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How to Stop Negative Thoughts About Money

How do you feel about money? It’s a question that often goes unasked, yet our emotions wield significant influence over our financial decisions.

For those struggling with their finances, negative thoughts about money can become a formidable barrier, fostering feelings of frustration and resentment.

But here’s the catch: if you hate money, how can you ever expect to have more of it? To change your financial situation, you must first change your mindset. In this article, we will explore effective ways to overcome negative thoughts about money and cultivate healthy financial habits.

#1: CHALLENGE YOUR BELIEFS ABOUT MONEY

Begin by challenging your beliefs. Ask yourself whether your perceptions are grounded in facts or mere assumptions. Are there examples of individuals who have achieved financial success without compromising their values? Challenge the notion that financial prosperity is inherently tied to negative consequences.

#2: SWAP NEGATIVE THOUGHTS WITH POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS

Swap out self-limiting beliefs with positive affirmations. Instead of saying, “I’m not good with money,” embrace a more constructive outlook like, “I am capable of learning how to manage my finances.” This shift in language can have a profound impact on your mindset and financial decisions.

#3: ELIMINATE THIS ONE PHRASE

Banish the self-defeating phrase, “I cannot afford this.” Perhaps, your parents instilled this phrase in you when you were young. Repeatedly uttering this phrase programs your mind for scarcity. Instead, adopt a more empowering vocabulary. Remember that our words and thoughts shape our lives. As a famous saying goes, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

#4: CHALLENGE THE FEAR OF DESIRING WEALTH

Don’t let the fear of being perceived as greedy deter you from striving for financial success. We all desire prosperity in different forms! Desire for wealth does not equate to greed. Understand that money is a tool, and increasing your income does not make you inherently selfish. Embrace the idea that financial stability allows you to contribute positively to your own life and the lives of others.

#5: EMBRACE THE RISK OF LOSING MONEY

Successful businesses often require calculated risks and investments. Overcoming the fear of losing money is crucial to growing your wealth. Instead of letting fear paralyze you, focus on making informed investments. Seek opportunities that align with your financial goals and remember that smart risk-taking can lead to substantial rewards.

#6: ACKNOWLEDGE EVIDENCE OF CONTROL

Shift your perspective by actively seeking evidence that you are in control of your financial situation. Shift from a negative perspective to a more positive one. Celebrate even the smallest victories, as they signify progress.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Transitioning from name-brand to generic cereal to save S$2 is a win. Paying bills on time is a win. Opening a savings account, even without an initial deposit, is a win. Each positive financial action you take reinforces your control over your finances. Transforming your money mindset is essential to achieving financial success. Start today, and watch your financial outlook improve as you cultivate positive thoughts about money.

Sources: 1 & 2

Money Lessons to Learn from Anime Characters

My current passion revolves around indulging in anime. From the epic world of One Piece to the supernatural mysteries of Jujutsu Kaisen, the characters within these series offer a captivating glimpse into various lifestyles and personalities they portray in their daily lives.

Surprisingly, one can learn a lot about anime characters based on their approach to finances, encompassing everything from their leisurely spending habits to their creditworthiness and the purposes for which they secure loans.

ART OF FINANCIAL CONTROL (My Hero Academia)

In the realm of My Hero Academia, Ochaco Uraraka, also known as Uravity, emerges as a character whose financial acumen is well beyond her years. Hailing from a family where every yen is cherished, Ochaco never had the luxury of extravagance. Her parents frequently struggled to find stable employment, a situation that made her value every cent.

Ochaco’s prudent approach to money management is commendable. She refrains from reckless spending and has set a noble goal of using her future earnings as a pro hero to support her parents, in gratitude for their sacrifices. Her explanation of this plan leaves her friends Izuku and Tenya deeply impressed.

FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT IN THE MIDSET OF WAR (Berserk)

Within the dark and gritty world of Berserk, the cunning knight commander, Griffith, assumes the monumental responsibility of overseeing the intricate financial aspects of commanding a mercenary army. Sustaining such a formidable force demands substantial resources, as Casca once elucidated to Guts.

Although the anime doesn’t delve into this aspect in detail, it is evident that Griffith dedicated countless hours to meticulously managing the Band of the Hawk’s finances, steering clear of imprudent choices that could have led to its bankruptcy. His financial prowess is an essential facet of his leadership.

VIRTUE OF PATIENT SAVING (Laid-Back Camp)

Laid-Back Camp presents a delightful slice-of-life anime featuring high school girls with a shared love for camping. However, funding their camping adventures is entirely their responsibility, prompting characters like Nadeshiko and her friends to become financially savvy.

Nadeshiko, in particular, sets an example of patience and diligence by securing a part-time job to meticulously save for high-quality camping gear, despite its substantial cost. Her prudent financial strategy quickly pays off, and she takes pride in her ability to save for potential upgrades, such as a larger tent or a better sleeping bag.

EARNING THE HARD WAY (Fruits Basket)

Tohru Honda, the central figure in Fruits Basket, mirrors the responsible financial approach seen in characters like Ochaco and Misaki. Having limited financial resources, she appreciates the value of her earnings and abstains from frivolous expenditures, in honor of her late mother’s teachings.

Tohru dedicates herself to part-time work after school, striving to support herself independently. This determination and financial responsibility, shaped by the loss of her parents, exemplify her wisdom beyond her years.

PERPETUAL GROWTH IN FINANCES (Mob Psycho 100)

Anime characters, like real-life individuals, continuously evolve and improve. This progression might encompass mastering new techniques, gaining insights into opponents, or addressing personal weaknesses.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

In Mob Psycho 100, the protagonist, Mob, initially appears as an unassuming and weak individual. However, beneath his unremarkable exterior lies unparalleled psychic abilities. Mob’s indifference to his powers and his awareness that they don’t guarantee a fulfilling life exemplify his maturity. He understands that genuine personal growth extends beyond supernatural talents and that true fulfillment transcends external validation.

Sources: 1 & 2

No-Cost Tips to Refresh Your Mind

Imagine your mind as a cluttered desk with various projects, notes, and documents piled high. Much like searching for information amid the chaos, dealing with stress or persistent thoughts can be equally challenging. To regain clarity and tranquility, consider giving your mind a quick reboot. This practice can help declutter your thoughts, leaving you with a more organized mental space.

Here are some effective techniques to become a person of peace:

CHANGE YOUR SCHEDULE

Attempting to outrun or outperform anxiety and depression is a losing battle. Being overwhelmed and overcommitted is a surefire way to disrupt your peace of mind. Take a close look at your schedule and identify tasks you can eliminate. It’s essential to slow down, set boundaries around your commitments, and create time for relaxation.

TRY JOURNALING

Journaling is a powerful tool to unearth the thoughts and emotions swirling within you. Instead of allowing chaotic ideas to dominate your mind, put them on paper. Grab a blank sheet and allow your thoughts to flow freely. There’s no need to edit or censor yourself; the goal is to connect with your inner self.

RECONNECT WITH NATURE

Engaging in light physical activity outdoors can significantly boost your mood. If exercise isn’t your preference, spending time in your favorite natural setting can alleviate stress. Singapore offers numerous trails and park connectors, providing ample opportunities to reconnect with nature.

Image Credits: unsplash.com,

NURTURE YOUR CREATIVITY

Creativity serves as an exceptional outlet for finding stress relief and inner peace. Brené Brown’s insight, “Unused creativity is not benign… It metastasizes into resentment, grief, heartbreak,” resonates deeply. Rekindle your neglected creative pursuits, whether it’s playing a musical instrument, launching a business, gardening, or cooking. Immersing yourself in a captivating novel also offers a welcome break from constant problem-solving.

LEARN FROM THE PAST

Our past experiences serve as amazing teachers. No matter how hard you try, you cannot bring the past back; it is behind you, and there is nothing you can do to change it. Whenever negative thoughts about the past arise, remember how far you have come and look into the future with a positive perspective. You are not the same person you used to be.

SHARE GRATITUDE WITH OTHERS

Research has shown that expressing gratitude can strengthen relationships. So, the next time your significant someone, friend, or family member does something you appreciate, make sure to let them know how much you value their actions. Having good relationships helps alleviate worries and provides a strong support system.

VOLUNTEER TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER

Research highlights the stress-reducing benefits of spending time with pets, as they can lower blood pressure and provide comfort. If you have a pet, take advantage of quality time by walking your dog or engaging in playful interactions with your cat. If you don’t have a pet, consider volunteering at local animal shelters like Hope Dog Rescue or Love the Voiceless, or offer to walk your neighbor’s dog.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

By incorporating these practices into your life, you can pave the way for a more peaceful and organized state of mind. Just as you declutter your physical environment for better efficiency, tending to your mental space through these strategies can lead to enhanced clarity and a greater sense of tranquility.

Sources: 1 & 2

I went to the NewJeans x LINE FRIENDS pop-up store to have a first look at the prices so you don’t have to

NewJeans x LINE FRIENDS pop-up store has officially opened its doors in Singapore and being the humble K-pop fan that I am, I had to drop by.

It’s at Orchard Central anyway.

In all honestly, I was expecting to just walk in and have a look around but it was much more crowded than I expected it to be.

I’m going to spill the beans and explain my camera roll, plus show you the prices so you can compare them with the Kpopmerch Official Store on Shopee.

Give me your attention as I reveal everything I’ve seen and experienced.

Scan a QR code to join the queue

So I reached there slightly past noon and a staff was holding a QR code that you have to scan to join the queue.

I was told that it would take about 15 minutes and was urged to come back later.

But this was what I was greeted with after entering my particulars:

The queue situation looks okay though, so I thought I would head elsewhere to run my errands first before coming back to join the queue since it would probably take me more than 15 minutes.

But just as I was on my way to pick up some stuff, I received a message asking me to proceed back to the holding area:

It was only about 10 minutes since I joined the virtual queue so I was secretly happy that it didn’t take too long. Well, at least for now.

I went back to the holding area, right opposite Equate Coffee, showed the staff my message notification, and joined the queue.

12.25 pm.

The long wait starts from now

Silly me as I wasn’t expecting to wait that long.

But minutes passed, the line moved little by little… But it still wasn’t my turn.

I was almost close to leaving because I was starving.

12.45 pm.

Oh yeah, I was nearing the end of the queue and was given a little “Q ticket” by the staff:

“Finally…” I thought.

But nope.

The holding area was just the first batch.

Oh my, oh my God.

Here’s the second “holding area”:

But at least there are seats so you can rest a little while waiting.

1.14 pm.

Finally, it was time to enter.

I returned the “Q ticket” to the store staff at the entrance and received a little freebie in return:

Store experience and prices

Okay, so here’s the real deal.

When you enter, here’s what the store looks like:

To your left, there will be BT21, LINE FRIENDS, and TRUZ.

But everyone was crowding around the right side of the pop-up store, which is where you will find all your NewJeans display and merch.

This is right near the entrance:

And then there’s more when you walk in:

Last look at the display before we move on to the prices:

Here are some of the photos I took and I’ve listed the product names together with the in-store prices so you can compare them to the Kpopmerch Official Store on Shopee and decide if you want to get them offline or online, yeah.

P.S. The product links will lead you to Shopee.

NJ GET UP SPIRAL NOTEBOOK ($8)

NJ GET UP POSTCARD SET ($16)

GET UP PHOTOCARD SET VER.1 & VER.2 ($13 each)

NJ GET UP MASKING TAPE SET (2PCS) ($11)

NJ GET UP BOARD ($8)

BUNINI COSTUME PLUSH ($36)

NJ GET UP PLASTIC FILE FOLDER (ASSORTED) ($8)

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS x NJ DECORATIVE STICKERS ($8)

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS X NJ ACRYLIC GEL PEN (BUNNY) ($7)

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS X NJ METAL KEYRING ($24)

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS x NJ EMBROIDERED PATCH ($10)

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS x NJ ACRYLIC PHONE GRIP ($20)

NJ GET UP STICKER PACK ($16)

NJ GET UP ACRYLIC PHONE GRIP ($20)

NJ GET UP METAL MIRROR KEYRING ($30)

NJ GET UP PHOTOCARD BINDER ($25)

NJ GET UP PHOTO HOLDER KEYRING ($19)

NJ GET UP BEADED KEYRING & PHONE STRAP ($24 each)

NJ GET UP DECORATIVE STICKERS ($10)

NewJeans BUNINI DOLL KEYRING ($24)

NewJeans BUNINI FACE CUSHION ($46)

NJ GET UP SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRTS (ASSORTED) ($62 each)

THE POWERPUFF GIRLS X NJ SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRTS (ASSORTED) ($62 each)

Photo zone & check-out counter

There’s also a phone zone right in front of the check-out counter so you can snap your pics and videos before paying for your merchandise.

FYI, their carrier bags are not free so you might want to bring your recycling bags if you don’t want to pay extra on top of your already pricey goods.

The carrier bags are priced at $0.40, $0.60, and $1 according to sizes anyway.

All payments are to be done via cash or nets only and items sold are not exchangeable nor refundable.

Here’s more to note:

Should you buy online or offline?

If you’re as impatient as I am, I would suggest that you get your NewJeans merch online.

The above image shows you the two holding areas I had to go through, which took me about an hour all in all.

I’m not the sort that likes waiting so I think shopping online would make things a lot easier (and cheaper for selected goods).

However, I do have to highlight to you that some merchandise is already sold out online so it’s your chance to get them offline if they still have it when you visit.

Also, there are a handful of items that I can’t seem to find in the Kpopmerch Official Store on Shopee (those that I didn’t input any links to), so it’s a good opportunity for you to get them in-store.

Anyhow, I’m writing this on the launch day of the pop-up store, which is on a Friday. I cannot imagine what the queue situation is going to be like during the weekend.

I would highly recommend that you visit on a weekday if you have the freedom to do so.

The event will last till 23 November but the merch won’t wait so you should visit early before the items get sold out.

It’s wise to plan your ETA too! 🐰

NewJeans x LINE FRIENDS Pop-Up Store

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A post shared by “new rules. new experiences.” (@orchardcentral)

Address: Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd, #01-09, Singapore 238896

Opening hours: 11 am to 10 pm daily

7 Best Cafes in Singapore

Imagine the sheer delight that washed over our office when we welcomed the arrival of our brand new De’Longhi Coffee Machine. It felt as if it could magically brew joy with every cup. We were a bunch of coffee enthusiasts, and the yearning for top-notch breakfast and artisanal coffee was about to be fulfilled by Singapore’s finest cafes.

From specialty brews and hearty breakfasts to delightful brunch spots tucked away in the city, we present to you a list of Singapore’s most beloved cafes, each brimming with its unique charm and flavors.

MR. HOLMES BAKEHOUSE

As we stepped into Mr. Holmes Bakehouse, it was like stepping into a sweet dream. Have you ever tasted a cruffin, a mouthwatering blend of croissant and muffin? If not, this is the place to try one. These delightful pastries are sugar-dusted and cream-filled to perfection, coming in flavors like lemon meringue and pistachio. And if you’re craving something savory, they’ve introduced new treats like the Tomato & Pesto Melt ($13++) and the Short Rib ($20++) sandwich.

Image Credits: facebook.com/mrholmesbakehousesg

Location: Multiple locations, including Pacific Plaza and MYP Centre

DOUGH

Dough, a Korean-style bakery-cafe nestled in CHJIMES, was a revelation brought to life by the talented creators behind Glyph Supply Co and Runes, two other beloved local cafes. Whether you come here to work, unwind, or brunch with friends, you’ll find an ambiance that suits your mood.

Every item on the menu, from bread and pastries to pastas, is crafted fresh in-house. One standout is the Adzuki Mochi Danish ($5.50++), a delightful blend of textures. Another must-try is their Pistachio Raspberry ($6.50++) croissant cube, filled with luscious pistachio cream.

Location: 30 Victoria St, #01-30, Singapore 187996

FIFTYFIVE COFFEE BAR

Nestled on Neil Road, FiftyFive Coffee Bar is far from ordinary. The space exudes a calming zen vibe, anchored by a sensory garden installation that transports you to a forest retreat. With its stylish 40-seat layout, it offers an array of specialty coffee and tea drinks ($5.50++). Plus, you can savor freshly baked goods and light bites.

Their menu includes quirky blends like the highly acclaimed manuka miso honey latte ($7.50++), a refreshing dirty spiced lemonade ($7.50++), and the whimsical strawberry pipagao latte ($7.50++), which playfully incorporates nostalgic Chinese herbal cough syrup. For those feeling fancy, there’s filter coffee featuring a rotating single-origin selection.

Location: 55A Neil Rd, Singapore 088892

PS.CAFE PALAIS RENAISSANCE

PS.Cafe is synonymous with excellence. You can always count on impeccable food, chic aesthetics, and a fabulous dining experience. If you’re seeking sophistication, the Palais Renaissance outlet is perfect for brunch, boasting iconic high ceilings, classic decor, an outdoor dining area, and ample natural light for those Instagram-worthy shots.

And the food? It’s a feast for the senses, featuring pasta dishes, sandwiches, truffle fries, and decadent chocolate cakes. Gather your brunch companions and indulge in a memorable meal.

Location: #02-09A, Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road, Singapore 238871

THE GLASSHOUSE

If you find yourself in the City Hall area searching for a cafe, The Glasshouse is a beloved choice. Located in CHJIMES, this cafe lives up to its name with its floor-to-ceiling windows and lush plant decor, evoking the ambiance of a botanical greenhouse. It’s the ideal spot for catching up with friends over coffee or grabbing a quick caffeine fix. The coffee here is not only delicious but also budget-friendly, crafted from beans sourced from the homegrown roastery, Apartment Coffee.

Location: 30 Victoria St, #01-03 CHIJMES, Singapore 187996

WILD HONEY

A local gem, Wild Honey is a go-to spot for comforting brunch cuisine. Step inside to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, where you’ll be surrounded by Instagram-worthy interiors and delectable dishes. Signature favorites include Corsican, a classic omelet folded with goat and feta cheese, and Delancey, featuring sliced beef pastrami with poached eggs. Sweet tooths will adore treats like apple crumble, Basque cheesecake, and artisanal ice cream. And don’t forget to explore their selection of coffees and teas. If you’re in the mood for a drink, stop by during happy hour from Sundays through Thursdays.

Image Credits: facebook.com/wildhoneysg

Location: Multiple locations, including Mandarin Gallery and Scotts Square

SIMPLE CAFE

Simple Cafe may appear unassuming at first glance, marked only by a plain sign and a chalkboard by the wall. But once you step inside, you’ll be transported to Taiwan, with its humble furniture and a Mandopop playlist setting the mood.

Swing by for their all-day Simple Breakfast ($17++), featuring toast, eggs, sausages, and a side salad. You can also enjoy sweet and savory bagels, all priced under $10.

Location: 462A Crawford Ln, #01-73, Singapore 191462

Go ahead and explore the delightful coffee culture and delectable offerings of Singapore’s finest cafes!

Sources: 1 & 2

Scan a QR code to join the queue

The long wait starts from now

Store experience and prices

Photo zone & check-out counter

Should you buy online or offline?

NewJeans x LINE FRIENDS Pop-Up Store

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