Marriage & Family Archives | Page 17 of 79

How to deal with your teenager when they’re spending too much money

Is your teenage child asking for extra pocket money recently?

And you’re worried that they might be spending more than they can afford without being financially responsible?

Well, it’s time to set some financial rules and learn how to say no without alienating them.

Monitor spending and look for red flags

Excessive spending in recent months can be a sign of trouble, signaling that your child might have gotten themselves with the wrong crowd or are hiding something.

Maybe they are going for more expensive stuff, spending impulsively, or wanting to fit in with a certain group on social media.

If so, this is a good time to discuss the value of money and ask them what they think responsible spending habits are.

Then, take the chance to explain why money shouldn’t be spent carelessly without giving much thought.

Have an honest conversation about their spending habits

Before pinpointing their spending habits, it’s always good to be vulnerable first.

And by that, I mean opening up about the financial mistakes you’ve made and how that made you pick up healthier spending habits.

Yes, it’s hard to admit our mistakes, but those lessons learned don’t have to be yours only to remember. It can be a learning resource for your kids!

You may also want to walk the talk by modeling good financial behavior, whether that be budgeting or maintaining a savings account.

Also, reinforce the difference between needs and wants in life, so it’s clear what should be in the essential “cart”.

Stop giving additional pocket money until you see change

Image Credits: blog.remitly.com

Yes, you love your child, and giving extra money can be your way of expressing yourself as a busy working parent.

But you don’t want to feed their recklessness in spending decisions.

So a wise way to handle this situation is to stop providing bonus pocket money until you see some improvements in how they are handling their existing allowance within their daily or weekly budget.

And if they have never budgeted before, this is a wonderful opportunity to introduce simple budgeting tips with broad categories such as saving and spending.

Encourage them to get a part-time job during the holidays

If your teen is of legal age to work, why not encourage them to find a part-time job during the school holidays?

Getting out there into the working world is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to teach your child about financial responsibility and independence.

When teens get a taste of what “work” is like, they will likely understand how tough it is to earn money. Unlike spending money given to them, they will probably think twice and thrice before spending that dollar they’ve earned.

When it comes to your teen’s money-spending habits, lay down some boundaries. Telling them “no” in a loving way isn’t easy, and it’s important to explain your reasoning behind not giving in to their requests—so they understand that it’s not just a flat-out refusal. Share that you’re not a fan of irresponsible spending and let them know that they are responsible for setting a budget and sticking to it. With open communication, you will be able to nip money issues in the bud and ensure that your teen has the financial savvy to make it in the real world when they graduate.

Affordable floral arrangements from $39.90 for Mother’s Day 2023

Blessed Sunday!

Mother’s Day is really right around the corner, with only a week left to go. If you’ve yet to get mum anything, today’s the day to make that purchase.

In this post, we will be looking at a list of affordable floral arrangements from $39.90 for Mother’s Day 2023.

MD Carmen by Well Live Florist

Price: $39.90

At just $39.90, this is a steal. You will get a lovely bouquet of three flowers consisting of fresh tulips, a carnation, filler, and foliage. At the time of writing, delivery dates are available from 12 to 15 May so act fast if you want to chope the best date and timing for your mama.

KH-07 Cheery by Little Flower Hut

Price: $49.90 (sale!)

Spotted this bouquet of 9 pink roses at just $49.90 (was $69.90)! We have no idea when the sale will end so it’s good to get your hands on these before they decide to conclude the sale. You can also choose to “upsize” the bouquet at an extra price if you think it’s too small.

A Touch of Wild by Wildflower Florist

Price: from $55

There’s something about wildflowers that make them magical. And this particular arrangement which may include a combination of lilies, sunflowers, hydrangea, orchids, and other seasonal fresh-cut flowers and foliage is certainly a different take from the usual Mother’s Day floral selection. Which is great if you want to stand out from the crowd and please mama.

Misc MD by Floristique

I’m loving this florist because there are various options priced from $59.90 for you to choose from. And they are:

Zelda MD: Carnations | Spray Roses | Rose | Fillers & Foliage
Greta MD: Carnations | Spray Roses | Fillers & Foliage
Gianna MD: Carnations | Fillers
Isla MD: Carnations | Baby’s Breath
Kiera MD: Carnations | Fillers & Foliage
Everly MD: Carnations | Fillers & Foliage
Reia MD: Roses | Carnation Spray | Fillers & Foliage

Price: from $59.90

A fun dilemma on which to gift your mum.

Everlasting Vase – Preserved by The Bloom Box

Price: from $62

One comment I get very often from my mum is this: “Flowers have no value because they die quickly.” And that’s true… to a certain extent. If your mum thinks the same way too, why not get a preserved option for her? This everlasting vase is fitting for its name since it can last up to a year if properly taken care of.

Understated Beauty by Flora Moments

Price: from $68

This elegant arrangement of white and orange roses exudes charm just right for mama. Comprises white eustoma and orange roses, it represents admiration, passion, and happiness in life. Note: The most affordable option at $68 only consists of two stalks.

And there we have it, our list of affordable floral arrangements from $39.90 for Mother’s Day 2023. Just a gentle reminder before we go, Mother’s Day is on 14 May 2023, and that means we’re just days away. Whether it’s a gift you’re getting for mum or flowers to cheer her up, make that purchase asap to avoid disappointments!

This ed-tech startup that taps on AI for assessment-based learning is worth a try

Best of all, they have a ‘freemium’ plan for new users.

I’ll get to that later in this article but for a start, let’s look at more on what this ed-tech startup offers.

The name to note is ‘Explico’.

Explico was co-founded 3 years ago by Ashutosh Shukla and Sandesh Shetty, with the aim of using AI and machine learning to create an assessment-based educational system.

And mind you, not just any assessment-based learning but one that is tailored to your child’s needs.

How it works

Supposedly you’re a new user, you can sign up for free under their ‘freemium’ plan and have your child attempt Explico’s free diagnostic assessments Set A & Set B.

These diagnostic assessments are prepared by Explico’s teachers and use AI to assess your child’s proficiency in a particular subject.

Upon completion of the assessments, Explico will recommend live sessions based on their analysis.

The good part is that even as a ‘freemium’ user, you will be entitled to 2 free live sessions (worth 10 credits) so you and your child can have a firsthand experience of how it works.

Going a step further

Like what you’re seeing and think Explico will benefit your child?

You can step up your game from the ‘freemium’ plan to ‘credit-based’, ‘assessment-only’, or ‘all-access’ plans.

Prices range from $19.95 to $1450.

I’ll put it down here for easy reference:

If you’ve got a UOB card, good news! Use your UOB card for payment and enter coupon code <UOBEX2023> for 15% off your purchase.

You’re welcome.

Which plan should you go for?

If you’re on a budget, then maybe the ‘credit-based’ plan would make sense.

It comes in bundle credits of 5, 20, 50, and 80, which the latter will allow you to save up to 15%. Since they can be shared among siblings, it would be good if you have more than one child to worry about.

For parents who believe in the power of practice, then the ‘assessment-only’ plan at $125 for one subject and $280 for three subjects would be perfect.

The only downside is that it’s for a specific child (just one). And the same goes for the ‘all-access’ plan.

If you’ve not started your child on any form of tuition at all, the ‘all-access’ plan is actually worth an investment.

Think about it this way: one subject will cost you $550 with a validity of 12 months if you sign up with Explico. That’s roughly $45.83/month and way much lower than it would cost to hire a private tutor (ex/current MOE teacher) at $50/hour long-term.

Image Credits: singaporetuitionteachers.com

Doesn’t sound too bad, huh?

But ultimately, the decision lies with you. Don’t forget to speak with your child to see what he/she thinks about using Explico as a study buddy for the long term. To give you peace of mind, Explico has recently bagged US$1.4 million in pre-series A funding from key investors such as the renowned Mavis Tutorial Centre. So be rest assured that they are here to stay and expand.

For more information, you can visit www.explico.sg.

8 practical gifts $88 and under for Mother’s Day 2023

Do you know when Mother’s Day is?

I was surprised to see Mother’s Day promotions up and running both offline and online this month so I did a search.

Yup, I forgot about it too.

Anyway, it’s on 14 May 2023, and it’s a Sunday. At the time of writing, we’re less than 3 weeks away.

I’ve yet to decide what to get for the mum but here are 8 practical gifts $88 and under for our consideration.

Prices reflected are accurate at the time of writing.

SEPHORA COLLECTION: Dry Body Oil

Price: $18

I’m not sure about your mum but for mine, I’ve been hearing feedback about dry skin lately. If your mum is also suffering from dry skin, you may want to get this Sephora exclusive body oil for your mama. It comes in these 3 fragrances: argan, monoi, and coconut so you can take your pick. Furthermore, I like how it has zero animal-derived ingredients, which means it’s good if you’re a vegan supporter. Coupled with environmentally friendly packaging, your $18 is sure to be put to good use.

FRESH: Sugar Lychee – Eau De Parfum

Price: from $34

I have no idea why when it comes to the lychee fruit, I think of Singapore. And that’s the reason why I’m highlighting this product for Mother’s Day. If your mum is into scents, consider this fruity fragrance inspired by lychees. With over 30 reviews and a rating of 4.5, I think it has scored pretty well on its report card! Or you can also get FRESH’s Rose Morning – Eau De Parfum, another best-seller at Sephora.

FOODAHOLIC: Misc Mask Sheets

Price: $0.55

Sold over 40,000 pieces with an average rating of 4.9, it says a lot. I’ve personally used this product as a daily mask for a few months and can attest to its moisturizing effects. And at waaay less than a dollar, it’s a steal. There’s also a 5% discount if you purchase any 30 pieces and shipping all the way from Korea is free if you meet the minimum purchase of $15. Mind you, there are 16 types for you to choose from so take your pick and hit that purchase button so you can get your masks ready for Mother’s Day on 14 May.

COSRX: Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream

Price: $31.97

As we age, wrinkles start coming after us; there’s no doubt about it. And that’s why my mum’s always on the lookout for anti-aging products. While doing my research, I came across this eye cream that does just that! It apparently helps brighten up the eye area by reducing fine lines and dark circles. The selling point is that although it’s a snail peptide eye cream, no snails are harmed in the process of making this product. So our slow snail friends are doing just fine; be rest assured.

MONKI: Girl Gang Tote Bag

Price: $8.50

For all the hip mums out there, this tote bag is for them. Ha! My mum’s probably going to kill me if I gift this to her but if you have a cool mum who doesn’t mind injecting a little fun into everyday mundane life, by all means, go ahead. There’s also a boobs-like printed tote bag for an alternative consideration.

KATE SPADE: Grocery Tote-Bouquet Toss

Price: $32.95

If you want your mum to shop in style, consider this grocery tote bag from Kate Spade. The pretty florals on an ang-ang all-weather woven polypropylene material make it extra pretty and lucky. There are also 4 open-base pockets inside to section off things. In addition, it comes with a woven logo label so your mum can flaunt her Kate Spade style at the supermarket or while shopping at the mall.

EU YAN SANG: Healthful Treats Hamper

Price: $88

Don’t let your busyness be an excuse for not getting mum anything. Eu Yan Sang has beautifully wrapped hampers with free delivery options (T&Cs apply) so you can drop your mum something without having to be physically there on Mother’s Day. Take for example this Healthful Treats Hamper, which comes with bottles of:

Essence Of Chicken With Goji Berries & Red Dates 70g
Quality Bird’s Nest with Rock Sugar 70g
Premium White Fungus with Bird’s Nest 70g
Euphoria Longana Honey 500g

Folks looking for halal-friendly options can consider Eu Yan Sang’s Halal Delight Hamper instead.

KINOHIMITSU: Superfood Lady Low Fat Nutritious Multigrain Beetroot Beverage

Price: $27.93

As our parents age and live alone, many may not be keeping up with daily nutritious meals. Why not get this multigrain beverage for mum so her body can absorb all the goodness this product offers? Apart from containing beetroot, cranberry, flaxseed oil, and 22 types of fruits and veggie extracts, it’s also high in iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Best of all, it’s free of trans fats and cholesterol. Here’s another alternative: KINOHIMITSU Superfood⁺ (Healthy) for you.

And there we have it, a curated list of 8 practical gifts $88 and under that you can ponder purchasing for the first and very important woman in your life. Or if you’re not a fan of gift-giving, then consider bringing mum out for a meal. Take the opportunity to catch up on life, and have a wonderful bonding session together!

Communicating your desire to return to work after childbirth

Congratulations on giving birth and finishing your postpartum confinement.

If you’ve been a “career woman” all your life, you may be eager to get back to work after your 30-day confinement period.

So here comes the question:

Should you feel guilty about leaving your baby in the hands of a helper or not?

Well, I don’t think you should be because there’s nothing wrong with wanting to go back to work.

But, if you’ve never had a proper conversation with your spouse about the decision, it might pose a little conflict there.

It’s not always about financial issues

While having a single-income arrangement can put a strain on family finances, I think it’s not always about the money.

Let’s say your spouse has a decent-paying job and can support the family without you working, should you then make the “sacrifice” to stay home and take care of the baby?

Call me selfish but I won’t do it.

Yes, kids grow up fast and I may potentially miss the key moments of their growth if I’m a full-time working parent.

But, I didn’t come this far in my career to give up just because of family commitments.

So here comes the issue: talking to your spouse about it.

Share why returning to work matters to you

My reason to return to work after childbirth may differ from yours but ultimately, you want your partner to understand your stance.

Maybe you have big plans to upgrade from an HDB to a private property.

Image Credits: edgeprop.sg

Or perhaps you’re an extreme extrovert that thrives on being outdoors and having a work routine to look forward to.

Whatever the case, share why returning to work matters to you and come to a compromise if necessary.

Key considerations to have during the planning stage

There are inevitably many things to talk about but here are two I think should be settled:

Analyze your finances

Let’s say your husband’s income is satisfactory if you stay home to look after the baby 24/7. But if you decide to find a job, this means you will need someone to watch the baby.

Whether it’s leaving your little one to their ah gong/ah ma, considering half/full-day infant care, or hiring a full-time helper, that will mean some additional expenses every month.

Sit down and analyze your personal and family finances together, and see how to work things around.

Splitting the childcare responsibility

You’re only going to tire yourself if you parent alone. And you shouldn’t, anyway.

The baby belongs to you and your partner, and since you’re also heading out to work, then core childcare responsibilities should be laid out and split.

It’s impossible to spilt right down the middle but the main idea is to share the burden.

For instance, who’s going to drop off/pick up the baby after infant care hours, and how many “time-offs” does one get in a month (social life stuff)?

Seek parenting advice from others who’re on the same journey

You’re never alone.

Cliche but it’s true.

There are many people out there on the same journey as you are and I believe you will gain a lot from listening to the stories of others.

I found this active, private Facebook group called Stork’s Nest Singapore that has been around for more than a decade with over 14K members:

Their posts are centered on babies/children/family/full-time helpers so I think it would be of great relevance to you.

As we close, I just want you to know that there’s nothing wrong with wanting to head back to the workplace. Gender-dictated roles have come so far and what our parents have gone through doesn’t have to dictate our future footsteps. It’s your life ultimately so whether you choose to be a “career woman” or a full-time mom, no one should have the right to point a finger at you and tell you what you should or shouldn’t do.