How to Maintain a Great Relationship with Money

Establishing a healthy relationship with money takes effort, but it pays off. You must manage the highs and lows, and everything in between.

#1: PUT IN EFFORT FOR IT TO FLOURISH

Much like any other relationship, you have to put in effort to your finances for it to grow. A positive mindset and the right attitude towards money can help strengthen your relationship. Plant the seeds of appreciation and contentment for what you already have. Perhaps, you are grateful for your recent promotion, or you are thankful for having additional online vouchers. Working towards a positive mindset can go a long way!

#2: SCHEDULE REGULAR CHECK-INS

According to clinical psychologist Joe Lowrance, “financial wellness is a component of overall wellness”. Regular financial check-ins are necessary for you to know which areas you need to improve on. Then, you must create an action plan to reduce your unnecessary expenses.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: PAY ATTENTION TO SMALL THINGS

If you indulge in artisan coffee on a Saturday afternoon, take the time to relish the moment. You could also purchase a small gift for attaining your saving goals or celebrate a small win at work. Acknowledging the little thigs can keep you motivated and improve your relationship with money.

#4: RESPECT EACH OTHER

Respecting your money means taking care of it properly by practicing accountability. Your money is influenced by how you treat it. Give it the respect it deserves, and it will reciprocate in the same way.

#5: PLAN SOMETHING SPECIAL

Money is a tool used to meet your needs and to achieve your financial goals. If your money does not give you pleasure and is only tied down to sacrifices, then you are likely to feel overwhelmed. To relish the rewards of your income, you must plan for it. Use your extra savings to plan something special for yourself. You can also bring along a friend or your loved one.

#6: ADMIT WHEN YOU ARE WRONG

Some people cannot admit when they have made a financial mistake or deny their poor relationship with money. Be honest with yourself. What is your current financial circumstance? Being honest about your financial situation is necessary for you to learn from your mistakes and to attain financial stability. Try to ditch the excuses and look at your relationship with money through clear lenses.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

4 Types of Wearable Technology & Where to Buy Them

From the widespread trend of smartwatches to the innovative smart rings, we are amid a wearable technology revolution. Watches, rings, fitness bands, and head-mounted displays can track your distance, send messages, control your camera, answer calls, and immerse you in the virtual world.

In this article, you will get a bird’s-eye view of the top wearable technology trends in 2022.

#1: SMARTWATCHES

It is hard to miss an advertisement tailored to highlight the capabilities of smartwatches. These are one of the most used wearable devices today. Connecting your smartphone to a mobile app enables you to read messages from the watch, to monitor your sleeping patterns, to control your camera switch, and so on. Smartwatch designers are finding new ways to innovate such as adding an electrocardiogram heart reading in Apple’s Apple Watch and a blood oxygen monitor in Realme’s Realme Watch 2.

Online prices start at S$599 for Apple Watch Series 7 and S$85 for Realme Watch 2.

#2: FITNESS TRACKERS

Fitness trackers are the modern successors to pedometers. These trackers enable you to monitor steps taken, heart rate, calories burned, and other fitness metrics. The difference between fitness trackers and smartwatches has become small as fitness-oriented devices have included features such as phone notification alerts and weather forecasts. Nonetheless, fitness trackers tend to be cheaper than smartwatches.

Online prices for FitBit devices start at S$138.

#3: HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAYS

As the name suggests, head-mounted displays (HMDs) go on the head and provide a display in the user’s field of view. It is bulkier than all the devices listed here. HMDs provide a one-of-a-kind experience for its users as they provide information superimposed over reality via augmented reality (AR), or completely immerse its user in a virtual reality (VR) setting. VR examples include Oculus Quest 2.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Online prices for Oculus Quest 2 start at S$551.

#4: SMART JEWELRY

Smart jewelry includes an array of unique accessories such as smart bracelets and smart rings. Smart rings are worn on the finger like a normal ring. However, smart rings obtain health-tracking data that you can review on your smartphone.

For instance, the NFC OPN rings control apps, unlocks doors, and transfers data to your smartphone. It seems like a prop from a science fiction movie! It is available for S$24 or £12.99 with shipping options from United Kingdom.

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

What you can do to support a loved one who has been cheated on

comforting a loved one

So your loved one has been cheated on by their spouse. What do you do?

First and foremost, don’t ignore them. This is a time when they need your support more than ever. Offer to listen to them, let them cry on your shoulder, or give them the space they need.

Never judge them. They are already dealing with a lot of pain, so don’t make things worse by making them feel like they did something wrong. Let them know that you love them and will be there for them no matter what.

Continue reading for more detailed ways to support a loved one who has been cheated on.

Check-in on them

Your loved one may not be ready to talk about what’s going on, and that’s okay. Offer to help them out with anything they need—running errands, making dinner, picking up their kids from school, whatever.

Listen without judgment

When someone you love has been cheated on, it’s difficult to know what to say or do to make them feel better. The best thing you can do is just listen. Don’t criticize the situation, instead, let them talk openly about how they’re feeling.

Help them express their feelings
a lady trying to express herself

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Allow them to express their feelings in whatever way they feel comfortable. Don’t try to talk them out of how they’re feeling or tell them they should be over it by now. Just let them talk. Also, offer practical support, like helping them pack up their belongings or accompanying them to counseling appointments.

Assist them to regain a sense of control

It can be tough to see someone you love go through a tough time like this, and your instinct might be to do whatever you can to make them feel better. But one of the most sensible things you can do is simply to give them the space they need to heal.

It’s important that they feel like they have some control over their life again, and that they aren’t constantly being bombarded with other people’s feelings and opinions on the matter. Let them know that you’re there for them, but give them the time and space to come to terms with what has happened on their terms.

Being cheated on is a feeling of betrayal no one wants to go through. Some people might need to talk to a therapist, while others might need to join a support group. What’s essential is that your loved one has someone who understands what they’re going through. You can help by being there for them, both emotionally and physically. And if they need to speak about the situation, be prepared to listen without critique.

Read More...

How to job hunt when you’re feeling burnt out

stressed woman in front of her laptop

When you’re feeling burnt out, it’s tough to think straight.

You might feel like you can’t do anything right and giving up seems like the only option. But it’s important to remember that this is just a phase. You will get through it.

Read on for tips on how to job hunt when you’re feeling at your worst.

Define your goals

Take some time to define your goals. What do you want from your next job? What are your priorities? Are you looking for something that’s going to challenge you or are you looking for a job that’s going to be more relaxing? Once you have a better idea of what you’re looking for, it will be easier to start targeting.

Simplify your search

When you’re feeling burnt out, the last thing you want to do is spend hours scanning through job listings and writing cover letters. So how can you simplify your job search?

One way is to focus on jobs that are a good fit for your skills and interests. Don’t waste your time applying for jobs that are a poor match—you’re only going to get frustrated and feel burnt out even more.

Another way to simplify your search is to target companies that you want to work for. Do some research online and see if they have any openings. If they don’t, send them an email anyway and introduce yourself. You never know, they might be in the market for new talents.

Consider a different path
adult classes

Image Credits: juniorchamps.my

The industry you’ve been working in for the past few years has lost its luster, and you’re not sure what to do next. Well, maybe it’s time to consider a different path.

There are plenty of other jobs out there that may be a better fit for you. Maybe you want to try something new and explore your creative side. Or maybe you want to go back to school and get your certification in a field that you’re passionate about.

Whatever it is, we urge you to go after what you want. And don’t hesitate to take some time to figure out what that is. The job market is competitive, but don’t let that discourage you. You have the power to create the life you want—and the job you want—if you’re willing to put in the work.

Don’t be afraid to take a break

It can be challenging to keep going when you’re feeling burnt out. You don’t want to spend the little energy you have on job hunting, but you also don’t want to stay stuck in your current status.

So what can you do? Take a short break. It’s not the advice most people want to hear, but it’s crucial to give yourself some time to recharge. Maybe take a few days off, or even a week if you can manage it. During that time, focus on getting your mental and physical energy back.

And when you’re ready, start job hunting again. This time, be more selective about the jobs you apply for and the companies you interview with. Make sure the position and the company are a good fit for you—you don’t want to end up in the same situation as before.

The best thing you can do when you’re feeling burnt out is to take some time for yourself. Get some support from your friends and family, and take care of yourself in whatever way you need to. Maybe that means taking a break from job hunting and focusing on something else for a while. Or maybe it means taking the full weekend off to recharge your batteries. Whatever it looks like for you, make sure to give yourself the time and space you need to heal. You will be in a much better position to start job hunting again when you’re feeling more rested and relaxed.

Read More...

The benefits of taking career breaks and how to explain them in an interview

in an interview

You’re interviewing for a job that you want and you know that your career gap will come up in the conversation.

You’re not sure how to explain it and you’re worried it will hurt your chances of getting the job. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A lot of people have taken career breaks for one reason or another, and many of them are successful professionals. The key is to be prepared and know how to spin your career break in a positive light.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of taking career breaks and how to explain them in an interview. Let’s roll!

What is a career break?

A career break is a time when you took a breather from your career, for whatever reason. It could be a substantially longer period when you traveled, volunteered, or just took some time to relax and refresh.

The benefits of taking career breaks

There are a lot of benefits to taking career breaks. For starters, it gives you a chance to recharge and explore other interests. Career breaks can also be a great opportunity to network and build your professional contacts. By staying connected and keeping your skills sharp, you will be in a better position to re-enter the workforce when you’re ready.

And finally, don’t forget that your time away from work can be seen as a strength rather than a weakness. Employers respect dedication and commitment, but they also understand that everyone needs a break sometimes. So don’t be afraid to talk about your career breaks during an interview—in fact, it could be the thing that sets you apart from the other candidates.

How to frame your career break on your application
sample resume

Image Credits: thebalancecareers.com

Your resume is your first opportunity to make a great impression on a potential employer, and it’s also your chance to explain why you took a break from your career. Here are a few tips for framing your career break in the best possible light:

  • Keep your resume concise and focus on the most relevant information.
  • Be clear about the reason for your break and how you’ve been preparing for a return to the workforce.
  • Emphasize the skills and experiences you gained during your time away from work in your cover letter.

Remember, you want to put your best foot forward, so make sure you take the time to polish up your resume and practice answering common interview questions. By framing your career break in a favorable light, you will be able to show potential employers that you’re ready to take on the challenge of returning to work.

How to talk about your career break in an interview

First of all, be honest. Don’t try to sugarcoat it or make up some story about why you had to take a break. If you’re asked why you were out of the workforce for a while, just tell the interviewer the truth—you took some time off to travel, care for a family member, or do something else.

Next, talk about the skills you developed during your time off. Maybe you learned how to cook, build something from scratch, or speak a foreign language. No matter what it is, be sure to mention it. This shows the interviewer that you weren’t just sitting on the couch watching Netflix for a full year—you were doing something constructive.

Finally, stress the fact that you’re ready to jump back into your career. You might have taken a break, but that doesn’t mean you’ve stopped learning or growing. You’ve still got all the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in today’s workforce, and you’re excited to use them to scale the company to greater heights.

As we come to a close, be comforted knowing that you’re not the only person with career breaks. If you’re applying for a job and feel like your breaks are a liability, don’t worry. There are ways to spin them in your favor as we’ve mentioned earlier. Pen down the benefits they’ve brought you and don’t forget to practice discussing them before your scheduled interview. Best of luck to you!

Read More...