life hacks Archives | Page 23 of 29

Premier Websites To Place Your Ads For FREE

Are you a budding entrepreneur with a minimum budget looking for an affordable website to post your Ads in Singapore? Or, do you just want to buy pre-loved designer goods for a cheaper price? Lucky for you, Free Classified Ads online can serve you best!

Online Classifieds are a good choice as these are cost-effective, convenient to relay contact, visible to a large-scale of consumers, and the advertisers are able to edit a listing anytime.

1. STCLASSIFIEDS

Owned by the Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. (SPH), STClassifieds (previously called ST701 Shops) had been a favorite of many Singaporeans since 2007. It is a great online platform for buying and selling goods and services including baby items, cars, domestic services, electronics, appliances, properties, and more. You can view the price, seller’s photos, condition, seller’s name, category, and the contact information. If you think that it is a suspicious content, you can report it by clicking “report abuse” on that specific Ad or Listing. What’s more? It is free to upload unto 10 images so, you can really get the best angle of your product.

2. GUMTREE SINGAPORE

Renowned as Singapore’s Number 1 Free Classifieds Site, Gumtree Singapore is well known for providing good classified services with one of the largest visibility. They offer user-friendly functionalities that is both available online and on the mobile app. There are many categories to choose from such as Furniture, Fashion, Mobile, Property, Jobs, and Services. The Ad lets you show the description, photos, date listed, price, condition, address, and your contact information. You may view the Ad’s visibility by looking at the number of visits below. The best thing is that, you can post for free without having to make an account! Aside from Singapore, Gumtree has a widespread of reputation in other countries including United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Poland, and Hong Kong.

3. SGADSONLINE

For a simplistic interface that does not require a tedious login process, SGADSONLINE, is the choice for you. It displays the Ad’s photos, price, visits, date of posting, Ad’s expiration date, description, and a choice to post the Ad on other social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter.

4. CRAIGSLIST SINGAPORE

An even more simplistic website is one of the oldest classifieds portals in the world called Craigslist. Established in 1996, Craigslist provides services for more than 70 countries including sunny Singapore. With its easy to navigate website, a newbie can easily get the hang of posting an Ad within seconds! Furthermore, due to its simplicity, it loads faster than the other classifieds websites. Adding to the charm of a free posting, you can put as much as 24 images to your Ad and put it on organized categories namely: community, housing, personals, services, for sale, jobs, discussion forums, resumes, and gigs.

Image Credits: Alisha Vargas via Flickr

You can also consider website promotion service to get more visitors to your homepage.

6 Shopping Faux Pas All Should Avoid

1. SHOP ‘TILL YOU “DEBT”

Do not bury yourself in a pile of debt because you cannot live without the new Prada bag. Saving up for a new designer bag or a new car is a better option than having to loan money for it. Seek a balance between your debts and your savings by paying for loans with low interest first. This will ramp up your cash flow (income – expenses) for sure.

2. AVOIDING COUPONS

Couponing is a strategy used by a shopper to pay less in shopping for groceries, tickets, and more. Smart shoppers that are new to the scene may shy away from coupons but once they see the real value of their savings by looking at the receipt, they would realize how great it is. You may get coupons for dining, leisure, toys, pets services, and just about anything at cuponation.com.sg or groupon.sg. Learn more about how coupon works in groceries by watching this video:

3. MISTREATING THE SALES REPRESENTATIVES

Never show off your success or mistreat the salesperson. Instead, treat the sales representatives nicely by smiling and asking politely whenever you shop. That act of kindness can go a really long way. They may even offer you special discounts or tell you when the next promotions are coming.

4. SPENDING MONEY YOU DO NOT HAVE

Having your credit cards handy will only tempt you to shop for more. Say you hid your credit card already but memorized its account number then you may just fall back to a slipper slope. Use precautions such as getting a new credit card to replace the one that you had memorized. Spending the money you do not have can only lead to a pile of dreaded debt.

5. LEAVING PERSONAL BELONGINGS BEHIND

Although this event happened once, I can never forget what I learned. I went inside the fitting room and hung my bag with my wallet and phone inside. As I was going out of the store with my newly purchased dressed, I realized that my bag was not with me. Luckily, living in a country with low-crime rate paved way for my bag to be in tact. Singapore is generally safe but, we can never really say that crimes do not happen. What if I left my passport inside and someone took it? Even a new dress will not make me happy. So, always check your belongings before and after you go inside the fitting room or any place else.

6. BEING CAUGHT BY THE HOLIDAY SALES

Most of us clamor over the holiday sales!

Image Credits: F Delventhal via Flickr

Who can resist a cheap Valentine’s Day greeting card or an oven that retails for 50% off after the Christmas sale? To avoid buying more than you intend, make a shopping list and stick to it. If you are shopping for more than one person then, budget your money by calculating how much you are willing to spend per person.

Opening A Franchise in Singapore? Know These 5 Things First

Starting a business in Singapore cannot only be expensive but also difficult. As Albert Kong, CEO and chairman of Asiawide Franchise Consultants that advised 650 franchise clients in Asia, once said: “Starting a business in Singapore is much tougher than other countries in the region especially when it comes to dealing with landlords and managing employees.”

1. SAVE LOADS OF MONEY FOR FUTURE EXPENSES

You must save for the franchise fee, renovation of the space, rent requirements, raw materials, and employee salary. Regardless of whether you are making a huge profit or not, the franchisor will request a share in your revenues.

For example, the franchise fee for a cafe is about S$50, 000 for a 3-year contract. The renovation costs may hit about S$100, 000 for only a 600 sq ft place. The rent of this 600 sq ft place costs about S$7, 000 a month. Additionally, the raw materials and employee salary for the first few months costs an extra S$100, 000. These costs heavily depend on your franchisor and landlord.

2. EMPLOYEE EXPENSES ENTAILS HIGH COSTS

Employees in Singapore are among the highest paid workers in the world. Not to mention, as an employer, you will have to contribute a given amount to the Central Provident Fund (CPF). Employees can leave you whenever they want and because of it, you will have to spend more resources to hire and train again. To avoid this, layout a 1-month waiver for employees that want to resign.

3. FAMOUS BRANDS ARE THE SAFEST

A household name such as 7-Eleven is your safest bet if you are franchising for the first time. First, the landlord will be more lenient to you as they know the “required look” of the establishment. Second, consumers tend to buy brands that they are most familiar with. In Singapore, the famous F&B franchises are Subway and Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

4. FOLLOW YOUR PASSION

Follow your passion so you do not feel the stress of costs too much especially during the first few months. If you are motivated by your happiness then, you are more likely to succeed in what you do. Furthermore, you may consider franchising a unique business with a popular brand to avoid the competition.

5. BUILD GOOD BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

It pays to have a good business relationship that is open and honest with the suppliers and the landlord so that if disagreement and troubles arise, you can settle it out in a friendly manner.

Image Credits: 드림포유
via Flickr

Sources: Business Insider Singapore

6 Tips That Every Intern Should Know To Succeed

More and more business establishments are willing to hire interns especially because of their youthful digital-savvy nature. If you are preparing for an internship, you want to be as irreplaceable and knowledgeable as possible. Once you get in, you seek respect from your co-workers and employers. Here are some good tips to help your succeed as an intern…

PREPARATION

1. RESEARCH ABOUT THE INDUSTRY

Applying for an internship for advertising? Read Advertising Week or to Google the Heineken commercials as these companies are innovative and creative. Aside that, you must be knowledgeable about the existing advertising agencies in the country. Here are the Top 10 Advertising Agencies in Singapore, research further on what brought their success.

While if you are a planning to intern in finance then, read the Wall Street Journal. Again, here are the Top 10 Finance Companies in Singapore. Focus on the overall industry and a specific topic too. Be the wittiest person in the room on that certain topic.

2. EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY

Most interns are from the younger generation; hence, some employers expect that technology is second nature to you. If not, there is still time to change. You need to understand how social media works or if it is relevant to your industry, study SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tools. Observe what the public wants through media data and recognize the form of medium that is of value to you.

3. SAY THANKS

Always send a gratitude email to the person who assisted you or your interviewer. If you want to take the extra mile then write “Thank You” notes that you can pass onto these people. And when your internship comes to a close end, thank everyone for their help and include what you had learned from them.

DURING

4. ALWAYS SAY YES

Say “YES” to work tasks given to you (although some may be tedious) as they are part of your learning experience. Have tricks up your sleeve by learning how to make a good cup of coffee or tea by searching for it in YouTube or by mastering simple things. Occasionally, ask your boss if he/she needs any help from you. Do your best and do your work quickly. Someday, it will all be worth it.

5. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, ASK

Ask honest questions rather than making assumptions. It is better to ask your boss or superior on how issues are managed. Everybody makes mistakes; the good news is that everything is fixable. If you were respectful enough, people would want to help you and see you improve. But, make sure that you never make that mistake again.

6. BLEND IN TO YOUR ENVIRONMENT

Adapt to the company’s ideal work clothing. If you are in a corporate environment then, it is better to wear long skirts or slacks. While, if you work inn a boutique where you stand and look for product stocks then, it is better to wear flats.

Image Credits: Juhan Sonin via Flickr

There is no right or wrong way to dress for an internship except if the company provides the uniforms. Nonetheless, the best thing for you to do is to wear conservative or non-revealing clothes in the first few days then adjust from there – depending on how your co-workers dresses.

6 Shockingly Free Ways To Be Happier Now

Life is a constant search. Whether it be a special someone, a fulfilling job, or an amazing house…our search often comes with a price. But that need not be. There are more meaning things in life that do not cost a thing. One of it is genuine happiness. Here are 6 Ways to be Happier now (yes! they are all FREE):

1. EXERCISE REGULARLY

I cannot stress enough how important regular exercise is to your wellbeing. Studies have shown that 7-10 minutes of exercise for 5 days every week can improve your productivity and mood. You will not only lose weight but you will also be happier. Here is a 7-min. exercise routine you can follow:

2. HELP OTHERS

See some old clothes that are still in good condition? Save space and money by donating them to those who need it the most. Helping others and giving back can surely boost your happiness levels. You do not have to give fancy things; even giving a no-cost constructive feedback to your classmates can lead to personal academic improvement and happiness.

3. SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Do you want to live longer and pleasurable life? Research showed that people who have strong relationships with their spouse, family, or close friends are happier and healthier. Spend your quality time with your friends and family by a simple picnic with cycling in East Coast Park or affordable museum tours in Singapore Art Museum and National Museum of Singapore. When it comes to your happiness, your dearest friends and family matter.

4. LET GO OF WORRIES, FRUSTRATION, AND RESENTMENT

Dale Carnegie, author of the best-selling book entitled “How to Wind Friends and Influence People”, believed that our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration, and resentment. Address and let go of your worries, frustration, and grudges to lead a happier life.

5. GET OLDER

Fret not that you are beyond your 40s, as you get older, you get happier! This is because older people tend to focus and remember the positive events more and the negative ones less.

As Olivia Munn said: “I think women should start to embrace their age. What’s the alternative to getting older? You die. I can’t change the day I was born. But I can take care of my skin, my body, my mind, try to live my life, and be happy.”

6. SMILE MORE OFTEN

Do you want to make your boss happier? Smile at the customers more to send a more welcoming vibe. Or how about making yourself happier and productive? Smile like you really mean it. Science has shown that people who smile increased their attention and ability to think. C’mon, it is free anyway!

Image Credits: Victor Tongdee via Flickr

We are all in the pursuit of happiness. Try these simple ways – it might just help you. 🙂

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