How To Plan A Wedding Without Getting Fired

For many people, planning a wedding can be a time-exhausting task. It can feel like you are taking another full-time job on top of your current one. Do not fret just yet!

Proper organization, delegation, and time segregation can keep you sane throughout the planning process. Not to mention, you will still be able to keep your beloved job!

ORGANIZATION

To keep the boat afloat, organization is the key! You can either organize your wedding tasks traditionally (i.e., using paper and pen) or digitally (i.e., using computer software and apps). Traditionally, you must keep your wedding tasks and calendar in one notebook. Do not forget to give your partner a copy! Fortunately for you, you can easily update your partner or your wedding squad by creating a digital file.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Go digital to enjoy the ease of accessing your wedding tasks while you are at work or while you are on the go! Google Drive, its computer software and its phone app, is a good option to seamlessly keep everyone on the wedding planning loop. Remember to use your personal email when getting back and forth with the suppliers and other people. You do not want to use the company’s email to complain about your supplier!

DELEGATION

Whether you like it or not, your career should remain your top priority during the wedding planning process. As such, you must turn to your friends and relatives for help. Treat wedding planning similarly as a big project in the office. Delegate wedding tasks to your wedding squad and provide everyone with a clear description of what they are responsible for. Pass the tasks that you know they will be great! Then, keep the communication lines open to review their works.

It is more efficient to split the delegation with your partner by creating a wedding checklist that includes proposed deadlines. These deadlines will help you to accomplish everything on time.

TIME SEGREGATION

Time management begins by scheduling your couple calendar according to your wedding tasks. This way, you will know you set aside the necessary time to tackle important matters. Moreover, you will be able to set your phone’s alarm to keep track of everything.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Now, let us go to your downtime. Maximize the time you spent on commuting or relaxing by setting appointments with your wedding suppliers or by finalizing some details. It is better to search Facebook or Instagram with a goal in mind!

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Not Waste Your Money On Valentine’s Day

How can Singaporeans express their love in the sexiest way on Valentine’s Day? Well, they can do the seemingly impossible feat of spending less and saving more.

Enjoy a fruitful experience without breaking the bank using the following tips.

COOK FOOD AT HOME

For the first time, my significant other has offered to cook for me on Valentine’s Day. It is a sweet and intimate gesture that maintains his frugality as well. Much like him, you may offer to make a limited edition menu together. It is better than braving any crowded restaurants or bars nearby!

Excitement starts with planning your favorite indulgences as one. If you have no time to spare, you may have the food delivered to your doorsteps. However, please prepare the table setting and reconnect over that. What a great way to end a nice evening!

OPT FOR THE NON-TRADITIONAL

Who says Valentine’s Day can only be celebrated through expensive romantic excursions and gifts? There is no reason to settle for the traditional route. It is fancy and overly hyped. Instead, you may do something that is out of the ordinary.

Visit museums, parks, or zoos (e.g., Jurong Bird Park with tickets starting at S$30 each). These options are fun and less expensive. You may also go for a lunch date instead of a dinner. Lastly, skip the cinema by watching a movie at home. I am talking about Netflix and Chill, baby!

CHOOSE THE FLOWERS RIGHT

Taking a leaf from the traditional book is the giving of flowers. When choosing a stalk or a bouquet of flowers, you must look for the ones with tight buds.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

It is your job to look for flowers that do not “look good” at the moment. You see, they will blossom in a few hours and will stay that way for the days to come. In contrast, flowers whose buds are already opened will only last for a day or two.

REPLACE THE DUDS

When it comes to giving gifts on February 14, you must choose the best! Do not be afraid to take items back to the grocery store whenever necessary. You do not want to cook pasta with expired tomato sauce!

Moreover, you may ask to replace some of the flower buds that seem dull. If you have taken all these advice and they die early, you may want to request for a replacement.

DO NOT PAY FOR CHAMPAGNE

Many people cannot tell a good booze from a bad one. So, why bother? Expert Dawn Sandomeno suggests, to “keep the cork on the Champagne and pop the Prosecco”.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

For those who are not familiar with its origins, Prosecco is a sparkling white wine from Italy. It know for being not too sickeningly sweet. Much like your love, I suppose. A glass of this starts at S$10 in our local bars.

Sources: 1 &2

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5 Ways to Have A Luxury Romantic Vacation

Right after getting married, you both want to explore the world with love.

You might have decided the list of places you want to visit with your spouse, but she might not have agreed on some locations she doesn’t like, or she visited already. So, in this situation you both better have a detailed meeting and create a list of places you both want to explore.

The next concern that would raise its head is how you both can make your honeymoon full of life and romance; this is not even the hard nut to crack because we have got 5 ways to make your trip luxury and romantic.

1. Make Sure It Is Heartfelt
Your enchanting trip should be heartfelt for both of you. What this means is, if you really want to visit the Andes and discover about the Atacama people, but she doesn’t like it, then don’t try to make that your romantic journey.
Find a thing that is going to be special for both of you.

One reason why you’re together is actually that you share similar likes and dislikes on some levels. Find all those parallels and search for a special experience that can complement those.

You can experience some adventures in your own state or area. Therefore, you don’t need to make a huge investment decision to go somewhere exotic. You can easily create that unforgettable, enchanting trip and save your valuable money.

2. Research Online
Search engines like google today is a great source to find destinations. In past times, you would have to get in touch with a tour operator or go to the local library to find details about vacation spots. Today, you just visit google.com, type in the search terms for example “romantic places in Singapore” and click the search button.

You can easily search for some romantic vacation trips in your neighbourhood or even find a location that is thousands of miles away. You can also find the best prices for each trip depending on the distance and facilities provided by the tour operator.

The online world can certainly help you define your choices based on your capacity to pay, exactly where you wish to go, and what you want to do.

3. Increase Your Savings
If you want to go outdoor next year, then you better increase your savings now. By putting away a modest amount of money regularly, you’ll have the ability to pay for a truly passionate getaway without having to be concerned about expenses. You really want your adventure to be unforgettable with romantic, happy memories, but not with nerve-racking anxieties about how exactly you’re planning to pay for every little thing.

Most of the couples spend a lot in the local parties and outings. Well, if you want to go somewhere away from your world and enjoy the different and adventurous experience then saving money right after your marriage will be the best bet for you.

4. Gear and Equipment Are Important
It is best to buy the right travel equipment and gear while you leave for your first adventure, and most of the other items that you may need must be in your luggage as well.

Most of the sites provide a list of important items which are needed mostly for some places around the world. For example, if you are heading to Bali, then bringing some bikinis, colourful beach hats and beach sandals will be the necessary items.

You are a newly married couple, and you don’t want to leave a formal touch in your dressing the way you were both in your wedding function. Well, trust me, that would look awkward. You don’t have to dress up formally when going out for the trip, just think about some easy to wear and easy to carry stuff. Go for small sized things such as travel outfits or footwear, baggage, accessories; all are available in the market specifically designed for backpackers or travellers.

5. Spend Money on Experiences but Not on Material
Do not forget that your experience is a lot more important than what was bought. So, spend on your special experiences during the romantic trip instead of concentrating on buying the things.

A honeymoon trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you don’t want to lose it. Saving right after you got married counts a lot because it is a common rule of nature that responsibilities start knocking the door when it comes to managing a happy married life. There will be a long list of basic expenses, and you may never make your trip happen later in your life.

Just make your getaway a thing you’ll both remember. You will certainly be thrilled to do another one.

 

 

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How To Balance Your Busy Work And Blossoming Romance

No one ever said that cultivating a successful career is easy. Throwing the element of romantic relationship into the mix may make things more challenging. But, you can survive it!

SET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT

Many Singaporeans choose to shift all their resources to professional aspirations. There is nothing wrong with that. But, isn’t it more fulfilling to share your promotion with someone special?

For those of you who agreed, consider prioritizing both your work and your relationship. Prioritizing one thing over the other does not entail that you have to sacrifice entirely. It just means that you have to commit to temporal adjustments. Start by building a strong ground for both your professional and romantic life. When your employer and your significant other understand that they are mutually valuable, disruptions when priorities shift may not be a problem.

STAY UPDATED

The capabilities of social media are not limited to sharing adorable cat videos to your friends. Its primary purpose is to reach out to the people whom you care for. Allotting a significant amount of time at the office in unavoidable. It is a part of your responsibility as an adult. However, ruining your relationship because you are occupied by your job is avoidable.

Spare at least five minutes to write a sweet message to your significant other via Facebook. You may even send a quick video on WhatsApp. Or, you may call each other before going to work. Simple gestures can make your partner feel appreciated, wanted, and loved. Furthermore, having someone’s support makes it easier to get through a busy day.

SPEND YOUR TIME WISELY

Managing your time is a crucial factor in creating a work-love balance. Personal issues can be avoided with a little forward planning. Let say that your career exhausts much of your time as it demands you to work long hours. As much as possible, plan a weekend getaway with your beloved. Do you fancy staying at these affordable and Instagram-worthy hostels in Singapore?

After this much-needed staycation, you will come back to the office energized. Spending your time wisely may show that you are both devoted to your career and your personal life.

STRENGTHEN YOUR FUTURE

More often than not, people stay committed to each other because they see a brighter future ahead. I am distinctly referring to couples who are in long-term relationships. Financial stability is important in strengthening the future that you want to build. Although the fantasy of winning the Singapore Pools Toto is attractive, but it can become a barrier to accomplishment.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

It is time to bring a reality check! Take serious steps toward financial stability. Write down your financial goals together and discuss your monthly expenses. Be aware of each other’s financial situation and current income.

Sources:  1 & 2

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Bad Money Habits That You Need To Drop When In A Relationship

Maintaining a healthy relationship with your significant other entails stabilizing the disposition of your finances.

Read thru this article to know how bad monetary habits can potentially harm your relationship. Furthermore, you will get an idea on how to conquer these habits.

#1: AVOIDING FINANCIAL CONVERSATIONS

A healthy long-term relationship is built on trust and transparency. As things get serious with your partner and marriage becomes a viable option, consider discussing about finances. You need to resolve your potential spouse’s money problems before it is too late.

Fully disclosing about your financial circumstance to your partner can be uncomfortable at first but, you have to at least try. Tell your partner about your outstanding debts, financial obligations, income sources, and other assets. This will make you empathize with each other more. From time to time, do not forget to check if your goals are in lined with each other.

#2: STICKING TO YOUR OUTDATED BUDGET

Improve your financial state this 2017 by establishing a robust budget. The budget that you created when you were single may be efficient, but you are now budgeting for two. Being in a committed relationship means that you have to take on more expenses with more resources. Begin by studying each other’s spending habits. Then, trim down unnecessary expenses after compromising. You may also adapt the budgeting techniques of your partner.

I, for one, allocate a small portion of my income to date nights. Let us face it! We belong in a generation where it is acceptable for women to split the tabs with their dates. Give this new perspective a chance as a loving relationship is a two-way street.

#3: LOANING YOUR VACATIONS

I know how much travelling can ease the stress of a hard working Singaporean. However, consistently deducting your romantic vacations on your credit card can take a toll on your wealth. Spending money that you do not have is a dangerous habit to possess. Imagine the arguments that boil down due to the frustration of not being able to meet up with the outstanding debts. This is why you must cultivate a travel fund in advance.

#4: SKIPPING THE BUDGET FOR GIFTS

According to the internationally-acclaimed book by Gary Chapman, there are five ways to express your love to your partner. These five ways include gift giving, quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, and acts of service. Understanding your partner’s love language will help you to strengthen your bond.

I am only going to focus on one love language – the gift giving. For people who place importance on the tangible symbols of affection, it is important to remember your special dates. You are bound to celebrate various occasions together such as anniversaries and birthdays. Not to mention, Valentine’s Day is coming up soon. Is your wallet ready?

It is a good idea to allocate a budget for gifts before buying one. Otherwise, you have to face budget trimming and other financial woes.

#5: KEEPING A MONETARY SECRET

Secrecy is rarely beneficial to a relationship. Research showed that 1 in 10 people considered breaking up with their partners upon the discovery of a financial secret. Millennial participants were even less forgiving as reaped a figure of 1 in 5. These numbers convey how secrets can strain a “loving” relationship.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The impact of keeping a monetary secret depends on the couple’s income, the item purchased, and the frequency of purchases. Another significant monetary secret is having a stash for escaping the relationship. Having undisclosed assets and secret bank accounts can affect the level of trust given by your partner. The primary source of damage is not money on its own, but it is the unpleasant habit of concealing the truth.

Sources: 1 & 2

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