Financial Challenges of Wedding Preparation and How to Overcome Them

Weddings are notoriously known for being expensive and stressful.

Be prepared to plan for a year for an event that will happen instantly in a day. The possible options are overwhelming! Not to mention, countless wedding vendors are vying for your attention. You might want to brace yourself, because the average cost of a wedding in Singapore ranges between S$22,200 and S$52,800.

During the process of wedding planning, engaged couples often make financial mistakes that affect their future. Here’s how you can avoid these common financial challenges.

#1: NOT SETTING BOUNDARIES FROM THE GET-GO

Failure to discuss your financial boundaries can affect your other wedding decisions. The decision to unite as a family isn’t merely about spending the rest of your lives with your true love. It is also about the practical areas of building a future. You need to either rent a flat or buy a flat. Do you plan to have a baby in the next five years? Do you want to travel to Europe for your honeymoon?

It is important for couples to discuss the specifics and mutually agree on a financial plan. Know which funds are “ours”, “yours”, and “mine”. Decide which expenses should be paid for by the “ours” bucket (e.g., venue rental) and which part should come out from your “mine” bucket (e.g., wedding gift to your partner).

#2: BEING TRAPPED BY THE CONTRACTS

Let’s face it – weddings are a lucrative business! The contracts you have with the suppliers are binding. So, don’t simply sign on the dotted line without asking questions. Studying the contract will enable you to bargain strategically. For instance, you can remove unnecessary inclusions such as upgraded linens for VIP guests.

Some contracts leave you financially responsible for empty rooms and chairs that you reserved for the event. This added expense can create a hole in your pocket. Be sure to read the contracts thoroughly.

#3: INVITING PEOPLE OUT OF OBLIGATION

It’s easy to get into the mindset of having to invite everyone from your secondary school friends to your second cousin whom you have not seen in a decade, but having a huge guest list may turn out to be a big financial mistake. As uncomfortable a conversation may be, you must decide together to only extend an invite to those people who you really want to be at your wedding.

Set clear rules about your guest list such as “no kids” or “no plus ones”. With fewer people, you will be able to maximize your wedding budget and assign your funds to more key areas including catering and venue rental. Best of all? You will only be celebrating this special occasion with the ones closest to you.

#4: FAILURE TO FACTOR IN THE UNEXPECTED EXPENSES

You have booked and paid for the flowers, venue, photographer, and catering. Everything on your list is accomplished and small details have been polished. However, unexpected expenses can come on the day itself. While paying for an extra person might not break the bank, before you know it, you receive a bill that you did not foresee. Thus, it is important to create some wiggle room and be ready for unexpected expenses.

#5: SPENDING MORE THAN WHAT YOU HAVE

Common wedding expenses that you must prepare for include

a. ROM and solemnisation fees,
b. Venue rental and banquet,
c. Photographer and videographer, as well as
d. Wedding party entertainment.

Many engaged couples splurge on their wedding because of this mindset – you only get married once. Coming from someone who has recently had her civil marriage ceremony, I am now planning to have our Church wedding ceremony. Sometimes, you do not get married once. Moreover, going into debt to wed is never the right foot to start your marriage on.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Having a realistic wedding budget can help you stay within your limits. Have a firm idea of how much money is available for your wedding. Then, create a wish list of the things that you would like to have. Prioritize your list while taking your current financial situation into consideration. There are no wrong or right priorities, just preferences to complete your special day!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Things You Should Not Be Spending Too Much On

As all the expenses adult life throws at you outpour, it can be difficult to manage your finances regardless of how much you make. One of the best ways to improve your situation is to trim your daily costs. Figure out what exactly you are paying for by knowing which things you are spending too much on.

1. FOOD

If you have been eating restaurant food almost everyday because you do not cook much then, you really need to cutback on your food expenses. Here are some viable suggestions:

a. If eating out is unavoidable, you must eat smart by making healthier and cheaper choices in just 5 ways.

b. When you are shopping and cooking at home, think about these awesome veggies and fruit hacks that will help you to be healthy and to save more.

c. Just because the food is deemed or claimed as healthy – that does not mean it always is. For example, most diet often has enough protein intakes already but some people still add the protein powder. By doing so, the person is at risk of excess protein, which is actually bad for the health. When your normal eating diet is protein sufficient then, save on expensive medical bills by skipping the protein powder.

2. HANDPHONE INSURANCE

Yes! It is better safe than sorry but some of the Smartphone mishaps can be fixed or even prevented for less. Spare yourself some money and time by subtracting handphone insurance and Smartphone repair to your expenses. Here are some viable suggestions:

a. Instead of paying 3-4 months of handphone insurance because you are scared of water damage, a well-reviewed waterproof case will only cost you S$21.

b. With continued use; your charger may not fit as well into the port as it did before. The simple way to fix it is to use a sharp toothpick to remove the lint and dirt from the port. Clean the rest of your phone by using cotton swab/ cotton buds/ cotton tips with drops of distilled water on it.

c. Overtime, you may experience hearing an inferior sound when you plug the earphones into the “jack” (usually on the upper-right hand corner of the phone). To fix this audio quality, stick a cotton swab into the jack and use it to clear out any dirt.

3. GREETING CARDS

I know everyone would agree that those stores bought greeting cards are too pricey for its materials. A minimum of S$4 per card (i.e., price of a common brand) for every occasion and for every special someone can add to your expenses fast. Do not get me started with the price of famed Hallmark cards!

A frugal alternative is to print free greeting cards that are available online. I personally recommend the free printable cards, invitations, and envelopes from greetingsisland.com.

4. DIAMOND RINGS

Since wedding and engagement are events that happen once in a lifetime, people often rationalize their spending for the diamond rings. Jewelry, in general, is an expensive category in itself. Expensive jewelry plus an emotional event can result to overspending. If you try to spend less, you will feel guilty and cheap. Fortunately, you can negotiate with the prices by knowing the 4 C’s namely carat, clarity, color, and cut.

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

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

Now, you may ask the local jeweler if he or she is willing to change the setting of the ring for a discount or even for free. That will surely lower down the overall amount.

Sources: 1 & 2

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11 Cheapest Items on the First Months of 2015

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

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

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

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.

Sources: Reader’s Digest and Lifehacker

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