3 Life Events Where Time Management Is Financially Crucial

Your heart is pounding as excitement and uncertainty clouds your mind. You are about to make a life altering decision. Pause for a moment. Before you do anything else, consider its financial outcomes.

Whether you are rendering your resignation or planning your engagement proposal, all these huge decisions can make or break your wealth. This is why it is important to have a substantial amount of time to analyze every factor including time itself.

To do this, you must master the art of time management. Time management refers to the way you organize and sort out how long you spend on specific tasks. After all, we are equally given the same 24 hours. Let us make the most of it!

For instance, here are some life events where time management is financially crucial…

1. GETTING MARRIED

Save lots of money by scheduling your big day during off-peak months. Generally, getting married in “off-peak” months such as November, March, and April can be less expensive than marrying in “peak” months such as December and February. However, you must always be cautious of the venue’s weather and conditions.

During off-peak months where the demand for weddings are lesser, couples get to negotiate for better prices. Tying the knot in these months means taking full advantage of the discounted prices on reception venues, catering, and photography. If you want to save even more, know the right time when the hotels and resorts are off-season and stay away from the weekends.

2. RENDERING YOUR RESIGNATION

Remaining in a horrible job or company for too long can be harmful not only to your career but also to your health. If you have tried your best to turn things around and have not seen any changes, perhaps it may be time to walk away.

According to Travis Bradberry of Forbes.com, here some signs that validate your desire to quit:

It is time to quit your job if you…

a. dread going to work.

b. know more than your boss.

c. are out of the workplace loop most of the time.

d. lost your passion.

e. have a horrible boss who is not going anywhere.

f. see no room for advancement.

g. are suffering health wise.

h. are suffering in your personal life.

i. think the company is in danger of closing.

Image Credits: Quinn Dombrowski (CC License Attribution-ShareAlike)

Image Credits: Quinn Dombrowski (CC License Attribution-ShareAlike)

If most of this or all of this are happening to you, consider your options before quitting your main source of income. Rendering a resignation is best done during the beginning of the month, wherein you are not holding any projects yet. Schedule your resignation email or letter and do so graciously.

3. RECEIVING YOUR BILLS (AS A YOUNG WORKING ADULT)

As a young working adult, especially if you are living alone, you become responsible for keeping the household sharp. For the first time in your life, you are the chief of your own bills.

With this newly acquired responsibility, you must stay organized to keep up with your payments. Set aside some time in the beginning of the month to make a list of the bills you are expecting to receive. Put it on your working desk or create a file for it. This way, you will not pay a bill twice even if you received it simultaneously by e-mail and postal mail.

Alternatively, you can get your payments automated. Since you are prepared for the bills earlier on, you may have available money in the bank to pay it the same day as you received it. If you have automatic payment scheduled and you still received a billing statement, call your bank or creditor.

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

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

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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5 Things That Are Far More Important Than Money

Hustling through the most expensive city in the world, it is impossible not to get consumed with making money. We sacrifice our time and energy just to make sure that all the bills are taken care of. A lot of focus is really on building wealth in our society. But if we are mindful about the present, we will realize that there are far more important things than money. Start with these:

1. GOOD HEALTH

As the old saying goes: “health is wealth”. As long as the fountain of youth has not been located, our brain and body deteriorates as time goes by. Although we are aware of the benefits of physical activity to our health, most of us do little of it. So, instead of getting consumed by earning, lead a healthy lifestyle packed with exercise and balanced diet.

2. TREASURED TIME

If there is something money cannot buy, it is absolutely time! Time is one of the most important commodities on Earth. It is limited. And, once it is gone, you cannot take it back. Adding health into the equation, if you have been living with an unhealthy lifestyle then your time may be shorter than the rest. This is why you must make every second count.

3. APPRECIATED RELATIONSHIPS

Since our time here is limited, we must constantly put effort into making our loved ones feel that they are appreciated. Show affection by your presence, hugs, and kisses. Help one another in the time of need as this will only keep the bond stronger. Furthermore, one’s overall health is improved by continued support from his or her family and friends.

4. WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE

William Shakespeare once said: “A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

Wisdom comes from the knowing how minute you actually know. Submitting yourself to updated books and new experiences can fuel the lifelong learning process. Be amazed with how much knowledge you gained, often far beyond what you had hoped. Ultimately, this will lead to personal growth – another thing that money cannot buy.

5. DAILY GRATITUDE

Thankfulness increases happiness within you and beyond you. Instead of focusing on what you do not have, be appreciative of the things that you have. Before you go to sleep or the after you wake up, think of 3 things you are thankful about. This changes your focus from your stressors to the beautiful things that you might have taken for granted.

Image Credits: Evelyn Lim via Flickr with CC License

Image Credits: Evelyn Lim via Flickr with CC License

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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4 Saving Tips You Must Know Before Buying Your Dream Car

Aside from your wedding or your house, a car is one of the biggest investments you will make in your entire life. You do not want to pay more that what the car is worth or get stuck in paying your car loan. This is why it is paramount that you do it right.

1. TIME IS ESSENTIAL

Due to working hours, circumstance, and quota system, the best time to shop for a car is on the last weekdays of the month.

Most car shoppers visit the store during weekends where salespeople are usually busy. To ensure undivided attention, purchase a car early in the week. It is best to purchase later within the day, as salespeople are anxious to get home so they will spend less time negotiating. Lastly, best deals are at the end of the month especially if the dealers are just a few sales away from reaching their quota to meet their incentives.

2. BUY THE OLDER MODELS

Instead of buying a new model of car and losing a great deal of money, purchase a car that is at least 1 to 2 years older. Some may even take second-hand or used cars into consideration.

3. RESEARCH TO BE ENLIGHTENED

Determine how much you want to spend and whether you want to buy a brand new or secondhand car. This will give you a view of how long you have to save to replace your current car (if applicable). Research on the real value of your car options to see if you are getting a good deal.

4. RESIST THE UNNECESSARY

Dealers may make you pay more that you have intended so be firm and him or her that you mean business. Since they work on commission, they may offer you warranty, road service packages, and so on. If it is not needed, say no and stick to it.

Image Credits: JOHN LLOYD via Flickr

Image Credits: JOHN LLOYD via Flickr

Don’t allow yourself to feel uncomfortable and pressured into anything you are not interested in. If you go with a certain number in your head, stick to it. Now is not the time to stray from your budget.

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