Simple Acronyms That Can Help You Save Money

Stuck in a rot? Consider imbibing some or all of these four acronyms to maximize your daily savings!

1: BYOB – Bring Your Own Beverage

Bid farewell to your endless Starbucks trips and say hello to BYOB. Bringing your own beverage and food to school or work has many benefits. For starters, you can choose what you eat for the rest of the day. This is especially helpful to the people who vowed to lose weight or to eat healthier meals this year. Lastly, bringing your own beverage and food lessens your chances of dining out. BYOB prevents you from mindlessly breaking the bank on food expenses.

2: PIYS- Put In Your Savings

Aside from having a physically fit body, you must strive to have a financially fit account. Luckily for you, you can just PIYS. Whether you have accumulated loose change or have work incentives, you can PIYS. Do not spend your extra money! Put it in your savings account instead. You may also enroll your account to an institution’s automatic savings program to ensure that you do not touch your money.

3: YODA – You Overspent Days Ago

If you need a reminder on why you need to save, just think of Baby YODA. This adorable Star Wars character cannot only charm your heart, but also give you a potent reminder. “You Overspent Days Ago or You Overspent Decades Ago” is something that resonates many Singaporeans. If you are bound to repeat the same financial mistakes you have done in the past then, what does that make you? It is time to learn from the past and focus on your needs.

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Start building a future that you will be proud of. When faced with another temptation to spend, simply evoke the name of YODA. May the force be with you!

4: ABC – Allocate, Budget, and Cut

Did you know that budgeting is as easy as ABCs? Simply start with Allocation, proceed to Budgeting, and apply the Cut. Allocation is the processes of listing down your expenses and identifying which ones are important. Allocate the right amount of money per expense category.

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Then, maintain a budget that you will keep track of. Monitor your progress and the money you are currently saving. Lastly, apply cost-cutting when your savings remain too low. Cut down unnecessary expenses and focus on expenses that will help you survive.

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Budget-Friendly Ways To Strengthen Your Immune System Against nCoV

As the shelves of the local groceries leave zero traces of stocks, you will notice how much panic the nCoV (novel CoronaVirus) has brewed in the shoppers all over Singapore. You cannot blame these shoppers as the total confirmed nCoV cases rose to 33 last Friday. It is alarming to see how prevalent the nCoV cases are in Singapore and across the globe. With hundreds of deaths worldwide, The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the novel CoronaVirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Nonetheless, it is best to stay calm in this situation.

There are no current vaccines or cures for the nCoV as of the moment. Your best defenses against its infection are boosting your immune system and practicing proper hygiene. On that note, here are some budget-friendly tips that you can follow.

#1: QUIT SMOKING

The novel CoronaVirus is a respiratory disease first identified in Wuhan, China. Its nature makes people with weak respiratory systems more susceptible to having it. Smokers are more likely to be infected with pneumonia and influenza and have longer-lasting display of illnesses. These observations may be due to the lower levels of protective antioxidants in a smoker’s blood.

#2: WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN

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. You may also use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Make it a practice to cleanse your gadgets as well, especially before using them.

#3: STAY AT HOME

If you display flu-like symptoms, it is best to stay at home or to consult a physician. You may rest for 5 to 7 days. Cover your mouth when your sneezing or coughing. Be courteous to other people when you are sick. Spread love and not the virus!

#4: EAT RIGHT

Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals can help strengthen your immune system. I am referring to citrus fruits, broccoli, and yogurt. Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which is key to fighting infections. Incorporate grapefruits, oranges, lemons, and tangerines to your diet now!

Broccoli is supercharged with vitamins A,C, and E as well as other antioxidants and fiber. It is one of the healthiest vegetables that you can put on your plate. Keep its nutrients in tack by cooking it as little as possible. Lastly, Greek yogurt or plain yogurt is a great source of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and is believed to increase our body’s natural defenses against diseases.

#5: GET ADEQUATE SLEEP

Studies have shown that people who do not get enough sleep or who do not get quality sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus such as the common cold. It can also affect the speed of your recovery. Combat the effects of sleep deprivation by getting adequate sleep.

#6: EXERCISE REGULARLY

Dedicate a portion of your day to exercising, whether it be indoor or outdoor. Exercise has been shown to result in positive changes in the white blood cells and antibodies. Moreover, it releases happy hormones and helps lower an individual’s stress levels.

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Lowered stress levels can contribute to premium health.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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4 Small Appliances without Which Your Kitchen Is Incomplete

When you are renovating an old kitchen or are gettina new one build, you pay a lot of attention to the woodwork, the floor, the ease of access and the large appliances. But it’s not just the large appliances or the shelf work that makes your kitchen great. The small appliances in your kitchen are equally important as well. In this article, I have mentioned a few small appliances without which any kitchen is incomplete. Let’s have a look:

Coffee Maker

There is nothing better than a sip of fresh coffee in the morning. And if you do not have a coffee maker, then you are missing out on this luxury. Coffee makers are one of those small appliances that you can fit even outside the kitchen as well. Making coffee with powder is one thing, but picking your beans and making it with the fresh aroma is special. So, if you have not got a coffee maker for your kitchen yet, you should check out the best home coffee machine and get one right away.

Wi-Fi Pressure Cookers

In today’s modern age, it is not only your TV lounges and living room that are running on Wi-Fi, but you can also operate your kitchen with Wi-Fi as well. With a Wi-Fi pressure cooker, you can not only control the functions of your cooker from outside the kitchen, but you can also set the temperature and pressure of the cooker as well to make sure you are not overheating or overcooking. There is a screen on the pressure as well so you do not really need to connect it with your phone all the time. These cookers are advanced and they can cook your meat to perfection.

Infrared Toaster Ovens

With an infrared toaster oven, you can cook your meal faster than any other microwave oven. It also comes in models that let you set the maximum time as well so you do not get a burnt toast to eat. But while you are purchasing an infrared toaster, make sure that you are getting the one with fixed rack height so your toast always gets the right amount of heat. With the moveable rack, you are never sure where to adjust it and you always end up with a not so perfect toast.

Air Fryers

Another great small appliance that every kitchen should have is Air fryers. This appliance is for the people who love to eat fried food but they also want to control their cholesterol level as well. And with their own crunchiness and tenderness home fries will taste even more delicious for you. This appliance has a non-stick drawer for frying eatable, and guess what! It is dishwasher friendly and can be washed easily. When you buy an air fryer, you will get a book of simple recipes as well, which you can try any time. This appliance will give a whole new meaning to your snack time. Also, even though the inside is extremely hot, it will always feel cooler from the outside.

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7 Habits to Adopt to Achieve Financial Freedom

As happiness guru Gretchen Rubin wrote, “What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.” This couldn’t be truer when it comes to money. Unless you win the lottery, wealth building is something you accomplish little by little. You work for your money, but are you putting in the effort to ensure it is working for you? Here are some habits to adopt to set you on your way to going from feeling powerless to powerful, and enjoying financial freedom.

Keep an Eye on Your Money

The first step toward financial responsibility is knowing where your money goes. This is easier today than ever before, with online banking and personal finance apps that link to your accounts. Many of them will automatically assign categories to your spending. You’ll want to log in once a week or so to make sure everything ended up in the correct category and to check for fraudulent purchases. You can also set up an alert to notify when there’s a payment that exceeds a given dollar amount, or when your balance drops below a certain level.

Follow a Budget

Once you’ve identified your spending patterns, you can use your personal finance app to create a budget. A good place to start is the 50/30/20 rule. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, you should try to stick to your budget as closely as possible. If you’ve got a little more breathing room, you don’t have to be quite as strict, but you should pay enough attention to know how close you are to the limits you’ve set for yourself.

Pay Bills on Time

No doubt you have a lot of demands on your time. It’s easy to overlook paying a bill, but when you do, it’s like going to work every day and telling your boss to keep the paycheck. Late fees are a waste of money, period. Make a habit of paying your bills on time.

Better yet, join the 21st century and set up your bill payments to be automatically deducted from your checking account. If you’re a longtime customer with an impeccable payment history and you do make a goof, chances are good that you will be successful in having the occasional late fee reversed. You earned that money, so keep it in your pocket!

Pay Your Credit Card Bill in Full

Repeat the following to yourself: Credit cards are for emergencies. Once you’ve gotten used to sticking to a budget, it’s fine to use credit cards for everyday expenses as long as you have the money in your checking account to pay the bill in full each month. If you don’t have the personal discipline to follow this rule, switch to a debit card.

The interest rate on credit card balances will eat up your money faster than almost anything else, so do everything you can to avoid it. Once you’ve paid off any balance, your top priority should be to establish a 3 to 6-month emergency fund. Keep in mind that a financial emergency is something that threatens your ability to live and work. A burning desire for a vacation or a big-screen TV doesn’t count.

Put Money Towards Savings

Nobody wants to save money they could be having fun spending. To avoid succumbing to temptation, keep the portion of your monthly income you plan to save from ever hitting your checking account. Talk to your employer about having part of your paycheck directly deposited into a savings account. If you’re having trouble finding money in your paycheck to put towards savings, do the best you can. The next time you get a raise, have it diverted into savings so you never see it. Pain-free savings!

Research Your Purchases

Doing your homework before buying something accomplishes three things. First, you’re more likely to buy a product that meets your exact needs rather than spending money on features you’ll never use. Second, buying quality means the product will last longer and you’ll spend less on repairs or replacement. Third, taking the time to research a potential purchase builds in a “cooling off” period that reduces the likelihood you’ll buy on impulse. You may decide you don’t need that widget after all.

Review yearly

If you own a stock portfolio, you should rebalance your asset allocation once a year. If you’re not there yet, that’s okay. Sit down once a year to reflect on how your journey to financial freedom is progressing. Are you on target to meet your goals? If not, what needs to be changed? If you’re close to meeting your goal, decide what you’d like the next one to be. Make financial responsibility a habit and you’ll have less stress in the long run.

 

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5 Local Brands You Never Knew Were Online

Think your neighbourhood mom and pop stalls are still setting up shop the old-fashioned way? You may be pleasantly surprised to find out that many of your friendly neighbourhood stores have already gone digital.

That’s right, many small and medium businesses have an online presence and are selling their products on 99%SME, a dedicated eMarketplace for SMEs.

Here are 5 local brands you probably never knew were online:

1.      Thye Shan Medical Hall

Thye Shan Medical Hall (泰山药行) is a well-established brand of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products and services. With more than 60 years of history, the first Thye San outlet was opened in Chinatown in 1955 by Mr Chan Chak Poey.

Rather than make a trip down to one of their three retail outlets, you can buy premium bird’s nest, abalone, tonics and powder blends from their online store.

Visit their online store here: https://www.99sme.sg/thye-shan-medical-hall-pte-ltd/

2.      Yikowei

Established in 1983, Yikowei (一口味) has been serving up homemade traditional Chinese pastries lovingly made with the best ingredients. Get their traditional pineapple tarts freshly baked from the oven and delivered to your doorstep.

Visit their online store here: https://www.99sme.sg/yikowei/

3.      Nam Shiang & Co

Established in 1942, Nam Shiang & Co has grown to become a leading exporter and distributor of housewares in East Asia. They carry a wide range of quality household products and housewares from established brands all over the world, catering to individual home users, F&B businesses, and other corporations.

Visit their online store here: https://www.99sme.sg/stores/nam-shiang-and-co./

4.      Coffeehock

Coffeehock has established itself as a household name in local coffee and tea manufacturing, ever since it started its business in 1997. Known for its great taste and quality, you can find Coffeehock products being retailed in local supermarkets, convenience stores and minimarts.

Craving for a taste of local kopi or teh from the coffeeshop? You can now easily purchase Coffeehock coffee and tea beverages, such as the Signature Coffeehock Coffee-O Kosong, 2898 Coffee Powder and 2 in 1 Teh-O Ceylon teabag from its online store.

Visit their online store here: https://www.99sme.sg/coffeehock/

5.      Fu Wah Department Store

Having been in Bedok for the past 30 years, Fu Wah Department Store is a well-known household name in the neighbourhood. Like a typical neighbourhood mama shop, the store sells anything and everything that you can think of, ranging from cosmetics, beauty, hair, fragrance, healthcare, to slimming products.

Visit their online store here: https://www.99sme.sg/fu-wah-department-store/

99%SME for Small and Medium Businesses

Are you a local Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) like some of the businesses featured above? Jump on the bandwagon now and reach a wider audience effortlessly by selling online with 99%SME. 99%SME is a campaign started by DBS and Singtel in 2015 to help small and medium businesses to go digital. It has since gained tremendous traction and helping Singapore SMEs go places.

Here are some of the fantastic benefits of joining 99%SME:

Benefits of Going Digital With 99%SME

Get started effortlessly with online sales

99%SME is a comprehensive ecommerce platform that allows you to get started with selling online in 3 easy steps. All you have to do is to register for an account, upload your products, select your payment and shipping options, and you are set!

Reach a wider audience with the 99%SME platform

With a common platform to showcase products and services, customers browsing through the eMarketplace for great deals can discover your business. Customers can also use the location-based feature to search for SMEs near them, making your business discoverable to people around you.

Get 90% subsidy and extensive support

If you are ready to bring your business further into the online space, you can get 90% subsidy when you hire a digital professional matched to your business. As a 99%SME participant, you will also get to be invited to free training and seminars offered by DBS Academy and various partners.

99%SME is completely free to join

99%SME is completely free to join – there are no strings attached!

Join as a seller on 99%SME now!

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