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There Is A Fine Line Between Frugality And Cheapness

Frugality and Cheapness are seemingly the same but are entirely different personas.

DEFINITION

According to freedictionary.com frugality is costing little why cheapness is being stingy. In order to analyze these two terms better, here is a concise list:

FRUGALITY

a. Taking advantage of great deals, promotions, or sales while planning for purchases.

b. Delaying gratification and pleasure to make huge purchases or decisions.

c. Does not obsess over brands.

d. Does not sacrifice the quality of the object because solely of the price.

CHEAPNESS

a. Being cheap affects the quality of life as well as everyday interactions.

b. Basic needs are of lesser quality than the norm.

c. Does not binge shop when one has money.

d. Will sacrifice the quality of the object just to by the cheapest one.

Simply, when you are willing to wait for the promotions on Singapore Airlines in order to get the best deal and good quality of flight then, you are frugal. But if you are refusing to spend more than S$150 on a ticket even when it is not feasible then, you are cheap.

TWO PRIMARY DIFFERENCES

There are two observable primary differences between frugality and cheapness. Namely:

1. FRUGAL PEOPLE MAXIMIZE THE WORTH OF THEIR MONEY AND TIME; CHEAP PEOPLE MAXIMIZE SAVING MONEY REGARDLESS OF THE COST

For instance, your group of friends decided to spend the weekend at Bali.

A frugal person will use various money saving strategies in order to build up a fund for future huge purchases or decisions. He or she may opt for in-house water at restaurants, packing lunch for work, and limiting buying new clothing in order to save up for a weekend at Bali. While, a cheap person will skip the trip all together until someone pays for his or her travel.

2. FRUGAL PEOPLE USE VALUE WHILE CHEAP PEOPLE USE PRICE

Say you are grocery shopping.

A frugal person will use accumulated coupons and purchase items that are only on his or her shopping list. On the other hand, a cheap person will highly decline to spend more than S$90 on a week’s groceries even though it is not sufficient for the whole family.

Image Credits: Paul Swee via Flickr Attribution-NoDerivs

With all this in mind, you can now ask yourself: “Do I want to be consistently frugal or just plain cheap?”

Sources:1,2 & 3

5 Things That Are Far More Important Than Money

Hustling through the most expensive city in the world, it is impossible not to get consumed with making money. We sacrifice our time and energy just to make sure that all the bills are taken care of. A lot of focus is really on building wealth in our society. But if we are mindful about the present, we will realize that there are far more important things than money. Start with these:

1. GOOD HEALTH

As the old saying goes: “health is wealth”. As long as the fountain of youth has not been located, our brain and body deteriorates as time goes by. Although we are aware of the benefits of physical activity to our health, most of us do little of it. So, instead of getting consumed by earning, lead a healthy lifestyle packed with exercise and balanced diet.

2. TREASURED TIME

If there is something money cannot buy, it is absolutely time! Time is one of the most important commodities on Earth. It is limited. And, once it is gone, you cannot take it back. Adding health into the equation, if you have been living with an unhealthy lifestyle then your time may be shorter than the rest. This is why you must make every second count.

3. APPRECIATED RELATIONSHIPS

Since our time here is limited, we must constantly put effort into making our loved ones feel that they are appreciated. Show affection by your presence, hugs, and kisses. Help one another in the time of need as this will only keep the bond stronger. Furthermore, one’s overall health is improved by continued support from his or her family and friends.

4. WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE

William Shakespeare once said: “A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

Wisdom comes from the knowing how minute you actually know. Submitting yourself to updated books and new experiences can fuel the lifelong learning process. Be amazed with how much knowledge you gained, often far beyond what you had hoped. Ultimately, this will lead to personal growth – another thing that money cannot buy.

5. DAILY GRATITUDE

Thankfulness increases happiness within you and beyond you. Instead of focusing on what you do not have, be appreciative of the things that you have. Before you go to sleep or the after you wake up, think of 3 things you are thankful about. This changes your focus from your stressors to the beautiful things that you might have taken for granted.

Image Credits: Evelyn Lim via Flickr with CC License

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

How To Not Go Over Budget While Traveling

After working tremendously for a year, a vacation is a well-deserved reward. However, it is easy to become complacent and carefree over your budget. Going over board your budget when on a relaxing getaway is simple, but there are many ways to save money too! Here are just some of them:

1. DO PRIOR RESEARCH

The places you can go to heavily depend on your travel budget. For instance, if you have a considerable amount of money then, go to Europe than limiting yourself to Southeast Asian countries. Choosing an affordable destination that is suited to your travel budget is the first step. Do your research by comparing the accommodations, activities, transportation, and food costs of two preferred countries. Then, narrow it down to one.

2. IDENTIFY YOUR BUDGET

Once you know where to go and how long you are going to be there, you need to figure out how much your travel budget is. Start by identifying how much your spending will be per day. Include unforeseen expenses as well as food and travel costs.

3. BE SMART IN GETTING CASH

If you are still torn between two countries, compare their exchange rates. Sometimes, they make the largest difference. Since some of the foreign exchange centers have poorer rates, it is better to get the currency at the airport or at the ATMs (e.g., in Taiwan and France).

4. SET ASIDE MONEY FOR EMERGENCY

Speaking of unforeseen expenses, it is necessary to prepare for unforeseen circumstances too! If you have travel insurance then, this is only secondary. Money for emergency is important but try not to use it unless the situation absolutely requires it. You have to stick to your travel budget as much as possible!

5. SAVE ON FOOD

There is a greater chance that the breakfast from the hotel is expensive. So, it is better to walk out the door and find a nice local cafe in the mornings. You can immerse yourself to the place, the people, and the culture better by trying their local cuisine. Keep in mind that locally made food and beverage are often cheaper.

Alternatively, you may cook for yourself. Cooking in a new environment, even on a vacation, can be fun!

Image Credits: Nicole Abalde via Flickr Attribution-NoDerivs

Sources: 1 & 2

The Cost-Effective Dos and Don’ts for a Healthy Weight

Singapore was crowned the healthiest country in the world in 2012 by Bloomberg and has been ranked among the top 10 healthiest countries in the world in 2015 by 24/7 Wall St. Singapore’s obesity rate standing at 6.2% is among the lower rates globally, and exceptionally low compared to its healthiest counterparts. So is there a magic formula? Probably not. Must you necessarily break the bank to attain an ideal weight? Absolutely not! In fact, beverages laden with more calories tend to be pricier than the low-calorie counterparts!

According to the Institute of Medicine, an adequate intake (AI) of fluid for men is roughly about 13 cups (3 liters) a day while that of the women is about 9 cups (2.2 liters). Consequently, the effective management of one’s fluid intake would significantly affect one’s body weight. Therefore, here is a list of dos and don’ts that may help you to shed some extra flab and achieve your desired weight using natural yet economical ways. However, do consume the liquids on the side of the dos in moderation as there may be unwanted side effects.

Credits:

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-the-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/appearance/calories-in-alcohol

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/14/sugary-beverages-calories_n_1595014.html

http://authoritynutrition.com/coffee-increase-metabolism/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/calories/faq-20058100

http://authoritynutrition.com/green-tea-and-weight-loss/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/344373-lemon-juice-hot-water-for-weight-loss/

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/weight-loss/weight-loss-myths-will-drinking-lemon-water-help-you-lose-weight.html#b

http://www.menshealth.com.sg/weight-loss-nutrition/bursting-bubble-tea-fad

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/14/sugary-beverages-calories_n_1595014.html

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=561652

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

http://chealth.canoe.com/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=4996&channel_id=44&relation_id=48476

https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/tea-green

4 Highest Paying Jobs That Introverts Can Excel On

A common misconception of introverts is that the dislike socializing. Contrary to the popular belief, introverts are drained by social interaction. Many introverts can socialize easily…they just prefer not to. So, as long as the job does not require tons of socializing face-to-face then, it is suitable for an introvert.

In fact, certain jobs that require extensive research and great listening skills are better off with introverts. That said, here are a few of the highest paying jobs that introverts can excel on:

4. COMPUTER PROGRAMMER

Average of S$47,399 per year

It is common sense that one of the most in demand jobs today is computer programming. Diving into computer programming requires knowledge on Computer Science or Information and Technology. It involves lifelong learning of the constant evolving technology and coding. As a computer programmer you will spend countless of hours in front of the computer while having minimum real-life interaction.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Average of S$47,642 per year

With the overflowing dependence on digital technology, businesses all over the world had been hiring social media managers to enhance their marketing strategies. All you have to do is to spend most of your time online with minimum real-life interaction. Visual interaction is done through answering the feedbacks of Twitter followers or Facebook fans. Having your own nest at home while earning money makes this job perfect for introverts!

2. STATISTICIANS

Average of S$53,238 per year

Statisticians are focused on the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of quantitative information. Rather on contemplating about the conversation topics, they rely on numbers for small talk. This job is rewarding for introverts, not just because they are paid well but also because they are mostly immersed in spreadsheets and equations alone.

1. GEOSCIENTIST

Average of S$120,000 per year

Interestingly, the highest paying job on the list allows more interaction with the environment than with people. Geoscientists can specialize as geophysicist, geochemist, hydrogeologist, geologist, and sedimentologist. Learn more about this introvert-friendly occupation, here:

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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