You Must Stop Buying Items Just Because They Are Cheap

Do you ever purchase items that you do not need just because they are cheap or on sale?

Many of us do! If you adopt this hobby, it can easily get out of hand. Prevent yourself from spending on indulgences by regaining self-discipline with these 5 tips:

SHOP FOR WHAT YOU NEED

Previous studies have shown that people who overspend are craving for the surge of the feel-good hormone called dopamine. They associate this hormone to shopping for items while they are on sale. It is okay to give in to what your heart desires every once in a while as long as you are in control. However, you must regulate your shopping habits if you are overdoing it.

A bargain deal such as Lazada coupons can be a great score but, not if you have not intended to buy the item in the first place!

CONDUCT AN INVENTORY CHECK

I can still recall the moment when my mother came home with bag of groceries in her hands. Inside the bags were bathroom supplies such as shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste. It dawned on me that she picked up the same items merely four days ago. She says it slipped her mind. Well, she is not alone!

It is common for people to buy new items because they cannot remember what they already have or they cannot locate them. I am not limiting this scenario to the items in your wardrobe as it is applicable to household products, car tools, and so on. A neat solution is to conduct a monthly inventory check to filter out what items are worn out, ill-fitted, and useless. You can toss or donate these items afterwards.

SPEND ON QUALITY

Clothes and other products that are of quality lasts longer and are usually more comfortable. Think about it! Cheap clothes are not entirely cheap as time passes. Mediocre items made with thin materials and poorly sewn ensembles wear out faster than quality ones. Furthermore, it requires time to replace and repair them. Consider spending your hard-earned money on few good things than, in loads of rubbish things.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

USE WHAT YOU BOUGHT

Whether you want to admit it or not, you use your most valuable items the least. You want to protect your precious item for as long as you can. I do too!

When I got my hands on the iPhone 6s last year, I played with it for a few hours and kept it safe in my cabinet. I relied on my iPhone 4 for so long that I jumped several generations when I bought the said device. Can you imagine how happy I was to explore the new iOS features and to savor the larger screen? Despite my satisfaction, I still preferred using my iPhone 4. I adored the new device and I did not want to spoil it immediately. A couple of weeks passed and I came to realize the irrationality in my actions. I bought this device for a reason and I must use it!

Use your priced item to maximize its value. Dissatisfaction can only lead to buying cheaper knockoffs or settling for less.

WALK AWAY CONFIDENTLY

Shopping eats up a significant portion of time. Sometimes, you may feel like your trip to the store was wasted if you do not purchase anything. This is why boutiques and online stores employ strategies to draw shoppers in for a long period of time. But, you must not fall for this! Purchasing something unnecessary makes is more wasteful than spending your time on window shopping.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Remember that it is alright to walk out of the store and buy nothing.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Surefire Ways To Waste Your Money On Technology

NOT CONTROLLING YOUR DATA PLAN

You are totally wasting your money if you cannot handle your data usage well. Fortunately for the large-scale telecoms, you are not alone! Millions of people around the globe overpay for their postpaid plans because they underestimate their usage in messages, in minutes, and in bytes of data.

Overuse of SingTel and StarHub plans may appear to be a wee affordable at first but, all of these fees add up. For Singtel users, excess local 3G data is charged up to S$10.70/1 GB and excess data beyond the bundled plan is charged at S$0.50/100 KB. While StarHub 4G users get to pay S$10.70/1 GB in excess. Paying over ten dollars is costly especially because almost every place in Singapore offers free Internet connectivity.

This is why you must think of clever ways to handle your data. Firstly, change your settings to Wi-Fi instead of using 3G/4G network all the time. It will not only save you money but also preserve your battery.

Secondly, analyze your mobile phone billing statements for the past few months and average each factor. Select a postpaid plan that is best suited for your needs. Lastly, upgrade your data allowance for just S$9.90 per month! Singtel’s latest DataX3 add-on triples your data allowance. Learn more by clicking here.

DOWNLOADING USELESS APPS

Ohhh! I cannot quantify the times I downloaded apps that I soon deleted. Do not worry too much about me as these are all free. However, there are some people who spend their hard-earned money on useless apps such as the “Fan Cooler™“. It does not hold true to its claim as  an efficient cooling system for your iPhone and iPod devices. The user by the name of “Reavell2” encapsulates it in one review: “Total rubbish don’t spend .99 cents!”

Do not get me started with other apps that claim to pour beer or to make ridiculous sounding ringtones that you will only use once.

PURCHASING 3D TELEVISION

Fantasizing of watching a great film like “Train to Busan” in a theater-like setting at home?

Few people turned that fantasy into a reality when they purchased a 3D television that includes 3D glasses, lifelike images, vivid colors, and three-dimension effects. The price for this unique set rangers from S$2,800 to S$14,999.

Let me wheel you in on a little “secret”, 80% of the 3D TV owners in United Kingdom regretted their purchases. This is why it is best to do extensive research on the latest technology before buying it.

BUYING STANDALONE GADGETS

Christmas is fast approaching! This means that sales will sprout from now until the coming months. As much as possible, avoid purchasing a standalone gadget. Standalone gadgets is a category that refers to the devices that has one function only. In this category are the likes of media players and point-and-shoot cameras. Chances are, the person already has a powerful smartphone or tablet that is packed with features.

Do not waste your money on standalone gadgets unless the person requests for the it specifically. Just imagine if you are about to spens S$564 for your siblings who asked for the GoPro HERO4 Silver Edition Camcorder!

PAYING FOR EXTENDED WARRANTIES

Most digital experts agree that extended warranties are a complete waste of your money. If your laptop has a problem, it will most likely present itself within the first few months. You may also approach your company’s IT personnel first before hiring the services of the repair shops.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As you read in the above scenarios, it helps if you are aware of your spending habits. Avoid making unnecessary purchases that are meant to fill your emotional void by questioning your cash-flow. The less you surrender to your pointless wants, the less financial resources will be affected!

Sources: 1 & 2

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6 Budget-Friendly Ways To Select Clothes Like A Fashion Editor

1. STICK TO SIMPLICITY

Simplicity translates to sophistication in most cases. The simpler and sleeker the clothing article is, the better. This is why you must 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.

2. AVOID GATHERED SEAMS

Manufacturers prefer gathered seams as they are more forgiving and can fit the majority compared to smooth seams. To seem that you bought your clothes from a high-quality store, shy away from pieces that have gathered seams. Select pleats and sharply tailored garments instead. I once spotted a lovely S$10 pleated skirt at Bugis Street.

3. GET THINGS TAILORED

Having your jeans tailored for about S$5 or S$8 is worth every buck as it can transform your poorly fitted S$13 Forever21 jeans into a seemingly designer piece. It goes the same for a tailored blazer or a tailored jacket.

While you are shopping, look for uncomplicated garments as they are cheaper to tailor. Another alternative is to make basic stitches on your own by using this helpful post.

4. LOOK FOR RAW LACE

I am your typical “girly girl”. My wardrobe is filled with floral blouses, form-fitted skirts, and other feminine pieces. This is why I am absolutely fond of lace. The only problem with an outfit covered with lace is that it can look inexpensive.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Lace made by the machine can appear flat and flimsy. Try to stick to tops and dresses that use lace only as an accent. Look for lace that seems raw, uneven, and delicate.

5. FAVOR THE MONOCHROMATIC

Wear one hue or color from head-to-toe because splashing yourself with every color in the rainbow can look cheap! For example, you can wear the different shades of black (i.e., Jet-Licorice) to look slimmer and more stylish. Monochromatic clothing creates an illusion of supreme quality.

Although, this does not mean that you will avoid experimenting with color all together. You may suit up with bold pastels or deep jewel tones and still look as regal.

6. GO FOR THE CLASSIC

Classic pieces such as black pencil skirts and white cocktail dresses have a timeless charm. If you are going to spend your hard-earned money on a wardrobe, wear articles that you can style for years to come.

Even InStyle‘s Special Projects Editor (who has been a fashion editor for decades) highlighted her adoration for the classic. She once stated this: “my big investments are all classic shapes. No crazy one-off trends such as culottes, designer sweatshirts, or 1970s-inspired fringed jackets.”

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

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7 Ways To Secure Your Online Transactions

With the modern convenience to shop and transact online, comes the great responsibility to protect the users privacy!

Providing information for your online activities can put your identity and your wealth at risk. To avoid this, you must be informed, cautious, and vigilant at all times.

1. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

One of the easiest ways to protect your sensitive information is by being sensible about where you transact. Do not input your details in public where people can intentionally or unintentionally view your screen. This may sound obvious for most but, it is not for some! I have witnessed some people who gave out their credit card details while calling their creditors on the train.

It may be extremely convenient for you to close a transaction while on your way to work, but think about the people who might be catching a glimpse over your shoulder.

2. CONTROL YOUR AUTHENTICATION AND PRIVACY SETTINGS

Maximize the use of your privacy settings by using two-factor authentication. Often used in online banking, two-factor authentication involves “what you know” (e.g., 8-digit password) and “something you have” (e.g., verification code sent via SMS). This way, people will have a difficult time to break through your walls.

3. SPOT UNUSUAL TRANSACTIONS

Just because your bank is known worldwide because of its sophisticated security does not mean that they are 100% free from errors, frauds, and glitches. It is important to watch out for any unusual transactions both on virtual and physical statements. Call your bank immediately if you spot anything fishy.

4. KNOW THE OFFICIAL DOMAIN NAME

When you are receiving emails from banks or online shops, always check the attached links’ domain name. This can be a tad tricky as some scammers use a slightly different domain name to trap the vulnerable consumers.

Hence, you shall be familiar with the official domain names ass well as the URLs of your banks before processing your transactions. The moment that you find anything wrong, call them directly.

5. SECURE YOUR BROWSER

Search engines, especially those with big names, track your search history and build personalized profiles to provide results based on your search history. To escape from this “filter bubble”, you must switch to a search engine that does not track your every move.

Emphasizing on protecting the user’s privacy, DuckDuckGo is always my go-to safe search engine!

6. DO NOT CLICK THE RANDOM LINKS

Before clicking any links that will re-direct you away from the online bank or shop, verify its legitimacy first. Always think twice even if the message comes from a familiar place. The same goes routine must apply when you receive an email from any financial institutions.

7. UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE REGULARLY

Aside from backing up your data, it is vital to update your software regularly as latest security patches minimize the threats of bugs, viruses, and other malwares. Increase your shield by using free programs that scan your computer for bugs, viruses, and other malwares that come from external sources.

Image Credits: www.wikihow.com

Image Credits: www.wikihow.com

Shielding yourself when transacting online takes focus and dedication, but it is definitely doable. May the “7 ways” mentioned above give you a head-start to better cybersecurity!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Newbie’s Basic Guide To Smart Shopping

1. BATTLE BETWEEN NEEDS AND WANTS

If you want to be a smart shopper, it is important to stick to what you need to buy and what your budget permits. Knowing the difference between a perceived deal and an actual deal is also a must. For instance, you find a studio that offers 80% off their Pilates classes, but you have no passion for it, then you are still wasting money if you purchase the deal.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT CREDIT CARD

Committing to smart shopping entails a credit card that has the best rewards. By that I mean, you must find the best card that aligns with your purchasing habits. For instance, if you intend to save more on flying then get a frequent flyer miles card. To each your own cards match.

3. GET OFF THE ELECTRONIC MAILING LISTS

Most of the stores especially those that are online makes you give out your email details. This can break your savvy shopping strategy. Being a newbie, you may not be able to resist the urge to shop once you learned about the deals available, so it is recommended to unsubscribe from the mailing list right away. This simple change will eventually break the bad habits.

4. STICKING WITH THE MONEY YOU HAVE

If you cannot trust yourself with the responsibility of holding a credit card, then stick with cash and debit card. It is best to spend the money you already have rather than to swim in a pile of debt. You may allocate a portion of your budget per month to a category called “shopping money” so you will be sure that you always have money to spare.

5. FREE SHIPPING IS NEVER FREE

Free shipping is usually offered in more expensive items and by comparing prices you will find out that an item at a lower price is much cheaper with shipping included!

Image Credits: Yoel Ben-Avraham via Flickr

Image Credits: Yoel Ben-Avraham via Flickr

So, when a website offers a free shipping minimum, it is smart to shop what you need and observe if your virtual shopping cart has reached the minimum. This not only gives you a chance to see the prices go up and down to fit your desired budget but it also gives you a chance to save even more money.

6. LOOK OUT FOR DISCOUNT COUPONS AND DEALS

Online shoppers need to know this. Why pay full price for your cart when you can save even more with discount coupons? There are many aggregators out there that offer coupons and deals for online shopping. These sites help benefits customers by giving them varied discount coupons and choices in their shopping experience, by leveraging our relationship with merchants.

For example, shoppers can easily save up to 70% with a promo code for Zalora that can be found on Paylesser.com.

 

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