MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

Investment Basics: Bonds Versus Equities

BONDS

Just like some people, organizations and governments need to borrow money in order to function. An organization may need funds to expand into new markets while the government may need money to improve the infrastructures. However, some organizations need more money than the bank can provide. This is why they have to issue bonds to the public market. After which, a number of investors can lend a portion of the capital needed. So in a sense, bonds are borrowed money with a fixed and stable rate of return.

EQUITIES

For an aggressive investor that embraces risks, consider purchasing equities. Equities are the shares sold by companies. Buying equities means you become a shareholder – an owner of a percentage of the company. But if the company gets bankrupt, an equity investor will get the last claim on its assets.

PROS

BONDS

Including bonds to your portfolio provides you periodic interest revenue for a certain length of time. Since its interest rate typically does not change, you will know what to expect.
In an unfortunate event that the company goes bankrupt, bondholders are the ones who get paid first because they are creditors with the first claim on the company’s assets.
There are various types of bonds to choose from such as government bonds, zero-coupon bonds, and corporate bonds.

EQUITIES

Since equity investors become owners of a percentage of the company, they are equipped with the highest possible returns.
You can profit it different ways such as gaining from the increase in share prices or dividend income (if the company declares dividends).
Depending on how huge your shares are, you may have power to vote in the company’s decisions and issues.

CONS

BONDS

Since the market changes and the bond’s interest rate relatively remains the same, it can lead you to getting lower investment returns.
If you are keen to sell a bond with an interest rate that is lower than the current market rate, you will have to sell it at a reduced or discounted amount that what you originally paid for.

EQUITIES

Equities are volatile and riskier than bonds. As much as equities can give you the highest returns, they can also give you greater losses.
Unlike bonds, there is no guarantee of dividend payment in equities. Based on the current market and business circumstances, the company can choose whether it pays the dividends or not.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Genius Ways To Hide Your Cash In Case Of Emergencies

No matter how safe Singapore can be, unforeseen events in the form of natural catastrophes, bad power outage, credit/debit card decline, or even theft can happen. Whether you call it secret stash or emergency fund, keeping a substantial amount of cash in your home is a must to handle the demands of these unforeseen events.

As people get clever in time, the old “putting it under your mattress” trick does not work anymore! Instead, consider these Genius Ways To Hide Your Cash At Home:

1. CREATING FALSE STRUCTURES

If you have a knack for the tools, consider an intensive Do-It-Yourself project of faking fixtures around your house. You can install a drain pipe or a power outlet in your room that doubles as a secret safe. Worry not if you are not too good of a craftsman as some online shops sell installation-ready disguised safes.

For example, you may purchase the Hidden Wall Safe that acts as a non-functioning outlet with a hidden compartment to keep your valuables such as cash, cards, and jewelry.

2. DISGUISING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Keeping your money scattered in the most unexpected places is a good theft-proof strategy. Contemplate on the best places to hide your money where no one else would look. If you are an avid fan of books, pick a “random” book in your cabinet and cut a space in the middle where you can store your cash. Then, put it back where it belongs.

Here are other easy tricks you may follow:

a. Push the lint brush/roller’s handle up and put your cash inside.
b. Stuff your money inside a jar of cotton balls.
c. Put your money (rolled with a rubber band around it) inside an empty medicine or vitamins bottle and seal it well.

3. SWIMMING WITH THE FISHES

If you have a relatively large aquarium at your house, consider putting rolled up cash inside a watertight solid-colored jar inside it. Keep it hidden among the seaweeds, rocks, ruins, and corals so that it is as concealed as much as possible.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Alternatively, you may put your watertight jar of money inside the toilet tank.

Sources: 1 & 2

Top 5 Tunes About Wealth And Money

Relationships, heartbreaks, and love may be the most observable theme in the music charts today but you cannot deny that money comes next.

Whether you like listening to songs about the pains of fortune or the joys of owning material things, there seems to be no shortage of songs about money. In fact, Jay-Z’s new record label “Magna Carta Holy Grail” stressed his insistence on continuing to rap about his wealth.

With that said here are the tunes that prove how complex and well-documented money is…

1. She Works Hard For The Money by Donna Summer

From the Queen of Disco herself – the late Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard For The Money” swiftly became one of her signature songs.

2. Mo Money Mo Problems by The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Mase & Puff Daddy

Life After Death album’s lead single is one of the first songs that come to people’s mind when talking about money-related lyrics. The catchy chorus says a lot about the difficulties faced by Biggie after he began growing his wealth.

“I don’t know what, they want from me
It’s like the more money we come across,
the more problems we see”

3. Taxman by The Beatles

A timeless dedication to the United Kingdom’s government taxation, “Taxman” came about when the band realized that it was losing a bulk of its earnings due to the supertax that Harold Wilson had introduced.

4. Like Money by Wonder Girls ft. Akon

“Like Money” is a song that mashes both love and money as a theme. In its first week, the song debuted at number 11 in South Korea. By the end of August 2012, its popularity soared to about 583,737 downloads in south Korea alone.

5. Bills by LunchMoney Lewis

Exuding elements of hip-hop, ragtag, and jazz, this hit is the debut single of the American rapper called LunchMoney Lewis. It is about a man who is overwhelmed about his debts and bills that he has to work harder everyday in order to make sure that they all survive.

I have to admit, I cannot get enough of this song!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Most Popular Recruitment Agencies In Singapore

Extraordinary – that is the perfect word to describe Singapore’s workforce.

Singapore is a popular destination to many foreign workers and a starting point to some locals who want to further their careers overseas.With that said, the competition is as fierce as can be!

Stand up from the rest and improve your chances of getting hired by seeking the services of credible recruitment agencies. A recruitment agency is a business paid to find suitable workers for various companies and organizations. It plays a vital role in connecting the employers with the potential candidates.

To help you in your quest, here are some of the Most Popular Recruitment Agencies In Singapore…

1. RECRUIT EXPRESS

From its inception in 1996, Recruit Express has expanded their staffing operations across the Asia-Pacific regions. In fact they have offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok.

Listed as one of the top Singapore agencies at JobsDB.com, Recruitment Express uses their vast network of resources and extensive database to match the right people to the right organization within the shortest time.

2. CAREERHUB CONSULTANTS

A relatively new agency established in 2011, Careerhub Consultants has been ranked as one of the best Headhunter in Singapore by Dougles Chan. Dougles Chan is the author of Financial Success in Recruitment Industry and Job Seeker Power Manual).

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

This recruitment agency offers a myriad of job opportunities in fields such as hospitality, finance, and engineering.

3. AEGIS RECRUITMENT

Aegis Recruitment is one of the leading agencies in Singapore that boasts with excellent reputation. Just take a look at their sleek, neat, and user-friendly website right now. Do you see what I mean?

From real estate to advertising, the Aegis consultants do not just work by “word matching”. Rather, they use extensive methods and prompt actions to ensure that the requirements are thoroughly understood and met.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Although these agencies are potent, you must not heavily rely on them to secure a job. Do not just sit back and relax at home! Put in additional efforts to observe the odds in your favor.

Sources: 1 & 2

Trending Instagram Hobbies Within Your Budget

Where else can you showcase your coolest talents, delicious meals, cutest pets, greatest adventures, and oddest interests better than at Instagram (IG)?

As I browse through my IG feed, I noticed these 5 hobbies that are within each individual’s tight budget:

1. EDITING

Some people are naturally gifted with visual arts while others see it as a hobby that they have to practice. If you want to share your beautiful memories captured on portraits, showcase your photography and editing skills on IG.

Fit in the crowd by ensuring that you edited your photos with extra filters and finishing touches. Use this “4 Free Photo Editing Apps” list to help you out!

2. SINGING

I have to admit, a bunch of my IG friends are good at singing. And a fun way to get their followers connected is by posting a preview of their “full cover/song video” and linking it to their bio.

For emerging and establish artists, it is a no-cost way to advertise and stay in touch with the fans.

3. EATING

Some people love to watch movies as much as others love to read books. But my favorite people love to go on “food trips”. To be on a food trip means that you are on-board a stimulating and exciting food experience. Whether it will be a good or a bad one, you can easily post your food photography or video clips on IG for your friends to see.

4. CRAFTING

On the top of making a Facebook page of your artworks, you can manifest your artistic side by posting it on IG. This can not only support your passion but also boost your followers and your brand. You can either show daily clips of your artwork’s progress or make a short timelapse video of it from start to finish.

5. SHOPPING

If your interests involve window shopping (like many Singaporeans), take it up a notch by virtually browsing on IG. Save time, effort, and money by looking through a range of local labels while at home. Check out @gsews for bags, @wontyouburnbitch for accessories, and @lovebonito for clothes!

Screen-grabbed from instagram.com/lovebonito

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