Being financially responsible is vital for your health and your financial life. Spending less than what you make each month entails that you live within your means. For many Singaporeans, it is a lot easier said than done.
Start with small financial changes to alter your lifestyle!
#1: TRY BACKWARD BUDGETING
Write down your income and start subtracting each monthly expense. If you get a negative number, you are spending more than you make. You need to cut back. Focus on reducing your expenses to fit your income.
#2: SAVE FOR LARGE PURCHASES
People often use credit cards for large purchases that they cannot afford entirely, such as a new air conditioner. It is best to set aside some money each money until you have saved up enough to buy it outright. Do not purchase something that you cannot afford to buy.
#3: WAIT FOR SALES
12.12 is right around the corner! Save money on your favorite brands or large ticket purchases by waiting for sales. You can often predict when an item will be discounted. Perhaps, a new model will come along. Take advantage of year-end sales!
#4: ASK FOR A LOWER PRICE
Sometimes, all you need to do to save cash is to ask. If you are a long-term client who has never made an overdue payment, you may be entitled to a loyalty discount. Affordable vacation packages can also be offered to you once you ask for flexible travel plans.
#5: PAY WITH DEBIT OR CASH
Leave your plastic cards at home. Try to buy things that you can afford using cash or your debit card. Be strategic and calculate your moves. Consider apps to automatically put money in your savings every time you use your debit card.
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#6: STOP KEEPING UP WITH THE TRENDS
Trends come and go. Resist the pressure to have the same material things as the people around you or the people you see online. You may be able to use credit cards and loans to fake wealth for a brief period, but you will pay for it later. That is more painful.
You’ve given birth to the most beautiful baby in the world. But now the hard part begins: getting your body back into shape.
Below are a few tips on easing back into exercising post-pregnancy. Just take it one step at a time, and before you know it, you will be back to your old self slowly but surely.
Start slowly and stay safe
You’ve probably been told this a million times, but it’s worth repeating: take it slow when you start exercising again.
Muscles and joints that have been inactive for nine months don’t just snap back into shape overnight. In fact, you could do more harm than good if you try to do too much, too soon.
Incorporate core exercises
Incorporating some core exercises will help you regain your strength and stability, both of which are essential when it comes to working out.
You can do a variety of core exercises, including pilates and crunches. Just make sure you take things slowly at first and listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, stop immediately and talk to your doctor.
Don’t push yourself too hard, or too fast
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Yes, you’re probably eager to get back into your pre-pregnancy exercise routine, but don’t forget that your body has just gone through a lot. You need time to heal and adjust.
That’s why professionals recommend starting with low-impact exercises and gradually adding more strenuous activities as your body gets stronger. Swimming, walking, and biking are good for a start. As you get stronger, you can add in other activities.
And remember, this is a process. You’re not going to be able to do everything right away. Give yourself time to ease back in and don’t be too hard on yourself.
Follow an appropriate diet and exercise plan
Now, if you want to get your body back in shape, you need to make sure that you’re following an appropriate diet and exercise plan.
When it comes to long-term exercise, set reasonable goals for yourself and focus on progress instead of perfection. It’s also important that you give your body time to rest and recover after each workout session.
Take advantage of this time by stretching, doing gentle yoga, or meditating—all great ways to lower cortisol levels in the body while promoting self-care and relaxation too!
Focus on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles
Strengthening your pelvic floor is essential for any postpartum exercise routine.
Because your pelvic floor is the support system for vital organs, make sure it has the strength and stability needed to support you in everyday life.
Pelvic floor exercises are relatively easy and can be done anytime, anywhere—no equipment necessary! They typically involve lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground, gently engaging your pelvic muscles as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine.
Strengthening those muscles through targeted exercises and general workouts can help restore a sense of control over your body after pregnancy and childbirth.
Facilitating yourself back into a workout routine post-pregnancy can be daunting, but it’s doable with the right approach. Remember to listen to your body, take things slow, and focus on rebuilding your strength and energy. And most particularly, don’t be too hard on yourself—consistency wins.
You’ve booked your flight, packed your bags, and now all that’s left to do is get your little one ready for takeoff.
Traveling with children can be stressful for parents, but with a bit of preparation and forethought, you can make the experience a little smoother for everyone.
In this article, we will give you tips on how to prepare your young child for their first flight. From packing essentials to dealing with stress and anxiety, we’ve got you covered. So relax and sit back—we’re about to take off!
Tips for selecting the right seat
Which seat should you choose for your little one?
Ideally, you will want to sit them close to the aisle, so they can get up and move around more easily. You will also want to avoid seats near the lavatories, as they can be quite noisy.
Understanding the safety precautions
When you’re preparing your young one for their first flight, understand the safety precautions that will be in place. Each airline has its own set of rules and regulations, but there are some common themes that you can expect.
For starters, your child (at least two years old) will be given a seat and they will need to stay in it for the duration of the flight. That means no climbing on the seats or running up and down the aisles, especially during turbulence. In addition, there is a ban on most electronic devices during take-off and landing. This is for the safety of everyone.
If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to speak with a flight attendant before takeoff. They will be happy to answer any questions and help put your mind at ease.
Distractions to help the flight go smoothly
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There are a few distractions that can help your child stay occupied.
One is to bring along new toys or books to read. If your child is old enough, you can also bring along headphones so they can listen to music or watch cartoons.
Just after taking off and before landing, have them look out the window and spot all the things they can see. Let them take in the experience of flying and see it as an adventure. The more relaxed and comfortable they are, the smoother the flight will be for everyone.
Ideas for packing snacks and activities
Making sure your young child has enough snacks and activities while on their first flight is essential.
Young children don’t always have the patience expected of adults, which can make a flight long and uncomfortable. It’s important to keep your child occupied, but also remember that overly sugary snacks may make them antsy.
To ensure a good experience, here are some great ideas to consider packing in their carry-on:
Books, puzzles, or coloring pages
Healthy snacks such as nuts and cheese sticks
Comfortables like a blanket, stuffed animal, or small travel pillow
Electronic devices (like wireless headphones and tablets with pre-downloaded entertainment)
What to do if turbulence arises
Indeed, flights can sometimes be turbulent, so plan for what to do if your child gets scared or agitated.
For example, you can carry noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to help muffle the sound of the engines. Make sure the seatbelts are securely fastened and keep your child close by holding their hand or having them sit on your lap (if age appropriate).
Make sure they have something to grip onto (like a favorite stuffed animal) and encourage them to focus on activities like playing a game. Finally, talk through the turbulence and provide reassurance that it will soon pass.
No matter how you feel about flying with a young child, be prepared. With a little bit of planning, you can make the experience a lot less stressful for everyone involved. If possible, pick the right time to fly. If your child is under the age of three, you might want to consider flying during nap time or at night when they’re more likely to sleep. Make sure you have all the essentials packed in your carry-on, including snacks, drinks, toys, and a change of clothes. Finally, try to relax and enjoy the experience. Flying with a young child can be a fun adventure, and it’s a lovely way to start building lifelong memories.
If you don’t know the risks and unspoken rules, the Singapore dating scene can be incredibly frustrating. One minute, you think you may have found a partner you can be in a long-term relationship with, and the next, you discover that your date doesn’t really live up to your expectations.
Below are just some of the most common challenges singles in Singapore face when they dip their toes into the dating pool.
1.) Love Scams
Love scams are nothing new. Unfortunately, modern technology has given scammers an easy way to increase their chances of snagging unsuspecting victims. As awful as it sounds, Singaporean singles are often easy prey, thanks to a cultural backdrop that makes many of them less suspicious of other people.
In one of the more common crimes to actually happen in Singapore, local singles are groomed over social media and dodgy dating apps, setting them up for a classic investment scam once they have fallen into the perpetrator’s emotional thrall. Keeping a healthy level of scepticism and choosing vetted dates through trusted dating apps and matchmaking services will make singles far less vulnerable to these criminals. If you yourself are ready to play the field but don’t want to expose yourself to unnecessary risks, make sure you use a reliable dating service and dating app Singapore singles trust.
2.) Interacting in Clubs
Not everyone likes clubs, but a lot of singles who don’t like them still feel pressured to go because they’re where everyone else goes on a date. Thankfully, Singaporeans do have a lot of alternative options for dates that go beyond clubs and the classic dinner and a movie.
If you hate clubs, be sure to talk things over with your potential date. Choosing a trustworthy app that’s also a complete dating service will also help you avoid the kinds of date venues and situations that you dread.
3.) Ghosting
There are many competing theories as to why ghosting has become extremely common in the Singapore dating scene. As inevitable as it is, this kind of avoidant behaviour is especially annoying when you’ve been strung along and need a serious emotional connection. Again, using a trusted dating app or matchmaker can reduce the odds that you’ll waste time on someone who’ll just take you for a ride.
4.) Busy Lifestyles
A lot of locals simply do not have the time to go dating. Singaporeans are quite often stuck at work leaving them little time for themselves, let alone other people. This makes it difficult for many to commit to dates and other personal activities.
There are no easy answers that will solve this issue for everyone. However, refining your strategy for a work-life balance may help you gain the few hours a week you’ll need to start playing the field. You could also choose a dating app that’s especially designed for busy local lifestyles.
5.) Cat and Mouse Games
Some people on the dating scene enjoy the rush of having someone hang on to their every word. These folks are not necessarily narcissists. With little time to spend outside of work, stringing people along can be appealing for some overworked or emotionally troubled individuals as a way to feel good about themselves.
In any case, using a better dating app that caters to more serious singles can help you avoid having to play these games. In particular, make sure to choose one that offers a professional matchmaking service to take away the hassle of finding a serious match.
6.) Untrustworthy Dating App Profiles
With some kind of a barrier to verifying identities, it’s impossible to ensure that you won’t get catfished or played for a fool on most dating apps. If you’re going to use less exclusive apps, you’ll have to develop a realistic appreciation of the kinds of risks you face.
7.) Materialistic Attitudes
Generally speaking, many Singaporeans have a materialistic streak. This is not always a bad thing, as material culture has been instrumental in much of the country’s success.
However, it’s often a problem when singles are looking for financial stability rather than emotional connections. If you’re not rich, you will be far more disadvantaged in the local dating scene than you would otherwise be in other cultures, particularly if you are male. This is generally true of most cultures, but is often at a different level in Singapore.
8.) Too Many Bad Matches to Sort Through
Dating app fatigue is a real phenomenon. Women, especially, tend to have more potential matches on dating apps than they can give time to. This can make the dating experience more frustrating and anxiety-inducing than it would be, otherwise.
You can minimise the odds of dating app fatigue by choosing a more exclusive dating or matchmaking app. While you’ll probably get fewer hits, you will generally have better-quality interactions, making the dating experience as fun as it is convenient.
9.) Cultural Issues
As modern as Singapore is, many of the shared values locals hold are quite ancient. Overt emotional assertiveness is not something local singles can or should expect from the usual dating experience. Also, many Singaporeans avoid dating people from different cultural backgrounds despite generally being OK to work with or do business with anyone. These cultural issues add another layer of complexity to the usual SG dating experience.
Again, using a better app or going with a trusted matchmaker will help you avoid these thorny issues. Going this route will essentially let you “presort” your dates, avoiding awkwardness and saving everyone loads of time.
10.) Commitment Issues
This is not a problem unique to Singapore. Rather, this is a common feature of dating in many modern cultures. In the old days, most people had little choice in who they married, let alone dated. These days, we’re all presented with a multitude of choices, and most singles would probably be equally happy with many of them.
To avoid being in the wrong, make sure that you communicate your intentions with your dates as openly as possible. Be honest with yourself about what you need so you don’t let things go on for longer than they should.
Dating can be a fun experience at any age, even in Singapore. So long as you understand the risks, dating in Singapore can be one of the most fun and interesting experiences you’ll ever have. To bring down these risks even further, make sure you use a properly localised dating app that’s designed for the Singaporean dating scene.
You only get one chance to make a first impression.
We’ve all heard that saying before, and it’s true: the way you present yourself when meeting someone for the first time can either make or break a relationship.
But what about the last impression you make? Just as your first impression is important, so is your last impression. In fact, your last impression might even be more impactful than your first impression. Why? Let’s find out.
First impressions aren’t everything
When you meet someone for the first time, you’re sizing them up and trying to make a good first impression.
But what happens when you meet them for the second time? You’ve already formed an opinion of them, and you’re more likely to focus on their weaknesses than their strengths.
The same is true in business. Your clients will judge you not just on the products or services you offer, but on the first project experience, they have with you. Are you responsive to their needs? Do you go the extra mile? Are you easy to work with?
Why you should focus on your last impression
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You should focus on your last impression because, in the same way that your first impression can make or break a relationship, your last impression can do the same thing.
Think about it: You may have had a great first meeting with someone, but if your last meeting is a disaster, they’re going to remember you for the wrong reasons.
Conversely, you may have had a terrible first meeting with someone, but if your last meeting is good, they’re going to forget about the bad first impression and remember you for the right reasons.
It’s all about balance. You want to make sure that your first and last impressions are both good ones so that people remember you for all the right reasons.
The value of a lasting impression and how to make one
The first impression you make is only half the battle. To make a fantastic lasting impression, you need to focus on the latter half of the equation as well.
Here are a few tips on how to make a lasting impression that will stay after you’ve left the room:
Be considerate. This is something that should go without saying, but it’s all too easy to forget. Always be respectful of those around you, and be sure to thank people for their time (and coffee treat, if applicable).
Be genuine. Nobody wants to deal with a phony, so always be yourself. If you act like someone you’re not, it will show sooner or later—and that’s not a good thing. People respond better to genuine individuals than they do to those who put on airs.
Be a listener. We all know those people who never stop talking—and we can all agree that they’re pretty exhausting. While you can be eager to share quirky facts about yourself, tell stories that capture your audience’s attention, or simply showcase your positive side, learn to listen.
The bottom line is that your last impression is just as important as your first impression—if not more so. So, if you want to make sure you’re leaving a lasting impression, focus on your verbal and nonverbal cues, be genuine, and be yourself.
