Marriage & Family Archives | Page 63 of 80

Declutter Your Space To Clear Your Mind

An interesting study published by the Princeton Neuroscience Institute highlighted that “having multiple visual stimuli present within range of one’s view will result in those stimuli competing for neural representation”. In simplest terms, you are likely to get distracted when you are working in a messy place.

Clearing your mind may not solely rely on your working environment but, it is a good start. Here are some tips to efficiently declutter your space:

IS YOUR TIME UP?

When you are faced with a task, you typically focus on the deadline. A deadline gives you a tangible quantity of time to complete your task. Apply the same ideal to your home.

How much time can you spare to organize your flat? Pick a space or a corner that you can realistically declutter within the given time frame. You do not want to end up with a larger mess than what you have started with!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Designate a specific day of the week as your “Cleaning Day”. My sister and I sets aside a portion of our weekends to cleaning the house. We drop either our Saturdays or Sundays to mop the floors, change the sheets, wipe the corners, and change the towels. This habit inspires us to continue a healthy routine throughout the coming week.

ADDING INSULT TO INJURY

By buying more items beyond your household needs, you are making a displeasing matter worse. Keep clutter into a minimum by tossing or by donating these things aside. Prevent impulse purchases by asking your trusted partner or friend for advise.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

As I was about to sleep last night, I reflected upon my to-do list. I was determined to finish a single task to shorten the list. This made me adamant to organize my clothes before sleeping. Finding this glistening motivation helped me achieve the task. I was able to collate a donation pile too!

Find something or someone that will motivate you to clean your space. For instance, you may play your favorite songs or audiobooks while cleaning.

TAKE EVERYTHING OUT

Starting with a fresh slate helps you to rigorously declutter your space. You need to know what items or products you own by taking everything out. Last night, I discovered several clothing articles that I have owned since 2011. It is embarrassing to see how many holes some of these clothes have. Needless to say, most were transported to the donation pile.

Once everything is out in the open, you can wipe the shelves and dust the corners. It will be easier to determine what you want to toss and to keep too.

USING APPROPRIATE LABELS

Putting labels on everything is one of the reasons why I do not get lost at my boss’ office. Labels are utterly useful when multiple people utilize a common area.

You see, labelling your household storages allows your family to know where each item will go. They do not need to pull out random boxes (and make a mess) while searching for an item! You simply have to put chalkboard or paper labels throughout your space.

ARE YOU DRESSING THE PART?

Contrary to popular belief, professional cleaners do not stay updated with the latest cleaning gadgets found at the TV infomercials. Professional cleaners opt for comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes instead. You may also wear knee pads to spare your knees from potential bruises. Furthermore, you may protect your hands against harmful chemicals by wearing gloves.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

My mother’s sensitive skin is aided by all-natural solutions such as the Castile soap. Castile soap is a versatile product that you can use as a body wash, a laundry detergent, and a dish-washing liquid. Search the renowned “Dr. Bronner’s Organic Pure Castile Liquid Soap” to be educated about the hype.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

4 Steps To Overcome Family-Related Money Problems

The extent of your economic slowdown may vary from eating out less to changing your living conditions. Parents may not have enough money to put toward rent or school fees. These financial problems can take a toll on one’s mental and physical health. Thus, overcoming said hurdles is important.

To tackle these family-centered issues head-on, you must start with these four steps:

#1: DETERMINE THE ISSUE/S

It goes without saying that it is difficult to defeat the enemies that you cannot see. Try asking the ninjas! Similarly, how can you find solutions to a problem that you are not aware of?

Thus, the first step to overcoming family-related money problems is to identify the underlying issues. Financial problems are usually parts of a larger issue. Here are some common issues that you may think about:

a. Newborn (of first-time parents)
b. Unemployment
c. Addiction / Substance Abuse
d. Divorce

#2: OPEN THE COMMUNICATION STREAMS

As a child who sees his or her parents fighting constantly about money, talking about your worries can help. Find an appropriate time to discuss about the financial matters with your parents. If you cannot approach them right now, you may lean on a trusted friend or a credible counselor.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Do not hesitate to seek for professional help if the need arises.

#3: RANK YOUR FINANCIAL PRIORITIES

After addressing your triggers, it is best to create a path towards active resolution. Begin by writing down and ranking your financial priorities. Some may be as direct as paying off your credit card bills. While, others may focus on your lifestyle goals such as repairing your aesthetically pleasing home.

Nevertheless, it is important to create a realistic budget suited to controlling your financial problems.

#4: CREATE A SAFETY NET

The future of your wealth is up to you! As the above steps have illustrated, you must review your current financial circumstance and create a straightforward path. To prevent further damage or cushion unforeseen events, consider cultivating an emergency fund.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Families are recommended to have a sufficient amount worth at least 6 months of your income. Do not rely solely on credit cards for emergencies!

Sources: 1 & 2

Protect Your Dream Home And The Contents You Value Most

Buying a home is often considered a big-ticket item purchase. It is also not uncommon to spend tens of thousands of dollars to renovate the house to bring it to the ideal living conditions. Having incurred such vast amounts of money on renovation and the purchase of new furniture, it is only prudent to protect them with comprehensive home contents insurance. A home contents insurance offers protection against physical loss of or damage to household contents and renovation. Despite its importance, home contents insurance is often not purchased owing to common misconceptions about the coverage and the cost.

Dangerous Misconceptions

Majority of home owners believes that the basic fire insurance plans that they have purchased cover for everything. Add to the fact that they are often compulsory tends to lull home owners into a false sense of security. However, this cannot be further away from the truth. Basic fire insurance plans only cover for damage to the structure of the building. It is strictly a basic cover that does not insure home contents. In other words, the furniture, cost of renovation and personal belongings inside the homes are omitted.

Another common misconception amongst owners is to think that they will not suffer the misfortune of accidents happening to their homes. While a fire may not break out too often, burst water pipes or short circuiting of electrical appliances are actually not uncommon occurrences in a household. Although these typically only lead to localized damage in parts of the house, the cost needed to restore to the original state could turn out to be quite substantial. In trying to save the annual premiums on home contents insurance, such home owners could end up being penny wise and pound foolish.

The All-Encompassing GreatHome Distributed By OCBC Bank

To ensure that your cherished home gets the protection that it deserves, OCBC Bank is distributing the all-encompassing GreatHome insurance policy. GreatHome is a home contents insurance policy with an extensive coverage over renovation, home contents, personal liability, and personal accident. It complements fire insurance plans well since GreatHome covers the content and renovation while fire insurance plans cover the structure of the home. The personal legal liability clause covers for expenses or property damage caused by any of the household members, including live-in domestic helpers, up to a sum of S$750,000 under its Starter Plan. Other helpful benefits include reimbursement for the cost of alternative accommodation when the insured property is undergoing repair. This reimbursement provides home-owners with a peace of mind during this trying period.

In addition, GreatHome is also competitively priced to provide great value for money. Home-owners get covered for their household contents and renovations for up to $75,000 from just S$128 for a 1-year Starter Plan. It gets even better as OCBC is promising home-owners mega savings with generous discounts on the premiums of GreatHome.

Discount On Premiums

OCBC is offering a discount on its premiums. From now till 31 December 2018, home-owners who apply for a GreatHome 1-year Starter Plan will receive $30 off the original S$128. The discounts get higher if home-owners elect for more comprehensive coverage for their cherished homes.

As GreatHome has demonstrated, insuring the contents of your home costs very little and requires little effort with its auto-renewal option. It is a great complement to your existing home fire insurance to provide complete coverage for your cherished home. Visit www.ocbc.com/greathome to find out more!

GreatHome is underwritten by Great Eastern General Insurance Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Eastern Holdings Limited and member of the OCBC Group. GreatHome is not a bank deposit or obligation of, or guaranteed by OCBC Bank.

Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme

This plan is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact us or visit the General Insurance Association (GIA) or SDIC websites (www.gia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).

Sensible Strategies To Split Expenses with Your Partner

There is truth to the idiomatic expression – “it takes two to tango”. With a relationship that spans for nearly a decade, I came to realize that giving and taking is an essential element to success. Arriving at an agreeable place avoids potential conflicts from rising. Compromise is vital when it comes to financial matters.

Who would be primarily responsible to pay the bills or to account for outstanding debts? Use the following strategies to help you split the expenses.

STRATEGY #1: DOWN IN THE MIDDLE

Living together entails the discussion of bills, loans, and other expenses. The most concrete way to divide an expense is to split it in half. From groceries to rent, you may share the household responsibilities by contributing an equal amount of money.

Keep track of your purchases and bills by creating a document or a spreadsheet file. You may want to consider setting a monthly price threshold to avoid conflicts.

STRATEGY #2: SET A PERCENTAGE

If you and your partner belong to similar salary divisions, the first strategy is beneficial. However, it can be difficult to split everything by 50-50 if you belong to both ends of the salary spectrum. Contributing S$1,000 per month to the household expenses may mean nothing to you. While, it can mean everything to others!

One of the most sustainable ways to conquer this situation is to contribute a certain percentage of your income. For instance, you can agree to allocate 30% of your income towards household expenses and other miscellanous. Both parters will be paying the same percentage to other expense categories such as utilities and transportation.

STRATEGY #3: TOGETHER AS ONE

Some couples prefer to establish a joint account with a foundation of trust and mutual understanding. With this account, you may allocate a percentage for entertainment. Entertainment includes funds for hobbies as well as vacations. Maintaining an account to fund an expensive vacation allows you to team up to achieve a common financial goal.

Motivation is elevated as you work together. Furthermore, your dual streams of income widens the resources for your funds.

STRATEGY #4: TOGETHER YET APART

Another strategy that can be just as effective is separating the expense categories based on one’s financial capacity. You will be responsible to pay for specific bills from your own account or savings.

Under this strategy, each person remains their individual bank accounts and identifies which expense they are responsible for. According to Andrea Rizk, the founder and CEO of of Risk Public Relations, this arrangement maintains maximum financial independence.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

At the end of the day, you must choose a strategy that works well with your personalities and relationship dynamics.

Sources: 1 & 2

4 Budget-Friendly Halloween Events For The Entire Family

Halloween in Singapore is nothing but SPOOKTACULAR!

Embody the festive spirit without breaking the bank by searching for free or affordable activities within your community. You will not believe how many there are out there!

1. NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

Immerse yourself in a world where Asian superstitions and beliefs come to life as Asian Civilisations Museum brings you the “Horror Mash Up”! This annual event includes activities and performances inspired by their stellar collection. Expect to hear haunting tales, to strike eerie poses at their dress-up booths, and to make your own spooky souvenir. Activities will run from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm while the museum operates until 12:00 midnight.

This FREE event, ideally for your teens, is set on October 28.

Location: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555

2. TRICK OR TREAT

No Halloween celebration is complete without “Trick or Treat”. A massive gathering awaits at Woodlands Woodgrove. With your costume, you can roam the neighborhood from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm (or until the treats run out). Kids of all ages along with their parents will come together to make the most of this day.

Do not forget to mark your calendars on October 31! Joining the exciting event is free, but you can donate to its sponsors.

Location: Woodgrove Neighbourhood (refer to the map)

Image Credits: streetdirectory.com

3. LITTLE MONSTERS’ PLAYGROUP

Are you looking for an event that lets you bond with your adorable ones? Look no further as Australian International School brings you the “Halloween Playgroup”. Toddlers to children aged 5 are all welcome to dress as magical and mystical creatures. The activities lined up for your little (and beloved) monsters include dancing, games, and storytelling. If these sound fun to you, book your spot here!

This FREE event is scheduled on October 17. Registration starts at 9:00 am.

Location: Australian International School, 1 Lorong Chuan, Singapore 556 818

4. FOR MOMS AND BUBS

Shine in your most creative costumes with your baby to win attractive prizes from Bove! Bove by Spring Maternity’s “Halloween Dress-Up Party” includes the following highlights:

a. Tea Party with Popcorns & Cotton Candies
b. Photobooth experience with instant printouts
c. Crowning of the Best-Dressed Halloween Baby and Toddler, as well as
d. Goodie bags from the event sponsor.

This is the only event on this list that lets you pay for the admission, but fret not. Ticket are sold at S$5 each. Oh! Babies 12 months and below are free of charge.

Location: 3 Temasek Blvd, #02–728/729/730, Suntec City Branch,Tower 4, Singapore 038983

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 &2

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