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The Secret Habits of Financial Savvy People You Must Adopt

Some people struggle to make ends meet while others succeed in their finances. Have you ever wondered why? The answer may be a combination of different factors that play a significant role and one of them is repeated behavior. An individual’s repeated behaviors or habits are learned from young and affects the person’s decisions in the long run.

So, understanding the value of money and being taught at an early age to save your allowance, watch your spending, and note down your expenses can really boost your finances throughout your life. As the saying goes, old habits are hard to break. Without further ado, here are the Secret Habits of Financial Savvy People That You Must Adopt…

1. WATCH YOUR SPENDING

The first step is to be aware of your spending patterns and exactly how much you are spending per month and per annum. This will help you decide how much you shall save and help you to highlight the unnecessary expenses.

Recording all your expenses, no matter how big or small they may be, can help you plan your budget wisely. Find the perfect (and Free) money management app for you here.

Lastly, stop buying useless stuff that you do not need. Rethink if buying overpriced coffee rather than making your own coffee at work saves you more. Instead of buying lunch, pack your own lunch for at least 2 months. It may seem simple, but these unnecessary expenses add up.

2. SET SMART FINANCIAL GOALS

Develop a habit of financial goal setting to know where you are going and to plan how you can get there. Write down your financial goals with a witness (e.g., spouse or a close friend) and contemplate the monetary milestone you would like to accomplish in the next 2 to 5 years. Track down your monthly progress.

This habit is practiced in businesses that have quota system or in fundraising events, but it surely works for personal finances too!

3. ACCOUNTABILITY AND INDULGENCE

In most cases you must you shall practice the habit of being accountable and owning the responsibility in your spending. Be accountable of your spending by managing it and by following your financial goals. It is an important habit if you want to maintain consistency and progress.

Image Credits: TaxCredits.net via Flickr

In order for a habit or a behavior to be repeated, it must be rewarding. Set aside at least 3-5% of your income to a category called “incentive or shopping money”. I personally do this through the envelope budgeting system (learn about it here). Giving yourself a well-deserved treat after the whole month’s work will surely keep you going.

10 Rules of Success from 19th Century’s World Richest Man

Who would have thought that a Scottish American with barely a dollar to his name would soon be the richest man in the world?

Andrew Carnegie migrated to the United States with his low-income parents in 1848. He then started to work as a telegrapher. 10 years later, he had investments in railroads, bridges, railroad sleeping cars, and oil derricks. Then, his wealth increased further as he worked as a bond salesman.

He became the world’s richest man in 1901. Aside from having a high profile, he was also a philanthropist. This is the reason why he gave away about 90% of his fortune (US$350 million in 1919 = US$4.7 billion in 2015) US to charities by the time of his death.

Image Credits: wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Carnegie

CARNEGIE ON WEALTH

Andrew believed in using his wealth to help the lives of others and enrich the society. In 1889, he wrote an article entitled: “The Gospel of Wealth” that preached his belief of good will. It stimulated the wave of philanthropy.

This is one of his memos:

“Man does not live by bread alone. I have known millionaires starving for lack of the nutriment, which alone can sustain all that is human in man, and I know workmen, and many so-called poor men, who revel in luxuries beyond the power of those millionaires to reach. It is the mind that makes the body rich.”

CARNEGIE ON SUCCESS

His philosophy go beyond wealth. At the height of his career, a young journalist named Napoleon Hill reached out to him to get insight about success. Andrew Carnegie instilled the “10 Rules of Success” to Hill and it has been the foundation of much of his work.

Here are the “10 Rules of Success” that you can use in your daily lives. These are laid out in Hill’s book entitled: “The Science of Success”:

1. Define your purpose.

2. Develop a “master-mind alliance” and expand your resources.

3. Take the extra mile.

4. Practice the “applied faith” and believe in yourself.

5. Have personal initiative.

6. Indulge your imagination and creativity.

7. Exert enthusiasm.

8. Think and judge accurately.

9. Focus your effort on the task.

10. Profit from adversity.

Sources: Business Insider, Wikipedia

Important Things You Must Know About Money And Happiness

The aged old question of “Does Money Buy Happiness” has been puzzling the minds of many over the past decades. A current research by University of British Columbia and Michigan State University showed that while more money decreases sadness, it might not increase joy.

The researchers named Elizabeth Dunn, Kostadin Kushlev, and Richard Lucas said: “having more money provides more options for dealing with adversity”. Hence, wealthier people may feel a greater sense of control on a difficult situation that poorer people.

1. MONEY RELATIVELY INCREASES HAPPINESS FOR SOME PEOPLE

Princeton researchers released a study in 2010 showing that happiness increases as the income increases until US$75, 000. After this certain point, it plateaus. It is due to the fact that stress and financial difficulties get harder and harder as your income descends in the five-figure realm.

Image Credits: Aaron Patterson via Flickr

For those who are struggling to make ends meet, making more money generally increases happiness. But, once a person has enough money to provide for the family and oneself, more money doesn’t lead to increased happiness.

2. YOU CONTROL THE EFFECT OF MONEY ON YOUR HAPPINESS

Having a balanced life, being able to practice your hobby, and volunteering certainly increases happiness. If you apply these ideals to money, you can generate happiness.

Studies show that you will get more satisfaction if you spend your cash towards memorable experiences such as vacations than towards material things such as a new table. Likewise, lending out possessions can help you enjoy the material things that your money bought.

3. DOES OWNING MORE AND ACHIEVING MORE MAKE YOU HAPPIER

If more money comes at a cost of more responsibility and heightened stress in the workplace, then that person will not experience added happiness. Owning more or shopping more only increases happiness for a short run. Spending more on others generates more happiness than splurging on you.

4 Highest Paying Jobs That You Can Get With A Business Degree

One of the most sought after degree is Business Administration or any related Business course. If you desire to succeed in business, you shall not only focus on your grades but also on your networking both before and after you graduate.

Resources and connections play a huge part especially in the business world. Being able to keep in touch with your fellow graduates will help a lot.

Looking into the Highest Paying Jobs for Business Majors, I found a research by Monster.com and PayScale.com. Monster.com is an online global employment solution for people seeking jobs and for the employers who need the right people while PayScale.com provides salary data from its online database.

4. MEDIA SUPERVISOR

Average Salary: US$70, 800

Media Supervisors are usually found in the advertising or publishing field. They oversee media researchers, consumers, and planners to make sure that the right tone of ads appears on the social media, newspapers, radio, and TV shows. Their goal is to maximize the company’s media budget in the most productive way.

3. REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

Average Salary: US$71, 200

Regional Sales Managers are found in computer systems design, management, technical consulting services, agriculture, construction, health, pharmaceutical, and medicine manufacturing department. They develop goals and quotas, analyze staff sales, and manage training programs for the staff.

2. SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST

Average Salary: US$74, 500

Senior Financial Analysts are found industries such as banks, computer systems design, commercial equipment wholesalers, and security affairs. They are in charge of analyzing the data that affects the companies’ investment and other financial programs.

1. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Average Salary: US$82, 500

Topping the list are the Business Development Managers. Business majors in this line of work take advantage of business opportunities either by optimizing current revenue streams or creating new ones. They identify key partnerships, research information on consumers and competitors, and understand the industry’s landscape.

Image Credits: SmithGreg via Flickr

Popular industries that cater to Business Development Managers are consulting services, electronics and appliances stores, research and development services, and computer systems design.

Source: Monster.com

How to Make Money Without Working Too Much

Do you find yourself short of cash but too lazy to find a day job? Well, here are fast and fabulous ways to earn money without working too much…

1. SELL YOUR PHOTOS

Just got home from an overseas vacation? You can still live up the holiday vibe by going through your camera and scanning through your gallery. Pick the ones that you could sell to photo agencies and libraries. Once you find them, go to Fotolia and sell them online.

Image Credits: Mac Qin via Flickr

Fotolia houses more than 20 million cheap or free images, vectors, and videos. It is targeted for publishing and marketing projects.

2. HOUSE-SITTING

Get paid by watching over someone else’s house. It is literally sitting in their house watching YouTube on your handphone instead of doing it on your own home without getting paid for it. You can find house-sitting ads in Gumtree.sg.

3. EARN BY SHOPPING

Sign up for credit cards that have a rebate scheme that fits your needs. For instance, UOB SingTel Card has up to 4% rebate on your SingTell bills while HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card can earn you up to 5% rebate on petrol. Get a list of Singapore Credit Card and its rebate here.

4. OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR OTHERS AND REIMBURSE IT

Once you get the rewards or rebate card, offer to pay for others then reimburse the money. For instance, if you are going to Hawaii with your friends, offer to book their flights too. This way you’ll earn more rewards or rebates than you could on your own, without spending extra cash.

5. JOIN FOCUS GROUPS

Tired of everyone else ignoring your opinion? Then join a focus group and earn cash or gift cards.

Image Credits: Michael Coghlan via Flickr

This is just sitting in a room full of a small number of people talking about the stuff you like and do not like. Submit a resume or a profile with a marketing company and they will reach out to you personally. You may join an online or local situated focus group. Try Inspired Opinions or Gumtree.

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