The Singapore dollar has hit an all-time high against the euro yesterday (Jul 12).
The Singapore dollar reached a record high of S$1=€0.71 (or €1 = S$1.41) on Tuesday, up about 9% since the start of the year. Fear that an energy crisis in Europe and the war in Ukraine will plunge the region into a recession has caused the euro to depreciate. The slide of the euro also saw that it reaches parity against the US dollar in two decades.
Source: European Central Bank
According to historical data, the last time the Singapore dollar hits €1 = S$1.41 was back in February 1985.
To fight inflation, Singapore has adopted an aggressive monetary policy by appreciating the Singdollar. The stronger Singapore dollar also saw that it strengthen against several currencies in the region including the Malaysian ringgit (S$1 = RM3.15), Thai baht (S$1 = THB25.72) and the Indonesian rupiah (S$1=10,637 IDR).
Retirement may make it tricky to adjust to life in general, notably if you have always been on a tight budget.
You don’t automatically have to stop paying your bills and keep up with house maintenance just because you’ve entered the next phase of life. In fact, it’s more crucial now than ever to allocate additional expenses for outings to the country club or for relaxing holidays.
Now’s the perfect time to employ your knowledge in personal finance if you’re thinking of retiring! Here are several tips to help you stay frugal during your golden years.
Define your goals and budget
First, you need to define your goals and budget. What do you hope to achieve in retirement, and how much money do you need to make that happen? Once you have a firmer idea of what you’re working with, you can start brainstorming ways to save.
Next, take a look at your regular expenses and see where you could cut back. Maybe you don’t need that expensive subscription plan anymore, or maybe you can start brown-bagging your lunch instead of eating out every day. Paring down your expenses will free up more money to save for retirement.
Bonus advice: One of the smartest things you can do for your retirement savings is to invest them. Investing allows your money to grow over time, so you can comfortably retire without having to worry about finances. There are many diverse types of investments available, though, so talk to a financial advisor to figure out which one is best for you.
Invest in quality over the price tag
When it comes to spending your money during retirement, it’s essential to invest in quality over the price tag. Sure, you may be able to save a little bit of money by buying the cheapest version of something, but in the long run, you will be much better off if you spend a little bit more and purchase something that’s going to last.
For illustration, instead of buying the most inexpensive watch available, invest in a quality timepiece that will last for years. Likewise, rather than opting for the most affordable clothing options, choose well-made pieces that will resist wear and tear. By spending a little bit more upfront, you will avoid having to constantly replace items and will be able to stick to your budget much more efficiently.
Seek free or relatively low-cost activities
Image Credits: lionraw.com
When you retire, it’s important to find ways to stretch your dollar. One way to do this is by seeking free or low-cost activities. There are several things you can do to keep costs down.
For example, you can take complimentary online courses, visit museum exhibitions with free admission or participate in meetups and group activities. You can also save money by cooking at home and avoiding expensive restaurants. Whatever you do, make sure that you’re budgeting wisely and that your retirement expenses don’t put too much stress on your budget. Retirement should be a time of joy and relaxation, not financial worry.
Get creative with your living situation
One way to save money during retirement is to get clever with your living situation. For instance, consider downsizing to a smaller home or moving to a less expensive neighborhood. You could also consider sharing a home with a friend or family member or renting out a room in your house.
Another way to save money is to be mindful of your spending habits. Try to avoid buying unnecessary items and be conscious of the things you do spend money on. There are many ways to be economical without having to deprive yourself of the things you enjoy. It just takes a little bit of restraint and inventiveness.
Learn to cook and enjoy meals at home
Image Credits: straitstimes.com
One of the wisest things you can do to save money during retirement is to learn to cook and savor meals at home. Not only will you save a ton of money on delivery food, but you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you made your meal from scratch. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started:
Try no-frills recipes that are effortless to follow and don’t require a lot of ingredients.
Browse cooking blogs for inspiration, or take a cooking class at your nearest community center or a cooking school.
Invest in some quality kitchen utensils and equipment. A fast blender, for example, will make cooking much more pleasurable.
Be creative and experiment with distinct flavors and ingredients. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you can come up with!
Being thrifty and living within your means is more paramount now than ever when you’re retired. But keep in mind that a thrifty way of living values conserving money as effectively as possible and is cost mindful. It’s critical to assess your financial situation in retirement and determine whether being frugal is a good match. It should not be thought of as a punishment to be thrifty since it can be financially empowering in the long run. Strive to maintain your retired lifestyle while keeping within your budget by considering the advice provided in this article.
You’ve put in the hard work to update your resume and have made sure it’s typo-free, well-organized, and tailored to the job you’re applying for.
But before you hit send, ensure you’re not making any of these common mistakes. Avoiding these blunders will help guarantee your resume is seen in the best light possible.
Use colors sparingly
Don’t use too many different colors on your resume. Stick to two or three colors at the most, and use different shades of the same color. This will make your resume look neater and more professional.
Avoid outdated language
Don’t use outdated language in your resume. It will make you look like you’re not keeping up with the times. Bypass terms like “hard worker” and “team player.” These phrases have been used so often that they’ve lost their meaning. Instead, try talking about your specific skills and accomplishments throughout your career.
Choose readable fonts and sizes
Image Credits: resumegenius.com
When it comes to fonts, it’s best to stick to something simple and easy-to-read like Arial or Times New Roman. You also want to avoid using too many dissimilar fonts in your resume, as this can be confusing for the reader. As for font size, 10 or 11 is a suitable size to use. Anything smaller and your resume may start to look too cramped, while anything larger may make it difficult to read.
Don’t make it too short or too long
One of the most typical mistakes people make when updating their resumes is to make them either too short or too long. Remember, your resume is not a biography! A good rule of thumb is to keep it to one page if you can, and two pages at most.
If your resume is too short, you may not be giving hiring managers a complete picture of your skills and experience. On the other hand, if your resume is too long, you may be overwhelming hiring managers and they may not bother to read it at all. Keep it concise and relevant, and you will be on your way to making the best impression.
Steer away from an unprofessional email address
One of the biggest no-nos when updating your resume is using an unprofessional email address. This will give the image that you’re not serious about your job search. We’re referring to email addresses such as sexylady@gmail.com or drunkendaddy@yahoo.com.sg.
There are a few straightforward steps you can take to make sure your email address is professional. First, choose an email address that’s easy to remember and doesn’t include any weird characters. Secondly, make sure it’s not too long—the shorter, the better. Finally, avoid using any funky spellings or unusual words.
Your resume is the first impression you make on potential employers, so it’s crucial to make sure it’s up-to-date and error-free. But there are some things you should never do when updating your resume, like using too many colors or including irrelevant information. Follow some of the abovementioned approaches and you will be on your way to constructing a resume that stands out from the rest.
Infection with the monkeypox virus causes the rare disease called Monkeypox. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus, and cowpox virus. This disease, which can cause serious skin rash, appears to be spreading via direct contact with the skin or saliva of an infected person.
LOCAL SPREAD
On July 8, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported one more imported case of Monkeypox in the country. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to four since June. The country’s Monkeypox cases consist of one local infection and three imported ones. The fourth case is a 30-year-old patient who lives in Singapore and had recently returned from Germany.
The man experienced rashes in the groin area last June 30 and had a fever a week later. He sought medical treatment and was taken to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases on July 7. He tested positive for monkeypox on July 8 and is currently in a stable condition, according to MOH. Contact tracing is ongoing.
CURRENT SITUATION IN AFRICA
Health authorities in Africa are treating its expanding Monkeypox outbreak as an emergency. To avoid the immense problems seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are exhausting their resources and are asking for other leaders to share the world’s limited supply of vaccines.
Monkeypox has been spreading in parts of Central and West Africa for decades, however the weak surveillance and the lack of laboratory diagnosis contribute to many cases being left undetected. Currently, countries in Africa have reported more than 1,800 suspected cases including 70 deaths with only 109 of them being lab-confirmed.
Ahmed Ogwell, the acting director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, said:
“This particular outbreak for us means an emergency. We want to be able to address monkeypox as an emergency now so that it does not cause more pain and suffering.”
GLOBAL UPDATES
The World Health Organization said that the expanding monkeypox outbreak was worrying but did not yet warrant being declared as a global health emergency. The U.N. health agency said it would reconsider its decision if Monkeypox continued spreading across more borders, began infecting vulnerable groups, and showed signs of increased severity.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
Worldwide, more than 5,000 cases of Monkeypox have been reported in 51 countries (in time of writing). The majority of these cases are in Europe and no deaths beyond Africa have been reported.
If you’re an introvert, you may sometimes feel like you’re at a disadvantage when it comes to networking and socializing. You may find it tricky to make small talk or be the life of the party.
But fret not, introverts. There are plenty of ways to become more extroverted if that’s what you want to be. In this post, we will outline a few strategies that have worked for us and other introverts.
Be more assertive
Don’t be afraid to speak up and express your opinion. When you’re at a meeting or social event, make sure to participate and be engaged. You don’t have to be the star of the squad, but by being bold, you will find it easier to get comfortable in social situations.
Sign up for social events
One of the best ways to become more extroverted is by seeking out social events that interest you. If you’re a bookworm, find book clubs or reading meet-ups in your area. If you like to dance, look for local dance classes or group dance occasions. The more you immerse yourself in activities that make you merry, the more painless it will be to become outgoing and less introverted.
Stop being too apologetic
Image Credits: forbes.com
You might be saying sorry all the time because you’re afraid of speaking up. Afraid of being wrong, of standing out, or of making a silly mistake. But the more you say sorry, the more you find yourself disappearing.
You can start by raising your voice a little bit, taking up more space, and making more eye contact. You can also challenge yourself to speak up in meetings or ask questions in seminars. Just be mindful to start small and don’t be too hard on yourself.
Get comfortable with small talk
Learn how to be at ease with small talk. Small talk is just that—small talk. It can be pointless chatter about the weather or what you had for dinner last night, but it’s a fantastic way to practice speaking in public and getting used to socializing.
The more you practice, the more relaxed you will become. Start by engaging in small talk with the cashier at the supermarket, or striking up a conversation with the Starbucks barista during teatime. Soon, you will find that small talk comes naturally to you, and you will be ready to take on bigger and more daring social challenges.
Being an introvert is not a bad thing, but under some circumstances, you might prefer to switch to an outgoing personality. Consider social situations as practice, provided you have time to recover in between. Your social endurance will grow with time, and you could even develop a more extroverted, outspoken personality. Try it and see the difference for yourself!
MoneyDigest
Celeste Elle
Anna Agoncillo
