Lifestyle Archives | Page 41 of 59

Money-Saving Fashion Resolutions You Must Keep

1. RECYCLE MORE OFTEN

You can recycle your gorgeously patterned old clothes by sewing it into pillowcases or teapot covers. On the flip side, you can accept mint condition hand-me-downs from family and friends especially those who have baby clothes or infant toys. Do not be too picky! These said items are not utilized a lot since babies grow significantly every day anyway.

2. REFRAIN FROM USING CARDS

A surefire way to save money while shopping is to leave your credit cards at home. Only bring the substantial amount of cash you saved up for rewarding yourself. By doing so, you will only be purchasing things you actually afford!

3. GO BACK TO THE BASICS

If you are aiming to make your affordable clothes appear lavish, it is best to go for the basics and to avoid handbags or clothes that are filled with bargain embellishments or distressed denim patterns. If you want to accessorize, opt for a thick bracelet rather than stacking three little ones to increase the outfit’s impact. Remember: the sleeker and simpler – the better.

4. GET FIT

No! This does not involve spending countless hours at the gym. Instead, it involves purchasing the fitting size for your blazers, bras, hats, and so on

Purchasing the right size entails not having to exchange or return the product. Thus, it will save you effort, time and money. Take advantage of the sales employees who are happy to help you as you fit. Once you found the best size and brand to your physique, become a loyalist (e.g., join their loyalty card program) to enjoy discounts and other perks!

5. DRESS IN MONOCHROME

Since splashing yourself with every color on the rainbow can look cheap, wear one shade or color from head-to-toe. This creates an illusion of supreme quality. For example, you can wear the different shades of black, from Jet-Licorice, to look slimmer and more fashionable.

6. SHOP AT THE RIGHT PLACES

Shopping at the right places brings value to your buck! For instance, if you find yourself blessed with a baby this 2016, consider purchasing stylish and inexpensive maternity and nursing clothes from online shops such as Mummy’s Secret and My Little Angels Maternity. Mummy’s Secret, with a price range of S$9.99-30, offers a wide array of youthful-style clothing line that is as cute as those sold in Korean or Japanese shops.

http://www.99ms.com.sg/maternity/maternity-wear

Image Credits: 99ms.com.sg/maternity/maternity-wear

While My Little Angels Maternity offer diaper bags and infant wear with socks as low as S$2.90!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

5 Books Every Inspired Entrepreneur Shall Read

A good portion of your business decisions are usually influenced by personal experiences. However, as a budding entrepreneur, you will be able to grow by seeking the knowledge and advice of the successful people before you. What better way to start than by reading books that can inspire you?

That said, here are “5 Books Every Inspired Entrepreneur Shall Read”:

1. THE EFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE BY PETER DRUCKER

For Peter Drucker, an effective execute gets the right things done. To do so, he identifies the five practices that are essential to the business, namely: setting right priorities, managing time, making effective decisions, knowing how and where to deploy strength, and choosing what to contribute to an organization.

Image Credits: facebook.com/UnleashUrBiz

Filled with insights and perspectives into seemingly obvious scenarios, this book has been inspiring people for over 45 years.

2. TRIBES BY SETH GODIN

In this book, Seth Godin argues that with our modern world, everyone has the opportunity to start a movement and to bring a group of like-minded people together. He refers to this fanatical group of people as a tribe. Examples of tribes are those who follow the latest offerings of Apple and Starbucks.

Image Credits: facebook.com/tribesbysethgodin

According to him, if you are an entrepreneur who wishes to have a loyal following, a great tool to use is the Internet. Furthermore, he highlights the importance of uniqueness and fulfilling unmet needs to the overall growth of the business.

3. THE INNOVATOR’S DILEMMA BY CLAYTON CHRISTENSEN

“The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail” is a bestselling classic by the businessman and Harvard professor – Clayton Christensen. This book comes from the idea that businesses will decline innovations based on the assumption that consumers cannot currently use them. Thus, these potentially great ideas only go to waste.

Image Credits: facebook.com/HBR

By knowing this dilemma and using it to your advantage, you can be able to beat other businesses in their own markets.

4. TO SELL IS HUMAN BY DANIEL PINK

In this fascinating read, Daniel pink offers a fresh perspective at the science and art of selling. Although you may not consider yourself as a salesman or saleswoman, all entrepreneurs must understand how to sell and this book teaches you how to. It breaks down the stigmas about salesmanship and manifests the uncomplicated strategy for moving others.

Image Credits: facebook.com/ToSellIsHumanTheSurprisingTruthAboutMovingOthers

5. CREATIVITY, INC. BY ED CATMULL AND AMY WALLACE

“Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration” is one of the small amount of prime books about creative leadership and business. It is filled with meaningful insights about what develops, drives, and sustains an innovative culture.

Written by the Co-founder and President of Pixar and Disney Animation Studios Ed Catmull with the help of a journalist named Amy Wallace, this interesting read is a must not only for entrepreneurs but also for business leaders!

Image Credits: facebook.com/CreativityIncBook

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

3 Ridiculously Expensive Purchases Feeding Singapore’s Materialistic Urges

In 2012, a study published by Singapore Management University showed that female university students who were locals were significantly more materialistic than their American counterparts.

Living in the most expensive city in the world, it is inevitable to equate one’s stature to one’s wealth. The validation we get from other people while flaunting our expensive items is flattering at first but it is harder to maintain in the long run.

Instead of inciting envy, how about you focusing on improving your self-worth by avoiding these ridiculously expensive purchases:

1. DESIGNER BAGS

There is no better way to wear your “wealth” than by carrying a bag that screams costly designer price tags wherever you go! While you may feel excited, happy, and satisfied the first few months, you will soon be craving for a new one to widen your collection.

With the ever-changing fashion trends, is it really worth spending over S$4,000 on a mini Chanel bag? For me, making new experiences with your loved ones while traveling overseas is a better way to spend that pile of cash.

Think about it. You have to strictly save up and resist temptations as this huge amount of money equates to about 2 months of your salary (in reference to the average wages of Singaporeans)! Sporting your sleek Chanel bag may display your “high status” but the preoccupation to limiting your daily expenses can cause long-term unhappiness.

2. JEWEL OF PANGAEA

Do you want to experience an extravagant cocktail at one of Singapore’s most luxurious nightclubs? If you answered yes then, you have to fork out about S$32,000 to experience the “Jewel of Pangaea”. The Jewel of Pangaea consists of vintage Krug, Richard Hennessy cognac, smoke-infused sugar cube, and 1-carat triple X diamond from Mouawad.

The renewed mixologist prepares the shining jewel garnishing over foamy liquid of gold in just 45 seconds. 45 seconds – the short amount of time it would take to flush your S$32,000 down!

3. 3D TELEVISIONS

Dreaming of a movie theatre-like experience at home?

Few people turned that dream into reality by purchasing 3D television that includes 3D glasses, lifelike images, vivid colors, and 3D effects. In Singapore, the price for this set ranges from S$2,800 to S$14,999.

Knowing that the majority of the owners (i.e., almost 80%) in United Kingdom regretted their purchase…will you still buy one for the sake of showing off your extravagant television to others?

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Avoid making ridiculous purchases that are meant to fill your emotional void by questioning your buying habits. Also, be grateful for what you have. The less you give into the unnecessary wants, the less financial and natural resources will be impacted!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Here’s How You Can Effectively Earn Cash Through Facebook

Facebook is one of the strongest social media platforms that have been dominating its competitors with over a billion users worldwide. It presents a great opportunity for business and people like us to generate money in the comfort of our own home.

To begin, here are 4 ways you can make money through Facebook:

1. SELL YOUR STUFF

Social media, defined as websites or applications that enable the users to share content and to network, allows daily access of many consumers…all over the world. With this knowledge, you can supplement your Facebook post with a Facebook Ad.

For example, you may clean up the clutter in your closet and find the things that you deem to be unused or underused and sell them to your friends and family through a creative Facebook page. Treat it as your virtual “garage sale”!

Alternatively, you can turn your hobbies (e.g., baking cakes or making soaps) into your home-based business.

2. USE SOCIAL INFLUENCE TO INCREASE SALES

Aside from directly selling on your Facebook page, you can redirect the post to a website that you own. This is a revolutionary idea that the 20-year-old Koby Conrad embraced. He owns an online shop called Hippies Hope Shop that sell unique items such as ring bracelets, crystal necklaces, hookahs, wood incense, and hippie clothing.

Because of consulting and mentoring, Conrad was introduced to the power of social media. He markets his items and receives traffic to his shop just by posting them on a Facebook page he runs called “The Hippy Bloggers.” With a Facebook page that has over 150,000 likes, he now runs a small business and taking on investors. Remarkably, this millennial is now living off Facebook!

Image Credits: facebook.com/TheHippyBloggers

3. GET PAID FOR ANSWERING FACEBOOK SURVEYS

Yes! You can get paid for your opinions that you are otherwise putting out there for free. If you are the type of person who is decisive and opinionated, try completing paid surveys offered by companies, universities, and other industries.

On the flip side, if you are the researcher, you can tap a massive focus group and reward them after by using SurveyMonkey and Facebook. Gather feedback from a wide range of people and enable them to share the survey easily by using SurveyMonkey’s Facebook Collector on your personal page or SurveyMonkey’s Web Link Collector on your fan page.

4. JOIN AFFILIATE PROGRAMS

Big companies and websites offer affiliate programs that pay you for your advertising efforts. Most of these affiliate programs provide you with marketing materials (e.g., link-backs or promotional banners) and pay you depending on how much traffic and sales you generate. In other words, this is a commission-based activity.

For instance, you can either take up Amazon or Qoo10’s affiliate program. Amazon offers a competitive affiliate program that pays you a percentage of sales after a person makes a purchase through your Facebook post. Simply follow these instructions.

While Qoo10 Curator Affiliate Program gives you 2% of the total sales amount if the item is sold due to your curating efforts. And if the item is sold due to your advertising efforts, you will receive additional rewards that are set by the sellers. The best thing is that you can join this program with no minimum traffic numbers and no initial fee! Simply share items, promotions, and others posts in social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Image Credits: facebook.com/Qoo10Singapore/

Click here to know more!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

4 Incredible Rags To Riches Stories

These people came from merely nothing but now they have a whole lot of wealth than the average person. Taking the leap of faith and believing in themselves led them to profit through adversity.

Without further adieu, here are four inspirational rags to riches stories:

1. HOWARD SCHULTZ

Raised in a housing project in Brooklyn, Starbucks’ Howard Schultz was a son of a struggling truck driver. Despite their poverty, he excelled at football. Fortunately, this earned him a scholarship to the University of Northern Michigan.

After finishing tertiary education with a degree in Communications, he worked for Xerox Company before discovering a small coffee shop called Starbucks. Filled with his love for coffee, he soon left Xerox and focused on becoming the chief executive of Starbucks.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

As of today, his net worth amounts to US$3.2 billion (S$4.5 billion).

2. JOHN PAUL DEJORIA

As a first generation America, John Paul DeJoria and his immigrant parents had it tough from the start. His parents divorced when he was just 2 years old. By age 9, he and his brother began selling newspapers and greeting cards in order to support their family. Life did not come easy soon after as he lived in a foster home and become a part of a street gang.

Thankfully, he graduated secondary school and spent two years in the United States Navy. After which, he held numerous jobs ranging from a janitor to an insurance salesman. In 1980, things changed. He teamed up with Paul Mitchell and turned a US$700 loan into a hair-care company called John Paul Mitchell Systems. Now, it is known worldwide as the Paul Mitchell hair products with estimated annual revenue of US$1 billion (S$1.4 billion).

He is also the co-founder of the famed tequila company called “The Patron Spirits Company”. Currently, his net worth amounts to US$3.1 billion (S$4.4 billion).

3. ANDREW CARNEGIE

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.

4. OPRAH WINFREY

One of the most recognizable faces in the world definitely did not grow up in a pool of luxury. American media maven, host, producer, publisher, actress, and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey was born in the Mississippi with her teenage single mother. She experienced hardships during her childhood such as being raped at age 9 and becoming pregnant at age 14. Unfortunately, her son died in infancy.

But these struggles only strengthen the young Oprah as she entered the halls of media in her first job as a newsreader in a local radio station. Later on, she got a daytime talk show in Chicago. The rest was history.

Persevering through life and diversity earned her a net worth of US$3.2 billion (S$4.5 billion)!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5

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