easy step to skip. Don’t do it! You’ll find yourself at the Portland Zoo, 15 minutes after they close, pounding on the gates and begging the guard to let you in to see the fluffy penguins, all because you couldn’t be bothered to plan ahead. Personal experience may vary, but you get the gist of it. From bicycles to helicopters, plan out which vehicles you’ll need,when you’ll need them, and how you’ll get them.
We’ve been focusing a lot on research and thinking out your moves ahead of time. The final thing you have to do is to remember to allow for some spontaneity. Don’t be afraid to follow your heart or your nose. If you smell the best aroma you’ve ever come across, chase it! If you see a cute stranger lurking in a dark alley, actually don’t chase after them, though. Safety first. But after safety has been established, take some risks and get a little wild with it. Exploration is great with a little side of adventure to go with it.
If you are in the business of seeking out adventures, you can’t go wrong with a little advice from other people who have been to the city you’re exploring. For example, my trip to Portland was helped along by this article on weird and wonderful Portland places. Or, if you’re more into conversations than research, just ask the locals about the best things to see and do. More often than not, they’ll know of a hidden gem or two that align with your interests.
So, let’s review. First, you and your crew have to agree on what exploration means to you. Second, you set goals for the places and events you want to see in your city. Third, establish a plan for how you’re going to achieve those goals. Finally, don’t be afraid to throw all that planning out the window once you get to the city. Chat with locals, feel out what works for you, and remember the most important rule of all – have fun!
Like filet mignon and fine wine, Australia and spring go well together. Oz is comfortably warm throughout the season of new beginnings. Fun events and cultural celebrations are everywhere you look.
Whether you’re an Aussie traveling within the country or an international visitor, here are four Down Under destinations best experienced when spring is in bloom.
And remember, northern hemisphere dwellers, the Australian spring is your late summer and autumn–September 1 to November 30.
Hunter Valley
There’s no better springtime destination Down Under for foodies and wine lovers than Hunter Valley. Located north of Sydney on the New South Wales coast, Hunter Valley has served as a major wine-producing hub since the early 1800s.
Visitors flock here in September for the Spring Festival of Flowers at Hunter Valley Gardens. The month long seasonal celebration boasts entertainment, wine tastings, tours, and fun activities. With more than 250,000 annuals in bloom, the gardens offer lush vistas of botanical beauty.
November at Hunter Valley features the annual Sculpture of the Vineyards arts and culture fest with guided sculpture and Aboriginal history tours.
The Whitsunday Islands
Situated between the northeast shores of North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays are a spectacular chain of 74 islands. This is a special kind of paradise, perfect for if you enjoy pristine white sand beaches, hiking through the rainforest, or snorkeling.
September is the perfect time to visit the Whitsundays, when temperatures average a comfortable 26°C / 78.8°F. Humpback Whale watching is also best in September, and it’s awe-inspiring to see these majestic ocean dwellers migrate through the Great Barrier Reef.
Add a seaplane tour to your itinerary for the ultimate Whitsundays viewing experience.
Photo by Chris Phutully / CC BY 2.0
Melbourne Cup Carnival
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and is Australia’s most famous Thoroughbred horse racing series.
Each November, four races–The Victoria Derby, The Melbourne Cup, VRC Oaks, and VRC Stakes–serve as the centerpiece to a week long party at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse and surrounding area.
Over 100,000 revelers regularly attend for horse racing, entertainment, high fashion, cuisine, and drink. There are a few customary things to know before you attend–be sure to dress fashionably in the season’s latest trends, and make smart bets trough the Melbourne Cup race odds.
Alice Springs
Set in the heart of the Northern Territory, halfway between Darwin and Adelaide, Alice Springs is a gateway town to Red Centre, Australia’s interior desert. It’s also home to springtime festivals celebrating the indigenous culture of the region.
The Desert Song Festival in September presents concerts, workshops, and choirs of local performers paying homage to the music of Central Australia. The festival culminates with the beloved A Cappella in the Gorge concert.
Held every September and October, Desert Mob is a comprehensive showcase of Aboriginal art. The series boasts art exhibits, symposiums with artists, and a marketplace for purchasing works inspired by Central Australia’s natural beauty.
One cannot deny how vital online marketplaces in today’s society. Among the top e-commerce marketplaces in Southeast Asia are Lazada and Shopee. Both of these can help budding sellers gain exposure for their products. In return, the wide array of available products allow these marketplaces to flourish.
As such, some Singaporeans who want to sell their own products wonder whether they should sell on Lazada or Shopee.
THE BRIGHT SIDE
HIGH TRAFFIC CHANNELS
It comes as no surprise that two of the most popular marketplaces have ever-growing scales of online presence. Both Shopee and Lazada have created images that people trust. The millions of audience they have collated help your online business to get noticed. You can never really get so much attention when you are starting out by yourself. So, it is good to have a little push.
SURPLUS OF NEW CONSUMERS
With different marketing strategies such as birthday discounts and holiday promos, Lazada and Shopee have a growing number of new customer each year. These new customers may not be searching for your store specifically. However, they may search for a product that you have listed before. Once you get noticed, you can transform the customer into a loyal buyer by providing excellent service and product satisfaction.
GOOD SHIPPING TERMS
The strong online presence of these top marketplaces are backed by powerful logistics. Both websites have reliable shipping terms, which include the return policy. But, I cannot deny that return policy on Shopee is simpler than Lazada. The former’s return process is simply fast, while the latter’s return process is more complicated.
FLEXIBILITY OF ACCOUNT CREATION
A seller has an opportunity to decide whether he or she wants to open a single account on Shopee or several staff accounts on Lazada. You may do both too. You see, Shopee works for a single seller. In contrast, Lazada allows you to build staff accounts. You can give each of your team member a specific account needed for each role.
THE DARK SIDE
PAYMENT FEE OF 1%
It is free to create a seller account on both Lazada and Shopee as there are no registration or annual fees. You can start selling right away! Isn’t that convenient? Freely boosting your online business does not entail that these marketplaces will not get their cuts. Other than an approximate of 1% payment fee, you get to keep the rest of your profits.
FOCUSING ON CUSTOMERS
Whether you like it or not, these marketplaces are customer-focused and not seller-focused. They improve the quality of experience of the customers to help your business grow and their websites as well. While they improve the customer satisfaction, they may restrict a lot of things on your end.
NO OUTSIDE THE BORDER TRANSACTIONS
Lazada and Shopee have international websites such as in our neighboring countries – Malaysia and Philippines. However, you may not be able to sell your brand outside Singapore. If you want to sell on Lazada Malaysia, you will need to incorporate a Malaysian business. That is the limitation.
VARIOUS TECHNICAL BOUNDS
Taking advantage of the prevalent mobile use and consumer behavior in Singapore, Shopee has launched as a mobile e-commerce marketplace here and all over Asia. On the other hand, Lazada is yet to perfect its seller app. It remains buggy and customers still prefer shopping on its desktop version. When comparing the two marketplaces, you will notice that Shopee is mobile-first and Lazada is desktop-first.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
The question remains: “Is it better to sell on Lazada or Shopee?” I say, do both to reap the benefits of their incredible online presence.
It might not surprise you that American adults sit more now than at any other time in history. According to the American Heart Association, sedentary jobs have increased by 83% since 1950. For most people, more than half of a typical day is spent sitting, and many experts claim that this can have an adverse effect on our health. Recent studies have linked prolonged total sedentary time with obesity, diabetes, cancer, back pain, and psychological distress. Dr. Bomi Joseph delves into the details of why sedentary behaviour can be so damaging, and how we avoid it.
Dr. Bomi Joseph is the Director of Peak Health Center, and promotes the concept of ‘endohealth’, or ‘health from within’. He points out that degeneration of the body accounts for 86% of all diseases today and explains that pharmaceutical drugs only lead to long-term issues. He believes that the most effective way to maintain health is through self-discipline, which he also champions as “self-love.” Dr. Joseph knows how important it is to get your body moving and looks back into human history to get some perspective.
Whether we were tending our crops or hunting wild boars, most of our lives as human beings have been lived on our feet. Our bodies have been designed with abundant energy and a natural capacity for explosive movements. If you take children as an example, their energy is abundant. Humans have very limber tissue when they are young, but the industrial revolution has moved us away from nature and motion; cars, labor-saving gadgets and devices are all making us stagnate. These conveniences are making us inactive, and it is not age that does us in, it is too much inactive time, time without motion. Dr. Bomi Joseph explains that sitting for too long decays our neuromuscular tissue (NMT) – the tissue that lies in between our muscles and tendons. The NMT is the second most “expensive” tissue in the body to maintain—the brain is number one. So, with our NMT, we must “use it or lose it.”
Living a Sedentary Lifestyle
NMT aside, what does live a sedentary lifestyle mean? It can either mean insufficient physical activity or excessive sitting. It is an energy expenditure of less than or equal to 1.5 metabolic equivalents while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture. By this definition, sedentary behaviour includes any seated activity, including computer work, watching television, or even driving in a car. The average person spends roughly 8-10 hours sitting, which, for some, is more time than is slept in a night.
An estimated two-thirds of adults fail to obtain adequate exercise, which makes physical inactivity a health risk that pertains to a large portion of the American population. Here is the kicker: according to new research, Dr. Bomi Joseph explains that even if we meet physical activity guidelines, the benefits of such exercise could be ‘undone’ if the rest of our waking hours are spent sitting down. To dive further in, consider a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine headed by Keith M. Diaz.
Researchers looked at 47 studies examining the relationship between sitting and mortality. They found that people who sit for long periods were 24 percent more likely to die from health problems during the studies (which last between 1 and 16 years), compared with people who sat less. The 47 studies did not have a standard cut-off to define how much sitting is too much, but the study’s lead researcher explained that if you sit more than eight hours a day, it is linked to negative health effects. Researchers also found that excessive sitting was associated with an 18 percent increased risk of dying of cardiovascular disease and a 17 percent increased risk of dying from cancer during study periods. Sitting for too long was also tied to a 91 percent increased risk of getting Diabetes Type 2. This study, and studies like it, highlight the importance of daily movement, as it can negatively impact your entire body.
Sitting for too long affects your body in various different ways. The more a person sits, the thinner regions of the brain associated with memory tend to be. Dr. Bomi Joseph explains that our brains need a constant supply of blood and oxygen to function properly but sitting for long periods can cause our blood circulation to slow, along with our brain function. A slowing of blood circulation also has adverse affects on your legs, which, after long periods of time not moving, causes everything from swollen legs to varicose veins to the more problematic deep vein thrombosis. Poor posture while sitting can also compress spinal disks, often leading to chronic back pain and worse. Because spines that are inactive become inflexible, they are also more likely to get injured doing minimal tasks.
A Step in the Right Direction
There are a few things you can do to get yourself moving, whether you are a retired athlete or work at a sedentary job. The first is to take every opportunity you get to stand up. As a culture, most of our business and social affairs take place in a seated position, so whenever possible, find ways to turn them into walking meetings. When you are one-on-one, try suggesting a walk, and if it is a phone meeting, force yourself to stand up throughout your call—talking has also been known to help your ideas flow.
Another thing you can do is actively find ways to exercise. It is most of our first instincts to find the closest parking to the grocery store, or use an escalator instead of the stairs, but think of these as opportunities for movement. Whenever there is a choice: walk. This may seem like a novice idea, but you would be surprised at how many calories this ends up being at the end of the day. Another key tip is to get off a stop before the one closest to your home if you are taking public transit, it will force you to take some additional steps and take in the local scenery.
