MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

Is Jewelry A Wise Investment?

It is Christmastime and people are more eager to purchase gifts that have lasting value. For some people, that timeless gift often turns out to be an heirloom piece of jewelry. Grandparents often pass down their jewelry in the hopes that their grandchildren can “sell it one day” when the need arises. I cannot say that it has not crossed my mind. Then again, I find it difficult to sell the ring that my late grandparents have given me.

Buying an original piece of jewelry with a rich history from a family member or a friend can be the middle ground when it comes to heirloom pieces. Nonetheless, jewelry and gold can be a wise investment.

BUY SOMETHING TIMELESS

If you are going to buy jewelry as an investment, ensure that it is something you enjoy keeping and wearing. I recently bought a Nina Ricci necklace, which I plan to pass down to my future daughter. It is delicate, romantic, and simple. She may not be able to sell it, but it can be a part of her beautiful collection.

Avoid overpaying for a piece of jewelry as commissions and fees can be high. It will be difficult for you to break-even, if that happens.

CONSIDER THE VALUE AND PRICE

There are companies willing to buy back your jewelry at the real-time value, less its 10% buyback fee as they will melt it and transform it into a new jewelry. Other companies are willing to offer a price close to the value of the pure metal in your jewelry. Do your research.

There are laws regulating the purity stamp on the metal. It is best to get an appraisal from a reputable jeweler to examine the quality and the design of your gems and precious metals.

ACKNOWLEDGE THE POSITIVE HISTORICAL TREND

Unlike coins and paper currency, gold has managed to increase its value over time. Its price has consistently risen every year since 2001. While gold prices do not shoot up dramatically, the general trends remains to be upward. Hence, have a long-term investment mindset.

KNOW THAT PRICES CAN BE VOLATILE

Much like any other investments, the jewelry’s value can fluctuate wildly. The most obvious difference between a pair of gold earrings and gold bullion is that you cannot wear the latter. Treating jewelry as an investment can get tricky. Profits on the sale of gold and jewelry are taxed.

You might pay a premium for buying jewelry made of pure gold. You see, some buyers prefer if they can wear their gold.

DIVERSIFY YOUR PORTFOLIO

The key to diversification is to find investments that do not closely match each other. History has proven that gold is negatively correlated with stocks and other investment instruments. For instance, stocks boomed in the 1990s, but gold faltered. In 2008, investors migrated to gold while the stocks dropped substantially in value.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Proper diversification entails combining stocks, bonds, golds, jewelry, and other assets. Producing a diverse portfolio can reduce the overall volatility and risks.

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Increase Motivation At Work

With the multitude of global issues that we are facing right now, it is normal to experience burnout. Motivation is the drive that conquers burnout. Self-motivation is having the initiative to do a task without being supervised or being told to do it.

Think of two things you like doing and two things you do not like doing. From this simple exercise, you will realize which activities motivate you. Motivation drives our behaviors and there are two primary types of it. These are external and internal motivation.

With external motivation, you are doing something because the activity will bring some reward or benefit at the end of it.

For instance, you may visualize the act of job hunting. It is not something you do to pastime. People job hunt because they want an outcome – a job. The motivation for actually working is also usually external. We are motivated to go to work because we are paid to do so.

In contrast, internal motivation entails doing something purely because you love doing it. The more internally motivated an action is, the more enjoyable it usually is. So from the point of view of happiness, it makes sense to have more internally motivated activities in your life. People who are internally motivated show more interest and excitement over what they do. You are usually better at internally motivated actions too. You show more persistence and creativity. You are likely to have increased happiness and self-esteem by pursuing what internally motivates you.

Think about some of the things you do on a regular basis. Are you mostly externally motivated, acting in for the rewards? Or are you mostly internally motivated? It is important to know which type of motivation is strongest for you. If you follow this, your performance will likely improve and you will generally be happier.

DEVELOPING INTERNAL MOTIVATION

With the bulk of tasks we have to finish in a day, do not expect everything to be internally motivated. Internal motivation is developed and maintained when we are autonomous, competent, and supported.

We feel autonomous when we can make our own choices and decisions.
We feel competent when we know that we can do things.
We feel supported when we are connected to others.

BECOMING MORE COMPETENT

1. Practice what you need to do or perform beforehand.

2. Look for positive feedback, but value constructive criticisms. Your motivation will become stronger if you can find some way of getting positive feedback on your progress.

3. Break down your tasks and goals. If a task is very complex and challenging, breaking it down can help you stay motivated. It makes things more sustainable and attainable.

4. Make sure the difficulty level matches your ability. You want your goals and activities to be reasonable. It should not be too easy, because you will get bored. It should not be too difficult, because you will get frustrated.

KNOWING THE PITFALL OF EXCUSES

Unsuccessful people often have good reasons for not hitting their goals. Successful people use those same reasons as their motivation. Practice transforming your excuses into motivations. Here are some examples:

1. I can not give up. I have to do this for my children.

2. I have to study harder, so that I can properly teach my students.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

What are you hustling for? Motivation is strongest when it comes from within. Let me close by highlighting what Don Wilder once said: “Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.” Build a house that you deserve.

2020 has been a year unlike any other. With more time spent at home amid government restrictions and lockdowns, consumers increasingly turned to e-commerce for all their needs while staying home.

Across the region, consumer behaviour shifted drastically and many interesting purchasing trends emerged. Some of the most popular products include masks and hand sanitizers, big-ticket items like iPhone 12, gaming consoles, and yoga mats.

Thailand: Air fryers gained popularity as people became more health conscious during the pandemic
Indonesia: Body lotion was widely promoted by many micro influencers on social media platforms, leading it to be the best-selling product in Indonesia
Singapore: With Singaporeans’ constant love affair with bubble tea, it comes as no surprise that it emerged as Singaporeans’ top favourite product
Malaysia: Milo is a household staple among Malaysians, and many purchased it online from the comforts of their homes amidst social distancing measures
Philippines: Due to an increase in demand for electronic gadgets due to homeschooling and work-from-home arrangements, Shopee’s wide assortment of bluetooth earphones had been extremely well-received by consumers in the Philippines
Vietnam: Mothers have been tapping into the convenience of e-commerce to purchase necessities for their children, especially powdered milk formula
Taiwan: As people avoided in-person social gatherings, playing Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch became a popular way for people to meet up virtually while spending time at home, with more than 10,000 copies of Animal Crossing sold in less than 2 weeks after its release

As Shopee celebrates its 5th birthday with the 12.12 Birthday Sale, here are some key achievements and milestones across its seven markets – from taking steps to build inclusivity in the workplace, increasing consumer engagement both on and off the app, onboarding more brands for a wider variety of products, continuously finding ways to innovate for both sellers and shoppers, and more.

As 2020 draws to a close, seize the chance to grab your festive gifts during Shopee’s 12.12 Birthday Sale, with Daily 30% Cashback, Million $ Discount deals, and Midnight Brands Flash Sales.

Happy Holidays!

Here are 6 not-so-common grains that are low in carbohydrates

We know too well what it feels like when planning your meals while on a strict diet. Folks who are searching for high fibre grains that contain a lower number of net carbohydrates will find this article useful.

As you’re probably aware that top grains that are low in carbohydrates include oats, quinoa, and barley, we will exclude them in this write-up. Instead, we will delve into six not-so-common grains that are low in carbohydrates to offer some alternatives.

#1: Bulgur

Image Credits: Cooking Light

Bulgur wheat is a regularly used ingredient in many traditional Middle Eastern recipes. The nutritious cereal grain is made from dried, cracked wheat and its texture when cooked is very similar to that of quinoa.

It is easy to prepare and a good source of manganese, iron, magnesium, and B vitamins. In 182 grams of cooked bulgur, there are only 25.5 grams of net carbohydrates, thus making it one of the lowest carbohydrates whole grains available.

#2: Millet

Image Credits: archanaskitchen.com

Millet is an ancient grain that is widely consumed in developing countries throughout Asia and Africa. Other than a source of food for humans, it’s also used as livestock and bird feed.

Thanks to its high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, it may help prevent chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes. Not forgetting to mention that it’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, and folate.

More importantly, 174 grams of cooked millet contain only 39 grams of net carbohydrates! If you want to load up on calcium, opt for finger millets because it has one of the highest calcium content among cereal grains. To be exact, just 100 grams can provide 13% of the Daily Value (DV) you need.

#3: Couscous

Image Credits: thecozyapron.com

Couscous originates from the Maghreb, also known as Northwest Africa. It’s a processed grain product made from semolina flour or little balls of durum wheat.

Those familiar with this type of grain will know that there are three main types – Moroccan, Israeli, and Lebanese. If well-cooked, it should appear light and fluffy. You can add it to your bowl of greens or serve as a side dish with meats.

Relatively low in carbohydrates, 157 grams of cooked couscous are packed with only around 34.5 grams of net carbohydrates. Additionally, it’s also a great source of selenium, a trace mineral that contributes to heart health, thyroid function, and immune health. Consuming it can also boost your intake of other important micronutrients such as pantothenic acid, manganese, copper, and thiamine.

#4: Spelt

Image Credits: Food Network

Spelt is a type of wheat that’s also known to many as dinkel wheat or hulled wheat. It was popular in parts of Europe from the Bronze Age to medieval times but was not that well sought after during the 19th century.

We want to put it upfront that spelt is high in gluten and therefore unsuitable for people on a gluten-free diet. But studies have shown that eating whole grains like spelt may help lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and selected types of cancer.

Looking at its nutritional value, 194 grams of cooked spelt contain about 44 grams of net carbs and 7.5 grams of fibre. It also has small amounts of calcium, selenium, and vitamins B1, B6 and E.

#5: Wild Rice

Image Credits: Serious Eats

Wild rice is a type of whole grain eaten mainly in North America and China. It’s currently still harvested as a grain and considered a delicacy in North America.

Contrary to its name, it does not belong to the family of rice. Though it looks and cooks like other types of rice, it is a species of grass with edible seeds reminding people of rice. It also tastes stronger and is higher-priced.

164 grams of cooked wild rice contain only 32 grams of net carbohydrates with overflowing health-promoting antioxidants. It’s also rich in nutrients like zinc, vitamin B6, and folate.

#6: Popcorn

Image Credits: onceuponachef.com

To wrap things up, we have popcorn! The first image that comes to mind when popcorn is brought up is movies. Often thought as a snack, it is technically a whole grain and thus carries considerable amounts of essential nutrients.

14 grams of popped popcorn only has 6.5 grams of net carbohydrates, thus making it one of the most favoured low-carbohydrate grains among dieters. It is also low in calories and high in B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Eating popcorn in moderation may help with weight loss because it promotes feelings of fullness. Based on a study conducted, 15 calories of popcorn were found to be as filling as 150 calories of potato chips.

But before you rush down to get your bag of popcorn, be mindful that pre-packaged microwave varieties may be harmful. One reason is that they can contain diacetyl, a chemical found in artificial butter flavouring. Experiments involving animals have revealed that breathing in diacetyl damages airways and causes lung diseases.

Another explanation is that many microwave popcorns are made using hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils, and they contain unbeneficial trans fats. This may result in an increased risk of severe diseases such as heart disease.

The best advice in this context? Make your munchies or meals from scratch, so you’re fully conscious of what you put into your body.

10 Powerful Micro Habits That Can Change Your Life

Habits are powerful. From cycling every morning to praying every night, habits are frequent patterns of behaviors that reflect who we are. It is the selective repetition of activities that shapes our lives. Inevitably, our habits become significant parts of our lifestyles.

We often fail at building habits by setting unrealistic and unsustainable goals. Starting small makes habit building more manageable. Benjamin Hardy compares this concept (micro habits) to compounding interest. When given choice, people would opt to take a million dollars in the bank as opposed to a cent that doubles in value over the course of the month. What most people do not realize is that they will get more payout by taking the second option.

He said: “The doubling penny actually ends up being $10.7 million dollars. Yet, the majority of the growth happens at the very end, and most people aren’t patient enough for the big return. The live for the moment culture of today stops people from investing.”

Micro habits can change your life. It is up to you to strategize which habits you are willing to integrate in your routine. Here are some of the examples.

#1: WRITE A PARAGRAPH

Whether you are building a robust business plan or a non-fiction book, start by writing a few sentences each day. Make it a goal to write a paragraph by the end of the week. The momentum will build on its own and you will find yourself effortlessly writing more and more as the days go by. In fact, I have written my second book in less than two months. Beginnings are always the hardest.

#2: LISTEN TO UPLIFTING PODCASTS OR SONGS

Open your Spotify or music app and listen to podcasts and songs that inspire you. Children typically benefit from having background music while they learn. You may consider listening to a financial podcast as you travel to work. Great music can put you in an energized working state.

#3: RESPOND TO TEXTS AND EMAILS

As much as possible, respond to important emails and texts as they come in. This way, you will not be left with a backlog of tasks to attend to.

#4: BE LESS REACTIVE

Train your mind to be calmer. When you see or hear something that immediately frustrates or upsets you, avoid reacting first. Analyze your thoughts and take a deep breath. Learning to take small pauses will help you figure out where your emotions come from and what your next action should be.

#5: PREPARE FOR YOUR NEXT DAY

Always come to work or school prepared. Prepare for the next day by allotting a few minutes of your night routine to preparation. Make a simple list of the things you need to bring or tasks that you need to accomplish tomorrow. Then, plan your attire. This can take you about 5 to 10 minutes.

#6: TAKE A POWER NAP

A power nap that can span for 15 minutes is all you need to get back to your optimum performance. It is a skill that you can master for a period of time. You will find yourself accomplishing more by napping once or twice a day.

#7: PRACTICE SAYING “NO”

Our energy levels are limited per day. More often than not, you will come across some of the most demanding people. Ensure that you spend your energy to the things and people that you truly care about. Do not feel bad for saying “no”. Ultimately, it is a means of self-preservation.

#8: DRINK MORE WATER

It is recommended to drink about 8 cups of water a day. Just focus on drinking one more glass a day. Then, it will become a part of your routine.

#9: EAT ONE LESS UNHEALTHY SNACK A DAY

It is easier to skip one unhealthy snack a day than to overhaul one’s entire diet. Focus on one unhealthy item that you can live without that day. Just one!

#10: CELEBRATE SMALL WINS

This year has been all about counting our blessings. Big wins do not come by often. Boost your morale by celebrating small wins. There is a reason why people rush to go to the game’s “boss level”. We constantly want to be rewarded. So, every time a small positive event happens in your life, consider it a “win”. You may treat yourself to a hearty lunch or write it down in your “success journal”.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Celebrate small wins. You deserve it!

Sources: 1 & 2

#1: Bulgur

#2: Millet

#3: Couscous

#4: Spelt

#5: Wild Rice

#6: Popcorn

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