6 Things You Can Learn About Money From Professor X-Perience

“Who is Professor X-Perience?”, you may ask. It is a persona that I created to embody our experiences.

Our experiences consist of  the overall process of sensing and doing things. As far as I know, not everything can be learned from the pages of the book! Exploring the world with your own eyes gives you the most valuable lessons about money.

On that note, here are some of the financial realizations that came from my experiences:

1. GIVE AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE

Whether you want to admit it or not, it is rare that we receive something without doing anything. This statement does not only pertain to finances as it can be applied to other areas in life like opportunities and friendships. If you want to increase the perceived value of what you receive, you must give it out first.

Why is this so? I realized that you reap what you sow. Almost everything that happened to me was a result of my actions. I was able to enjoy an overseas trip because I worked for extra hours and saved up for it.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

2. EARN YOUR MONEY HARD

Since you worked hard for your money, you must spend it wisely.

I never saw the true value of money until I had my first full-time job. When I was younger, I spent my part-time pay on shoes, clothes, tickets, and other materialistic things. The feeling of satisfaction was short-lived as these things are superficial. Nowadays, I spend my money on long-term investments.

Being independent with my finances made me realize how important it is to practice budgeting and tracking your expenses.

3. DO PRIOR RESEARCH

Days before a job interview, I make it a point to do prior research regarding the company and the position that I am applying for. Make your way into the basics such as the company’s mission and vision as well as the position’s duties and objectives. Then, dig deep into the issue that is rarely spoken in our Asian culture – the salary. Be prepared to provide a salary range.

Spend a substantial amount of time in finding out the average salaries for similar jobs in your particular field. Websites such as salary.sg, hudson.sg, and payscale.com are helpful for this task.

4. EXPLORE DIFFERENT JOBS

Some people are so creative that they cannot be confined in a cubicle. If you are one of them, do not limit yourself to the 9-5 PM office jobs. Learn to explore other opportunities such as working online.

Saying that Internet changed our generation is an understatement. Personally, it influences my bread and butter. I am freelance writer that is able to choose from a variety of markets. And, you can too.

You can write for online or print media that go beyond magazines and newspapers. Setting up your own website or blog is also doable. Furthermore, book publishers are always searching for the next big thing. They are in need of people to write their marketing letters, announcements, e-books, and more. An ambitious scribe may dive in to freelancing and get its profits. Note that training, skill, and experience affects your rates.

5. REWARD YOURSELF RESPONSIBLY

According to studies by Behavioral Psychologists, positive reinforcements motivate people to work more. I support these studies as I savor rewards after a long month of work.

Rewarding yourself with a responsible amount of 5-8% of your monthly salary is recommended. Find interests outside of your job such as painting, dancing, yoga, or cooking to ease your daily stress. Also, rewarding yourself with a hobby is a good way to keep you motivated.

6. KEEP YOUR COOL

When faced with embarrassing money-related situations, it is best to keep your cool.

I was working as an administrative officer at a fitness studio a few years back. A rising Hollywood celebrity came to pay but her credit cards got declined. She was furious at me and gave her debit card instead. Thankfully, the transaction was successful.

You can handle this situation better by being calm. Talk to the personnel privately and arrange an alternative form of payment. Consider going to the nearest ATM to withdraw some cash.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Comment down below to share your own experiences with money.

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Don’t Lose Your Fortune On These 4 Techniques That Fraud Artists Use

FRAUDS
SCAMMERS
PHONIES
CON ARTISTS
IMPERSONATORS

All these people share one mission: to use different techniques in order to acquire your hard-earned money. Here are some of the methods that you must watch out for:

1. FAKE CHECKS

Fraud artists employ diverse types of scams in order to get substantial amount of money or to get what they want. One of the most common type of scams is the “fake cheque or check”. Fake check occurs when the artist curates counterfeit checks that seem legitimate. From watermarks to routing numbers, these comprehensive checks can fool the novice eye easily!

Artists use these checks to deposit money to their temporary bank accounts or to pay for a company’s products or services. This is why you must be vigilant when accepting checks. The first step to ensure that the bank or the institution that issued the checks really exists.

Prevention: You do not want to fall prey to checks that are not genuinely from DBS. Is that watermark really pertain to the Development Bank of Singapore or is it from the institution called Doing Bountiful Scams?

2. FAKE BANK EMAILS

Transacting or sending funds online can be convenient but, it can make you vulnerable. I am not completely discouraging online funds transfer or remittance services. Singapore is the most secure Asian country for data privacy after all. According to a recent survey by Artmotion, our nation received a relatively low risk score of 1.9%. It was even ahead of other powerful nations such as USA and UK.

What I am telling you is that providing information for your online activities can put your identity and your wealth at risk.

Prevention: Avoid this by being cautious at all times. For instance, no financial institution will ask for your sensitive information directly thru email. Providing information for your online activities can put your identity and your wealth at risk. To avoid this, you must be informed and cautious at all times.

3. FAKE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBERS

Whenever I am in urgent need of professional help at home (e.g., plumber, technician, or locksmith), I immediately search for the service numbers online. You cannot blame me! This is the most convenient and quickest method that most people utilize. Scammers noticed this trend and created a scam called the “fake customer service numbers”.

Believe it or not, some people can receive messages online without a handphone or fake the contact numbers itself. Fraud artists purchase contact numbers that are similar or close to the authentic customer service numbers used by several financial institutions.

They buy the advertisement slots on the top of the search engines in order for the fake number to appear first. It is a such a clever tactic, to say the least. Clients who are in a rush can get trapped by these familiar looking numbers. Imagine the impact if these clients divulge sensitive information such as their credit card details!

Prevention: Proceed to the official website and use the customer service hotlines that are displayed there. Or, you may use the numbers written at the back of your credit card.

4. FAKE APP UPDATES

What do Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Snapchat have in common? They are quite addicting and most Singaporeans are hooked the moment that they were released. So when a new update such as Instagram stories comes along, people are quick to tap the necessary buttons.

Fraud artists can send blast emails that target the said app’s users. Enclosed in this email is a link or a button that directs the users to the pseudo update. Everything looks legitimate in its face value. However, the redirection includes a malware attack to your system. The malware that you downloaded may copy your all your passwords and personal details including your bank accounts. The attack is vicious and fast-acting!

Prevention: Developers seldom send you updates thru email. Updates are usually prompted in the application store or in the app itself. When you receive spams like the ones mentioned above, please confirm with the official customer service hotline first.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Next time you encounter tricky circumstances, it is up to you to outsmart the fraud artists!

Sources: 1,  2, & 3

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POSB launches pilot of Singapore’s first Video Teller Machines (VTMs) from 16 Aug

POSB VTMs

The machines, which come with live-video teller assistance, will soon be able to dispense internet banking tokens and debit cards round-the-clock

SINGAPORE, 16 August 2016 – POSB, Singapore’s most loved and oldest bank, is introducing another innovation to the local banking scene with the pilot of POSB Video Teller Machines (VTMs) – the first of its kind in Singapore. POSB VTMs will soon be able to provide round-the-clock branch banking services to customers, with the option of “face-to-face” assistance from bank tellers via live-video streaming. In addition to providing services such as balance enquiries, change of particulars and statement requests, the POSB VTMs will be also able to dispense internet banking security tokens as well as debit cards instantly.POSB VTMs_Image 5

POSB VTMs complement the wide array of existing services provided by the bank and pushes the envelope when it comes to the range of round-the-clock services customers can come to expect from a bank, without necessarily requiring more branch space or increase in manpower.

Said Jeremy Soo, Managing Director and Head of Consumer Banking Group (Singapore), DBS Bank, “We see the POSB Video Teller Machines as a game-changer for the industry, in terms of delivering round-the-clock branch banking services to our customers. Customers who urgently need to have their internet banking tokens or debit cards replaced after branch banking hours, will soon be able to go to POSB VTMs to have their token or card dispensed instantly to them, after verification. And just as important, those who require assistance – whether in operating the machine or for their other banking needs – are able to access instant ‘face-to-face’ teller assistance via live-video. The latter function is crucial because many of our customers still place great value in interacting with our staff. As POSB will always be neighbours first, bankers second, these relationships are something we value and wish to preserve even as we continue to push the boundaries in banking innovation.”

POSB VTMs_Image 4With DBS/POSB banking most of Singapore, the bank sees some 45,000 requests per month for replacement debit or ATM cards, and 7,500 requests per month for replacement internet banking tokens – mostly as a result of misplacement. To use the POSB VTMs, customers will need to have valid ID (such as their identity card or passport) or their ATM card for verification. POSB VTMs will also provide the option of biometric fingervein scanning for verification if required. With POSB VTMs, customers will be able to perform transactions such as:

  • Balance enquiries
  • Change of particulars
  • Card services
  • Instant replacement of debit and ATM cards
  • Instant internet banking token replacement
  • Changing fixed deposit arrangements
  • Changing Giro arrangements
  • Statement requests

POSB VTMs are the latest in a line of ground-breaking and first-of-its-kind service innovations introduced by DBS/POSB to enhance efficiency and customer convenience. These include the SMS ‘Q’ notification service, which allows customers to request for a queue number via SMS prior to visiting the bank’s branches; SMS Banking, where customers can perform simple banking transactions via SMS; and POSB Branch Machines, service machines that allow customers perform some over-the-counter transactions with branch staff assistance.

POSB VTMs_Image 3

POSB VTMs are presently in pilot stage, with the first one situated at POSB ITE College Central branch at 2 Ang Mo Kio Drive. The machine can be accessed by the public from 10am to 2pm (Monday to Fridays) and 10am to 1pm (Saturdays) and selected functions, including internet banking token replacement, are currently available. More POSB VTMs will be progressively introduced to selected branches and the machines are expected to run with their full capabilities and be made available round-the-clock by the end of the year.

To find out more about the POSB VTMs, please visit www.posb.com.sg/vtm

All images from POSB Singapore.

* Edit: An earlier version of this article states that the machine can be accessed by the public from 10am to 2am (Monday to Fridays) and 10am to 1am (Saturday). This has been corrected, and the hours will be progressively extended to round-the-clock by end of the year.

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Efficient Ways To Deal With Your Money Insecurities

We all experience money insecurities at some point in our lives. The question is, how do you handle them?

TAP ON YOUR TRIGGERS

Contemplate on the things that you are lacking. Where do these negative thoughts come from? Do these come from your painful financial situations in the past? Think about it!

Once you locate the source of your insecurity, it will be easier do think of ways to efficiently deal with it. Facing your fear entails the end of avoidance. For instance, Danny is worried that he is making less than his wife. This thought comes from his highly dominating mother. It is up Danny to think about proactive way to handle this situation.

Thoughts lead to feelings, which directs behavior. Recognizing where the insecurity started will make it seem more manageable.

CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Some money insecurities originate from the wrongful beliefs and myths that the person strongly holds. See the other side of the situation to re-frame your negative perspectives. If you are unemployed and you feel extremely useless, view the circumstance as a new chapter in your life. In this chapter…you are FREE! You have countless days to figure out what you really want to do in life. Invest on things that will lead you to your financial goals.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

DO NOT COMPARE

They say that money is the root of all evil. However, I believe that envy is too.

It is not difficult to become insecure when you constantly compare your wealth, job, and lifestyle to others who are seemingly perfect. Aspiring someone’s success may serve as a great motivation. However, unrealistically desiring what others have can contribute to your insecurity and depression. It is very unhealthy to measure your own worth to the things that you do not possess.

Rather than mimicking the lifestyle of your “flawless” neighbor, focus on your own capabilities and strengths instead.

KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS

You read it once and you will read it again! You must focus on your capabilities and strengths. Most people put more weight on failures (e.g., investment loses) than on successful experiences (e.g., salary increase). A lot of insecurities can come from narrowing your mindset on the things that you have trouble with.

As much as everybody carries their weak points, they do have some strong points as well! Learn to balance these two elements together and build a successful life. Say your budgeting skills are above average, consider flourishing this area further by seeking the help of professionals.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

PARTING THOUGHTS

In conclusion, we all experience money insecurities at some points in our lives. The key to conquering these insecurities is to determine, invalidate, and move past them. Concentrate on your strengths and accomplishments to realize that your insecurities are merely irrational fears.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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The Importance of Your Family Wealth Structuring: What You Need to Know

As the head of a family or household you’ll understand just how important your finances are. The money you have is what keeps your home – and indeed your personal lives – in order, and without properly managing this you run the risk of getting into monetary troubles.

Knowing exactly what to look out for and how to effectively manage money is quite a challenge – especially if you lack experience in handing your finances. There are a variety of different aspects to consider such as where you should invest your money, how to ensure you have enough money and what’s the best course of action for your financial future – certainly a headache for many of us.

Luckily though, there are alternatives and also ways you can ensure you have a solid family wealth structure. In this post then, you’ll find a number of different examples of financial concerns and expenses and why you need to manage these. Then we’ll discuss what you can do to prevent any problems and offer some useful tips for making the right choices with your money.

Family Expenses

In our day to day lives, we have plenty of different things we need to spend money on each month in order to maintain a decent standard of living. Naturally, this is increased depending on if you have more than one child, and ultimately without keeping these in check you may run into debts. Here is a breakdown of some the main expenses you’re likely to encounter:

  • Rent or Mortgage Payments – regardless of whether or not you own or rent a property, the chances are you’ll have some form of payment to make each month. These are often a significant part of your monthly costs.
  • Food bills – the food you eat is another necessity which can again become more and more expensive over the years with a growing family.
  • Utilities – the bills you have to pay can be spread in different payment plans, but the reality is that every day you’ll be adding to your expenses with your use of gas, electricity and water.
  • Taxes – you’ll also have to pay taxes which more often than not will be taken from your monthly salary, what’s more you can also pay council tax on your home or accommodation.
  • Travel – another typical expense is for your travel. From your commutes to work, to taxiing your family around you’ll have to pay for fuel, tickets and/or fares.

Additional Expenses

These are just the basics though, the wealth management of your family can also cover additional costs like:

  • Leisure – the time you spend enjoying your life or socialising can add up over the month.
  • Clothing – you’ll need to buy new clothes fairly regularly, especially if you have a growing family.
  • Maintenance – there may be unexpected issues with your home or your appliances which need to be fixed.
  • Childcare – if you work full time and have a young family there’s also childcare costs that you’ll need to factor in each month.

All of these are aspects you should be budgeting for on a monthly basis.

Savings and Investments

With the money you have left over, you also need to consider what you’re going to do with it. The most obvious step is to open a savings account, but there are also real investment opportunities you should look at.

Heading to the stock markets is one avenue you might want to go down, but another popular choice is to buy additional properties as lets, or to renovate and sell for a profit. With this though you’ll need a decent understanding of finance and how the markets work to ensure you see a positive return.

The Simple Solution

While you can simply look into the markets yourself, or budget each month to manage your investments, if you feel you lack the expertise needed to keep your money secure there are other simple solutions. A sensible choice then is to put your trust into a financial expert to take care of the responsibilities for you.

There are plenty of companies and firms such as Withersworldwide who offer a variety of financial management services, from offering advice on investments to simply helping you look after your money more effectively. It’s also worth choosing an established company with a long history of success, that way you know they’re obviously doing something right with their services.

The Bottom Line

As aforementioned, the last thing you’ll want is to put your family’s welfare at risk by making poor decisions with your money. Consider the above options with investments, or make the smart move and search for expert advice and leave your finances in safe hands. This way you can count on a more secure future, not just in the present but for many years to come.

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