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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

Latest WFH internships posted from 9 to 12 October 2023

You’re here for the latest WFH internships and we’re here to show it to you.

Without wasting any of your precious time, let’s dive into the most recent opportunities this week.

#1: Modern Trade Technologies Pte Ltd – Business Development Intern

Website: moderntrade.co

Allowance / Remuneration: $800 – 1,200 monthly

Job Qualifications

Be able to communicate confidently and effectively in English and Mandarin to present and pitch ideas.
Highly motivated, self-driven, and able to work independently.
Desire to learn and adapt in a fast-paced startup environment.
Poly / Diploma and University Undergrad internships may apply.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Contacts Directory:

Compile a directory of fresh and non-fresh food & drink supplier salesperson contacts.
Engage these contacts, by introducing Modern Trade and verifying their contact details.

Supplier Engagement:

Schedule and attend meetings with supplier salespersons to demo products and solicit feedback.
Onboard supplier salespersons onto the app and walk them through the app.
Request for introductions to senior sales leaders to discuss deeper collaboration.
Document feedback and share insights with the team.

Merchant Activation:

Directly approach restaurants and corner stores (or attend events) to share more about Modern Trade.
Promote the merchant app and get restaurants and corner stores started on it.
Collect and document feedback from merchants.

Business Operations:

Act as a bridge between suppliers and merchants.
Assist suppliers/merchants with app troubleshooting, ensuring a seamless experience.
Continuously document feedback to help evolve offerings.

How to apply?

View the job post in full here and write to Yufen via this link.

#2: Givabit – Web3 Intern

Website: givabit.io

Allowance / Remuneration: $200 – 750 (project /contract based)

Job Qualifications

Passion for blockchain, cryptos, NFT, and digital art
A digital guru
A social and “doing good” mindset
A curious mind
Independent to work alone with little supervision
A team player mindset
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Previous early-stage crypto start-up experience is a plus

Key Responsibilities

Market research and creative ideas
Business & partner development
Social media & community management
Participate in company strategy and investor relationship
Support the CEO in his everyday tasks

How to apply?

View the job post in full here and send your application to [email protected].

#3: Mercedes-Benz Fleet Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. – Intern, Sales & Marketing

Website: mercedes-benz.com/en/

Allowance / Remuneration: $900 – 1,200 monthly

Job Qualifications

Degree in Business Management / Administration
Basic knowledge of the financial services industry preferred
International exposure and cross-cultural experience preferred
PC skills: MS Office and Outlook
Language skills: proficient in English and an additional Asian language will be an advantage

Key Responsibilities

Support the Fleet management sales team on projects / ad-hoc tasks
Support sales admin on monthly forecasting reporting to F&C.
Purchase ordering for sales-related functions in the concur application
Alignment of monthly forecast from the sales team
New vendor application processing
Work closely with marketing on sales promotion alignment
Attend regular sales meetings to align on any new promotions/events/launches

How to apply?

View the job post in full here and write to Ben via this link.

#4: Starshine Montessori – Social Media Content Creator

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Starshine Montessori (@starshinemontessori)

Website: starshinemontessori.com

Allowance / Remuneration: $800 – 1,200 monthly

Job Qualifications

Experience or strong interest in content creation and design.
Expertise in image and video editing tools, including Capcut and Canva.
Strong knowledge of social media platforms and their specifications.
Excellent English proficiency, with impressive copywriting abilities.
High level of creativity, attention to detail, and ability to translate ideas into engaging content.

Key Responsibilities

Design and create unique images and video content using Capcut and Canva.
Craft engaging posts, reels, and ads tailored for each social media platform.
Monitor, track, and analyze the performance of posts to leverage insights for future content.
Stay up-to-date with the latest social media trends to ensure maximum audience engagement.

How to apply?

View the job post in full here and send your application to [email protected].

#5: Mighty Jaxx International Pte. Ltd – ECommerce Operations Intern

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A post shared by Mighty Jaxx (@mightyjaxx)

Website: mightyjaxx.com

Allowance / Remuneration: $800 – 1,200 monthly

Job Qualifications

Currently studying business, marketing, e-commerce, or a related field
Basic knowledge of e-commerce platforms such as Shopify
Familiarity with basic photo editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator)
A strong interest in e-commerce and a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and processes
Basic knowledge of SEO principles and e-commerce best practices would be a bonus
Previous internship or coursework related to e-commerce or digital marketing would be a bonus
Good communication skills, both written and verbal
Ability to work well in a team and collaborate with cross-functional departments
Proactive approach to problem-solving
Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills

Key Responsibilities

Assist in the creation, optimization, and maintenance of product listings on Mighty Jaxx’s e-commerce platform
Handle the uploading and updating of new and existing products on the website
Edit product photos and listing content to ensure information is displayed correctly and complies with brand standards
Coordinate and collaborate with the Marketing team and cross-departments for campaign/promotion setup
Manage inventory of e-commerce platforms
Manage any simple glitches if needed or escalate them accordingly
Feedback to IT or third-party vendors and follow-up on change requests or any bugs and issues

How to apply?

View the job post in full here and send your application to [email protected].

Editor’s note: These internships are selected based on the “remote” tag, but some positions are hybrid ones and you may need to report physically to the office. For more deets, do contact the employer directly.

Kinder Notes – An Outstanding Early Childhood Music Curriculum in Singapore

Prelude Music Studio, under the esteemed leadership of award-winning principal Rosy Chua, has established a benchmark in early childhood music education, sculpting the Kinder Notes curriculum – an exemplary approach that permeates through Kindergarten and Nursery after-school programs from central to south Singapore.

Chua’s 40 years of rich experience in music performance and education has been meticulously infused into the Kinder Notes curriculum, embodying a philosophy that underscores leveraging the inherent strengths of children to maximize their learning potentials. The curriculum is not merely a method; it is a melody where every note is shaped by understanding, experience, and innovative techniques.

A remarkable and indispensable contribution to the curriculum has been made by Tessa Ying, who was entrusted with the pivotal role of producing all of the background music. Ying’s deft musical production skills have been instrumental in bringing the Kinder Notes curriculum to life, providing a rich, immersive auditory environment that facilitates the wholesome development of young minds. Her meticulously crafted background scores have become the heartbeat of the curriculum, intertwining melodic learning with joyful experiences.

The foundation of the Kinder Notes curriculum is built upon solfege and ear training, priming young minds for future musical development. Vibrant sounds of singing and dancing to beautifully orchestrated tracks – thanks to Ying’s exquisite compositions – resonate in a typical Kinder Notes classroom. Supplementing the auditory experience, young students engage with props like colorful drums, bells, and xylophones, while also interacting with accompanying songs, textbooks, and activity books.

The curriculum does not merely focus on musicality. It is a holistic approach that intertwines physical and cognitive development with opportunities for students to hone their social skills and team-building through ingeniously devised, call-and-response musical activities.

With a team of highly skilled educators and collaborators, Kinder Notes has harmoniously spread its melodic teaching methods to schools throughout Singapore. This includes locations such as Eager Beaver Schoolhouse’s branches in Alexandria and Yishun, Tiong Bahru Kindergarten, and, of course, the birthplace of Kinder Notes – Prelude Music Studio at Novena Square 2.

Rosy Chua’s revered Tuneful Ripples and Singing Ripples courses preceded Kinder Notes, enduring for over two decades at Prelude Music Studio. The Kinder Notes curriculum, part of a new series evolved from this rich history, is attuned to the developmental strengths of various age groups: Twinkle Notes (ages 3-4 years), Kinder Notes (4-6 years), and Little Musician (ages 7-9 years). Singaporeans can anticipate that these curricula will not only uphold the respected legacy of their predecessors but also amplify their prominence in schools across the nation.

How to talk sense into a spouse who wants to retire early but is not financially ready

So your spouse wants to retire early and you’re scratching your head until botak now trying to talk sense into them, worrying about how to pay bills if no more salary’s coming in?

Well, this one sure ain’t easy.

Your spouse is already excited at the thought of waking up late, going on long teh/kopi dates every day, and playing mahjong with the kakis. How to tell them that money is not yet enough for this kind of lifestyle?

Should you be the bad guy and pour cold water on their retirement dreams? Or let them retire and struggle together if the money isn’t enough? This is one big headache for you we know so let’s try tackling this together.

Signs your spouse may not be financially ready for early retirement

Image Credits: ichoose.ph

If your spouse wants to retire early but you have doubts about whether you have enough money, take these signs as a guide:

He/she still has outstanding loans or mortgages to pay. If one hasn’t cleared their housing loan or has other big loans like car loans, retiring early means less income to service the debt.
No proper plan or budget for how to spend money during retirement. If your spouse cannot show how much he/she needs to spend each month and where the money will come from, it’s likely they will end up withdrawing too much from savings.
Not enough savings or investments to last in retirement. Most financial experts recommend having at least 10x of your annual income (if you’re in your 60s) in retirement savings these days. If savings are nowhere near that, the answer is clear.
No idea how to pay for healthcare or insurance after retirement. Healthcare costs are one of the biggest expenses during retirement. If your better half has yet to think about how to pay premiums or out-of-pocket costs, retiring early is a recipe for disaster.

How to approach your spouse about financial readiness

Have a heart-to-heart

Explain your concerns sincerely but with respect. Say how you want the best for both of you, but early retirement may be too risky if not ready financially. Listen also to their reasons for wanting this. Compromise and find common ground.

Check your numbers

Suggest doing a “financial health check-up” with a professional advisor. See how much you’ve saved, how long it may last, investment returns needed, healthcare, and living costs. This can give a better picture to your spouse also on what’s needed to retire comfortably.

Consider the risks

Early retirement often means less time for savings to grow and more years of expenses to fund. Inflation, healthcare costs, and unexpected emergencies can impact your nest egg. Discuss the potential downsides and have contingency plans.

Strategies to help your spouse prepare financially for retirement

Check CPF and savings.

If it’s not enough to generate a steady income for potentially 20-30 years of retirement, your spouse may end up going back to work out of necessity, whether they want to or not.

Image Credits: cpf.gov.sg

Look into ways to earn passive income, like investing in stocks or real estate. Meet with a financial advisor to develop an investment plan. The sooner you start, the more time for the money to grow.

Discuss a realistic timeline for retirement that factors in your financial situation. Maybe your spouse retires partially by going part-time first before fully retiring. Or retire from their current career but start another, more flexible job.

Retiring early is a big life decision that requires careful planning. Help your spouse face the financial realities now so they can actually achieve their goal of a comfortable retirement, rather than struggling to make ends meet. With time and the right strategy, their nest egg can grow into something that can support him/her for life after work.

So if your spouse is insisting on retiring early when you are both not ready, don’t panic. Sit down, have a heart-to-heart talk, and explain how rushing into retirement when the money is not enough will only lead to more headaches and stress down the road. Show them the numbers, and let them see for themselves how waiting a few more years means a bigger nest egg and fewer worries. Early retirement is shiok but must do it right, not jump the gun. Take it slow, and plan properly. When the time is right, you both can retire comfortably without regrets, and start this new chapter of life on the right foot.

5 Proven Ways to Save Money

While you may not have control over the economy, you do possess the power to influence your financial destiny through deliberate actions. With that in mind, here are five effective strategies for managing your finances:

1. EMBRACE THE POWER OF YOUR CHANGE

Begin a nightly ritual of counting your coins and bills, setting aside your loose change with dedication. As these seemingly insignificant amounts accumulate, deposit them into your savings account. Witness the gradual growth of your savings, knowing that these seemingly trivial contributions will amass into a substantial sum over time. Moreover, utilizing cash for daily expenses can foster mindful spending habits, making it more challenging to part with physical currency. While this method won’t yield instant savings, it represents a steady and reliable approach to financial growth.

2. PREPARE OF GROCERY SHOPPING

Achieving substantial savings at the grocery store requires a bit of proactive planning. Prior to your shopping expedition, assess your pantry and create a well-thought-out shopping list to fend off impulsive purchases. Learn the art of coupon hunting and enroll in loyalty programs at your local store to maximize your cost-cutting potential. Many stores offer additional discounts in exchange for contact information through their loyalty programs.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If you possess a cash-back credit card, you could earn extra cash back on your grocery purchases. Some cards offer generous cash-back percentages, ranging from 5% to 8%. However, it’s imperative to pay off your credit card bill in full each month to avoid incurring interest and fees. Noteworthy credit cards for this purpose include the Citi Cash Back Card (providing 8% cashback at all supermarkets), HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card (offering 5% cashback at all supermarkets), and DBS Live Fresh Card (delivering 5% cashback for online and payWave transactions).

3. IMPLEMENT THE 30-DAY RULE

Guard against impulse spending by introducing a cooling-off period between the moment you desire an item and the point at which you actually make the purchase. If you find yourself shopping online, consider placing the desired item in your cart and stepping away for an extended period, allowing time for thoughtful consideration.

If waiting for 30 days feels impractical, experiment with shorter intervals like 24 or 48 hours for smaller purchases. I, for one, have an online cart filled with 5 items that I am contemplating on buying. I will give myself a month before I start to remove items from the cart.

4. OPTIMIZE YOUR CABLE AND TELECOM SERVICES

Explore cost-effective alternatives for your cable and telecom services. This might entail downgrading your cable package or opting for a more affordable telecom plan. Additionally, consider eliminating your landline or trimming down on excess streaming services and premium subscriptions to curtail unnecessary expenses.

5. CONQUER HIGH-INTEREST DEBTS

Liberating yourself from the shackles of high-interest debts can significantly relieve financial strain. Expedite your debt repayment process by adopting the snowball or avalanche methods, enabling you to minimize the total interest accrued and free yourself from debt’s burden sooner.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Once you’ve conquered your debts, redirect the money you would have allocated to debt payments into your savings. If your disposable income doesn’t permit extra debt payments, contemplate engaging in a side hustle to generate additional income that can be channeled toward debt reduction.

Sources: 1 & 2