MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

5 Ways To Save Loads Of Cash On Your Website Or Blog

First impressions are highly important and if we are talking about the World Wide Web, your first impression starts with your website or blog’s home page. To vamp up your home page, you can hire a web designer to create your template, purchase Ads to increase traffic, or even hire a Social Media Manager. But, that will all cost you loads of money. Avoid this by taking charge and following these tips:

1. BE HANDS-ON

As I said, instead of hiring professionals to do the job for you, commit several hours in developing this craft. Write the contents of your website or blog yourself and take advantage of the free templates available online. Pushing all the work to the experts does not only cost you money but also time.

2. TRY FREE WEBSITE MANAGERS

There are softwares that act as website managers, they are called Content Management System or CMS. CMS keeps track of your content such as simple text, images, music, and so on. It does not need major tech skills or digital knowledge to get started. They already have the template, plug-ins, and coding for you. All you have to do is download them. There are reliably free ones such as Joomla! and WordPress.com.

3. USE COPYRIGHT SAFE AND COST-FREE PHOTOS

To beautify your home page and your articles, you must put high-definition photos that are free – as much as possible. For the professional looking images that do not cost a cent, I recommend: Flickr, Morgue File, and Pixabay.

Although most of the photos on these websites are free, you must click each image individually to determine if it is available under Creative Commons or public domain. It has to be under public domain or copyright safe because getting images off the Internet without permission can get you sued for thousands of dollars!

4. FIND AN INEXPENSIVE DOMAIN NAME REGISTAR

When an individual visits your business, the Internet is the first place they will look for. Having your own domain name (e.g., InsertWebsiteName.com or InsertBlogName.net) enables visitors to locate your business faster. Furthermore, it let’s you create an impressive online presence that is both professional and unique looking. For cheaper rates, go to Godaddy. Do not let the name deceive you! Godaddy is one of the popular domain registrars that has the following affordable rates:

Screen-grabbed from https://sg.godaddy.com/

5. BUILD THE TRAFFIC YOURSELF

Build the website or blog traffic by yourself through gaining followers and friends on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This may take a slower pace than paid services but it is certainly more genuine. That is why relationships built on social media lasts long.

Image Credits: PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay with CC0 Public Domain

Image Credits: FirmBee via Pixabay with CC0 Public Domain

Use your website as a way to inspire others or a way to generate profit by taking charge. Upon your reign, you will be able to minimize the cost of errors and find efficient cost solutions.

Sources: 1 & 2

Shops That Sell Fabulously Affordable Hair Products & Accessories In Singapore

There are a lot of expensive hair items that may look great but are not necessary. You are bound to lose those thin hair ties anyway. Am I right women? Then, perhaps the S$2 pack of 200-pieces Daiso hair ties would interest you!

Image Credits: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000595312945

If you are searching for fashionable yet affordable hair products and accessories to make you stand out then, look no further! When you are on a budget and are prioritizing your shopping essentials, these shops prove that you do not have to spend loads just to look fabulous:

1. H&M

Shop here.

H&M or Hennes & Mauritz was originally founded in Sweden and has now become one of the fastest growing fashion clothing for children, men, and women. It comes as no surprise that this mega brand carries its own hair products. Their hair ties, hair clips, hair bands, and hair claws are priced at S$2.90-19.90.

And, my favorite items in their stores are the 10-Pack hair elastics or hair ties and the Patterned hair bands. The 10-Pack hair elastics retails for only S$2.90, which includes assorted colored elastics that are made with 60% elastane and 40% polyester.

Image Credits: http://www.hm.com/sg

While the versatile hair bands are woven with printed patterns and have twisted detailing. Do not worry about the size because it is elastic at the back.

2. COTTON ON

Shop here.

Cotton On hails from Australia. Also one of the fastest growing fashion clothing worldwide, Cotton On proves that their company specializes with kids (Cotton On Kids) and even stationary (Typo). Cotton On Kids has a wide range of lively hair accessories for girls that are priced from S$1-6.95. Who can argue with that?

Among these inexpensive items, my favorite is the S$4.95 KNOT MESSY HAIR TIES (10 pieces) because it is multi-purpose. Aside from colorful hair ties, girls can mix and match it as colorful bracelets.

Image Credits: Screen-grabbed from http://cottonon.com/SG

3. WATSONS

Shop here.

Who is not familiar with Watsons? Watsons or Watsons Personal Care Stores is the largest health and beauty care shop in Asia. This big brand is complete with hair accessories and hair products such as shampoo, conditioners, hair dyes, and hair styling items.

A few of the Watsons’ stunners are the GIOVANNI Brazilian Keratin & Argan Oil Blow Out Styling Mist and the GATSBY Set & Keep Spray. The GATSBY Set & Keep Spray for men helps to style your hair and make it last for the whole day. It is priced at S$9.20 only.

Image Credits: http://www.watsons.com.sg

While, the GIOVANNI Brazilian Keratin & Argan Oil Blow Out Styling Mist comes in 118 ml for S$13.90. It is supposed to de-tangle your tresses and protect it from the mighty heat of the blow dryer. Furthermore, Argan oil is proven to make your hair silkier, softer, and shinier.

Image Credits: http://www.watsons.com.sg

Local Companies That Offer Space-Saving Furniture For Your Small Flat

In response to the admiration that the “5 Simple Ways To Maximize Your Small Flat Without Spending Too Much” got, here is the list of the companies you can buy space-saving furniture from. This way, you can store more and keep more of your beloved items while maximizing the space. Interestingly, most of these companies are on a mission of decreasing the constraints of living on small space as our population continues to boom.

1. HWB Concept Pte Ltd (click for official website)

HWB, short for Hidden Wall Bed, is a company that specializes on wall-affixed beds that come in basic or designer style. What is amazing about their beds is that it can hold up to 70 KG with a mattress as thick as 5-11 inches. Furthermore, it can open at any angle even at 30 degrees without slamming down. They claim that their products can also endure the mounting of a 42″ LED TV. Such strength for a product that saves space!

If you have a style in mind, their beds are fully customizable to any ceiling height and you are free to choose from a myriad of finishes.

Here is a sneak peek at their iCON@CHANGI Small Home Office Showroom:

2. Space-Saving Furniture Systems

Established in 2012, Space-Saving Furniture Systems offers beds that are designed and imported from the United Kingdom. To assess the safety of the beds, they were tested for thousands of cycles and were verified by the UK wall bed manufacturer itself. They guarantee highest standards that do not harm the price. For instance the Cosy Beds collection follow these prices…

Cosy vertical wall-bed with hanger at the back: S$1,500-2,100

Cosy vertical wall-bed: S$1,450

Cosy horizontal twin wall-beds: $2,600

What separates them from most is that, beds are super customizable! You can add features such as cupboards, bookshelves, and mattress. The wall-beds have 3-year warranty while the mattress have 5-15-year warranty. The two different brands of UK beds they carry are Next and Alpha. Lastly, they sell wardrobe closets too! The wardrobe closet is priced at S$900-1,200.

3. Spaceman

Last but certainly not the least is the media acclaimed company called Spaceman. Spaceman delivers innovative and stylish space-saving furniture to beautify your place and meet your needs. Featured on The Straits Times, Expat Living, The Business Times, and Home & Decor among others, Spaceman strives to sell affordable products which is why their prices are fixed and displayed on their website.

From hidden beds or wall-beds to kitchen furniture, they have it all for you. Their economical hidden bed starts at S$1,100. While the bigger sizes cost S$3,170-3,552. You may fold it vertically or horizontally, to blend within your walls.

Currently, they are having a sale on this Rise Coffee Table + Dining Table (S$1,988):

Source: 1

Risking Your Money On Investing Versus Gambling

Sense of expectations and hopes for future profit are both present in the whirlwind world of investing and gambling. Although they are seemingly similar as both involve the risk of money, they have undeniable major differences. From the basic definition to the societal view, here is a concise comparison between investing and gambling…

1. DEFINITION

Dictionary.com differentiates the two as:

a. Investing: To commit capital or money to gain a financial return.

b. Gambling: To bet on uncertain outcome, much like a contest.

If you understood what the above definitions entail, you will come to the conclusion that the difference between these two is based on the determinability of the outcome. In investments, you place your hard-earned cash at a risk of loss where the odds are usually favorable. This is because purchasing government bonds are more predictable and secure.

While in gambling, you place your hard-earned cash at a risk of loss where the odds are usually unfavorable. This is because the gambling games are devised so as to bring more winnings to the casino itself.

2. STRATEGY FOR FUTURE GOALS

If you are torn between investing and gambling as a means of strategy to build your future goal such as a Retirement Fund then, gambling may not be it. A long-term plan such as this takes sufficient research and favorable odds. And, that may not be present in gambling. In investing, systematic approach is taken from risk management to economic literacy. While in gambling, risk-seeking individuals conduct little to no research and are fueled by their momentary emotions.

3. SOCIETAL VIEW

Even if gambling is typically part of the Asian culture, some of its by-products include well-documented unpleasant consequences such as filing for bankruptcy or having hefty debts from Loan Sharks. On the other hand, investing is a socially acceptable engine that drives capitalism. Investors not only place their money on the companies but they also help them to accomplish their goals and pull the country’s economy to the top.

I shall close this post with a quote by Kenneth Cranham:

“Buying a particular vintage because everyone tips it and then waiting for it to mature is like gambling. The thrill is in placing the bet. Once the race is run or the match is played, you’ll either win or lose. Until that happens, you’re caught in this wonderful, agonising sense of expectation.”

Image Credits: Chris Potter (www.stockmonkeys.com) via Flickr with CC License

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

Lost? Here Are Sensible Money Tips From 3 Financial Experts

Tangled in a financial dilemma? Who will you ask for monetary advice or practical financial tips? If a professional is out of your reach, the next best thing is to read about their nuggets of wisdom.

This is why I collated the best financial advice from three experts. These experts are no other than Suze Orman, Cullen Roche, and Jeanne Kelly. Suze Orman is an American Financial Advisor, Author, Motivational Speaker, and Presenter. Cullen Roche is the Founder of a financial services firm called Orcam Financial Group, LLC. Lastly, Jeanne Kelly is a media acclaimed Credit Coach.

1. TAKE CHANCES

Suze Orman tells us that nobody achieved financial security by being frightened and weak. Being confident in one part of your life is contagious, as it will bring more opportunities to you. You won’t get there unless you try!

2. INVEST MORE IN YOU

Cullen Roche shares that the primary way to financial success is more than just saving. It is by investing more…in you. Since your primary source of income is the person you see in the mirror, a good way to maximize your wealth is to make yourself valuable to other people or other companies.

To be valuable and different from the rest, you must never stop learning. Education that improves your skills so you can adapt to the ever-changing economy. I personally recommend you to start with free Internet education from YouTube’s Khan Academy or Crash Course.

3. BAD CREDIT IS EASY TO AVOID

Jeanne Kelly claims that it is easier to maintain good credit by avoiding bad ones than to rebuild a new credit once it has been declined. She says that a quick way to avoid bad credit is by regularly reviewing the credit reports – at least two times a year. In merely 15 minutes, you can minimize the errors of your credit report and save more money!

4. EQUATION FOR YOUR INCOME

Lastly, Cullen Roche suggests for you to try the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. Spend 50% of your income to the basics or essentials such as rent, food, and utilities. 30% should go on your personal needs such as entertainment, vacation, and leisure. And the 20% left should be allocated to your savings.

Image Credits: 401(K) 2012 via Flickr with CC Attribution-ShareAlike License

Take in their knowledge only if it applies to your situation. Then, fuse the elements together and enrich your life.

Sources: 1 & 2

Search the site