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5 Expert Money Saving Tips

It is the beginning of a new journey entitled “2015”. There is a long way ahead and the worst is behind us. The future looks so much brighter! As you lay out your plans for the New Year, why don’t you take on the important goal of saving money?

Here are 5 Money Saving Tips from the Experts…

1. GET POSITIVE MOTIVATION FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Bob Weinschenk, the CEO of “SmartyPig.com”, believes that saving money is a group activity in many cultures. By sharing your financial goals to your trusted partner, family or friends, they can be able to support you and even donate a few bucks. Having someone by your side that share the same goal will surely motivate you to continue this positive saving behavior.

Image Credits: Ken Teegardin via Flickr

2. TAKE THE SHOPPING DEALS ONLY IF YOU NEED THE PRODUCT

Donna Freedman, a writer for “Get Rich Slowly” and “Money Talk News”, said, “Coupons plus sales can easily tempt you to buy something you don’t truly need”. Do you really need to buy a bulk of toothpaste just because you have coupons and vouchers for it? Simply, when you see an item on sale think deeply if you will purchase that item on its original price.

3. LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS

Purchase within your means by balancing what you need and what you want.

Miranda Marquit, the founder of “Planting Money Seeds”, highlights that by knowing that you have enough purchasing power may turn into comfortable spending without keeping the best options for your finances. So, just because you can afford something, does not mean that you should buy it.

4. THINK TWICE WHEN BUYING PERISHABLE GOODS IN BULK

Jeff Yeager, the author and host of “The Cheap Life”, said “it’s not a good deal if it goes bad before you use it”.

This is why he stresses the importance of making a shopping list and sticking to it.

5. LASTLY, LEAVE YOUR CREDIT CARDS IN THE HOUSE

Stacy Johnson, the President of “Moneytalksnews.com”, said, “we’re more likely to overspend with pieces of plastic than real money”. Personally, when I shop, I only carry cash that I am willing to spend so I won’t go over budget. This prevents impulse buys.

Sources: Reader’s Digest and GoBankingRates

5 Ways to Shop for Healthy Foods Without Spending Too Much

It is no secret that buying organic and healthy foods is more costly than buying junk. But, if you are willing to shop smartly, then you can enjoy the goodness and freshness of organic foods without breaking your food budget. Here are 5 Ways to Shop for Healthy Foods Without Spending Too Much…

1. Purchase Within Your Family’s Needs

Buy stocks of food to fit your whole family. Usually, to save more money, you will want to buy in bulk, but, not if you are a family of three or two. Rethink your family’s needs and list it down.

2. Shop Around

In order for you to find the best price in town, you must shop around different stores. Besides supermarkets, you can search for healthy foods in specialty stores, Gourmet Delis, Wet and Dry Markets, and even Online. For instance, you may go to two different stores to save money and buy the best product: one for the vegetables and one for the sea foods.

Image Credits: epSos .de via Flickr

3. Shop in Season

You will definitely save more money if you purchase the organic produce that is in season. Price always lowers when there is greater supply. Summer and fall are usually the best times to go creative with your food choices.

4. Grow Your Own Food

Growing your own food is organic at its finest. If you do not have a backyard or an apartment balcony there are community gardens for you to plant your own seed. Aside from being domestic, you can also save more money if you buy produce of the local supermarket’s brand (e.g. Mixed Vegetables by FairPrice).

5. Go Gaga over Greens

Kale, arugula, and spinach are some of the most nutritious and affordable foods you will find in a grocery store. As the color of the vegetable gets darker, the more nutritious it is because of its antioxidants and beta-carotene. If possible, buy the leafy greens that are not pre-packed because they are cheaper.

Image Credits: Amazing Almonds via Flickr

BONUS TIP! Stay on the outside aisles of the grocery store because the further you go inside, the less healthy it becomes. That is all for now. Have fun shopping!

8 Interesting Facts about Money (Saving Tips Included)

Did you know that being too relaxed might lead to overspending? Well, that along with 8 other Interesting Facts about Money may just help you save more. Plus, these facts can be really good conversation starters!

1. MONOPOLY MONEY> REAL MONEY

It is a fact that more Monopoly money is printed each year than real money printed throughout the world.

Image Credit: Sy Clark via Flickr

(Source: FactSlides)

2. MICROTEXTS ARE PRINTED THE BACK OF SINGAPORE’S 1000 BILLS

Did you know that the entire lyrics of the national anthem are printed in the microtexts on the back of the S$1000? It certainly is micro to make all the text fit. Awesome!

(Source: Monetary Authority of Singapore)

3. ALL GOLD IN THE WORLD CAN FIT A TENNIS COURT

All the discovered gold in the world will be able to fit a court of 62 feet and 82 feet on each side. Imagine a whole tennis court covered with gold bars!

(Source: Forest, C., 2009)

4. THE FIRST CREDIT CARD WAS CREATED OUT OF EMBARRASSMENT

Interestingly, the first Credit Card was created because of a man’s embarrassment who had to pay for dinner but forgot his wallet. It surely is a shameful moment especially when you have a date with a pretty lady.

(Source: FactSlides)

Image Credit: 401 (K) 2012 via Flickr

5. NEWER IS BETTER

To save money, fill your wallet with new money. Research showed that you are less likely to spend bills if they are smooth, crispy and new.

6. HIGHER DOMINATIONS WILL EQUAL TO LESS SPENDING

Another way to save money is to stack up more bills of S$100 and S$1000 because research has shown that people are more likely to spend smaller bills, and are reluctant to spend bills in higher domination.

7. BEING TOO RELAX LEAD TO OVERSPENDING

According to the study by Columbia Business School, when people are placed in a calming environment (i.e., classical music with comfortable chairs), and when they feel extremely relaxed, they overspent by 15%. So, it may be best to walk up the escalator or do simple exercises first before shopping.

8. SOME FONTS CAN SAVE MORE PRINTER INK AND TONER

If you want to save money on printer ink or toner, one thing you should do is to change the fonts that you use for printing. Century Gothic, Ecofont, Garamond, and Courier are some of the fonts that naturally use less ink.

(Source: Ehow)

Do you want to learn more? Here is a colorful infographic by Daily Infographic that you can share to your friends! Or, do check out other Money Digest articles.

6 Ways to Save Money as a Triathlete

Combining running, swimming, and biking gear expenses…some people spend more in competing for Triathlons than others. If you will adopt these 6 Simple Ways, you may significantly lower your financial expense of training and joining in triathlons.

1. EXPLORE YOUR CHOICES

Don’t just rely on the sports shops in the malls that sell Triathlon gear, also explore good prices in the Internet such as: Bike Plus Singapore, Ebay, Amazon,Treknology Bikes 3 Singapore, and Carousell. Online stores have sales and clearance of their last year stocks where you can save money. It is important to shop around, and compare prices before purchasing to get the best deal.

2. REGISTER EARLY

Take advantage of the lower early-bird fee for Triathlon events. If you wait for the last minute, then you will have to pay more! Also, choose races that fit your budget and capacity.

Swim/Bike/Run by bradleypjohnson via Flickr

Image Credit: bradleypjohnson via Flickr

3. SHARE YOUR TRIATHLON RESOURCES

Share your Triathlon books and other racing magazines with a group of friends. What’s more? The Internet is full of free training videos and tips that you may repeatedly watch in the convenience of your home. You may also watch it on hand phone anytime and anywhere!

4. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TOWN’S SPORTS FACILITIES

You may train your swimming skills in the Town’s swimming stadium, which costs about $2. Another great and cost-free way to train your cycling and running skills is to park hop across the lush greeneries of the Park Connector Network.

Park Connector Network connects all the parks in North East, East, North, South, West and Central Region. You can download the walking trail or cycling trail here.

5. SAVE ON TRAVEL EXPENSES BY CAR POOLING

With the price of gas and taxi fares, consider car pooling together with others to the Triathlon events. Enjoying a chat before the race will help you calm your nerves.

6. LASTLY, DON’T BUY THE UNNECESSARY

For instance, there’s no reason to purchase a swimming cap because every time you register for a Triathlon, they will most likely give it to you for free.

Aside from renting a bike in the racing venue, you may covert your road bike into a Tri bike. Do this by making a few position adjustments, and by adding aerobars and aerowheels. You didn’t have to buy a new bike plus you save more money!

Image Credits: Jimmy Harris via Flickr

There are more ways to save money as a Triathlete (e.g., making your own hydration drink), you just have to be diligent, clever, and resourceful!

7 Awesome Christmas Gift Ideas Under $50

Christmas is just around the corner. While searching for the perfect gift, keep in mind that you must also be financially-savvy. You may be tempted to go over your budget since this holiday only come once a year. But, your gifts need not to be expensive to make your loved ones smile! Here are 7 Awesome Christmas Gift Ideas under $50.

FOR THE WANNABE FIT FRIEND
US$29.95 or S$39.53. Buy it here.

The Wake up Workout Alarm Clock is the perfect gift for that person who wants to lose weight, but is too lazy to get up the bed. This alarm clock only shuts off after you have done 30 reps of consecutive bicep curls. The dumbbell-shaped alarm clock has a countdown timer on one side, which counts the number of reps you have done. Even the motion sensors inside can detect how many bicep curls you have done only if you swing it right. So, it will be really hard for you to cheat!

Wake up Workout Alarm Clock via GadgetsandGear.com

FOR YOUR FASHIONISTA SISTER
S$12.90. Buy it here.

Since the Coachella Music Festival, the trend has been leaning towards the gypsy or bohemian style. This Jeweled Hair Decor by H&M will surely make your sister stand out from the crowd. Don’t worry about its fitting because its silver chains have an adjustable length up to 63 cm.

Jeweled Hair Decoration via HM.com/sg

FOR THE ON-THE-GO MOM
S$29.90. Buy it here.

Busy moms who are always stressed with tight deadlines need pampering too! With this Wild Argan Oil Beauty Bag by The Body Shop, your mom will feel beautiful from head to toe. It is consist of an Argan Oil shower gel, body butter, body scrub—all imported from Morocco. Best of all? The cost of youthful skin won’t hurt your wallet.

Wild Argan Oil Beauty Bag via TheBodyShop.com.sg

FOR YOUR PHILOSOPHER DAD
S$21.86, Outliers Book. S$21.83, Tipping Point Book. Buy it here.

Indulge your deep thinking dad with the best-selling books by Malcolm Gladwell. Personally, I recommend the “Outliers: Story of Success”, and the “Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference”. Not only will he thank you for this interesting read but it will change his view of the world too.

FOR YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE
S$42. Buy it here.

Nothing beats a custom-made gift such as a Personalized Name or Word Necklace from MyLittleBow shop. You may use his or her nickname, your secret code or your term of endearment. It will make your girlfriend, boyfriend or best friend feel that you have really thought of them. Orders take about 3 weeks to be ready, so be sure to place your order early!

FOR YOUR COFFEE/TEA LOVING BOSS
US$14.95 or S$19.73. Buy it here.

This heat sensitive battery mug glows green once you pour hot beverage on it. Then, the battery turns black once your coffee or tea is cool enough to sip. The battery will also appear empty once you’ve finished all of its contents, and it’s time to refill. Your boss will surely appreciate this thoughtful reminder.

Battery Mug via GadgetsandGear.com

FOR THE PROUD SINGAPOREAN
S$20, Badges. S$22, Canvas Totes. Buy it here.

The Little Dröm Store sells Badges and Canvas Totes for several types of Singaporean. From the Precise (Zhun zhun guni hoon), to the Champion (Kiasu), and the Composed Singaporean (Steady Pom Pipi), this store has it all for you! The badges are available in 16 different designs, which you may check out here.

Kan Cheong Spider Badge via TheLittleDromStore.com

While, their totes (fits A4 folders) are available in 8 designs namely: Stylo Milo, Siao On, Jiak Gan Tang, Steady Pom Pipi, Chop Chop Curry Pok, Kan Cheong Spider, Kiasu, and Huat ah. These adorably designed and hilariously clever badges and totes will make you feel closer to home.

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