Why you should treat your startup like a child

by  in Career and Enterprising
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parent and child holding hands

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Treat your startup like a child.” But what does that mean, exactly?

In short, it means being patient, nurturing your business through its early stages, and not pushing it too hard. In this post, we will explore the reasons why you should treat your startup like a child and offer tips for doing so.

A startup is a new beginning

Think about it this way: your startup is like a newborn child. It’s fresh and full of potential. It’s up to you to nurture and help it grow into something extraordinary.

Just as with a child, you will need to give your startup plenty of attention and set rules and boundaries. It’s also good to know what you want to get out of it. Most importantly, you will need to be uncomplaining. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your startup won’t become a success overnight. It will take dedication and perseverance.

A startup will make mistakes

It’s only natural that a startup will make mistakes. After all, it’s still learning and evolving. But the key is for you, as an owner, to learn from those mistakes and not make them again.

Just like you would with a child, you need to be forbearing with your startup and help your team grow and learn. Guide your first batch of employees through its early years, teach them the right processes, and be there to support them when anything falters. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes yourself.

A startup will grow and change
colleagues in a discussion

Image Credits: forbes.com

A startup will grow and change over time and need your unwavering attention to thrive. Just as you would provide for your child’s needs, you must also attend to your startup’s growth needs. This means keeping up with research, marketing it to the public, and gathering feedback.

As your startup grows, don’t be afraid to change with it. If something isn’t working, be willing to let go of your old ideas and take on something new. Always be open to fresh ideas and modifications because that’s the only way your startup will continue to tweak and improve.

A startup needs care and attention

Starting a business is no easy task. It takes a lot of hard work and most importantly, care and attention. Just like you would with a child, you need to make sure you’re providing your startup with the support it needs to sprout and succeed.

Here are a few tips on how to give your startup the care it deserves:

  • Set achievable goals. Don’t try to do too much too soon; gradually increase the scope of your objectives as your startup grows more capable.
  • Take breaks! It’s important to step away from your business occasionally and just relax—you will come back refreshed and ready to work harder than ever.
  • Celebrate your successes! No matter how small they may seem, celebrate every victory that your startup achieves. This will help keep you motivated during challenging times.
  • Make time for it every day. Whether you’re working on it yourself or outsourcing tasks to others, make sure you’re dedicating some amount of time to your business every single day.

Your business needs continual care at the outset if you want it to develop and be robust. Your business, like your child, will start to support itself as it “grows older” and as you get more expertise as a business owner. After that, you can back up while advising as part of the management team. And ultimately, you should be loving what you’re doing. No matter what the outcome, if you thoroughly believe in your business idea, you will survive it somehow.

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How to thrive and not just survive amidst inflation

by  in Personal Finance
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comparing grocery prices in 2021 and 2022

You may have noticed prices going up for the everyday items you buy. This is because we are now experiencing inflation.

For folks who have been following the news, you would have come across the revelation that core inflation in Singapore has reached its highest level in more than 13 years in May 2022, driven mostly by increased food and utility prices. While some people may be struggling to get by, there are ways to thrive during times of inflation; you just need to know what they are.

In this post, we will share with you tips on how to thrive during times of inflation.

What is inflation?

Inflation is an economic term that refers to rising prices of goods and services in a country. This can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as an increase in the money supply or an increase or decrease in the value of the currency. If you’re feeling the effects of inflation, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Keep reading for tips on how to thrive, not just survive, during these challenging times.

How can you thrive during inflation?

There are a few key ways to thrive during inflation.

  • Get the best value for your money. Compare prices before you buy and avoid purchasing things on impulse. If you can’t afford something, wait until you can.
  • Use your money in the most efficient way possible. Make a budget and stick to it, even if it means making some sacrifices. Try to save money wherever you can, and invest in things that will hold their value over time, like gold.
  • Diversify your income. If all of your eggs are in one basket, you’re going to be in trouble if that basket starts to wobble. Spread your money out into different investments, and always have a backup plan in case of emergencies.
What are some things to avoid during inflation?
panic buying at the supermarket

Image Credits: todayonline.com

There are a few things you should avoid doing during inflation to make the best of the situation. For one, don’t overspend. Just because prices are going up doesn’t mean you have to buy everything that’s in sight. Try to be mindful of your budget and only buy what you need.

Also, avoid taking on additional debt. When prices are rising, it’s easy to get swept up in the hype and go into debt buying things you don’t need. But remember that you will be paying back that debt with inflated dollars, so it’s important to stay away from high-interest loans and credit cards.

Finally, avoid hoarding. It can be tempting to stock up on things when you know they’re going to become more expensive soon, but this can do more harm than good. Not only will you end up spending more money in the short term, but you will also be sacrificing storage space at home.

What should you do if your income doesn’t keep up with inflation?

If your income doesn’t keep up with inflation, you’re not alone. So what can you do to make ends meet? Here are a few tips:

  • Ask for a raise at work or find a new job that pays more.
  • Live within your means and don’t succumb to social media pressure.
  • Review your expenses and see where you can make adjustments. Maybe you don’t need that expensive subscription anymore or you can start cooking at home more often.

You may be feeling the effects of inflation in your everyday life. Prices for utilities, groceries, and transportation continue to go up, and it sometimes feels like there’s nothing you can do about it. But don’t worry, the tips we’ve put together in this article will help you thrive during these tough times. Hopefully, you will be able to manage your expenses better and make the most of your money. So what are you waiting for? Start putting these suggestions into action today!

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Skincare 101: Giving your face a break from makeup

by  in Lifestyle
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makeup products

Makeup is a wonderful creation. It can help us look and feel more confident, polished, and put-together. But as with anything, too much of any good can be harmful.

If you’re someone who wears makeup every day, we encourage you to take a break every now and then and let your skin breathe. Here are reasons why you should give your face a break from makeup.

Your skin will thank you

The bottom line is that if you want happy and healthy skin, you need to give it a break. One of the culprits of skin outbreaks can be attributed to heavy makeup. It could be the very thing that is responsible for your little red bumps the following day.

Save money on makeup products

There’s probably a variety of cosmetics in your handbag or vanity drawer, whether you consider yourself a beauty enthusiast or a must-have trendsetter in vogue. Whatever amount of makeup you use, we can certainly all agree on one thing: cosmetics can be pricey.

A typical woman spends more than $1,000 a year on makeup products. Yes, that’s about $100 monthly. If you’re anything like us, you’re currently reading this with a little bit of disbelief. But we challenge you to prove us wrong by checking your credit card statement.

You will see a difference in your complexion
glowing complexion

Image Credits: femina.in

While there’s nothing wrong with putting on makeup every day, you should also be giving your face a break every once in a while. That’s because when you wear makeup every day and do not keep up with thorough cleansing before bed, your pores get clogged.

Over time, this can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and various types of acne. By giving your face a break from makeup, you will see a big difference in your complexion. Your skin will be less oily, there will be lesser skin irritation, and you will look more youthful and refreshed.

Resting your face from makeup does not mean you’re lazy

There are a lot of misconceptions about skincare, and one of them is that not putting on full-face makeup means you’re lazy. Quite the contrary, it’s one of the most lovely things you can do for your skin!

When you wear makeup every day, your skin is constantly being covered up and inhibiting its “breath”. This can cause a buildup of oil and sweat, which can lead to breakouts and other skin problems. By giving your skin a rest, you’re allowing it to heal itself. So don’t feel bad about skipping a day or two of makeup; it’s an essential skincare routine.

Just like your body needs a break from working out all the time, your skin needs a break from all of the makeup. Taking some time off will help your skin recover and look better in the long run. There are plenty of ways to give your skin a break from makeup without going bare. You can use a light foundation or a tinted sun cream as a base and glide on some lip gloss to give your overall complexion a little perk!

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How to Start a Budget from Scratch

by  in Personal Finance
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Congratulations on starting your financial journey! Creating a budget and sticking to it is no easy feat, but it is the best way to manage your finances and ensure that your money is going toward the expenses that matters most to you and your family.

Start by determining why you want a budget. Deciding on a budget can help you make informed decisions. Budgeters are almost twice as likely to report no financial worries compared to spenders. Moreover, budgeters are less likely to struggle with finances. Common reasons to create a budget include: to save more money, to reduce overspending, to eliminate couple financial disputes, to get out of debt, to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, and to achieve goals.

After determining the reasons why, you want to create a budget, you must go deeper into your current spending habits. What are your spending habits as an individual and as a family? If your budget is not realistic, it is useless. Most experts recommend tracking your spending for about a month to get a clear picture of your spending habits.

The next step is to identify your financial goals. A great framework to use is the SMART method. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timebound. For instance, you want to save S$3,000 for home renovation within six months. You will need to save about S$500 per month. Thanks to your budget, you already know that you will have an excess of S$750 per month. This will help you with your goal!

Once you have your financial goals down, decide how much you need to save (per month or per year) for each goal. Bigger expenses such as home renovation and debt repayment can take a longer time to build. You can also incorporate building an emergency fund into your budget.

The basic phases are done, and it is time to make a budget. There are many types of budgets, so you will have to choose the one that suits you best. Options include zero-based budget and 50-30-20 budget.

A zero-based budget is an approach popularized by Dave Ramsey. It involves making income minus outflow equate to S$0. With a zero-sum budget, every dollar you have is assigned a task, with some of those going into savings or other spending categories. This type of budget can be restrictive, which is not ideal for everyone.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The 50-30-20, on the other hand, divides your budget into different percentages. 50% of income is allocated toward needs, 30% to your wants, and 20% to your savings. Do your research to help you decide which budget method will make sense for you.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Inexpensive hobbies that will keep you entertained

by  in Lifestyle & Hobbies
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making kimchi

Don’t you agree that we all need a little downtime sometimes? But “downtime” doesn’t have to mean vegging out in front of the TV or mindlessly scrolling through social media.

There are plenty of inexpensive hobbies you can consider picking up to keep you entertained. From going DIY to cooking and baking, we’ve got you covered. So, go ahead and add one (or more!) of these activities to your list of things to do in your free time.

Go DIY

There is plenty of fun, inexpensive hobbies you can pick up during your free time. For example, you could try doing DIY projects around the house. This could involve anything from painting a room to re-upholstering a chair. You get to be creative and will also be saving money by doing the work yourself!

Collecting things

There’s something about collecting things that’s appealing. Maybe it’s the sense of order and organization or the fact that you can flaunt your collection to others. Whatever the reason, collecting is a great way to spend your free time. And, best of all, you don’t have to empty your wallet to do it. There are lots of collections that can be started for just a few dollars. Here are a few to get the ball rolling:

  • Stamps
  • Coffee mugs
  • Beer cans/bottles
  • Vintage postcards
  • Tiny plastic figurines
Cooking and baking
asian_family_cooking_together_at_home

Image Credits: healthline.com

Cooking and baking are wonderful hobbies to consider if you’re looking for something affordable and satisfying. Not only will you save money on dining out, but you will also get to enjoy the delicious fruits of your labor.

There is an abundance of simple recipes out there that are excellent for beginners. Start by browsing through some online recipe collections or checking out the public library for cookbooks. You can also find tons of cooking and baking tutorials on YouTube if you need some visual help.

Fermenting food and drinks

When it comes to picking up a new hobby on a budget, fermenting your collection of food and drinks is a superb option. It is relatively inexpensive to get started, but it’s also a fun and rewarding process. Plus, you will end up with delicious and healthy probiotic-rich foods and drinks that you can enjoy all year round!

If you enjoy Korean cuisines, why not try Korean ferments such as kkakdugi, or radish cube kimchi? It requires fewer processes and is a little more forgiving than kimchi made with napa cabbage. Additionally, it doesn’t need to ferment for very long, so the end product will be ready and palatable in a few days.

Now that you know a few inexpensive hobbies to pick up, it’s time to get started! These activities can help you blow off some steam after a long day, or they can simply be a fun way to spend your free time. No matter what you choose, make sure to have fun and enjoy yourself. Who knows? You might even find new talent in one of these hobbies where you can capitalize it into a side income!

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