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5 Efficiently Quick Ways To Beat Financial Stress

These days, there is no shortage of reasons why people are anxious about money. From higher unemployment rate to expensive school fees, everyone has their own share of financial stressors. And these accumulated stress can be detrimental to one’s health when not managed.

On that note, here are simple ways to conquer your inner beast:

1. DETERMINE WHAT STRESSES YOU OUT

Spare at least 10 minutes of your time to identify what triggers your financial stress. Whether it is dealing with your horrific credit card balance or realizing that you are barely hanging onto your job, write down your three greatest financial stressors at the moment. It is important to keep the list short to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

2. CHANGE YOUR MINDSET

Staying positive in a seemingly challenging financial situation can help you get your thoughts together and motivate you to change. Rather than mourning about your piles of debt, visualize how great your life can be with less of them. Then, repeat an internal dialogue that aims to conquer that stressor. For instance, you may vow to spend about S$100 less each month in order for you to pay more for your debts.

3. FOCUS ON SMALL AND SUSTAINABLE GOALS

You do not have to beat your financial stress head-on immediately. Just as crash diets can lead to burnout, overly ambitious financial goals can lead to quitting. So sustain your goals by identifying what you can actually achieve each day and each month.

4. REWARD YOURSELF

Set a realistic budget and reward yourself for sticking by it. Alvin Hall, an author and a financial commentator on BBC TV, once said that a helpful way to lower your stress is to purchase something that has a long-lasting positive personal effect…for the least amount of money. Personally, visiting museums that display exceptional art uplifts my spirits while costing me S$0-20 only!

If you cannot think of any rewards right now, consider reading this guide: “36 Things You Can Do In Singapore, Aside From Spending Too Much Money”.

5. WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR

Before you fall into a deep slumber, write down at least three things that you are thankful for. This changes your focus from your financial stressors to the beautiful things that you might have taken for granted throughout the day. It does not have to be a big thing!

This quickie activity is focused on giving you a positive strategy to cope with life’s difficulties.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

If all else fails, do not hesitate to seek help from your friends, family, or financial professionals.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Is It Time To Embrace The Rise Of Digital Red Envelopes?

First comes Snapchat’s Snapcash then there was MasterCard’s Selfie Authorization, and now we make way for the digital Ang Baos.

Yes! You read that right.

As we usher in the Year of the Monkey, China’s three Internet giants namely Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent (developer of WeChat messaging app) offered their own versions of digital red envelopes. Even the Chinese government weighed in as they gave away a total of 300,000 RMB or about S$63,000 through Alipay – Alibaba’s digital payment service. However, the most impressive of them all was Tencent’s WeChat app.

WeChat‘s red envelope scheme started in January 2014 in support of its digital payment service called WeChat Payments. Its functions include sending virtual money, withdrawing cash, and checking the transaction history.

Its popularity spread like wildfire since its inception. In fact, last February 8 marked a milestone as over 8 billion of digital red envelopes were sent through WeChat’s gifting scheme. That signifies an eight-fold increase from the previous year.

The types of WeChat’s red envelopes are as follows:

a. REGULAR RED ENVELOPE – upon availing this, the user can specify the amount of money he or she wants to give.

b. RED ENVELOPE LUCKY DRAW – upon availing this, the user will allocates a lump sum of money to a “group red envelope” wherein a number of small red envelopes are inside it. After posting this on a group chat, WeChat will randomly assign an amount for each recipient’s red envelope.

Although these all sounds fuss-free and convenient, you must consider its disadvantages. For instance, digital platforms are susceptible to cyber crimes. In 2015, a user who claimed to be the billionaire Chen Guangbiao deceived many WeChat users and ended up receiving a significant gain from them.

Also, digital Ang Baos may take away the family re-connection that the tradition entails.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

So ask yourself: “Do you want focus on strengthening relationships or on monetary incentives?”

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Top 5 Tunes About Wealth And Money

Relationships, heartbreaks, and love may be the most observable theme in the music charts today but you cannot deny that money comes next.

Whether you like listening to songs about the pains of fortune or the joys of owning material things, there seems to be no shortage of songs about money. In fact, Jay-Z’s new record label “Magna Carta Holy Grail” stressed his insistence on continuing to rap about his wealth.

With that said here are the tunes that prove how complex and well-documented money is…

1. She Works Hard For The Money by Donna Summer

From the Queen of Disco herself – the late Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard For The Money” swiftly became one of her signature songs.

2. Mo Money Mo Problems by The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Mase & Puff Daddy

Life After Death album’s lead single is one of the first songs that come to people’s mind when talking about money-related lyrics. The catchy chorus says a lot about the difficulties faced by Biggie after he began growing his wealth.

“I don’t know what, they want from me
It’s like the more money we come across,
the more problems we see”

3. Taxman by The Beatles

A timeless dedication to the United Kingdom’s government taxation, “Taxman” came about when the band realized that it was losing a bulk of its earnings due to the supertax that Harold Wilson had introduced.

4. Like Money by Wonder Girls ft. Akon

“Like Money” is a song that mashes both love and money as a theme. In its first week, the song debuted at number 11 in South Korea. By the end of August 2012, its popularity soared to about 583,737 downloads in south Korea alone.

5. Bills by LunchMoney Lewis

Exuding elements of hip-hop, ragtag, and jazz, this hit is the debut single of the American rapper called LunchMoney Lewis. It is about a man who is overwhelmed about his debts and bills that he has to work harder everyday in order to make sure that they all survive.

I have to admit, I cannot get enough of this song!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Trending Instagram Hobbies Within Your Budget

Where else can you showcase your coolest talents, delicious meals, cutest pets, greatest adventures, and oddest interests better than at Instagram (IG)?

As I browse through my IG feed, I noticed these 5 hobbies that are within each individual’s tight budget:

1. EDITING

Some people are naturally gifted with visual arts while others see it as a hobby that they have to practice. If you want to share your beautiful memories captured on portraits, showcase your photography and editing skills on IG.

Fit in the crowd by ensuring that you edited your photos with extra filters and finishing touches. Use this “4 Free Photo Editing Apps” list to help you out!

2. SINGING

I have to admit, a bunch of my IG friends are good at singing. And a fun way to get their followers connected is by posting a preview of their “full cover/song video” and linking it to their bio.

For emerging and establish artists, it is a no-cost way to advertise and stay in touch with the fans.

3. EATING

Some people love to watch movies as much as others love to read books. But my favorite people love to go on “food trips”. To be on a food trip means that you are on-board a stimulating and exciting food experience. Whether it will be a good or a bad one, you can easily post your food photography or video clips on IG for your friends to see.

4. CRAFTING

On the top of making a Facebook page of your artworks, you can manifest your artistic side by posting it on IG. This can not only support your passion but also boost your followers and your brand. You can either show daily clips of your artwork’s progress or make a short timelapse video of it from start to finish.

5. SHOPPING

If your interests involve window shopping (like many Singaporeans), take it up a notch by virtually browsing on IG. Save time, effort, and money by looking through a range of local labels while at home. Check out @gsews for bags, @wontyouburnbitch for accessories, and @lovebonito for clothes!

Screen-grabbed from instagram.com/lovebonito

4 Absolute Ways To Spend Less and Save More This Valentine’s Day

Think your wallet can rest after the costly festivities of Christmas and Chinese New Year? Think again as we usher the season of love!

While Valentine’s Day is a great way to appreciation and affection to your significant other, I cannot deny the fact that the anticipated costs may cause a hole in your pockets. This year, however, you can turn things around if you are willing to put in creativity, time, and flexibility.

1. SAVE THE SPARKLES FOR LATER

If you are planning to purchase jewelry for your beloved, try to clamor dry out first. Since the demand for jewelry goes way down after 14th February, the retailers offer discounts to attract customers to buy their remaining products.

The only downside is that you have to discuss this with your partner in advance and seek his or her understanding.

2. AVOID THE CROWDS

Valentine’s Day 2016 is on a Sunday and more than ever, shopping malls and restaurants will be populated. Most places are jammed with couples and women holding on to their bouquets or stuffed animals. Beat this “competition” by scheduling a wonderful date on another day as long as your significant other is fine with it.

By doing so, you had avoided the crowd and maximized your savings.

3. OPT FOR AFFORDABLE FLOWERS

Since some people prefer getting blooms for Valentine’s Day, you would have to plan beforehand. Save money by skipping high-end or mainstream florists. Instead, visit your local grocery store or compare the prices of various online flower shops.

Image Credits: instagram.com/agoncilloanna

And if you are in the Gardens By The Bay area, I was got a bouquet of orchids there for only S$5.

4. CRAFT YOUR GIFTS BY HAND

What better message of love can you convey when you pour your heart on handmade gifts? Consider these gift ideas:

a. COOK TOGETHER

There is nothing sweeter than sharing your interests to your partner. If you are a fan of cooking and baking then, teach him or her the basic recipes and techniques. But, if neither of you have an expertise, lookup free online tutorials and prepare a V-Day dinner together.

b. SPECIAL CARD

Bring your wonderful memories to life by turning photos into very personal V-Day card. Print his or her favorite Instagram photos in JPEG format using glossy or matte photo papers available for as low as S$2 at Popular bookstores.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1 & 2

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