When it comes to wedding planning, it is all about knowing your priorities and allocating your money wisely. Making a list of your priorities and setting a budget should be the number one step of wedding planning. Apart from this, here are other ways you can save money.
#1: LEAD YOUR GUESTS TO A WEDDING WEBSITE
When it comes to your wedding invitation, you can save money by directing your guests to your wedding website instead of printing out multiple invitations. You can create free websites through platforms such as Wix and WordPress.
Do not forget essential information such as the welcome party or rehearsal dinner details as well as the transportation and map to your ceremony.
#2: SELECT THE “OFF-PEAK” MONTH
The wedding off-peak season typically runs from November to March. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, you can host your wedding during this period. Considering having a celebration in November or March can help you save money in your venue rental fee. Just ensure that you have a Plan B for inclement weather!
#3: CUT DOWN YOUR GUEST LIST
It goes without saying that a smaller guest list is easier on your budget and sanity. Reducing your guest list from 300 to 150 can be overwhelming, but manageable.
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Intimate ceremonies require less money and less effort. Moreover, you will be able to have quality interactions with the people who mean most to you.
#4: CONDUCT THE ENTIRE WEDDING IN ONE PLACE
Avoid worrying about the coordination/logistics and the extra expense of transportation by having your entire wedding at one venue. Everyone will be on time for your ceremony and reception.
#5: EMBRACE THE ALL-IN-ONE PACKAGE
If you are maximizing your wedding budget, you must keep an eye for the words: “all inclusive”. There are venues that provide all-in-one packages that cover amenities, catering, staff, cake, guest accommodation, host, and more. Bundling all these services in one roof can help you save money and reduce your stress!
#6: ORDER YOUR WEDDING GOWN IN ADVANCE
Ordering your wedding gown at least eight or nine months before the ceremony can help avoid the rushed delivery fees. Last-minute alterations that are costly can also be prevented.
Singaporean parents want to provide their children the leverage in life through providing quality education. Some parents are willing to spend their savings to move to a property within proximity of their chosen primary school.
The question remains, is it really worth it to move near your child’s school to increase his or her chances of getting in?
#1: AMENITIES IN SCHOOL ZONES ARE PRICIER
Living near your chosen primary school is convenient for commuting. However, being near the school zone comes with other inconveniences such as noise and traffic in the morning.
Elite primary schools tend to be situated in prime districts. Properties in the prime districts are expensive. For instance, ACS Junior in Newton is surrounded by private properties amounting to S$3-7 million. Apart from shelling out millions, it is not uncommon for supermarkets or MRT stations to be further away from residential areas. In contrast, neighborhood schools are often surrounded by HDB Developments.
#2: PRIORITY ADMISSION IS NOT GUARANTEED
Staying near your chosen school does not immediately guarantee that you will be given the slot, which is why many parents are hoping to improve their chances by participating in volunteer work. If you cannot get into your preferred school and have no alternative options nearby, that means that you could be facing a lock-in period of at least three to five years as part of the home loan agreement.
On the other hand, if you can successfully secure a place for your child due to proximity, you will need to stay at the address for at least thirty months from the start of the registration exercise as required by the Ministry of Education.
#3: SOCIAL SUPPORT CAN BE A FACTOR
Apart from prioritizing quality education, childcare should also be a factor in planting your roots. Do you opt to live near the homes of your parents and in-laws? If so, you will be able to ask for their support after school hours. For instance, your child can go over to his or her grandparents’ home after school.
#4: ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET PRICE CAN MAXIMIZE PROFIT
If you found a home within a kilometer away from your chosen primary school, you will reap its rentability and value benefits. Many parents would want to rent a flat near their children’s school.
A study done by NUS found that 1.4% and 6.9% price declines of private and HDB homes, respectively, within 1km of a school that relocates. Apart from your proximity to the school, it is essential to assess a property’s size, age, and nearby amenities to ensure a tidy profit once you decide to rent it out or to sell it in the future.
For owners of private properties, you can seek the help of licensed appraisers who are members of the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers to determine your property’s valuation. While HDB homeowners should not worry about researching the valuation cost as they can get a valuation report on their unit from the HDB office.
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BOTTOMLINE
Choosing where to live is a personal decision. Consider all the factors that will affect your move. Some people are content with being near any primary school, while others feel that getting a good start in life is tied to an elite primary school. The choice is up to you.
As a parent, it’s hard to see your child struggle.
When they get a low grade on a test or flunk an exam, it feels like disappointment is looming right around the corner. But remember, defeat is a part of life. It’s how we learn and grow.
Allow us to share some tips for helping your kids learn from their failures and stay motivated when things don’t go their way.
Use failure as motivation
Hey, we know you’re upset your kid failed that test. But it can be a learning experience for them—failure is an opportunity to do better next time. And most importantly, don’t let them wallow in self-pity. Encourage them and tell them that you believe in them. They will need your support now more than ever.
Talk to your kids about their feelings
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Failing repeatedly can be a tough experience for kids, and it’s natural to feel a range of emotions, from disappointment and frustration to anger and sadness. As a parent, it’s vital to talk to your kids about their feelings.
This will help them understand what they’re going through and give them the space to express themselves. Then, encourage your kids to keep trying! Failing is a great opportunity to learn and grow. With the right attitude, your child can use this experience to bounce back stronger than ever.
Teach kids how to learn from their mistakes
Failure is a part of life. We all make mistakes, and it’s how we learn from them that determines our success. This is something you need to teach your kids when they fail a test or exam. It’s not the end of the world. It’s just the beginning.
There are a lot of valuable lessons to be learned from defeat, and it’s up to you to guide them toward the light at the end of the tunnel. Teach them how to learn from their blunders, and how to pick themselves up and move on. So when your kid comes home with a less-than-ideal report card, don’t panic. Help them see it as an opportunity to learn and grow, and be there for them every step of the way.
No one is perfect, and your kids will learn that the hard way on their way to adulthood. When they fail a test or exam, it’s a chance for them to correct their errors and grow stronger. Remind them that failure is a part of learning and growing. It’s okay to be a little disheartened, but it’s much more beneficial to push through that worry and emerge better than before.
Your kids are going to find out about your debt sooner or later. Isn’t it better if you’re the one who tells them?
Debt is a difficult topic to discuss, but it’s something that parents need to be open and honest about with their children. Why? Because secrecy can only harm. It can cause serious tension in the family unit.
In this post, we will discuss the reasons why you should be transparent with your kids about your debt situation, and will offer tips on how to have that challenging conversation.
Effects of not being transparent
Let’s be honest: you’re probably keeping your debt situation from your kids because you’re embarrassed. But here’s the thing—not being transparent about your debt can make things worse. In fact, it can have a serious negative impact on your children.
The key is to be open with your kids. Let them know that you’re dealing with this tricky situation, but that you’re working hard to get out of it. Help them understand why you made the choices you did so far, and explain how you’re going to fix things. Most importantly, assure them that they are not responsible for your debt.
Help your children understand money
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By being transparent about your debt situation with your kids, you’re teaching them about money and how to handle it responsibly.
You’re also modeling good behavior. When kids see their parents dealing with financial difficulties openly, it teaches them that it’s okay to ask for help and to be truthful about money challenges. They will know that they can come to you with any questions or concerns they have in the future. It also helps them develop a sense of empathy for the case.
Teaching your children about financial responsibility
If your parents had never talked to you about money—or worse, if they had lied to you about their financial situation. How lost and confused would you have felt?
Now, imagine if your parents had been transparent about their debt situation and shared their goals and strategies for getting out of debt. You would have learned so much from them!
The bottom line is this: Hiding your debt from your kids is only going to hurt them in the long run. By teaching them about financial responsibility, you’re equipping them with the tools they need to make smart financial decisions down the road.
Helping your children develop a healthy relationship with money
You want them to know that you’re dealing with the problem and that you’re taking steps to fix it. This will show them that you’re capable of handling such situations and that they can come to you for help if they ever find themselves in a similar situation.
Most notably, though, you need to remember that kids are smart. They know when something is going on, even if you’re trying to hide it from them. The more forthcoming you can be with them, the better it is for your parent-child relationship.
Showing you are working to get out of debt can be a good example for them to follow
If you were hiding your debt situation from your kids, they’re going to see right through that—and what’s more, they’re going to learn that it’s okay to keep secrets from their loved ones.
That’s not the message you want to be sending your kids, isn’t it? You want them to know that you’re working hard to get out of debt and that you’re taking steps to improve your financial position. Because when they see that you’re being proactive, they will be more likely to follow suit if they find themselves in comparable situations.
So talk to your kids about your debt situation. Let them know that you’re not positive about it, but that you’re doing everything you can to rectify the issue. In addition, let them know that at times, it has nothing to do with being a good or bad person, no matter what the debt situation looks like.
Debt can feel like a shameful secret for some, but remember that you’re not alone. Millions of people are in debt, and there’s no need to hide your situation from your kids. Sharing your debt situation with your children can help them understand money and finance in a way that textbooks don’t teach.
If you’re struggling to pay off your debt, there are steps you can take to get back on track, such as creating a budget or considering a debt consolidation plan. Talk to your kids about these options, and let them know that you’re doing everything you can to get back on track. Being transparent about your debt situation can help build trust between you and your children. It can also help them learn how to manage their own money when they’re adults. So go ahead and share it using terms appropriate for their age.
You hope they will get the education they need to succeed in life. But what do you do when they start refusing to go to school?
It can be a challenging problem to solve, but we’re here to help. In this article, we will discuss some of the causes of school refusal and offer tips on how to get your child back on track.
Defining school refusal
Well, first it’s important to define what “school refusal” actually means. It’s not just kids who are trying to skip class. School refusal can refer to a wide range of issues, from kids who are struggling with anxiety to those who are dealing with bullying or academic pressure.
If your child is refusing to go to school, it’s necessary to talk to them and find out why. Sometimes the problem is something that can be addressed and solved relatively easily. But other times, it may be a sign that your child needs more help than you can give them on your own.
What are the consequences of school refusal?
There can be a lot of them, depending on the situation. For one, your child might fall behind in school and eventually start to struggle. This can lead to a lot of stress and frustration for both you and your child.
In some cases, school refusal can even lead to social isolation. Your child might start to feel like they’re the only one who doesn’t want to go to school, and this can be damaging to their peer-to-peer relationships. We suggest talking to your child about why they’re refusing to go and see if there’s anything you can do together to help them get back on track.
Tips for parents: How to deal with school refusal
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Below are some suggestions for parents to help them deal with school refusal:
Talk to your child about why he or she is refusing to go to school. It’s essential to understand the root of the problem.
Establish a routine and make sure your child gets enough sleep. A lack of rest can make it harder for kids to get up in the morning and go to school.
Make sure your kids have a healthy breakfast before leaving for school. A nutritious meal in the morning will give them the energy they need to get through the day.
When to seek professional help
Sometimes, there’s a deeper reason why your child is refusing to go to school, and it’s something that a professional can help you with.
It might be that your child is struggling with a particular subject, or there might be something going on at school that’s causing them uneasiness. It could also be that there’s a problem at home that’s impacting their ability to learn.
Whatever the reason, it’s good to get help so that your child can return to school as soon as possible. A qualified professional will be able to identify the root of the problem and work together with you to find a solution.
We know it can be tough when your child is refusing to go to school. We want to help you through this tough time, and that is why we’ve put together this article. We hope that you have found this post helpful and that it has given you some tips on how to handle your child’s school refusal. Stay positive and keep communicating with your child. If you ever need external help, reach out to your child’s teacher or a professional counselor. They can surely assist you in getting your child back on track.
Anna Agoncillo
Celeste Elle
