Father’s Day Gifts To Make This Instant

You do not have to burn your allowance to show how special your father is!

On that note, here are some DIY gift ideas that you can make at the last minute:

#1: A MONEY TREE

I have to admit! Men can be tough to shop for at times. For instance, my father has a set of criteria clothing articles. Everything he purchases must tick all the boxes! To prevent disappointing him, it is easier to hand over some cash. Do you agree?

If you are looking for an original way to give cash, you may design a “money tree”. A money tree is a tabletop arrangement decorated with Singapore dollar bills. Said dollar bills can be folded into flowers or leaves. Try the easy peasy money tree by SunburstGifts.

Image Credits: www.sunburstgifts.org

#2: A BASKET OF SWEETS

Satisfy your husband or father’s sweet tooth by creating the “perfect basket” filled with his favorite treats. Gather his guilty and paste the free printables by The 36th Avenue. Other materials that you will need include: a basket or container, a picture frame, and a paper straw. All these can be purchased affordably at Daiso.

Image Credits: www.the36thavenue.com

#3: A DAD AWARD

It goes without saying that adults crave for recognition as much as children do. Show how much you appreciate your father’s or spouse’s efforts and sacrifices by making a golden medal. Small Fry blog started with whipping small paper plates, glue, gold paint, and a template together. Begin by printing the free template. Then, put the small paper plates together and attach the decorations.

Image Credits: www.smallfryblog.com

Putting the paper plates side-by-side adds a cool dimension to it. While, the golden accents add prestige.

#4: A DADDY TIE

The “daddy tie” is my favorite homemade gift on this list. For fathers who have been working on their 9-5 jobs, you may delight them with cards that can be worn. Add a sentimental value to your gift by allowing your little ones to complete the project with you.

The daddy tie can be completed in 5 minutes or less. Simply download and print the free template on craftingchicks.com. Cut and fold the edges according to the instructions. Then, fill out the questionnaire with your children. I can only imagine their cute handwritings!

Daddy Ties free Father’s Day printable

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Efficient Ways To Socialize On A Budget

You do not have to miss every opportunity to socialize because of your tight budget! Here are some tricks that you may follow to keep both your finances and friends happy:

#1: EMPLOY THE HONESTY SYSTEM

In Philosophy, the “honesty system” refers to endeavours ran based on trust and honor. Rules are typically applied to stay honest. Establish a similar system by sorting out your financial circumstance with the people who matter to you. Opt for the economically sound choices when hanging out with your friends or relatives. For instance, you may suggest splitting the bill with your workmates when celebrating the department’s increased sales.

Money may be a tough subject to hit, but genuine friends will understand. Said friends will avoid putting a strain on your finances!

#2: PLAN AHEAD OF TIME

Birthdays, weddings, and New Year festivities are some of the fixed events that happen in a year. With their nature, you have an ample amount of time to prepare for each one. Filling out a planner is a good strategy to accomplish. Having a planner helps you to remember special dates and to see the bigger picture.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Plan a category of your budget according to the events that you foresee. Set aside at least a month to save up for future events. It may be easier said than done. However, you may start small. Prioritize events that are important to you. You do not have to give everyone a birthday present!

#3: SPOT HAPPY HOUR DEALS

As a young professional, sharing a few drinks at the nearby pub is one of the most popular ways to meet new people. Socializing in the bar, club, or pub helps some people to vent out their heated stress from work. However, I cannot deny the hefty prices that come with alcoholic drinks.

Have a good time while cutting your bill significantly by researching the “happy hour deals” nearby. Most bars in Singapore have deals between 4 PM to midnight. Not to mention, there are other promotional events such as “ladies’ night” where women pay less than the male patrons. For the cheapest happy hour drinks, you may check out this list!

#4: SCORE WITH FREE EVENTS

Last but not the least, you may take advantage of the country’s free events. Whether you are eyeing for live music or art workshops, these events may help you uncover a new talent or skill. Furthermore, it will not poke a hole on your wallet!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Do not be scared to get out of your comfort zone by trying something new with your friends. To find free events, you may check out your community’s website or eventbrite.sg.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Why Personal Loan Is Not As Daunting As It Sounds

All is fine and dandy when your life is nicely panned out for you, but as Singaporeans, we can never be too cautious. What if a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity knocks, and you suddenly require a larger-than-expected sum of money to seize this opportunity?

Opportunities can come in different forms in your various stages in life. There may be investment opportunities, a chance to go abroad on an exchange programme, or a chance to further develop your skill sets.

If you find yourself short on cash and need a sum of money to tide you over a short period of time, a personal loan can come in useful.

When we think about loans, most would frown upon it. We would assume that borrowers are incapable of managing their own finances, or that they are financially irresponsible. That is but a misconception, as personal loans are merely tools that can improve our lives if used in a responsible and wise manner.

As compared to home loans, car loans or educational loans which have specific purposes, personal loans are a more flexible type of loan which can be used for almost any purposes you wish. The most straightforward of which are personal instalment loans, where you borrow a lump sum of money from a bank. You can use the borrowed cash for any reason you like. Payment is in fixed monthly payments over a specified time period.

You never know when you might need a loan, but it’s always good to be aware that there is this option out there without breaking the bank. A loan can be useful in the following situations:

  • A buffer for depleting all your savings – taking a personal loan instead of using up your emergency savings in case of, well, emergencies, and you need the savings
  • Seizing opportunities with smaller cash outlays – taking a personal loan for immediate cash to enrol in a workshop or class to improve your skill sets and employability, which will result in an eventual higher return
  • Fulfilling aspirations – perhaps an exchange abroad, a hobby you’ve always wanted to master or even an important bucket list item
  • Repaying a high-interest loan first – taking a personal loan to pay off higher-interest loans, such as credit card bills

Not all banks and money lenders are created equal. Different financial institutions offer different incentives – some offer lower interest rates while others have lower minimum criteria.

Ultimately, it’s always good to compare loans before applying for one, so you end up with the best bang for your buck for your personal goals and budget – one that has the lowest interest rate, the lowest fees, meets your requirements and has the best welcome offers.

SingSaver offers a convenient platform for comparing between different financial institutions. For a limited time only, get the first 3 months of interest FREE when you apply from SingSaver’s website. That’s not all — SingSaver has also partnered OCBC to offer 0% interest free loan applicable for loan with 2 years tenure.

Not only does choosing the right loan mean meeting your goals earlier, it also means that you can pay off your loans faster.

So while you’re all up for borrowing, be aware of the higher interest rates accounts that you’re liable to paying, so that you clear off those loans first.

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Must-Have Travel Essentials Under S$20

PASSPORT CASES

Imagine spilling liquid droplets on the first page of your passport. What is more? Your flight is a few hours away! How can you travel now? Well, this frightening scenario happened to me before. Prevent this from happening to you buy purchasing a passport case.
Keep your valuable identification piece dry and clean by getting a passport case for as low as S$2 at Daiso.

EYE MASKS

If you are greatly affected by beaming lights or vivid stimulations, you may want to wear an eye mask during your long flight or road trip. Eye masks provide soft shades to survive the longest of trips.

Inexpensive eye masks are available at Daiso. However, you may invest in a S$19.90 eye mask designed to let you dwell in deep restorative stages of sleep. I am referring to the ErgoDream™ 3D Ergonomic Eye Mask. It comes with free high-density earplugs too!

ErgoDream™ 3D Ergonomic Eye Mask for Back Sleepers

SMALL PLASTIC CONTAINERS

One of the best gifts that I received last year was a set of reusable bottles from MINISO (i.e., less than S$5). I was able to transfer various liquids such as my shampoo, soap, essential oils, and hand cream.

Makeup addicts can benefit from these airline-approved bottles as well. You do not have to carry the full-sized weight of every product during your trip! You can transfer your setting spray, BB cream, cheek tint, and so much more.

BANDAGES

Some of the most common injuries experienced by travelers are cuts and scrapes. Hence, bandages are vital in a travel first aid kit. It is recommended to buy a set of adhesive bandages containing different types and sizes. This set will help you cover blisters from hiking or cuts from cycling.

Ensure that the bandages are of good quality to prevent it from slipping away. For instance, you may get a pack of waterproof bandage from Watsons for only S$2.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

BONUS: The search for travel-friendly bathroom paraphernalia is over! You may purchase a set of shampoo, conditioner, and body soap for only S$12.90. It is from the Japanese brand Ma Cherie!

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How To Strike A Balance Between Work And Personal Life

These past few days, I had the luxury to tune out all my worries and to immerse myself in a 3-day vacation. This brief retreat sent my state of mind into its reset mode. My renewed self became more efficient in the workplace. I, for one, believe in creating a balance between work and personal life.

The core of balancing these two areas is satisfying both your sense of achievement and your hunger for enjoyment. Achievement is gained through growth in the workplace while, indulgence is gained through engaging in enjoyable activities. How do you divide your time, money, and effort to these two areas? It is something that you have to discover on your own.

Meanwhile, may the following tips help you in establishing a work-life balance.

#1: DRAW A CLOCK

In a recent training conference that I attended, the speaker shared how her subordinate juggles fifty preschool students on her own. She faced the challenge head-on while maintaining a household. What is her secret? According to her, the key is time management.

An individual must carefully manage his or her time to achieve what needs to be done. Prioritize your tasks and divide your time accordingly. These are some of the categories that you may follow:

a. urgent and important,
b. important and not urgent,
c. urgent and unimportant, or
d. neither urgent nor important.

Now, let us move on to your personal clock. It is easy to bury yourself into your job when faced with a significant personal issue. However, putting said issues on hold may take a toll on your career. Personal issues (e.g., involving your relationships or health) matter in the long run.

4 Unexpectedly Inexpensive Places to Travel

Image Credits: HollyEma☮, via Flickr

#2: CHOOSE THREE THINGS

Prioritizing is vital in creating a balance between the your personal and your professional life. The root of prioritizing depends on determining what matters to you. For instance, Randi Zuckerberg limits his priorities into three main categories. Randi chooses between work, sleep, relationships, and fitness. Yes! He is the sibling of Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.

After uncovering what matters to you the most, you can realistically define the “parameters of success” in each one. What do you have to do to achieve each of these category? Do you need to distance yourself from the activities that distract you from your priorities? Or, do you need to say “no” to some people?

#3: MANAGE YOUR FINANCES

Feeling confident about your finances will help you with both your personal and professional life. The expression “money makes the world go round” is still relevant in this day and age. The amount of cash-flow that circulates throughout your financial reservoir affects the life you lead. It is one of the biggest challenges that Singaporean households face on a daily basis. Hence, finding time to manage your finances is a must!

Track your spending by writing each expense on a piece of paper. To make your life easier, you may download accounting software or financial apps such as Spendee and AceMoney.

Related Article: Where Did All Your Money Go?

#4: LET GO OF PERFECTIONISM

Aside from toxic relationships and unnecessary spending, there are other things that you need to let go. Consider dialing down your “perfectionist tendencies” to maintain sanity. Aiming for perfection develops at a young age. It starts with keeping up with the demands of getting high marks. As you grow up, life gets more complicated.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

I learned the hard way that you must not be too hard on yourself. You cannot be in control all the time. When things do not go as planned, acceptance is the only option. Letting go of perfectionism can help you avoid burnout.

Sources: 1 & 2

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