6 Surefire Ways to Save Money as a Watch Collector in Singapore

Do you have a deep affection for luxury watches, but you cannot afford them at the moment? Do you feel that some of the cool timepieces you see seem to be out of your budget? You are not alone! One of the most challenging parts of being a watch enthusiast is reconciling with the fact that a lot of the products you desire are beyond your means.

Having said that, here are 6 ways to honor your budget as a watch collector. Through efficient use of time and resources, it is possible to be a timepiece aficionado while being relatively economical!

#1: SAVE AND SELL WATCHES

In some cases, watches that seemed more affordable ten years ago are now worth two to four times their historic prices. As a timepiece buyer, you need to be more considerate with your choices. You can either sell your unwanted watches or save up for your desired piece.

The majority of watch collectors are purchasing fewer watches and selling some of their pieces in order to fund their new purchases. Becoming skilled at selling unwanted pieces from your collection or trading watches can help you enjoy your luxury watches without needing to spend too much for them.

When it comes to saving money for a watch, a good example is Wayne Chan’s journey. Mr. Chan is a Singapore watch collector who worked odd jobs and saved up his ang paos to purchase a Rolex watch at the age of twenty-one. It was near the start of his first year in polytechnic when he set his eyes on the Rolex Submariner worth approximately S$11,000. He kept every cent from his CNY and birthday ang paos, his internship pays, and even took part-time jobs to save up for the watch. Today, Mr. Chan’s collection is worth about S$19,000.

#2: CONSIDER PRE-OWNED WATCHES

It is understood that if you do not want to pay full price for a new watch, you can opt for pre-owned ones. Pre-owned watches can be sold from the individual sellers or from dealers who compete to offer consumers the best prices.

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Searching for pre-owned watches can be a great way to get the watch you want for less money, and often in a condition that you can live with. It may not come with the watch factory warranty, but you are getting much of the same experience in many aspects. You can start your search at carousell.sg and watchexchange.sg.

#3: INVEST IN CROWD FUNDING CAMPAIGNS

Investing in crowd funding campaigns is risky. Many campaigns deliver the product to the market on time and at the expected quality. However, there are some campaigns which deliver sub-par products and others which are never delivered at all. If something sounds too good to be true, it is.

Kickstarter has a selection of watch campaigns. For instance, manufacturers like Pebble took their ideas to Kickstarter to get investments when developing their products. Fitbit now owns Pebble. While Kickstarter may offer campaigns to suit to needs, do your due diligence before getting involved!

#4: LIVEN UP YOUR EXISTING WATCHES

Experienced watch enthusiasts will tell you that a budget-friendly way to spruce up your existing watches is to change their straps. Start by choosing a watch whose straps can be easily changed. Then, measure the width of the strap to know which strap or bracelet to buy.

Ideally, you can consult an expert to help you select the right straps. Alternatively, you can save money by asking for advice on watch forums or through social media platforms. Take pictures of your watch and ask other community members to suggest which types of straps go well with your watch.

#5: GO FOR JAPANESE WATCHES

If you are looking for new mechanical watches for under S$500, you can opt for Japanese watch makers such as Seiko, Orient, or Citizen. These makers provide quality watches while still maintaining their reasonable price tags.

Typically, the first watches of watch enthusiasts include these Japanese watches. These people find themselves keeping it or using it throughout the years.

#6: DO NOT FIXATE ON FUTURE VALUE

The best watches are works of art. You should purchase watches as you would purchase artworks, by acquiring the things that you love looking at for a long-term basis. Collecting luxury watches as an investment is fraught with risk as some of the most expensive watches depreciate drastically the moment you walk out of the store. In contrast, certain watches that were insanely unpopular before having gone on to provide incredible ROI.

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As Emilyn Lee, a Singapore watch collector, once said:

“I would never suggest we buy a watch just because it has investment value, because there are plenty of other things, we can put money in. I want to know more about the brand I’m connecting with, and what it’s trying to convey in its watches.”

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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How To Deal with Toxic Family Members

Can you feel the magic in the air? It is whimsical breeze of the holiday season. As the year ends, you have to prepare for countless family gatherings and reunions. While there is no way to completely escape the stressful and awkward situations brought by these parties, there are things you can do to deal with these situations more effectively.

Slow down and relax – it will be over eventually. With that firmly in mind, you will be able to tackle any other situation. Enhance your coping skills by knowing what toxic behaviors are.

Toxic behaviors are unpleasant and unsupportive behaviors, which include people who are being manipulative, judgmental, controlling, and self-centered. Common traits of toxic people, according to licensed clinical social worker Sharon Martin, include:

a. Not showing concern for your feelings, needs, or rights
b. Acting harsh and critical
c. Calling you names
d. Violating your boundaries over and over
e. Refusing to compromise with you on anything
f. Acting entitled
g. Always having to be right
h. Feeling the rules don’t apply to them
i. Making unfair demands on you
j. Not taking responsibility for their actions
k. Blaming others for their mistakes or flaws
l. Rarely saying they’re sorry for something
m. Wild mood and behavior swings, and sessions of rage
n. Lying and/or guilting you to get their way
o. Manipulating you to get to control or take advantage of you and others to get what they want

When you encounter toxic behaviors during family gatherings, remember that you do not always have to agree with these people.

#1: RESPECT EACH OTHER’S OPINION

You do not always have to agree with your family. Family can be your main source of comfort and strength, but it can also be a source of stress. It is not your responsibility to agree with all the beliefs, political views, and other sentiments of your relatives. There is no rule that says that you must have a good relationship with everyone in your family. You have to accept that.

#2: SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES

Toxic people are not motivated to change their behavior. Instead of aiming to change their ways, set your boundaries to protect yourself. For instance, you can politely decline a call request if your sibling continues to curse at you on the phone. State your needs and feelings directly.

 

#3: DEVELOP A ROBUST SENSE OF SELF

People who fail to develop a strong sense of self usually depend on what others say or do not say. These people rely on the presence of others, especially in the presence of family. Observe yourself. Do you manage the anxiety of everyone in your family instead of your own?

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Look inside yourself to manage your feelings and behaviors. Ignoring your own needs results in anxiety and discomfort whenever you are surrounded by multiple family members at once.

#4: KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

To limit the amount of personal information you share, you can emotionally and physically distance yourself. Say your aunt mocks you and makes sarcastic comments about your weight. This is your cue to share as little as possible with her in the future, especially when it comes to your fitness journey.

You do not have to answer private questions too! You can reply by saying: “I would rather not talk about it”.

#5: FOCUS ON THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL

Do not waste your energy on things or scenarios that you cannot control. Instead, devote your energy to tasks and actions that are within your power. Begin the process of healing or restoration.

#6: SWITCH THE TABLES

Turn the question around to make them feel the burn. In many cases, the most awkward questions can be defused by answering the question with another question. Let them answer their own question or at least provide them with a few hints about what they want to hear from you.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Sources: 1,2, & 3

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Dealing with mind blank during a job interview

woman facing mind blank during an interview

So, you’ve landed an interview for your dream job. Congratulations!

Now comes the hard part: making a great first impression. You want to be confident and poised, but what happens if you suddenly go blank when the interviewer asks you a question?

Well, there are a few things you can do. In this article, we will give you some tips for dealing with mind blank during a job interview. We will also show you how to recover if you do end up saying something silly.

Take a deep breath

Before you even walk into the interview room, take a few deep breaths and center yourself. This will help you to relax and focus on what’s ahead.

When you’re actually in the interview, if you find yourself faced with a mind blank, don’t panic. Just take a few seconds to calm yourself down and gather your thoughts. The interviewer isn’t going to judge you for not having all the answers—that’s not what interviews are all about.

Collect your thoughts

When you feel your mind go blank, take a step back and collect your thoughts. You might also want to ask for a few moments to gather your views before answering any further questions.

Remain calm and avoid panicking. Remind yourself that you’re prepared for this interview and you have the skills and experience to get the job done. What matters is that you show that you’re capable of thinking on your feet and that you’re keen on the position. So whatever you do, don’t give up or start fidgeting nervously.

Practice ahead of time
practicing in front of the mirror

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If you’re familiar with the questions that are going to be asked, you won’t feel so caught off guard.

And even if you can’t predict the questions that will be asked, you can still prepare by practicing your responses to common interview questions. This will help you feel more confident and less likely to experience mind blank during your interview.

Practice makes perfect, so don’t underestimate the power of preparation. It could be the difference between landing your dream job and walking away empty-handed.

Speak slowly and confidently

The fear of being faced with a state of mind where you can’t think of anything to say is a common fear and one that can cause a lot of anxiety in the run-up to a job interview.

But don’t worry, because there are some things you can do to help you deal with it. One is to speak slowly and confidently. This will help to put you at ease and show your interviewer that you’re in control. As long as you are capable of speaking articulately about yourself and your skills, you’re safe.

Next, make sure you do your research in advance. Familiarize yourself with the company and the role you’re interviewing for so that you have some talking points ready.

How to follow up after an interview
man on a phone call

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As mentioned earlier, mind blank is a common problem, and chances are, the interviewer has seen it before. Instead of worrying unnecessarily, follow up with the interviewer as soon as possible.

Thank them for their time, and let them know that you’re interested in the position. Reassure them that you’re confident you can ace the position if given the opportunity.

Most people feel some level of anxiety when put in a high-pressure situation like a job interview. Remember that the interviewer is human too, and they likely understand that things can go wrong sometimes. But on your end, prepare as much as possible beforehand. This will reduce the amount of stress you feel and give you more confidence going into the interview. Also, make a list of potential questions and practice answering them aloud. This will get you feeling comfortable with the answers and keep your mind from going blank. On your interview day, all that’s left is to give your 100%.

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Tips for building a satisfying customer experience

a customer and receptionist

You may be familiar with some of the basics of providing a great customer experience, like friendly and helpful customer service, but there are a lot of other things to consider if you want to make sure your customers are content from start to finish.

In this article, we will go over all the basics you need to know about building a satisfying customer experience. So whether you’re just getting started in providing great customer service or you’re looking for ways to improve on your current strategy, read on for all the information you need.

The customer journey

Imagine that you’re the customer. You’ve just walked into a shop, and you’re looking for a solution to a problem you have. What’s the first thing you do?

More often than not, you will start by looking for help. You will scan the room for someone who looks like they might be able to point you in the right direction. And that’s where your customer journey begins.

There are all sorts of things that can happen during the customer journey, and as a business owner, it’s your job to make sure that each step is a positive one. You need to make sure that the customer feels valued, informed, and supported.

The importance of customer experience

You might be wondering why customer experience is so crucial. Well, that’s because your customers are the lifeblood of your business. They’re the ones who keep you in business.

Think about it this way: when was the last time you went out to eat and had a terrible experience? Chances are, you won’t be going back anytime soon. And the same goes for your business.

If your customers have a bad experience, they’re not going to come back. They will go somewhere else where they can get better service, even if it means paying more.

How can you assess your current customer experience?
a customer paying using her credit card

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The first step in building a satisfying customer experience is to assess your current situation. 

How do you currently treat your customers? What kind of interactions do they have with your company? Do your customers feel appreciated? Or do they feel like they’re just another number? It’s necessary to take a step back and look at things from the customer’s perspective.

If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources out there that can help you. There are customer experience assessment tools, as well as customer surveys that you can use to get feedback from your customers. The key is to be open to feedback and willing to make changes to improve the customer experience.

The difference between customer service and customer experience

When it comes to creating a great customer experience, there’s a lot more to it than just providing good customer service. In fact, customer service is just one small part of the equation.

What you need to do is think about the entire customer journey, from the moment they first hear about your company to the moment they make a purchase and even after they’ve become a customer. You need to make sure each stage of the journey is pleasurable and satisfying.

It’s not an easy task, but with the right planning and execution, you can create a customer experience that will have your customers coming back for more.

Designing a satisfying customer experience and implementing it
sticky notes on the wall

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Here are a few tips to get you started:

  • Start by understanding who your customers are and what they want.
  • Make sure your team is on board and knows what’s expected of them.
  • Create a customer journey map to track their experience from start to finish.
  • Use customer feedback to make necessary changes and improve the experience.
  • Continuously assess and refine your customer experience to keep your customers happy.

When it comes to building a satisfying customer experience, little things mean a lot. From the moment someone gets in touch with you to the time they walk out the door, there are a lot of opportunities to make them feel valued and appreciated. Of course, it’s not always easy to know what to do and that’s why we have put together this piece. Ultimately, remember to treat your customers like individuals, not just numbers.

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Why you should say no to social invitations sometimes

alcohol party

You’ve been invited to yet another social event.

It might be your best friend’s sister’s birthday party, a networking event, or even just drinks with your coworkers. But this time, you’re not sure if you should go.

You’re tired of attending every event you’re invited to, and you don’t want to start becoming the person who always says no. But is that such a bad thing? There are times when it’s completely okay to reject.

Here are reasons why you should sometimes say no to social invitations.

It’s okay to miss out

FOMO is so yesterday. You don’t have to go to every social event you’re invited to. There are plenty of reasons why you should say no sometimes.

Maybe you’re feeling exhausted. Maybe you don’t have anything to wear. Maybe you just don’t feel like it. And that’s okay! It’s entirely fine to take a break from socializing sometimes.

You don’t have to feel guilty about it, either. Just because your friends are all going out doesn’t mean you have to be there. You’re allowed to have downtime, and there’s nothing wrong with that. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or just plain over it, don’t be afraid to take a break.

It’s not worth the stress

If you’re feeling swamped by social obligations, it might be time to start saying no more often. It’s not worth the stress of trying to juggle everything.

You will end up disappointing people if you make it but can’t get into the zone, and that’s not what everyone wants. So be honest with yourself and the people you care about, and start turning down social invitations more often. It will help you recharge and focus on your own needs.

You can’t please everyone
woman looking at her phone while chilling in bed

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Saying no to social invitations can be hard, but it’s sometimes necessary. You want to make a good impression, and you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but at the end of the day, you can’t please everyone.

You have to do what’s best for you, and that might mean turning down an invitation or two. It doesn’t mean you’re anti-social or that you don’t like the person who invited you. It just means that you need some time for yourself.

Saying no is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows that you’re in control and that you’re not a victim of your calendar. So next time you’re faced with an invite, take a minute to think about whether or not it’s something you want to do. And if it’s not, feel free to reject it politely.

How to say no without being rude

When someone invites you to an event, it can be tough to say no. You don’t want to hurt their feelings, and you might feel like you’re turning your back on them. But there are ways to say no that won’t offend your friend or colleague.

Here are a few tips:

  • Keep it short and sweet. You don’t need to go into detail about why you’re not going.
  • Be honest. If you’re not feeling up to it, say so. There’s no need to make up an excuse.
  • Be polite. Thank them for inviting you, and let them know that you’re sorry but you can’t make it.

Saying no can be tough, but it’s sometimes the best thing for you. When you’re feeling overstretched, it’s okay to take a break from socializing.

You’re probably saying yes to too many social invitations and it’s making you weary. Well, you know what? It’s time to start saying no. Saying no doesn’t make you a bad person—it can make you a better friend. When you say no, you’re able to focus on the events and activities that matter to you. You don’t have to explain yourself in detail to anyone if you don’t feel like it—reject respectfully and move on. It’s that simple.

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