Various people have an impression that Yoga is expensive or that Yoga is only for the elites.
Compared to a monthly gym membership, perhaps Yoga can be considered expensive. Clothes, mats, and other props can be costly. But, if you prioritize the practice of awareness rather than flaunting for fashion then you may find yourself saving a lot more.
As Yoga teachers, you get to immerse yourself deeper in the practice and its doctrines. You become less interested in wastefulness and more interested in conservation. With that in mind, here are 6 Simple Ways to Save Money as a Yoga Teacher…
Image Credits: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas via Flickr
1. SAVE ON YOGA TOPS
Jessica Matthews, writer on “American Council on Exercise”, suggests that you can wear a simple tank top a fitted and stretchy t-shirt, or a sportswear top, whether or not they were designed specifically for Yoga. An inexpensive top or shirt can be just as comfortable as the designer ones.
2. MANAGE YOUR INCOME AND EXPENSES
In order for you to decide on how much you shall save, first you must be aware of how much you are spending. The typical things you will track as an expense are costs on training, travel, clothing, and books. The challenge now is for you to choose on which expenses you can reduce.
3. MAKE YOUR OWN YOGA PROPS
Abby Lentz, founder of the “HeavyWeight Yoga classes”, shared some Do-It-Yourself Yoga Props.
a. Yoga Blocks
It is possible to make a handcrafted Yoga Block if you have bulky, unused or old books, yellow pages, phone books, and dictionaries. Just slip a pace of hard cardboard halfway between the pages of the book to make it sturdy and tightly tape the entire areas close.
b. Yoga Straps
You can make your own Yoga strap by knotting two neckties together. You may also use a second-hand bathrobe sash from the thrift shop as branded Yoga straps are just made with cotton straps with buckles.
Image Credits: Roy Blumenthal via Flickr
4. PRACTICE AT HOME
Doing Yoga at home along with a video or audio companion is definitely more cost-effective than attending classes. The Internet has an abundant index of Free Yoga videos, health information, and Yoga poses catalog that you may use.
If your studio benefits include free classes, then take advantage of it. Aside from exercising, you will get a chance to study how different teachers conduct their classes.
5. INVEST IN THE BASICS
Two dollars for a mat and a dollar for bottled water may not seem like a lot, but it will quickly add up over time. Instead of buying or renting cheap Yoga mats, invest on a sturdy one that you can use for a couple of years.
Instead of buying mineral water on the studios you practice, buy a cheap water bottle and refill your own water at home. Through these steps, you will not only be able to save money but you will also be able to reduce waste.
6. Aside from saving money on Yoga, you can also save money through Yoga!
Some items are cheaper at certain times. Hence, with planning and knowledge, you will be able to save more money when purchasing throughout the year.
Here are the 11 cheapest things to buy from January to March 2015:
IN JANUARY
1. HOLIDAY ITEMS
Holiday items such as surplus or unused gift cards, Christmas decorations, and wrapping papers are now selling with discount in stores and in the Internet (e.g., eBay or Carousell). Buy now, as their condition and use will remain ’till next year.
2. LINENS AND BEDDINGS
Retailers offer huge discounts on sheets, towels, and blankets in January. But, keep an eye on it all year round, since retailers will put last season’s stuff on sale when new products come out.
3. VIDEO GAMES
Numerous video games go on sale after the holidays are over. Check out Steam and other gaming retailers for discounted prices.
4. COMPUTERS
Image Credits: Stefan Ledwina via Flickr
Like video games, companies offer discounts on older computer models to prepare for the upcoming release of new components and systems.
IN FEBRUARY
1. MOBILE PHONES
Some stores offer hand phone sales or even a buy-one-take-one scheme during Valentine’s Day. It may seem strange but it’s true.
2. WASHER, DRYER AND AIR CONDITIONER
During cold weather months, many appliance stores offer air conditioners at cheap prices. Also, old models of washer and dryers are being sold with good deals.
IN MARCH
1. WEDDINGS
Image Credits: Katsu Nojiri via Flickr
Tying the knot in this month means taking full advantage of the discounted prices on reception venues, catering, and photography. You must always be cautious of the venue’s weather.
2. CHOCOLATES
The surpluses from last month’s chocolates are sold for lower prices.
Image Credits: John Loo via Flickr
3. LUGGAGE
Retailers offer discount on luggage before vacation seasons of spring and summer arrives.
4. GOLF CLUBS
New models are coming out for the summer, so your local golf shops are pushing the old ones out. What’s more? Last year’s gold club models are much cheaper.
4. DIGITAL CAMERAS
Consumer reports and marketing analysis prefers grabbing digital camera in March and April, as sales are the best.
One of the top 10 new year’s resolutions of a million people is to lose significant weight. This may be an ongoing resolution that has yet to happen, therefore the decision to lose weight is becoming more emotional.
Watch free exercise videos on youtube and across the Internet. Personally, I recommend Cassey Ho’s Blogilates as she incorporates Pilates, Yoga, and Cardio workouts. Aside from free exercise videos, the Internet is abundant with free or cheap Fitness Plans and Health Information. So, your only job is to make sure that the website is credible.
2. GO MEATLESS ONCE A WEEK
Nutritionist Rania Batayneh says that a sure way to burn off pounds and to save money is by going meatless once a week. You may substitute meat with tofu, beans, and mushrooms.
3. GROW AND COOK FOOD BY YOURSELF.
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.
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.
Image Credits: Wonderlane via Flickr
5. BUY CHEAP GROUP WORKOUT DEALS
Take advantage of a low-cost workout class if you are undecided and you do not want to spend hundreds of dollars for a gym membership. Groupon.sg is rich with Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, and Boxing Classes that range from $28 and below.
For example, here is a “Four 60 mins. Boot Camp” pass at $19 only! It will not only push your limits but it will also aid you in losing weight. Usually, newly opened gyms or studios give 1-week free trial so you better watch out.
6. RUN, JOG OR CYCLE OUTDOORS
The healthiest way to lose weight is neither crash diets nor starving yourself. But, the healthiest way is the gradual increase of exercise. As you increase the exercise intensity and duration, you will change your own body mechanism in time.
Try walking or biking to work if you live within a few miles. If that is not an option, then skip the elevator and take the stairs instead. Not only will you save on gas, but you’ll burn calories as you go.
Image Credits: Fit Approach via Flickr
7. EXERCISE AT HOME
Stay fit in the comforts of your own home. You may choose to buy bargain workout DVDs or use the resources you already have.
For example,
Use paint cans or bottle with rocks to work on your biceps.
Find a stable bar at home for chin ups.
Or, do sit-ups and push-ups without any equipment.
Image Credits: Jordan Misner via Flickr
You are now looking to the future with hope and expectations. What better investment could you make than with your own health?
Traveling through bus or train is certainly cheaper than owning a car. But, it is not a problem for commuters in Singapore. Singapore is celebrated by its tourists and residents because of its globally efficient public transportation services. If you think this is an exaggeration, you need to experience it yourself.
To further aid your journey, a number of mobile application rose. As you dove into iTunes and Google Play, here are 4 powerful yet Free Transportation Apps in Singapore.
One of the challenges you will encounter if you are traveling in an unfamiliar place is to find out how to get from Point A to your destination. With Singapore Maps, you will know which route to take through bus, car, taxi or MRT. Slow internet is never a problem because you can download and unitize the maps offline!
For someone who is highly reliant on Transportation Apps, this simplistic app is the way to go. Aside from Offline Maps, it also has real-time bus arrival time when you tap the bus stop icon.
SG NextBus, displays the estimated arrival time of public buses (SBS and SMRT) in Singapore. It can not only display the distance of the bus stop from the user but also display a widget that shows the bus arrival time. To start using it, simply tap the bus number to get its expected time of arrival.
If you don’t enjoy busy phone lines and long taxi queues, request taxis right on your fingertips. With the SMRT Book a Taxi app, you can book a cab without even saying your locations to a call agent. Although, booking details to be confirmed at your convenience. You may also add frequent pickup addresses through their “Favorites” feature.
Keep in mind that getting a cab during a heavy rain might be hard so it is best to secure a taxi by tapping the app and by queuing at the same time.
The Land Transport Authority itself developed an app called MyTransport Singapore, to empower the traveling experiences of the nation. This award winning app, allows you to locate nearby bus stops and get its real-time arrival information, dial taxi booking services, determine your MRT/LRT journey fare, and receive notifications about expressway traffics.
Since the government focuses of improvements, you may report road defects through its Snap & Send feature.
Thus ends the list of efficient travel Apps in Singapore. Best of all? All of these can be downloaded for FREE in both iPhone and Android hand phones!
Wouldn’t you want to know where to put your hard-earned money, so it can work by itself? Don’t you want a secure and profitable investment that will bring money in the long run? Well, who doesn’t? But if it was so easy, why isn’t everybody doing it. Because it isn’t that easy and the markets become increasingly unsteady. However, there are certain areas that come close to what you would want to call a safe investment.
Those are areas that are less dependent on the fluctuations of the market. For example – as the world tries to stir towards renewable energy resources, an increasing number of governments are subsidising this particular industry. Hence, the industry grows and becomes more profitable – no matter whether another financial crisis will hit or not. Although nothing is even 100% secure, certain areas of investment are very likely to create profit. Not all are in Europe and North America though.
Investing in Asian markets is nothing new. However, some markets are booming and won’t stop for another decade at least. Singapore is one these markets. This sovereign city-state has the highest concentration of millionaires in the world and therefore plenty of investment power within the country. The construction industry is already booming for over a decade and there isn’t a sign for a halt. Property agents have turned wealthy, as land is being reclaimed and developed with the speed of light.
But there isn’t only property. The government and the Singapore Economic Development Board have opened up the country for foreign investors. The economy is not limited to construction and property, but excels in trade and shipping as Singapore has the busiest port in Asia. Also other sectors, such as technology, tourism and financial services, are welcoming and prosperous. As Singapore’s government stirs the economy towards further development and growth, there isn’t any end in sight for long-term investments.
Another interesting location for investments is Qatar. With the FIFA World Cup 2022 coming up, the investments from within the country are enormous. Qatar is not only investing stadiums and infrastructure, but aims to create a wonderland for tourists, just like Dubai has done. Stocks are being predicted to rise, if not triple within a decade. Different sources recommend the Qatar investment fund. However, there is a bitter taste to the bite. The Arab country has recently been criticised for the unfavourable treatment of their foreign workers. Furthermore, the FIFA is under pressure, due to accusations of bribery during the bidding process and allegations of slave labour. Although the FIFA says a reallocation of the World Cup 2022 will not happen, one should keep it in mind when investing in the Gulf country.
Properties can be in another sense an interesting investment. As certain cities loose their population, others are becoming increasingly popular. Detroit for example has lost half of its inhabitants in forty years. However, there are other urban centres that are already experiencing a scarcity of housing. Berlin for example has a rising demand for housing for ten years straight. The German capital has once been cheap with plenty of living space. Investors have renovated entire neighbourhoods and created upscale living. As the popularity of Berlin isn’t declining, the rents have not only increased, but property has become the hottest commodity in the city. Those who have invested in property early enough have made significant financial benefits.
Similar developments can be seen in various cities around the world. Brooklyn, London, Paris and Amsterdam are only a few examples. Furthermore, due to the housing crisis and the collapse of the international market in 2008 and 2009, the prices for houses and properties broke down. Five years later the prices are slowing picking up speed with the tendency to rise rather than to fall again. An investment in inner city housing and urban property will in many cases be a profitable one.
Barcelona, Madrid, Austin and other cities are becoming increasingly attractive. As the rents there are down at the moment, these cities provide investors with interesting prospects. The prices on the international housing market were terribly bad for a couple of years. As the crisis is passing and most countries are recovering, the prices will go nowhere but up. While the market in some cities might take some time, other city markets are already starting to boom. Furthermore, the trend of urbanisation is speeding up the process. London, however, is no longer interesting, as the rents have become too expensive which minimises the profit margin dramatically.
Up and rising are also leisure and entertainment. Never before have we consumed such a quantity of entertainment. Hence, the technology sector will not just be interesting, but also offer itself as a profitable investment opportunity. Social Media brands and small start-ups, such as Facebook and Whatsapp have in an extremely short period of time generated a large amount of value and money. Many others are following the example. The technology market has grown tight links to the entertainment and leisure industry. Therefore, it will be interesting to watch what is coming.
Surely there are people that keep reminding us constantly of the bursting dotcom bubble. However, investments in technology are profitable now and in the future. The dotcom bubble was an entity in itself – complex and difficult to understand for investors at the time. Through smart phones, iPads and HD gadgets the world has become more receptive towards this kind of technology. All these devices seem to be irreplaceable already – just imagine where the industry will be in only five years.
Furthermore, it is not only leisure and entertainment, but the finance and business world that aim to catch up with the speed of the technology. Entire industries are upgrading – no matter whether medicine, manufacturing or construction. The technology industry offers a wide range of investing possibilities. Brands like Facebook, Google and Apple are one option. However, there are also special technology funds that offer themselves ideally to long-term investors. These are a perfect alternative for those who don’t want to bother with daily fluctuations.
