Hidden Costs of Using Credit Cards in Singapore

You may not be able to pay for items in full cash, but you can certainly swipe your card! Credit cards offer convenience to afford larger purchases anytime. It can also help you establish a good credit history.

However, it is important to understand the actual cost of credit cards when fees and interest are factored in. The actual cost of using a credit card can add up!

#1: THE COST OF PAYING MINIMUM DUE ONLY

There are consequences to only paying the minimum fee. Firstly, it will take longer to eliminate your balance. Secondly, your interest continues to accrue steadily in what you owe. Your minimum payment may not be enough to cover the interest charges for the month.

#2: THE LATE PAYMENT FEES

If the payment is passing your due date, the late payment charges vary by bank. This charge is usually between S$60 to S$80. A late payment may cause you to forfeit some of your credit card rewards or cause your interest rate to spike significantly higher than your regular purchase.

#3: THE COST OF CASH ADVANCE

Did you know that you can use your credit card to withdraw cash through a cash advance? Cash advance on credit cards can be awfully expensive, with interest rates going as high as 30%. You can be charged about 6% of the amount withdrawn per transaction or a minimum of S$15.

Apart from that, you will also receive an interest rate charge of around 28% per annum, subject to compounding if the charges are not repaid in full on the amount withdrawn.

#4: THE COST OF OVERSEAS TRANSACTIONS

These days, more and more people are shopping online using their credit cards. When shopping from an overseas website, it is important to know that there are fees. Two types of fees that can be charged are foreign transaction fee and dynamic currency conversion fee.

#5: THE ANNUAL COSTS

While some annual fees can be waived, others cannot. The next time you receive your credit card statement with the annual fees charged, try calling your bank to ask for a waiver. Doing this may save you more than a hundred dollars!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

 

 

Read More...

How disagreeing more can benefit your career

in a discussion

You may not feel comfortable disagreeing with your boss or colleagues, but there are some real benefits to doing so.

When you hold back from expressing your opinion, you can quickly become seen as someone who’s not invested in the company or its success. In contrast, when you disagree respectfully, you demonstrate that you care about the company’s future. Your team will also more likely come up with better ideas when there are different perspectives.

Whenever you feel like you should keep your mouth shut, think again. Disagreeing more can benefit your career.

Get ahead

To move up the ladder, you need to be vocal and express your ideas—even if they’re not similar to everyone else’s. That’s how you can prove you’re capable of thinking and making decisions of your own. Of course, there’s a right and wrong way to disagree.

You want to be polite, but you also need to make sure your point is heard. So be assertive, but not aggressive. And above all, stay calm. If you can master the art of disagreeing more, you will be well on your way to advancing your career.

You will learn more

You see, when you have a dialogue that includes disagreements, you’re forced to listen to what the other person is saying. You’re not just trying to formulate a response; you’re taking in their point of view and trying to understand it.

And that’s a good thing because when you comprehend where the other person is coming from, you can find common ground. And from there, you can work together to come up with a solution that’s better for everyone involved.

Disagreeing shows you’re engaged
meeting in an open-plan office

Image Credits: unsplash.com

The next time you feel like you want to disagree with someone at work, go ahead and do it. But be prepared for the consequences. It can be a scary thing to put yourself out there, but it shows that you’re active and interested in the back-and-forth.

Disagreeing also shows that you’re not afraid to stand up for your beliefs, and that can be a very powerful thing. It can also help you build relationships with your coworkers, as they will see that you’re willing to engage in healthy debates.

Disagreeing can make you look good

Have you heard of the saying, “there’s safety in numbers”? Well, that’s true when it comes to agreeing with everyone at work. But what if you disagree? What if you offer a dissimilar perspective because you’re different from the rest?

Well, it sets you apart from your other yes-man colleagues. You’re seen as someone willing to think for yourself, and that’s a valuable trait in the workplace. Plus, it shows that you’re not afraid to stand up for your convictions, even if they’re distinct from the norm.

So next time you feel like disagreeing with someone at work, go for it! You might be surprised at how well it can work in your favor. Just make sure that you disagree respectfully. No one likes a know-it-all, so be open to other people’s points of view, even if you don’t agree with them immediately.

When it comes to our careers, we’re often told that to get ahead, we need to be accommodating and agreeable. While this may be true to a certain extent, it’s also important to be able to disagree constructively and confidently. Disagreeing more can benefit your career. It can help you stand out from the competition and showcase your unique skills and abilities. Whenever you feel like you shouldn’t speak up or offer your opinion, remember that disagreeing can be a good thing when done wisely.

Read More...

How to move faster in the morning so you can sleep in a little more

woman-getting-ready-to-go-to-work

You’re tired. You don’t want to get up early. You’d rather sleep in for another minute or two. But if you want to get to work on time, you need to learn how to move faster in the morning.

The modern world is a fast-paced one. If you can’t keep up, you have no choice but to get up early. That’s why it’s important to develop good habits that can help you get moving quickly.

In this post, we’re going to share some tips for how to shave minutes off your morning routine so you can sleep in a little longer. Let’s get started!

Don’t bathe

Now, there are a lot of people who take a full bath in the morning, and that’s cool. But it takes a lot of time. If you want to shave, put on makeup, and do your hair, that’s a lot of stuff to pack into a short amount of time. Showering is a much faster option. You can still soap up and get clean without all the extra fluff.

Go to bed earlier

You’re not a morning person, are you? That’s okay, you’re not alone. Lots of people find it tough to get moving in the morning. But what if we told you that there was a way to move a little bit faster in the morning so you could sleep in a little bit more? It’s true! And all you have to do is go to bed a little earlier.

When you get enough sleep, your body gets the energy to move a little bit swifter in the morning. You won’t be as groggy, and you will find it easier to get ready for work. So try going to bed a little bit earlier tonight (and subsequently) and see how it works for you.

Prep your stuff the night before
a woman looking at her wardrobe

Image Credits: huffpost.com

It can be tough to get up and out the door when you only have a few hours of sleep. But if you’re strategic about it, you can shave a few minutes off your morning routine. One way to do this is by packing your bag and setting your outfit the night before.

That way, you’re not scrambling around in the morning trying to find your keys or your shoes. And speaking of clothes, think about wearing something comfortable and easy to slip in. You don’t want to be fussing with your clothes while you’re trying to get ready for work.

Make breakfast part of your routine

You’re in a hurry to get ready for work, but you don’t want to skip breakfast. So what can you do?

One solution is to make breakfast a part of your routine. That way, you can do it quickly and without having to think too much about it. You could try some overnight oats or a healthy smoothie, both of which are easy to prepare and portable.

If you have a little more time, you could heat some overnight pancakes. But if you’re pressed for time, you could always grab a quick breakfast sandwich on the go. No matter what you choose, just make sure you have something to fill your tummy before you check in the office.

As bonus tips before we go, try to use multi-tasking products and techniques. For example, you can use a BB cream that triples as a primer, suncream, and moisturizer or apply some hair oil while your tresses are still wet. Shower and get dressed into your work clothes immediately, and spend the rest of your time drying your hair or putting on light makeup. Cheers to extra minutes of shuteye!

Read More...

Why quitting your stable but stagnant job might be the best thing for you

happy resignation

You’re stuck in a job you don’t love, but it’s stable. And that’s the problem.

You want to make a change, but you’re afraid of leaving your current position. You might be worried about the unknown or what others will think. But what if quitting is the best thing for you? What if it opens up new opportunities that you never would have had otherwise?

In this post, we will explore why quitting your stable but stagnant job might be the best thing for you. We will also provide tips for making the transition easier.

Let’s start with the fear

You go to work, do the same thing day in and day out, and come home feeling unfulfilled. You know you need a change, but you’re scared to leap.

We get it. Quitting your stable job can feel like a huge risk, especially if you’re not sure what you will do next. But here’s the thing: staying in a job that’s no longer right for you is even riskier. You’re not growing, you’re not learning, and you’re not happy.

Think about it this way: by quitting your stable but stagnant job, you’re opening yourself up to new possibilities. You might find a position that’s a better fit for you, or maybe you can work towards starting your own business. The world is your oyster!

Dealing with the fear of quitting
unhappy with work

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Lately, you’ve been feeling like you’re in a rut. You know you’re capable of more, but you’re afraid of leaving your stable job position. Here are some practical tips for dealing with the fear of quitting:

  • Do some research on the industry you’re interested in
  • Talk to people who have made the switch to a new career
  • Practice speaking about your career goals with confidence
  • Make a list of your skills, ambitions, and accomplishments
Why quitting your stable but stagnant job can be sensible

It can be tough to decide to leave a stable job position, especially if you’ve been at the same job for a while and can navigate through your routine work tasks with your eyes half-closed.

However, if you’re not learning or growing anymore, then what’s the point of dragging yourself to work every day to go through the motion? Folks who find themselves not pleased, fulfilled, and challenged enough at their jobs should reconsider their career status. The fear of quitting might be daunting, but remember that you’re not alone in this journey. And the payoff could be well worth it in the end.

It can be hard to leave a stable job position, but if you’re feeling stagnant or unhappy in your current role, it might be time to take the plunge. Folks who are feeling hesitant about quitting their stable job position can start by brainstorming ways they can make the switch less risky. For example, start by applying for jobs that are in the same industry but offer a more challenging and exciting work environment. And most notably, remember that it’s normal to be intimidated – but it’s also brave to take the leap and chase after a better tomorrow.

Read More...

Why you should care less about how others think of you

a lady having anxiety attack

So you’re worried about what other people think of you?

We get it – it’s tough to put yourself out there and risk being judged. But the thing is, if you care too much about what others think, you will never take the necessary steps forward to achieve your goals. You will be too busy worrying about what everyone else is saying instead of focusing on what you want to achieve.

That is why in this post, we are going to talk about why you should care less about what others think of you and how to go about doing so. After all, it’s your life, and you should live it according to your own rules.

You cannot please everyone

You will never be able to please everyone. It’s just not possible. So don’t even try. When you’re always worried about what others think of you, you’re probably going to be miserable.

You will be so bogged down by the fear of not living up to other people’s expectations that you will barely be able to function. Instead, focus on what makes you happy. Do the things that make you feel alive. Don’t worry about what others will say—they’re not living your life, so they really can’t judge it.

Other people’s opinions are not worth your energy
a woman facing the sea

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Here’s the thing: other people’s opinions are not worth your energy. What matters is what you think of yourself. If you spend your time constantly worrying about what others think of you, you’re going to drive yourself crazy.

The truth is, most people are too wrapped up in their own lives to even notice what you’re doing. And the ones who do have an opinion about you? Well, they probably can’t even remember who they criticized before you. So focus on being the best version of yourself and forget about what everyone else thinks.

What others think of you is not a reflection of your worth

When you care too much about what others think of you, you become trapped in a mental prison. You let other people dictate your actions, your thoughts, and your emotions. You become a puppet, dancing to the tune of everyone else’s opinions.

And what’s worse is that you start to believe that their opinion of you is a reflection of your worth as a person. You forget that you are in control of your own life. You forget that you are the one who decides what is significant to you.

So the next time somebody tries to make you feel small, remember that their opinion is just that—an assertion. It’s not the bible, and it’s certainly not a reflection of who you are as a person.

When you care too much about what other people think of you, you’re living in fear. You’re not living your life according to your standards and beliefs; instead, you’re living according to the expectations of other people. And that’s a limiting way to live. Life is short and you owe it to yourself to be freer and not worry so much about what everyone else thinks. It’s time to start caring less about what other people think and focus on being true to yourself. You got this!

Read More...