Cardio or aerobic exercises aid increases both your oxygen intake and heart rate. This is why it is no surprise that cardio workouts help in sculpting your belly. According to Duke University study, if you want to burn loads of visceral belly fat, go for cardio or aerobic exercises. Furthermore, it burns 67% more calories than resistance exercises.
Also try aerobic kickboxing indoors, as the arm thrusts and high kicks firm the abs well.
2. WALK MORE
Bring walking to your favor by engaging your abdomen while you walk. To do this, imagine a magnet pulling your belly button backward toward your spine as you walk. Practice this tucking movement until you become comfortable. Then, you may invite an exercise buddy or two.
3. CONSUME MORE OF THESE
Eat more of the fibrous foods such as apples, artichokes, pinto beans, and broccoli because your stomach will carry about 4% less fat for every 10 grams of fiber intake daily. 10 grams is not too much if you ask me!
Image Credits: threelayercake via Flickr with Creative Commons License (ND)
Additionally, eating half a cup of avocado can help flatten your belly. Avocado contains Monounsaturated fatty acids that stop blood sugar spikes to store fat around your belly area. Friendly reminder: consume more of these foods without overdoing it.
4. CONSUME LESS OF THESE
Alcohol intake raises the cortisol levels, which can lead to sending fats straight to your belly. While the bubbles from carbonated drinks including diet sodas accumulate on your belly too. So, it is best to shy away from alcohol and carbonated drinks.
5. SLEEP AWAY THE BELLY FATS
According to a study from University of Chicago, participants who slept for 7 hours or more lost twice as many fats and are less hungry that those who sleep for a brief hours. Having a good night’s sleep is always beneficial. Check out the “Have A Good Night’s Sleep Without Breaking The Bank” article to get quality sleep and to manage the daily challenges ahead.
6. TARGET EVERY ANGLE OF YOUR CORE
Do quick and doable exercises that target every angle of your core namely: Transversus abdominis, Rectus abdominis, Obliques, and Lower back to Glutes. Doing so will not only give you toned abs, but also reduce the risk of injury and improve your overall posture. Choose one move for every angle. Click here for the illustrated guide.
Alternatively, you may follow this “4 Best Exercises for a Flat Stomach” video that takes less than 7 minutes to complete!
I love to shop and i do so almost every day – that, however, doesn’t seems synonymous with my attitude towards saving money.
How would a stingy person (if you’d like to call it) like myself still have the tenacity to do shopping everyday? And I don’t mean buying groceries but rather spending on a “want” that is not what you deemed as daily necessities. I do my shopping from the brick and mortar shops to online shopping and i never fail to keep my credit card away for a day.
Here’s the secret: I achieved a sense of satisfaction for being able to spot deals and maximize the utility value of my money. I often make advance purchase, say a voucher on Groupon that would allow me to redeem the offer within a stipulated period.
Being a frequent shopper, i would need to make sure i don’t pay more for what is required right? Every dollar saved is a dollar earned.
How does the idea of saving up to 70% or more on a deal sounds? Too good to be true?
Here’s how:
1. Every month, Groupon will usually (well, at least for the past few months) conduct a 3 hour sale where you can enjoy additional discounts of 10 to 20% if you enter an exclusive promo code.
That’s usually the time i spend a few hours on my computer searching Groupon for items that i need.
Wait. Pause and rewind.
(Skip this if you want to buy the CEO of Groupon a cup of Starbucks’s Caffè Latte)
2. Before you even go directly to the Groupon’s website, first create an account on ShopBack. (a website that provide you with cashbacks) Shopback provides you with cashbacks for over 100 online retailers and for Groupon, you have a neat 4 per cent cashback that you can enjoy. All you need to do is to launch the Groupon’s page from Shopback’s website before doing your shopping.
3. That is not all. You can save even further by using a credit card that provides you with rebates on your purchase. A good one you can consider using is the OCBC Frank Card which allows you to earn a 6 per cent rebate on Groupon. (There is a $60 cap and you need to make a $500 min spend a month)
How much have you saved? Now do your maths.
Using the $49.90 for $100 Cash Voucher for Dim Sum at Wo Peng Cuisine as an example:
To summarise:
Shop during Groupon’s 3 hour sale and get 18% additional discount. ($49.90 * 18% = $9.00 discount)
Use ShopBack to earn cashback of 4%. (4% * ($49.90 * 0.82) = $1.60 cashback)
Use OCBC Frank Card to make payment (6% * ($49.90 * 0.82) = $2.50 cashback)
Instead of paying $100 to dine at Wo Peng Cuisine, i paid only $36.80 after taking into account of the discounts and cashbacks. That is a whopping 73.2% of savings.
I have already accumulated a few hundred dollars in cashbacks without much effort.
For now, sign up for an account on ShopBack and make use of Groupon’s 3 hour sale from 7 – 8 July 2015 and save up to 18% on Dining, Beauty and Leisure Deals with the promo code: “PROMO18“. Arm yourself with a credit card that gives you the best benefits.
(This article is contributed by Jenny, a reader of Money Digest)
No matter how much fashion and lifestyle magazines clamor over the S$1000 pair of Christian Louboutin heels, the average person cannot afford to have a shoe rack full of it. Fortunately, you can dress up fashionably without having to break the bank! All you have to do is make the low-priced clothing look more expensive. Try these tips:
1. BACK TO BASICS
The old saying is true: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. This is why you must avoid handbags or clothes that are filled with bargain embellishments or distressed denim patterns. If you want to accessorize, opt for a thick bracelet rather than stacking three little ones to increase the outfit’s impact. Remember: the sleeker and simpler – the better.
2. CHOOSE MONOCHROMATIC
Since splashing yourself with every color on the rainbow can look cheap, wear one color or one shade of color from head-to-toe. This creates an illusion of supreme quality. For example, you can wear the different shades of black, from Jet-Licorice, to look slimmer and fashionable. Although, this does not mean that you will avoid experimenting with color all together. You may suit up with bold pastels or deep jewel tones.
3. CHANGE THE BUTTONS
One of the tricks that stylists do is to replace the inexpensive plastic buttons with pearl or metal ones. You can purchase affordable and beautiful vintage, metal, pearl, and crystal buttons for as low as S$6.93 at Etsy.com.
Image Credits: Erich Ferdinand via Flickr with Creative Commons License
4.SELECT THE RIGHT FABRIC
Cheaper fabrics are always obvious especially if there are loose threads hanging on the side. So, prefer pieces that are made with cotton, linen, and tweed. The prices of these materials may be reasonable but they often seem more expensive.
5. TAILOR EVERYTHING
Tailoring your jeans for about S$5-12 is worth every buck as it can transform your S$13 Forever21 jeans into a designer looking one. It goes the same for a tailored blazer or a tailored dress. Aside from having it tailored by a professional, you can save more money by mastering these simple alteration stitches.
Image Credits: Hillary via Flickr with Creative Commons License Attribution-ShareAlike
Do not let the tight clothing budget fool you into thinking you’re not Vogue-worthy! 🙂
Are you having a difficulty to stay on budget every month? Perhaps it is about time to try a new approach. Here are just some ways to improve your financial situation…
1. MAKE SAVINGS THE FOCAL POINT
I am assuming that you are already set with your budget. You know how much money is coming in and how much money you have now. To grow that money and to prepare for major spending (e.g., buying a property or a car), you must focus on saving. Set up a savings account to make things easier for you. Then, allot an amount to save each month. Seeing your savings balance increase will be a treat to your eyes.
2. SPEND THE CASH YOU HAVE
Whenever I am going out, I leave my credit/debit cards behind and put a relatively small amount of cash in my wallet. This amount is enough for me to survive the day. Furthermore, I am not tempted to buy unnecessary things even if there are several shopping malls along the way.
You can also apply this trick to stay on your budget and be mindful about how much you spend. Try it for a few weeks first to get used to it.
3. REVAMP AND RECYCLE YOUR STUFF
Fix, refurbish, or recycle your furniture, decor, or appliance that are still in good condition instead of saving up money to replace these. As you revamp your stuff, use warm colored paints to brighten up the mood! Or, recycle your old drawer and turn it into a shelf. There are many ways you can think of to upgrade the look of your home without having to spend so, get your creative juices going!
Image Credits: Sean and Lauren via Flickr with Creative Commons License
4. CUT DOWN ON UNHEALTHY HABITS
Unhealthy habits, such as drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco, that you enjoy on a regular basis can not only increase your insurance premiums but also your daily expenses. When you decide to stop drinking and smoking entirely, you will see your bills going down and you will feel improvements in your health – in no time.
5. PRESERVE THE RECEIPTS
To make a budget, you probably stored a bunch of receipts and monitored your expenses for a month. But, you still need to keep an eye on it in order to stick on your budget. Save up all your receipts and categorize them. If you find something that you spend too much on, analyze if you lower your spending on it. For instance, frequent restaurant take-outs can put a toll on your budget.
6. REWARD YOURSELF
One of the quickest ways to adapt a new approach is to have a reward system. Reward yourself each time you reach your financial goal. You do not have to spend a hefty amount to indulge. Have a sleepover with your friends or read a delightful book. Finding ways to associate the budgeting process to a positive feeling will help you reinforce more good habits and get rid of the unhealthy ones.
Image Credits: Vox Efx via Flickr with Creative Commons License
Joey Lim from coupon-cashback site ShopBack Singapore explains how cashback websites are changing the way South-East Asians shop online. ShopBack is one of the largest coupon-cashback websites in the South-East Asian region.
Online shopping has redefined retail and changed the way people spend their money. With more and more online shoppers cashing in on the cashback trend, shopping habits have evolved further beyond simple price comparison between online shops. Shoppers are now counting on the magic combination of letters and numbers that form coupon codes to help them save money on their online purchases.
While cashback websites are not exactly the latest response to the online shopping boom, they are relatively new in South-East Asia where the number of online shoppers is steadily increasing each day, thanks to rising affluence and access to technology. These cashback websites are simple to understand: they partner with hundreds of merchants and secure a certain percentage of cashback for shoppers who click through them. The only change is the point of access to the desired shop page – after that it’s just the wait to see money flow back into your bank account.
Uncertainty and Unfamiliarity
In a BBC News article “Cashback websites: How do they work?”, Burns addresses the doubts of consumers, many of whom are wary and suspicious of the promises that these cashback websites make. In response to consumer accusations of money delay and obscure placement of information, she cites Quidco’s managing director Andy Oldham, who admits that there is cause to reconsider how important details like cashback percentage and timeline are presented on the website. Quidco is one of the biggest cashback sites in the UK, with 2 million members and counting.
“It all sounds too good to be true” seems to be the common consensus amongst online shoppers. Such hesitation and misunderstanding could potentially hurt profits but cashback websites are already one step ahead of consumers; many are doubling efforts to make their website layout as simple as possible to suggest clarity and transparency. Prominently displayed video tutorials, reviews and visual guides are just some of the several methods employed to assuage consumers’ fears and make online shopping more enjoyable.
That being said, we understand how many online shoppers can get overwhelmed by the multitude of choices that the cyberworld of shopping offers – it’s a game of meticulousness, powered by the desire to get the best deal. Price comparison online can be tedious but add another few cashback websites to study and most are ready to give up. To prevent yourself from burning out before you even begin to cash in, Sarah Pennells from savvywoman has collated some of the main considerations when looking for cashback sites, as condensed here:
Percentage of cashback and merchant variety
Possible membership fees
How quickly you’ll be paid your cashback
How much cashback you have to earn before you’re paid
How you’re paid
Not all cashback sites are created equal so it’s definitely worth your time doing a little research to find out which ones are most suitable for your intended purchase. Some collaborate with the same merchant, but offer different cashback rates, so be sure to hunt down the one that will help you save the most.
Shopping Smart but Safe
When in doubt about a certain cashback website, Williams from US News suggests googling for reviews and complaints. Chances are, other people have already used their services and can give an honest review of the site – whether it’s the real deal or just a potato chip bag half-full of air, promising everything but delivering lesser than expected. Another warning from his article – “If you go to a cash-back site once and make a tiny purchase but never shop there again, you may never see your money”. It’s important to understand the math behind the business. Big purchases like plane tickets are guaranteed to give you a substantial amount of cash back in just one bill while shopping for clothes once may not be enough to reach the minimum cashback threshold.
Keeping all this in mind, cashback sites can really help shoppers accumulate substantial savings in the long run, especially those who shop online often. If the bulk of your buys are made online, consider using a cashback site to help you stretch your dollar – you’ll have less problems sticking to your budget because of all the little savings. Results may not be as fast but slowly and surely your savings from discounts will increase.
Everyone’s Cashing In
The steady rise of cashback websites in South-East Asia marks a concrete change in the expectations of local consumers. Regular sales just aren’t enough anymore – people want bigger discounts, better deals and the best price possible for even small purchases. It’s a competitive market but no doubt a lucrative one, if cashback companies know how to manage consumer demands. It’s all about the extra mile now, with sleek user-friendly web designs and excellent customer service to cater to the growing number of shoppers interested in the concept. The challenge for these businesses is to differentiate themselves from others; to constantly renew and improve to stay ahead of competition and meet consumer needs.
The verdict’s out: Cashback websites are here to stay and both companies and consumers stand to benefit. With some foresight for companies and savvy discernment on the part of consumers, the e-commerce cashback industry looks set to get bigger and produce more impressive results. If you’re curious to find out more about cashback rebates, here’s an introductory video on how ShopBack works:
