Money does not come from trees! Choosing what is best for you should be influenced by strategic research on the available brokerage firms in the country. Consider these factors…
STICK TO THE BUDGET
It goes without saying that your performance in the stock market depends on your budget. If you want to start investing, but do not have thousands of dollars in your arsenal then, you can start with as little as S$1,000.
Say that you want to own stocks through the CDP (The Central Depository) then, you will have to set up a CDP securities account. The CDP account is operated by the Singapore Exchange. It provides integrated clearing, settlement, and depository facilities for customers in the Singapore securities market.
To be eligible to open an account, you must at least 18 years old and not an undischarged bankrupt. You can deal with as many brokerage firms as you want with one CDP account.
COMPARE THE BROKERAGE FEES
Brokerage firms allow you to buy and sell shares on the stock market. It is important to note that they charge you brokerage or commission fees for every transaction you make. When you buy shares, you get charged. When you sell shares, you get charged. These fees add up!
Most investors want to buy low and sell high. Expect to be charged commission fees multiple times by doing so. On the other hand, commission fees won’t make much difference to your if you just want to “park” your money.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCES ONLINE
Kids, there was a time when investors where required to call their brokers to deal with them directly. Do not get me started with how stock prices and other information were passed down! Those days are gone!
Nowadays, investors are blessed with online trading platforms that allow them to check stock prices and complete deals on the go. Some brokerage firms even have mobile applications.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
It is good to familiarize yourself with these online features before you open an account. For instance, day traders need to have a live and streaming data to get started. Choose a broker whose online features (e.g., daily news, company reports, or strategy guides) are suited to your lifestyle. Consider opening several trial accounts with many online brokers to immerse yourself with their service before signing up.
Today, there are more ways than ever before for would-be entrepreneurs like yourself to find success in the e-commerce industry. There are a host of different avenues for you to go down in your bid to sell products, make some money, and build your reputation. You just have to be brave enough to give up your day job and follow your true calling in life!
What with all the choices that you have available to you in this instance, it will be difficult for you to pinpoint your focus and really hone in on a target market. Fortunately, the comprehensive help and guidance that you are in desperate need if can be found below.Here’s what you need to do to become a successful e-commerce entrepreneur:
Hone in on your niche
Honing in on your niche is the first challenge that you will face on your journey to become an e-commerce entrepreneur. You need to choose a niche that is going to prove profitable and sustainable. More importantly, you need to choose one that is going to continue to impassion you for years to come. If the product that you sell doesn’t excite you, your heart won’t be in it and, slowly but surely, your desire to succeed as an e-commerce entrepreneur will fade.
If you’re stuck for ideas in this instance, then you should consider starting your own online T-shirt business. As stated by Oberlo, this is a popular choice for beginning an e-commerce simply because T-shirts are cheap to source and easy to customize.
Study your market
To ensure that your business idea hasn’t already been conceived, taken, or trademarked, it’s imperative that you study your market before you start your own e-commerce business. This will allow you to enter your market without having to worry about being sued for intellectual property theft as your career progresses and your reputation grows.
Studying the current climate of your market will also provide you with an understanding of what is or isn’t working for your competitors. With this knowledge at hand, you will find it easier to avoid the pitfalls of your industry going forward.
To perform market research in the most targeted and effective way possible, you should:
Determine exactly what it is you need to know about your industry
Study your industry’s future outlook
Pinpoint your target customers and flesh out their buyer persona
Prepare a number of research questions
Build your store
Of course, you can’t be an e-commerce entrepreneur if you don’t build your own online store. To ensure that your website is professional, engaging, and intuitive enough to generate you some leads right off the bat, it’s imperative that you align yourself with a quality web host. To find this perfect host, you must:
Know how much support you’re going to need
Have a clear understanding of the traffic that you expect to draw
Be well versed when it comes to different server types
If you put all of the above advice into practice, you’ll find yourself reaching the peak of your professional potential in no time.
[Travel Advisory] ADJUSTMENTS TO SINGAPORE AIRLINES AND SILKAIR SERVICES
Singapore Airlines and SilkAir will temporarily reduce services across their network due to weak demand as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Details of the affected flights can be found in the tables below.
They will continue to monitor the situation and make further adjustments as necessary.
Affected customers will be notified and re-accommodated onto other flights.
If you have booked your tickets through a travel agency, please contact your agent for assistance. If you have booked your tickets directly with Singapore Airlines, please contact the SIA reservations team at (+65) 6223-8888 if you need any assistance.
As they are expecting large volumes of calls, they seek your patience and understanding that their customer service agents may take longer than usual to respond to you.
Singapore Airlines and SilkAir apologise for the inconvenience caused.
First posted on 18 February 2020, 0908hrs (GMT +8)
Are you trying your luck in expanding your cleaning supplies? These days, “OUT OF STOCK” is plastered all over the physical and online stores when cleaning supplies are concerned. The zero traces of stocks correlate to the nCoV panic brewed in the shoppers all over Singapore.
The novel CoronaVirus (nCov) is a severe acute respiratory disease that can affect both animals and humans. It was first discovered in China last December 2019. With hundreds of deaths worldwide, The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Singaporeans must strengthen their immune system and ensure that their homes are clean to combat nCoV. On that note, here are some cleaning supplies that you may purchase as well as the places where you can find them.
#1: VACUUM CLEANER
A good vacuum cleaner can effortlessly keep the floors and carpets debris-free. Prevent dusts, food crumbs, human hair strands, and pet furs from accumulating by using the vacuum cleaner once a week. Increase the frequency if you have young children or several pets inside the house. Courts Singapore carry multiple brands and types of vacuum cleaners including the cordless handheld vacuum by Karcher, which retails for only S$398.00.
#2: BATHROOM CLEANER
Toilet and faucet handles are premium breeding grounds for virus and bacteria. I, for one, can attest that it is hard to keep the bathroom clean. However, keeping it clean can help you reduce the spread of germs. FairPrice has several toilet cleaners in stock including their own brand for S$3.70 and the Mr. Muscle value pack for S$6.15.
#3: DUSTING GLOVES
Keeping your nest as dust-free as possible will help you control dirt and other allergens. Moreover, it will freshen up the appearance of your living space. Control dust in a fun way by using microfiber gloves such as the eight-dollar Leifheit dusting gloves from Lazada Singapore.
Run your microfiber dusting gloves all over your house! The microfiber gathers up the mess without scratching the surface or scattering dust into the air. Once you are done, you can simply toss your gloves into the washing machine and use it again in your next cleaning session.
#4: ANTI-BACTERIAL MULTI-PURPOSE CLEANER
Anti-bacterial multi-purpose cleaners are believed to leave your premises free from germs and to prevent the spread of viruses. It can be used on different surfaces such as ceramic, enamel, and stainless steel. You can purchase this at Horme Hardware for as low as S$6.
Horme Hardware is a virtual hardware that houses more than fifty thousand products in its inventory. No matter how specific your cleaning item is, you will find most of what you need in here. You may also head down to one of its trade centers at Ubi, Changi, and Jurong East.
#5: ANTI-BACTERIAL HANDSOAP
Never touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands as germs spread this way. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 30 seconds or the entire “Happy Birthday” song.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
I found two places where you can stock up on your anti-bacterial handsoap. I am referring to Amazon Singapore and Lazada Singapore. The former has Dial Complete Anti-bacterial Foaming Hand Wash for S$35.58 (i.e., pack of 4). While, the latter has Dettol Profresh Strawberry Anti-bacterial Handwash for S$25. Both are marketed to kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria.
Many musicians did not start out with huge paychecks, lavish cars, and bling on their necks. They have gone through the tribulations of life and paid their dues. Believe it or not, some of the greatest songs ever written surround interesting perspectives about money. Moreover, you can apply these songs to your own finances. This is when art imitates life.
So, sit back and relax. Turn your speakers on and immerse yourself in the “10 Greatest Songs Ever Written About Money”!
ABBA: “MONEY, MONEY, MONEY”
“I work all night, I work all day to pay the bills I have to pay. Ain’t it sad. And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me.”
It is troubling to listen to someone go through this situation. If you are living off from paycheck to paycheck, it is time to take a closer look at your finances. Are you saving a portion of your money for yourself? Consider asking for a pay raise or reducing your expenses to avoid letting your bills take up all of your wages.
BARRETT STRONG: MONEY (THAT’S WHAT I WANT)
“Money don’t get everything it’s true. What it don’t get. I can’t use.”
It goes without saying that this is one of the famous money songs out there. It is a classic and rightly so! The first lyric is “the best things in life are free”. I agree! Money cannot buy everything such as lasting relationships and happiness. It is all about striking a balance between your financial goals and your personal life.
THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.: MO’ MONEY, MO’ PROBLEMS
“It’s like the more money we come across, the more problems we see.”
As I said, money cannot buy everything. Getting richer will not necessarily enrich your life. Money can become an instrument to reaching your financial goals. However, it is up to you to use it responsibly in order to help yourself and others around you. Remember that it is easy to be blinded by power and greed.
DESTINY’S CHILD: INDEPENDENT WOMEN
“All the women who independent, throw your hands up at me! All the honeys who makin’ money, throw your hands up at me.”
The late 90s and early 2000s brought-forth the age of women empowerment through girl bands such as Destiny’s Child and Spice Girls. This song is all about financial independence and not relying on someone else to succeed. You can relate this message to Singaporeans of all genders and all ages.
THE BEATLES: CAN’T BUY ME LOVE
“I may not have a lot to give, but what I got I’ll give to you. I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love.”
The Beatles are iconic for fusing important experiences and fantastic tunes. This song is a good reminder that you are not defined by how much you make. No matter how much you earn or how much you strive to earn, always remember the important things in life. Prioritize your “own currencies” and work towards these.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
PITBULL FEAT. NE-YO: TIME OF OUR LIVES
“I know my rent was gon’ be late about a week ago. I worked my ass off, but I still can’t pay it though. But I got just enough to get off in this club.”
Yes! It is tempting to give in to the YOLO movement. However, you must be realistic. If your finances are suffering due to your entertainment costs such as going to the clubs or casinos regularly then, you should stop. Take care of your responsibilities first!
CEE-LO GREEN: FORGET YOU
“Yeah I’m sorry I can’t afford a Ferrari. But that don’t mean I can’t get you there.”
Many people fall into a trap by keeping up with their neighbors. You do not have to waste your money to impress someone. Otherwise, you will end up poking a hole in your wallet and having a relationship with someone that is superficial. Invest on things that will benefit you in the long run!
THE BEATLES: FIXING A HOLE
“I’m fixing a hole where the rain gets in, to stop my mind from wandering.”
This band is making another exposure in this list as this song highlights the simple solutions in life. Whenever I am faced with a problem, I always focus on the solution. Solutions do not have to be expensive. It pays to learn to do small improvements on your own than hiring a professional to do it for you.
ROLLING STONES: CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT
“You can’t always get what you want,
But if you try sometimes,
You just might find.
You get what you need.”
One of the biggest issues in trying to save funds is determining the difference between needs and wants. The essentials must come first while saving up for your wants. Over time with hard-work, you will be able to get both your needs and wants.
<MACKLEMORE AND RYAN LEWIS: THRIFT SHOP
“I am stunting and flossing and saving my money”
Take it from Macklemore and Ryan! You do not have to break the bank to look good or feel good. Singapore has tons of flea markets, thrift shops, and charity shops that can help you grow your wardrobe without spending too much.
Moreover, saving money on clothes can help you focus on more important financial goals!